1. Hebrews 11:1-3 And the Christmas Story
The Simple Faith of Christmas Illustrated in the Book of Faith Through People of Faith
Hebrews 11:1-3
And the Christmas Story

2. We should learn that:
Faith is not our “religion,” or a hope-so wish in the dark.
Faith is solid, eternal, and living confidence.
Faith begins in the Word of God and in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith helps us to stand for Christ.
Real believers (“faithers”) will not turn back.
Steadfast endurance and obedience is proof of true faith.

3. Hebrews 10:38,39
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

4. Hebrews chapter 11 DEMONSTRATES simple faith in the lives of real saints.
Simple faith always leaves tracks!
What is a DESCRIPTION of this faith?

5. 1. It is Qualified Faith. Vs. 1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This faith is limited in meaning. It has:
Substance
1:3 “person” 3:14 “confidence” FUTURE
Evidence
“Conviction” “inner proof “ PRESENT

6. 2. It is Personified Faith
Vs. 2
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
This faith is seen in the lives of real people
Elders - Not church officers but OT saints “olders”
Good report – God was pleased. Who else matters?
Without faith man’s philosophy has spiraled downward!
Realism to rationalism to relativism and below.
Give us EXAMPLES OF GENUINE BELIEVERS WHO PLEASED GOD!

7. Abel’s Worship of Faith
Hebrews 11:4

8. Enoch’s Walk of Faith
Hebrews 11:5,6

9. Noah’s Work of Faith
Hebrews 11:6

10. Abraham’s Wanderings of Faith
Hebrews 11:8-10

11. Sarah’s Wonderment of Faith
Hebrews 11:11-16

12. Abraham’s Willingness of Faith
Hebrews 11:17-19

13. The Patriarchs’ Words of Faith
Hebrews 11:20-22

14. Moses’ Wave of Faith
Hebrews 11:23-28

15. Israel’s Wow of Faith
Hebrews 11:29-31

16. Winners and Writhers by Faith
Hebrews 11:32-40

17. 3. It is Applied Faith
Vs. 3
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
This faith is applied to the greatest of all inexplicable events.
Through faith we understand – faith is the gift that gives understanding!
That the worlds – the physical elements and the chronological ages.
Were framed by the Word of God – We believe that creation is by the very words of God Himself.

18. Looking further into Scripture we can see three other GREAT “faith” events.
The Universal Flood - Worldwide destruction
Read II Peter 3:1-7
The Age of Grace – God’s Longsuffering
II Peter 3:8-15
The Virgin Birth of Christ – Christmas
Matthew, Luke, John, Hebrews 1, etc.

19. Who are the people of faith in the Christmas story?
The Simple Faith of Christmas
Mary – Luke 1: Faith for Enlistment
Joseph – Mathew 1, 2 - Faith for Enablement
Elizabeth – Luke 1: Faith for Encouragement
Zacharias – Luke 1:67-80 – Faith for Exposition (unveiling)
Shepherds – Luke 2:8-20 – Faith for Evangelism
Wise men – Matthew 2 – Faith for Expedition
Simeon – Luke 2:25-35 – Faith for Enlightenment
Anna – Luke 2:36-38 – Faith for Endurance (faithfulness)
Which faith describes you?

20. You need a real (and simple) faith!
Qualified
by confidence in the future and conviction for the present.
Personified
in the lives of faithful saints.
Applied
in the most difficult of all possible events.
True faith acts – leaves tracks!

21. Surprise! God has a gift for you.
Ephesians 2: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.