What Faithful Living Looks Like

What is Faith? - vs.1-6

New translation of 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of being present at every service of the local church, doing volunteer work for our child’s scout group, and having no police record, not even a traffic citation; the conviction of knowing how the church treasury should be used, having the proper name for the local church, and knowing that the proper title for our preacher is brother, not reverend

TIC Amplified Version

Through faith, the children of God from old times (Old Testament) gained His approval (not be keeping the law)

Faith starts with creation - that God spoke and made everything from nothing

Abel offered a better sacrifice - that was better because of why, not what - Rom 10:17

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Enoch did not die because of his faith

Without faith, it is impossible to please God; it is not the works that we do that pleases God - anyone can do the same works - but why we do these things that pleases God

Tent Dwellers - vs.7-12

Noah believed God when warned about a danger that had never been seen before (or since), and spent 120 years preparing to save his family - in doing that, he also condemned the world that did not believe God - so he became an heir of the righteousness granted on the basis of faith

Abraham believed God and left his home without knowing where God was leading him

He lived as an alien there for more than 100 years, living a nomadic existence in tents (came from the city of Ur, perhaps the greatest city of its time)

Isaac and Jacob continued to live in tents in Canaan, although there were plenty of cities in which they could have lived (Lot ended up living within Sodom) - Gen 19:1-2

Genesis 19:1–2 ESV

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.”

Abraham was looking for a city, but not one constructed by man - ie. he was looking for the safety and community that is offered by God, not by man

Sarah believed God to give birth to a child after childbearing age (even though doubting at first) - Gen 18:10-15

Genesis 18:10–15 ESV

The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

So one aged childless couple ends up having descendants beyond the ability to count - Gen 15:5-6

Genesis 15:5–6 ESV

And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

God’s Heavenly Country - vs.13-16

Yet, even though all of these believed, they did not receive the inheritance while alive, yet they all could see it in the distance and welcomed the sight - John 8:56-58

John 8:56–58 ESV

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

These were the “men of old” in contrast to the audience of this writer (last days saints) - Heb 1:1-2

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

They were seeking a country of their own possession, not what they left to follow the call of God

They wanted what God is offering from heaven

Therefore (that word again), God is not ashamed to be their God (not because their behavior is perfect) but they trusted Him when they could not see how God would make it work

So God has prepared a city for them (a lot more on this idea in chapter 12)