Presence and Activity of Faith

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!

1. 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