Hebrews 11:1-40
Introduction:
1. Chapter 10 ended with a call to endurance, a warning against shrinking back, and a vote of confidence that they would remain faithful (vv. 35-39).
2. Chapter 11 defines and exemplifies the kind of faith necessary to those ends.
Discussion:
I. The Nature of Faith (11:1-3, 6)
A. Contrary to popular belief, biblical faith is not blind, operating without or against evidence.
B. Repeatedly the Bible speaks of following the evidence where it leads (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:21-22; Isaiah 43:9-13; John 10:37-38; 20:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Peter 1:16-18; 1 John 1:1-3; 4:1).
C. The faith that endures trusts the evidence that God is and the promises of His rewards (11:6).
II. The Accomplishments of Faith (11:4-38)
A. The list of accomplishments of these people by faith in this chapter is phenomenal!
B. The comfort for the Hebrews and us is that, their “super power” was the faith described above.
C. Notice what it produced:
1. Abel’s pleasing sacrifice (vs. 4).
2. Enoch’s close walk with Him (vs. 5).
3. Noah’s trust in unprecedented things (vs. 7).
4. Abraham’s abandonment of all familiar things (vv. 8-10).
5. Sarah’s miraculous conception (vs. 11).
6. Abraham’s trust in God’s power over death (vv. 17-19).
7. Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph’s surety about the future (vv. 20-22).
8. Moses’ parents’ fearlessness (vs. 23).
9. Moses’ choice of suffering for righteousness over the ease of paganism (vv. 24-27).
10. His subsequent deliverance of the children of Israel (vv. 28-29).
11. Rahab’s family’s deliverance from the plight of their wicked people (vv. 30-31).
12. Victories over kingdoms, injustices, beasts, fire, armies, death, chains and imprisonment, torture, destitution, etc. (vv. 32-38).
D. Again, these were ordinary people with extraordinary faith in the Almighty God.
III. The Hope of Faith (11:6, 13-16, 39-40)
A. These remarkable accomplishments of faith are driven by the hope that faith sees ahead.
1. The God who created it all has promised to reward His seekers (vs. 6).
2. These victors looked to the promises and knew they were mere pilgrims on this earth (vs. 13; 1 Pet. 1:17; 2:11).
3. They awaited a better country of God’s making (vs. 16; John 14:1-4; 2 Peter 3:13).
4. The fulfillment of this could never be apart from the faith Christ brought (vv. 39-40; Acts 3:18; 13:27; 2 Corinthians 1:20).
B. Others spoke of the saving power of hope to those who possess it (Romans 8:24-25; 1 John 3:1-3).
C. By throwing away their confidence, they would likewise throw away their hope.
Conclusion:
1. Nothing has changed in the time since this was revealed.
2. Whatever our challenges be, the solution never changes: if we are to please Him, we must be fully convinced of His being and His doings.
3. In this way, we too can conquer every challenge Satan brings (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Further Food for Thought
1. How emboldening is it to know these towering figures were just like you and me?
2. How emboldening is it to look around today and see those brethren in our midst who display the same indomitable faith in the face of their trials?
3. How hard are you and I going to strive to imitate them and provide the same to those who look to us for strength?