The Supreme Author of Faith: Overview

Hook:

Faith is something that we desperately need to understand:

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

This section that we get to cover is going to be very challenging and difficult to apply because it means death to self. So this morning we are going to have count the cost of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Recap:

Author: The author of our epistle is unknown. Some think that it is Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Aquila, Priscilla, Silas, Philip, Apollos, Or Clement of Rome. Only our Father in heaven knows who the author is and saw fit not to give us that information.

Date: Because the author makes many reference to the priesthood and to the temple, it is a fair assumption that the temple hasn’t been destroyed yet. Which happens in 70 A.D. The date for Hebrews would most likely have been between 64-67 A.D.

Context: We are not given the exact audience that this letter was written too. However, from what the author points out he makes it pretty clear that the audience has a very Jewish background. And that is why it’s called Hebrews. These Jews had heard the gospel preached by the apostles and others during the early days of the church, and had seen the mighty miracles of the Holy Spirit which confirmed the message.

They responded to the Gospel in one of three ways:

Some believed and were genuinely converted.

Some professed Christ, were baptized, and were apart of the local assemblies. However, they had never truly been born again.

While other flatly rejected the message of salvation.

Our authors heart is to encourage the truly saved to keep their eyes on Jesus. And warning against turning away from Jesus Christ.

Theme: “Christ is greater than any angel, priest, or old covenant institution; thus each reader, rather than leaving such a great salvation, is summoned to hold on by faith to the true rest found in Christ and encouraged other in the church to persevere.”

Outline: We have split the book into 6 different sections.

The Greater Revelation: Hebrews 1:1-4:13.

The Greater High Priest: Hebrews 4:14-7:28.

The Greater Minister: Hebrews 8:1-10:18.

The Greater Author of Faith: Hebrews 10:19-11:40.

The Greater Example: Hebrews 12.

The Greater Christian Life: Hebrews 13.

Introduction:

This morning we are going to tackle are 4th overview. Where we are going to spend a good chunk of time studying about faith. Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith—Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true:

Philippians 1:27 NKJV

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

2 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV

13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust.Faith is the result of teaching: Romans 10:14-17

Romans 10:14–17 NKJV

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The object of saving faith is the whole revealed Word of God. Faith accepts and believes it as the very truth most sure. But the special act of faith which unites to Christ has as its object the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ:

John 7:38 NKJV

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Acts 16:31 NKJV

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

This is the specific act of faith by which a sinner is justified before God:

Romans 3:22 NKJV

22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Romans 3:25 NKJV

25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

Galatians 2:16 NKJV

16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Philippians 3:9 NKJV

9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Other verses include John 3:16-36; Acts 10:43; 16:31. In this act of faith us believers appropriate and rest on Christ alone (Solus Christus) as Mediator in all His offices. Faith is necessary to our salvation:

Mark 16:16 NKJV

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Faith in Christ secures for the believer freedom from condemnation. We are justified before God. Being adopted into the family of God and eternally saved.

Reading:

[Bailey] Hebrews 10:19-25

Hebrews 10:19–25 NKJV

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

[Thomas] Hebrews 10:26-39

Hebrews 10:26–39 NKJV

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

[Bailey] Hebrews 11:1-6

Hebrews 11:1–6 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

[Thomas] Hebrews 11:7-10

Hebrews 11:7–10 NKJV

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

[Bailey] Hebrews 11:11-12

Hebrews 11:11–12 NKJV

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

[Thomas] Hebrews 11:13-16

Hebrews 11:13–16 NKJV

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

[Bailey] Hebrews 11:17-22

Hebrews 11:17–22 NKJV

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

[Thomas] Hebrews 11:23-29

Hebrews 11:23–29 NKJV

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

[Bailey] Hebrews 11:30-34

Hebrews 11:30–34 NKJV

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

[Thomas] Hebrews 11:35-40

Hebrews 11:35–40 NKJV

35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

The New and Living Faith [10:19-25]:

The question of who is God has been a major question for humanity since the very beginning, and still rings true for us today.

For some people God is the watchmaker who whines the universe up and lets it go not interested in His creation. Watching from afar.

For others He is someone or something to be afraid of, punishing every wrong and watching our every move.

And for some others God may or may not exist, if there is a God, He is etherial we could never hope to know Him.

This is not the God we are being confronted with in this passage. We have a very loving, kind, gracious God. And through God the Father sending God the Son we have a new and living faith in and through Jesus Christ.

Faith that leads us to confidently enter the holiest, the very presence of God and a faith that has a great High Priest to look after us.

So family what is stopping us from really getting close to God? Are there really any good excuses?

4th danger: A More Severe Warning [10:26-39]

The warning that is given to us here is severe. It is our 4th warning given to us in this epistle. From verses 22-25 we were taught how to keep our faith strong. And in this passage in particular we are confronted with a very real truth that our faith in Jesus Christ is the only way of being saved and having salvation.

Apostasy is so incredible dangerous family. And this is a warning that needs to be heeded by all believers:

John 3:36 NKJV

36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Judgement is a very real reality that people outside of the saving grace of Jesus Christ will face.

Description of Faith [11:1-6]:

Picking up in chapter 11, our author goes into great depth to teach his audience and us today what genuine faith looks like. In the first verse we are given the meaning of faith:

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The spiritual power of faith is the message of the glorious gospel, the glorious hope that God has given from the beginning of time. We get to look at Abel’s and Enoch’s faith. And we will see why Abel’s faith was greater then Cain’s

The Hall of Faith [11:7-40]

So the plan is to take some time to really study through these men and women who are in the hall of faith:

Noah’s faith in the time of great depravity and wickedness, a faith of reverence for God.

Abraham’s faith coming out of the land of Ur to where God was calling him to go.

Sarah’s faith pertaining to the impossible feat of having a baby at the age of 90.

The patriarch’s (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) faith that God was going to fulfill His promises.

Abraham’s faith pertaining too God calling him to sacrifice his son Isaac.

Isaac’s faith:

Jacob’s faith

Joseph’s

Moses’ parents

and moses.

We see the nation of Israel’s faith while crossing the Red Sea and while facing off against Jericho.

Rehab’s faith: a saving faith.

Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah. David, Samuel, and the prophets

Application/Communion:

I hope you are as excited to continue to meet together and study God’s word together.

Psalm 34:1–3 NKJV

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.

Mark 9:24 NKJV

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Matthew 26:26–28 NKJV

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Luke 14:25–33 NKJV

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’