MAY 14th, 2023 PASTOR DON PIEPER
5 Jewels From Hebrews HEBREWS 11:1-17a,22,31-33a,39; 12:1-3, 12-13
“THE FACE OF FAITH”
Our series, 5 Jewels From Hebrews, takes us to the chapter on faith. The opening verse is often quoted as a kind of biblical definition of faith: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see.” Or as it's more accurately translated: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it's the evidence of what we can't see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
But the author here is not so much providing a definition of faith as he is a description of faith. His audience is well versed in the dogma of faith. What they're lacking is the resolve of faith. As was noted as we began this series, Hebrews is written to Christians of Jewish descent who are wavering in their faith, inclined under pressure to return to the ways of the Torah and forsake the Way of Jesus.
Their early passion is being beaten down under the circumstances of social and cultural pressure and the temptation to take what is viewed as the easier way. Their commitment is waning.
It reminds me of the young man who received a framed photograph from his girlfriend. On the back was a sticky note that read: “Dearest Tom, I love you with all my heart. I love you more and more each day. I am yours for all eternity. O X Diane. P.S.: If we ever break up, I want this frame back.”
The Christians for whom Hebrews was written were like that. Their commitment to Christ and his mission were on shaky ground. They're not alone. The adversity and polarization that the pandemic brought has exposed spiritual fault lines today as well. In seasons of pressure and division, we need clarification. Hebrews provides the means to strengthen our resolve. To do so, to inspire the kind of faith that Jesus sought among his followers, our author ushers us down a kind of hallway of heroes.
Each one is introduced with the words, “by faith”. It's like the student who was asked why she always walked next to a certain female classmate. “I was told I'm supposed to walk by Faith!"
No....?
Among those we meet along the way, are the famous figures of faith from Old Testament times.
It's clear why they're there. For example, Adam's son is mentioned because no one was more Abel, and when people needed a boat, the people in town would say, “We Noah guy.” So, Noah's mentioned.
Abraham is there because he knew a Lot. Joseph made a great latte because, well, Hebrewed it. Moses and his wife, Zipphora, threw a mean dinner party. She was the hostess with the Moses. David was the only guy who could handle a giant ordeal, Samson was such great comedian that he was known for bringing the house down, and no one could turn a prophet like Elijah. Just ask Elisha!
Actually, in most cases, the author of Hebrews spells out why each person is included. Each one exhibited obvious signs of their courageous faith, evident in their obedience to God's word. “Noah, for example, obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.” (Hebrews 11:7)
But there are also some in this Hall of Heroes who are surprise entries. Abel, for example, has only a very brief appearance in scripture. And Sarah is better known for her laughing at news of her promised child in her old age than for her faith. Barak is barely known at all, a military commander who served under the Judge, Deborah, and Jephthahwho was also a judge, but the son of a harlot. They seem to be included as if to say, if they can make the list, so can you!
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What's more, these famous hero’s are listed not only for reasons that made them famous but for reasons that our author is using to build his case. Joseph, for example, is celebrated not for his faith in God when he was sold into slavery, or when he wound up in prison, but because before died he told his people that they would one day leave Egypt and should take his bones with them when they did.
Enoch was the third son of Adam and Eve and represented God's promise that an offspring of Eve's would crush the serpent's head but that is not even mentioned, even though his name is included; and Abraham, the father of faith who passed the Lord's test of faith..., is mentioned primarily because “He obeyed God who called him to leave his home and go to another land, without knowing where he was going..., where he lived by faith as a foreigner, living in tents.” (Hebrews 11:8-9)
We are taken down this hallway of the heroes of faith to impress upon us that faith is vital and that it's visible in primarily three ways: 1) through obedience to God's word, 2) through perseverance in difficult times, and 3) by living in confidence of God's promises.
As noted, we're provided multiple examples of faith being demonstrated by those who were obedient to God's will, starting with Abel's offering a gift, or tithe, on God's blessing to him; or of Noah constructing the ark as instructed, though he lived in an arid land; Abraham obeying God's call to leave his home for a foreign land or even of Rahab who stood out in a city who refused to obey God. (Hebrews 11:31)
Over and over again we are provided the face of faith in those who responded to God's difficult commands with courageous obedience. Hebrews urges Christ followers to likewise live faithful lives of obedience by “discarding every weight (of sin or distraction) that slows us down or trips us up.” (Hebrews 12:1)
Further we are shown how faith perseveres. Hebrews emphasizes this by including Sarah, who had to wait many, many years before her son was born. Moses also is cited as an example of faithful perseverance, stating that “He kept on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27)
Hebrews seems to shift from the people of old to the early Christian's persecution by noting their perseverance, that “even though some were tortured, they refused to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.” (Hebrews 11:35)
He puts a face on faith by showing them those who would not be turned away from The Way, no matter what others might say about them or do to them. Faith is not a noun so much as it is a verb. It's not merely believing that Jesus is God's son, for even the demons believe that; it's boldly trusting in God who is invisible, but who's presence is visible in those He loves and who actively love Him....
Third, Faith is visible as we live our lives in confidence of God's promises. This is perhaps our author’s main point about how to recognize the kind of faith Jesus inspires. Summarizing his chapter of faith, he writes: “All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised, for God had something better in mind for us (who trust in Jesus). (Hebrews 11:39-40)
What's this look like? The author points to Noah, “He built a large boat to save his family from the flood..., even though such a thing had never happened before.” (Hebrews 11:7)
He points to Abraham, who obeyed the Lord, “and left his home without knowing where he was going, as did Isaac and Jacob, looking forward to an inheritance with eternal implications... All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They saw it from a distance, pursued it, welcomed it. They were looking for a better place, a heavenly home.” (Hebrews 11:8-10,13,16)
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There's a popular statement about faith being circulated on social media and on T-shirts that defines faith like this: “It’s like Wi-Fi; It's invisible but has the power to connect you to what you need”
Sounds good but I beg to differ. Faith isn't invisible at all. That's the point here in Hebrews. We ought to see it very clearly. Faith has a face. It's the face of someone who's obedient to God's word. It's the face of someone who perseveres in the faith in the midst of the storm. It's the face of those who lay claim to the promises of God's heavenly home, or what Jesus called, the Kingdom of heaven, a kingdom Jesus said is both future and breaking into the present as His Spirit moves in/among us.
Hebrews points to the martyrs as the face of such faith. They were not to be deterred. Their courage, and dauntless witness to the resurrection, revealed a world view that saw that there's much more to life than meets the eye. There's a love to which we cling which cannot be extinguished, even by death itself. There's an eternal perspective that inspires the faithful to invest in it at all cost!
Such faith has a face and Hebrews repeatedly here has put a face on it. Maybe you've had a glimpse of such a face yourself. I know I have. Numerous times. Let me share a couple.
One that comes to mind dates back to my early days here at Redeemer. She was an older woman who had a profound love for Jesus and for his children. Before I arrived, God gave her a vision of how to invest in them. I hadn't been here three of four months before she asked to meet with me and share that vision. She believed this house of worship was intended to be used to bless the community and to specifically bless young families, one means of which would be a preschool.
LaVerne pursued that God-given dream with all she had. Before she moved, having been diagnosed with terminal cancer, she involved others in it and served as its first director. She didn't live long enough to see all the children who'd be loved here – hundreds of them, including our own three kids. Her faith inspired us and her legacy lives on, though she didn't see all that God promised.
Another face, is that of our dear friend, Nick. Nick was a late comer into the kingdom. He was the father of two teenagers by the time he responded to an invitation to try something called, Alpha. He had a life-changing encounter with Jesus and the Holy Spirit at the retreat and came alive in his faith. It was evident to all who knew him. Though he'd always been a loving husband and father he had a new love for God and God's people. Upon being filled..., he saw others also likewise be filled, and still others who were healed. He hungered for more, especially after he was diagnosed.
We met often. He trusted that God was a God who brought healing. He pursued it, traveling out of state, even in search for it, but the physical healing he sought was evasive. Like those the author of Hebrews describes, “(Nick) earned a good reputation because of his faith, but did not receive all that God had promised.” (Hebrews 11:39) Buthe clung to Jesus in spite of his growing physical limitations. He persevered like the faithful of old. And as he stood with his family as his life among us slowly came to an end, an amazing peace came over Nick's face. “(He) kept his eyes on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2)
He knew that there was an eternal joy awaiting him. So did Laverne. I'll never forget her passing either. She looked up suddenly amidst her labored breathing and seemed to make eye contact with someone unseen in the room. “They're here!” she softly said. “Who is momma?” they asked.
“My escort. The angels. Don't you see them? They've come to take me home.” Moments later she was gone and instantly the TV came on......featuring a choir singing her favorite hymn.
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No kidding. It was amazing. That's the face of faith – those who cling so tenaciously to Jesus' promises & pictures about the Kingdom of heaven, breaking in even now, that nothing can shake it!
Going through a rough patch? Are you surrounded by others who cannot or will not see it? Discouraged in some way? The author of Hebrews urges you to “keep your eyes on Jesus. Take hold with a new tenacious grip with your tired hands, and step out anew on the path God has set before you, so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong one day in their faith!” (Hebrews 12:2,12-13)