Follow the Faithful
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You gotta have faith!
You gotta have faith!
If you grew up in the 80s and 90s, that statement might make you think of the song from George Michael. His song was actually a song of romance and hope that he’s holding out faith that he’ll find the right match in the next relationship. Sure doesn’t sound very FAITHFUL.
Or, maybe, that phrase makes you think of some piece of inspirational art. Something that challenges you to let your Faith conquer your fears.
Some people talk about faith in a political party or in a political process.
Some people talk about faith as so it’s a fancy way of saying “guts” or “intestinal fortitude.”
but the faith we’re talking about today is more than that. It’s more than guts or motivation. It’s more than grit. It’s more than wishful thinking or a vague hope. The faith we’re talking about today is foundational to our relationship with God and our walk in the world.
Before we dive into the substance of our faith, let’s take a brief step back.
Last week, we considered the covenant the Jesus offers and how we should live in response. That covenant should change our ACTS - Approach God, it should cause us to Cling to our confession, Think about one another, and Stick to it by faith.
The closing verse of chapter 10 says...
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Turn the page on the next chapter, this theme of faith marks main point of chapter 11, as the writer of Hebrews provides example after example of men and women who lived by faith and how that was manifested in their lives.
Before we dive into some things that we can glean from Hebrews 11, we need to reflect a bit on their context.
We’ve mentioned before that the writer of Hebrews wrote to Jewish Background Believers - followers of Christ who were culturally Jewish and who used to follow the old covenant sacrificial system. We’ve talked about how they were being pressured to return to that old system. But, this week, as I was reflecting on this chapter and actually talking with a missionary, I realized that I missed something!
They lived in an honor/shame culture
They lived in an honor/shame culture
As westerners and as Americans, we can easily miss the cultural context of Scripture. Western culture is very individualistic. We generally make decisions based on what is best for the individual. We tend to think of consequences only in as much as they impact the decision maker and maybe those closest to them.
But honor/shame cultures are very communal. The decisions that are made are generally evaluated by how they bring honor or shame to the family or the community. There may be some variations from one community to another, but there is a communal pressure applied through parents or grandparents on the next generations in order to keep the family name honored or the tribe in good standing with other tribes.
We see this most clearly in Eastern and Middle Eastern cultures. For example, I have a friend from Japan. When she moved to the states to pursue college, her family was honored by that decision, because it elevated their status in the community. But, when she began to explore Christianity and ultimately became a follower of Christ, her family was dishonored because so much of their religious system was tied into ancestral worship and veneration. Her actions ran the risk of bringing shame to her family. As a result, she has been shunned at times from her parents - even though, she is the one who has shown them the greatest amount of love and care in their final years.
We can get a sense of it with our cancel culture, but even that is more noise than substance. Essentially cancel culture shames or ignores or publically ridicules someone who has taken a perspective that is contrary to the current cultural trends. For example, Martina Navratilova (the famous tennis player who is also a lesbian) has been shunned by the LGBTQ+ movement because she doesn’t think that Trans-women (biological men) should be able to compete against women in athletics. Other famous people like the author of the Harry Potter series -JK Rowling and the comedian Dave Chappell have suffered the same public shame from cancel culture because of their views on Trans issues.
I’m really only scratching the surface of the honor/shame culture thing. It seems like it’s difficult to fully understand unless you are immersed in it.
Thinking back to the book of Hebrews and the audience to which the author is writing, their honor/shame culture was not simply a first century phenomenon. This was something that went all the way back to the beginning. The communal nature of middle eastern culture had been an issue for the people of God from the opening pages of Scripture. And that, I think, is what the famous “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11 is really communicating.
So let’s consider faith and the challenge we have to follow the faithful.
Faith ...
Faith ...
The writer of Hebrews describes faith as...
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Another translation shows it this way:
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
Faith is not a hopeful confidence or optimism. Faith is assurance and conviction. But it’s not vague or fuzzy. We have to keep in mind - the object of our faith is the Triune God. Not some wishful thinking or naive optimism, but God, His Word, and His Sovereign plan in the universe.
Over the next several verses, the writer of Hebrews chronicles so many ways that God’s people lived by faith, contrary to cultural trends and pressures.
One of the things we learn about faith in this chapter is that faith...
… is the means of approval (Heb. 11:2, 39-40)
… is the means of approval (Heb. 11:2, 39-40)
Faith is the means that we are commended by God or accepted into relationship with Him. I think this is because faith that is lived out demonstrates trust.
For by this our ancestors were approved.
By faith that is.
As we continue reading throughout the chapter we learn that God accepted Abel because of His gift. Enoch was accepted because his faith was demonstrated in how he lived.
The writer concludes the chapter in this way:
And although they all were approved through their faith, they did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.
There is actually a whole lot more that we could unpack in this last verse - implications of their faith and our involvement in that faith because of what we have received through Jesus Christ.
But, I think here is the bottom line - we are approved by faith - not by our works.
You and I can only enter into a right relationship with God through faith. It begins with belief. Belief in who God is. Belief in what Jesus has done for you - taking your sin on himself. Taking the punishment that you and I deserve.
Now, if you’ve read over this chapter this week or even have scanned it while we’ve been talking, you might be thinking - there is a lot of talk about faith - but these people did works.
I’m glad you noticed that. They did live out their faith, but I think here is the big difference in perspective or attitude:
Am I trying to win approval from God by how I live? (works only - no faith)
Am I living differently because I’ve been approved by God through faith? (faith first, works demonstrate faith)
From the outside the two might look very similar. But the key is faith - that is lived out.
The very next book of the Bible, the book of James ,summarizes this beautifully,
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
So, we see that this faith, or confidence in God, is the way that we gain approval from God. We take Him at his Word and order our lives around his ways.
We also see that faith...
… is the way to please God (Heb. 11:6)
… is the way to please God (Heb. 11:6)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
In many ways, this idea of pleasing God comes back to the idea of faith that is lived out. Do I think I’m approved or accepted by my works or by faith? How I live reveals the focus of my faith.
But notice - it begins with believing that God exists - believing that God is.
Do you believe that there is a God?
The book of Romans tells us that God’s qualities have been revealed since the beginning of the universe.
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Elsewhere, scripture says...
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
But, isn’t it predictable to use the Bible to reinforce the Bible? Yes it is. But the Bible’s view on the universe doesn’t have to be the only source of commentary.
(consider talking about Al Mohler and Professor Brian Cox - intelligent beings in the universe)
the point - The universe is such a finely tuned machine and the existence of life on this - or any planet - suggest that there must be some intelligent source. A few degrees closer to or further away from our sun would be a drastically different outcome on earth. I believe that precision points toward God.
So faith begins with believing in God and then believing that God rewards those who seek him.
We also see in this chapter that Faith in God...
… gives us a new identity (Heb. 11:13)
… gives us a new identity (Heb. 11:13)
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.
Their identity changed from citizen to stranger or alien, and resident to exile.
We are so easily identified with location, career, family, etc. - and rightly so. But one of the things that we see throughout this chapter is that God had made certain promises to these heroes of the faith. In making these promises, God called them to step out, away from their family or from the conventional way of thinking. They trusted God and acted accordingly. God brought to fruition some of those promises - but some of His promises extended far beyond their lives.
For example - Abraham - God had called Abraham out of his father’s land. He moved away from the place where he was identified and moved away from his inheritance.
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
He identified himself with God and God’s promised blessing - even at 75 years old - rather than being identified with the land of his father.
What faith he had! Imagine, hearing God promise something at 75 years old. Now, people lived longer then - and Abraham ultimately died at 175 years old - so he had another 100 years to live - but he didn’t know that. Up to this point, he had no children. Still, he moved on and trusted God.
Or consider Moses. He was raised in Pharaoh’s house and willingly chose to be identified with the people of Israel rather than the royal family. His identity was defined by his faith in God.
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.
I think that for the first century audience of this book, their community thought they were identified with the promises of God by maintaining the religious rituals. But these believers had moved beyond that - to faith in Jesus - whom we’ve seen over the last few weeks was the perfect sacrifice, he ushered in the perfect covenant. The unbelievers were shaming them to return.
In some ways, this is not unlike what we experience today. Some people, sure, have a mindset of live and let live. You do you, I’ll do me. But there are others, especially those who may be close to us, for whom faith in Jesus seems like fairy tale and a weak solution to life’s challenges.
But, when our identity is in Christ, and our lives reflect the faith we believe, we have no reason to fear the shame. As we see finally, faith...
…is the fuel of our actions
…is the fuel of our actions
Faith becomes the motivation for all that we do.
Warren Wiersbe, in his commentary on Hebrews entitled Be Confident, reflects on these heroes of the faith and how they demonstrated faith in beautiful ways. Of course, being a good pastor - he alliterated it. In this chapter, we get to see
Faith worshiping through Abel (Heb. 11:4)
Faith walking with Enoch (Heb. 11:5-6)
Faith working with Noah (Heb. 11:7)
Faith waiting with the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) (Heb. 11:8-22)
Faith warring with Moses (Heb. 11:23-29) - as he lead the people out of Egypt.
Faith winning with Joshua and Rahab (Heb. 11:30-31)
All of these heroes trusted in God. They believed in him. They believed in his promises - some of which they got to see fulfilled, other promises are yet to be fulfilled.
Closing thoughts
Closing thoughts
What is following Christ, living by faith, worth to you?
The writer of Hebrews closes this chapter with a summary of what those who’ve gone before us have experienced.
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.
I think the author is challenging his first century readers to stay the course. The cost - however great - is worth it. The shame and shunning that we might endure for the sake of our faith - is worth it - because the promises of God, the eternal hope that we have - is so much greater.
Next week, we’ll dive into chapter 12, but let me briefly give us a glimpse. The challenge for us is...
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
So this cloud of witnesses, these heroes of the faith, they are watching. But there is someone else who is watching. Someone else who faced shame; someone else who suffered for the sake of the Kingdom of God...
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus started our faith in the beginning. Jesus perfected or finished our faith on the cross. He is the one in whom we believe. He is the perfect example of how we live by faith. He is the object of our faith. He is the means of our approval. He is the means by which we please God. He gives us a new identity. Faith in him fuels our action.
Let’s pray.
Benediction
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Questions for Discussion and Reflection
Questions for Discussion and Reflection
Consider discussing these questions around the dinner table this afternoon or someday this week.
What are the implications of living in an honor/shame culture? How does that make life as a Christian easier or more difficult?
What is faith?
How does faith get us approved by God?
How does faith provide the means by which we can please God?
How does faith give us a new identity?
Have you trusted, by faith, in what Jesus has done for you? Why or why not?
References:
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/hebrews/
https://albertmohler.com/2021/10/21/briefing-10-21-21
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/oct/19/earths-demise-could-rid-galaxy-of-meaning-warns-brian-cox-ahead-of-cop26
Brown, Raymond. The Message of Hebrews. The Bible Speaks today. Leicester; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1982.
Kruger, Michael J. Hebrews for You. The Good Book Company, 2021.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Confident: Live by Faith, Not by Sight. NT Commentary: Hebrews. Colorado Springs, David C. Cook: 1982