Hebrews 11:1-2, 33-35
Introduction: I started the year with Immanuel, God with us, then last week, ‘Getting Rid of Stuff’, and now I will spend the next two weeks to speak to you about the role of Faith in our lives.
11:1-2, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days old earned a good reputation’.
11:33-35, ‘Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half,1 and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated’. (Heb. 11:35 NLT)
Abel – brought right/more acceptable sacrifice.
Enoch – was taken to heaven without dying.
Noah – built a large boat to save his family.
Abraham – left his home (obeyed God) to go to another land that God was giving him (and the nation) as an inheritance.
Sarah – was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old.
Abraham (again) – offered Issac as a sacrifice.
Issac – promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
Jacob – when old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons.
Joseph – when about to die, said confidently that the people of israel would leave Egypt (he even commanded them to take his bones with them).
Moses’ parents – hid him for 3 months when he was born.
Moses – when he grew up refused to be called the son of Pharoh’s daughter but rather share in the oppression of God’s people.
For he was looking ahead to his great reward.
The People of Israel – went right through the red sea.
The People of Israel marched around Jericoh for seven days.
Rahab the prostitute – hid the spies.
Her’s what I want to bring to you specifically: (Moses) For he was looking ahead to his great reward. V. 20
11:27, ‘He kept his eyes on the one that was invisible’
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtha, David, Samuel, and the prophets.
Jephthah – Controversial Vow:
Jephthah’s story in Judges includes a problematic vow where he promised to sacrifice the first person who came out of his house upon returning from battle, which turned out to be his daughter.
Interpretation:
Some scholars argue that including Jephthah in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11 is not meant to condone his actions, but rather to demonstrate that even individuals with significant flaws can still demonstrate faith in God.
Here are some reasons why Barak is mentioned in
Barak displayed faith in God when he believed Deborah’s prophecy that Sisera would be defeated and die. Barak led his army into battle even though he knew someone else would be credited with Sisera’s death.
Despite doubt and insecurity
Barak was successful despite being plagued by doubt and insecurity. He was timid and insecure.
Interrogative: So, what ‘kind of faith’ does God honour?
pistis = conviction of the truth of anything, belief respecting man’s relationship to God and diving things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy determination, born of and joined with a relationship with God.
Transition: Just imagine what God can do when we trust and commit to Him all things by faith!
- To Provide
Heros in this chapter were willing to trust God with their lives and the lives of others including their own children and family members.
Philippians 4:19 ‘And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus’.
Matthew 6:25-30
When I speak and encourage you to believe God with your tithes, it’s not about me wanted to squeeze anyone, I just understand the principle of what the tithe is and what it is promised to provide.
Question: Can we believe and trust God with just 10% of what He’s blessed us with?
Again, Malachi 3:6-10
The widow of Zarephath is the widow who provided for the prophet Elijah in the Bible:
Story – Elijah arrives in Zarephath and asks a widow for water and bread. The widow is gathering sticks to prepare her last meal for herself and her son, but she invites Elijah into her home and uses her remaining flour and oil to bake for him.
Significance- The widow’s story demonstrates faith and obedience, and the importance of hospitality. The story also shows that God can use anyone, even the poorest, to bless others.
Transition:
Not only can we have faith that God will provide all things, but that he will also get us through anything.
II. To Get us through…Anything!
There is no problem too big, no matter too complex, no circumstance too impossible, no burden too big or heavy!
Biblical basis:
Luke 1:37, ‘For nothing will be impossible with God”’
Mark 10:27, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God.’
God Assurances
:
- To be present
- To Comfort
- To Strengthen
- To Guide / Direct
- To Lead
The God that we serve is a miraculous God!
- He fed thousands with practically nothing
- He healed the incurable
- He calmed the storms (literally)
- He delivered those oppressed and possessed by demonic powers
But Others – When All Else Seems to Fail
Hebrews 11:35b-40 Introduction: I started the year with Immanuel, God with us, then last week, ‘Getting Rid of Stuff’, and now I will spend the next two weeks to speak to you about the role of Faith in our lives. 11:1-2, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives…
Getting Rid of Stuff
Introduction: ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by…
It’s All Good
Romans 8:31-39 Introduction: Last Sunday we gathered around this altar as we called on Immanuel. 8:31, ‘What can we say about such wonderful things as these? God works all things together for good—both His good and our good. As God is glorified, His people benefit. In Romans 8, Paul contrasts a life lived in selfish…
Christmas Presence
Matthew 1:18-24Introduction: Emmanuel – God with Us Jesus = ‘for he will save his people from their sins.’ List / describe some of the diverse people whom He saved: Application: What Jesus’ presence can do? Inner peace: Experiencing Jesus’ presence can bring a deep sense of calm and serenity even amidst turmoil. Healing power: Believers…
Christmas Persecution
Matthew 2:1-21 Introduction: Part 2 of my Christmas Series. Last week Christmas prophecy. This week let me look at what I’m calling Christmas Persecution. Question: That doesn’t sound like a good title or theme, does it? At the heart of what I want to say or communicate is that Christmas came and comes at a…
The Child of Promise
Introduction: My three-week Christmas messages begin with a prophecy about a Christmas to come. Scholars believe that Jesus fulfilled between 300 and 570 prophecies in the Old Testament: Scholars estimate that there are between 200 and 400 prophecies in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled as the Messiah. Some scholars believe there are more than…
The Joy of Happiness
I Thess. 5:18 Introduction: Last week I attempted to share and sort out the difference between thankful and grateful and how they are found among the abundant blessings we have from the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ‘Always be joyful (Rejoice always). 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s…
Thankful, Grateful and Blessed
Introduction: Thanksgiving – ‘It’s the most time of the year.’ Grateful and thankful are close synonyms that can both some differences between the two: One is active and the other is passive. State of being Gratitude is a mindset that’s a part of who you are, while thankfulness is the expression of that feeling. Focus…
