The Hall of Faith
Hebrews 11
November 3, 2024
Jay Haugh
Jesus is a greater sacrifice because He’s a divine, willing, and final sacrifice.
Our salvation is finished and our eternity is secured, BUT our salvation isn’t fully experienced.
Our entire Christian life is lived by faith.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. —Hebrews 11:1 ESV
Faith is the authentication of something realized.
Faith is evidential.
Faith is a real substance with real evidence.
Christians endure to the end because we have real faith with substance and evidence.
For by it the people of old received their commendation. —Hebrews 11:2 ESV
The Old Testament saints were saved by faith.
Creation is by faith.
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. —Hebrews 11:3 ESV
We believe the creation displays self-evident truths.
Faith believes there’s a creator.
Salvation is by faith.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. —Hebrews 11:4 ESV
It’s possible to be religious and have no faith.
Abel is righteous because of his faith. He was saved by faith.
Sanctification is by faith.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. —Hebrews 11:5-6 ESV
Our faith (and obedience) puts a smile on God’s face.
(1) Faith endures mockery.
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. —Hebrews 11:7 ESV
Our faith imputes the righteousness of God.
(2) Faith endures instability.
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. 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. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. —Hebrews 11:8-10 ESV
Abraham was looking to more than Canaan. He was looking to the City of God.
(3) Faith endures death.
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… 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, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. —Hebrews 11:13-19 ESV
By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. —Hebrews 11:20-22 ESV
Joseph wasn’t looking for fame. He was looking to the promise of God.
Faith goes to death!
(4) Faith endures injustice.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. —Hebrews 11:23-26 ESV
By faith he [Moses] left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. —Hebrews 11:27-29 ESV
(5) Faith endures every hardship.
Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. —Hebrews 11:35-38 ESV
Faith endures to the end.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. —Hebrews 11:39-40 ESV
Big Idea:
God is pleased and gives His life and endurance to those who have faith in Him.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: Hebrews 1:1-2a NIV
Long ago in many ways and at many times God’s prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us.
The goal of these questions is to foster meaningful discussion and to encourage participants to reflect on God’s Word to lead to heart transformation. Feel free to modify or expand upon these questions based on the dynamics and needs of your Small Group.
Read Hebrews 11
What does it mean to live by faith? How has your faith made a difference in your life? Share a time you made a decision based on faith. How big of an influence is faith in your thoughts, words and actions?
What does it mean to have “assurance of things hoped for?” How does this differ from wishful thinking? How do you personally experience “conviction of things not seen?” What role does faith play in your understanding of the unseen? What visible things tend to compete with Christ as a source of confidence and trust?
Consider the phrase “By faith, [name]…” used throughout the chapter. Think about what actions or decisions in your life demonstrate your faith in God. If someone were to write about your life, what would they say about your faith?
Of the many examples of faith given in this passage, which one is most meaningful to you and your current life situation? Why?
Which person mentioned in Hebrews 11 resonates most with you, and why? Reflect on their story and discuss how you see aspects of your own faith journey in their example.
Hebrews 11 mentions several individuals who acted on their faith despite not knowing what would result (e.g. Abraham preparing to sacrifice Isaac). Reflect on a time when you stepped out in faith without knowing the outcome. What did you learn about God and yourself through that experience?
How did Moses’ actions demonstrate the exceeding worth of God compared to the things of this world? What are some “fleeting pleasures of sin” that you might be tempted to pursue? How can you resist these temptations through faith? In your life, how can you demonstrate the worth of God over what the world offers?
Gideon, Samson, and David were strong men of God who had times of weakness. Where are you weak right now? What are you struggling with? What does it teach us about God and the gospel that people who have weaknesses are still used mightily by God?
Persecution and hardship are part of living a life of faith. Sometimes God miraculously intervenes, and other times He does not. Do you find that your faith is strengthened or weakened by persecution? When looking through a spiritual lens, how do you view times of difficulty in your life?