Hebrews 11
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· 7 viewsHebrews 11 serves as the "Hall of Faith," highlighting how men and women in biblical history demonstrated faith in God's promises, showing us that living by faith is both imperative and transformative.
Notes
Transcript
Context
Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame". It occurs within a letter addressed to Jewish Christians who were undergoing persecution and contemplating a return to Judaism. This letter emphasizes the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant over the Old Testament system. It aims to encourage the readers to persevere in their Christian faith despite hardships. The chapter sits after the author's exhortation to endure (Hebrews 10:32-39) and before the final practical exhortations in chapters 12 and 13. Hebrews 11 serves as both a segue and a bolstering testament to the power and necessity of faith.
Main Idea
The main idea of Hebrews 11 is to define faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, and to showcase the transformative power of faith through examples of Old Testament saints. The chapter seeks to inspire believers to live by faith, emphasizing that it is by faith that men and women of old gained approval from God and accomplished great feats. It serves to remind the readers that faith is not just a concept but a lived experience that has historically enabled God's people to overcome obstacles and realize divine promises.
Outline
The Definition of Faith (Hebrews 11:1-3)
In these opening verses, faith is defined as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." It’s not blind trust but a confident assurance, a different way of seeing the world, recognizing that the material world is not all there is; the unseen world is also real.
Examples of Faith from Genesis (Hebrews 11:4-7)
Abel, Enoch, and Noah are the patriarchs of faith here. Their lives demonstrate that faith pleases God, separates us from the world, and prepares us for coming judgment.
Faith of the Patriarchs: Abraham and Sarah (Hebrews 11:8-12)
Abraham’s faith was in leaving his homeland and going where God led him. Sarah’s faith was in God’s power to allow her to conceive even when she was past the age. Through their faith, a whole nation came to be.
The Essence of Faithful Living (Hebrews 11:13-16)
This section acts as a refrain, reminding us that all these people died without receiving what was promised but having seen them and welcomed them from a distance. Their eyes were on a better country—a heavenly one.
Faith Under Testing: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph (Hebrews 11:17-22)
These men faced severe tests of faith, including the potential sacrifice of a child and long years of exile. Their faith was in God’s providence and promises, often against all odds and worldly wisdom.
Faith in Liberation and Journey: Moses (Hebrews 11:23-29)
Moses chose to suffer affliction with God’s people rather than enjoy sin’s passing pleasures, showing that faith sometimes chooses suffering over ease if it leads to greater righteousness.
Faith in Conquest and Governance: Rahab and the Judges (Hebrews 11:30-31, 32-34)
The walls of Jericho fell by faith. Rahab, a prostitute, was saved by faith. These verses tell us that faith can overcome insurmountable obstacles and that it isn’t limited by our past or social standing.
The Suffering of the Faithful (Hebrews 11:35-38)
Some by faith escaped torture, while others endured it, showing that faith isn’t a guarantee of ease but is the assurance that God’s purposes will be fulfilled.
The Better Covenant and Our Faith (Hebrews 11:39-40)
The chapter closes by stating that even though these heroes of faith received approval for their faith, they did not receive what was promised because God had a better plan that included us. Therefore, their faith and our faith come together to complete God’s redemptive history.
Proposition
You should walk by faith.
The proposition of walking by faith encapsulates the very essence of Hebrews 11. The chapter is a roll call of men and women who lived extraordinary lives not by their own abilities, but by their faith in God. They trusted God for things not yet seen, walked in obedience even when it didn't make worldly sense, and as a result, they were counted as righteous. Living by faith is not a passive belief but an active trust in God that transforms the way we live, the choices we make, and how we interact with the world around us. It calls us to lean into God's promises, even when circumstances seem contrary, and to let this faith shape our lives.
Illustrations
Abraham's Journey to the Unknown
Abraham, upon hearing God’s command, left his homeland for a place he did not know. He didn’t have a map or a five-year plan; he had faith. Abraham lived by faith when he ventured into the unknown, simply because God told him to do so (Genesis 12:1-4). He is the epitome of what it means to live by faith, not by sight.
Moses Chooses Affliction Over Pleasure
Moses was raised in Pharaoh's house with all the pleasures and treasures Egypt could offer. Yet, he chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than enjoy the passing pleasures of sin (Exodus 2:11-15; Hebrews 11:25). Moses lived by faith by forgoing immediate gratification to be part of God’s eternal plan.
Rahab’s Risky Act
Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, had every reason to align with her people and her gods. Instead, she hid the Israelite spies and sought refuge in the God of Israel (Joshua 2). Her faith was a risky act, jeopardizing her life and her standing in her community. Yet she lived by faith, taking a life-altering risk because she believed in a God she had not yet seen but had heard of His mighty acts.
Each of these illustrations shows that living by faith often requires us to go against the grain, to risk misunderstanding and ridicule, and sometimes even to put our lives on the line. But in each case, living by faith also led to divine approval and unimaginable blessings. Faith is not a passive or safe path; it is a dynamic, sometimes risky commitment to God’s promises and commands.
Ways You should live by faith
1. By Trusting in God's Promises (Hebrews 11:1-3)
The opening verses set the stage for what faith is—it's assurance and conviction in what we can't see. Trusting in God's promises is not about blind optimism but about a secure future anchored in God.
The Greek word "ὑπόστασις" (hypostasis) for assurance appears also in 2 Corinthians 9:4, where it refers to confidence. It illustrates a reality or substance that one can count on.
This same Greek word "ὑπόστασις" is found in the Septuagint in Psalm 39:7 (LXX 38:7) referring to "hope," another aspect of the assurance we have in God's promises.
The New Testament echoes this theme in numerous places, encouraging us to have faith and confidence in God's promises (2 Peter 1:4).
Noah, for instance, trusted God's promise of a coming flood, and by his obedient action of building the ark, he condemned the world and became an heir of righteousness (Hebrews 11:7).
2. By Acting in Obedience (Hebrews 11:7-8, 17-19)
Faith isn't just a mental agreement but a conviction that leads to action. Noah built, Abraham left his homeland, and later was willing to sacrifice Isaac—all acts of radical obedience.
The Greek word "πείθω" (peithō) often signifies obeying or yielding to command as seen in Acts 5:36-37, concerning those who followed false messiahs.
In the Septuagint, the word "πείθω" is used in Proverbs 26:25, warning against being persuaded by the flattering words of an enemy.
James emphasizes this development, stating that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Abraham’s obedience in offering Isaac (Genesis 22) exemplifies this point dramatically. He trusted that God could even raise the dead to fulfill His promises (Hebrews 11:19).
3. By Enduring Trials (Hebrews 11:35-38)
Faith also includes endurance through suffering and trials, a challenging but necessary aspect of the Christian life.
The Greek word "ὑπομένω" (hypomenō) in other contexts means to endure or remain under, as seen in James 1:12 where enduring trials leads to receiving the crown of life.
The Septuagint uses this word in Psalms 37:7 to refer to patiently waiting for the Lord.
The New Testament encourages believers to endure hardship as discipline (Hebrews 12:7).
Job is a classic example. Despite losing almost everything, his faith endured, and he saw the faithfulness of God in the end (Job 42:10-17).
Faith, therefore, isn't just a one-time act but a lifestyle. It is trusting in God's promises, it’s obeying His commands, and it's enduring trials with the hope that God is faithful to complete the work He started in us.
Pointing to Christ
Hebrews 11 serves as a grand hallway of faith, lined with portraits of men and women who lived by faith in the promises of God. Yet, all these individuals were but signposts pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals Christ as the "founder and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus is the One in whom all the promises of God find their "Yes" (2 Corinthians 1:20).
The doctrine of justification by faith alone in Christ alone is rooted in the faith that Abraham had (Galatians 3:6-9). Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Here, Paul echoes Genesis 15:6, showing that the way of faith didn't start with the New Testament but was the way from the beginning. The substance of that faith, however, finds its fullness in Christ, who justified us by His grace, providing a way for all who believe to be part of Abraham's spiritual lineage.
The teachings of Jesus also underscore the essence of faith. For instance, Christ’s words, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" (Luke 7:50), highlight the inherent power of faith for salvation. Christ Himself becomes not only the object of our faith but also its reward. He is the One greater than Moses, greater than the Sabbath, and greater than the temple (Matthew 5:17; John 1:17).
Additionally, the Resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate victory of faith, guaranteeing us eternal life and the resurrection of our bodies (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). This is the climax of what many saints in Hebrews 11 longed to see but did not. They saw it from afar and greeted it (Hebrews 11:13), but we have the privilege of seeing the full revelation of God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Thus, our faith finds its completion and perfection in Him.
Gospel Invitation
Brothers and sisters, we've walked through the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, observing men and women who, though flawed, were commended for their faith in God. These were individuals who looked beyond their circumstances, beyond the temporal struggles and hardships, fixing their eyes on the promises of God. Yet, none of them received what was promised without the coming of Christ. It is in Him that we find the fulfillment of God's promises. The faith that justified Abraham, guided Moses, and empowered David is the same faith that justifies us through Christ today.
Have you trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? It's in Him that we find justification—being made right with God. The penalty for your sin can be wiped clean because Jesus took it upon Himself on the cross. Your faith in Him not only spares you from eternal damnation but also empowers you in sanctification, delivering you from the power and bondage of sin in your daily life.
And what is our hope? It is the glorious return of Christ! The faith that we have will find its ultimate realization in our future glorification, where we will be made like Him, free from the very presence of sin. This was the hope of the saints of old, and it is our hope today.
So, I extend this invitation to you: If you have never trusted Christ, today is the day. Exercise the same faith exemplified by the heroes of Hebrews 11, but now with a clearer revelation in Christ Jesus. For those who have put their faith in Him, continue to run this race, not looking to what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, just as those in Hebrews 11 did.
Believe, and you will not only be accounted righteous, but you will also have the power to live righteously, all while looking forward to a day when righteousness will be all there is.
Bibliography
Assistant, Chat. "Exegetical and Homiletical Study on Hebrews 11." OpenAI, 2023.