Hebrews Study – Lesson 13
We come to the 11th chapter of Hebrews after 10 chapters of instruction and practical application about building a relationship with God. Most of us naturally come to this chapter looking at what these people did through faith. It is natural for us to do this. We are human, and we are keen on observing what it takes to do great things. Doing great things with or without God is not as important as getting the job done. Let’s just get r done!
But, it is no accident that this chapter is placed here close to the end of this letter. After laying down the framework of what it takes to have a meaningful relationship with God, he encourages those he is writing to with examples of others who have paid the price and made the sacrifice and JOINED GOD, not knowing where God would take them or what He would do in their life. This is what this book is all about.
Hebrews chapter 11 is made up of examples of what God did in someone else’s life who decide to take the challenge and truly follow God. In looking at their lives, I have to admit, that they lived a little strange. They really did not fit squarely into this world. They were strange ducks, so to speak, because their life was peculiar. I do not mean they were weird, they were just different. A God type different.
This world is fierce in its ridicule of those who do not follow its canned-planned approach to life. The world’s call says “Come…I have everything you need, and more! Just follow my canned-planned one size fits all approach. No relationship necessary. Just push that button or just do this and get what you want. It’s easier than that God thing. Oh, by the way it is going to cost you. You will have to give me your life, at least most of it. My plan is not exactly made for you, but hey…what do you expect. You can’t have everything.”
However, God’s Voice calls out, “Hey … you,…I’ve been thinking about you. I was thinking about you and this time in your life believe it or not before you were born. And I was thinking that we could spend some time together. I have some plans for you. I think that you will like them.., but the plans that I have for you will be different than what you are use to. And, our journey may be challenging at times, and, at times, I may even ask you to do hard things. Sometimes, very hard things. You will think that you can’t do them, but you can. I will help you. You were made for this. At times it will be tough, but you are a natural for what I have planned.” He calls us to an unusual life. It is perfectly normal to God to live this way, but unusual to us. But, trying it on,…you will find it fits. Fits perfectly!
When I look at the lives represented in Hebrews chapter 11 the thing that impresses me most is that their lives and the faith that they were asked to live out were all different. Vastly different. Noah was asked to work and wait. Abraham wandered. Moses was called to stand before a king and declare a message. Ester risked her life to save a nation. Rahab’s was called to risk her life and receive the spies. God moved Abel’s heart to make a righteous offering which cost him his life. Each one of these examples exercised faith it is true. But, just as important, each one answered the call from God to walk this life with Him in different directions. In different ways.
We often see this chapter as an example of their faith. And, it is true, they believed God and were faithful, and, might I add RECEIVED THE PRIZE. But, Hebrews chapter 11 is again examples of God’s FAITHFULNESS to us. What motivated them in their actions was their faith and trust in this relationship. This is proven in the fact that many of these examples were willing to give their life to fulfill their calling.
This is what the book of Hebrews is all about. He was asking these Jewish Christians to GROW UP and DEEPEN their faith. He, the writer of the Hebrews, had already given them 5 warnings by this time in this book/letter. All of them were serious warnings. Some of them when you stopped to ponder their meaning were downright scary or frightening. The underlying thrust of this letter is not the thought that if you want more out of your life your faith will give it to you. Or, that, if you want to you can join this elite group of super faith Christians you will live like this.
The writer of Hebrews had ONE THING IN MIND, and that was that ALL of God’s children need to MATURE and live this life of faith talked about in this chapter, living in relation with God. This is evident in his comment in Heb. 4:1 (READ) He did not want ANYONE to miss God’s Promise. This could be the reason that he gives his most pointed and frightful warning in the end of chapter 10.Each one of us in reality are called to this life of faith, there are NO exceptions. This is why this book is so full of good sound doctrine. It is one thing if you have not been taught the truth about who God is and about His faithfulness. But, having laid down a good foundation of who God is and what He expects the writer is now encouraging us and is asking us to commit FULLY to following God by faith just like those in chapter 11. Those listed in Chapter 11allowed God to make this a way of life for them, not a temporary event or this one time only, no matter what path God chose. It is true, salvation is FREE, but the result of this encounter is a life that wants to be with and to please the Savior!
This intention is made clear in Hebrews 12:1 when he comes right out and tells them/us that since these are our examples should we be expected to live any different. But, He adds some reality into the picture, telling us that making this commitment we will need to do two things:
· First, lay aside every weight that gets in the way of this commitment
· And, second, to stop practicing the sin(s) that entangles us and breaks our fellowship with God.
Peter was naïve in making a commitment in the flesh. Peter was willing to make the statement that he was willing, but not a commitment to the REALITY of such a life. Jn 13:36-8 (READ) Like in Peter, the spirit is willing, but we do not realize how weak the flesh actually is. The nation Israel did the same in Ex. 19:3-8. God offered them a covenant. Ex. 19:8 tells us that they willingly accepted it, but in reality there was little to no follow through. God called them a stiff necked people. Immediately following their agreement to do all that God had commanded, like Peter, there was no follow through. Hebrews chapter 3 tells us that they had made a commitment but really did not believe God so they missed out on the blessings of chapter 11.
He asks us in 12:1 if we are willing to lay aside the weights of this world. This is really where the “rubber meets the road” so to speak. Right here is where most detour off of the road of Blessing holding onto a lifestyle of familiarity and meager existence. In Hebrews 10:38-9 the writer gives us a stern warning (READ). He says:
“Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man drawback, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
Heb. 10:38-9 is telling us to grow up and accept the RESPONSIBILITY of the Christian life. The greatest obstacle to change is change itself. There is an old saying that says, “Same action, same result. Different action, different result.” Heb. 12:1 tells us that one of the reasons that we live a generally ineffective Christian life is that we are weighted down with the worlds weights and expectations.
There are many weights of this world. It’s plans. It’s expectations. It’s schedules. It’s have to’s. There is no way to follow God as he is asking us to except that we lay these weights aside. Many Christian families are laden down with the fall school schedule of have to and expectations during school season. Or another example, both parents work and see no way out while the family suffers spiritually, emotionally and usually physically. Church duties and responsibilities in heavily program driven churches press out much needed family time making it almost nonexistent. Is this the lifestyle of faith that the Hebrew writer is calling us to or in reality, if we were to be real honest, a world system that weighs us down, often till there is little to nothing left.
And, he makes a very bold request/statement, He says “every” weight. This guy is asking too much…or is he? Think of the things that get in the way of your relationship and service to God. It is hard to eek out the Christian life without making some drastic changes in the way our culture expects us to live. The Hebrew writer is pretty blunt here. He says to lay aside those weights of this world. This seems impossible. But it is not. If we were able to ask those examples listed in chapter 11 in person they would tell us otherwise. They would tell us that this world built on and operating by man’s reason is flawed. The only way they were able to see through it was by faith. Believing God as He led them through uncharted waters. These waters may be unfamiliar to us, but they are not at all unfamiliar to God.
The second thing that he tells us in 12:1 is that we need to let go of is those habitual sins that we tolerate that get in the way of serving God and serving others inside and outside the Church. We often think of these sins as typical sins such as a moral sin or cheating someone or something like that. However, so often the sins that beset us are sins of convenience and personal indulgence. These are acceptable practices in our culture, but are consuming our attention and taking our focus off of what we are suppose to be doing here. They can be as innocent as fishing to much or playing golf instead of being at home helping to raise a family. One can be totally consumed with work or totally consumed with the providing for the needs of one’s family, making sure that they have every last gadget and convenience, keeping up with the Jones. Or, spending all of our focus, time and attention on planning for retirement, as important as planning ahead is. Down inside we know that these things get in the way of a journey with a Living God, knowing that even though things look good on the outside there is a emptiness to life because we are missing our RELATIONSHIP with GOD. Besetting sins means that we are living our life, making our choices instead of asking God which way to go and then following His advice.
He tells us in v. 2 that we are to CONSIDER JESUS, the PERFECT PIONEER OF OUR FAITH who chose to serve the Father with JOY! He did not consider it a sacrifice, although it was, to go to the CROSS. To Him it was JOY to go down the path that the Father chose for Him even though it was FILLED with difficulty, shame, pain and suffering. He endured it ALL because God had ordained it for Him and He trusted God in it. By the way He also got the prize, His prize was the church.
He warns us, however, at the end of v. 1 that we need to run the race God sets before us confident, and sure, and with much patience. The outcome with God is sure, but it often takes longer than we think to get there. We must be willing to receive INSTRUCTION if we are going to complete this journey. It is not the man with the most talent that will make it, but the one with the best ears and pliable heart that will reach their destination. V. 4 of chapter 12 reminds them of their immaturity in the faith. God will ask us to do DIFFICULT things at times. We must be willing to go forward with Him because He asked us to.
He goes on to remind us in chapter 12:3-10 that sometimes we get it wrong and we need to not be too proud to receive correction. Ok let’s say it together, “I was wrong. I made a mistake. I am sorry…” Now that’s better. That wasn’t so bad. We need to be willing to receive God’s instruction and even His chastisement when needed. V. 11 tells us that we will receive “the PEACABLE FRUIT of RIGHTEOUSNESS if we are EXERCISED by it. We do not need to be DOWN and DISCOURAGED when God is fashioning our life. He is working into our lives the fruits of the Spirit and endurance for our benefit as well as for the benefit of those around us. V. 15 tells us that our ATTITUDE during this time can affect others around us…for good or for bad.
· Choose faith as your default option.
· Look for God in your day.
· Walk through the door(s) God places before you small/simple or large/beyond your ability.
· Read chapter 11 and share your thoughts.
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