Hebrews 11

The Intro

Last week Pastor Bill focused on Hebrews 10:19-26

I’m gonna build off that and a little bit of what comes before and how we no longer need animal sacrifices.

The Context - One Sacrifice for All

Some of you may ask, why were animal sacrfices needed?

The Issue of Sin with a Holy God

Through the fall of Adam and Eve, all we have ever known, is sin. We were born into sin, this sin has separated us from God.

Sin is basically wrong or evil things, intentions, thoughts, and feelings. Intentionally or unintentionally, it is a rebellion against God. This sin is so engrained in our nature that it separates us from God’s perfect nature, His Holy nature.

An analogy that comes to mind is how sin and God’s holiness relate to two sides of the same magnet. I remember as a kid in science class learning about magnets and i would always try my best to get them to stick but it wouldn’t work, they would not connect. The logic and science doesn’t allow for it. The same thing with sin. His holiness can not be with sin.

1 John 1:5 ESV

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

God’s absolute holiness means no sin can exist in His presence. In fact, we are not just separated but there is punishment. Those that are separated from God, scripture says

2 Thessalonians 1:9 ESV

9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

So what can restore this separation? What can atone for this punishment? Blood.

Hebrews 9:22 ESV

22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

The Old Covenant Sacrifice System

In Chapter 10 of Hebrews, the first 18 verses mention how sacrifices, burnt offerings, and sin offerings are no longer needed. Some of you may ask, why were they ever needed at all? Well when we understand the severity of sin, and how it separates us from a Holy, Perfect God, before Jesus, what could they do? They would offer animal sacrifices because they were the temporal means for the forgiveness of sins. The Gospel Coalition puts it this way:

“Old Testament sacrifice was intended to signify more than mere homage. The significance was that of securing forgiveness, expiation of sin, through the offering of a substitute. The offeror is not portrayed as a mere creature but specifically as a sinner, a sinful creature in need of forgiveness. The offeror comes with a consciousness of sin seeking restoration to God’s favor by means of the acceptable sacrifice. The sacrificial victim itself is an intermediary, a substitute providing expiation. It bears the sin of the worshiper who receives forgiveness by that substitutional sin-bearing.”

Now, only certain people could make these sacrifices and it was often done by the priests or with their supervision. These priests were the mediators between God and the people. Hebrews 5:1 mentions this.

Hebrews 5:1 ESV

1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Now the sacrifice itself was not what forgave them of the sins, even though it was necessary. It was the fact that these high priests or people would have the faith in God that this sacrifice would appease God and He would forgive them of their sins.

The One Sacrifice that is Greater

However, now in the New Testament, who has come that is the ultimate great high priest? Why is the writer of Hebrews saying that the old testament sacrifices are no longer needed? Jesus.

Hebrews 10:11–14 ESV

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

“By a single offering, He has perfected for all time.” Through what Jesus Christ has done on the cross, He said the Greek word "tetelestai" (τετέλεσται) - which encompasses the idea that Jesus’ sacrifice would be for the past, present, and future.

But this sacrifice is only for those who have faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:25)

Romans 3:25 (ESV)

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

Mind blowing, but so so true. Pastor Bill capitalized on this when he said we can draw near to God with confidence because of faith.

Hebrews 10:22 ESV

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

- That we have a charge to endure God. - That we ought to hold fast to this hope - and that we are to stir one another up.

And this is only possible with a faith in Jesus Christ.

The writer of Hebrews continues on in the verses to stand strong in your faith, to not throw away our confidence which has great reward, and he says in Hebrews 10:39

Hebrews 10:39 ESV

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

What is Faith? (Verses 1-3 and6)

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Other translations would state “evidence of things not seen.” You see faith is a strong strong trust where you have assurance that when God says He will do something, you know He will do it.

For instance, when God said “It is Finished” on the cross, you have assurance, a confident expectation that His one sacrifice is good for all time. You may not be able to see it and you may not be able to touch it, but you know and believe that it is true. This faith is powerful.

What is faith?

Well in Hebrews 11:2, it says that faith is how

Hebrews 11:2 (ESV)

2 the people of old received their commendation.

Commendation means approved by God. So this is how the people of old received their approval by God.

What God has been wanting from the very beginning was not all of these rituals and legalistic procedures, but always about the heart. Where was their heart in these people the writer is going to mention?

It was always about faith. It wasn’t like God changed the salvation process when Jesus came. It was always about faith in God and trusting in Him that He will forgive the sins through animal sacrifices, He will deliver them from the enemy, He will uphold His promises, and it was always about faith. And of course, it was always about Jesus.

What is faith?

Faith helps us understand creation.

Hebrews 11:3 ESV

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.

This can be a challenge to many. They see this world and they don’t want to believe that God created this world. However, I will always challenge people to take a step back and really think what is most logical.

At the very least, believing that In fact, one of my favorite series, which is by Frank Turek “I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist” goes into detail how it will take more faith to understand the the universe was created by nothing than that the universe was created by the word of God!

Now this may make some people upset, but I think if you are someone who appreciates logic and science, you will see it point to God, not away from him. Because our God is not just a God of some things but of all things and He is the God of science. Now there might be some theories that go to far but many things that are concrete, I see point to God.

For instance, the Big Bang was often associated with evolution and that is how this world came to be and we evolved over a long period of time. However, although the argument for evolution is still taking place, the Big Bang sounds an awful like the very first verse in the bible.

Genesis 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Hebrews 11:3 ESV

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.

Now what is faith? Faith is this understanding that God is the creator and yes, He created the world in which things we cannot see. How would that be? Well only God could make that happen. Only a designer, and our faith helps us understand this truth.

What is Faith?

Faith is pleasing to God and essential.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

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.

What is Faith?

Faith is backed by works. What you are going to see in my next point and the next several verses are great things that these biblical heroes have done. Yes, God loves what they did but only because it was in faith. However, faith is not disconnected from action. They are tied and James shares of this truth:

James 2:14–17 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Transition into the next point:

Church, I think this is a really important reminder. Before we move on with these verses and some awesome, Godly individuals. Would we be reminded or maybe for you it’s the first time you’re hearing about this, but don’t disconnect works from faith.

Don’t Disconnect Works from Faith

Yes, you are saved by what Jesus Christ has done on the cross. It is His grace, His blood, that has atoned for our sins and you are right. And how do we receive this salvation? This atonement? Through faith and not of works so why, so that you may not boast. We see this in Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Now if we take these verses that say we are saved from faith and we misread the whole point. The American church has been dying and we see christians turn away from Jesus because they have a false faith or maybe a false understanding of faith. A false understanding of faith is thinking you are saved and that’s it. You prayed the sinners prayer one time in your life and you go on your merry way. “Faith” is an insurance policy, not a life long journey.

Look at the next verse in Ephesians 2:8-9.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Yes, you aren’t saved by what you do, but those that are saved got work to do. We must walk in those works. We are His workmanship. Would you not disconnect faith from works and realize they do go hand in hand.

If you have faith don’t disconnect things we ought to do. Because true faith in Christ bears fruit.

Is there sin in your life you find yourself committing over and over again? Maybe God has been prodding on your heart to share with a leader, trusted friend, or pastor to help confess your sin and turn to God.

Are there things you know that you should be doing in your life that you aren’t? Would you do it because your faith should be backed by works.

Yes, you will make mistakes, you will mess up, and praise God that we aren’t saved by what we do. However, don’t disconnect your faith from works and then be reminded to not disconnect your works from faith. Pray to God and ask Him for help. Pray to God and to ask Him for faith.

Transition

Let’s continue and look at some specific examples of faithful individuals in scripture. Over the next several verses, you have so many people that had faith in the old testament. You see this wonderful old testament connection. You will see that everything that we read in the first part of the Bible is not separated. There have been people saying that we shouldn’t even read the old testament and that is just plain wrong. In addition to hundreds of references where the new testament is quoting the old testament, here we see them beautifully connected.

The Faith of Abel to Abraham (Verses 4-19)

Since I will only be covering a few names in more detail, I encourage you to look up who these individuals are.

Are Trinity Student Ministries recently just finished the book of Genesis and as I read this passage, each figure comes to life and as I read these names and am thinking back of Genesis, they sure indeed had great faith.

Starting with Abel in Hebrews 11:4

Hebrews 11:4 ESV

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.

This verse is talking about Genesis 4, where Adam and Eve’s firstborn, Cain, became so jealous and angry with his brother, Abel, that he murdered him. This stemmed from a sacrifices to God. In Genesis 4:1-5

Genesis 4:2-5 (ESV)

Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Later we see that he kills his brother. Now the point of this story was not necessarily that animal sacrifices are better than plant sacrifices. It was the heart behind the sacrifices. It was that the sacrifice was indeed made by faith. Earlier, I mentioned how the old testament sacrifices were indeed a temporal means and representation of the sacrifice to come, the sacrifice still needed to be made in faith.

And look at the end of verse 4 “through this faith, though he died, he still speaks”

Hebrews 11:4 ESV

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.

I see two wonderful parts to this statement.

Through his faith, although dead on this earth, is alive in heaven. Yes, he did not get to live and receive the things promised on this earth you see in verse 13 and 15, but he is in a special place now, a place where God has prepared him a city. A city for all those who have this kind of faith.

Through his faith, he still speaks to us this day. thousands of years later, we read scripture and learn about creation, learn about the lineage of Jesus Christ, and are reminded of the power of faith.

Transition

You will next see a man of great faith, named Enoch, who never died and just went to heaven.

You will see a man named Noah, who through his faith, built an ark because God told of him of events that were unseen in the moment, but going to happen in the future.

Next we have Abraham

Hebrews 11:8–10 ESV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Fun fact about Abraham, he lived in Ur of the Chaldeans, which his family worshiped other gods. But God called him out and Abraham’s faith made him what, obey. Faith produces fruit.

In these verse What the writer of Hebrews is pointing out is that Abraham was never fully dwelling in the promise land as his permanent citizenship was a different city. A city built and designed by God.

David Guzik

“A resident alien or a sojourner is evident. The way they talk, the way they dress, their mannerisms, their entertainment, their citizenship, and their friends, all speak of their native home. If someone is the same in all these areas as the “natives,” they are no longer sojourners – they are permanent residents. Christians shouldn’t live as if they were permanent residents of planet earth.”

We can learn from Abraham and this hero of the faith. Where is your home? Where is your permanent resident?

Transition

Later in verse 17, we see this:

Hebrews 11:17 ESV

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,

For those of you that don’t know, God had promised Abraham and his wife, Sarah, descendants more so than the stars you see. We call this the abrahamic covenant. And God promised a son to Abraham and Sarah but Sarah was far past the age to conceive, you see her faith in verse 11.

But God did bring forth a child to Sarah and they had long awaited this child and there was a lot of drama as well in the waiting.

So God tests, Abraham and tells him to offer his son as a sacrifice. Abraham obeyed. I can’t imagine the pain but his faith in God was great and right as he was about to strike his son, God stopped him and provided an animal to sacrifice instead of his son.

I’m not gonna lie, I can’t even imagine sacrificing my cat, let alone my child. But this is the faith we are called to.

Do you have that kind of faith? I’m not saying you are going to have to kill your son or your daughter. But you might have to sacrifice your family if it becomes either them or God. Jesus speaks to this about his truth divides a family.

Transition - Your Faith will Grow

There are many other names listed in this chapter and I won’t have time to through each and everyone. Would you all re-read this chapter this week and truly ask God to soften your heart. That it’s not about you, it’s about Jesus. Put your faith and trust in him! Yes, you won’t always feel it. Yes, you won’t see it. But you know what is true. It is the conviction of things not seen.

Church, evaluate and reflect your faith. There is the original faith you place in God that saves you, but your faith can continue to grow. In scripture, you will see it grow from hearing the word of Christ, you will see it grow from obedience and turning away from sin, you will see it grow through suffering. Charles Spurgeon has a cool quote on this:

“A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; a great faith will bring heaven to your soul”

Where is your faith? Would you obey and pursue and draw near to God and gather. Because with even the littlest faith, great things can happen.

The Faith of the Rest (Verses 32-39)

We now will see a lot of names and generalities of people with great faith and the trials and tribulations, the suffering and persecution, and the power of what faith will allow you do persevere through. Because God and His kingdom is worth it.

Would you all please stand as I close and read.

Hebrews 11:32–40 ESV

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

These verses are convicting. Most of us got it easy compared to this. Where is our faith? Where is your faith?

These people of faith, had their eyes fixed on a greater kingdom. They had their eyes fixed on what was promised to them. These people never got to see the messiah on this earth. They waited and hoped for the messiah. They waited and hoped for Jesus.

We get the full story, we get the full picture. We see what Jesus Christ has done. Church, we must pray for this kind of faith.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Have assurance in the hope of Jesus Christ.