Unshakable Faith Series

Have you ever heard the phrase, “And they lived happily ever after”? Probably most people think this phrase originated from Walt Disney but actually the while the phrase was used, often it was not actually put into song by Disney until its 10th anniversary of Disney in 2017.

The phrase actually originated in the 14th century by an Italian writer named Giovanni Boccaccio when he wrote these words: “...so they lived lovingly, and happily ever after” in regards to a married couple.

Since then this phase has been used over and over until it is often defined as one of the top 8 “worn out” idioms of all time. (Liberty Hub)

Yet, it continues to be used because we all love happy endings. We love it when people live “Happily ever after.”

Transition:

As we read Hebrews 11 we get a little bit of a “happily ever after” feel until we reach the final few verses. After all, while we might have some surprising characters like Rahab, Samson, and David who made some colossal mistakes; their redemption and victories inspire and ignite our faith.

In verse 32 listen the drum of victory join the rhythm of our heartbeat of faith as we are reminded of the triumph of the many people of faith as we read:

“And what shall I say? For time will fail men if I tell of Gideon and Samuel, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who in faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.....”

Then suddenly, something happens, it’s like a bad note is struck as we read: “and others were tortured... “ and this does not quit.

In verse 36 we read: “And others experienced mocking’s and scourging’s, yes also in chains and imprisonments. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted and put to death with the sword, they went about in sheep skins, in goatskins, being afflicted, being destitute, afflicted, and ill-treated....”

We stop and think, what just happened to the victory song? What happened to the proverbial shout of “freedom!” What happened to the Biblical Braveheart’s? What happened Patriarchal Patriots? What happened to God’s victorious Generals? That’s how we want Hebrews 11 to close.

But it doesn’t.

The final words of Hebrews 11 are confusing and create an inward struggle. They generate two words: “What? And Why?” Have you ever done that?

There are going to be times in life when you are trusting God and things do not make sense in our mind, but still stands strong in our heart. There will be times when things seem to be going in the wrong direction-- but you know God is leading the way.

What gives us an unshakable faith?

Transitional Sentence: We have unshakable faith because:

I. We Look Around And Remember Where We Are

Vs. 32-36- “And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah of David and Samuel and the prophets....”

Explanation:

When your faith is tested it is easy to become disoriented. It is easy to forget where you are at. The Bible tells us that we are presently living on a battlefield.

The Bible says: “Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil stalks about seeking who he may devour.”

Someone once said: “You are living on a battleground, not a playground. “

It is interesting that the writer of Hebrews begins finalizing this chapter by mentioning 6 men who were great warriors. He mentions, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel.

Do you remember these guys? The 6 great warriors:

a) He mentions Gideon- He was the guy that put together an army of 32,000 and God cut his army down to 300 to route and destroy the Midianite army of 135,000. Gideons were outfitter with only trumpets and pitchers with torches inside. Yet, the Lord God Almighty was their power and strength. (Judges 7)

b) He mentions Barak- He was called by God to go with march alongside a prophetess named Deborah to go to battle against a warlord named Sisera who commanded a chariot army of Canaanites. Not only did they overcome him but a woman named Jael, hammered a tent peg into his head. (Judges 4)

You know what he thought when that happened? He thought: “Nothing has ever entered my mind like that before.” ?

c) He mentions Samson- He was the judge who made mistakes but ultimately was used to bring down the Philistine temple of Dagon and wiped out the Philistine leadership. (Judges 16)

Archeologists have uncovered some of the ruins from that temple and have proven that the temple collapsed violently. Here’s a picture of the ruins which stands as one of the top ten discoveries that relates to the book of Judges.