Faithful unto Death: The Cost and Crown of Courage

Text: Hebrews 11:32–40 Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025 Occasion: Memorial Day Sunday

INTRODUCTION:

Good morning, Church.

This weekend, our nation pauses to remember the brave men and women who laid down their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. Across battlefields, across generations, their blood was shed not in vain—but for the sake of others.

What makes someone suffer or die for a cause greater than themselves?

On this Memorial Day, I remember the extraordinary sacrifice of Col. Ted Ballard, a true American hero. Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Col. Ballard served our country with valor as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. On September 26, 1966, during his 68th combat mission over North Vietnam, he was shot down and taken as a prisoner of war. For nearly six and a half years—2,351 days—he endured unimaginable torture and deprivation, never breaking under pressure, never betraying his country. His courage earned him the Silver Star and the enduring respect of a grateful nation. Even after his military service, Col. Ballard continued to serve by shaping young minds as an Air Force JROTC instructor for 22 years. His life reminds us that freedom is never free—and some, like Col. Ted Ballard, pay for it with every breath, every scar, and every ounce of resolve. His sacrifice stands as a powerful example of what it truly means to give all for your country.

At the heart of it, conviction. A deep, unshakable belief that the cause they serve is worth more than their own comfort, safety, or even life. It’s the belief that some things are more valuable than survival—truth, freedom, faith, love, honor.

For the soldier, it may be the defense of country, family, and liberty. For the missionary or martyr, it’s the unyielding belief in the eternal worth of the Gospel. For the parent who sacrifices daily, it's love that puts another before self.

People suffer or die for something greater than themselves when:

They know the cost, but believe the reward is greater.

They are anchored in truth that doesn't shift with circumstances.

They are compelled by love—for God, for others, for justice.

They see their life as part of a bigger story—one where their suffering is not wasted, but woven into something eternal.

As Jesus said in John 15:13,

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

That’s the heart of sacrifice. Love greater than fear. Purpose greater than pain. Eternity greater than the moment.

Today, we do more than wave flags—we reflect. And as we honor the fallen of our nation, we also look into God’s Word to honor the faithful fallen—those men and women who laid down their lives not for political freedom, but for Kingdom glory.

In Hebrews 11, we find a list of heroes. They’re not remembered for medals, but for faith. Not for battlefield victories, but for eternal courage. And through this text, we will see what kind of faith endures, suffers, and even dies—and is still not defeated.

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.

I. FAITH THAT ENDURES IN VICTORY (vv. 32–35a)

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice…”

These verses list men who—through faith—saw powerful victories:

Gideon led 300 men and defeated a massive army.

David slew Goliath.

Daniel shut the mouths of lions.

Some "escaped the edge of the sword," others “became mighty in war.”

Notice this: Their strength wasn’t in military strategy. It was in faith.

This is where we see the overlap with our military heroes—ordinary men and women who stepped into danger for the good of others.

Application: Faith is not passive. It’s courageous. It steps into the fight, believing that God will do what only God can do.

But victory doesn’t always look like a battlefield won. Sometimes, it looks like a cross carried.

II. FAITH THAT PERSEVERES THROUGH SUFFERING (vv. 35b–38)

“…Others were tortured, refusing to accept release… They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword… destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy…”

Here’s the forgotten side of faith. Not everyone was delivered. Some were cut down.

Isaiah was sawn in two.

Zechariah was stoned at the altar.

Countless Christians were thrown to lions, burned at the stake, executed in prisons, and hunted down through history.

The Deaths of the Apostles:

Peter – Crucified upside down in Rome. Said he was unworthy to die as Christ died.

Andrew – Crucified on an X-shaped cross. Preached to onlookers until his final breath.

James (son of Zebedee) – Beheaded in Jerusalem by Herod (Acts 12:2). First apostle martyred.

John – Boiled in oil but miraculously survived. Exiled to Patmos.

Thomas – Speared to death in India, proclaiming Christ to the end.

Philip – Crucified after converting a Roman official's family.

Bartholomew (Nathaniel) – Flayed alive and then beheaded in Armenia.

Matthew – Killed by a sword in Ethiopia.

James (son of Alphaeus) – Thrown from the temple, then beaten to death.

Simon the Zealot – Killed in Persia after refusing to worship a false god.

Thaddeus (Jude) – Beaten to death in Syria.

Matthias – Stoned and beheaded.

Paul – Beheaded in Rome under Nero.

Every one of them—except John who miraculously survived—was brutally executed.

Not one recanted. Not one said, “We made it up.” That validates everything they preached.

They didn’t die for a religion—they died for a risen Savior.

Revelation 12:11 – “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

What are we willing to suffer for Christ? What do our lives say about our faith?

And let’s not forget the millions today—from China to Nigeria to North Korea—who suffer for the name of Jesus.

Their lives are not a failure of faith—they are proof of it.

Application: This is hard truth. Faith doesn’t always mean we get rescued. Sometimes, faith means we die still believing.

But the writer says something stunning:

“Of whom the world was not worthy.”

Our world celebrates fame. God celebrates faithfulness.

III. FAITH THAT WAITS FOR THE GREATER REWARD (vv. 39–40)

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us…”

Why would anyone give up everything—comfort, safety, relationships, even life itself—for Christ?

It’s because of relationship, promise, and place.

1. The Relationship – Christ Himself

They gave up everything because they had found Someone worth more than everything. Jesus wasn’t an idea to them. He wasn’t just a teacher or prophet. He was the Son of God, the Lamb slain, the Savior risen, the Friend closer than a brother.

Philippians 3:8 – “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Knowing Him—being known by Him—was enough to endure prison, rejection, and death. And if we know Him, we know why they did it. They didn’t die for religion. They died for relationship.

2. The Promises – What Christ Said Is True

They believed the words of Jesus:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:10)

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10)

“I go to prepare a place for you…” (John 14:2)

They didn’t need everything in this life, because they trusted the next one was better. They clung to promises that no sword could cut down, no prison could chain, no fire could burn away.

3. The Place – Heaven is Real

Jesus said in John 14:2–3, “In my Father’s house are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and will take you to myself.”

That’s what they were holding onto—a place not made with human hands. A home where there are no martyrs, no pain, no loss—only joy in the presence of Christ forever. They gave up this world because they knew a better world was coming.

Hebrews 13:14 – “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”

They waited. They believed. They endured.

And they would tell you today: It was worth it.

CLOSING: THE ROMAN ROAD TO SALVATION

Maybe today you’re not sure you have that relationship. You’re not sure you’ve believed those promises. You’re not sure you’re going to that place.

Let me walk you down the path the martyrs walked. It's called the Roman Road—a simple way of seeing God's plan of salvation through verses from the book of Romans:

Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” None of us are good enough. We’ve all sinned. We all need grace.

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Sin earns us death. But Christ offers us life.

Romans 5:8 – “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus died in your place. He bore your punishment.

Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s not about being perfect. It’s about trusting the One who is.

Romans 10:13 – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” That includes you. Right now.

ALTAR CALL / INVITATION:

Today, you can receive the same grace the apostles died for. You can have the same relationship they lived for. You can be promised the same heaven they longed for.

If you don’t know Jesus, will you come?

He gave everything for you. Will you give everything to Him?