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A Great Cloud of Witnesses! Part 2 Hebrews 11:8-22

I. The Scriptures reveal a great “cloud of witnesses” whose examples teach us how to live this life of faith (verses 8-12 &17-22) The example of Abraham and Sarah (verses 8-12) 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

I.A. The example of Abraham & Sarah (verses 8-11) 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. In what way did Abraham’s life demonstrate he embraced the testimony of God as supreme? “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house…” Genesis 12:1

I.A. The example of Abraham & Sarah (verses 8-11) 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. In what way did Abraham’s life demonstrate he embraced the testimony of God as supreme? “And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:8

I.A. The example of Abraham & Sarah (verses 8-11) 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. In what way did Abraham’s life demonstrate he embraced the testimony of God as supreme?

I.A. The example of Abraham & Sarah (verses 8-11) 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. In what way did Sarah’s life demonstrate she embraced the testimony of God as supreme? “Even Sarah’s acceptance of a promise which at first she seemed to hear with indifference is, to the mind of the author of Hebrews, a venture into the unseen world which faith makes real.”

I.A. The example of Abraham & Sarah (verse 12) 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. Abraham & Sarah experienced God’s commendation “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:14

I.B. The example of Abraham in a time of testing (verses 17-22) 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead… In what way did Abraham's life demonstrate he embraced the testimony of God as supreme? “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” Genesis 22:5

I.B. The example of Abraham in a time of testing (verses 17-22) 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Abraham experienced God’s commendation “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” Genesis 22:16-18

II. What is the “take away” from the examples of faith in today’s text II. What is the “take away” from the examples of faith in today’s text? (verses 13-16) 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, 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, for he has prepared for them a city. Take away #1 - Hold fast to a life of faith to your dying breath.

II. What is the “take away” from the examples of faith in today’s text II. What is the “take away” from the examples of faith in today’s text? (verses 13-16) 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, 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, for he has prepared for them a city. Take away #2 - Have an unambiguous commitment to live in light of God’s promises for the future beyond this life on this earth.

II. What is the “take away” from the examples of faith in today’s text II. What is the “take away” from the examples of faith in today’s text? (verses 13-16) 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, 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, for he has prepared for them a city. “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

God’s Commendation to these who died “in faith” 16 …Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” Revelation 21:1-5