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Did We Forget Hebrews 11?

Introduction

In my private time with the Lord this week I felt the question pressed upon me “Did we forget Hebrews chapter 11?”. Some of you who are diligent students of God’s Word know what Hebrews 11 is about. Hebrews is one of my favorite post-Gospel books of the Bible to study. This blog post is not just going to be teaching based out of Scripture, but also a strong exhortation for the entire Body of Christ. I realize many people that are reading this have a different background from various denominations. I would challenge all of you as you read your Bible, each time you pick it up, read it like you never read it before. Often when we read over the Bible a few times we already have knowledge of what certain passages mean. However, for us to grow in the deeper things of God we must constantly be seeking God for knowledge, wisdom, and revelation as we read His Word. We need to read the Bible with open eyes, being sensitive to what the Holy Spirit wants to teach us. I would even advise you to switch up the translations you read from time to time. Regardless, everything we pull from Scripture as revelation must be used in context.

What is Faith

So, let us dig into Hebrews 11, I am not going to quote every single verse, but I encourage you to take the time and read Hebrews 11. I want you to read the entire book of Hebrews within this week. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) starts off with “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”.  Faith is the result of things hoped for regardless of what we see in the realm of this world. Faith is defined as a complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Our complete trust and confidence in the Lord are the result of things hoped for regardless if we see them or not in this earthly realm. Too often people are moved only by what they see in front of them and forget what the Word of God says and promises us.

God Shown Through Creation

Hebrews 11:3 (AMP) tells us, “By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”. Our faith in God must be enduring confidence in God’s power, wisdom, goodness, and His many other attributes. Everything we see around us on this planet and even beyond was formed by God in the sense of nature. Just like a skyscraper was carefully built and designed by someone with a purpose, everything on this earth was created by God with a purpose and was done perfectly. However, we know that when the fall of man took place things changed, I will get more into that in another post.

Many people say, “I don’t believe in God, I cannot see Him.”. Just what God has done with Creation, creating this beautiful earth and everything in the universe proves He is real. Even the mighty moves of God that we see in Scripture prove who He is. Ezekiel 33:29 (ESV) says, “Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations that they have committed.”. The signs that God performed in the Scriptures were to show the people that He is the Lord. Just like when God does mighty works today, it is done for His Glory. When someone is healed of a disease, it is not to glorify an evangelist, it is to glorify God. When someone receives a true prophetic word from God, it is not to glorify someone operating in the office of a prophet, but to glorify God.

By Faith

In Hebrews 11 we see a roll call of the Heroes of Faith from the Scriptures. We see about 15 times in Hebrews 11 the phrase “by faith”. For example, we see in verse seven that when Noah was warned about the flood and was instructed to build the ark, it was all done by faith. Noah could not see the coming flood. He not only had faith; he was moved by the fear of God to build the ark following the detailed instructions the Lord gave him. Having true faith in God results in true fear of God.

The Fear of God

The fear of God is critically important. Philippians 2:12 (AMP) tells us, “So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].”. Some people believe that once you say the sinner’s prayer that you are always good to go, regardless of your lifestyle. Many people have fallen to the teachings of hyper-grace or greasy grace. If someone is truly saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, then there is going to be fruit to show. Faith without works is dead. We are not saved by works, but works are a result of true genuine salvation. Are there times when we slip up? Yes, and when we do, we should be quick to repent. Part of repentance is turning away from sins. We got many people who want to go to Heaven, but do not want to give up their addiction to wickedness. If you do not want to give up your addiction to wickedness, then you need to really examine yourself! Because if we are people of faith, we will also be people who fear God.

Hypocrisy in the Church

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”. We cannot please God without having complete trust and confidence in Him. Too many people say that they have faith in God, but their actions reflect otherwise. Too many churches claim to believe the Word of Faith but act otherwise. Too many churches and Christians have more faith in the power of the devil, than in the power of Jesus Christ. You might be thinking, “what is he talking about?”. If the church truly knew the authority there is within Jesus Christ, and the rights we must exercise authority by His powerful name for His Glory, then why would churches still be closed over a pandemic?

A Sinking Church

When Jesus healed the woman of fever, did Jesus and His disciples wear a face covering? No. Did they stop what they were doing for quarantine for 14 days after exposure to her? No. Jesus gave us all as believers very clear instructions in Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV), “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”. This was not limited to first-century Christians; this is simply addressed to those who believe. Many people who say that the apostolic gifts of the Spirit have ceased because of transitions in the Book of Acts. If that is the case, then why do we see miracles performed all the way to the very last chapter in the Book of Acts? People like to use 1 Corinthians 13 to say that all the Gifts of the Spirit are not for today. 1 Corinthians 13 is first addressing the importance of acting in love in all things, because without love then your spiritual gifts mean nothing. We must not only yield to the Holy Spirit regarding the gifts of the Spirit, but we must also have the fruits of the Spirit showing in our lives. 1 Corinthians 13 also stresses the importance of maturity, there are many people today who act immature when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit. Everything involving the gifts of the Spirit is conformed to the Word of God. God will never do anything with us in the miraculous that contradicts His Word. Our experiences and feelings are not above the authority of Scripture either. We are to be submitted to the authority of Scripture.

Many churches today are simply not acting by what they profess their faith to be. There are very few who have taken a stand. Some church leaders are waking up and realizing they must take a stand and open their churches. The government might imprison us for going to church during a ‘pandemic’.  But look at what the Apostle Paul went through. Did the Apostles stop preaching when they were told to by government authorities? No, they did not. Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) instructs us, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”. Assembling over social media can have its benefits, but there is nothing like being gathered as Jesus taught in the Gospels. Whether your gathering is large or small, we should not forsake it. What will we do when we are told by the US government, not to preach at all, and to throw out our Bibles because our message is offensive towards Sodomites? Will we bow down? Or will we stand? The day is coming when Biblical Christianity will not be tolerated in America. Are we going to act in faith or fear?

Judgement for the Faithless and Cowards

While we will be judged based on the 10 Commandments, and our names must be written in the Lambs Book of Life, we cannot be faithless and cowardly professing Christians. Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) warns us, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”. Church it is either time to continue swimming, start swimming for your life or sink. This is not the time to be playing games, the time is noticeably short from the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Has the church forgotten Hebrews 11? The majority has, but Jesus said that ‘narrow and difficult is the way which leads to life’. There are very few who have stepped up to what we are called to do as the Body of Christ. If you have been taking a stand in faith, then let this post be an encouragement to you. If you have been acting out of fear, let this post be a warning to you. Please take the time to have serious fellowship with the Lord. We must be seeking Him daily and we must know what He has called each one of us to do. Now is not the time to be on the sidelines. 


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