Good morning,
Last week we looked at Who Does God Use? This week we will look at how God uses people. What characteristics does God develop in His servants? Our study will be in Hebrews 11.
Characteristics of Faith
Hebrews 11
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Definition of faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Source document for faith
WORD OF GOD v3
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.
Our salvation and growth in the Lord are contingent on two things. First the word of God, the Bible, and second, faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross at Calvary.
We only know of God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, through the reading or hearing of God’s word. Once we hear and the Spirit of God draws us to Jesus, then by faith we repent of our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Jesus took our sin debt upon Himself and we now walk in newness of life.
This week we will see how God used ordinary people to accomplish His plan.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAITH:
1) OFFERED TO GOD V4 Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice
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.
2) SEEK GOD V5-6 he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him
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.6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Get to know God better. What are some characteristics of God?
3) FEAR GOD V7 moved with fear
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Noah’s fear moved him to prepare the ark. Eight saved/world repopulated
Note that these people were doing nothing extraordinary. They were just living their lives.
Abel was a shepherd. His father probably taught him about what God did for him in the Garden of Eden, after he and Eve sinned. God sacrificed an animal. The blood atoned for their sin. The skins were used as a covering for their bodies. Abel gave a blood sacrifice.
Enoch sought God. It does not tell us his occupation. God does tell us he had a testimony that he pleased God. That should be the testimony that every believer desires.
Noah lived in a wicked generation. So wicked, that God chose to destroy all living creatures. Then one day God told Noah to build an ark. He told Noah to build the ark before He told him why. Noah obeyed without questioning God. Noah must have been really confused because there had never been any rain before. He must have been mocked, ridiculed, and scorned, as he was doing the building. During this time, he was preaching about God’s righteousness. No converts in one hundred years. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (v8)
What has or could He do with us if we were available for His use?
4) OBEY GOD V8-11 obeyed
Abraham went, not knowing where he was going V8
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Sojourned in strange country V9
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Looked for city V10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Sarah judged God faithful to keep his promise V11
Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
5) DESIRED GOD’S COUNTRY V16 now they desire a better country
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heavenly
God prepared for them a city
Pilgrim’s Progress
Abraham came from a pagan culture. He was a cattleman and was rich. He was just doing his daily tasks when God called. When God called, he followed God without question. God promised him a nation, a blessing, a land, and a people.
Sarah, who was barren, trusted God’s promise of a child.
They desired a heavenly country. God prepared them a city.
6) SUFFER FOR GOD V23-31, 32-38 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.28 Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;38 (Of whom the world was not worthy) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Of whom the world was not worthy V38
CONCLUSION:
BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE 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)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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