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Understanding the Principle of Faith

BI 306 Hebrews - Understanding the Principle of Faith

Instructor:J. Michael Lester

LECTURE 14

I. Introductory Remarks

As we come to the final section of Hebrews, we will learn how to make the great doctrinal truths of this book practical. To simply be able to explain the deity of Christ and to teach about the priesthood of Melchizedek is not enough. THE GOAL IS NOT KNOWLEDGE. THE GOAL IS LIFE-CHANGE.

The way to journey to victory, or to make progress in our maturing, is through the principle of faith.

Faith is the key to making the prayers of our High Priest in Heaven effective for us here on earth. In fact, faith is the means of appropriating personally each of God’s gifts to man.

  1. We are saved by faithEphesians 2:8-9
  2. We are justified by faithRomans 3:28
  3. We receive answers by faithJames 1:6-7
  4. Faith determines our blessingsMatthew 9:29
  5. Faith makes Bible study profitableHebrews 4:2
  6. We are called “believers”Acts 5:14

The source of faith is the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Yet, the Word is ineffective if we do not hear it in faith – hence, a cycle is noticed. The more that I respond in faith to the Word of God, the more faith the Word of God produces in my life.

While many references have already been made to the story of Israel’s departure from Egypt, their journey in to Canaan, the forty years of wandering, and finally their arrival into Canaan – it should be understood that what happened to them was to illustrate God’s truth to us (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11-12).

The Red Sea was crossed by faith. The Jordan was also crossed by faith. Both bodies of waters were crossed by faith – the one pictured salvation; the other pictured surrender. Learn a principle:

  1. The power of God is just as readily available to help you live a surrendered life as it was to get you saved. (The power that saves is the power that sanctifies.)
  2. It is no more difficult to be a victorious Christian than it is to become a Christian at all. (The Jordan was not any more difficult than the Red Sea.)
  3. The Jews appropriated the power of God in the same way to cross these waters: an act of faith (which is what pleases God). God was not pleased that they crossed the Jordan – after all, He was the One Who parted the waters – He was pleased that they stepped out in faith.
  4. The way that we become a victorious Christian is the same way we get saved – by exercising faith (1 John 5:4).
  5. To listen to the Word of God preached or taught, or to read the Bible for ourselves is not always profitable – faith must be mixed with it! Hebrews 4:2

How do we mix faith with what we are hearing?

  1. The answer is found in James 2:14-26. Notice how faith is dealt with:
  2. There is the “faith of devils” which results in fear.
  3. There is the “faith of vain men” which is dead.
  4. There is the “faith of the godly” which includes works.
  1. Two examples are used in the passage from James:
  2. Abraham
  3. Abraham offered Isaac, his only son.
  4. He mixed faith with what he heard when he put the Word in action (a visible work).
  • Rahab
  • She believed it was God’s will for Jericho to fall.
  • She proved this by receiving the spies (a visible work).
  1. I mix faith with the Word of God when I add works to the truth of God’s word. If we listen to the Word of God and it makes no change, no mark in our lives – we have failed to mix faith with the truth.
  1. Without works, faith is dead. Without faith, the Word of God does not profit me.

In this final section, we will see EXAMPLES OF FAITH in chapter 11. We will see the DISCIPLINE OF FAITH in chapter 12. We will understand the OBJECT OF FAITH in chapter 13.

II.The Examples of Faith

This chapter (11) has been called the “Roll Call of Faith.” Time does not permit to retell every story that is mentioned here. However, there are certain timeless principles that form a common thread:

  1. Faith is essential to pleasing God (v6)
  2. This faith consists of the fact that God exists.
  3. It consists of the fact that God rewards.
  1. Faith is always connected to the Word of God (v3, 7, 8)
  2. What caused Abel to offer?
  3. What caused Noah to build an ark?
  1. Faith results in obedience (v4, 7, 8, 17, 24, 27, 28)
  2. Trust and Obey – the two are inseparable in the Christian journey into victory.
  3. In each “hero,” faith was exemplified by an obedient act.
  4. Faith is not believing that God can do the impossible; it is obeying God’s imperatives.
  5. Faith is not convincing ourselves that something is true; it is acting upon that which we know to be true because it has been revealed in the Word of God.
  1. Faith does not exempt one from trials (v36-37)
  2. Each of these people had their own trials and own sufferings.
  3. Some suffered martyrdom because of their faith.
  1. Faith is not the key to material prosperity (v38)
  2. Those in Hebrews 11 would not have “fit in” with the Name it and Claim it crowd. They would not have made it with the Wealth, Health and Prosperity crowd.
  3. Yet, they did have GOD’S APPROVAL! That should be worth something.

III.The Discipline of Faith

In this chapter, the Christian life is pictured as a race. Athletics requires the athlete to be disciplined. It is this analogy that helps us to understand that our faith is matured through discipline.

Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. We must finish the course that He has set before us. The word “author” refers to the leader, the example. Jesus has set the example for us on how the abundant life is to be lived. “Finisher” is completer, perfecter – Jesus is going to mature our faith.

The instrument that Christ uses to perfect our faith (finish it) is “chastisement.” We are never condemned for sin, but we are chastened for it. Hebrews 12:5-13 gives God’s motive, His purpose, and our attitudes for Christians in the context of chastisement.

  1. God’s motive: love
  2. It is not the picture of a Judge and a criminal.
  3. It is the picture of a Father correcting His son.
  1. God’s purpose: to make us holy
  2. Chastisement at the present is grievous.
  3. Chastisement’s benefit is worth it.
  1. Christian’s attitude:
  2. He may DESPISE it.
  3. He may FAINT under it
  4. He may SUBMIT to it
  5. To do so produces holiness (12:10), righteousness and peace (12:11), and abundant life (12:9).

BI 306 Hebrews - Understanding the Principle of Faith

Instructor:J. Michael Lester

LECTURE 15

I. Final Warning Passage – Hebrews 12:15-29

In this section, we find what happens when we disobey the summons of God. The argument is illustrated by the life of Esau, a man who traded all of his spiritual blessings for a temporary satisfaction.

Like the previous four warnings, this one is also connected inseparably to the Word of God. There is also a secondary illustration to support that of Esau’s lack of discernment. The story is told of the nation of Israel not wanting to hear God’s voice from Sinai.

Why would God’s children refuse to listen to God’s voice? There can only be one simple answer: there is a price to be paid in order to listen to God’s word. Compare this statement with that made in 12:20.

These that rejected God’s Word received God’s judgment – 12:25. Our attitude toward the Word of God should be delight (Psalm 1:2), but it should also include seriousness (Hebrews 12:21).

  1. OVERVIEW OF THE WARNING:
  2. Verse 15: We must be on constant guard lest there be a man who creeps in unawares and fails (becomes destitute, falls behind, falls short) of God’s grace. This person can become a “root of bitterness” that springs up, troubles you, and many become defiled.
  3. The “root of bitterness” is a reference to Deuteronomy 29:18. This “root” can be the sin of idolatry or it can also be a reference to fornication, mentioned in verse 16.
  4. Verse 16: Esau sold his birthright, that which was the son’s highest honor, for one morsel of meat. He had a one-time chance and afterward, there was no place of repentance.
  5. There was no way for Esau to “change the mind” of Isaac, even though he sought it with many tears.
  6. Verses 18-22 contrasts two mountains (which is symbolic of the two covenants): Sinai and Sion.
  7. In 11:4, we read of Abel, who being dead, yet speaketh. In chapter 12:24, we find that Christ, who had died [and resurrected] spoke better things than Abel ever did.
  8. When Christ spoke from Sinai, He shook the earth. There is going to be a final “shake-up” that includes heaven and earth. What will be left are those things which cannot be shaken – ie the Gospel and its Kingdom.
  9. We are to serve God with reverence and godly fear because He is a consuming fire.

BI 306 Hebrews - Understanding the Principle of Faith

Instructor:J. Michael Lester

LECTURE 16

I. The Object of Faith – Hebrews 13

In this final section, we find the conclusion of a letter. It contains final instruction and exhortations as it discusses the object of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ.

  1. His presence is our source of contentment – vs5
  2. Contentment is essential to Christ-likeness.
  3. The Christian who realizes that he has the presence of Christ will never lack for contentment.
  4. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
  1. His power is our source of courage – vs6
  2. We have no need to be afraid when we realize that God’s power is on our side.
  3. The power that brought down the walls of Jericho, the power that brought down fire from Heaven, and the power that parted the Red Sea and Jordan River is still available today.
  4. The fear of man is a snare.
  5. Read 2 Kings 6:17 and Jeremiah 1:8, 17
  1. His permanence is our source of consistency – vs8-9
  2. The greatest ability is dependability – Christ is always consistent.
  3. This attribute is called His “immutability.”

II. Principles to Remember – Hebrews 13

In this chapter, surrounding the study of our Object of faith, are scattered truths that are vital to having victory. Notice the following:

  1. Let brotherly love continue. This would include “hospitality” to strangers.
  2. Verse 3 is a great theme verse for prison ministries.
  3. Marriage is an honorable thing – the fornicator and adulterer will be judged by God.
  4. There are some general principles on how to treat the man of God:
  5. We are to remember [rehearse his counsel and admonitions] him – vs7
  6. We are to obey and submit to them – vs17
  7. We are to pray for him – vs18
  8. We are to salute [acknowledge, greet] them– vs24
  9. Don’t be carried about with divers and strange doctrines. Let your hearts be established by the grace [new covenant] of God; not with meats [old covenant]. Our altar is not inside the earthly tabernacle, but we are to go without the gate [camp].
  10. As a believer priest, we have a responsibility to offer spiritual sacrifices. Here, we find the sacrifice of praise, doing good, and communication [financial giving].
  11. The theme of this book, Going on to Perfection, is wrapped around the whole book. It is the concluding note of the book: “the God of peace…[will] make you perfect…to do his will.” This work of perfection is based on the everlasting covenant.
  12. The Old Testament altar had an offering for sin; it included worship to God; and it included self-sacrifice. These elements are also a part of the New Testament dispensation.

CONCLUSION:

Hebrews is a great study. Hopefully, principles shared in this class will go with you throughout your place of service. Again, this is not a book you will grasp in one setting; therefore, I challenge you to continue studying this book. Perhaps, you will be able to tie the book of Leviticus and the book of Hebrews together.

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