This post will be a very high level summary of Hebrews 11. I plan to go through each hero of faith individually, but those will not be consecutive posts.
(vs. 1) Definition of faith
In the same way that our eyesight gives us evidence of the world around us, faith is the ‘sense’ that gives us evidence of the spiritual
Faith is needed for what we can’t see or touch
Faith is not a blind belief, but a willingness to trust in, rely on, and cling to
(vs. 2) Faith enabled people in the past to overcome
The audience is being reminded that the Jewish forefathers had different circumstances and personalities, but they all shared one thing in common - faith
(vs. 3) Faith gives us an understanding of an ‘invisible’ world
Genesis 1:3 - God created out of nothing just His Word
None of us were present during creation. But, by faith, we know that God created the world
(vs. 4) Abel - Genesis 4:1-12
Faith is not necessarily rewarded on earth. God is testifying there about the righteousness and faith of Abel. “His blood”
(vs. 5,6) Enoch - Genesis 5:21-24
Only a man of faith can have close communion with God
We must believe that God is there, and that He will reveal Himself to the seeking heart
(vs. 7) Noah - Genesis 6:11-22
2 parts of faith: belief and action
Conduct yourself with godliness to condemn the world
(vs. 8-12) Abraham and Sarah
(vs. 8) Genesis 12:1-5 - Abraham stepped out in faith
(vs. 9,10) Sojourner - someone who lives somewhere, but doesn’t have a permanent status there
(vs. 11,12) Genesis 18:9-15; 21:6
We must realize that God is faithful and able to keep His promises. God provides the strength, but Sarah had to receive it by faith
(vs. 13-16) Heavenly hope
The promise of the Messiah was made to Abraham and Sarah, but they died without seeing it
Walking in faith is easier when we understand that this is NOT our home
We should not behave in a way that makes God ashamed to be called our God
(vs. 17-22) Faith of the Patriarchs
(vs. 17-19) When Abraham was faced with a promise and a command from God that seemed to contradict each other, he obeyed the command and let God take care of the promise.
(vs. 20) Isaac - Genesis 27:33
(vs. 21) Jacob
(vs. 22) Joseph - Genesis 50:24
(vs. 23-29) Moses
(vs. 23) Faith of Moses’ parents
(vs. 24-26) Moses chose to suffer to follow the will of God rather than to have the riches of Egypt
(vs. 27) God > Pharoah
(vs. 28) Moses had faith to believe that the blood would save them from the Angel of Death
Lead the nation to observe Passover
(vs. 29) courage vs. faith
(vs. 30-38) By faith they overcame
(vs. 30) People of Israel at the wall of Jericho - Joshua 6:1-5
Daring faith
Obedient faith
Patient faith
Anticipating faith
(vs. 31) Rahab - Joshua 2:8-14
Her faith may not have been strong or perfect, but it was commendable
(vs. 32) Other Heroes: Gideon (Judges 6-7), Barak (Judges 4), Samson (Judges 13-16), Jephthah (Judges 11), David (1 Samuel 17:1-11), Samuel
(vs. 33-38) Victories through faith
Subdued kingdoms
Worked righteousness
Obtained promises
Stopped the mouths of lions
Quenched the violence of fire
Escaped the edge of the sword
Out of weakness were made strong
Became valiant in battle
Women who received their dead raised to life again
Trial of mockings
Chains & imprisonment
Stoned
Sawn in two
Slain by sword
Wandered about in sheepskin and goatskin
In dens and caves of the earth
(vs. 39-40) These are all people with good testimonies of faith, but did not receive the promise of the completed work of the Messiah
