Overcoming Faith

Hebrews 11:30-40

Hebrews 11:30–40 NLT

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down. 31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

INTRODUCTION:

What does overcoming faith do?

I. OVERCOMES OBSTACLES (Hebrews 11:30).

Hebrews 11:30 NLT

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

A. Faith overcomes obstacles by refusing to despair.

1. The walls of Jericho looked formidable.

a. Its site was about 5 miles west of Jordan. It was the most important city in the Jordan valley and the strongest fortress in all the land of Canaan.

b. The main defenses of Jericho in the Late Bronze Age (c. 1500–1200 b.c. ) followed the upper bank of the city mound, and comprised two parallel walls, the outer six feet thick and the inner twelve feet thick.[1]

c. The walls were of a type which made direct assault practically impossible. An approaching enemy first encountered a stone abutment, eleven feet height, back and up from which sloped a thirty-five degree plastered scarp reaching to the main wall some 35 vertical feet above. The steep smooth slope prohibited battering the wall by any effective device or building fires to break it. An army trying to storm the wall found difficulty in climbing the slope, and ladders to scale it could find no satisfactory footing ( Archaeology and the Old Testament, 174).[2]

2. The obstacles we face sometimes are equally formidable.

a. Circumstances

1.) Financial circumstances

2.) Physical circumstances

3.) Emotional Circumstances

b. People

1.) Enemies

2.) Friends

3.) Family

B. Faith overcomes obstacles through obedience to God.

1. The Israelites followed God’s plan.

a. Although it did not make military sense, they followed God’s plan.

1.) Remember “the plan”.

2.) We must follow God’s plans.

a.) Even when it does not make “common sense.”

1.) Most of the time, God’s ways don’t fit human reasoning.

a.) Die to self to live. (Matthew 10:39)

Matthew 10:39 NLT

39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

b.) Humble self to be exalted. (Luke 14:11)

Luke 14:11 NLT

11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

c.) Do good to those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27)

Matthew 5:44 NLT

44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

Luke 6:27 NLT

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.

d.) Give freely in order to receive. (Luke 6:38)

Luke 6:38 NLT

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

C. Faith overcomes obstacles through the mighty power of God.

1. Jericho was defeated by the power of God, not the ingenuity of men.

2. Obstacles we face can only be overcome by God’s power.

II. OVERCOMES DANGER (Hebrews 11:31-34).

Hebrews 11:31–34 NLT

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

A. Notice the list of dangers in the text:

1. Dangers from outer attack (Rahab) (Hebrews 11:31).

Hebrews 11:31 NLT

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

2. Danger while fighting the Lord’s battles (Hebrews 11:32-34).

Hebrews 11:32–34 NLT

32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

a. Gideon (with a few followers) (Judges 6)

b. Barak (With an army) (Judges 4)

c. Sampson (Alone) (Judges 13-14)

d. Jephthah (an unlikely candidate- Illigitimate) (Judges 11)

e. David (Shepherd / poet) (I Sam. 16)

f. Samuel (a preacher) (1 Sam. 1)

g. Daniel (political captive) (Daniel 1)

h. The three Hebrew children (unknown to the world) (Dan. 1-3)

B. There are no dangers we can not face successfully if we approach them with faith in God.

1. Ease and comfort are NOT promised.

a. Tribulation and persecution are promised (Romans 5:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29)

Romans 5:3–5 NLT

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

2 Timothy 3:12 NLT

12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Philippians 1:29 NLT

29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

2. God’s power and presence are promised. (Heb. 13:5; Psalms 37:28)

Hebrews 13:5 NLT

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Psalm 37:28 NLT

28 For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die.

III. OVERCOMES THE FEAR OF DEATH AND PERSECUTION (Hebrews 11:35-40).

A. Faith overcomes persecution:

1. Tortured and not delivered (Hebrews 11:35).

Hebrews 11:35 NLT

35 Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.

2. Mocked (Hebrews 11:36)

Hebrews 11:36 NLT

36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons.

3. Beatings (Hebrews 11:36)

Hebrews 11:36 NLT

36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons.

4. Imprisoned (Hebrews 11:36)

Hebrews 11:36 NLT

36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons.

5. Impoverished (Hebrews 11:37)

Hebrews 11:37 NLT

37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.

6. Exiled (Hebrews 11:38)

Hebrews 11:38 NLT

38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

B. Faith overcomes fear of death:

1. Burned to death (Hebrews 11:34)

Hebrews 11:34 NLT

34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

2. Stoned to death (Hebrews 11:37)

Hebrews 11:37 NLT

37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.

3. Sawn in two (Hebrews 11:37)

Hebrews 11:37 NLT

37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.

4. Killed with a sword (Hebrews 11:37)

Hebrews 11:37 NLT

37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.

C. Faith bears its fruit:

1. Miracles (Hebrews 11:30, 35).

Hebrews 11:30 NLT

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

Hebrews 11:35 NLT

35 Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.

2. A good testimony that encouraged others to follow God (Hebrews 11:39).

Hebrews 11:39 NLT

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.

3. A better place rewarded for faith (Hebrews 11:40).

Hebrews 11:40 NLT

40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

CONCLUSION:

God’s grace arrives just as we need it, appropriate for every challenge. Even if we’re lonely? Even if we’re ill? Yes. Even if we’re tortured? Even then.

Michael Sattler, born in Germany around 1490, became a Benedictine monk. As he studied Paul’s letters, he grew dissatisfied, left the monastery, married, and became a Lutheran. Sometime later he became convinced of believer’s baptism and became an Anabaptist of growing renown whose ministry attracted both converts and enemies.

Sattler, his wife, and a handful of associates were arrested in the mid-1520s and imprisoned in the tower of Binsdorf, where he wrote a letter to his flock: The brethren have doubtless informed you that some of us are in prison. Numerous accusations were preferred against us by our adversaries; at one time they threatened us with the gallows; at another with fire and sword. In this extremity, I surrendered myself entirely to the Lord’s will, and prepared myself, together with all brethren and wife, to die for his testimony’s sake.

On May 20, 1527 his torture, a prelude to execution, began at city center where his tongue was sliced. Chunks of flesh were torn from his body with red-hot tongs, and he was forged to a cart. On the way to the stake execution the tongs were applied five times again. Still able to speak, the unshakable Sattler prayed for his persecutors. After being bound to a ladder with ropes and pushed into the fire, he admonished the people, the judges, and the mayor to repent and be converted. “Almighty, eternal God,” he prayed, “Thou art the way and the truth: because I have not been shown to be in error, I will with thy help to this day testify to the truth and seal it with my blood.” As soon as the ropes on his wrists were burned, Sattler raised the two forefingers of his hand giving the promised signal to his brothers that a martyr?s death was bearable. Then the assembled crowd heard coming from his seared lips, “Father, I commend my spirit into Thy hands.”

Sattler’s wife was executed by drowning eight days later.

[1]Richards, L. 1998. Every miracle in the Bible. Includes indexes. T. Nelson: Nashville [2]Richards, L. 1998. Every miracle in the Bible. Includes indexes. T. Nelson: Nashville