Sermon Summary
Hebrews 12 – By Faith (1)
Introduction
In the book of Hebrews, the writer concludes the previous section with a powerful warning against apostasy, urging believers to hold fast to their confession of hope without wavering [Heb. 10:23-25]. The writer emphasizes the importance of meeting together and encouraging one another, especially as the Day of the Lord draws near [Heb. 10:25]. The writer warns against the danger of deliberate sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, highlighting the fearful expectation of judgment for those who reject the Son of God [Heb. 10:26-29].
To strengthen their faith and perseverance, the writer reminds his readers of their past experiences of endurance and suffering for the sake of Christ. They were publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, yet they remained steadfast, demonstrating compassion for those in prison and joyfully accepting the plundering of their property [Heb. 10:32-34]. The writer encourages them to continue their endurance, as it leads to a great reward [Heb. 10:36]. Quoting a prophecy, the writer assures them that the coming of the Lord will not delay [Heb. 10:37].
Faith is an assurance of things hoped for
Moving into a new section, the writer of Hebrews explores the nature of faith and its importance in the lives of believers [Heb. 11:1-2]. The writer defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. Faith is not mere wishful thinking, but a confident trust in the reality of unseen spiritual truths [Heb. 11:1]. Faith is grounded in the certainty of knowing and experiencing God’s promises.
Examples of true faith
To illustrate the power and significance of true faith, the writer provides examples from the lives of faithful individuals. Abel, the first martyr, offered a more acceptable sacrifice to God through faith and was commended as righteous [Heb. 11:4]. Enoch, known for his unwavering faith, pleased God and was taken up so that he did not experience death [Heb. 11:5-6]. Noah, in obedience to God’s warning, constructed an ark to save his household and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith [Heb. 11:7].
Noah believed in something he did not see. Some scholars say that there was no rain before the flood because a mist rose up and watered everything [Gen. 2:5-6]. All the effort Noah put into building the ark would have been useless if the flood didn’t come. But through his faith, the ark became a place of salvation for all who entered in. He persevered through all the ridicule and persecution, and built the ark in faith.
This shows us that faith is not merely a theoretical belief, but a transformative force that impacts every aspect of life. True faith leads to righteous actions and obedience to God’s word. Abel’s faith expressed itself in worship, Enoch’s faith manifested in a close walk with God, and Noah’s faith resulted in the construction of the ark [Heb. 11:4, Heb. 11:5-6, Heb. 11:7]. These examples demonstrate that faith is not detached from the physical world but is intricately connected to the spiritual realm.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the writer of Hebrews highlights the vital role of faith in the lives of believers. Faith leads to righteousness and pleases God [Heb. 11:4, Heb. 11:5-6]. The writer encourages readers to bear the fruit of faith in their own lives, trusting in God’s promises and confidently living out their convictions [Heb. 10:23-25, Heb. 10:26-29, Heb. 10:32-34, Heb. 10:36-37, Heb. 11:1-2, Heb. 11:4, Heb. 11:5-6, Heb. 11:7]. May we all receive the gift of faith and allow it to transform us, producing beautiful and lasting fruit in our walk with God.
