Sermons on Hebrews 11:1-40
The various sermons below converge on the understanding of faith in Hebrews 11 as a confident assurance and firm foundation for hope, emphasizing that faith enables believers to perceive and trust in unseen realities beyond present circumstances. They collectively portray faith as more than mere intellectual assent; it is a dynamic, living trust that sustains endurance and shapes a forward-looking hope anchored in God’s promises. Several sermons use vivid analogies to deepen this understanding—faith as a spiritual sixth sense that perceives the invisible, as a living tree bearing fruit, or as a shield that actively defends against spiritual attacks. The Greek term "hupostasis" is highlighted to underscore faith’s role as the underlying substance that supports hope. Additionally, the sermons affirm that faith is rooted in God’s revelation and promises, not in human nature, and that it unites Old and New Testament believers in a shared posture of expectation toward the fulfillment of God’s eternal promises.
Despite these shared emphases, the sermons diverge in their thematic focus and practical application. Some stress faith primarily as a passive assurance and endurance through present trials, highlighting the willingness to forfeit immediate benefits for future glory, as exemplified by biblical figures like Moses. Others frame faith more proactively, portraying it as an active defense mechanism in spiritual warfare, where faith functions as a shield to counter the devil’s fiery darts by applying specific scriptural truths. While one sermon emphasizes faith’s origin in God’s initial promise to humanity and its persistence despite doubt, another draws a strong parallel between the faith of Old Testament saints and New Testament believers, centering Jesus as the perfecter of faith. These nuances reveal differing pastoral emphases—whether faith is primarily a steady confidence to be held or a strategic weapon to be wielded—each offering distinct insights for preaching Hebrews 11.
Hebrews 11:1-40 Interpretation:
Living by Faith: Lessons from Hebrews 11 (Church for You independent baptist) interprets Hebrews 11:1-40 by emphasizing faith as a spiritual sixth sense that allows believers to perceive unseen realities. The sermon uses the analogy of faith being like a spiritual sixth sense, akin to how the natural senses perceive the physical world. It highlights that faith provides a certainty and assurance of things hoped for, even when they are not visible. The sermon also discusses the original Greek term "hupostasis" as the foundation or substance that supports hope, emphasizing that faith is the foundation upon which hope rests.
Faith: Assurance, Endurance, and God's Promises (Open the Bible) interprets Hebrews 11:1-40 by emphasizing faith as a firm persuasion and steady confidence, not a vague belief. The sermon uses the analogy of sugar and salt mixed in water to illustrate how faith, even when mixed with doubt, retains its nature as assurance and conviction. The sermon also highlights that faith began with God's first promise to Adam and Eve, marking the transition from sight to faith.
Living a Life of Faith: Assurance and Hope (Open the Bible) interprets Hebrews 11:1-40 by focusing on the idea that faith is a living tree bursting with fruit, illustrating various aspects of faith through examples from the chapter. The sermon emphasizes that faith is not just about receiving promises but also about enduring and looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises, which are better than anything experienced in this life.
Equipped for Battle: The Armor of God (MLJTrust) interprets Hebrews 11:1-40 by emphasizing the concept of faith as a shield against the fiery darts of the devil. The sermon uses the analogy of ancient warfare, where fiery darts were used to inflame and destroy. The shield of faith is described as the ability to apply specific truths to counteract these attacks. The sermon highlights the importance of being able to see through the present world's temptations and to focus on the eternal, unseen realities promised by God. This perspective is unique in its detailed analogy of the shield and its application in spiritual warfare.
Hebrews 11:1-40 Theological Themes:
Faith: The Foundation of Hope and Endurance (Wisdom International) presents the theme that faith is not just about receiving promises in this life but is about trusting in God's promises for the future, including eternal life. The sermon emphasizes that faith is about looking forward to a heavenly city and that true faith involves enduring present uncertainties by focusing on God's future promises. It also highlights that faith is about being willing to forfeit immediate benefits for the sake of following God's will, as exemplified by Moses.
Faith: Assurance, Endurance, and God's Promises (Open the Bible) presents the theme that faith is not a natural capacity but a response to God's revelation and promises. It emphasizes that faith is formed by compelling evidence from Scripture, not by an inherent disposition.
Living a Life of Faith: Assurance and Hope (Open the Bible) introduces the theme that Old Testament believers and New Testament believers share the same position of looking forward to God's promises. It highlights that both groups live by faith, looking to Jesus as the founder and perfecter of faith.
Equipped for Battle: The Armor of God (MLJTrust) presents the theme of faith as a proactive defense mechanism. The sermon introduces the idea that faith is not just a passive belief but an active application of God's promises to counteract spiritual attacks. This theme is distinct in its focus on the practical application of faith as a means of spiritual defense.
Hebrews 11:1-40 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Living by Faith: Lessons from Hebrews 11 (Church for You independent baptist) provides historical context by discussing the cultural norms of the time, such as the significance of blood sacrifices in Abel's offering and the cultural understanding of faith as a relationship with God. The sermon also highlights the historical context of Noah's time, where building an ark was seen as a ludicrous idea due to the lack of rain and floods before the event.
Faith: Assurance, Endurance, and God's Promises (Open the Bible) provides historical context by explaining that Hebrews 11 was written to Jewish believers facing persecution and pressure. The sermon highlights that the chapter was meant to strengthen their endurance by showing examples of faith from the past.
Living a Life of Faith: Assurance and Hope (Open the Bible) offers historical insights by discussing the experiences of Old Testament believers, emphasizing that they lived in a world similar to ours, filled with challenges and trials. The sermon connects their endurance to the promises of God, which they looked forward to despite not receiving them in their lifetime.
Equipped for Battle: The Armor of God (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the use of large oblong shields in ancient warfare, which covered the soldier from mouth to ground. This insight helps to understand the metaphor of the shield of faith in a more vivid and practical manner, illustrating how it protects against spiritual attacks.
Hebrews 11:1-40 Cross-References in the Bible:
Living by Faith: Lessons from Hebrews 11 (Church for You independent baptist) references Genesis 1 to emphasize God's creative power and the authority of His word. It also references Galatians 3:16 to highlight Christ as the promised seed of Abraham, connecting the lineage of faith from Abraham to Christ. The sermon uses these references to support the idea that faith is foundational to understanding God's promises and His creative authority.
Faith: The Foundation of Hope and Endurance (Wisdom International) references 2 Corinthians 4 to emphasize the eternal perspective of faith, highlighting that faith involves looking at things not seen, which are eternal. The sermon uses this reference to support the idea that faith is about focusing on eternal promises rather than temporary earthly gains.
Faith: Assurance, Endurance, and God's Promises (Open the Bible) references several passages: 2 Corinthians (walking by faith), Romans (standing by faith), Galatians (living by faith), and Ephesians (saved by faith) to illustrate the comprehensive role of faith in the Christian life. It also references Genesis to explain the beginning of faith with God's promise to Adam and Eve.
Living a Life of Faith: Assurance and Hope (Open the Bible) references Psalm 32 to show that Old Testament believers experienced forgiveness through faith in the coming Savior. It also references Revelation to describe the future fulfillment of God's promises, including the new heaven and new earth.
Equipped for Battle: The Armor of God (MLJTrust) references 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul discusses being troubled on every side yet not distressed, and Hebrews 11, which details the faith of biblical figures like Noah and Abraham. These references are used to illustrate the power of faith in overcoming trials and maintaining focus on eternal promises.
Hebrews 11:1-40 Christian References outside the Bible:
Faith: The Foundation of Hope and Endurance (Wisdom International) references Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China, to illustrate the idea that God often uses weak and timid people to fulfill His powerful work. The sermon uses Taylor's quote about being used by God because he was weak enough and small enough for God to use, emphasizing that faith involves trusting in God's power despite personal weaknesses.
Faith: Assurance, Endurance, and God's Promises (Open the Bible) references Richard Sibbes, a Puritan, who used the analogy of fire and smoke to describe the mixture of faith and doubt. It also cites John Calvin, who stated that unbelief is always mixed with faith in all men.
Equipped for Battle: The Armor of God (MLJTrust) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of Hebrews 11:1-40.
Hebrews 11:1-40 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Living by Faith: Lessons from Hebrews 11 (Church for You independent baptist) uses the analogy of modern instruments picking up waves beyond human senses to illustrate the concept of faith perceiving unseen spiritual realities. The sermon compares faith to the ability of instruments to detect infrared and sound waves beyond human perception, emphasizing that faith allows believers to perceive spiritual truths beyond the natural realm.
Faith: Assurance, Endurance, and God's Promises (Open the Bible) uses the illustration of a granddaughter mixing sugar, salt, pepper, and ketchup in water to explain how faith, even when mixed with doubt, retains its nature. The sermon also uses the analogy of athletic and artistic abilities to explain that faith is not an inherent capacity but a response to God's revelation.
Equipped for Battle: The Armor of God (MLJTrust) uses the analogy of barrage balloons used during wartime to protect against flying bombs. This illustration is used to explain how the shield of faith can prevent spiritual attacks from causing damage, much like the balloons prevented bombs from reaching their targets.