Hebrews 11
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is called…the faith chapter.
Here the heroes of faith from the Bible are set forth for us….to show us that we are all one in faith.
It matters not that they were before Christ Jesus came as Lord and Savior…..or that we are after He came and died for us….
….only that “by faith” we are saved….and live to God.
Romans 4:15-16 “Because the law worketh wrath:…
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,”
But the faith chapter is still being written….in heaven:
Hebrews 11:39-40 “And these all (those he has already named), having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
The “promise” here is Christ Jesus being manifested…..and giving a perfect sacrifice….that He could declare, even in the depths of pain and agony….”It is finished” (John 19:30)
What is finished? God’s plan to expiate the sins of HIs people. “Expiate” means to atone for, to pay the penalty for the wrong done, to make amends.
Christ Jesus not only took away our sins….which is so amazing!…by the shedding of His blood, but also made up for all the wrongs we have done by His perfect life and perfect death.
He only did the Father’s Will….
He uttered not a word in His defense….”as a lamb before his shearers was dumb, so he opened not his mouth” Isaiah 53:7 (1 Peter 2: 21-23)
He suffered and died the death of a criminal (like we are)…even though He was innocent and positively holy.
And why is it important that we know that “ it is finished”?
Because it is not according to our works that we are saved, or sanctified….it is according to His.
(Yes, we must enter into His provision….but that is by receiving HIm as Lord and Savior,… and obeying Him…in the faith and grace He gives us! Amazing!)
Paul (I believe he is the writer to Hebrews) was telling those Jewish Christians that though they were going through persecution and trials….yet Jesus had paid the full price for the grace that they needed to live by faith,….like Able, Enoch, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, etc.
And he goes on to tell them that they (we) are more blessed because we have seen the promise of His sacrificial death and resurrection….and the power of it in our lives!
Therefore, we are to live by faith…and finish the faith chapter. Our lives are being recorded….everyday faith, extraordinary faith, moving faith, praying faith, and faith by our works, which is by His grace by the Holy Spirit through us!
“God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
Hebrews 11:40
Perfect here means complete….the faith chapter will not be complete till the whole church… and even those saved and set aside in the Tribulation period…will finish and manifest the faith and grace He gives us.
The first song in Heaven will be:
Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”
For us, in eternity past, He has planned and purposed….and He has sent His blessed Holy Spirit that we should have a Person of the Godhead with us,……shall we not do all His Purpose?
Shall we not diligently, joyfully, see to His Will for us, day by day….even as these heroes did by the faith the Lord Jesus Christ gives us?
They looked forward to Christ,….we look back….but it is the look of faith toward Him, that counts.
Should we not be for Him, what He has made us? For He has made us joint-heirs with Him….giving grace and glory to us…as we follow His Will, by faith.
1 Peter 4:1-2, 7 “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the Will of God.
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
He is coming again….first, in the air to take HIs church with HIm to heaven.
Then in power and glory as the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords to put down all evil and reign forever!
Let us live by faith….read His Word, and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our days ahead…
…that it might be said of us also:
Hebrews 11:33 “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,”
“….but the people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32)
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 