Faith in the Unseen

Hebrews 11:17–40 ESV

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. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 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— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 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. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 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— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:17-

Intro - my hardest classes in college were counseling. I’m not a natural counselor but I’ll never forget my favorite professor Dr. Gibbs. He started asking about what kids develop early on in childhood When they were comforted. They develop trust that is then robbed over the course of their life.

What happens is the things in life begin to rob your trust, your faith in people And you begin to think it’s all on you. Now imagine approaching God with that heart....faith/trust is one of the hardest things for you.

TR: This is what the Hebrews dealt with…how can I continue in trusting God when my circumstances are so hard...

Faith in Fidelity

Hebrews 10:35–36 ESV

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Those are sobering words...

The struggle for the Hebrews was that what they had to endure caused them question if it was worth it...

Hebrews 10:

So then the writer of Hebrews takes them on a journey of all the people that probably would have questioned is it worth it.

What is truth?

Fidelity to the original, it holds true to what originally existed or was displayed.

God is true and in Him there is no deviation or shadow. Therefore, he can be trusted to remain consistent to what he has always been.

James 1:17 ESV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

John 1:17 ESV

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The first thing that we must do when we question faith is to ask “why faith?”

Why the method of trust versus actions, knowledge, lineage, etc?

It takes a lot to trust. It is one of the few things that not only reveal what you BELIEVE but also what you ARE!!

Why did these guys do these things? Because they trusted God....trusted that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him AND that the reward is superior to what they might receive in their lifetime.

”Abraham considered God was able…”

Just that portion there sums up what faith is.

Moses believed being with God’s people is of more long standing pleasure than temporary comfort v. 25-26

The reproach of Christ was better than the greatest pleasures of this world

That is faith folks. Do you believe that what the Lord offers is of greater value than what you have?

More than the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Think about what Abraham and Moses gave up! What was at risk with Rahab and the Israelites as They left Egypt

They risked it all for someone that they never saw face to face.

Some of us settle for the treasures of sin! You simply don’t trust God that His reward is superior.

Example with Malachi about teaching how the problem with sin isn’t just that it offends God but that it is so inferior to the pleasures found in God.

You must believe that God is who He says He is...

Faithlessness is believing that THIS is the best that there is.

Some of you all have given up because the circumstance have overwhelmed you, the world has tempted you or you’ve grown impatient.

Hebrews 10:39 ESV

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

Don’t let go....don’t let the success of the wicked, the temporary profit of the evil or the seeming failure of your noble attempts dissuade you from trusting God.

We have champions who have endured the same and greater and have been delivered!!!

TR: However, what happens when you have faith in God but it appears as though you‘ve been forsaken?

Faith in the Forsaken

This is when it really gets down to the nitty-gritty

Everything is fine in this passage so far…Moses conquered, Joshua took out entire cities, Samson, Gideon, etc. All stories of victory

However, the faith doesn’t just include the happy endings but the suffering saints.

Hebrews 11:

Hebrews 11:35–38 ESV

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 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— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

We love the stories of how faith conquered but what about HOW FAITH KEPT???

Story of the difference in how when Larry King interviewed people from various faiths there was room for rebuttal but when someone was on in regard to how her faith kept her when her husband died he had nothing to say.

The reality is folks it’s not always going to turn out the best this side of eternity

BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH…you are going to be persecuted.

BECAUSE you won’t concede, won’t agree, won’t capitulate you may be persecuted. And it is BY FAITH that you will be kept!!!

What‘s crazy is this passage makes it clear that those folks DIDN’T RECEIVE WHAT WAS PROMISED!!!…not yet anyway

INCREASE INTENSITY

What they were promised wasn’t a reward based on work or some temporal pleasure but of fulfillment and unity with God…THE SUPREME REWARD

They couldn’t achieve this on their own but looked forward to a salvation complete in their Messiah Jesus Christ.

Therefore, God created it so that they, like us, endure things because we believe we will be or have been unified with God

AND IT IS GOD!!! WHO IS OUR TREASURE!!!

That is the reward that they were pursuing…it wasn’t peace or riches or comforts but it was fellowship with God.

If God is not your treasure you’re in the wrong place.

Yet God withheld that promise completely until the New Covenant

Hebrews 11:39–40 ESV

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:

So if you are struggling with doubt in your faith, with circumstances pressing in on you, take heart you’re not the first.

As chapter 12 will continue, you have a company of people that have went before you that have pressed on as well.

LET THE PLEASURES OF SIN AND THE PAINS OF THIS WORLD GO AND TRUST IN GOD!!