Hebrews Series:  “Lessons in Faith”

By Apostle Aje Pelser; preached at Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town

Scripture:

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:2  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Heb 11:3  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. Heb 11:5  By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "AND WAS NOT FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TAKEN HIM"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Heb 11:6  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. Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Heb 11:8  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Heb 11:9  By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; Heb 11:10  for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:11  By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Heb 11:12  Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.  

Learning these lessons in faith will give us a good testimony in Christ and help us walk in God’s promises for our lives.

By Faith we learn these lessons:

1.                   Frame your world with God’s Word

Hebrews 11:3. The unseen reality of faith in Jesus’ name shapes the visible world we live in today.

 2.                   Make Faith Offerings

Don’t just go through the motions of religious offering and sacrifice, find out what pleases God (faith) and do all things by faith in honour of him. Abel and Cain both brought offerings. Abel prophesied about the Lamb being slain, about Jesus dying for our sins. Cain did not get it and thought his hard work to produce vegetables would do!

 3.                   Overcome Death

Look at Enoch’s testimony that he walked with God and pleased him. But the author of Hebrews gives us clue how to do that: believe God when he speaks to you and walk in faith from day to day. One day will come when God will take you and your life will speak to others forever. Immortality beckons.

 4.                   Save your Household. Tap into God’s early warning system.

Walking by faith is an amazing early warning system of intelligence and God’s Spirit leads and guides us into all truth throughout every phase of life. This will help us save our family in the times of trouble and tribulation coming over the earth.

 5.                   Become heirs of righteousness in Christ Jesus.

Abraham believed God and it was accredited to his account for righteousness. But Noah also got it right when he built an ark, something that had never been seen before. God gives us ideas that the world has never seen and it saves us. But the ark also speaks of the church today, that is a safe place for souls in the storms of the end times before Jesus’ return.

 6.     &nbs