Hebrews 11

1. Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.

The world says, “Seeing is believing” but even when God shows them something plainly they still do not believe. We believe what we cannot see just like we know the wind is there even though we cannot see it.

We know this because when we surrendered our lives to Jesus He put His Holy Spirit inside of us and His Spirit shows us what is of God and what is not. We even see what is behind the things the devil tries to do to us.

2 – 3

People who lived in the past became famous because of faith. It is by faith we understand that the whole world was made by God’s command. This means that what we see was made by something that cannot be seen.

We were given this hope when we were saved. If we already have something, we do not need to hope for it. Romans 8:25

4. It was by faith that Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. God said he was pleased with the gifts Abel offered. So God called Abel a good man because of his faith. Abel died, but through his faith he is still speaking.

Abel was given the breastplate of God’s righteousness because he trusted what he knew about the right way to come to God.

5. It was by faith that Enoch was taken to heaven. He never died. He could not be found, because God had taken him away. Before he was taken, the Scripture says that he was a man who truly pleased God.

Enoch is an example of the Weapon of All-Prayer because he knew how to walk and talk with God.

6. Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who truly want to find Him.

Men must see that God is as God, not just an invisible force or idea. We do not trust what we do not know.  Trust is required for friendship. If you tell somebody that you do not believe that his name is his real name then there is no way for you to walk together.

7. It was by faith Noah heard God’s warnings about things that he could not yet see. He obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family. By his faith, Noah showed that the world was wrong. And he became one of those who are made right with God through faith.

Noah wore the Belt of Truth. He decided to stand alone even if the whole world thought he was crazy. Can you do this?

8 – 12

It was by faith Abraham obeyed God’s call to go to another place that God promised to give him. He left his own country, not knowing where he was to go.

It was by faith that he lived in the country God promised to give him. He lived there like a visitor who did not belong. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who had received that same promise from God.

Abraham was waiting for the city that has real foundations—the city planned and built by God.

He was too old to have children, and Sarah was not able to have children. It was by faith that Abraham was made able to become a father. Abraham trusted God to do what He had promised.

This man was so old that he was almost dead. But from him came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky. They are as many as the grains of sand on the seashore that cannot be counted.

Abraham used the Shield of Faith to knock down the fire darts of the devil. The devil had put fear into Abraham’s heart to get him to lie to a king.

The devil had suggested that he could help God by having a son with another woman. Abraham finally decided that he would not listen to the voice of the devil and trust God no matter what would happen.

Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith. Genesis 15:6

13 – 16

All these great men died in faith. They did not get the things that God promised His people. But they saw them coming far in the future and were glad. They said that they were like visitors and strangers on earth.

When people say such things, then they show that they are looking for a country that will be their own country. If they had been thinking about that country they had left, they could have gone back. But those men were waiting for a better country—a heavenly country. So God is not ashamed to be called their God. For He has prepared a city for them.

We see that all of these men were saved because they completely trusted God not because they were perfect or had done something to deserve heaven. We also see that these men had times in their lives when they were not trusting God. Sometimes we learn the hard way but after we get our fingers burned we do not want to put them in the fire anymore.

Some teachers say that we are not rich in this world because we do not have enough faith. Tell that to the people in this chapter and the many Christians in history who have suffered and died for Christ while these teachers drive their new cars and airplanes. God is ashamed that some people call Him their God.

Who are you to judge someone else’s servants? Romans 14:4

17. It was by faith that Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice. God made the promises to Abraham. But God tested him. And Abraham was ready to offer his own son as a sacrifice.

God had told Abraham that Isaac would raise up children so there is no way Isaac could stay dead. Abraham decided that God would have to do something about the things that he did not understand. Genesis 21:12

18 – 19

God had said, “The descendants I promised you will be from Isaac.” Abraham believed that God could raise the dead. And really, it was as if Abraham got Isaac back from death.

Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” Genesis 22:5

20 – 22

It was by faith that Isaac blessed the future of Jacob and Esau. It was by faith that Jacob blessed each one of Joseph’s sons. He did this while he was dying. Then he worshiped as he leaned on the top of his walking stick.

It was by faith that Joseph spoke about the Israelites leaving Egypt while he was dying. He told them what to do with his body.

When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you. Genesis 50:25

23 – 24

It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born. They saw that Moses was a beautiful baby. And they were not afraid to disobey the king’s order.

It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of the king of Egypt’s daughter.

History books tell us that Moses was a general in the Egyptian army. He could have become a ruler in Egypt if would have followed the world.

25 – 28

He chose to suffer with God’s people instead of enjoying sin for a short time. He thought that it was better to suffer for the Christ than to have all the treasures of Egypt. He was looking only for God’s reward. It was by faith that Moses left Egypt. He was not afraid of the king’s anger.

Moses continued strong as if he could see the God that no one can see. It was by faith that Moses prepared the Passover and spread the blood on the doors. It was spread so that the one who brings death would not kill the firstborn sons of Israel.

Moses used the Sword of the Spirit to tell Pharaoh and the Israelites what God had told Him. He spoke God’s Words, not his own, and people were set free from slavery. Some Christians like to talk about what a good sword the Lord has given them but they never use it.

29. It was by faith that the people crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land. The Egyptians also tried to do it, but they were drowned.

The original words for the Red Sea give the idea of the end of a road. God will allow you to come to the end of the road so that He can show you how much He loves you and will take over your situation!

30. It was by faith that the walls of Jericho fell. They fell after the people had marched around the walls of Jericho for seven days.

The men of Israel must have felt stupid as the people of Jericho laughed while they walked around the city blowing trumpets. It will not hurt us to trust God while people are laughing at us.

31. It was by faith that Rahab, the prostitute, welcomed the spies and was not killed with those who refused to obey God.

Rahab said, “For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.”

32 – 34

Do I need to give more examples? I do not have time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Through their faith they defeated kingdoms. They did what was right and received what God promised.

They shut the mouths of lions, escaped great fires and were saved from being killed with swords. They were weak, and yet were made strong. They were powerful in battle and defeated other armies.

Daniel’s three friends escaped the fire and said that it did not matter to them even if they did burn because they would never turn against God. Daniel 3:16-17, See also 1 Kings 17:22, Daniel 6:22.

35 – 37

Women received their dead relatives raised back to life. Others were tortured and refused to accept their freedom. They did this so that they could be raised from death to a better life.

Some were laughed at and beaten. Others were tied and put into prison. They were killed with stones and they were cut in half. They were killed with swords. Some wore the skins of sheep and goats. They were poor, abused, and treated badly.

People who have been tortured for Christ will tell you that God somehow helped them to live through it. They sometimes say that they did not feel that they were in their bodies while they were being tortured. Some of them have prayed for the men who were doing these things and these evil men were changed.

Some words here can be translated to say, “They were tempted with false promises.”

38. The world was not good enough for them! They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and holes in the earth.

This world is not our real home. Would it be better to have everything on this earth and lose Jesus? You may say that God has not called you to live this way.

Be careful that you do not complain about the problems that come your way because they are not anything like what some Christians are going through.
If we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 Timothy 6:8

39 – 40

All these people are known for their faith. But none of them received what God had promised. God planned to give us something better. Then they would be made complete, but only together with us.

Will you trust God even if you do not get what you wanted? Would it be worth it to see the ones you are praying for in heaven?