Sunday School Lesson
JULY 18, 2004
ROLL CALL OF THE FAITHFUL
Bible Background—HEBREWS 11
Focal Verses—HEBREWS 11:1-2, 4-13
Devotional Reading—1 PETER 4:12-19
1. We will know what faith really is
2. We will be able to explain how faith is made evident through obedience to GOD
3. We will determine to demonstrate faithful obedience by explaining the healing power of faith to someone in need.
KEEP IN MIND
“But without faith it is impossible to please HIM: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that HE is, and that HE is, and HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM” (Hebrews 11:6).
Faith is defined as the evidence of things not seen. We are further told that without faith it is impossible to please GOD. In this passage, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah are given as examples of people who lived by faith.
By way of background, in chapter 11, the writer of the Book of Hebrews uses the stories of a number of Old Testament heroes to illustrate his point. He expands on the thought expressed in 6:12: “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” The writer uses a literary technique called “anaphora,” whereby he begins each account with the same Greek phrase translated, “By faith.”
Hebrews 11 is a literary masterpiece and a historical retrospective. In other words, the passage refers to past heroes of the faith to illustrate the principle of enduring faith. The chapter should be studied for the eternal principles it teaches and read simply for the beauty of the writing.
Hebrews 11 uses the word “faith” (or some variation of the word) more than any other chapter of the New Testament (24 times). In chapter 11, we find the themes of faith and endurance which began in Hebrews 10:36. The author begins this section with the definition of faith and proceeds to cite examples throughout history of those who have exhibited faith.
1. FAITH DEFINED (Hebrews 11:1-2)
Faith is vital for GOD’S people. Having faith means taking GOD at HIS WORD and accepting what HE says as true. The writer of Hebrews defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the reality of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1, paraphrased).
Faith gives reality to “things hoped for” in the hearts and minds of believers. As the “evidence of things not seen,” faith is the means of enduring against all opposition and the fiercest persecution. It is faith that allows believers to “walk above the world” even while we are in it.
The phrase “by faith” was originally extracted from Habakkuk 2:4, which says, “the just shall live by HIS faith.” In Hebrews, the Greek word for “faith” is pistis (pronounced PIS-tis). Meaning having trust or belief. Some scholars would argue that this definition is misleading because it is used without an article (such as “by”). Rather, as implied here, “faith” is used to denote a biblical theological concept. Used in conjunction with the word “substance” (Greek: hupostasis, pronounced hoo-PAH-stah-siss, meaning foundation), it helps to provide a comprehensive definition of faith upon which to build a foundation.
If faith is the foundation or substance of belief, then it is also the evidence of what is not seen. In other words, this “evidence” (Greek: elegchos, el’-eng-khos), which means proof or demonstration, becomes the acknowledgment of what is to come. Therefore, faith is a present demonstration of confidence in a future and invisible reality. The NIV captures these two parallel ideas: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for [the future] and certain of what we do not see [the invisible]” (v.1).
GOD cannot be seen with the human eye. Therefore, faith is not fictionalizing or believing in things that don’t exist, but believing in invisible realities that do exist. The Apostle Paul tells us to direct our attention to the things that cannot be seen and to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:17), because only what we cannot see is eternal.
2. FAITH DEMONSTRATED (v.3)
The expression “the elders” refers to the founding fathers of the Hebrew (or Jewish) nation. In Greek, it is the word presbuteroi (pronounced prez- BOO-terr-oy), which refers to men and women of the Old Testament who were commended for their faith.
The author cites examples of their faith as an encouragement to his readers to persevere.
Most believers desire to please GOD, and many attempt to please HIM by their works and deeds. When our works are not done in faith, GOD rejects them, because without faith it is impossible to please HIM.
To enter into true worship of GOD, one must first believe in the existence of an infinite yet personal GOD. We must believe that GOD is actively involved in the lives of HIS people and will reward all who earnestly seek HIM. Diligently seeking GOD involves communicating with HIM through prayer and bible study, public and private worship, and, most importantly, submission and obedience.
3. FAITH REWARDED (vv.4-13)
Today’s passage provides us with five examples of obedience that resulted from faith. Sometimes these heroes’ faith took precedence over their common sense.
Abel was the first of the heroes of faith. We may not understand from the Genesis account (Genesis 4) why GOD accepted Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s. However, the writer of the Book of Hebrews makes it clear that Abel was demonstrating faith in GOD with his sacrifice, while Cain’s offering was made just as a formality.
Enoch was the second hero of faith. The account in Genesis is very concise: “Enoch walked with GOD: and he was not; for GOD took him” (Genesis 5:24). Enoch never tasted death; he went directly into the LORD’S presence. What does it mean to walk with GOD? Verse 5 tells us that Enoch pleased GOD. At this point, the writer interjects a comment on the necessity of faith. Faith means a belief in the existence of GOD and a belief that GOD rewards those who trust in HIM.
The third hero was Noah. Noah was a righteous man who found favor in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8). He was warned by GOD concerning things not yet seen. GOD revealed to Noah that HE was going to destroy the world (6:13). Taking GOD at HIS WORD, Noah built an ark. Far away from the sea, with no sign of a flood approaching, he built the strange-looking craft. Noah’s act of faith condemned the unbelieving world, which refused to accept the warning (Hebrews 11:7).
The fourth hero was Abraham. Abraham is known as the “Father of the faithful.” At GOD’S command, he left his homeland and all his relatives to journey to a land that would be shown to him (Genesis 12:1-4). In obedience to GOD, without the slightest idea of where he was going, Abraham left all that he knew. When he finally arrived at his destination, he didn’t build a house like an owner of the land. He lived in tents like a visitor in the land (Genesis 13:3-4; Hebrews 11:9, NIV).
And the fifth hero is Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Sarah received a message from GOD that she was going to have a baby. At the time, she was 89 years old, and Abraham was even older. It is not surprising that she laughed when she first heard the announcement (Genesis 18:11-21). The messenger asked her, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” (v.14) At that point, all doubt left her. By faith, Sarah conceived a child at 90 years old “when she was past age” (Hebrews 11:11).
A lack of faith hinders many Christians in their walk with GOD. The stories of these individuals should encourage us to persevere in faith, regardless of the obstacles. The faithful people of the Old Testament did not receive all that GOD had promised them, but they never lost hope. The focus of the heroes was never the realization of earthly promises. Instead, they looked forward to becoming heirs of righteousness (v.7).
THINK ABOUT IT!!!!
Spiritually Yours,
Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD