Live by Faith

September 9, 2012

Lesson: Hebrews 11:1–6

Key Verse: Hebrews 11:6

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Introduction

Who is He upon whom we place our faith? Two pictures of our Creator and Lord are given in Psalm 46 whereby we, by faith, live: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” (46:1–3); and, “Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder, he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (46:8–11).

Matthew Henry’s commentary on Psalm 46 encourages us in our faith: “Let his own people be still; let them be calm and sedate, and tremble no more, but know, to their comfort, that the Lord is God, he is God alone, and will be exalted above the heathen; let him alone to maintain his honour, to fulfill his own counsels and to support his own interest in the world. Though we be depressed, yet let us not be dejected, for we are sure that God will be exalted, and that may satisfy us; he will work for his great name, and then no matter what becomes of our little names. When we pray, Father, glorify thy name, we ought to exercise faith upon the answer given to that prayer when Christ himself prayed it, I have both glorified it and I will glorify it yet again. Amen, Lord, so be it. For his people’s safety and protection. He triumphs in the former: I will be exalted; they triumph in this. It is the burden of the song, “The Lord of hosts is with us; he is on our side, he takes our part, is present with us and president over us; the God of Jacob is our refuge, to whom we may flee, and in whom we may confide and be sure of safety.

This is the Lord, our Lord, who providentially cares for us in all areas of our lives, even to the defeat of our enemies who seek our destruction. We belong to Him: “for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).

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Faith in Christ—Hebrews 11:1

If we wish to know the meaning of faith, we must go to the object of our faith: Christ Jesus. His Word tells us that He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). He is the origin, the originator, the substance, the first cause, the Lord who brings this precious gift to perfection in our souls and lives. Faith is an invaluable gift. The God of great mercy and love has saved us by grace in Christ. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).

Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for; the confidence or expectation of things we hope for as revealed in Scripture. Faith is the EVIDENCE of things not seen, evidence placed in our hearts that what we have been taught through His Word is true and reliable: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

How shall we define faith? Faith is being fully convinced or persuaded, having complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit through His written Word. Matthew Henry’s defines faith as a “firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ.

Discussion: What are some of the characteristics of our Biblical faith?

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Faith and Understanding—Hebrews 11:2–3

The writer gives us two illustrations of this wonderful gift of faith. One is that of faith, as defined in God’s Word, “the elders obtained a good report.” This “good report” refers to the testimony or witness of the fathers, of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, etc. It is the testimony of these chosen servants of God that we are saved by grace through faith, and not by works. Therefore, we look to the elders of the church that they may have a good testimony to the gift of faith.

The second illustration is how, by faith, we come to an understanding that “the worlds were framed by the word of God.” To understand means to receive knowledge by way of the revelation of God. It means to perceive, to observe those things which come into the mind. In the case of God’s creation, we receive this truth as revealed in Scriptures by faith. Peter testified to this faith when he replied to the Lord’s question, saying, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). Jesus’ reply was that Peter did not perceive this truth by his own mind, “but by my Father which is in heaven.

Discussion: What do these two illustrations teach us about faith?

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Faith and Sacrifice—Hebrews 11:4

Faith offers a pleasing and obedient sacrifice, which reveals the grace and mercy of God. Abel offered a “more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” This does not mean that Abel was less a sinner than Cain, but that Abel was blessed with the blessed gift of faith. God received Abel as righteous because of his gift, the expression of God’s grace; that by the sacrifice of the shedding of blood we would be saved. Even in death the grace and love of God speaks well of him whom He loved, having received Abel unto Himself. Our good works and worship are not perceived as righteous from its outward appearance, but from the heart which God alone, in Christ, sanctifies by grace through faith.

Discussion: What makes our obedience an excellent sacrifice?

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By Faith We Please God—Hebrews 11:5–6

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death.” God removed Enoch from the earth without Enoch tasting death. This is a pure act of grace by God. This act of God was a testimony to the faith of Enoch. This translation directly into God’s heaven was a testimony that Enoch pleased God. Enoch pleased God because he was saved by grace through faith, which is a gift of God. To God be all the honor, praise, and glory.

God’s presence is open to us by way of the gift of faith in Christ who gave Himself that we might have forgiveness of our sins and life eternal; “faith obtains favour for us, even because faith is our teacher as to the true worship of God, and makes us certain as to his goodwill, so that we may not think that we seek him in vain” (John Calvin, Commentary). It is, therefore, “impossible to please” God without faith. Come then, believing that He is, that He rewards those of faith with a marvelous salvation and an abundant life. Our faith is in Christ alone: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16–18).

Discussion: What does it mean to be pleasing to God?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.