Biblical Faith

Nearly every Sunday night, I think about posting my notes from that evening's sermon.  But the week goes by, and I never do it.  Not this time!

1.  Faith is not recognized by how things turn out, by the outcome of the issue.

Heb 11:33  who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Heb 11:35a  Women received back their dead by resurrection...

These verses speak of good and miraculous outcomes.  Compare them to:

Heb 11:35b Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
Heb 11:36  Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
Heb 11:37  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--
Heb 11:38  of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
Heb 11:36  Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
Heb 11:37  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--
Heb 11:39  And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,


In these verses, the believers were not spared hardship.  Yet, they had faith (v 39), and an eternal reward (35b).

We cannot look at a situation to determine whether someone has faith.

2.  Faith does not demand a certain outcome.

Heb 11:39  And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
Heb 11:40  since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

3.  Faith always looks to the future, to eternity.  See verse 35b above.  Our responsibility is to glorify God.

4.  Faith seeks God's approval.  Verse 39.  It can be harder to be faithful in the tough situations; for instance, not being healed. 

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Heb 11:2  For by it the people of old received their commendation.

Conclusion:  The purpose of man is to glofiry God.  The object  of our faith is Jesus Christ. 

Heb 12:2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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You can listen to the entire message here or watch it on video here.
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All Scripture verses are taken from the English Standard Version.