By Faith, Heaven in Guaranteed

Introduction

Good morning please open in your Bibles to Hebrews 11:8-22 that is Hebrews 11:8-22. If you are using a Bible scattered throughout the chairs that will be on page 947, page 947. I want you to take a moment and humor me. We are going to do a little personal thought experiment. You’ll do this is you chairs and in silence but just for a moment I want you to envision your future. I would to think about your future and all you hope it to be. Do your best to place in your mind what your life will be like in 5 years from now…. 10 years from now… 20 years… 50 years… 100 years from now… Now, at some point I put a number out there and you thought… I’ll be dead. That’s what my future holds that far out. And you are right… but for those of us who are Christians what did you think about? What will your future look like 100 years from now. If you are a Christian then that means you will in heaven with the Lord. And if the Lord tarries, you will be waiting for a still better future. The day what Christ will return and the new heavens and new earth will be established for all time. When we will be in the presence of God for all eternity to never experience sin or sorrow again. That is your future if you are in Christ.

Now, in many ways it is impossible to imagine all of the specifics of the new heaven and new earth, but my point is this. They are a future reality, a guaranteed reality for all who place their faith in Christ. The promise of new heavens and new earth are something that we hope for, and it is something that we cannot yet see. We can only consider it by faith. We can only lay hold on it by believing in the promises of God through His Word. Hebrews 11:1 tells “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Do you have faith in the reality of the promise of heaven? Are you assured of this hope? Do you have a conviction that heaven does await you though you cannot see it now? I pray you do. This morning we will learn that by faith heaven is a guarantee. And our faith in heaven impacts us in three ways. A faith in heaven enables us to live obediently, long for home, and look forward optimistically. Let me say that again, our faith in heaven enables us to live obediently, long for home, and look forward optimistically. Let’s read Hebrews 11:8-22.

Live Obediently v. 8-12

Hebrews 11:8–10 “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. 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. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.”

Abraham was the first patriarch of Israel. He was Israel before Israel was Israel. The Israelites were God’s chosen people and they all came from the lineage of Abraham. When we meet Abraham in Genesis 11 he is living with his father Terah in the land of Haran. They had left the land of Ur and were heading to Canaan, but stopped a little short and settled in Haran. God speaks to Abraham and tells him to leave his father’s house and travel to the land of Canaan. God promises to give this land to Abraham’s descendents, and therefore this land, the land of Canaan is referred to as the promised land in the Bible.

To leave your family in this time was a dangerous and risky thing to do. Living near your family tribe provided you with security and wealth. The family would pull together to defend against marauders and they would establish and pass on wealth through inheritance. When Abraham left his father’s house, he left his worldly inheritance, he left security from real physical danger. He was trusting that God would provide him with land, with a family, and with an inheritance. He lived in the land of promised, but he lived there in tents. A tent is a non-permanent structure is signifies that Abraham’s situation was still unable. His dwelling was not a sure foundation. He lived there with he son and grandson (Isaac and Jacob) the inheritors of the promise of God. The were still living in tents in this land, but they believed that God would give it to them.

But it is not just about the promised land, it is about what the promised land represented. It represented that those who trust in God, those who place their faith in God would one day live in a place with foundations. A place in which the designer and builder was God himself. Not just a foundation like the one my home and your home is built on in this world. A foundation we consider to be permanent, but we all know that over time the house shifts and develops new creeks in the floor. No, the foundation that Abraham looked forward to was one in which God would establish it for all eternity. Abraham, followed God’s call in faith. But not to only inherit the promised land, but to inherit eternal life.

And how do we know that Abraham had this kind of faith? Because Abraham obeyed God. Abraham’s obedience to God was the manifestation of his faith in God’s promises. He left his home, because he truly believed that God would provide the promised land of Canaan for his family. He faith was not passive. He did not hear God’s promise and simply say ok God, I’ll just wait here in Haran for that promise come true.

No rather, though his father has stopped short of Canaan in Genesis 11, Abraham would now leave his father and travel to a land that he had never seen. He chose to believe God’s promise because h was convinced in something that was not yet seen. He had faith that he and his descendants would posses the promised land though to him is was a foreign land. He was not familiar with the territory, but because God said to go, Abraham went. Faith without action is not faith. Faith apart from obedience is not faith.

James 2:14–17 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 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? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” You see real faith takes action in the real world. It obeys God, because those of faith really believe that God exists and the he rewards those who seek him. Thus, they seek him by obeying his word.

If you believe that heaven really does await you then you are free to obey God today even if it cost you something. You can lay down earthly goods without hesitation because you know heavenly rewards await you. You can leave security, family, and world wealth like Abraham because you are convinced in a heavenly city that you have not yet seen. You can sacrifice today, because God’s city is build on eternal foundations. This earth will pass away, but God’s kingdom will endure forever. Faith in heaven frees to obey today.

But obedience doesn’t always look like doing the right thing. Often times obedience is about believing the right thing and waiting upon the Lord. This is what happens as Sarah places her faith in God. Hebrews 11:11–12 “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” In the book of Genesis we are told that Sarah is barren, she cannot have children. She grows old and is beyond her child bearing years when God promises Abraham that he will have a son by his wife Sarah. Sarah at first laughs about this and says, Genesis 18:12 “So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”” But God’s promise does come true.

Sarah believes that God will answer His promise and by faith she receives the power to conceive even though she and Abraham were too old to have children. And through their son Isaac they are granted descendants that out number the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.

Now, what does this all mean. When you take a biology class there is nothing about faith when human procreation is explained. When kids ask, where to babies come from? We probably don’t first say, when by faith… Yet, that is what we find here. Sarah, cannot be obedient by having a child by natural means. She is barren, she has been trying to have babies her whole life. What must she do to obey God? She must believe that God can do the impossible. God can take an old man and an old woman and bring a nation from them.

By faith we obey God in right actions and in right beliefs. We are called to do what God commands to believe and wait on what God promises. And as we do this, we grow to see that this world is not our home. We begin to long for our heavenly home.

Long for Home v. 13-16

Hebrews 11:13–16 “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”

The these referred to extends all the way to Abel. Each person listed died or in the case of Enoch was taken up before receiving the promises of God. They did not receive the promise of God’s forever kingdom, but they “saw” the promised and greeted of embraced them from afar. By faith these OT saints were considered righteous. They knew that this world was not their home. They looked forward to the fulfillment of God’s eternal promises. Their primary concern was not the land of Canaan instead they desired a better country. They looked forward to the new heavens and new earth by being faithful in what God had revealed to them. Their faith was rooted in the Word of God and his promises. He promised to establish a better city with eternal foundations. They did not manifest in their lifetime, but they died believing that it would. And we know that because of their faithful obedience.

In desiring a heavenly country, they become people who God is not ashamed of. Their example is to be followed by the original audience of this letter who were being tempted to return to their old ways. The ways of Canaan, the ways of a temporal world. Instead, they would need to pursue the eternal future kingdom and in so doing be people of faith that did not shrink back. Hebrews 10:38–39 “but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” The author is speaking to these Jewish Christians and telling them that if they are really going to be like their heroes then they need to be people of faith. If you are going to be true children of Abraham, you don’t need to sacrifice animals, you need to believe in the sacrificial death of the Son of God. Ultimately, that is what Abraham and the others did. Their faith was in the future atoning work of God. Galatians 3:24–26 “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” Galatians 3:29 “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” And these believers were being called to be like Abraham and believe in something they had not yet seen. They were being called to endure persecution, the ceasing of their possessions, because they had a better possession and and abiding one… that is heaven. Because of the promise of heaven they could endure.

In John 14 Jesus explains a the same truth to his disciples. It comes right after the last supper when Jesus explains that he will go away and where he is going they cannot follow. He is alluding to the cross. They cannot follow him to die and endure the wrath of God. Peter promises to follow no matter what, and Jesus explains that even Peter will deny Jesus three times that very night. Jesus then tells them this in John 14:1–7 ““Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”” The word translated as believe has the same root word as the word translated faith. It is the same idea we have been discussing. Do not be troubled, instead believe/have faith in God and believe/have faith in me. He then tells them about heaven. Jesus says he is going to prepare a place for them, and that he will come again and take them to this place. He tells them after he endures the cross that where he is they also may be. He tells them, where I am going, heaven, is place to which you all know the way. Thomas, the doubter the one who later will not believe until the touches the wounds of Jesus, says How can we know the way? And then Jesus tells them something this is beautiful and wonderful. It is incredibly good news. Often we use this verse to bash the non-christian on the head when people claim there are many ways to heaven. While it is true only Jesus can get us to heaven and this verse does prove that, that particular issue is not the issue of the original context. John 14:6 is not a verse about primarily about the exclusive nature of salvation, but instead it is a message of hope to discouraged and troubled sinners. For a group of men who think they don’t know the way to heaven Jesus looks to them and says, yes you do! You know the way! The way is through Christ. Jesus says you do know the way, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Through Jesus these disciples have seen the Father. Their faith in God has been made sight in Christ.

You live in a fallen and broken world. You live in a place in which there is turmoil that is both big and small. From cancer, job loss, and miscarriage… to losing your wallet, disobedient children, and needing to stick to the budget this week life is filled with trouble. And in order to navigate such a world you must resolve to live by faith in the unseen promise of heaven. You don’t know if you’ll live much longer, if you will have a job next week, if you’ll have x amount of kids, if you have a good week or a bad week, how your kids will turn out, or anything else about the future. But you do know that heaven awaits you no matter what earth throws at you. You know that there is a better country, a city prepared by God himself, that has a sure foundation, a heavenly home who’s designer and builder is God.

T/S- And because this future is sure, we can look forward in our lives and be optimistic. We can resolve to have hope and optimism because by faith we are assured of the things hoped for.

Look Forward with Optimism v. 17-22

Hebrews 11:17–22 “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, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.”

In this final portion of our text this morning we read of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joesph all the direct descendents of Abraham and how they thought of the future with hope and optimism. The reference to each patriarch is one that involves either the potential death of a son, or their own death. And in each situation they take actions that display their confidence in God’s promises to their family. They are convinced that even if they die before the promises are fulfilled that the promises will be fulfilled. Abraham is willing to offer his only son Isaac to God because he knows that God has promised to bring about a nation through this boy. God always keeps his promises to Abraham reasons, that if he does kill his son, God will raise his son to life in order to fulfill His promise. This of course is a foreshadowing of happens to Jesus, God’s Son. Abraham’s son is spared at the last minute. God simply desires to test Abraham to ensure that Abraham is willing to give up everything to Him. Once Abraham proves this God stops the sacrifice before it takes place.

However, when it comes to God’s son there is no one that steps in to stop the sacrifice. God’s Son is killed for the sins of mankind. Yet, God always keeps his promises. And just as Abraham believe d that God would raise Isaac, God does in fact raise Jesus from the dead. Jesus must die and must raise in order to fulfill the promises of God. God must be just and punish sin, so he punishes Jesus. God must conquer sin and death, and in Jesus he does just that through the resurrection. And through Jesus death and resurrection. God secures our place in His heavenly city.

Isaac blesses Jacob and Esau knowing that though he die, they will prosper one day into a great nation. Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons though that had to leave the promised land, the land of Canaan, due to a famine and flee to Eypgt. He blesses them and reminds them that the land of promise will be theirs one day because God has said so. Joseph’s two sons become two tribes in Israel because of that blessing. And Joseph, while still in Eypgt knew that one day His people would return to the promised land. He knew that the land would be theirs and that meant they would leave Eypgt. Therefore, he gives his sons instructions on what to do with his bones. He tells them to take his bones with them to Canaan because he wants to be buried there. He is confident that one day they will return.

This confidence of future blessing comes in the midst of present turmoil. Isaac is laid on the alter, but Abraham knows the promise will be fulfilled. Isaac’s sons hate each other, and Esau was to kill Jacob and end the promise. Isaac knows that God’s promise will be fulfilled. Jacob’s family is in Eypgt but he blesses Joseph’s sons and Joseph knows that the return to Canaan will not happen in his lift time. But He knows it will happen because God’s promises will be fulfilled.

Conclusion

I was once reminded by a mentor that in the end everything will be alright, and if it is not alright, then it is not the end. Our future is a sure. Christ has promised us heaven and he always makes good on his promises. By faith we are to take him at his word and in faith know that heaven awaits us. This enables us to live obediently, long for home, and look forward optimistically. So, what we to do when we wake up tomorrow morning? Monday Morning Difference is to know 3 things and to live in light of them 1. Sin Does Not Disqualify Us 2. Suffering Cannot Destroy Us 3. Free to Obey in Actions and Beliefs. Sin does not disqualify us, all of the OT examples were sinners. They failed in many ways, but their faith is what made them righteous. They were imperfect, but made perfect by faith in Christ work on the cross. Suffering hurts, but it cannot destroy the soul. Even if we are suffering we can endure to the end. Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” And if sin cannot disqualify us and suffering cannot destroy us then were a free to obey. We have the ability to do and believe what is right and true today. Our here and now is changed by the surety of our future in Christ. Because hope is heaven is sure, we can live to glorify God instead of gratify the desires of the flesh. But we do that by faith. Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Let us live by faith.