In today’s study we going to not only talk about faith but also show how the old and the new testaments tightly are sown together by God for our understanding of his word. Now Hebrews chapter 11 is known as the faith chapter of Gods word. So lets get started, Heb.11.1 and it reads…
Heb.11
[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
From promises to us by the prophets.
[2] For by it the elders obtained a good report.
[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 worlds is “Ions” a space of time. Remember we have three earth ages, the first overflowed with water, this being the second, and after the millennium will be burned by fire. For God is a consuming fire, Heb.12.29. then the third forever and ever.
[4] By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
What made Able righteous? His offering was of the best of his flocks. He held nothing back from the Lord, that is he gave of his best. Now how did he speak after he was dead? Gen.4:8-11. Abel’s blood cried from the ground. Not only Abel, but all his generations that would be after him.
[5] By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Gen.5:21-24.
[6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Let us never forget this. But without faith it is impossible to please God. how can anyone not believe in God and come to him? Well, you see it a lot in foxholes.
[7] By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Noah and his wife, their son’s and their wives never mixed with the fallen angels as the rest of them did. They had the perfect pedigree, righteousness.
[8] By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
When Abraham crossed the river Euphratees is when they started calling us Hebrews, which means those that crossed the river.
[9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
[10] For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
[11] Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
[12] Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
As good as dead, Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90. Notice as the sand of the sea shore, means innumerable.
[13] These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
[14] For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
[15] And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
[16] But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
[17] By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
[18] Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
[19] Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
So we see that right here is said what was in Abraham’s heart. He knew then that if he was to slay Isaac that God himself would raise him from the dead. Thats why when he left his servants to wait behind, he told them we “plural” would return. Gen.22:5.
[20] By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
[21] By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
[22] By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
[23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
[24] By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
[25] Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
[26] Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
[27] By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
[28] Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Why do I observe the Passover. This just said kept, pass tense. For this lets go to Exo.12:14 and it reads.
Exo.12:14] And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
And also in the New Testament, 1Cor.5:7-8 reads.
1Cor.5:7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
[8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
So it reads Christ became our Passover. Leaven is our sin. During Passover we keep sin out of our homes. Christ, the Passover lamb. His blood shed for once and all time. This blood ordinance was done away with at his crucifixion. It’s the only part of the law that is no longer acceptable. We are still under the law. Mat.5.17-19. Back to Heb.11 and verse 29 reads.
[29] By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
[30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
[31] By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
[32] And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Notice we just covered from Genesis thru the books of Kings.
[33] Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
[34] Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
[35] Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
[36] And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
[37] They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Now the prophets, how hard it was for them to live for teaching the word of God. how hard it will be for us.
[38] (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
What a study here in Hebrews. Now you know why its called the Faith chapter. Before we go, lets see what Jesus told us through his apostles. Lets go to Mark 4:36 and it reads.
Mark 4:36] And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
[37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
[38] And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
[39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
[40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
When Jesus rested, and they lost faith, after he told them they were going to pass over to the other side. This must have disappointed him. Christ was with them in the boat. And they feared they were going to die? We can look at this today. When we are in this world and things aren’t going so well, or is violent, we must not lose faith. For God will never leave us or forsake us. Also Mat.14:24-33 before we go, reads.
Mat.14:24] But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
[25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
[26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
[27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
[28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
[29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
[30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
[31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
As Peter kept his eyes on the Lord, he was fine. But as soon as he let the worries of the wind and the waves overtake him, he began to sink. Let us never take our eyes off Jesus. Faith is never far from being lost. So we keep the Lord in our hearts, and we study his word every day. He is our Rest, He is our Sabbath. We rest in Him. Lets go to his throne.
Father we thank you for your Word. Be a blessing to all that love you. In Jesus’s precious name, Amen.