Introduction
I am starting a new sermon series from Hebrews 11 that I am calling, “Flawed: Heroes of the Faith.” This five-week series explores the lives and flaws of some of the believers listed in Hebrews 11, “The Bible’s Hall of Faith.” The believers whose lives we will examine are Sarah, Moses, Jacob, and David.
I should mention my reason for doing a shorter sermon series. Last year, we carefully examined two books of the Bible: 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. In previous years I have preached through books of the Bible which have taken a long time. So, I thought that it might be good for me to do several shorter sermon series. Hence, “Flawed: Heroes of the Faith.”
Today, I would like to do an overview of Hebrews 11. We don’t know who wrote the book of Hebrews, although as the note in The Reformation Study Bible says, “While the human author of this book remains unknown, the important thing is that this writing, like the OT before it, is what ‘the Holy Spirit says’ (3:7)” (The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version [2015 Edition]).
The recipients of this letter were most likely Jewish Christians of the Dispersion. That is, they were Jews who had scattered from Jerusalem and Judea and, in this case, they were probably living in Italy (cf. 13:24).
The message of the letter to the Hebrews is about Jesus. One commentator suggests that Hebrews 1-6 teaches us that Jesus is a superior person, Hebrews 7-10 teaches us that Jesus exercises a superior priesthood, and Hebrews 11-13 teaches us that faith in Jesus is a superior principle. The recipients of this letter were tempted to go back to their old way of life in Judaism and put their faith in Moses and his teaching. They were tempted to put their faith in the visible things of this world and not in the invisible realities of God. Instead of going on to spiritual maturity, they were “of those who shrink back and are destroyed” (10:39).
The author asserts in Hebrews 11 that believers are called to live by faith in the promise of God.
Scripture
Let us read Hebrews 11:1-12:2:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please
him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Lesson
Hebrews 11:1-12:2 teaches us that we need faith to take hold of the promise of God.
Let’s use the following outline:
1. The Explanation of Faith (11:1-3)
2. The Examples of Faith (11:4-40)
3. The End of Faith (12:1-2)
1. The Explanation of Faith (11:1-3)
First, let’s look at the explanation of faith.
Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This is not a definition of faith but a description of what faith does and how it works. Just before the author wrote these words in verse 1, he wrote about the danger that springs from the sin of unbelief. The antidote for that dread poison is faith. The entire 11th chapter of Hebrews describes the living faith that saves. They compose the “cloud of witnesses” (12:1) who give powerful testimony that they should come to faith in God’s truth. So, the author begins with a general description of faith in verse 1. This verse is written in the style of Hebrew poetry in which two parallel and nearly identical phrases are set down to say the same thing: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,” and “the conviction of things not seen.” Therefore, “faith consists of persistent hope in the promises of God” (The ESV Study Bible). Moreover, “Faith is that which underlies the inheritance which believers expect to receive” (Hebrews–Jude, The Complete Biblical Library: Study Bible).
Faith is completely misunderstood today. That misunderstanding is most clearly seen in Disney movies. We often hear the expression “Just believe” or “Believe in yourself.” Usually, such a statement is intended to give the character in the movie confidence in tackling whatever needs to be done. This self-confidence is merely faith in oneself. It is a belief that one can accomplish that which is desired. But, that is not Biblical faith. Biblical faith is not faith in oneself; it “is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Commentator Warren Wiersbe puts it this way, “True Bible faith is confident obedience to God’s Word in spite of circumstances and consequences” (The Bible Exposition Commentary [Chapter Ten: Faith—The Greatest Power in the World]).
Faith is simple. God speaks and we obey his word. In ancient times, people sometimes literally heard God speak. Today, however, God speaks to us in the Bible. We take God at his word. We act on what God says to us in his word. No matter what the circumstances and no matter what the consequences, faith believes in God and the promise in his word.
2. The Examples of Faith (11:4-40)
Second, let’s observe the examples of faith.
In Hebrews 11:4-38, the author of Hebrews names sixteen different people as examples of faith. In addition, he says that many others demonstrated faith in several different ways in their lives.
Let me note some things that the flawed heroes of the Bible’s hall of faith had in common.
A. The Flawed Heroes Exercised Faith
First, the flawed heroes exercised faith.
All of the ones listed in Hebrews 11 exercised the faith that is stated in verse 1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” They took God at his word. They believed that what he said was true. Even though they could not see what was promised, they believed that God would honor his word to them.
For example, we read of Abraham in verses 8-10, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” Yes, Abraham did live in “the land of promise” but that was just a shadow of the future Promised Land that awaited him and all who believe in the promise of God.
B. The Flawed Heroes Met Opposition
Second, the flawed heroes met opposition.
The opposition that came to those who exercised faith was either from perverse persons or adverse things.
For example, we read of Moses in verses 24-25, “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” We read that “others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated” (11:36-37). Yet, despite the opposition they experienced, they still kept their faith in God.
C. The Flawed Heroes Had the Opportunity to Renounce Their Faith
Third, the flawed heroes had the opportunity to renounce their faith.
Believers are often tempted to renounce their faith in God. Moses was born to Jewish parents and was placed in the Nile River for three months. Eventually, he was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter. He was raised in the palace by Pharaoh’s daughter. One day, when Moses was grown up he killed an Egyptian who was fighting with an Israelite. After that, Moses came across two Israelites who were fighting and he attempted to stop them. One of the Israelites said to Moses, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known” (Exodus 2:14). And he fled from Egypt to Midian. Eventually, God called him to go back and set his people free from Pharaoh. Over the next several decades, I am sure Moses often wanted to turn back and live a simple life. But God had called him and he believed in God and the promise of God.
D. The Flawed Heroes Persevered in Their Faith
Fourth, the flawed heroes persevered in their faith.
Many of those listed in the Bible’s hall of faith encountered tremendous obstacles in their lives. “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated” (11:37). And yet they persevered in their faith. Verse 13 says, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
E. The Flawed Heroes Demonstrated Their Faith by Their Works
Fifth, the flawed heroes demonstrated their faith by their works.
Biblical faith is always accompanied by works. It is never merely a belief without any action. It is a faith that works. One example of faith that was demonstrated by works was Abraham. Verses 17-18 say, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ ” Abraham trusted God. He did not understand why God would call him to offer up his son. But faith always obeys. And so Abraham obeyed God. He began to offer up his son because “he considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back” (11:19). As you recall, the angel stopped him from killing his son. Instead, there was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son (Genesis 22:13).
Faith is demonstrated by works.
F. The Flawed Heroes Died Not Having Received What Was Promised
Sixth, the flawed heroes died not having received what was promised.
Verse 39 says, “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised.” What was it that God promised them? Verse 16 says, “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”
These ancient believers, along with all believers throughout all of history, are going to receive the promise of a better country, a city prepared for us by God. We are all pilgrims marching on our way to a heavenly home.
G. The Flawed Heroes Received Their Commendation from God
And seventh, the flawed heroes received their commendation from God.
All of these heroes had flaws. They all had their faults and their failures. They were all sinners. But, because of their faith in God, God commended them. Verse 2 says, “For by it the people of old received their commendation.” That is, by faith the people of old received their commendation from God.
What a precious truth: God not only gives believers faith, as is stated in Ephesians 2:8-9, but he also commends believers for the faith that he has given to them in the first place! Our salvation is all of God, from first to last. We only contribute our sin. God gives us faith to believe in the promises he has given to us. No one will ever get to heaven and say that he or she is in heaven because of making a better choice than those who are not in heaven. No. All believers will be overcome with the astonishing realization that our salvation is all of God. And that is why we will spend all eternity praising God for who he is and for all that he has done for us.
3. The End of Faith (12:1-2)
And third, let’s look at the end of faith. That is, let’s look at the object of faith.
The writer to the Hebrews was conscious that the people of old did not have what he had and what the people to whom he was writing had, and that is a knowledge of the person and work of Jesus Christ. He was aware that the flawed heroes of the Old Testament remained faithful in the most difficult of circumstances. And he wanted to encourage his readers to remain faithful because they knew about Jesus Christ. So he wrote in Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus is the object of the faith of all people of all ages. He is the one in whom we find all the promises of God. He took our sins upon himself and paid the penalty for all our sins. He lived a perfectly obedient and righteous life and credited us with his righteousness.
Conclusion
The Bible’s hall of faith shows us some of the heroes of the faith. However, they point us to Jesus, the true and only unflawed hero of our faith.
We run the race that is set before us not by looking to the Bible’s hall of faith but by “looking to Jesus” (12:2). While the example of the flawed heroes is a great help to us, Jesus is our great encouragement. Interestingly, the author of Hebrews uses the name “Jesus” rather than “Christ” in Hebrews 12:2. He is calling us to focus on Jesus’ humanity as he lived his life on earth. Jesus is the “founder” (author, originator) of our faith. He initiates all faith and bestows it. He is also the “perfecter” of our faith. Jesus’ entire life was an example of living by faith. He perfected living by faith.
“Looking to Jesus” is a constant reminder for Christians today to focus our attention on Jesus. We get into trouble because of sin. We get into difficulty because of opposition. We even get sidetracked by good things. We need the reminder to keep “looking to Jesus,” or, as the New International Version puts it, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.”
How do we fix our eyes on Jesus? How do we keep looking to Jesus? Commentator Kent Hughes answers,
“We must deliberately lift our eyes from other distracting things and focus with utter concentration on him—and continue doing so. This is fundamental to a life of faith and finishing the race!” (Hebrews —An Anchor for the Soul [2 vols.] [Focus on Jesus]).
So, when we are struggling with sin or opposition or distraction, let us think about Jesus. Let us think about his person and his work. Let us think about who he is and what he has done for us. When we do so, we will begin to start thinking right thoughts and walk in obedience to our Savior. Amen.
