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LIVING
BY FAITH Introduction: When we come to the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, a common mistake is often made. We become so caught up in the stories of the great men and women of faith listed here that we forget the context in which they are given. The rider has not suddenly changed his course. He is continuing to build upon the foundation he laid in the beginning. In chapters three and four, the writer told us of those who missed God’s best because of unbelief – a lack of faith. He then wrote, there remains therefore a rest to the people of God – a life of complete sufficiency – because we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. Then, for the better part of six chapters he describes the High Priestly ministry of Jesus and what He has secured for us through His death and resurrection. Finally, at the close of chapter ten we read, now the just shall live by faith. How are we to receive the benefit of all that God has to offer us in Christ? By faith. How are we to live each day? By faith. Faith is vital to the Christian life, yet it is something that is hard to explain. In fact, faith is never really defined in Scripture, but it is often illustrated. We see how it operates in the lives of our Bible heroes. Some of them exercise a great faith. Others demonstrate a more cautious faith. Yet the result of faith is always the same: God does that which He said He would do in response to their faith. The purpose of Hebrews eleven is to show us that certain elements are necessary to a life of faith. Read the stories of these men and women and you will find that they have certain things in common that show us how faith operates in our lives. I. FAITH IS A RESPONSE TO THE PROMISES OF GOD It is the substance of things hoped for. Faith is not a "hope so" feeling, but the demonstration of a "know so" confidence in the promises of God · Some form of the word promise is found seven times in this chapter. Verses 13 and 39 make it clear that all the heroes of faith referred to in this chapter were acting upon the promises of God. The foundation (or substance) of their faith was the promises of God. · A promise creates an expectation. Abel offered a sacrifice expecting to be made righteous. Verse 4 Noah built an ark expecting God to save his family (v.7). Abraham left his homeland expecting to receive an inheritance (v.9). Moses rejected the treasures of Egypt expecting a heavenly reward (v.26). Expectations become reality (take on substance) when we ACT in faith A. Because Faith Is A Response To God’s Promises, It Anticipates What God Will Do And Acts Accordingly. · Because Abel believed God, he offered (v.4) · Because Abraham believed God, he went out and sojourned in the land of promise (vv. 8-9). · Because Joseph believed God, he gave commandment concerning his bones (v.22). B. However, Faith Usually Acts Without The Knowledge Of How God Will Work It All Out. · Abraham believed God although he didn’t know WHERE he was going (v.8) · Abraham believed God although he didn’t know HOW God would give him a son (vv.11-12) · Abraham believed God although he didn’t know WHEN he would receive the promise (v.13) II. FAITH LOOKS TO THE FUTURE IN SPITE OF PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES It is the evidence of things not seen. Faith demonstrates a conviction that there is more to life than that which we can see. A. Abraham Lived In Tents, But He Looked For A City Designed And Constructed By God (vv.9-10). When Abraham arrived in the land of promise, he learned that other races with defiled lives and pagan worship already occupied it. Instead of yielding to disappointment and "making the best of a bad situation," Abraham eagerly awaited the day when God build upon the earth a city with eternal foundations. With the eye of faith, he looked across the centuries and saw what John saw - a city with walls of jasper and streets of finest gold. B. Isaac Blessed Jacob And Esau Because He Believed In Things To Come (v.20). Isaac knew that God had promised to establish great nations through his sons, and blessed them accordingly. By faith he passed on the promises of God which Abraham had passed on to him. C. Moses Risked The Wrath Of Pharaoh Because He Saw Him Who Is Invisible (v. 27) Moses
believed in the reality of the invisible, omnipotent God. When Moses
compared the hand that ruled · Faith persists because it looks ahead. - Abraham was as good as dead, but he continued to trust God for a son (vv.11-12). Moses knew that the path of faith would cause him to suffer affliction, but he followed God anyway (v.25). Others were mocked, beaten and killed; some were forced to live in hiding and exile, but they held on the confidence that God had some better thing for them (vv.36-40). · Faith gladly exchanges present gain for future glory. III. FAITH IS APPROVED OF GOD – by it the elders obtained a good report A life of faith receives God’s approval. A. Able Obtained Witness That He Was Righteous (v. 4). Who gave this witness? God testified of his gifts. God gave witness that Abel’s offering was not in vain. B. Enoch Was Translated Because He Had This Testimony, That He Pleased God (v.5). His promotion to heaven signified that God approved of Enoch’s life of faith. C. These All Obtained A Good Report (v.39) They received heaven’s seal of approval on their faith. Conclusion: Without faith, it is impossible to please God, to gain His approval (v. 6). God is only pleased when our life is a walk of faith – lived in dependency upon Him, trusting Him in all things. If we would have God’s best, to enter into His rest, we must obtain it by faith. The one thing that will keep us from experiencing God’s sufficiency in our lives is unbelief.
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