Living by Faith: Lessons from Hebrews 11

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as a Communal Force

Faith is not merely an individual pursuit but a collective journey that can lead to extraordinary outcomes. The story of the fall of Jericho illustrates this truth, as it was the united faith of the Israelites that brought down the city's walls. This collective act of faith serves as a powerful reminder that when believers come together in faith, they can achieve what seems impossible. The communal aspect of faith encourages us to support one another, knowing that our combined faith can have a profound impact on the world around us. [02:49]

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your faith community this week to strengthen the collective faith of your church?

Day 2: Radical Allegiance to God

Rahab's story is a compelling example of radical allegiance to God, even at the cost of betraying her cultural ties. Her faith in Yahweh over the gods of Canaan challenges us to examine our own loyalties and consider where we might need to prioritize our faith over worldly connections. Rahab's willingness to turn her back on her past for the sake of faithfulness to God calls us to be traitors to the world and faithful to Christ, no matter the cost. [07:17]

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15, ESV)

Reflection: What worldly ties or loyalties might be hindering your full allegiance to God, and how can you begin to shift your priorities today?

Day 3: Embracing Imperfection in Faith

The lives of Gideon, Samson, and David remind us that God uses imperfect people to fulfill His purposes. Their stories encourage us to embrace our own imperfections, trusting that God can work through us despite our flaws. This understanding of faith highlights God's grace and power, which are made perfect in our weaknesses. We are called to step forward in faith, knowing that our imperfections do not disqualify us from being used by God. [10:17]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate, and how can you invite God to work through your imperfections today?

Day 4: The Duality of Faith: Triumph and Suffering

Faith is a journey marked by both triumph and suffering. The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 experienced victories such as subduing kingdoms and stopping the mouths of lions, yet they also faced trials and persecutions. This duality reminds us that faith encompasses both joy and hardship, and we are called to remain steadfast in our faith regardless of our circumstances. Trusting in God's ultimate plan allows us to navigate both the highs and lows of our faith journey. [21:07]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you find joy and purpose in your current trials, trusting that they are part of God's greater plan for your life?

Day 5: Living in the Fulfillment of the Promise

The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 looked forward to the promise of the Messiah, which we now know in Jesus Christ. This fulfillment should inspire us to live with even greater faith, recognizing the privilege we have in knowing Christ. We are part of a grand narrative of redemption, and our faith is strengthened by the knowledge that the promise has been fulfilled. This awareness calls us to live boldly and faithfully, knowing that we are part of God's redemptive story. [31:19]

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing the fulfillment of God's promise in Jesus Christ inspire you to live out your faith more boldly today?

Sermon Summary

In Hebrews chapter 11, we explore the profound theme of living by faith, as exemplified by the heroes of the Old Testament. This chapter serves as a testament to the power and necessity of faith in the lives of God's people. The writer of Hebrews begins by recounting the story of the Israelites and the fall of Jericho, emphasizing that it was not through military might but through faith that the walls came tumbling down. This collective faith of the people of God is a powerful reminder that faith is not just an individual journey but a communal one as well.

The narrative then shifts to Rahab, a harlot who is celebrated for her faith. Despite her past, Rahab's allegiance to Yahweh over the gods of Canaan marks her as a remarkable figure of faith. Her story challenges us to consider where our loyalties lie and to be willing to turn our backs on the world for the sake of faithfulness to God.

The chapter continues by listing other flawed yet faithful individuals like Gideon, Samson, and David. These figures remind us that God uses imperfect people to accomplish His purposes. Their stories encourage us to embrace our own imperfections and trust that God can work through us despite our flaws.

The passage also highlights the victories achieved through faith, such as subduing kingdoms and stopping the mouths of lions. Yet, it does not shy away from the reality of suffering, detailing the trials and persecutions faced by many. This duality of triumph and suffering underscores the complexity of the faith journey.

Ultimately, the chapter concludes by pointing out that these heroes of faith did not receive the promise of the Messiah in their lifetime, yet they believed. We, on the other hand, have the privilege of knowing the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus Christ. This should inspire us to live with even greater faith, knowing that we are part of a grand narrative of redemption.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith as a Collective Journey: The fall of Jericho illustrates that faith is not just an individual endeavor but a communal one. The collective faith of the Israelites brought down the walls, reminding us that our faith can have a powerful impact when united with others. [02:49]
2. Rahab's Radical Allegiance: Rahab's story challenges us to examine our loyalties. Her willingness to betray the gods of her culture for Yahweh exemplifies a faith that prioritizes divine allegiance over worldly ties. This calls us to be traitors to the world and faithful to Christ. [07:17]
3. Imperfect Yet Faithful: The flawed lives of Gideon, Samson, and others remind us that God uses imperfect people. Our imperfections do not disqualify us from being used by God; rather, they highlight His grace and power working through us. [10:17]
4. Triumph and Suffering in Faith: The chapter balances stories of victory with accounts of suffering, illustrating that faith encompasses both. This duality encourages us to remain steadfast in faith, whether in triumph or trial, trusting in God's ultimate plan. [21:07]
5. The Promise Fulfilled in Christ: The heroes of faith looked forward to the promise of the Messiah, which we now know in Jesus. This fulfillment should inspire us to live with greater faith, recognizing the privilege we have in knowing Christ. [31:19]
** [31:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Opening Prayer
[01:00] - Introduction to Hebrews 11
[02:16] - The Fall of Jericho
[04:30] - Faith of Rahab
[09:09] - Heroes of Faith
[14:54] - Victories Through Faith
[21:07] - Suffering for Faith
[25:34] - Modern Persecution
[30:39] - Conclusion of Faith's Testimony
[33:15] - One Family of Faith
[34:35] - Encouragement to Live by Faith
[35:39] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the unusual strategy that the Israelites used to conquer Jericho, and how does it demonstrate collective faith? [04:16]
How is Rahab described in Hebrews 11, and what was her significant act of faith? [05:04]
List some of the flawed yet faithful individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11:32. What common trait do they share despite their imperfections? [10:17]
What are some of the victories and sufferings mentioned in Hebrews 11:33-38 that were achieved through faith? [15:08]

Interpretation Questions

How does the story of Jericho illustrate the concept of faith as a communal journey rather than just an individual one? [02:49]
In what ways does Rahab's story challenge the cultural norms of her time, and what does this say about the nature of faith? [07:17]
How do the lives of Gideon, Samson, and David illustrate that God can use imperfect people for His purposes? [10:17]
What does the duality of triumph and suffering in Hebrews 11 teach us about the complexity of the faith journey? [21:07]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced faith as part of a community. How did this collective faith impact the situation, and how can you foster communal faith in your current context? [02:49]
Rahab chose to align herself with Yahweh over the gods of her culture. Are there areas in your life where you need to reassess your loyalties? What steps can you take to prioritize your faith in God over worldly ties? [07:17]
Consider your own imperfections. How can you embrace them and allow God to work through you, as He did with Gideon, Samson, and David? [10:17]
Have you ever experienced a situation where your faith led to both triumph and suffering? How did you navigate this, and what did you learn about trusting in God's plan? [21:07]
The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 did not receive the promise of the Messiah in their lifetime. How does knowing the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus inspire you to live with greater faith today? [31:19]
Identify a specific area in your life where you feel weak. How can you rely on God's strength to overcome this weakness, as mentioned in Hebrews 11:34? [18:40]
How can you prepare your heart and mind to remain steadfast in faith, even if faced with trials or persecution, as described in Hebrews 11:35-38? [23:22]

Sermon Clips

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. Now I find this verse sort of fascinating in Hebrews chapter 11 because virtually throughout the whole chapter he's been pointing to a specific man or woman of faith, this person, that person, and highlighting the faith that they had. [00:02:24]

I want you notice in verse 30 there's no mention of a specific person, rather he has in mind the faith of the people of God as a whole. And what did the people of God as a whole do as a demonstration of their faith when they came into the promised land? [00:02:49]

Rahab is very problematic. She's problematic because from her past, she's problematic because of the lies she told in concealing the spies. She's brought many, but listen, the thing that makes her glorious, it's like I said before, I don't know if you've ever thought about her in these terms, she was a traitor. [00:07:01]

She would not remain loyal to the wicked and depraved gods of the Canaanites. Instead, as soon as she learned about Yahweh, the Covenant God of the Israelite people, she said, that's who I'm gonna be loyal to, and I'm gonna be a traitor to this world. [00:07:17]

I sympathize with the right of the Hebrews here. He's almost a little bit of despair. Time would fail me to tell you all about these guys, and I feel the same way as a preacher. Here's a preacher, you kind of confronted with the dilemma when you come to a verse like verse 32. [00:09:09]

Could we not have a wonderful message on faith in the life of each and every one of those people? I mean, it's amazing when you think about how God moved in the lives of every one of them. But you know what? Instead of doing that, I just kind of want to take them all as a group. [00:09:39]

Yes, they were amazing in faith, but they were also deeply flawed in their life. Nobody's gonna hold any one of these guys up as perfect people. I mean, look at him piece by piece. Gideon, oh yeah, Mr. Mighty and Faith, you had to be persuaded by making God jump all through kind of hoops. [00:10:17]

This shows us something. It shows us that faith is better than unbelief. It also shows us that you don't have to be perfect to be a hero in God's Museum of Faith. Sometimes we look at these biblical characters and we have a way of thinking that their life and their experience of God is so far detached from ours. [00:13:09]

I recognize and I think the Bible recognizes that faith just seems to come easier for some people than others. For some people, a life of faith and the spiritual life, they just seem more to take to it. I don't know if it's genetics, I don't know if it's upbringing, but we recognize this, don't we? [00:13:51]

Nevertheless, you can be one of God's great men or women of faith. This is how God works in the lives of his people. Now, going on to verse 33, I'll read to the middle of verse 35. He's going to talk about these great victories won by faith. Check this out. [00:14:54]

And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword. [00:21:07]

All of those great men and women of faith, all of them, think about all the men, all their endurance, all their suffering, all the promises they received, all the temptations they were endured. Notice it all, though they obtained the good testimony, they did not receive the promise. [00:31:19]

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