THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH

I. RECALL YOUR PREVIOUS CONFIDENCE

A. Hebrews 10:32–37 (ESV) — 32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

C. “They should recall their fervor and passion for the Lord and rekindle their enthusiasm for the things of God. Their current sufferings have given them amnesia about how they responded earlier to the difficulties that beset them.”[1]

E. The hope of a “kingdom that cannot be shaken” (12:28) and a “lasting city” to come (13:14) will sustain Jesus’ followers today, just as it strengthened OT people of faith to endure mocking, flogging, chains, homelessness, destitution, and death (11:36–38).[2]

II. FAITH HAS A GREAT REWARD

A. Hebrews 10:35–39 (ESV) —35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay…

III. WE LIVE BY FAITH

A. Hebrews 10:38–39 (ESV) — 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

[1] Schreiner, T. R. (2021). Hebrews (T. D. Alexander, T. R. Schreiner, & A. J. Köstenberger, Eds.; p. 331). Lexham Press. [2] Johnson, D. E. (2018). Hebrews. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Hebrews–Revelation: Vol. XII (p. 156). Crossway.