Near to the Heart of God A Study of the Book of Hebrews Lesson 25 Hebrews 11:1 – 6 Is Chapter 11 Right For You?

I. Introduction A.My title: Is Chapter 11 Right for You? B.Why is Hebrews 11 important? 1. In the overall argument of Hebrews 2. For our spiritual walk C.Observations from chapter The theme is faith (progressively defined) a.Progressively defined b.Emphasis is not on the source of faith c.Emphasis is not to conjure up faith d.Emphasis is not even on saving faith e.Emphasis is on faith before the Law was given (e.g. Moses in 11:24-29) f.Emphasis is on the behavior of faith (based on belief)

2. Abraham is the most prominent example of faith in chapter 11 (compare Romans 4). 3. Faith is not presented as the magic cure for suffering. (Prosperity preachers beware!) 4. Examples of faith in chapter 11 precede the exhortations in chapter The Structure a.Examples are chronologically in order b.Moves from general to specifics c.Concludes with suffering

II. A Progressive Definition and Description of Faith (vss. 1-6) A.Verse 1 1. Being sure of what we hope for 2. Being convinced of what we can’t see B.Verse 2: Faith is the basis for God’s commendation or approval. C.Verse 3: Faith is based on the Bible (beginning with the very first verses). D.Verse 6 1. Impossible to please God apart from faith 2. We must believe in God 3. We must believe in God as the rewarder of those who seek to draw near.

III. Examples of Faith A.Creation faith (verse 3). Why is “creation faith” important? 1. It is where the Bible starts 2. It is where the gospel begins – see Acts 17:24-31 B.Abel’s faith (11:4; 12:24; Genesis 4:1-8; Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51) 1. We are not told all that the Old Testament saints were told. a.Sabbath, levirate marriage, clean/unclean b.“Abraham saw my day” (John 8:56) 2. Abel and Cain received God’s testimony 3. Abel still speaks today

C.Enoch’s faith (11:5-6; Genesis 5:18, 21-24; Jude 14ff.) 1. He lived in the dark days that preceded (and necessitated the flood). 2. While Abel died because of his faith, Enoch did not die because of his faith. 3. Both Abel and Enoch obtained God’s witness to their righteousness before they left this world. 4. Whatever we don’t know (about Abel or Enoch), we do know that their favor with God and their eternal salvation was by faith.

IV. Conclusion A.Faith is a certainty or assurance regarding things that cannot be seen, whether that be things in the future or things spiritual (e.g. spiritual warfare in Daniel or angelic protection in 2 Kings 6:17). They may be things which we cannot “see” as possible, like the birth of a child to an elderly couple. Our confidence in this certainty (faith) is so strong that it becomes the reality by which we live. B.The relationship between faith and hope C.Everyone lives by faith, but some “faith” is ill- founded. What or Who is the object of our faith?

D.The power of examples of faith. 1. Abel still speaks (11:4) 2. We need examples of faith today. E.Faith in times of crisis grows out of faith as a lifestyle. F.We live in times when those who have faith will stand out in a world of fear and despair (1 Peter 3:15) G.It is not the greatness of our faith that matters as much as the trustworthiness of the object of our faith.

H.Jesus is both the object of our faith and the source of it (Hebrews 12:2). I.The Gospel is about faith J.In virtually every situation, true faith is based upon the Word of God. K.The way to please God (and obtain His approval) is to trust God and walk in faith. L.Is Chapter 11 for us? You bet!

Copyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 25 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study of the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for February 1, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.