Heroes Of The Faith ~ Lesson One

Hebrews Chapter Eleven
Verses 1-5
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Introduction: Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The difference between faith in theory and in practice. The difference between believing that a ladder can support you and in climbing the ladder. The difference between belief in the return of Christ and in living in the anticipation of that return.
We can trust God to keep His side of the bargain: What about us?
V 1. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
SUBSTANCE= [hupostasis.] concrete support. EVIDENCE=The convincing PROOF.
Faith is the underlying foundation of all our hopes. Any other basis for one's beliefs can change with the circumstances. FAITH never wavers. The only ones who doubt are the ones who do NOT have faith. When FAITH is present, doubt must flee.

V 2. Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
While FAITH is not visible, its results are.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
The rest of Hebrews Chapter eleven is based upon this truth.

V 3. Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
The worlds were framed, [restored to order] by the WORD.
Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
All things were created from the invisible power of His Word. Einstein didn't invent nuclear physics. He merely glimpsed a truth that God's people have known by faith for centuries.

If, by FAITH, we do not accept this truth, all else is moot. With the creator God established in our minds, all else is beyond debate!

V 4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
A. Abel- The second son of Adam and Eve. Gen.4.
B. A. more excellent sacrifice.
Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Gen 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Gen 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Cain followed his daddy's example - fig leaf. Abel followed God's example - Lamb. By faith he knew the truth expressed in;
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Abel's blood still speaks.
Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
A. It tells us there is a right way and a wrong way to worship God.
B. It speaks of the depravity of man and his hatred of good.
Mat 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
C. It shows how acts of faith live on !