17 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, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. (Hebrews 11:17-22)  Abraham (17-19): Next, the author discusses Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, an act that contradicts the specific promise that his son would be the heir through whom Abraham’s lineage would continue. He believed that the Lord would restore Isaac to life. Some see Isaac as a type of Christ, the only son sacrificed and restored to life. Abraham believed that his caring Lord was able to come through in this catastrophic situation. Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (20-22): Isaac demonstrated faith, by blessing his sons with certainty in the future (Genesis 27:28-29, 39-40). Jacob blessed his twelve sons plus grandsons (Ephraim and Manasseh) with a view toward the coming of the nation of Israel (Genesis 50:24-25). Joseph’s faith in the future was demonstrated by his mention of the Israelites’ departure from Egypt and directing that his bones be carried to the promised land. The writer’s intent is for his readers to live out their faith believing that there is a better future even when facing death. Through faith they saw their future though, at the time, it was not visible. Challenge: Do you have faith that the Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection was for you personally? Do you have faith to obey when the Lord asks you to move out of your comfort zone. Are you willing to take faith-filled risks? "The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith." — Billy Graham

13 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. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:13-16)  Exiles (13): The writer pauses to summarize the hope that the previously listed people of faith had for a better, permanent dwelling place. They died Expecting God to fulfill his promises. Yet they remained faithful to their very personal convictions to the end. While they were living in a land promised by God, they lived in tents awaiting a more permanent dwelling. Tents (14-16a): In Abraham’s and Sarah’s case, if they were looking for something more permanent, they could have returned to Haran and a more advanced civilization. In faith and obedience, they moved to a strange land where they lived in tents. Their hope and longing was for both a physical and spiritual home They longed a place not made by human hands (11:10). The writer’s appeal may have been to curb any thoughts his readers may have had toward returning to Judaism. The focus is on an envisioned spiritual realm made by God rather than a physical, visible world created by humans. A Better Country (16b): The author closes these thoughts by connecting the promised land with God’s love and care his people and the place he prepared for them. This despite their failures. He was their God. Challenge: Are you seeking a better life here or one to come? Can you envision the life to come? Do you know that the Lord is not ashamed to call you his child despite your failures. Do you identify with the faith described here? " No matter what has happened to you in the past or what is going on in your life right now, it has no power to keep you from having an amazingly good future if you will walk by faith in God. God loves you! He wants you to live with victory over sin so you can possess His promises for your life today!" — Joyce Meyer

8 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. 9 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. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. (Hebrews 11:8-12)  Abraham (8-10): Genesis chapter 12 tells the story of God’s calling Abraham to Leave the comfort of family and friends in Haran to a land the Lord would show him. Clearly, he had a relationship with the Lord because he heard his voice. He left Haran depending on God to guide him to the promised land. For Abraham it was a pilgrimage, living like a stranger in tents, waiting the city built by God, looking for stability. Not only did Abraham hear God, but he also obeyed. Unlike Noah, the Lord did not give him a complete set of instructions. Abraham displayed trust and obedience. Sarah (11): Sarah believed correctly that she could not give birth when she was 90 years old, and Abraham was “as good as dead.” Sarah is an example of developing faith. That began when the Lord asked her if “anything was too hard” for him. She began living in faith, accepted God’s promise, and launched the increase detailed in verse 12. By her faith, she became a partner in God’s promise to Abraham. Like Abraham, she listened to the Lord. She believed the impossible. Descendents ( 12): The writer concludes these thoughts by describing the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham that his descendants would be a numerous as the stars in the heavens and grains of sand on the seashore. This promise can be viewed from both a spiritual (heavenly seed, stars) and a physical or earthly (sand) perspective. The promises in these verses encompass both near-term and future events. Challenge: What are you hearing from the Lord? Are you willing to leave your comfort zone and respond to God’s call to move into the unknown? Do you believe that the Lord can and will do the impossible? Do you view life in spiritual as well as physical terms? "The answer to our fears is faith—real, fear-shrinking faith—in the God who loves us and gave himself for us." — Jani Ortlund

4 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. 5 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. 7 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.  Abel (4): Abel’s sacrifice was more acceptable than Cain’s because it was offered in faith and not as a ritual. It is believed that God’s acceptance of Abel’s offering was based on the condition of his heart not its content. In contrast, consider Cain’s jealous, angry heart that led him to murder his brother. God accepted Abel as a person, that is, saved him from eternal death. Faith is evident in a devoted heart. Enoch (5-6): Enoch’s life was contrary to the age in which he lived. He had a personal relationship with God (he “walked with God” (Genesis 5:22), was accepted by God, and was taken up. He pleased God and did not die. Enoch exemplifies that pleasing God is an action based on a conviction or commitment. It is living on the trust that God exists and that he will bless those who follow him (v3). The result is life everlasting. The obedient life is based on faith. Noah (7): Hearing and acting on the warning from God on the pending flood, Noah constructed an ark to save his family. His life and faith-based actions were sharply different from that of the unbelieving, resisting culture. As a result, God declared him righteous. Faith is obedient action in the face uncertainty and opposition. Challenge: What is the condition of your heart? Are you walking with the Lord? How strong is your faith? Are you willing to act despite resistance and uncertainty? Are you righteous. "Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times." — Martin Luther

Hebrews: Faith is . . . Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 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 11:1-3) After quoting Habakkuk’s statement (10:38) that righteousness comes from faith, the writer defines faith.  The Essence of Faith (1): Biblical faith is the confidence of things hoped for, a firm certainty, not vague, imaginary thinking about a future event. An unshaken belief, an assured expectation that what God has promised will take place. It leads to endurance and perseverance under any circumstance. Faith is a state or condition and activity, an application, a commitment. Faith is Rewarded (2): Living out biblical faith brings acceptance by the Lord and eternal life. The “people of old” whose names he lists in the rest of the chapter, a cloud of witnesses, exemplify walking by faith and receiving God’s approval even in the most challenging situations even when it appeared that God’s promises might not be realized. By means of this brief statement, the author urges his readers to consider their own faith. Faith is a State of Mind (3): Biblical faith brings a sense of wellbeing. It is a view of life and the world based on the understanding that the invisible God spoke creation into existence. It is the mind set by which we acknowledge that everything is under God’s control. It has been said: “Biblical hope is the excited anticipation of an assured thing.” Challenge: How do you define faith? How would you compare your faith with that of the culture? Can your God do the impossible? How would you describe the faith of your parents and grandparents? What is their faith testimony? On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable are you living out your faith in a contrarian society? Are you willing to die for your faith? “I have never been to the North Pole, and yet I believe there is a North Pole. How do I know? I know because somebody told me. I read about it in a history book, I saw a map in a geography book, and I believe the men who wrote those books. I accept it by faith. Billy Graham

32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 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. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:32-39).  Withstanding Opposition (32-33): The writer encourages the believers by reminding them of the challenges, trials and tribulations that they experienced upon entering the new life. Some through sharing in the suffering of others in the community of believers. Apparently, some of the distress they experienced was officially sanctioned. Living the Faith (34-36): The writer compliments and encourages his audience’s attitude, behavior and service to others that came with their new faith. They did not give up. He urges them to remain confident in their faith and steadfastly pursue the will of God as they look forward to their eternal reward. Endure to the End (37-38): He reminds his fellow believers to be unwavering in their faith by quoting Habakkuk 2:3-4 with a slight adjustment from the original. He changes revelation to a person, Christ. The quotation includes a warning to be faithful for a little while, either until the trial passes, death comes, or the return of the Lord. They are to understand that the righteous live by faith. An Enduring Faith (39): The author concludes the warning against “trampling underfoot the Son of God” by encouraging his fellow believers to stay firm in their faith, not “shrink back and be destroyed.” He and his fellow believers will remain faithful in living out their salvation. And with that, he moves on to the well-known discourse on faith. Challenge: Are you keeping the faith? Are you obedient in the face of distractions and temptations? Too many Christians have a commitment of convenience. They'll stay faithful as long as it's safe and doesn't involve risk, rejection, or criticism. Instead of standing alone in the face of challenge or temptation, they check to see which way their friends are going. Charles Stanley

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31)  Judgement for Rejecting Salvation (26-27): The writer warns his readers who had heard and knew and understood the truth but engaged in intentional or presumptive and unrepentant sin. They were not only violating the law of Moses, but they were rejecting the reality of Christ’s once for all sacrifice for them. He was, in fact, questioning whether they were true believers. He was warning that their actions would lead to God’s fiery judgement. As archer points out (Bible Difficulties, Zondervan, 1982, p420), they had not lost their salvation but only had an intellectual grasp of the truth but had not surrendered their lives to the Lord. Angering God (28-29): He continues by describing their willful sin as, (1) putting down Christ’s right to govern as the Son of God, (2) nullifying the value of the blood shed for them, and (3) showing contempt for the power of the Holy Spirit’s to transform believer or make them holy. He describes these actions as angering the Spirit of God. These three statements can be rendered as apostasy for which the punishment is greater than that decreed under the law of Moses. The Vengeance of God (30-31): The author quotes Deuteronomy 32:35-36, as did Paul (Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11), and warns his readers that God wants their obedience, or he will bring judgement on enemies or those rejecting God’s offer of salvation. Challenge: Is your faith genuine? Have you surrendered your life to transforming power of the Holy Spirit? Are you living the new life? “The Lord knows right well that you cannot change your own heart, and cannot cleanse your own nature; but He also knows that He can do both.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Hebrews: No Longer a Need for Offerings for Sin 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. (Hebrews 10:15-18) The Promised Indwelling Spirit (15-17): The writer concludes his message on the work of Christ by quoting Jeremiah 31:33-34. This passage promises that under the new covenant, the Holy Spirit will transform the lives of believers. That transformation is the result of the laws of God being placed in their hearts and minds. When believers personally accept Christ’s sacrifice for their sins, God will not remember them. It will be as if they never happened. No More Sacrifices (18) The author concludes these truths by reminding his readers that because of Christ’s sacrifice for all sins and the accompanying forgiveness, there is no need for further sacrifices. Challenge: Are you experiencing the reality of the working of the Spirit in you? Are you being transformed? Are you seeing God working through you? We take what we think are the tools of spiritual transformation into our own hands and try to sculpt ourselves into robust Christlike specimens. But spiritual transformation is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit. He is the Master Sculptor. Jerry Bridges

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