Heb. 11 - God Has Prepared a City
Introduction:
Hebrews 11 written to Jewish
Christians struggling spiritually (10:32-39). They desperately needed to look
to Jesus for inspiration – 12:2. Here are thrilling, powerful examples of
men & women who gained the approval of God. What an honor to be thought of
by God in this way.
I. 11:1, 6 – Faith Defined.
A.
Here,
we see 3 distinct aspects of a wholesome, dynamic faith.
B.
11:1
– faith is mental “conviction” that something is true.
1.
“conviction”
is a legal term.
2.
Faith
confidently believes that God is.
C.
11:1
– faith is a personal acceptance/reliance on what is believed.
D.
10:36,
38, 11:6 – Faith is active dependence & trusting response to what is
believed.
1.
We
must seek God with diligence!
E.
Faith
encompasses our mental, emotional, and volitional surrender to reliance on
God’s word.
II. 11:4-38 – Faith exemplified.
A.
Bible’s
Hall of Fame. These glorified God thru outstanding faith.
B.
Abel
(11:4); Enoch (11:5); Noah (11:7); Abraham & Sarah (11:8-19); Isaac
(11:20); Jacob (11:21); Joseph (11:22); Moses (11:23-29); Rahab (11:31).
1.
11:32
- More named here.
2.
11:33
– unnamed … but we can identify them through their actions:
a.
11:33
– Hannah obtained promises.
b.
11:33
– Daniel shut the mouth of lions.
c.
11:34
– Shadrach, Meshac, and Abednego quenched
the power of fire.
d.
11:35
– widow of Zarephath & Shunamite woman received back their dead by resurrection
e.
11:37
– Naboth was stoned.
f.
11:37
– Isaiah was sawn in two.
g.
11:37
– Prophets killed by Ahab were put
to death by the sword.
h.
11:37
– Elijah traveled about in
sheepskin, being destitute.
i.
11:37
– Jeremiah was afflicted &
ill-treated.
3.
Still
others are unnamed & unknown by the biblical record…yet are known by God.
11:36, 38.
III. Faith Applied.
A.
Heb.
11 shows us spiritual vision beyond the physical.
1.
Faith
gives us the vision to see unseen spiritual realities.
2.
Gen.
12:10 – God leads Abraham to the promised land…where a famine is going on
in the present. Some promised
land!
a.
Yet,
Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph saw by faith the distant reality of
God’s promise.
3.
Moses
was not overwhelmed by the lust of political power in Egypt.
a.
11:27
– endured..as seeing Him who is unseen.
4.
Faith
is the sure vision of God’s future fulfillment and unseen heavenly reward.
5.
It
is obeying what we know to be true, despite changing moods & circumstances.
6.
God’s
spiritual reward is worth it all!
B.
Heb.
11 shows us the need for obedient submission to God’s will.
1.
Our
obedience to God is based on His sovereign authority to command unquestioned
submission.
2.
Gen.
6 – Noah built an ark, which he had never done, before it had ever
rained.
3.
Lack
of prior experience does not excuse our lack of effort.
a.
Faith
finds a way – not an excuse!
4.
Biblical
faith respects God’s sovereign requirement of submission – even without
any explanation to our satisfaction.
a.
Must
trust & obey God’s word beyond what makes sense to us.
b.
Joshua
6 – what was the theological point of the Israelites marching around
Jericho 7 times? None! Required to obey God simply because He said so!
c.
This
was a true test of faith!
d.
Submissive
faith is believing & practicing the word of God…while refusing to believe
and practice anything not authorized by God’s revealed will.
C.
Hebrews
11 teaches us about sacrificial faith.
1.
These
were willing to sacrifice all to please God.
2.
Faith
is totally commitment to be pleasing to God above all.
a.
Abel
obeyed God properly…even if it cost him his life at the hands of Cain.
b.
Enoch
was willing to go the distance … walking alone with God.
c.
Others
gave up safety & comfort to live for God.
d.
11:35
3.
What
about our desire to sacrifice?
Conclusion:
A.
How
much has our faith emboldened us to stand up for truth?
B.
God
will surely make up to us abundantly all that we have sacrificed for Him!
C.
11:16
D.
I N
V I T A T I O N