THE MANIFESTATION OF FAITH

 HEBREWS 11:1-14

Faith allows things to happen.  It is the power that comes from a fearless heart.
 And when a fearless heart believes, miracles happen.

Hebrews 11 has a nickname: the hall of faith. Picture a hallway in your old school where all the trophies are stored. The best athletes make it into the hall of fame. Similarly, Hebrews 11 covers the stories of some of the best faith-keepers ever… at least, the best faith-keepers of the Old Testament! If you’re looking to answer the question, “What is faith?” these stories are a great place to start. You’ll get to see faith in action. 

1. FAITH’S WORSHIPS

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous,  - Hebrews 11:4

Abel’s offering to God is an excellent sacrifice because it is blood sacrifice – representing Jesus the lamb of God whereas Cain offered a fruit sacrifice which God did not accept because without shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. Blood represents life to God.

There are thousands of religions and belief-systems. In reality there are only two religions:

1. religion based on works    2. religion based on the blood of Jesus

From the time of Cain - religious men have been trying to impress God with the fruits of their labor. And from the time of Cain God has been rejecting their offerings.

The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. (Gen 4:4-5)

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous…. (Heb 11:4 NKJV)  That means the blood sacrifice rep. Jesus blood today not only cleansed us and obtained favor but made us righteous.  We obtained righteousness by Jesus blood.  Righteousness is not earned by good works but only the blood of Jesus shed for us at the cross.

  2. FAITH’S  WITNESS

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. – Hebrews 11:5

Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:21-24).

Enoch walk with God and his life was pleasing to God and God took him away – that is the first Rapture in the book of Genesis.  Enoch was the first man that was Rapture to heaven.

Hebrews 11:5 (NKJV) says it this way:  “By faith ENOCH was taken away“  so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because GOD had taken so that he did not see death, -  For us the New Testament believers by faith we are waiting for our time to be taken away when Jesus comes back with the Rapture of the saints.  For Enoch he had translated – or taken away. What is your testimony? Your faith in God.

(I shall not die but live and see the Rapture of the Lord – even in Covid 19 crisis) A thousand fall at my side and 10,000 at my right hand and it shall not come near me.)  I see more angels surrounding me that the virus around me. Faith pleases God.

3.  FAITH’S  WORK

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, … and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. - Hebrews 11:7 

4. FAITH’S  WALKS

”By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” – Hebrews 11:8

Walking by faith – Abraham is the faith of Enterprise.  He went with his family and stayed in a place he did not know.

In 2 Corinthians 5:7, the Bible tells that “we walk by faith, not by sight,” but what does that really mean?  A lifetime experience.

 He has given us “eyes” to see, but it is a different kind of “eyes” and a different kind of seeing. That’s why we can say our faith is not a blind faith.  We do not have a faith without foundation.  We walk by what we see in our spiritual eyes first not with our physical eyes. Our physical eyes will see nothing.  We speak the things that is not as if there is – that is faith speaking sees and speaks from the heart. 

5.  FAITH’S  WAITING

“By faith Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” - Hebrews 11:10

If you are going to survive the perils of perilous times you need to have a faith that knows where and who is your Maker and Builder.  You need to have a faith that grows. You need to have a faith rooted and grounded in the Word of God.  Perfect faith can only exist where the will of God is known.  You are hoping and waiting for something that is everlasting and eternal that is in God.

What are you waiting?  My salary to increase. Oh mine –”Set your mind on the things above not on the things below – the earth”

Set my mind on the city in Revelation – New Jerusalem – on the new city which God is the builder and maker. Salary or no salary I am just passing through this earth and said “Come Lord Jesus, Come”  Let Your Kingdom Come and let Your Will be done. 

6.  FAITH’S WILLINGNESS

“Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” - Hebrews 11:11

By faith Sarah received strength.   Her age had passed and she was able to conceive a child with the strength of God because of God that promised her and Abraham. 

Isaiah 46:4  New International Version

Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Psalms 92:13-15

13 Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain, 15 to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”…

For Sarah she bore fruits or seed in her old age.  Outside you look old to the world but inside its young and younger than you thought. Outside is natural but inside of you is supernatural and divine life is there.

 7. FAITH’S  WELCOME

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” -  Hebrews 11:13,14

Faith welcomes something we did not see but knows it is coming.  Like the soon coming of Jesus Christ!  This world is not our home we are passing through.  We are on a journey of faith like Abraham looking for a city of God.  All the Old Testament saints died without seeing the promises – but the scriptures promises us the “the New Jerusalem” city of God.

Revelation 3:13:

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.  And I will write on him My new name.”   --     Not only Jesus gives you a new name as you enter into New Jerusalem that great city of God  with One government, one King and one people of God. 

CONCLUSION OF FAITH

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  -  Hebrews 12:1-3