April 19, 2009
Evening Service

Heb. 11: 7-40

 

·         Heb 11:7-40  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 

·         By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  (9)  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  (10)  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

·         (11)  Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.  (12)  Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 

·         (13)  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.  (14)  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. 

·         (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. 

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

·         (21)  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 

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

·         (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. 

·         (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. 

·         (32)  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell:

·         of Gideon, 

·         of Barak,  Barak  Lightning, the son of Abinoam (Jdg_4:6). At the summons of Deborah he made war against Jabin. She accompanied him into the battle, and gave the signal for the little army to make the attack; in which the host of Jabin was completely routed. The battle was fought (Jdg_4:16) in the plain of Jezreel (q.v.) This deliverance of Israel is commemorated in Judg. 5. Barak's faith is commended (Heb_11:32). “The character of Barak, though pious, does not seem to have been heroic. Like Gideon, and in a sense Samson, he is an illustration of the words in Heb_11:34, 'Out of weakness were made strong.'”

·         of Samson, and

·         of Jephthah;  Jephthah  Whom God sets free, or the breaker through, a “mighty man of valour” who delivered Israel from the oppression of the Ammonites (Judg. 11:1-33), and judged Israel six years (Jdg_12:7). He has been described as “a wild, daring, Gilead mountaineer, a sort of warrior Elijah.”

He promised God that what ever would come out of his house first on his return, he would sacrifice to Him.

·         of David also,  WE KNOW ABOUT DAVID.  MANY WONDERFUL STORIES CONCERNING HIM, AND JONATHAN, SON OF SAUL.

·         and Samuel, and

·         of the prophets:  What we define today as Major, and Minor 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.

o        The writer is saying what a glorious history we have.  Think about it!

·         Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

o        I believe it will mean something to God, for you to sacrifice like this.  Giving up certain things in life for the glory of God.  Not that He demands it, but that you just want to do it for His glory. 

·         (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;  (38)  (Of whom the world was not worthy:)

o        There is your example of what God thinks of this world. 

·         they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

·         (39)  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 

o        THE PROMISE.

o        Remember what the writer said,  (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.

o        Remember what was said about Moses?   (26)  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. 

o        And that reward, or promise is what Peter describes for us;  2Pe 3:9-13  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  (10)  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  (11)  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  (12)  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  (13)  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

o        Here it is;  Rev 21:1-8  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  (2)  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  (3)  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  (4)  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  (5)  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.  (6)  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  (7)  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  (8)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Then we close chapter 11 with this thought;

·         (40)  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

WE WILL ALL BE MADE PERFECT AT THE SAME TIME, AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.  THE CATCHING AWAY, AND THE RESURRECTION.