Hebrews 11:1-6

Apr 12, 2023

Entering the Kingdom

1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2 For by this our ancestors were approved.

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

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.

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. 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.

Hebrews 11:1-6 CSB

  • What does this teach us about God?

    • God is faithful to approve us as sons and daughters when we believe and trust in Him. (v. 2,4,5)
    • God looks at the heart to test our faith – there lie our true nature and intentions and from it our actions flow (v.4)
    • God made everything from nothing, an analogy of how our faith is everything yet we don’t physically see the evidence (v.3)
    • He is impossible to please without faith (v.6)

  • What does this teach us about people/ourselves?

    • Our faith, or lack thereof, will be apparent by our fruit (actions, how we live, what we produce) (v.4)
    • Our faith is in something we cannot see but that is real, true, and something we hope for (expect to happen) (v.1)
    • We are qualified by faith alone (v.2,4,5)

  • By God's grace, how will you obey?

    • Faith is trust plus action. We will trust in The Lord AND live our lives in a way that reflects that trust in Him – not in ourselves.
    • Faith is obedience. We will be obedient to God’s word, believing that His ways are better than ours.
    • We will continue to pursue the Lord as he perfects our faith, believing that He who began a good work in us is faithful to carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6)

Additional Notes:

  • The section title for Hebrews 11 is “Hall of Faith” like Hall of Fame – these are the GOATs of Faith. This chapter is filled with examples of faith by ordinary people like you and I who chose to believe God.
  • EVERYONE has faith in something! Many times we put our faith in ourselves instead of God “I know what’s best for me” “I want to do what makes me happy”
  • Faith is more than just believing – it’s believing and doing! (Fruit)
  • Faith = the reality (TRUTH) of what is hoped for (longing).
  • Faith = the proof (EVIDENCE) of what is not seen.
  • Faith is not fleeting; it is substantial enough to produce confidence!
  • The opposite of faith is UNBELIEF – a lack of trust in God.
  • Sometimes our emotions may make us feel like we don’t have faith (examples: Worry, Anxiety, Fear, etc.) – emotions are normal and don’t always reflect a lack of faith, but our actions immediately when those emotions come up do reflect our faith. (Stressing out vs. Praying, numbing yourself vs. Being with Jesus) –Our emotions SHOULD draw us near to God.
  • All of these examples of faith DID NOT have JESUS (he wasn’t born yet) nor did they have BIBLEs and yet these men are in heaven simply because the had faith and were therefore APPROVED!
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