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Sermon Introduction

Faith is the certainty of the promises of God in Christ. It is evidence of our belief in the invisible God and His word. Moreover, through faith, people of old gained approval from God. It was not through works but faith. In fact, without faith, it is impossible to please God. God is real. His word is real, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Therefore, the Jewish believers of that time should not throw away their confidence in Christ. Their faith should have endured. God would grant them approval if their faith endured. Otherwise, God would not be pleased. Despite the persecution and not belonging among the Jewish people, the author expected the believers to encourage one another and endure. They should continue to look forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus and the fulfillment of all the promises in Christ.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Hebrews 11:8-10 NASB

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Notes

Faith is the certainty of the promises of God in Christ. It is evidence of our belief in the invisible God and His word. Moreover, through faith, people of old gained approval from God. It was not through works but faith. In fact, without faith, it is impossible to please God. God is real. His word is real, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Therefore, the Jewish believers of that time should not throw away their confidence in Christ. Their faith should have endured. God would grant them approval if their faith endured. Otherwise, God would not be pleased. Despite the persecution and not belonging among the Jewish people, the author expected the believers to encourage one another and endure. They should continue to look forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus and the fulfillment of all the promises in Christ.

1. Abraham obeyed in faith. He left his home to go to the promised land, which God promised to his descendants. Abraham moved out without knowing where he was going (11:8).

2. When Abraham settled in the land of promise, he lived as an alien in the land. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow-heirs of the promise (11:9). He did not complain about it, but he continued to live by faith.

3. Abraham believed in God’s promise, the land that his descendants would possess. He looked forward to a city built and designed by God with eternal foundations (11:10).

Application

1. By faith, let us obey by leaving the ways of the world. Let us love Christ above family, friends, and even our own country. We may not know all the details, but we trust in His word to show us.

2. By faith, let us live as a community and fellow-heirs of the promise. We must recognize that we are aliens in this world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. Our priority is the kingdom of God.

3. By faith, let us look forward to the city that God prepared for us. All who genuinely believe have a place in His eternal kingdom. But the promise that we long for is the eternal fellowship with God.

Discussion / Reflection

1. Explain the faith of Abraham in terms of his actions.

2. What did Abraham endure when he arrived at the land of promise?

3. What was Abraham looking for?