The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Faithful Love of God

Hebrews 11:29-40 

Outline 

It would be easy to get lost in the number of names of Old Testament saints that pepper the final thoughts of the author of Hebrews as we come to the closing verses of chapter 11. I believe it would be a mistake to focus too closely on each person of faith mentioned even though their stories unfold in thrilling fashion. Instead, I feel our author is making a much needed point at a level much higher than any one individual mentioned.

The picture painted in these verses is of our God and how he works in the lives of his faith-filled and loved people. This look at who our God is and how he works in our lives is as valuable as any practical understanding can be. This passage is tremendously important at shedding light on what faith is and what kind of life it guarantees.

I see these final verses as icing on the cake. I also see them as a crushing blow to the corrupt thinking that if you have enough faith you would be healthy and wealthy. Our author wants us to know that despite our external circumstances, the faith-filled heart is loved by God, approved by God, and ultimately rewarded by God.

God provides escape from suffering (vs 29-35a) 

By faith we see:

Miracles and Deliverance

Amazing Efforts and Victory

God does NOT provide escape from suffering (vs 35b-38)

By faith we see:

Killed by stoning

Killed by being sawn in two alive

Example from Acts chapter 12:

James is killed

Peter is set free

Having faith is not the ultimate factor in whether you live or die; God is!

The Faith-filled believer NEVER need think:

I’m dying because my faith is lacking… 

The Faith-filled believer always knows:

To live is Christ, to die is gain! (Phil. 1:21) 

LIFE APPLICATION

God rewards ALL people of faith

People of faith are a gift to the world

 

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Faith’s Foundation

Hebrews 11:13-22 

Outline 

The author of Hebrews breaks with examples of the faithful to once again drive home the idea of the nature of our faith. In verses 13- 16 we see the inner life of faith. It is clear that faith has no foundation in doing, but is founded only in our being.

Two key words used in these first four verses are seeking and desiring. The life of genuine faith is not deterred by looking to the future for the fulfillment of the promises. As a matter of fact, the life of genuine faith considers this time of life to be that of sojourn. Primarily, this week we explore what it is to live a life of faith that accords so with God that he states that “he is not ashamed to be called our God”.

The Inner Life of Faith (vs 13-16)

What is it to die well?

To die according to faith.

Abraham as an example:

Seeking another country (vs 14)

Ur is no longer an option (vs 15)

His desire is for a better country (vs 16)

God is not ashamed of those who:

Desire the better country

The one He prepared for you

 

Great Act of Faith (vs 17-19)

Abraham offered his only son by faith (vs 17)

Sometimes obedience seems like the end of a dream (vs 18)

It was settled in Abraham’s inner being, not outward act. (vs 19)

By Faith, Isaac, Jacob,  and Joseph (vs 20-22)

They all lived as sojourners

They all trusted in the promises

LIFE APPLICATION:

Faith is fundamentally a fight for DESIRE

DESIRE for God is the only way to declare His greatness

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Faith that is Alive and at Work

Hebrews 11:7-12 

Outline

Last week through the examples of faith in the lives of Abel and Enoch we looked at what it meant to please God. Abel and Enoch reflected God in their faith. It is said that Enoch “walked with God” and we said that meant that he lived life that was “all in” for God; nether men where hypocrites. In every aspect of life, their actions reflected the same principles and standards. All of life was the Gospel…no walls, no borders.

This week we look at the examples of Noah, Abraham, and Sarah. This week’s text holds examples of how a life of saving faith trusts God and perseveres to the end. This week we reference verse 39 in chapter 10 to understand our authors intended meaning of this week’s examples. “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” Let’s see what it means to know, trust, and love God by faith.

Main actions of our faithful examples:

Noah trusts God and builds an ark for the salvation of his household.

Abraham trusts God and leaves his homeland and family for an unknown land of promise.

Abraham trusts God and lives in tents without building a city with foundations.

Sarah trusts God and conceives when she is barren and past the age of childbearing.

Pattern of the life of faith: 

Noah, Abraham, and Sarah all:

• Heard the Word of God (More than a philosophy, a CALLING)
• Humbled in the presence of God (Inner reckoning)
• Move toward the promise (Outward action as a result of inner reckoning)
• Rejoice in a foretaste of the promise (Always looking forward to the next great blessing of God)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the very Word of God (Objective Understanding)

Strong inner faith causes radical outward action

Saving faith always changes the way you live 

Faith tastes the blessings of God’s promises today and knows there is much more to come!

 

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

The Faith of Abel and Enoch

Hebrews 11:4-6 

Outline 

Through example, we will explore the meaning of verse 6; “without faith it is impossible to please God.” We will answer the question, “What is it to please God?” We begin to see the role of faith in the life of every believer. We are saved by faith… we are justified, sanctified, and glorified by and through faith. If God is pleased, it is our faith at work. No wonder faith is a gift from God.

Example One: Abel’s sacrifice

            Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and commended by God through faith:

• God and Abel communed by faith
• His life of faith still speaks 

What verse 4 says about Abel:

• Life that testifies of faith
• Righteous before God

Verse 4 points to Abel’s faith not the physical sacrifice offered. It is common to think that Abel’s sacrifice pleased God only because it was a blood sacrifice. Remember though, God required a blood sacrifice years later of the Levitical priesthood under the Law. The focus of our author is faith!

Example Two: Enoch’s translation

God allowed Enoch passage from the earthly to the heavenly realm by faith:

• God and Enoch communed by faith
• His life of faith still speaks

What verse 5 says about Enoch:

• Life that was rewarded
• Life that pleased God 

Genesis states Enoch “walked with God”. Our author now makes clear that walking with God is a life of faith. Enoch through faith believed God, loved God, and wanted to be with God. This is a heart attitude that pleases God.

Definition of Faith (Vs 6) –

• Believe that God exists
• Believe that God rewards those who draw near (by faith)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Only in faith can our obedience please God.

Our faith reflects who God is.

The better I know God, the deeper my faith becomes.

What is it to please God? Draw near to God. Know your God… like Enoch walk with your God. Your faith will reflect God’s excellence. Your faith will proclaim God’s greatness. God’s rewards will be yours, and this pleases God!

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

One Life to Live

Hebrews 11:1-3 

Outline 

It is now obvious that the author of Hebrews desires that we all live a life that loves without being discouraged about the cost.

Americans watch the world from a comfortable seat in an amusement park. Comfort and Love are opposites in the mind of our author. Hebrews 10:34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 

Faith (vs 1) 

What is faith?

–          Assurance of things hoped for

–          Conviction of things not seen 

People of Faith (vs 2) 

What does faith look like?

–          Faith has action

–          Faith receives commendation 

Life of Faith (vs 3) 

Do I have faith?

–          Molds my world view

–          Evidence points to God 

Life Application 

Faith only comes from a personal encounter with God

–          Scriptures

–          Prayer

–          Service

Faith is the objective grounds upon which subjective confidence may be based. Such faith springs from a personal encounter with God. This kind of faith enables one to venture into the future “supported only by the word of God.” Such faith “has the capacity to unveil the future so that the solid reality of events as yet unseen can be grasped by the believer.”^[1]

 

 

^[1] David L. Allen, Hebrews, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010), 543.

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

A Practical Look at Faith

Hebrews 10:32-39 

Outline 

It can be said that faith is the result of believing confidently in future events. Simply stated, it is only possible to faithfully endure suffering today if we believe things will be better in the future. Our text is all about practical aspects of faith.

Our author opens with a recount of days of Christian persecution: (Vs 32-33)

Two ways of suffering is given:

Direct persecution

Choosing to be persecuted with the persecuted

How can a Christian choose to alien with others that are suffering?

The answer is given in verse 34…

Knowing (having faith) that better possessions are in the future

Better and abiding possessions

What is the result of this suffering?

JOY! (Vs 34)

How is joy the result of loss? 

            Only when faith sees the grandest of gains!

We lose stuff, we gain a person and a salvation:

Victorious King (2:15)

Rest in the Kingdom (4:9)

No more enemies (10:13)

Perfect conscience (9:14)

Sin forgotten (8:12)

Draw near to God (7:19, 25)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Faith destroys two key things in our life that cause us to be burdened;

FEAR and GREED

No fear – I no longer consider security, safety, ease and comfort as greatest value in this life.

No greed – I no longer hoard things because I have a great treasure in Christ.

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

In the Hands of an Angry God

Hebrews 10:26-31 

Outline 

Our text is not the most popular in our Christian culture. We love the Grace and Mercy of our God (as we should) but some find the Wrath and Anger of our God repugnant.

However, Scripture utilizes both aspects of God as motivators:

Blessings / Glory Promised (10:14)

Wrath / Darkness Promised (2:3, 3:11-12, 6:4-6)

God’s Wrath (vs 26-27)

Judgment – Courtroom (Legal)

Fury of Fire – Anger (Emotional)

Consumes adversaries – Physical

God’s Punishment (vs 28-29)

Greater than death

Break the Law – put to death

Trample the Son of God – punishment greater than death

God’s Vengeance (vs30-31)

Terrifying thing

I WILL repay

When is God wrathful?

Vs 26 – When there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.

Two states of being:

1. Sacrifice for sins
2. Terrifying judgment

For whom is there no longer a sacrifice for sins?

1. Those who are willful in their sin.
2. Those who are adversaries of God.
   • Profane the Blood
   • Outrage the Spirit of Grace

From where did these people come?

They possessed the knowledge of Truth

The people of God (the visible Church)

The sanctified

LIFE APPLICATION:

The best definition of the love of God is… that God made escape from the wrath of God by the sacrifice of the Son of God for sin.

This is the main reason for joy in the Christian life.

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Faith that Draws Near

Hebrews 10:19-25 

Outline 

Life is all about relationships:

In one sense, it’s all about getting closer.

First, getting closer to God.

Second, getting closer to each other.

It is all achieved by FAITH!

CLOSENESS:

Let us draw near (vs 22)

Since we have a living way:

Opened by His Body

Paved by His Blood

With a True Heart

A Gift of the New Covenant

CONFIDENCE:

Let us hold fast (vs 23)

Since the Great High Priest is for us:

He is faithful

With a True Heart

In full assurance of Faith

CHARACTER:

Let us stir one another to love and good works (vs 24)

Since the Day draws near

Meet together

Encourage each other

Get excited about the future

LIFE APPLICATION:

How saving faith defeats sin in our lives:

Past – forgotten

Present – overcome

Future – No fear!

Faith = Assurance

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Perfected For All Time

Hebrews 10:1-18 

Outline 

Chapter 10 opens with another look at the Old Testament Law vs. New Covenant:

Main Point –

OT Law = Inadequate

(Verse 1-3) God meant for it to be inadequate

(Verse 4) System for handling sin is flawed

(Verse 5-8) Psalm 40 spoken by Messiah

(Verse 10) Transitions to New Covenant with comparison

(Verse 11-13) Standing Priest vs. Enthroned Messiah

New Covenant = Perfect

(Verse 14)       Offering – Christ’s death on the Cross

He – Jesus Christ

Has perfected…those being sanctified

Has perfected:

(Verse 15-18) Christ effectively puts away sin from His people.

1. In God’s courtroom there is no evidence of remembered sin.
2. We have a clean conscience in Christ.
3. We are able to approach God (Most Holy Place) in Christ.
4. We are inheritors of the New Covenant promises.

Those being sanctified:

(Verse 10) The finished work of Christ on the cross has a sanctifying effect on believers.

LIFE APPLICATION:

It all about Jesus, it’s really not about me.

We can only be perfect by faith, not works.