Hebrews 11_1_3 Observations

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible

Text: Hebrews 11:1-3

Title: Conquering by faith (Faith defined)

Intro: Orientate our scripture

Believing Hebrews who are being persecuted for their faith:

The Believing Jewish community in Rome:

Persecuted by Nero:

The Jews around them are trying to convince them to come back to Judaism:

The author is encouraging them to go forward and to be faithful.

*** They were living in the Past

Hebrews 11 illustrates the lesson found in 10:32-39

**** (Bookends “Endurance” 10:36 – 12:1

NB) 10:36 After you have done God’s will (finished your race – life or the coming of the Lord) you will receive what was promised. Note: THEN you will receive what was promised

CPS: Throughout all ages men and women have done the impossible “The Just Shall Live by Faith” (vs 38)

What is the impossible – since the fall no man can be in right standing with God, ONLY by faith can they be put into right standing.

Right standing with God

a life exemplified by faith

Defining Faith Vs. 1

Assurance – Confidence/Substance = Assurance of mind or firm belief in the truth or reality of a fact; especially it’s underlying integrity, stability, or veracity.

Hoped for – to be confidently and reasonably expectant of a future event

10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our Hope. And He will yet deliver us. 2 Corinthians 1:10

Conviction – evidence = Proof of – Convicting evidence = evidence that makes someone fully agree, understand, and realize the truth or validity of something; especially based on arguments or discussion

Information – A message received and understood

Evidence (Legal) – all the means by which any alleged matter of fact whose truth is investigated is established or disproved.

Illustration: Chair – you don’t look at it and examine if it will hold you up but it will. It will hold all of your weight:

Application: Dr. J. Oswald Sanders says, “Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen.”

Faith as defined by this chapter is the assurance in God’s future promises, an assurance that enables one to persevere (10:32–39).

Faith is an unshakable conviction in the present

Approving faith vs.2

It was by faith that their ancestors were found pleasing to God – it has never been about their actions

It was never by the Law, the Law revealed what sin was. It was never a cure for it.

Why do you seek to go back to a “broken system” (Hebrews 10:1-10 the perfect sacrifice)

Do not focus on the visible things around you in stead focus on the invisible things.

What is the thing we hope for? Redemption in Jesus (Hebrews 10:39B)

What is the thing we have proof of but can’t see? The atoning work of Jesus.

The Law we could see

The sacrifice according to the Law we could see (brought an unblemished lamb at Passover a goat at the day of atonement) = We could see the sacrifice but could never see it applied to the individual, but since you could see the sacrifice you had faith that God would forgive your sins by faith. IT WAS STILL FAITH THAT APPLIED THE BLOOD TO YOUR ACCOUNT!

Romans 1:17

Hebrews 10: 38

Habakkuk 2:4

Understanding faith Vs.3

The author begins to give examples of faith. He goes all the way back to the beginning.

By the word of Yahweh were the heavens made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth … For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood forth. Psalm 33:6,9

“the visible came forth from the invisible” But how do we know this? By faith!

NOTHINGNESS!

No one was there to see creation but now we see it.

BY faith we understand God spoke and nothing obeyed!

Faith accomplishes things because there is power in the Word of God

This is the power we are trusting in

This is the power that will bring about what is promised – Right standing in the Day of Judgment

Application: NOTES!!!! In Old Testament times, he points out, there were many men and women who had nothing but the promises of God to rest upon, without any visible evidence that these promises would ever be fulfilled; yet so much did these promises mean to them that they regulated the whole course of their lives in their light. The promises related to a state of affairs belonging to the future; but these people acted as if that state of affairs were already present, so convinced were they that God could and would fulfil what he had promised. In other words, they were men and women of faith. Their faith consisted simply in taking God at his word and directing their lives accordingly; things yet future as far as their experience went were thus present to faith, and things outwardly unseen were visible to the inward eye

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