Profiles in Faith: Live the Story Hebrews 11:1-40
Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (ESV)
Why is Hebrews 11 here? To show the Jewish readers that the way of faith is not new.
Why is Hebrews 11 here? To show the Jewish readers that the way of faith is not new To define what faith is
What Is Faith? And without faith it is impossible to please him (6)
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)
What Faith is not It is not simply a woman s name Faith It is not just a title for a group of religious people i.e., faith community It is not like justice i.e., blind faith It is actually not as abstract as we have made it out to be.
A literal translation Faith is the reality of things being hoped for, the proof of things not seen. Faith looks both backward and forward elegchos pragma The certainty of things past FAITH hupostasis elpis The reality of things hoped for
Charles Ridley The best indicator of future performance is past behavior
A Definition of Christian Faith Faith is absolute confidence in the integrity of God. Dr. Kenneth Beckman
Names Given Abel (4) Enoch (5) Noah (7) Abraham (8) Sarah (11) Isaac (20) Jacob (21) Joseph (22) By faith Moses (23) By faith Rahab (31) Gideon (32) Barak (32) Samson (32) Jephthah (32) David (32) Samuel (32)
What Does Faith Look Like? For by it the people of old received their commendation (2)
Pre-flood era (11:4-7) Abel, Enoch, Noah Not a Random List Patriarchal era (11:8-22) Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph Mosaic era (11:23-31) Moses, Israelites, Rahab Era of Judges and Kings (11:32-34) Martyrs (11:35-40)
Faith is action Qualities of Faith
Abel offered Noah constructed Abraham obeyed & went out, offered Isaac invoked blessing Jacob worshipped Action Verb Chart Joseph spoke Moses parents hid Moses The people marched Rahab welcomed Etc. Verbs from unnamed people include: conquered, administered, gained, shut, quenched, escaped, routed, faced, etc.
Faith is action Qualities of Faith Faith does not act blindly
Examples: Faith does not act blindly Noah was warned about the coming flood and built an ark to save his family (7) Abraham acted in faith because he considered God faithful who had made the promise for a son (11) Moses parents hid Moses in spite of the consequences of the king s edict (23) Moses acted faithfully because he saw him who is invisible (24-27)
Qualities of Faith Faith is action Faith does not act blindly Faith anticipates
Examples: Faith Anticipates Abraham was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (10) Some were tortured so that they might rise again to a better life. (35) 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. (39-40)
Faith is action Qualities of Faith Faith does not act blindly Faith anticipates Faith often sacrifices the present advantage to gain the future
Faith is action Qualities of Faith Faith does not act blindly Faith anticipates Faith often sacrifices the present advantage to gain the future Faith dares to risk
Example: Faith dares Abraham dared to trust God over the physical laws of birth, life, & death with Isaac (11) Daniel dared to worship God in a pagan culture, suffering the risk of the lions den (33) Some risked torture, prison, jeers, flogging, and even death (36-37)
Faith is action Qualities of Faith Faith does not act blindly Faith anticipates Faith often sacrifices the present advantage to gain the future Faith dares Faith may not be rewarded in this life
Examples: Faith Not Rewarded These all died in faith, not having received the things promised. (13) And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised. (39)
Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. (ESV)
Hebrews 11:29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. (ESV) You just can t walk in the footprints of the faithful.
Group #1 We ve had 2,000 years of history since this passage. Who would you put on this list?
Group #1 We ve had 2,000 years of history since this passage. Who would you put on this list? What would it take for you to be included among this list?
Group #2 Can you be religious without exercising faith in God?
Group #2 Can you be religious without exercising faith? Can you be a Christian without exercising faith?
Live the Story What does it mean to be a person who lives by faith? It means obeying God (living) with a courageous, active trust.