Real Faith

Introduction

background on Hebrews

target audience

Hebrew converts going back to old ways of thinking

works based system after the captivity

What is Real Faith?

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Faith is living in a hope that is so real it gives absolute assurance

it’s not a wistful longing that something may come to pass in an uncertain tomorrow

the convictions of things not seen carries the truth a bit further, because it implies a response

Practical: do we look forward to that day?

confirmed hangout?

treat every day like the end of the world?

Who Had Real Faith?

Hebrews 11:2 “For by it the men of old gained approval.”

Faith isn’t one way to please God; faith is the only way ti please God

Hebrews 11:6 “And 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 seek Him.”

Who were the faithful here in this chapter?

Abel

Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”

Death is never the last word in the life of a righteous man

because of his faithfulness his offering was accepted by God

correlation between real faith and worship

cain was also working but his heart was the problem

Abraham

Hebrews 11:17–18 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.””

doesn’t apply to us

covenants

Why Have Real Faith?

Hebrews 11:3 “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.”

the Jews already believed in a way that God created the universe and everything in it

the natural man appeals to his own logic to understand the world

the natural man is limited

Hebrews: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Illustration of Faith

Faith comprehends that which the mind of man, no matter how brilliant, cannot fathom

worlds = the physical universe, its operation, its administration

without real faith, we cannot see

real faith opens our eyes to the Gospel truth of Christ