By Faith: Finish Line
Hebrews 11
Chris Seidman
Part of By Faith—Hebrews 11
August 1, 2021

By Faith: Finish Line

By Faith Series
August 1, 2021
Chris Seidman, Sr. Minister The Branch Church


Hebrews 11:32-35a (NIV)
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again.


Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.


Hebrews 11:35b-38 (NIV)
There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

To Put It Another Way …

  • Vs. 32-35
    Tells the stories of the great things that happened through faith.

  • Vs. 35-38
    Tells the stories of the hard thing people went through because of their faith.

Applications

  • The journey of faith involves both breakthrough faith and enduring faith.


Hebrews 11:2, 3 (NIV)
… he endured the cross … .

and also

… consider him who endured such opposition from sinners … .


Hebrews 11:39 (NIV)
These were all commended for their faith … .

  • Faith is attested to by the beholder more than the outcome.


Daniel 3:17-18 (NIV)
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

  • Our journey of faith is about far more than just us.


Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV)
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

When We’re In A Stretch Of Enduring

  • Let’s seek Him more than the desired outcome.

Hebrews 11:6 says
… he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

  • Let’s stay mindful of the country we represent and are headed for.


Hebrews 11:13-14, 16 (NIV)
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.

Instead they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.


Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.


C.S. Lewis
If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.

  • Let’s remember: We’re not alone.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses … .

Communion Questions

  • What breakthrough are you praying and taking steps toward in faith right now?

  • Who has been an example of enduring faith to you recently?