Faith: Assurance, Endurance, and God's Promises
Summary
Hebrews 11 is a profound exploration of faith, offering both a definition and examples of faith in action. This chapter begins by defining faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is not a vague belief but a firm persuasion, a steady confidence in the heart and mind. It is the assurance of things hoped for, such as redeemed bodies, a spotless church, and a perfect world—things that do not yet exist but are promised by God. Faith also relates to things not seen, like the exaltation of Christ, the forgiveness and love of believers, and God's sovereign control over all things. These are present realities, unseen but revealed by God, and faith believes what God has revealed and trusts what He has promised.
Faith is not a natural capacity that some are born with; it is not a disposition found within us. Instead, faith is formed by hearing the Word of God and is based on compelling evidence. It involves personal trust in what God has revealed and promised. The examples of faith in Hebrews 11, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and others, show how faith enabled them to endure and trust God despite their broken worlds. Faith is the means by which believers can endure under unrelenting pressure, offering robust encouragement to persevere.
The chapter encourages believers to look at the evidence of God's revelation and promises, to trust in them, and to endure by faith. It reminds us that others have endured far worse and that by faith, they persevered. We are called to run with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, who endured the cross and is now in glory. This is the robust encouragement we need to lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees, knowing that we belong to Jesus and are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith as Assurance and Conviction: Faith is not a vague belief but a firm persuasion and steady confidence. It is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, rooted in what God has revealed and promised. This understanding of faith challenges us to trust in God's promises and His unseen realities. [11:24]
- Faith and God's Promises: Faith involves trusting in God's promises, such as redeemed bodies, a spotless church, and a perfect world. These are things hoped for, not yet in existence, but assured by God's Word. This trust in promises brings joy and anticipation even in the present. [15:45]
- Faith and Unseen Realities: Faith relates to unseen realities, such as Christ's exaltation, believers' forgiveness, and God's sovereign control. These are present realities revealed by God, and faith believes in them despite not seeing them. This belief in unseen realities strengthens our faith. [20:21]
- Faith is Not a Natural Capacity: Faith is not a disposition some are born with; it is formed by hearing God's Word and is based on compelling evidence. This understanding removes any notion of unfair advantage and emphasizes that faith is accessible to all who hear and believe God's revelation. [26:51]
- Faith Enables Endurance: Faith provides the strength to endure under pressure, offering robust encouragement. By looking at the examples of faith in Hebrews 11, believers are encouraged to persevere, keeping their eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross and is now in glory. This endurance is rooted in faith's assurance and conviction. [35:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction to Hebrews 11
- [00:34] - Four Aims of the Series
- [01:24] - Understanding Faith
- [02:07] - Faith Formation and Growth
- [03:58] - Strength to Endure
- [06:00] - Definition of Faith
- [07:03] - Assurance and Conviction
- [08:09] - Faith and Doubt
- [11:41] - Faith and Unseen Realities
- [14:39] - Trusting God's Promises
- [20:21] - Believing God's Revelation
- [23:30] - Faith and the Word of God
- [26:51] - Faith is Not a Natural Capacity
- [35:48] - Faith Enables Endurance
- [40:11] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Hebrews 11 - Faith in Action
#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 11:1-40
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Romans 1:17
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#### Observation Questions
1. How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith, and what are the two key components mentioned in this definition? [06:32]
2. What examples of faith are highlighted in Hebrews 11, and how did these individuals demonstrate their faith in challenging circumstances? [34:01]
3. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between faith and the promises of God? [15:45]
4. How does the sermon describe the nature of faith in relation to unseen realities? [20:21]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for faith to be "the assurance of things hoped for" in the context of a believer's life? How does this assurance impact daily living? [11:24]
2. How can the examples of faith in Hebrews 11 serve as encouragement for believers facing their own trials today? [35:48]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is not a natural capacity but something formed by hearing God's Word? [26:51]
4. How does the sermon explain the role of faith in enabling endurance under pressure, and what practical implications does this have for believers? [35:48]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a promise of God that you find difficult to trust. What steps can you take this week to deepen your trust in that promise? [15:45]
2. Consider a situation in your life where you feel pressure or discouragement. How can the examples of faith in Hebrews 11 inspire you to persevere? [35:48]
3. Identify an area in your life where unseen realities (like God's love or sovereignty) are hard to believe. How can you remind yourself of these truths daily? [20:21]
4. Faith is described as not being a natural capacity. How can you actively engage with God's Word to strengthen your faith? [26:51]
5. Think of a time when your faith was mixed with doubt. How did you navigate that experience, and what can you learn from it to apply in future situations? [11:24]
6. How can you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, as encouraged in the sermon, amidst the distractions and challenges of daily life? [39:15]
7. What practical steps can you take to lift your "drooping hands" and strengthen your "weak knees" in your spiritual journey this week? [39:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as Firm Persuasion
Faith is not merely a vague belief but a firm persuasion and steady confidence in the heart and mind. It is the assurance of things hoped for, such as redeemed bodies, a spotless church, and a perfect world—things that do not yet exist but are promised by God. Faith also relates to things not seen, like the exaltation of Christ, the forgiveness and love of believers, and God's sovereign control over all things. These are present realities, unseen but revealed by God, and faith believes what God has revealed and trusts what He has promised. This understanding of faith challenges us to trust in God's promises and His unseen realities. [11:24]
Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you find difficult to trust fully? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Promises
Faith involves trusting in God's promises, such as redeemed bodies, a spotless church, and a perfect world. These are things hoped for, not yet in existence, but assured by God's Word. This trust in promises brings joy and anticipation even in the present. By focusing on what God has promised, believers can find hope and encouragement, knowing that God's Word is true and reliable. This trust is not passive but active, requiring believers to live in a way that reflects their confidence in God's promises. [15:45]
2 Peter 3:13 (ESV): "But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that brings you joy and anticipation? How can you live today in a way that reflects your trust in this promise?
Day 3: Believing in Unseen Realities
Faith relates to unseen realities, such as Christ's exaltation, believers' forgiveness, and God's sovereign control. These are present realities revealed by God, and faith believes in them despite not seeing them. This belief in unseen realities strengthens our faith, allowing us to live with confidence and assurance. By focusing on what is unseen, believers can find strength and encouragement, knowing that God's presence and power are real and active in their lives. [20:21]
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: What is one unseen reality of God that you struggle to believe? How can you focus on this reality today to strengthen your faith?
Day 4: Faith Formed by Hearing God's Word
Faith is not a natural capacity that some are born with; it is formed by hearing the Word of God and is based on compelling evidence. This understanding removes any notion of unfair advantage and emphasizes that faith is accessible to all who hear and believe God's revelation. By engaging with God's Word, believers can grow in their faith, finding assurance and conviction in what God has revealed and promised. [26:51]
Romans 10:17 (ESV): "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Reflection: How can you intentionally engage with God's Word today to grow your faith? What specific steps will you take to hear and believe God's revelation?
Day 5: Endurance Through Faith
Faith provides the strength to endure under pressure, offering robust encouragement. By looking at the examples of faith in Hebrews 11, believers are encouraged to persevere, keeping their eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross and is now in glory. This endurance is rooted in faith's assurance and conviction, allowing believers to face challenges with confidence and hope. By focusing on Jesus and the examples of faith, believers can find the strength to endure and persevere in their own lives. [35:48]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need endurance? How can you keep your eyes on Jesus today to find the strength to persevere?
Quotes
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. Now, I want you to notice first then that faith in its nature is an assurance and a conviction. Notice what it says: faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. [06:35]
Faith may indeed be mixed with many doubts, but faith is that in the mixture which believes. It is the assurance of things hoped for; it is the conviction of things not seen. Doubt is what questions; faith is what believes. A man in the gospels once came to Jesus and said, "I believe; help my unbelief." [08:07]
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. It rests on what God has promised. Faith relates to things that are not seen. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Now, the things hoped for don't yet exist—no redeemed bodies, perfect churches, or perfect world right now. [17:17]
Right now, Jesus Christ is exalted at the right hand of the Father. That's a present reality. We don't hope that one day it will be; it is. But we don't see it because heaven is beyond our view. But right now, the unseen reality is that Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. [18:12]
Faith believes what God has revealed. That's how we know these things. That's why faith is confident, convinced, assured. Now, the writer to the Hebrews actually gives us the perfect illustration here of believing something that we have not seen because it has been revealed to us, and that illustration, of course, is the creation. [20:21]
Faith is not a capacity that some people are born with. If you have that idea in your mind, please, with an open Bible, this is time to let it go. Now, think about this: some people are just naturally athletic. I know, of course, that training is very hard work, and acquiring skills in any particular sport takes hours and hours. [26:51]
Faith is not a capacity that some people are born with. It involves personal trust that is based on compelling evidence. And we're going to look at the compelling evidence of Hebrews and chapter 11 and how it worked out in the lives of some very broken people who came to realize that there was hope to be found here. [35:48]
Faith will enable you to endure under unrelenting pressure. This is really the heart of what Hebrews 11 is all about. It offers what I would describe as robust encouragement. That's what Hebrews 11 is. And I have to tell you, I find that I need this chapter, especially when I'm tempted to feel sorry for myself. [35:48]
God is saying to these Jewish believers, and in the scripture to us today, these are difficult days for you. Chapter 10 and verse 32: you've come through a lot since you came to faith in Jesus. Verse 34 of chapter 10: you have come through it with great resilience. But here's the thing: you're not done yet. [36:51]
You've endured some pretty tough things, and you have endured them well. But here's the thing: you're now getting discouraged. And so this is what you need to remember: others have endured far worse than you. They believed what God has revealed, and they trusted what God has promised, and by faith, they endured. [38:47]
You keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. You remember all that he endured and the wonderful reality that right now he is in glory, and one day you will be with him too. So chapter 12 and verse 12: lift up your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees. That's robust encouragement. You belong to Jesus. [39:48]
Father, give us strength to endure, and to that end, strengthen our faith in these days, we pray. Get our eyes fixed upon Jesus Christ, and in your mercy, help us to grow in believing what you have revealed and trusting what you have promised. For these things we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. [40:11]
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