Jesus is Better - Hebrews Week 12
Hebrews 11 challenges us to live boldly by faith, drawing inspiration from those who have gone before us. It invites us to trust God’s promises, act on His calling, and support one another in our faith journey.
How would you define faith to someone who
has never experienced it?
The Point:
The
Christian life is only lived by faith.
Hebrews
11:1-40
Now faith is the
assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it
the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that
the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made
out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel
offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was
commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through
his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so
that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him.
Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without
faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must
believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah,
being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear
constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the
world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8 By faith
Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive
as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith
he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents
with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking
forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the
age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one
man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven
and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
13 These all died
in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and
greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and
exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are
seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they
had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they
desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed
to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
17 By faith
Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the
promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was
able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did
receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.
21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in
worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life,
made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his
bones.
23 By faith Moses,
when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw
that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s
daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to
enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ
greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he
endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and
sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch
them.
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. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell
down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the
prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had
given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And what more
shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,
of David and Samuel and the prophets — 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms,
enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched
the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of
weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received
back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept
release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered
mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned,
they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in
skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated — 38 of whom the
world was not worthy — wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens
and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith,
did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better
for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton,
IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 11:1-40.
Study
Notes
WEEK 11 NOTES:
Hebrews 11:1-40
Hebrews 11 paints
one of the clearest and most beautiful pictures of faith in the Bible. The Book
of Hebrews emphasizes the supremacy of Christ and the importance of faith, but
chapter 11 gives multiple examples of how faith practically and miraculously
works. To be clear, the writer is not referring to just any kind of faith or
faith in any old thing. He is talking about faith that believes the Word of God
and acts upon that Word.
Faith
Defined:
Hebrews 11:1
states, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what
we do not see.” This definition sets the foundation for understanding faith as
both a trust in God’s promises and a conviction in His unseen work.
We can be assured
that faith is not a risk or a blind leap. Faith is a divine gift from God to
move us toward God with confidence and conviction. Faith is a firm conviction
concerning the promises of God, and a confidence that He will do what He says
He will do. On the other hand, Faith endures even when we cannot see or
understand God’s plans. We live by faith as Christians because our faith rests
in Him, not in ourselves or in our abilities.
The story of
Christianity is about Christ saving sinners and using them for the glory of
God. Therefore, faith is based on a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
It is with this faith that we believe God created the world and upholds
everything in it.
Faith in Action:
The chapter further
illustrates true faith is demonstrated through actions. The common thread among
these heroes is that their faith is not passive. Each story shows us that faith
compels us to step out, and to follow God’s leading.
The chapter
presents a list of faithful heroes, each illustrating different aspects of the
same faith. For instance, Noah acted on faith when he built the ark, responding
to God’s warning despite the ridicule he faced. Abraham trusted in God’s
promise of a future land and descendants, living as a stranger in faith. Moses
chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of
sin. His decision illustrates the value of prioritizing God’s call over worldly
comforts.
God uniquely uses
each person and situation to accomplish His plan, but we can be encouraged to
know that we are part of the same faith. The same God who operated in their
lives, operates in ours today.
QUESTIONS
FOR DISCUSSION
What is the
foundation for Christian faith? What other foundations do people try to use for
faith?
Why is the object
of faith more important than faith itself?
Drawing from the
examples, what is the relationship between faith and perseverance?
How are faith in
God and obedience to His ways related? Can you have one without the other?
Explain.
What are similar
traits in the individuals listed that would apply to us today?
Who are individuals
you know whom you believe are strong in their faith? What are examples of their
faith?
How are you
demonstrating faith to others? Is it a positive or negative demonstration?
END
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Remember the Titans - Closing Scene
"You're Hall of Fame in my book"
This is our question this morning, will God say, "You're Hall of Fame in My Book" to us?
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