Better Promises : WK 5 - MON
(Hebrews 11:1-7)
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews is known by some as “The Hall of Faith.” Sports fans will understand the word play here. Every major sport has a hall of fame, where the best of the best are memorialized forevermore.
Each hall of fame has standards that must be reached to be considered a “hall-of-famer.” But there is no consensus on what the standard is. Whether it’s wins, goals, points, strikeouts, touchdowns, running, passing, or receiving yards, there is a measurable statistical category that opens the door for the athlete to be considered and possibly included. The spaces are limited so you need to be the one of the greatest to ever play.
In Hebrews 11 we are introduced to the best of the best when it comes to faith. But the difference between the “Hall of Fame” and the “Hall of Faith” is that there is no ambiguity as to how you get into the “Hall of Faith.” It’s right in the first verse of the chapter:
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1
Our faith is fueled by our hope. And our hope is the certainty we have that God will keep his promises. Our faith allows us to believe in things we can’t see, especially about God.
And I know there are times that our faith seems to be low and fragile, but that doesn’t mean we are without faith. The Hall of Faith isn’t filled with people who had it all together and got everything right. Faith doesn’t guarantee perfection, it just keeps us moving forward with God.
And here is the best part:
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9
So faith is a gift from God that you can ask for today. So go ahead, and welcome to the Hall of Faith.
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews is known by some as “The Hall of Faith.” Sports fans will understand the word play here. Every major sport has a hall of fame, where the best of the best are memorialized forevermore.
Each hall of fame has standards that must be reached to be considered a “hall-of-famer.” But there is no consensus on what the standard is. Whether it’s wins, goals, points, strikeouts, touchdowns, running, passing, or receiving yards, there is a measurable statistical category that opens the door for the athlete to be considered and possibly included. The spaces are limited so you need to be the one of the greatest to ever play.
In Hebrews 11 we are introduced to the best of the best when it comes to faith. But the difference between the “Hall of Fame” and the “Hall of Faith” is that there is no ambiguity as to how you get into the “Hall of Faith.” It’s right in the first verse of the chapter:
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1
Our faith is fueled by our hope. And our hope is the certainty we have that God will keep his promises. Our faith allows us to believe in things we can’t see, especially about God.
And I know there are times that our faith seems to be low and fragile, but that doesn’t mean we are without faith. The Hall of Faith isn’t filled with people who had it all together and got everything right. Faith doesn’t guarantee perfection, it just keeps us moving forward with God.
And here is the best part:
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9
So faith is a gift from God that you can ask for today. So go ahead, and welcome to the Hall of Faith.
- Do you feel your faith is strong today? Why or why not?
- If you were Noah, what would your response have been to God when he asked you to build the boat?
- How would you like to see your faith in action?
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