By Faith Hebrews 11:2-6
Preliminary observations: 1. There are 18 "By Faiths' in Hebrews 11, one implied "By Faith (Verse 2), and one very crucial "without Faith(verse 6)! 2. In the rest of the chapter, we are going to see how faith gives substance to things hoped for, how it becomes evidence of things not seen, by historical examples.
I. The chapters' historical "preface" Vs 2
A. By faith the elders, the great cloud of witnesses (12:1) obtained a good report.
Notice: The author starts at the creation and moves forward.
Note: We all know these peoples "worts"! There is Noah's drunkenness, Abraham's putting Sarah in potentially immoral situations to save his hide, Sarah's laughter of unbelief and on and on. But by faith, that is all forgotten. By faith, the "worts" do not get in the way of the promise, and do not soil their robes of righteousness. And now we are going to see the end of their faith!!
II. Faiths' practical impact Vs 3
A. By Faith we understand!!!!!!!!!
1. Facts, even Biblical facts, never saved a soul! Mental belief of those facts is not the same as an understanding faith in those facts that lead to a radical dependence upon the truth of those facts!
2. This understanding needs no further proof! It does not need cosmic light shows or National Geographic to validate its belief! Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God—not from some archaeological dig!
3. This understanding is God given! I John 5:20. The things of God, even in the earthly realm, cannot be understood any other way! I Corinthians 2:14
B. Here's the foundational understanding
1. God made the world by His Word out of nothing! He did not need any "resources". His Word is sufficient to do all His Will, all His Pleasure!
2. That "out of nothing" sets the stage for all the following examples.
Note: If God made the visible world out of the invisible, His Promises and Calling are not dependent upon the visible. God's Purposes are not hindered by our "impossible" circumstances. His Word is the only resource of faith! In fact, His Glory and Will are most clearly seen in the "Red Seas' of our lives.
C. Vs 4 Faiths' testimony and impact outlives the faithful one! Its' focus is the Eternal Word of the Eternal God, and this brings Eternity into our "temporality"!
1. Cain brought the first fruits of his labors. Abel brought the first fruits of his faith! Cain proclaimed, "what a good farmer am I. Abel proclaimed, "what a wretched sinner am I, I must shed blood for my covering! His faith was in the blood of a promised redeemer.
II. Vs 5-6 Faith pleases God, and faith is God's pleasure!
A. Genesis 5:21-24 All we know about Enoch was the He had kids and was the father of the oldest non-eternal man on earth. No worts were recorded because He walked with God. That tells me he knew full well what a horrible sinner he was, for no man will walk that close to His God unless He knows how desperately he needs His God!
B. Vs 6 Here's that one "without faith".
1. "Without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him." Faith is God's one desire from us! It "trumps" everything. Faith, belief, in Who He is and What He has done, is His one requirement! (John 6:29) He considers unbelief the symptom of an evil heart! Hebrews 3:7-15
2. Here's what faith does:
a. Faith believes that God is! That's great, but remember James 2:19, God is unimpressed with one half of the equation. Most people who say they believe in God aren't even on the "par" with the devils! They aren't trembling, there is no fear of this God before their eyes! Romans 3:18
b. But faith also believes that God is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him! And this is more that a mere mental assent to this idea, this is a banking on the Goodness of God, a sticking the neck out time and again because "Faithful is He Who Promised"! (Hebrews 10:23, I Corinthians 10:13, Psalm 37:3 (NKJV)
Here is the seeking heart of faith:
I Chronicles 16:7-14; II Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 27:7-8, 105:3-7
Here's how the faithful deal with their own sin"
Daniel 9:3-19, Hosea 5:15 And in the New Covenant, the Face of God is revealed—He is Jesus! II Corinthians 4:6
This is the "Ezra Principle".
Ezra 8:21-23 "The hand of our God is for Good to those who seek Him."
So whatever your "issue" is, throw down the rotten vegetables (Cain) of your own efforts, and come to the Goodness of God in the blood of Jesus. Only in the blood of His Sacrifice will you find peace and acceptance. Remember, He is not "just" God, He is The Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. To not believe that His Good Hand of Blessing is upon those who seek Him is to believe in a false god!!!!!!!!!
Preliminary observations: 1. There are 18 "By Faiths' in Hebrews 11, one implied "By Faith (Verse 2), and one very crucial "without Faith(verse 6)! 2. In the rest of the chapter, we are going to see how faith gives substance to things hoped for, how it becomes evidence of things not seen, by historical examples.
I. The chapters' historical "preface" Vs 2
A. By faith the elders, the great cloud of witnesses (12:1) obtained a good report.
Notice: The author starts at the creation and moves forward.
Note: We all know these peoples "worts"! There is Noah's drunkenness, Abraham's putting Sarah in potentially immoral situations to save his hide, Sarah's laughter of unbelief and on and on. But by faith, that is all forgotten. By faith, the "worts" do not get in the way of the promise, and do not soil their robes of righteousness. And now we are going to see the end of their faith!!
II. Faiths' practical impact Vs 3
A. By Faith we understand!!!!!!!!!
1. Facts, even Biblical facts, never saved a soul! Mental belief of those facts is not the same as an understanding faith in those facts that lead to a radical dependence upon the truth of those facts!
2. This understanding needs no further proof! It does not need cosmic light shows or National Geographic to validate its belief! Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God—not from some archaeological dig!
3. This understanding is God given! I John 5:20. The things of God, even in the earthly realm, cannot be understood any other way! I Corinthians 2:14
B. Here's the foundational understanding
1. God made the world by His Word out of nothing! He did not need any "resources". His Word is sufficient to do all His Will, all His Pleasure!
2. That "out of nothing" sets the stage for all the following examples.
Note: If God made the visible world out of the invisible, His Promises and Calling are not dependent upon the visible. God's Purposes are not hindered by our "impossible" circumstances. His Word is the only resource of faith! In fact, His Glory and Will are most clearly seen in the "Red Seas' of our lives.
C. Vs 4 Faiths' testimony and impact outlives the faithful one! Its' focus is the Eternal Word of the Eternal God, and this brings Eternity into our "temporality"!
1. Cain brought the first fruits of his labors. Abel brought the first fruits of his faith! Cain proclaimed, "what a good farmer am I. Abel proclaimed, "what a wretched sinner am I, I must shed blood for my covering! His faith was in the blood of a promised redeemer.
II. Vs 5-6 Faith pleases God, and faith is God's pleasure!
A. Genesis 5:21-24 All we know about Enoch was the He had kids and was the father of the oldest non-eternal man on earth. No worts were recorded because He walked with God. That tells me he knew full well what a horrible sinner he was, for no man will walk that close to His God unless He knows how desperately he needs His God!
B. Vs 6 Here's that one "without faith".
1. "Without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him." Faith is God's one desire from us! It "trumps" everything. Faith, belief, in Who He is and What He has done, is His one requirement! (John 6:29) He considers unbelief the symptom of an evil heart! Hebrews 3:7-15
2. Here's what faith does:
a. Faith believes that God is! That's great, but remember James 2:19, God is unimpressed with one half of the equation. Most people who say they believe in God aren't even on the "par" with the devils! They aren't trembling, there is no fear of this God before their eyes! Romans 3:18
b. But faith also believes that God is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him! And this is more that a mere mental assent to this idea, this is a banking on the Goodness of God, a sticking the neck out time and again because "Faithful is He Who Promised"! (Hebrews 10:23, I Corinthians 10:13, Psalm 37:3 (NKJV)
Here is the seeking heart of faith:
I Chronicles 16:7-14; II Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 27:7-8, 105:3-7
Here's how the faithful deal with their own sin"
Daniel 9:3-19, Hosea 5:15 And in the New Covenant, the Face of God is revealed—He is Jesus! II Corinthians 4:6
This is the "Ezra Principle".
Ezra 8:21-23 "The hand of our God is for Good to those who seek Him."
So whatever your "issue" is, throw down the rotten vegetables (Cain) of your own efforts, and come to the Goodness of God in the blood of Jesus. Only in the blood of His Sacrifice will you find peace and acceptance. Remember, He is not "just" God, He is The Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. To not believe that His Good Hand of Blessing is upon those who seek Him is to believe in a false god!!!!!!!!!