Hebrews 10:38-11:7 Faith Foundations

Hebrews perhaps in Jerusalem

Intense pressure to withdraw from Christianity

At least the outward forms – Conform to the Jewish ritual – make less about Jesus – Withdraw from the church – just be good citizens that looked like everyone else.

Writers response

Christ is better

Stand firm

Here in Chapter 11

Live by faith

This is required

The Lord will honor it

When the world culture applies pressure stand by faith / live by faith

This is the foundation for the Christian life

There is no other way.

I. Faith foundations: The requirement for faith

A. Living by faith expected

(ESV) Hebrews 10 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

1. The principle throughout scripture “the just shall live by faith” – 4 times Hab Rom Gal Heb

2. Shall be just by faith

3. The just shall live

4. The just ones will then live by faith

B. Faith, the only way to please Him

(ESV) Hebrews 11 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, …

1. Strong word – impossible --- requirement of faith

C. Endurance by faith to receive the promises

(ESV) Hebrews 10 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have donethe will of God you may receive what is promised.

1. Not throw away as rubbish / worthless

2. Required to persevere --- hard --- stay at it ---- marathon

3. Do what God desires --- and keep at it

4. Then receive the reward

D. Waiting by faith for His coming

(ESV) Hebrews 10 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;

1. He is coming soon

2. Stay faithful till He comes

II. Faith foundations: The substance of faith

A. Believe to draw near

(ESV) Hebrews 11 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1. Want to approach God? Only by faith

B. Believe He is (who He says)

(ESV) Hebrews 11 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he (is, I AM) exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1. That He exists

2. That He is who He says He is

3. That He is the OT I AM – ever present / all powerful / The Savior

C. Believe He actively rewards seekers

(ESV) Hebrews 11 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believethat he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1. Is active

2. Rewards those who seek Him by faith

III. Faith foundations: The foundation for living

A. Undergirding life

(ESV) Hebrews 11 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

1. Faith - Basis of what we put our trust in

a. Stand under

b. Foundation beams / Roof beams --- what holds everything up

c. The solid conviction that stand firm in what is believed and expected

d. Faith give us assurance of what we hope for

2. Proof of that which is done --- Like a title deed that proves I bought something

a. Proof of something not seen

3. Faith provides the proof of something that is not yet seen yet

4. Faith enables one to be convinced about things not yet seen

5. Faith is the platform that enables one to perceives reality by more than just physical sight

B. Source of reward

(ESV) Hebrews 11 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

1. God commended / approved of the heros of the OT because of their faith

2. Even in Old Testament – faith in the Lord – receive reward

3. Commended for their faith ---- rewarded in their life

C. A different world perspective

(ESV) Hebrews 11 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

1. Foundation for our understanding of the world – Must start with God not the material – not how I can fit God into my worldly understanding – but how can I fit the world in my Godly understanding

a. Created by an act of God (Word)

b. Not made by what we see today

1) Out of nothing 2) Not out of any mechanism currently we can observe

2. Perspective as we look upon the world – faith – God is in control – made it – perfects it

IV. Faith foundations: Examples of the faith life

All believed / had faith in God

Acted on this faith

God commended and rewarded them

A. Worship by faith

(ESV) Hebrews 11 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

1. An acceptable sacrifice – One that God commanded? – definitely one offered by faith – His faith considered as righteousness

2. Abel brought the first fruits of flock

3. Rewarded? Died ---

4. Yet even in death he still speaks --- timelessness of his faith legacy

B. Standing out in a wicked world by faith

(ESV) Hebrews 11 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

1. In a wicked world and culture

2. Taken --- Translated – transformed – instead of death (contrast Abel)

3. Not found – transformed and removed by God

4. Pleased God – commended by God

C. Obedient witness by faith

(ESV) Hebrews 11 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousnessthat comes by faith.

1. Warned by God of coming destruction (something never before seen) – He acted and obeyed

2. Built a giant box to save his family – 120 years?

3. Through his action witnessed to the world ---- was preacher of righteousness (2 Pet 2.5) – here an heir of righteousness by faith