The Life of Faith

Context

Context of Hebrews

This magnificent letter to the Hebrews was written to a group of first-century Christians who were in danger of giving up. It is clear from even a casual reading of the letter that the times were hard for Jewish Christians especially. Many of them had been exposed to fierce persecution. They had been physically assaulted, their homes had been plundered; some had been cast into prison on account of their faith, others had been ridiculed in public because of their resolute trust in Jesus (10:32–34). Many of these Jewish Christians had accepted all this adversity joyfully. But others had ‘shrunk back’ from their earlier allegiance to Christ and became apostates. Without going that far, others were in danger of compromise. The letter appeals to all these severely tested believers to keep their faith firmly anchored to the moorings of truth, to maintain their steady confidence in Christ and to press on to mature Christian stability (2:1; 3:6; 6:1).

But how does one encourage such people in critical and adverse times?

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

today I have become your Father”?

Or again,

4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

“I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son”?

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Hebrews 10:19–39 NRSV

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach 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. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy “on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet “in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.” But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.

Hebrews 10:19–25 NRSV

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach 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. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

No believer can cope with adversity unless Christ fills his horizons, sharpens his priorities and dominates his experience.

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

No believer can cope with adversity unless Christ fills his horizons, sharpens his priorities and dominates his experience.

This letter’s primary exhortation is an appeal for endurance.

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the pr

God Has Spoken by His Son

Hebrews 10:35–39 NRSV

Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet “in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.” But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.

(Cp )

3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

a Or the Son

Remember when you first fell in love with Jesus...

Hebrews 10:19

19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus,

A Call to Persevere

20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh),

b Or bears along

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

19 Therefore, my friends,g since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach 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. 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

22 let us approach 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.

23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

g Gk Therefore, brothers

24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), .

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), .

33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.

Remember when you first fell in love with Jesus...

34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Remember when you first fell in love with Jesus...

36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Remember when you first fell in love with Jesus...

Hebrews 11:1–3 NRSV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Remember how entrenched you were with Him?

Remember how much time you would spend with Him?

Remember how many people you used to tell about Him?

Remember how there was constant spiritual high you were living because of Him?

Remember all the dreams you thought of because you knew He was with you?

Remember when tough times came, they seemed insignificant because of the love you had for the Lord?

Well the author of Hebrews wants to remind his hearers, and us too, about what faith now looks like as life continues to go on. It takes different shapes. We as humans easily forget our God and we need to be constantly reminded of who He is and who calls us to be. We pick up the story in chapter 11:1

Hebrews 11:1–3 NRSV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Hall of Faith

The rest of this chapter follows all the greats in the Bible that were considered righteous because of the faith they lived their life with.

By Faith, Abel- offered his gifts to the Lord. He gave the Lord His best, the first, the cream of the crop. He was considered faithful to the Lord over Cain, who gave what was left to the Lord.

Enoch pleased God through Faith.

Noah was faithful with following through with his vision to build an ark, because God told him to. Notice, the flood was unseen and seemingly impossible, but he built it anyway.

Abraham, though old and way past ability to have children, was promised that he would be the father to many nations. He was to receive an inheritance in a land that he did not know of at that time, but still believed there was a promised land somewhere. Abraham, nearly dead of old age was given descendants, who would later go on to be as numerous as the stars and the grains of sand on the seashore. Isaac and Jacob, too, were heirs of the promise from God and they too, were considered faithful because of their endurance. Abraham, through faith, offered up his one and only son to be sacrificed, mind you, of the son who had been promised the descendants would all come through, Isaac.

Isaac, through faith, invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau.

Jacob, through faith, blessed each of the sons of Joseph.

By faith, Joseph continued steadfast to do the right thing when it would be easy to be disobedient, ultimately leading to being second to Pharoah of Egypt and was given ability to provide food to his people.

Moses, by Faith, considered himself no better than his own people, identifying fully with them, and denouncing his standing with Pharoah’s daughter. By faith, he left Egypt unafraid, returning years later, leading the Israelites out of slavery into the promised land…to which he was not aloud to enter!

Hebrews 11:13–15 NRSV

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return.

They were not able to Receive the promise from God on this side! Let’s think about that! What has God promised to you that you are waiting to come to fruition...

Let’s go on..

Hebrews 11:29–40 NRSV

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. And what more should 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, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.

Amazing. None of these great witnesses received what was promised to them. These are the men and women who are upheld in the Bible as individuals who God is pleased with, and none of their journeys were easy ones. And I am suspecting that none of your journeys are easy ones either.

Where are you wandering today?

Are there places of your life where you just seem to be existing?

Are there places where you are giving up hope?

Are there people and relationships that you are investing in for the kingdom of God that have visibly seemed to ignore you or your efforts?

Are there kids or grandkids that are not receptive to your pleas to live for the Lord?

What promises has God made to you that do not seem to be coming true, from your perspective?

Hebrews 12:1–2 NRSV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hello, Henley’s. This is pastor Nick here from FCC. I wanted to reach out and see if you would be interested in joining a Care Group that my wife and I are starting for the Fall. We will be on Thursday nights at 6-or 6:30 for an hour or so. We will have child care on campus that we will all need to pitch in a couple dollars to pay workers for their time. I would love to connect with you for a season. We will go until the end of November or so, and at that point you can decide if it is not for you or if you want to pick it up again in late January. What do you think?

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

Since we have this great cloud of witnesses, let’s lay aside everything we do not need! Let us run with perseverance! Not walk! The race that is set before us. Interesting the author uses the word, race, set before us. It is a race. I can assure you it does not mean a sprint. This life is a great marathon, maybe even the greatest marathon on the face of the planet and what the cosmos has ever seen. Which is what the motivation for this text today. I wanted to share about some of my own things that God has whispered to me in my own life to me lately.

Things Take Longer Than Expected...

What do we do as we live? We build. What do we build?

2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Building Takes Time

Foundation Is Valuable

Processes and Rhythms Count

Concrete Construction Illustration