What should we do to maintain faith?
(Hebrews 10:35-39; 11:1-40; 12:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10) Blog Mar. 6-12, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: As our High Priest, Jesus, by himself, atoned for our sins and rose to heaven to begin his ministry there. The first phase, corresponding to the daily ministry on earth, includes justification of believers, forgiveness of sins, and purification of good deeds. The second phase, corresponding to the yearly ministry on earth, includes sealing believers, the blotting out of sins, and the final purification of their good deeds. The Book of Hebrews calls us to enter heaven’s sanctuary by faith in Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
Its Value & Meaning
1. As Paul concludes Hebrews 10, what is his central concern? Paul’s central concern is that his readers remain strong in faith until Jesus comes to our names in judgment (Heb. 10:35-39).
2. How does Paul express the value of faith as he concludes Hebrews 10? Paul says faith brings a great reward, that through it we receive the promise, that it is the way the righteous live, & that it keeps our souls safe (Heb. 10:35-39).
3. How does Paul express the idea that “faith for a moment does not give life for eternity”? Paul warns us not to cast away our faith for it is necessary that faith patiently endure if it is to receive the promise, for if you draw back from faith you will be eternally lost (Heb. 10:35-39).
4. As Paul begins Hebrews 11 what is his purpose? After showing the utter importance of faith Paul turns to defining and illustrating faith (Heb. 11:1-4).
5. What does Paul mean by the phrase: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for”? Faith makes future hopes into present realities, like for Abraham who left his home to live in tents because he believed God’s promise of a better inheritance & like Moses for who counted God’s promised reward of more value than the treasures of Egypt (Heb. 11:1, 8-10, 26).
6. What does Paul mean by the phrase: “Faith is the evidence of things not seen”? Faith makes invisible realities visible, like for Noah who was able to see rain where there had never been any (Heb. 11:1, 7).
6. What gave former believers high marks in God’s estimation? Former believers were counted perfect in God’s sight, for like Abel (& all the others mentioned here) they trusted in the perfection & blood of the Lamb of God who was their Substitute (Heb. 11:2, 4, 39; Col. 2:9-10).
7. What does Paul say is necessary in order to understand how the universe was made? The only way to understand that the universe was created out of nothing by God’s speaking is by believing what we did not see, for God’s Word says just that (Heb. 11:3, Psa. 33:6).
8. What must we believe before our faith in God can present pleasing offerings to him? We must believe that there is a God & that he loves to give good gifts to those who seek him (Heb. 11:6).
9. What happened to the faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah? They all died before receiving the promise of eternal life, but they died strong in faith that God’s promises to them would surely be fulfilled (Heb. 11:13-16).
Its Evidence
10. How did Abraham demonstrate his faith in God’s power and certainty to fulfill all his promises? Abraham essentially sacrificed his only begotten son at God’s command because he believed God could raise the dead & would fulfill the promises made concerning his son Isaac (Heb. 11:17-19).
11. What evidence do we have that a person truly believes in God? The evidence that a person has saving faith is shown by their actions: Abel offered a Lamb, Noah built an ark, Abraham left his home, Moses refused the throne of Egypt, & Israel walked between the waters of the Red Sea (Heb. 11:4, 7, 8, 24, 29; James 2:17-18).
12. On what basis did Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph pronounce blessings on their offspring? Isaac, Jacob, & Joseph blessed their children & grandchildren because they believed God’s promises made to Abraham
& his Seed (Heb. 11:20-22).
13. What gave Moses the strength to do what he did? Moses was strong in his decision to leave Egypt & lead the children of Israel to the promised land because he kept his eye on God & the reward that he had promised (Heb. 11:24-29).
14. How did Jesus express the power that faith brings? Jesus said that if we have only a small amount of faith, we will be able to move mountains (Matt. 17:20).
15. As Paul moves into Hebrews 12 what does he say we should do to maintain faith? Paul says that in light of all the past heroes of faith we should put away sin from our lives & run with patience the race before us continually keeping our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12;1-2).
16. How is it that Jesus is the Author of our faith? Jesus is the Author of our faith for he wrote the Book of Life that we enter by faith, our faith comes by hearing his Word, & it is he that gives us faith (Rev. 13:18; Rom. 10:17; 12:3; Eph. 2:8).
17. How is it that Jesus is the Finisher of our faith? Jesus is the Finisher of our faith because he that began a good work will finish it for all who remain in him by faith, because he gave us pastors & teachers to perfect our faith, because by studying God’s Word we are perfected, & because the righteous continually grow in faith (Phil. 1:6; Eph. 4:9-13; 1 Thes. 3:10; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Prov. 4:18).
Its Life
18. Of what is Hebrews 11 a miniature picture? Hebrews 11 gives us a glimpse into the Book of Life where Abraham’s lies, Moses’ unbelief, & the sins of Jacob, Rahab, & Sampson are all hidden by the blood of Jesus & only their good deeds appear (Heb. 11:8, 21, 24, 31-32).
19. How do we know that true believers full of faith will not always be delivered from pain, prison, persecution, and death?Paul’s mention of torture, cruel mockings, imprisonment, & stoning tell us that the faithful await their reward in the future & may suffer in this life (Heb. 11:35-40).
20. By what means are we to keep from being wearied in the Christian race? We maintain our courage by daily spending time considering the life of Jesus, especially the closing scenes (Heb. 12:3).