Bible Study - Language of Faith - Hebrews 11:1-6 - March 22, 2020

Bible Study – Language of Faith (4) – Faith – March 22, 2020

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Holy Vocabulary: Unpacking the Language of Faith.”

Our focus scripture is Hebrews 11:1-6.

We can confidently trust in what GOD says and does.

What is faith? Let’s explore!

Hebrews Chapter 11 is often referred to as the “Hall of Faith.” We do not know who wrote the book of Hebrews or when it was written.

Speculation is that it was written around the mid-60’s. The main theme is the superiority of JESUS over angels, Moses and Joshua, over the old priesthood and over the old covenant.

Who replaced the old covenant which required sacrifices? JESUS established the new covenant through HIS own sacrifice. The new covenant is based on the shedding of the blood; the personal precious blood of GOD, JESUS. GOD came to earth to be born and live 100% human, yet 100% GOD. In order for JESUS to be the perfect sacrifice for all sin, HE had to fulfill the letter and spirit of the law. HE was tempted in all ways yet without sin. JESUS gave his human life upon the cross by the shedding of his blood. JESUS was 100% dead. The shedding of JESUS’ blood paid for the penalty for sin, in full. JESUS’ resurrection is the proof that eternal death was conquered and eternal life is restored upon all who place their faith in JESUS.

This new covenant opened the opportunity for GOD’S grace and established the miracle of Spiritual rebirth to take place within every person receiving JESUS as his or her Savior. Spiritual rebirth takes place at the instant of salvation by the union of the Holy Spirit and the human spirit of the person placing his or her faith in JESUS. The indwelling Holy Spirit is GOD’S guarantee and assurance that the Spiritually born person is GOD’S Child and has eternal life.

Since the Spiritually born person is indwelled by the Holy Spirit, he or she has the power of GOD within him or her. GOD equips the Spiritually born person with Spiritual gifts to serve HIM as he or she continues life upon earth. There are many Spiritual gifts. Of great importance is that GOD gives to each Christian the gift or gifts HE chooses as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:11 - ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he (GOD) distributes them to each one, just as he determines. This statement follows a partial listing of some of the Spiritual gifts.

It takes a step of faith to receive JESUS as your Savior. In turn, once a person receives JESUS as his or her Savior, he or she receives a gift or gifts of the Holy Spirit. Every Christian has at least one or more Spiritual gifts.

A person exercises faith when he or she chooses to accept JESUS as his or her Savior. There is a Spiritual gift of faith such that when GOD calls a Christian to a task, he or she is equipped and anointed for the call. An example is, GOD calls some Christians to live by faith. He or she strictly depends upon GOD providing all that person’s needs.

We have to be careful. When we hear of fellow Christians living on faith and GOD providing their needs, we may want to experience this. If we decide to step out in faith on our own and GOD does not provide for us, we can get discouraged and doubt GOD. It is simple. We stepped out in our strength and not in the strength of GOD. GOD calls and when HE calls, HE equips and provides. In my walk, I have stepped out in what I thought was faith but in reality, I had stepped out in my faith. I stepped out for the wrong reason. In hind sight, I was testing GOD. GOD taught me a valuable lesson.

When GOD asks HIS child to take a step of faith, HE equips and provides. Faith and trust go together. When a person places his or her faith in JESUS that results in a Spiritual union between that person and GOD. As that born-again person walks with GOD it builds trust.

If we encounter a bridge across a stream, often we step onto the bridge very carefully. When we believe the bridge is sound and we can trust it, we take additional steps. As we walk the path of life, our trust in GOD is built as we take steps of faith while serving HIM.

There is wonderworking faith. JESUS spoke of this to HIS disciples as recorded in Matthew 17:20 - ²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” ^[21] [a]

The journey begins with a step of faith which is acknowledging JESUS as your Savior. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins, believing that HE gave HIS sinless life on the cross for you by shedding HIS blood. GOD raised HIM from the physically dead to eternal life. JESUS received HIS Glorified body at HIS resurrection. JESUS lives eternally and so will all who place their faith in HIM because they have been Spiritually born-again into GOD’S Family.

Let’s explore our focus scripture.

Let’s read Hebrews 11:1-3:

Living by Faith

11 Now faith is the reality^[a] of what is hoped for, the proof^[b] of what is not seen. ² For by it our ancestors won God’s approval.

How powerful is faith? We read in Genesis 15:6 - ⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

In Greek, the word for “faith” is pistis and the Greek word for “believe” is pisteuo.” Those who wrote the New Testament used these two words interchangeably. I generally think of faith as belief in action.

Hebrews 11:3:

³ By faith we understand that the universe was^[c] created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.^[d]

We believe that GOD spoke the world and universe unto existence.

Do you think that random probability could produce a world and universe that is in harmony with each other? NO! Consider the Biblical account. What GOD created on day one supported what HE did on day two. Creation was done in a logical order. GOD is the Master Designer and creator.

Consider your human body. You live in a miracle. Consider all that takes place in your body for you to experience life upon earth. Do you think your human body was made by random probability?

A friend of mine used an example regarding creation. He asked a group, “If you took all the parts of a fine Swiss watch and placed them in a bag and shook the bag would a fine Swiss watch ever be produced. NO! It takes a master watch maker.”

Can a person explain GOD? NO! GOD has to be experienced. Faith in JESUS is the first step toward building an intimate, personal, loving relationship with GOD. As we walk with JESUS, we get to know HIM and when we get to know HIM, we trust HIM. When we trust HIM, we take the steps of faith when HE asks us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.  

Let’s read Hebrews 11:4:

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.

We read in Genesis 4:2-8:

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. ³ In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. ⁴ And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, ⁵ but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So, Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

⁶ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? ⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

⁸ Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”^[d] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Cain killed his brother Abel. Yet, even these centuries later we know that GOD declared Able righteous because HE approved his gift. Abel’s gift required the shedding of the blood of his sacrifices. Able would have to depend upon GOD to multiply his flock because he sacrificed some to GOD. Abel’s gift reflected his trust in GOD to provide other sheep.

This was a foreshadow of the ultimate sacrifice JESUS would make to redeem all from eternal death by the shedding of HIS blood.

As we study Hebrews 11, we need to keep in mind that these are examples of people, who once they placed their faith in GOD, lived out their lives reflecting their faith. Their acts of faith reflected their genuine faith in GOD. So, why can’t we just acknowledge GOD and walk with HIM through life? Do you want to be under the law or GOD’S Grace?

Christianity is not a religion. But we have made Christianity a religion. We go through rituals of worship that make us feel like we are worshipping GOD. Christianity is CHRIST in you through faith in JESUS. When people come to GOD on their own terms, they are going the way of Cain. (Jude 11a - ¹¹ Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain;)

Let’s read Hebrews 11:5-6:

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away.^[e] For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God. ⁶ Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Who was Enoch? Genesis 5:21-24:

²¹ Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. ²² And after he fathered Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. ²³ So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. ²⁴ Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him.

Enoch walked with GOD and GOD took him. WOW!

Enoch lived during a time when his generation was especially wicked.

What was special about Enoch? It was his faith in GOD.

Verse 6 - ⁶ Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

If a person does not believe that GOD exists then there is no reason for that person to place his or her faith in something, he or she does not believe in.

GOD makes it clear that HE reaches out to all through HIS handiwork. Look around at the very things that are real, including the human body. Did the material things or the human body come into existence by random probability? There are too many moving parts. There is a Master Designer. We call HIM GOD and HE loves you. HE proved HIS love by sending HIS only Son, JESUS to give HIS life just for you. Why? So that you will have eternal life and live eternally with HIM.

The Apostle Paul wrote a profound statement in Romans 14:23b – “and everything that is not from faith is sin.”

GOD desires for HIS Children to trust HIM!

Why? HE wants us to be in constant communication with HIM and to respond when HE speaks to us. As HIS Children, we live in HIS Kingdom upon earth as HIS ambassadors. GOD knows those who are seeking HIM or wanting to build the right relationship with HIM. HE knows our hearts. We have and know the truth and we are the light. All Christians are called to minister as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Notice in the last part of verse 6 “that he rewards those who seek him.” When a person seeks GOD, GOD ensures that person will find HIM.

What is faith? Let’s read the Amplified Bible in Hebrews 11:1-2:

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. 

Faith is a life journey building the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Ground zero begins at the foot of the cross. Faith builds trust and trust builds relationship.

Blessings!!!