FULLVIEW BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY NIGHT 6 00 PM

FULLVIEW BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY NIGHT 6: 00 PM

• Previous chapters of Hebrews has shown that Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. • The Jews had moved Judaism from the supernatural system God had given into a system of legalism and works. • God has always redeemed man kind by faith, not by works. And theme of faith connects Hebrews chapter 10 to Hebrews chapter 11.

The Nature of Faith (Hebrews 11: 1 -3) • Chapter 11 is not a theological definition of faith, but an emphasizing of certain basic characteristics of faith. ØThe assurance of things hoped for: faith rests on the promises of God and lives in a hope that is so real it gives absolute assurance. (2 Tim 2: 13) üIt is impossible for God to lie. (Num 23: 19) üGod is the only answer. Man did not make God: God made man. (Gen 1: 26 -27; Isa 40: 9 -20; Rom 1: 22 -25)

The Nature of Faith (Hebrews 11: 1 -3) ØThe conviction of things not seem: implies a response, an outward display of the inward assurance. üPeople of faith live their belief. Their life is committed to what their mind and spirit are convinced is true. All truth is God’s truth. (Jo 16: 13; 1 Jo 4: 1) üThe capacity for faith is created in us (natural faith) and spiritual faith operates within the realm of that capacity. (Heb 11: 3; Eph 2: 8 -9)

Worshiping in Faith (Hebrews 11: 4) • Adam and Eve saw God face to face in the garden; their children did not. • The first recorded act of worship was a sacrifice, a sin offering which is the supreme act of worship is all of God’s covenant with His people. • Both Abel and Cain knew that God had prescribed a blood sacrifice. • The difference between the sacrifice of Cain and the sacrifice of Abel was not animal or vegetable, but faith.

Worshiping in Faith (Hebrews 11: 4) • The only thing that obtained righteousness for Abel was that He did what God told him to do. • The only thing that changes man’s relationship with God is obedience to His Word. (Ps 119: 11; Jo 14: 23) • Faith brings obedience. (Jas 2: 14, 17) • Through it he being dead still speaks reminds us that faith is not necessarily rewarded on earth and is reminding us of the value of eternity. (Rev 6: 910)

Walking in Faith (Hebrews 11: 5 -6) • Enoch is one of the mystery men of the Old Testament. Jude recognizes him as a prophet. (Jude 14 -15) • Enoch’s faith included everything that Abel’s included. üEnoch believed that God is: we cannot know God by sight. God give much evidence of His existence but not the kind men are looking for. (Jo 1: 18) üHebrews assumes that only a man of faith could enjoy close communion with God.

Walking in Faith (Hebrews 11: 5 -6) • If Enoch walked with God he must have had an agreement with God. (Amos 3: 3) üThere was a reconciliation, a forgiveness of sin. The term walk represents faithful living. (2 Cor 5: 7; Gal 5: 16) üThey had corresponding natures. (2 Cor 6: 14 -16) üEnoch had a surrendered will, a determined resignation to God’s way and will. (2 John 6)

Obeying in Faith (Hebrews 11: 7) • True faith always has actions to support its claim. (James 2: 26) • Noah’s faith was shown in not merely agreeing that the flood would come, but in doing what God told him to do regarding the flood. üHe did not question God even thought he had never seen rain. üHe built the ark in reverence and followed God’s instructions. (438 ft long, 73 ft wide, 44 ft high)

Obeying in Faith (Hebrews 11: 7) • Noah’s godly conduct condemned the world. He grew up among the most evil corrupt in history and God called him to warn the people of God’s coming judgment. (Gen 6: 5) • Noah preached for 120 years about God’s judgment. (Gen 6: 3; 1 Pet 3: 20) • Because of his faith Noah became an heir of righteousness. • All who believe God are righteous, not always in practice but always in position. (Rom 3: 22)

Faith in the life of Abraham Hebrews 11: 8 -19) • Abraham is the father of the Jewish people. ØHe is the strategic example of faith. Abraham step out in faith, going to a new place God had promised him; but his faith was less than perfect. ØHe reveals the totality of the true faith life; all the ingredients that constitute it. ØHe is called the father of the faithful (Rom 4: 16). He is the pattern of faith for people of all ages, in that everyone who trusts in God, Jew or Gentile, is spiritually a child of Abraham. (Ga 3: 7, 29)

Abraham's Pilgrimage of Faith (Hebrews 11: 9 -10) • When God called Abraham he was an idol worshiper in Ur. God chose Abraham because He wanted to choose him. • God told Abraham that his separateness would be a source of blessing to the entire world. As soon as Abraham understood what God was calling him to do he left. • Abraham lived as a "sojourner" in the land God had promised, never owning any of it except the plots that he and Sarah were buried on. (Gen 14: 13)

Abraham's Pilgrimage of Faith (Hebrews 11: 9 -10) • The word dwelling in tents refers to one who lives somewhere, but doesn't have permanent status there. • Abraham waited by faith. As a transient in the land he had to be patient because the land was still only a promise. • The secret to Abraham’s patience was his hope in the fulfilment of God’s promise. He was heavenly minded. (2 Tim 2: 3 -4)

The Power of Faith (Hebrews 11: 11 -12) • Faith is powerful: Faith sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, touches the intangible, and accomplishes the impossible. • Faith is active in all miracles: both Abraham and Sarah on different occasions laughed at God’s promise of a son in their old age. Through Abrahams' faith God miraculously fulfilled His promise. • Whatever we know to be God’s will, faith has the power to accomplish. (Mk 9: 23, Phil 4: 13)

Faith and it Results (Hebrews 11: 13 -16) • These all died in faith, not having received the promises: üAbraham. Isaac nor Jacob never possessed the Promised Land. Yet they died in perfect hope and assurance of fulfillment. üGod’s promise is as good as the reality. When we remember there is a spiritual reality - a heavenly home that is our real home - faith is much easier.

The Proof of Faith (Hebrews 11: 17 -19) • The proof of Abraham’s faith was his willingness to give back to God everything he had, including the son of promise. • The verb tense for offered up indicates that as far as Abraham was concerned, the sacrifice was complete. In his will and in his purpose, he really did sacrifice his son. (Gen 22: 5)

The Proof of Faith (Hebrews 11: 17 -19) • When Abraham was confronted with a promise and a command from God which seemed to contradict each other, he did what we all should do: he obeyed the command let God take care of the promise. (Rom 12: 1) • Abraham knew that God could not and would not go back on His promise and take away his son permanently.