Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The Substance of Hope"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Man’s promises are filled with comfort and convenience, and often come with stipulations. All we have to do is remind ourselves of the New Year’s Resolutions that we promise to ourselves. When those resolutions become inconvenient or uncomfortable, or even just “too hard” to keep, the promises we make to ourselves are usually the first to be set aside. We make them with all good intentions, but a practical examination of those promises, regarding personal goals should be taken into consideration prior to making them. Reality will frequently come back to haunt us.
God’s promises are different, they are based in agape’, that love that comes from God without stipulations, or expectations of reciprocation. His love is based in a pure love that has our best interests in heart. That is the difference. Our promises to ourselves are self-centered, for our own benefit. His are also for us, but they are other-oriented, not self-indulgent for His own glory. And even more, He has a track record of keeping his promises. If you have been a Christian for a while, my words need no further explanation. If you are a new Christian, or a non-Christian, you may want to examine the words more closely to gain an understanding.
Chapter 11 of Hebrews is casually known as the Faith Chapter of the Bible. Our faith is in God, not man; our faith is in His promises, not mankind’s. It has a scriptural premise, found in Psalm 118: 8 & 9. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” These are two very practical verses. We have seen the results of misplaced trust on our election days. Mankind’s words can bring a hidden agenda, and we see that some people believe the lies spoken from campaign podiums.
This is not about partisan politics, it is about misplaced trust, without looking at track records. Or perhaps, deliberately overlooking track records. Mankind is fickle; God is steadfast in all His doings. God is also forgiving, just, and fair. He already knows our shortcomings, yet He blesses His own.
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” - Exodus 20: 16
(“Who is my neighbor?" - Ref. Luke 10; 36 & 37)
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Hebrews 11:1-25 - "The Substance of Hope"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
This morning, we will begin our exposition of Hebrews, chapter 11. It is one of those most loved portions of Scripture. It has various names. The most famous of them are, “The Faith Chapter" and “The Hall of Faith.” It is an entire chapter of the Bible devoted to the topic of faith. Faith is mentioned 26 times in chapter 11. It will be the recurring theme in this chapter again and again and again and again.
In many ways, Hebrews 11 is a treatise upon faith. But more than merely defining what faith is and talking about the characteristics of faith from an abstract perspective, primarily, this chapter is going to show us what faith looks like. The writer highlights for us the faith of a dozen individuals, whose lives are recorded for us in the Old Testament. He puts them on display and shows how through their faith they received the approval of God.
When God calls us to come to Him, He doesn’t call us first to love Him. He doesn’t call us first to obey Him. He doesn’t call us first to serve Him. He calls us first to believe in Him.
Our eternal destiny is based upon our faith (or lack of faith). “Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It is by believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God that you have life in His name (John 20:31). Jesus said, “He who believes in Him is not judged; He who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). Our future destiny is dependent upon our faith.
But faith isn’t a mere one-time act. Faith is something that we continually ought to manifest in our lives every day.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
This morning, we will begin our exposition of Hebrews, chapter 11. It is one of those most loved portions of Scripture. It has various names. The most famous of them are, “The Faith Chapter" and “The Hall of Faith.” It is an entire chapter of the Bible devoted to the topic of faith. Faith is mentioned 26 times in chapter 11. It will be the recurring theme in this chapter again and again and again and again.
In many ways, Hebrews 11 is a treatise upon faith. But more than merely defining what faith is and talking about the characteristics of faith from an abstract perspective, primarily, this chapter is going to show us what faith looks like. The writer highlights for us the faith of a dozen individuals, whose lives are recorded for us in the Old Testament. He puts them on display and shows how through their faith they received the approval of God.
When God calls us to come to Him, He doesn’t call us first to love Him. He doesn’t call us first to obey Him. He doesn’t call us first to serve Him. He calls us first to believe in Him.
Our eternal destiny is based upon our faith (or lack of faith). “Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It is by believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God that you have life in His name (John 20:31). Jesus said, “He who believes in Him is not judged; He who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). Our future destiny is dependent upon our faith.
But faith isn’t a mere one-time act. Faith is something that we continually ought to manifest in our lives every day.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Key terms and definitions in Hebrews 11:
- Faith (pistis): The foundational concept of the chapter, defined as a confident belief in things hoped for and a strong conviction about things not seen.
- Assurance / Substance (hupostasis): The Greek word hupostasis is central to the definition of faith. This is from the same Greek word translated "express image" in 1:3 and "confidence" in 3:14. The faith described here involves the most solid possible conviction, the God-given present assurance of a future reality. "Assurance," "Confidence," or "Substance," signifying a tangible reality for things hoped for.
- Conviction / Evidence (elenchos): This term means "conviction," "proof," or "evidence," highlighting the certainty and factual basis of faith in things that are not visible.
- Hope (elpis): The act of hoping for or expecting future fulfillment of God's promises.
- Understanding (noeo): The ability to comprehend truths by faith, such as understanding that the universe was created by God's word, even though this is not something that can be physically seen.
Elders (11:2) - Meaning "men of old." In this context, the term refers to all saints, both men and women, under the older covenant, a select few of whom are described in verses 4-40.
Obtained a Good Report (11:2) - God bears witness on the behalf of these saints that they lived by faith and divine approval is granted to them.
Through Faith (11:3) - Each example of faith in verses 3-31 is formally introduced with this specific phrase. True saving faith works in obedience to God.
We (11:3) - Referring to the writer and all other true believers, present and past.
Worlds (11:3) - The physical universe itself as well as its operation and administration.
Were Framed (11:3) - equipped so that something might be made ready to fulfill its purpose.
Were Framed (11:3) - equipped so that something might be made ready to fulfill its purpose.
Word of God (11:3) - God's divine utterance.
Abel . . . More Excellent (11:4) - Genesis 4:1-15. Though not specifically revealed, it is implied in 12:24. Both brothers knew what God required. Abel obeyed and Cain did not. Abel acted in faith, Cain in unbelief.
By Which . . . It (11:4) - Abel's faith, not his offering. Through that faith, he left testimony to all succeeding generations that a person comes to God by faith to receive righteousness.
Righteous (11:4) - Abel was accounted as righteous by God because of his faith, evidenced in obedience.
Enoch . . . Impossible to Please (11:5, 6) - Genesis 5:24. Enoch please God because he had faith. Without such, it is not possible for anyone to "walk with God" or "please Him."
Noah . . . Things Not Seen (11:7) - Genesis 5:28-9:29. The world had not seen anything resembling the great flood, not even rain, yet Noah spent 120 years fulfilling God's command to build the massive ark (Genesis 6:13-22).
Fear (Godly) (11:7) - Treating God's Word with great respect and awe.
Condemned (11:7) - Noah warned the people of his time about God's impending judgment, preaching righteousness.
Abraham . . . A Place . . . Inheritance (11:8) - Genesis 11:27- 25:11. The land of Canaan. He went out by faith.
Promise (11:9) - By faith Abraham went to the promised land, though he did not possess the land. Possession of the land would be fulfilled many generations beyond his lifetime.
Sarah (11:11) - Genesis 11:27-23:2. At ninety, Sarah was long past child-bearing age and had never been able to conceive. God enabled her to do so because of her faith in His promise (Genesis 21:1-3).
As Good as Dead (11:12) - Abraham at 99 years of age, was well beyond the age to father children apart from divine intervention.
Promise (11:9) - By faith Abraham went to the promised land, though he did not possess the land. Possession of the land would be fulfilled many generations beyond his lifetime.
Sarah (11:11) - Genesis 11:27-23:2. At ninety, Sarah was long past child-bearing age and had never been able to conceive. God enabled her to do so because of her faith in His promise (Genesis 21:1-3).
As Good as Dead (11:12) - Abraham at 99 years of age, was well beyond the age to father children apart from divine intervention.
Stars . . . Sand (11:12) - (hyperbole) The vastness of the population that would come from Abraham's loins.
These All (11:13) - The patriarchs only (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).
Strangers and Pilgrims (11:13-16) - Their faith was patient and endured great hardships because they believed God.
Their God (11:16) - God referred to Himself as "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6; Genesis 28:13). People identified with God and He with them.
Only Begotten (11:17, 18) - Isaac was not the only son of Abraham; there was also Ishmael through Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16). Isaac was the only son born according to God's promise and was the only heir of that promise.
Even From the Dead (11:19) - Abraham come to the conclusion that God would fulfill all His promise even if it required raising Isaac from the dead (Genesis 22:5).
Isaac (11:20) - Genesis 27:1-28:5.
Jacob (11:21) - Genesis 47:28-49:33. Both of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, received a blessing from Jacob.
Joseph (11:22) - Genesis 37:1-50:26. By faith believed God would fulfill His promise to deliver the nation of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Even at death, having never returned to Canaan during his life, Joseph continued to believe in God's promise. He demonstrated this by making his brothers promise to take his bones back to Canaan for burial.
Moses . . . Beautiful Child (11:23-29) - Exodus 1-15. He was divinely favored. Moses refused the fame he could have had in Egypt and suffered reproach because he identified with God's people in their suffering. He courageously served God and led Israel out of Egypt.
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