Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Sermon

By Faith

Hebrews 11:1–3 NRSV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Hebrews 11:8–16 NRSV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” 13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14 for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Did you ever think about how much time you would waste everyday if you doubted every chair?

None of us came in today and examined the chair we are now sitting in. We just sat down.

Examples Sunday School, Restraunts, Office Chair

Because we understand the concept of a chair and have mostly positive experiences with chairs we trust that when we go up to a chair and sit down putting all of our weight on it, the chair will support us.

—> the author of Hebrews talks about faith, specifically the faith we have in God in the same way I talk about the trust I have in a chair.

—> Faith isn’t an “if or maybe” to the writer of Hebrews it is a certainty.

—> Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 NRSV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The author starts with a definition faith (meaning trusting in God above all else) is the assurance/confidence of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

By Faith Statements

Hebrews 11:2 NRSV

2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.

—> By their trusting in God they were called to action and counted as worthy.

Hebrews 11:3 NRSV

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

—> We trust that God made the world in what academics call “creation ex ni helo” or God made something from nothing.

—> By accepting this as truth we are not just talking about how the world was created but the power and authority God has over creation.

Hebrews 11:8 NRSV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.

—> Abraham’s faith was

Hebrews 11:9 NRSV

9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

—> Abraham’s belief and faith in God carried on to future generations

Hebrews 11:11 NRSV

11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised.

—> Abraham believed God was faithful and that faith triggered God’s response of blessing.