December 2, 2012
Morning Service

Heb. 11:14-40

 

Review:

1.     Last Sunday morning we began studying chapter 11 of Hebrews.  This is known as the faith chapter.  There is so much taught in the Scriptures concerning faith.

• Vs. 1;  Heb 11:1 KJVR  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
• Vs. 6;  Heb 11:6 KJVR  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

• Rom. 10:17;  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
• How important is our faith?  Rom 1:17 KJVR  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.

There are so many Scriptures that teach us just how important our faith is to us.  None more important than;  without faith it is impossible to please God.  SO WE MUST BUILD OUR FAITH, BY READING, AND HEARING THE WORD OF GOD.

2.     We concluded our study last week with this thought;

Heb 11:13 KJVR  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

3.     We saw some great people in our study last week.  This chapter is full of history, and knowledge.  Godly people that went through a lot of suffering, and turmoil to serve God.

 

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, let’s continue in chapter 11 with this thought.  THEY DIED IN THE FAITH NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE PROMISES.

 

Heb 11:14-40 KJVR  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  (15)  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  (16)  But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly:

•  

wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 

Abraham

(17)  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  (18)  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:  (19)  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 

ISAAC

(20)  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 

JACOB

(21)  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff.  (Manasseh and Ephraim. )  Here again we see the younger being blessed above the elder.  Ephraim being the youngest.  Chapters 48 – 49 – 50, of Genesis are very interesting to read.  Jacob dies, and tells the future of his sons.

JOSEPH

(22)  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 

MOSES

(23)  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.  (24)  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;  (25)  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;  (26)  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.  (27)  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  (28)  Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 

(29)  By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned. 

RAHAB

(30)  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.  (31)  By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 

OTHERS

(32)  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:  (33)  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  (34)  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.  (35)  Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  (36)  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  (37)  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 

• A far cry from what we have today. 

(38)  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

• Of whom the world was not worthy
• And this was not only for these times, but the early days of the church, men suffered terrible deaths for their faith in Christ.  Some still today suffer for their faith in Christ.

 

(39)  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:  (40)  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

 

• If anyone deserves to receive the promise it is these people.  But notice;  They did not receive the promise.
• God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
• Remember;  Heb 11:13 KJVR  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
• Oh yes, these all died, the first death, and now they as all before them wait for the resurrection.  Their bodies returned to dust, and their spirit, or breath, returned to God Who gave it, according to Solomon, who wrote the book of Ecc.

So when will they, and us be made perfect?

1Co 15:16-24 KJVR  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  (17)  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  (18)  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  (19)  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  (20)  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  (21)  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  (22)  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  (23)  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.  (24)  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

 

READ REV. 20:11; THRU 21:1-8.

 

There is no part of the New Testament of more value than this chapter; none which deserves to be more patiently studied, or which may be more frequently applied to the circumstances of Christians.