HEBREWS 11:1-22 – THE GENESIS HEROES OF FAITH
Hebrews 11 could be called “Faith’s Hall of Fame”. Many of these heroes of faith are found in the Book of Genesis. Here is a list of these faith heroes found in Genesis.
CREATION – FIRST FAITH – Hebrews 11:1-3
Faith is the substance, basis, “assurance”, “certainty” of what we are hoping for.
The basis of our faith is the Word of God.
Why are Genesis 1:1 and Romans 1:20 important to our faith?
ABEL – SACRIFICING FAITH – Hebrews 11:4, Genesis 4:1-8
Undoubtedly, both Cain and Abel saw the sacrifices of their parents, which would have been blood sacrifices. Genesis 3:20-24
Abel’s sacrifice was accepted because it was a blood sacrifice. Hebrews 9:22
Last year we lost three saints in our church. How does their faith speak to you?
ENOCH – WALKING FAITH – Hebrews 11:5-6, Genesis 5:22-24
For us, what does walking with God entail?
Notice the impossibility of pleasing God without faith.
We have faith when we diligently seek God and obey Him. John 14:15, James 1:22
NOAH – RESPONSIVE FAITH – Hebrews 11:7
According to this verse, how did Noah respond in faith? What does that teach us?
ABRAHAM – EXPECTANT FAITH – Hebrews 11:8-12
Vs. 8 – Abraham heeded the call of God obediently. Genesis 12:1-4
Vs. 9 – He sojourned in the land of promise, along with Isaac and Jacob after him, without inheriting the land. Genesis 12:7
Vs. 10 – By faith, he was looking for God’s city yet to come. Revelation 21-22
Vss. 11-12 – It is very possible that the faith here belonged to Abraham and not Sarah, but either way, a promise was expected to be fulfilled.
ALL – UNFULFILLED FAITH – Hebrews 11:13-16
None of the patriarchs saw the fulfillment of God’s promises for a homeland in this life.
However, they believed that God would provide a city to come.
Vs. 16 – We are to be like them in looking for the coming city. Hebrews 13:14
ABRAHAM – OBEDIENT FAITH – Hebrews 11:17-19, Genesis 22:1-14
Abraham’s faith allowed him to obey in the most stressful of circumstances.
ISAAC – RESIGNED FAITH – Hebrews 11:20, Genesis 27:30-40
Isaac intended to bless Esau, but when the blessing ended on Jacob, he recognized God’s will.
JACOB – SENSITIVE FAITH – Hebrews 11:21, Genesis 48:17-20
Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons contrary to Joseph’s will because it was God’s will.
JOSEPH – CONFIDENT FAITH – Hebrews 11:22, Joshua 24:32
Joseph was so sure that God would fulfill his promises, that he wanted to be buried in the land.
