SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 11
BIBLE VERSES:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11:1-3)
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26)
BY FAITH (vs. 1-40)
HEROES OF FAITH:
- Abel – He offered a better sacrifice than Cain and still spoke even though he was dead. (v. 4)
- Enoch – He was taken to heaven without experiencing death. He pleased God by living a dedicated life. (vs. 5-6)
- Noah – He obeyed God’s command to build an ark and save his family. He became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith (v. 7)
- Abraham – He obeyed God’s call to leave his place even though he did not know to where, when and why he was going. He believed in God’s promise to become a father even though he was past age and Sarah was barren. His descendants were as numerous as the star in the sky and as countless as the sand. He offered Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord believing that God could raise him from death (vs. 8-12)
- Isaac – He believed the Word passed on him from Abraham and blessed Jacob and Esau (v. 20)
- Jacob – He had faith in God’s word and blessed Joseph’s son Ephraim and Manasseh before he died. (v. 21)
- Joseph – He spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. He gave instructions about his bones (v. 22) and believed in the deliverance of God.
- Moses – He refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. His faith led him to refuse position in Egypt but to identify with Israel. He left Egypt and kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood. He led the people passed through the Red Sea (vs. 24-29)
- Joshua – He led the people marched around the walls of Jericho for 7 days and was awarded with victory against the Jericho citizen. (v. 30)
- Rahab – She risked her life to save the spies. Her faith won her family and brought into the ancestor of Christ. (v. 31)
- Gideon – He heard and obeyed the call of God. He was courageous to throw down the altar of Baal and build the altar of the Lord (Judges 6-7)
- Barak – He was a man with an inherently timid nature. But he believed Deborah was delivering God’s message and submitted himself to God’s call in leading his army into battle (Judges 4)
- Samson – In spite of all his many failures, he proved to have faith in God at the end when he called upon God and Said: “O Lord God, remember me, I pray. Strengthen me, I pray, just this one, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes” He was able to kill many Philistines in accomplishing God’s purpose for him to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. (Judges 16)
- Jephthah – He was a Gileadite mighty warrior and a son of harlot who was outcast by the community. But when the Israelites requested him to fight the Ammonites, he accepted the challenge. He vowed to sacrifice the first thing exited his home to offer it as a burnt offering upon his safe return for victorious war against the Ammonites. (v. 33a)
- David – He fought Goliath with strong faith knowing that God is powerful and God of the impossible and is with him. He was also known as a man after God’s own heart. (v. 38)
- Samuel – He was obedient, respectful, selfless, incorruptible who placed God as his first priority in life. He had faith in God’s promise that sustained him during dark and discouraging times.
- Daniel – He was steadfast in his devotion to God by praying 3 times a day. As a result, he was thrown into a den of lions but God saved him from the mouths of the lions. (v. 33d)
- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – They hold on to their faith of worshipping the true God alone and was thrown into the flames of a blazing furnace, but an angel of the Lord appeared and kept them safe. (v. 34a)
- Elijah – He admonished the people and king against idolatry. He challenged the prophets of Baal to do a test and see whose God really is the true God. He defeated and destroyed them all and proved that Jesus is the only Living God.
- Hezekiah – He enacted a strict mandate for the sole worship of Yahweh. The Assyrian king threatened the people in Jerusalem not to listen to Hezekiah that there is only one God who will save them from the great king of Assyria. But Hezekiah turned to God in faith. God demonstrated His power by sending an angel of the Lord to kill 185 thousand Assyrians in their camp. So the King of Assyria Sennacherib withdrew and returned to Nineveh. (v. 34)
- Paul – He faced jeers and floggings and was put in prison. He continued to anchor his faith in preaching ministry and sacrificed his life for God. He was being beheaded at the order of the Roman emperor Nero (v. 36)
- Stephen – He was one of the first deacon in the Bible and the first martyr of the church. He was well versed in God’s Word and had the strength of the Holy Spirit to stand firm under extreme persecution. (v. 37a)
- Peter – He was one of Jesus’s disciples who had faith to get down of the boat and walked on the water. He was one of the inner circle of Jesus disciples to witness the transfiguration. He was instrumental in establishing the church in Samaria and in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. His steadfast faith enables him to endure martyrdom through crucifixion. (v. 37b)
- Elisha – He was a man of strong faith which enabled him to perform many miracles – the widow and the oil, the raising of Shunammite woman’s son, (v. 35) the healing of Naaman. He asked for a double portion of the Holy Spirit when Elijah was about to be taken up into heaven. He demonstrated his passion for ministry and the desire to serve God wholeheartedly. (2 Kings 2-5)
MY TESTIMONY ON FAITH:
God’s promise to give Abraham a son despite of his old age had a great impact in my life. I was childless for seven years. I consulted many doctors and all said that it was impossible for me to have a child. Instead, they advised me to adopt. I was so discouraged, disappointed, depressed and demoralized. As I read God’s promise to Abraham and Hannah, I committed myself to Him and trust in His promise. Miraculously, God answered my prayer and on the 7th year, He gave me a son. Two years later, He gave me a daughter. That was really a miracle! Praise God for honoring His promise! If you have any unanswered prayer, trust in His promise and power! Have FAITH in Him.
THOUGHTS:
Faith is an inner conviction of our belief on the Word of God. The Holy Spirit gives us the assurance of God’s presence, protection and providence. It enables us to see the future what others cannot see. When we believe in what God says, the power of the Word accomplishes things in our lives. Exercising faith is the only way to please God and receive his blessings. According to John Calvin, Faith means trusting in God and doing what he wants regardless of the circumstances or consequence. Do you have faith in God?
Noah’s obedience to build a huge boat in the middle of dry land made him the laughing stock of people. When you obey God, don’t be surprised if others consider you as “Weird”. But remember that if God asks you to do something, He will give you the necessary strength to carry out that task.
Moses gave up his place in the palace of great wealth and prestige to identify with God’s people. Are you willing to give up the temporary benefits of wealth, popularity, status and achievements for the long range benefits and eternal value of God’s kingdom?