SEEING HIM WHO IS INVISIBLE
Hebrews 11:23-29

Introduction:     This chapter has been called the "Hall of Faith". Dozens of great men and women of the Word are listed here. These people endured untold tragedy, and yet they walked with God. They experienced tragedy so great that nothing we will ever go through will compare with any of it, yet they had the victory. The reason they endured with such glory is that they "saw Him who is invisible." I've found that a person can go through just about anything if they have the Lord with them. The true essence of faith is revealed in verse 1. Faith will literally allow you to hold in your hand things that have never been seen. It will also allow you to see Him as you journey to meet Him! I don't know what you are going through, but I know God. And I know that if you ever get a glimpse of the Invisible One, you will never be the same.

 I.         THE TRAITS ENJOYED BY THOSE WHO SEE HIM

A.        A Special Birth (v.23)

John 3:3, 7 - The new birth brings us into the place of blessing. (Eph 2:13) "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Lost and God are enemies - Rom. 8:7.

B.         A Separated Life (vv.24-25)

Clean living brings us closer to the Lord. (John 14:15, 21; 2 Cor. 6:17; Rom. 8:1) Can't see Him through a cloud of sin! (Isa 59:2) "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

C.         A Supernatural Faith (vv.28-29: 26b)

See beyond the present to the coming victory - (Ill. Terminally ill; Battle weary, etc) (Ill. The great heroes of faith - They persevered because they were able to see the reality beyond the visible!) Heb. 11:1. Our eyes must be on Jesus and He will see us through, Heb. 12:1-2!

D.        A Surpassing Victory (v.29b)

Whether we win or lose the actual battles of life is immaterial, we are victorious - (2 Cor 2:14) "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." But, every time we see the invisible one, it gives us courage to fight on!

II.         HE TROUBLES ENCOUNTERED BY THOSE WHO SEE HIM

A.        They Endure Suffering (v.25)

(Ill. Moses and His suffering) Either spiritual or physical - Jesus walks in the valley of suffering - Psa. 23:1-6; He has a way of turning defeat into victory - 1Cor.15:57. Sometimes only in the valley of suffering will you see Him who is invisible. It will make it worth the pain! (Job 23:10) "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

B.         They Endure Solitude (v.27a)

(Ill. Moses' 40 years in the desert and 40 more leading the Israelites) There are times when you will walk alone as far as human companionship is concerned, but if you are saved you will never be alone spiritually, Matt. 28:20; Heb 13:5. Jesus is always there and He always understands. Being lonely hurts, but Jesus can make is worthwhile! (Ill. Daniel, Jesus, Paul, etc)

C.        They Endure Shame (v.26a)

(Ill. Moses' shame, Ill. probably called a fool) There will be times when it isn't popular to be saved, (2 Tim 3:12) "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." But, the end is worth the middle! Jesus will get you through the tough times, and if you get closer to Him, it will be worth it all!

III.       THE TACTICS EMPLOYED BY THOSE WHO SEE HIM

A.        They Make The Right Commitments (vv. 24, 27, 28)

Faith enabled Moses to make all the right commitments in his life. He committed his way, his walk and his will to the Lord and God directed His paths, Psa. 37:23; Pro. 3:5-6 

B.         They Make The Right Choices (v 25)

Faith will enable you to choose God’s way over what may be an easier way! Those who see Him choose to walk in His paths! (Ill. Paul and the choices he made.)

C.        They Make The Right Calculations (v 26)

Those who see Him know that the end of their faith justifies the journey! Therefore, they are able to count everything in their lives as dung, but those things that glorify Him, Phil. 3:7-9.

Conclusion:       Have you seen Him lately? Is your life in a place where that is possible? All you need do is get where you can see and then look!