In Hebrews 11, the epistle’s writer walks us through a kind of portrait gallery featuring Old Testament figures commended for their faith. As we walk past, their remarkable stories strengthen and encourage our own faith against unbelief. In this sermon, Alistair Begg draws our attention to the first three of these individuals: Abel, Enoch, and Noah. Through their lives, we see that faith is necessary to our acceptance by God, our walk with Him, and our obedience toward Him.
By Faith
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Series: Fix Our Eyes on Jesus, Volume 3
Other messages in: Fix Our Eyes on Jesus, Volume 1
Written for an audience of Jewish believers in a time of persecution, the book of Hebrews proclaims an eternal truth: Jesus is both the Son of God and our Great High Priest. He is the perfect mediator between God and humanity. As he considers Christ’s work from its foreshadowing in the Old Testament to its present impact, the writer of Hebrews exhorts believers to “fix our eyes on Jesus” as God’s perfect and only provision for mankind’s sins.
In volume one of this series, Alistair Begg explores an important question: If true believers cannot lose their salvation, why does Hebrews warn us not to fall away from faith in Christ? As he explains the purpose of the book’s God-given warnings and describes the danger signs of potential drifters, we are encouraged to focus on Christ’s high priestly role. Because Christ stood in our place as the final sacrifice for sin, we can have confidence to persevere to the end in steadfast faith.
Other messages in: Fix Our Eyes on Jesus, Volume 2
Written for an audience of Jewish believers in a time of persecution, the Book of Hebrews proclaims a thrilling truth: Jesus is both the Son of God and our Great High Priest, the perfect mediator between God and humanity. As he considers Christ’s work from its foreshadowing in the Old Testament to its present impact, the writer of Hebrews exhorts believers to “fix our eyes on Jesus” as God’s perfect and only provision for mankind’s sins.
Hebrews’ early recipients, familiar with ceremonial worship, needed reassurance that the Lord Jesus Christ lived eternally to intercede for them. In volume two of this series, Alistair Begg helps us to understand how the old covenant found completion in the superior new covenant, initiated by God and procured by Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Through the grace, mercy, and preservation of our Lord, believers can persevere as, enabled by the Spirit, we grow in faith, hope, and love.
Other messages in: Fix Our Eyes on Jesus, Volume 3
Written for an audience of Jewish believers in a time of persecution, the book of Hebrews proclaims an eternal truth: Jesus is both the Son of God and our Great High Priest. He is the perfect mediator between God and humanity. As he considers Christ’s work from its foreshadowing in the Old Testament to its present impact, the writer of Hebrews exhorts believers to “fix our eyes on Jesus” as God’s perfect and only provision for mankind’s sins.
In volume three of this series, Alistair Begg points us to Jesus as the focal point of divine revelation and the one accomplisher of our redemption. Walking us through Hebrews’ “Portrait Gallery of Faith,” he encourages us to persevere in trusting Jesus, even when the world is doubtful. God, we discover, uses our struggles to demonstrate His love for us as He teaches us how to be holy. Strengthened by Him, we can therefore press on in living the Christian life by the faith He provides.
