Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Put Your Hand in the Hand of God The Rev. We couldn't. Before we look at these three aspects of faith, it may be helpful to explain something about the nature of faith with reference to relationships. " This man is revered by over one-half the world's population. Hebrews 11:17-19 I. We've heard and read that in the Bible's creation story innumerable times. God gives you a new assignment, and you know that you are out of your depth. All of us are on a journey going somewhere. What were their growing-up years like? Nothing is impossible with God. Walking involves slow, steady movement. Faith proves to us the fact that the things we presently cannot seeGod, angels, demons, heaven, hellare very much true and real. In other words, faith applies the reality of Gods promises and the unseen world to life in the present, visible world. Other Scriptures Referenced: Acts 17, John 20. . A Matter of Faith: My Sermon on Hebrews 11 Faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing. Perhaps that's what happened to Enoch. Ultimately, this will undermine the relationship, because it erodes trust. Thats what Enoch did. You can be godly in a very ungodly world. Although the stress of the next section of Hebrews is on practical exhortations, doctrine is either taught or assumed in this part of the book as Read More Hebrews 11:1-7 - The Description of Faith This ancient story may seem a long way from the realities of your life today. [2] For by it the people of old received their commendation. God is merciful and just, so when we do justly and love mercy, then we walk humbly with our God (Mic 6:8). People who acted in defiance toward God. We don't trust our government officials, we don't trust our bosses, we don't trust our neighbors, we don't trust our doctors, we don't trust our pastors. Nine generations were all living at the same time! Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition The Lockman Foundation, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. A. And by the time of Noah we read, The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Gen 6:5). Hebrews 11:1 has always been a difficult verse for me to get a handle on. Pastor Colin Smith preached this sermon on the faith of Sarah from Hebrews 11:11-12 as part of the series "Living By Faith." About. You have to factor in eternity. And were all in it for the same reasonto fuel the churchs mission of making disciples. Seen through the eyes of a public that gasped at the enormity of their tragedy, Scott and Janet Willis faced unendurable grief. And that's why we've got to take it seriously. This is an open invitation. Colin Smith; Our History & Mission; Our Team; Statement of Faith; Media & Radio Inquiries; It's what we believe about the things that matter most. That is why we need the preaching of the Word. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Unlocking the Bible, 1-866-865-6253. And it is Gods approval that counts, since He is the judge of the living and the dead! 3:14) as subjective, hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. But the respected Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (ibid., VII:587) argues that it does not refer there to subjective assurance, which rests within us, but to the objective reality of the faith. Hebrews 11 paints a picture of what a life of faith looks like. He literally gave away all of his money and possessions and, by faith, founded an orphanage in Bristol, England. Either way, it is Christ who will take us up, and we will be at home with Him. Hebrews 11:32-35a Elijah: Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-23) Elisha: Shunammite Woman's Son (2 Kings 4:18-37). But Hebrews applies the story of Enoch directly to us. Habakkuk lived in difficult times before the Babylonians came to take away Judah into captivity. Enoch lived with a profound awareness that judgment was coming. When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. George Muller was another man who made Gods promises real by faith, and proved in a visible way the reality of the invisible God. Without faith it is impossible to please Him (11:6). He believed that in His excellent goodness, God is ever willing to bestow blessings, and ever ready to reward those who come to Him. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him (Jude 14-15). We have to believe it all on the strength of God's promise. The first verse of the Bible hits us squarely with a vital fact: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. You cannot begin to understand yourself, other people, world history, or God if you reject the early chapters of Genesis. God tests us so that we may know what is in our heart - 1 Peter 1:7 II. Its no good saying, If God wants me He can make himself known to me. Many martyrs have died at the stake because of their faith. I dare say many people in our churches have made up their own religion. July 29, 2012. The world often ridicules or despises the person who lives by faith. "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.". I know you believe in Christ." Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God (Hebrews 6:1) When we learn to depend on God's work in us, we learn to be perfectly peaceful, calm, undisturbed by . Verse 1 says that faith has "substance." Faith is tangible, even though it is invisible. And that's why we've got to take it seriously. The judgment of the world is about to come!. In just four brief verses (Genesis 5:21-24), we have his entire life history. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. If you want to get some place fast, get in a car. We live in a world that is far from God and all of us are going to die. Adam died after 930 years. There is a third principle for close relationships: Truth must be expressed in love. i. 9:4; 11:17), and three times in Hebrews (1:3; 3:14; and here). God gave this marvelous sign that one day even death itself will be conquered. It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (Heb 9:27). He managed to save his own family - and no one else. "You gotta come down and defend the faith, Brother." J.D. But I often see people violate this principle in their personal relationships, causing much damage. It is also the power of a godly husband and father. Search. Hebrews 11:1-6. . Joseph Parker says, The fifth chapter of Genesis is the beginning of that long series of characters in human history which are extremely uninteresting. All have to cross the river. ( Hebrews 11:1) A definition of faith. Yet a lot of people feel that way? THE OLD Assembly's Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" and its answer is, "To glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever." The text says it is the substance of things hoped for. In November of 1994, Scott and Janet Willis, along with their six children, were traveling in their minivan from their home on the south side of Chicago to Milwaukee on Interstate 94. Website:UnlockingtheBible.org. It proves the reality of the unseen world. Again, this is clear from the numbers in Genesis 5. Faith is the victory! I suspect that Adam had explained that God required a sacrifice. For by it,'' that is, by faith, ''the elders obtained a good report. Subscribe to get weekly sermon content delivered to your feed.Follow us:Instagram: instagr. A life was laid down for him. Sermon: Living By Faith in God - Hebrews 11. After he arrived, they said, We promised you safe passage here, but not a safe return. They threw him in prison and condemned him to death because he condemned many of their corrupt practices, which were contrary to Scripture. But if you will starve the flesh and feed your faith, it will grow. The word of God here does not refer to His written word, but to His spoken word. For them it was all about the faith. "It's the faith, Brother." The word confidence itself means full of faith. God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden, but when they sinned, they hid from Him. Now the writer lays down an axiomatic truth. Ditto for Cain. Offering the lamb was a sign that Abel was trusting in Gods promise. Scot and Janet escaped the blaze with burns, but they couldn't save their children: Ben, 13, Joe, 11, Sam, 9, Hank, 6, Elizabeth, 3, and Peter, six weeks old. Rick Ezell is the pastor of First Baptist Greer, South Carolina. Enoch's story teaches us that death for the believer is not a traumatic event - though on earth it often seems traumatic. Although I am not an example of great faith, I can share a personal example. We know that for sure from his prophecy recorded in Jude, but there may also be a hint of this in the name Enoch chose for his son. God gives us the faith required to please Him. Here we see another side of the life of faith. He's right! This leads me to ask two questions: Do you have it? God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac - Genesis 22:1-2 B. What if they had been burned to death? The answer is, they would have died in faith and God would reward them abundantly throughout eternity in heaven. I trust him." It is precisely this facet of faith that is needed when we face trials, adversity, and suffering, for, in those moments, it is difficult to believe God is who He says He is. On the other hand, sinners are unable to believe because of spiritual blindness (2 Cor. The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Hebrews 11:23-29. takes both words in an objective sense. When Noah and Mrs. Noah entered the ark, their boys went with them. No wonder we jump from one job to another and from one relationship to another. So how can you draw near to God? We must walk with God by faith so that we are ready to meet him by sight. The minivan ran over a large chunk of metal that had broken off the back of a truck. Whoever would draw near to God must believe that He is! How did Cain know Abel's sacrifice had been accepted and his had not? Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 2/19/2023 Pastor Tom Harper presents a message entitled "Faith That Works" - Hebrews 11. All the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died (Gen 5:8). After the author defines faith, they put flesh on it in ways that both the intended readers and Christians today can look to to understand how to live an authentic life of faith. Jesus: The Truer and Better Object of Faith: Hebrews 11:1-6. Faith, Creation, Jesus, Abraham, Noah, City Of God, Enoch, Abel, Example, Perseverence, Justification By Faith, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most. Walking with God involves peace, purpose, progress, privilege and pleasure. Intro: Our text mentions a man named Abraham. Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isa 55:6, 7). By faith they saw the unseen God as more real than the enraged king standing in front of them, threatening to roast them alive. 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