Seeing Is Not Believing

SEEING IS NOT BELIEVING

Hebrews 11:1-6

Preached on 19 July 2009

at Shiloh Baptist Church

Waukegan, IL

by Rev. Kelvin L. Parks

Let us open up our hearts and our Bible to Hebrews 11:1-6

(v.1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

(v.2) For by it (Faith) the elders obtained a good report.

(v.3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

(v.4) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

(v.5) By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

(v.6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Subject: Seeing is not Believing

Our text this morning is What some call ... the Hall of Faith. In fact, many scholars refer to this chapter as that Westminster Abbey of Scripture, and the list it goes on and on, all different kinds of names and titles have been given to this wonderful chapter. However, I like to think of it as an honor roll of Old Testament saints.

Now day’s parents put bumper stickers on the back of their cars to demonstrate how proud they are of their children’s accomplishments for making ... honor roll. Yet, notice that God also recognizes His children’s accomplishments and has places each of their names not on the bumper of a car but in a book. Yes, even the “BOOK OF LIFE”

Notice however that everyone mentioned here this chapter received an “F” as their final grade. You look confused ... so allow me to explain...

You see, I need to let somebody know that the “F” that these OT Saints received does not stand for flunking ... oh nawl, it stands for FAITH.

In fact this is the only grading system that I know of whereby the grade “F” is a good thing.

You see ... one of these old days, we are all going to be graded and I’m looking to get ... not an “A” but and “F.”

You see, I don’t want an “A” because an “A” stands for apathy, and apathy means impassive or indifference, and that is certainly not a position that I want to find myself in when it comes to me and God. Apathy is not a grade that will gain you entrance into heaven.

You see, I don’t want an “A” because an “A” represents apostasy. You see, apostasy is the abandonment or defection from what you use to believe. You see apostasy is going back to your old time way.

Nawl, nawl, I don’t want an “A.” Why, because I don’t want to be considered an apostate you know a traitor; a runaway; fugitive or a renegade against God’s will or way.

No that certainly is not a grade that I want. I’m looking to get an “F” you see one of these old days, when this dusty life is over, I’m looking for Jesus to say to me...

Well done, my “F” servant. Folks talked about you. Called you everything but a child of God. They said that you would not amount to anything. But I call you mine.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)

Seeing is not believing....

So lets us examine our text... Hebrews 11:1

Notice the first word in (v.1) NOW. Small word yet it is significant, if it were not so, it would not be here. So let examine it shall we.

The Greek word for Now is de, pronounced (deh) ... and this word serves as a marker of a summary statement. (Repeat)

Simply put ... what follows the word NOW (deh) summarizes what was just stated before it.

In other words, you will not fully understand what comes after the word NOW unless you fully understand what preceded the word NOW.

How about this ... you ain’t gonna understand what I’m about to say unless you fully understand what the writer of Hebrews has already said. Believe that!!! Ebonics yes, but it still works the same!!!

Well, what proceeded this summary statement? What came before the NOW, what came before the (deh) of our text?

Good question, if we where to put into context, we would notice that the author of Hebrews goes through great lengths in the first ten chapters of this book to describe the superiority of Christ.