Men of Whom the World is not Worthy

Assurance and Conviction

Remember that the author does not define faith by being right on issues or regular attendance, but by being confident in our hope and certain of the promise of God when we do not see

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah (and Nehemiah) all believed God and acted upon that belief

They lived without seeking stability in this world (lived in tents outside of cities), because they were seeking stability in God’s country

Faith of the Fathers - vs.17-22

Abraham made the ultimate decision of faith to kill his son and burn his body, even though he was the only son through whom God had promised to fulfill his promise - Gen 17:15-21

Genesis 17:15–21 ESV

And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

Raising the dead had never occurred before this (Abel was not given back to Adam and Eve), but Abraham still believed God could do that with Isaac

Isaac was tricked by Rebecca and Jacob into giving the greater blessing to the son he did not intend, but knew that God would determine their future from that blessing - Gen 27:32-33, 36-37

Genesis 27:32–33 ESV

His father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”

Genesis 27:36–37 ESV

Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?”

Jacob and Joseph each demonstrated the same faith as they reached the end of their lives without seeing the promise fulfilled (can we wait on the Lord that long?)

Faith of Moses and Israel - vs.23-31

The parents of Moses kept him alive because they were not afraid (would not submit to the authority) of Pharaoh

Moses chose to give up all the material benefits that came with being in Pharaoh’s family to exchange for the life with the slaves (which he was assured was better)

He left Egypt, not out of fear of the king, but because of his choice to be with the people of God (this was 40 years before the bush) - Exod 2:11-15

Exodus 2:11–15 ESV

One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.

The families of Israel, through the instruction of Moses, kept the passover and kept their firstborn alive

They trusted the word of Moses to walk through the Red Sea on the dry seabed, but the Egyptians tried the same action, yet failed because of no faith in God

Through faith in something not seen before, the walls of Jericho fell down, and all its inhabitants were killed except for a harlot and her family because she trusted in the never seen God of these invaders

Men of whom the world was not worthy - vs.33-40

The author says there is not time to discuss all the examples of men and women from old times who demonstrated this sort of faithful living; he lists some names - not all of whom were perfect examples of morality

Yet their lives demonstrated great success in very difficult times, all because they trusted in God

Notice that few lived in security (even David in his palace has to run for his life)

All of these were approved by God because of their - but did NOT receive the promise of God

This is because the promise of God was not peace and security in this life (and still is not); but being made perfect in Jesus (the primary message of this book)

Questions for Next Week

1- What does it mean that Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith?

2- What method does God use to strengthen our faith?

3- What should we do for the weak and feeble (of faith)?

4- What can cause someone to come short of the grace of God?