HEBREWS
Chapter 11
11:1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
11:1 Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith! Faith is the conviction based on past experience that God’s new and fresh surprises will surely be ours.
11:1 Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character—he is who he says. The end point is believing in God’s promises—he will do what he says. When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith (see John 20:24-31).
TODAY IN THE WORD
Did you know you're in ”Faith's Hall of Fame”?
You're probably familiar with Hebrews 11 and the gallery of faithful people listed there. What you may not have noticed is the reference to ”we” who believe in creation (v.3) This applies not only to the original readers, but to us as well. Just as believers have throughout history, we in modern times trust in and follow the Creator God!
John Calvin commented on these verses: ”[We] understand the power of His word, not only as manifested instantaneously in creating the world, but also as put forth continually in its preservation; nor is it His power only that [we] understand, but also His goodness, and wisdom, andjustice.... The faithful, to whom He has given eyes, see sparks of His glory, as it were, glittering in every created thing. The world was no doubt made, that it might be the theater of the divine glory.”
This month we want to take a closer look at this ”theater of the divine glory” as we examine the doctrine of creation. We'll see how closely this vital belief is interwoven with other key aspects of Christian life and doctrine. Along the way, we'll rejoice in the created world and worship our Creator.
Following an introduction, we'll first examine lessons from the Genesis creation narrative. Next, we'll consider how creation reveals God's attributes, after which will be a section on the links between creation and redemption. The fourth and final part, by means of favorite nature psalms, will focus on creation and worship. The month will conclude with a ”sneak preview” of the new creation.
If we believe in creation by faith, what is faith? As defined in verse 1, in reference to the past, it is certain about the unseen (cf. 2 Cor. 4:18). We claim to know what we did not ourselves witness. In fact, no human being saw the creation of the world. Our knowledge is not based on empirical observation or logic, but on a belief in God's trustworthiness and power.
What do we know and believe? Succinctly, ”that the universe was formed at God's command” (v.3).
C. H. Spurgeon
This is the Arc de Triumpheerected to the memory of the heroes of faith,whose names are here recorded by the apostle’s inspired pen, with a briefmention of some of their most memorable actions. If it had not been fortheir faith, which moved them to accomplish such valiant deeds, we mightnot have known anything about them.
This is a very familiar chapter, but it is none the less precious. It is the rollof the heroes of faith. Here you have a list of the men who believed in God,and who therefore did great things.
These men, of whom we are now briefly to read, are a company of God’switnesses; and the apostle calls them, in the next chapter, “a cloud ofwitnesses,” who, from their lofty seats above, are watching us who arenow running the Christian race.
In this chapter we read of the wonders of faith; but I have never read achapter setting forth the wonders of unbelief. Unbelief is barren impotent, amere negation, a dead and accursed thing; but faith bears fruit faithproduces good works, faith achieves marvels.
This is the triumphal arch of faith. Here we find the names of many of theheroes of faith, and a brief record of some of the battles in which theyfought and conquered. May you and I possess “like precious faith” at; thatof which we have here the story! We cannot enter heaven without it; wecannot fight our way through the world without it.
The Believing One:
- Grounded in Scriptures
- Guarded by Prayer
- Graced by Love
- Guided by the Spirit
- Growth of Faith
- Goal of Faith
- Glory of Faith
C. H. Spurgeon
“The elders”— that is, those who lived in the ancient times — wrought wondrous works by faith, and the “report” of them still encourages others to try to do likewise.
So it was written, in the olden time, that believers “obtained a goodreport;” and this second verse shows that they obtained it by their faith.
The best part of the report about them is, that they believed their God, andbelieved all that was revealed to them by his Word and his Spirit.
What Faith Is And Does
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. --Hebrews 11:1
When I was in my mid-teens, I sometimes wondered if my faith was real. I had sincerely placed my trust in Jesus Christ, yet the injustices in society and writings of unbelievers raised doubts in my mind. I didn't dare mention this to anybody. However, I repeatedly committed myself anew to Christ and to His teachings for my life.
Since then, many have told me that they are troubled by the description of faith in Hebrews 11:1. To them it defines faith as absolute intellectual certainty—something they do not always have. But in its context, this verse explains both what faith is and what it does. It affirms the certainty that comes as we continue in our commitment to trust Jesus and His Word. As we do, we become assured of the reality of God and the heaven that awaits us.
To test the validity of this statement, consider the steadfast faith of elderly believers who have continued trusting Jesus through great trials, sorrow, and pain. They will tell you that Jesus has become so real and precious to them that they are absolutely sure of Him and the truthfulness of His promises.
Don't let times of doubt discourage you. Keep trusting and obeying the Lord Jesus and His Word. As you do, your confidence will grow.
Feed your faith
and your doubts will starve.
TODAY IN THE WORD
Garage sales are a great source for bargains, especially for children’s toys, books, and games. But more than one person has purchased something like a board game for a few cents, only to get home and discover that the game is missing most of the pieces or even the instructions!
Thankfully Hebrews has not left us in this position. We are called to have faith, and in Hebrews 11 we have several examples of exactly what that faith ought to look like.
In this passage we first learn a definition of faith as being certain of what we hope in, even when we cannot see it. The rest of chapter 11 gives us concrete examples to flesh out this definition and enable us to see what “faith” means. As we look at some of these examples in detail, we should note first the source from which the majority of these examples are taken–the Old Testament. From this we see that faith has its source in Scripture. Scripture is, after all, the only way that we know that the universe was formed by God’s command (v. 3). Scripture is also the source from which we learn about Abel, Enoch, and Noah.
Additionally, though, we must note that we learn what it means to live out our own faith by looking at the examples we have in the stories of these faithful men and women in Scripture. These Old Testament stories have immense value for us, since they make it possible for us to imitate the faithful lives of these saints (cf. Heb. 6:12). As we read their stories, we will ask how their lives illustrate faith: confidence in what they hoped for and certainty of what they did not see. Imitating them is one way we can grow in our own faith.
Unseen:
- Seen to faith
- Confidence in the unseen
- Love to the unseen
- Joy from the unseen
C. H. Spurgeon
Those of the olden time, who were men of noble character, won thatcharacter by their faith.
It gets a grip of what it hopes for, and holds it in its hand.
We do see by faith. We see by faith what cannot be seen by our eyes; wegrasp by faith what cannot be grasped with our hands. A strange mystery isthe simple act of faith.
Though the “things” are only “hoped for” and “not seen” at present, theeye of faith can see them, and the hand of faith can grasp them. Faith ismore mighty than any of our senses, or than all our senses combined.
Body of Faith:
- Eyes of faith
- Ears of faith
- Hands of faith
- Feet of faith
- Mind of faith
- Heart of faith
- Taste of faith
Mailbox Faith
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. --Hebrews 11:1
Whenever I mail a letter, it's an exercise of trust. Let me explain what I mean. When I write to a distant friend, it's impossible to deliver the letter myself. I need the help of the postal service. But for them to do their part, I have to drop my letter in the mailbox first. I can't hang on to it. I have to place it in the mail slot and let go. Then I must trust the postal service to take over until my letter is delivered to my friend's home. Although I can't see what happens to it, my faith in the postal service assures me that my letter is as good as there!
Likewise, whenever we're faced with a problem, our faith is challenged. Knowing that it's impossible to resolve the difficulty ourselves, we recognize our need of God's help. First, though, we must go to Him in prayer. Until that moment, we're still holding on to our problem. We know the situation won't get resolved until we let go and commit it into God's hands. Once we let go, we then must trust God to take over until the problem is resolved in His way. Although we can't see what He's doing, our faith is "the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1), the assurance that His work is as good as done!
Have you exercised trust in Him today?
Trusting God
turns problems into opportunities.
Hopes:
Salvationrestoration, aid
Righteousnessimpartiality, integrity
Callingsignaling, command
Christ in usHoly Spirit, rhema
Greater glorysuperior, ranked
Future lifeexpected, time
Resurrectionreborn, restored
Final rewardsreckoning, payment
Final mercycompassion, pity
Second comingthe return
Being ChristlikeHoly
Eternal lifeforevermore, infinite
C. H. Spurgeon
The names of those who lived in old time are handed down withcommendation because of their faith. If they had had no faith, we shouldhave had no report of them.
Faith:
- Appropriates
- Is a pride killer
- Is a God pleaser
- Has a vision
- Listens carefully
- Let's God be God
TODAY IN THE WORD
Pointing to Hebrews 11--12, Dr. Joseph Stowell gives us this vivid word picture of the Christian life: “The Bible defines the race we are to run as a relay race. This means we are connected to all those who come before and after us in the contest of faith. The Holy Spirit hands us the baton, we hear the crack of the starter’s pistol, and we suddenly realize, 'It’s my turn!’ The goal is to run our leg of the race faithfully and hand the baton to the next generation.”
What a great challenge for us to accept here at the beginning of summer. It may be time to haul out the vacation gear, or just enjoy a change of pace. But summer is not the time to let down or slack off in running the race of faith.
As Dr. Stowell suggests, we are connected to the people of God who have already completed their race. Hebrews 11 reviews many of those faithful runners, and we’ll spend this month looking at their real-life examples--including their exploits. Then we’ll finish with a cross-section of Jesus’ teaching on faith.
In the process, we’ll discover why these men and women were “commended” for their faith (Heb. 11:2), and how we can imitate their faith in our lives. Today’s reading lays the groundwork for this trip through biblical history. Faith is far more than a religious sentiment. It is a way of looking at all of life, a mindset that guides every decision we make.
Seen through the eyes of faith, our daily circumstances are part of a larger plan by which God is working out “the hope to which he has called [us]” (Eph. 1:18). Because our hope is anchored in Christ, we can hold to it by faith and be sure of our future. Even though spiritual reality is unseen, faith counts it as certain.
11:2For by it the men of old gained approval.
For by it the men of old gained approval.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
C. H. Spurgeon
All the godly of the olden time had a good report of God and of holy menas the result of their faith.
It is noteworthy that they obtained this “good report” by their faith. Doubtgives a man an evil reputation; it is only believers who obtain such a“report” as even the Holy Spirit describes as “good.”
Famous Achievements In Old Age
Men of thought have always been distinguished for their age. Colon, Sophocles, Pinder, Anacreon, and Xenophon, were more than eighty. Kant, Buffon, Goethe, and Newton paralleled them for length of years. Michelangelo reached eighty-nine, and Titan, ninety-nine. Harvey, the discoverer of the circulation of the blood, also reached four score years.
Not only did these men live to be old, but much of the best work of the world has been done by old men after they were old. Landor wrote his "Imaginary conversation" when eighty-five; Izack Walton was a charming writer at ninety. Michelangelo was still painting his giant canvasses at eighty-nine, and Titan at ninety worked with the vigor of boyhood. Fontenells was as light-hearted at ninety-eight as at forty, and Newton at eighty-three worked as hard as he did in middle life.
11:3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
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.
11:3 God called the universe into existence out of nothing; he declared that it was to be, and it was. Our faith is in the God who created the entire universe by his word. God’s word has awesome power. When he speaks, do you listen and respond? How can you better prepare yourself to respond to God’s word?
C. H. Spurgeon
The world was not made out of the world. There was nothing to make itout of. It was created simply by the word of God, and our faith knows that.I question whether we should ever get in the matter of the creation beyondwhat is revealed to our faith. Reason is all very well, but faith mounts uponthe shoulders of reason, and sees much farther than reason with her besttelescope will ever be able to see. It is enough for us who have faith thatGod has told us how he made the world, and we believe it.
C. H. Spurgeon
That is one of the earliest lessons of faith. We do not discover the secrets of Creation by mere reason, or the teachings of science; it is only byrevelation that the marvellous story can reach us. Faith accepts the inspireddeclaration that God made all things, and that the things that are seen weremade out of things that are not seen, so that, after all, the foundation ofeverything is that which is not seen. The visible is but a dream; the thingswhich are round about us are the transient things that shall all pass away.
The things that are not seen are eternal, and shall abide for ever. The thingswhich are seen were made out of the invisible, not out of things which areseen.
C. H. Spurgeon
Things that we see were not made out of things that we see. They were brought out of the unseen by the word of God; so that, really, the word of God is the foundation of everything that has been formed by him; and, after all, things material—created and seen—are not truly substantial. They arebut shadows; the real substance is that which never can be seen, even theever-blessed God, whose voice—whose word—created the heavens andthe earth.
C. H. Spurgeon
They were not evolved out of something else that existed before; evolutionis a rank lie against revelation. The worlds were not made, not one of themwas made, out of something pre-existent; but they were framed by theWord of God, and the things which are seen were not made of thingswhich are seen.