Explore the Bible Lesson Preview Nov. 12, 2006 "Exhibit Your Faith" Background: Hebrews 11:1-40 Lesson : Hebrews 11:1-3, 6-8, 13-19, 24-26 Motivation: In the past several chapters, readers have been introduced to a "better way", a new covenant in Jesus, in which faith is the central theme. This chapter highlights faith as a constant characteristic of Old Testament heros. Examination: I. Faith Defined (Heb. 11:1-3) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." Believer's Study Bible, p. 1750: 11:1 "Faith is the only mandatory and essential initial response of man to the grace of God. A man void of faith cannot please God (v. 6). Faith is the nominal form of the verb to believe.' Faith' is ( pistis, Gk.), while to believe' is ( pisteuein, Gk.) Both connote the idea of trust' and confidence.' Justification is the result of the believer's faith in the grace of God and in His provision for salvation (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 3:28; 4:3). The lives of the biblical heroes and heroines enumerated in this chapter reflect the behavior that God approves. The text affirms two primary characteristics of faith: (1) Faith is the substance ( hupostasis, Gk.) or foundation of things for which we hope. The meaning is that faith is the solid, unshakable confidence in God which is built upon the assurance that He will be faithful to His promises. (2) Furthermore, faith is the evidence at work in life itself that God and other unseen things do in fact subsist. However, this does not imply that faith is a blind leap in the dark. Rather, faith is a confident commitment to One about whom abundant evidence bears ample testimony. Faith is a leap - a leap forward into light and comprehension." (2 Cor. 4:18, 1 John 4:20, 1 Pet. 1:8-9, John 20:29, Prov. 23:4-5) ) II. Faith Demonstrated: Abel Through Abraham (4-19) A. Relationship "without faith it is impossible to please Him" (6 1 / 6
1. salvation is by faith. (Eph. 2:8-9) 2. sanctification is by faith. (Gal. 3:1-3) B. Revelation "Those who diligently seek Him" (6) 1. We seek Him through His Word. (2 Tim. 3:16; John 17:17) 2. We seek Him through His Spirit in Prayer. (John 4:24; 15:26; 16:13) 3. We seek Him through the Teaching of Believers. (2 Tim. 2:2) 4. We seek Him through open and closed doors. (Eph. 2:10; Acts 16:1-9) C. Response 1. Abel "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained a witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." (4) Be liever's Study Bible, p. 1750: 11:4 "Abel's sacrifice of faith was more acceptable to God than Cain's due to both the nature of the sacrifice and the attitude in which it was offered. That the nature of the sacrifice (a substitutionary animal) was more acceptable than Cain's inferior offering of the fruit of the ground is attested in two places in this verse: Abel presented a more excellent sacrifice," and God was testifying of his gifts.' Also see 12:24, in which still another reference is made to the nature of Abel's sacrifice." 2. Enoch "By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (5) Believ er's Study Bible, p. 1750-51: 11:5 "The O. T. Passage, Gen. 5:21-24, does not use the word faith' with reference to Enoch, but the author of Hebrews knows that God would not have been pleased with Enoch if he had not demonstrated faith. Well-pleasing to God' is the LXX translation of Gen. 5:24, which reads in Hebrew, Enoch walked with God.' 3. Noah "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." If Abel "offered" and Enoch &qu ot;pleased", then Noah "prepared." In a world that had not known rain or floods, Noah's faith was a demonstration of acting on "the evidence of things not seen" 2 / 6
(1). 4. Abraham a. He listened for the voice of God "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (8) (Matt. 22:23-32) b. He obeyed the will of God "By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise." (9) (Rom. 9:30-10:13) 5. Sarah "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised." (11) Based on her response to the promise (Gen. 18:10-12), Sarah seems an unlikely candidate for this "Hall of Fame of Faith." However, Abraham's initial response to having kids as his age (100) had been similar (Gen. 17:17). It's a reminder that obedience is more important than emotion. D. Reason 1. Promises "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off where assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (13) Their faith came from trusting God's promises. (1 Pet. 2:9-16) 2. Purpose "For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland." (14) If one has the right "why" any number of "hows" can work. These faithful men and women understood that they were moving toward a goal. (Phil. 3:13-14) 3 / 6
3. Patience "And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return." (15) They did not look back; but, rather, pressed forward. 4. Perspective "But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." (16) 1. They waited for a better place "the city...whose builder and maker is God." (10) 2. They considered themselves "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (13). A pilgrim has a much different perspective than that of a tourist or resident. E. Rewards "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (6, 17-22) Abraham's line of faith is traced through Isaac (17-19), Jacob (20-21), Joseph (22). Isaac is described as Abraham's "only begotten son" (17) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1752: 11:17 " Only begotten' ( monogene, Gk.) is also used to describe Jesus (cf. John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9). Such a translation does not recognize Ishmael, who had been born previously, or additional sons borne to Abraham by Keturah. An accurate interpretation is unique son,' for Isaac was unique' and alone in kind, the only son of promise." (Rom. 4; Gen. 22:8) III. Faith Demonstrated: Isaac Through Rahab (20-31) A. Moses: Revelation (20-29) Moses lived a life consisting of three distinct periods; during his first 40 years, he lived in the courts of Egypt- the next 40 in Midian and the final 40 in the wilderness on the exodus. His was a life of continuing revelation, from the burning bush (Ex. 3:3) to conversation with God (Ex. 33:11). Moses received revelation concerning: 1) his identity (24), 2) his priority (25-26) 3) his endurance (27) 4) his obedience (28), and 5) his direction (29). 4 / 6
B. Rahab: Redemption (30-31) "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace." The second woman mentioned was a prostitute! Again, when we look at these "giants of the faith" we are reminded that God is not so interested in our history as in our future. (Phil 3:13) Many people who have failed to partner with God because of a feeling of unworthiness, should look to this example of faith. IV. Faith Demonstrated: Many Others (32-38) A. Those who Triumphed: "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lion, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." (33-34) 1. Examples in Judges: Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthah (32) 2. Examples in I & II Samuel: Samuel, David (32b) 3. Examples of prophets (perhaps Elijah or Elisha) "Women received their dead raised to life again" (35a) B. Those who Suffered: Specific acts of cruelty toward people of faith are listed in verses 35b-38. Prosperity theology has a problem with people of great faith who also experience suffering. (Luke 9:62) V. Faith Approved "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." (39-40) The conclusion of the entire chapter is that each of these named had "obtained a good testimony (been approved, been commended) through faith". Although they "did not receive the promise" (39) (living before Jesus' birth), they understood that a life of faith provided "something better for us" (40) 5 / 6
Application John 1:9-10) 10:2-11). 1. Faith cleanses all kinds of sins: Moses (22), Rahab (31), David (32). (1 2. Faith changes all kinds of people: Sampson (32), Jephthah (Judges 3. Faith conquers all kinds of problems: verses 33-40. Teaching Packet: Item 17, Poster: Pleasing God Biblical Illustrator: p. 19 " Better' in Hebrews" Notes/Dates: 9/21-3/22 - Men's Life, Thurs. 6-7:30 am; Nov. 14 - Living Proof Event, Nov. 19 - Christmas Store donations, Nov. 24 - CSI Houston, Nov. 26 - Full Schedule (Thanksgiving), Dec. 2 - MTC Christmas Store, Dec. 8-9 - Christmas Presentation; Dec. 12 - Living Proof Event, Dec. 15 - CSI Houston, Dec. 16 - Children's Ministry "Snow Day" 10:00 am.; Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve - (both a.m./ss opt; 5 & 11 pm), Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve (Full Schedule). 6 / 6