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Hebrews 11:1-3 & 6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. (3) By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible…… 6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

HEBREWS 11 A.Hebrews 11 is called the faith chapter. B.It describes the faith of many who have gone before us who were faithful to God in spite of the consequences of their obedience. C.Hebrews 11 could also be called the faith & works chapter because it tells what faith did in their lives. D.“By faith” is used 18 times followed by what was done by their faith.

HEBREWS 11 Vs 4 ABEL made a more excellent sacrifice (Genesis 4:1-15) Vs 5 ENOCH pleased God & was translated (Genesis 5:22) Vs 7 NOAH built the ark (Genesis 6:14-22) Vs 8-10 ABRAHAM followed as God led, not knowing where he was going (Genesis 12:1-7) Vs SARAH came to believe and accept what was impossible (Genesis 18:11-14)

INTERLUDE: Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (14) For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. (15) And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. (16) But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

HEBREWS 11 Vs ABRAHAM offered Isaac as a sacrifice (Gen 22) Vs 20 ISAAC foretold the future (Genesis 27:27-29 Vs 21 JACOB blessed the sons of Joseph as him own to become part of the 12 tribes of Israel (Genesis 49) Vs 22 JOSEPH instructed that his bones were to rest in Canaan (Genesis 50:25) Vs 23 MOSES PARENTS hid him from Pharaoh. (Exo 2) Vs MOSES chose to suffer as an Israelite (Exo 2:11-12), kept the Passover, crossed the Red Sea Vs 30 JOSHUA walls of Jericho fell as a result of his obedience (Joshua 6:20) Vs 31 RAHAB saved the spies and cast her lot with the Israelites (Joshua 2:9; 6:23)

Hebrews 11:32-37 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: (33) who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked 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, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (35) Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. (36) Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. (37) They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented--

HEBREWS 11 Vs 32 GIDEON waxed mighty in war (Judges 7:21) Vs BARAK subdued kingdoms (Judges 4:24) Vs 32,34 SAMSON from weakness was made strong (Judges 16:28) Vs JEPHTHAH defeated armies (Judges 11) Vs 33 MANY PROPHETS worked righteousness Vs DAVID obtained promises (2 Samuel 7:11- 13) Vs 32 SAMUEL delivered from enemies (1 Sam 12:11) Vs 33 DANIEL stopped mouths of lions (Daniel 6:22) Vs 34 DANIEL 3 FRIENDS quenched the violence of fire (Daniel 3)

HEBREWS 11 Vs 34 JEHOSHAPHAT saved from a huge army from the east (1 Chron 20) Vs 34 ELIJAH made him strong enough to defeat the prophets of Baal & travel 40 days and nights on sustenance of two meals. (1 Kings 18 & 19) Vs 34 DAVID was valiant in battle with Goliath (1 Sam 17) Vs 35 ELIJAH raised the dead son of the widow of Zarephat (1 Kings 17:7-24) Vs 35 ELISHA raised the dead Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:8-37) Vs 35 JESUS could have called 10,000 angels to deliver Him. (Mat 26:53)

HEBREWS 11 Vs 36 JESUS & THE APOSTLES were beaten and scourged and imprisoned Vs 36 JEREMIAH was beaten and imprisoned (Jeremiah 20:2) Vs 37 ZECHARIAH was stoned (2 Chronicles 24:20-21) Vs 37 ISAIAH sawn asunder (Tradition) Vs 37 JEREMIAH was tempted to stop prophesying (Jeremiah 20:9) Vs 38 MANY OF THE PROPHETS (JOHN THE BAPTIST) wandered in deserts and mountains in dens and caves.

FAITH, WORKS & THE PROMISE A.Hebrews 11:39-40 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, (40) God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. B.This message is to us also as God’s servants, if we remain faithful He will reward us with a home in heaven with Him. C.Would your faith be strong enough to go through the above things to remain faithful to God? D.Notice how chapter 12 begins - Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

HAVE A FAITH FILLED WEEK