BETTER FAITH - Part 7 of 7
Hebrews 11:30-40
GAINED APPROVAL or “obtained a good testimony” – the most important thing in the world is gaining approval from God. Faith is the means by which men of old gained Divine approval.
FAITH ALWAYS LOOKS FORWARD, GAINS APPROVAL, INHERITS THE PROMISES
Romans 4:20-21 “...grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, (21) and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able to perform.”
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith...“
Galatians 3:18 “For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.”
Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; (4) and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; (5) and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out with our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Hebrews 6:12 “so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
MEN OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY
We are aliens in this world not aliens from God - Ephesians 2:19
We do not have fellowship with this world - our citizenship is in heaven - Philippians 3:20
We are the heavenly Jerusalem - Galatians 4:26, Hebrews 12:24
Faith lifts us higher to lay hold of heavenly things - Colossians 3:1-4
DID NOT RECEIVE WHAT WAS PROMISED
Ex. Three men of God did not know if God would deliver them but either way they were going to live by faith because they knew He was able and also able to raise them up. (Daniel 3:16-18)
They all looked forward to many of the promises that we now enjoy - 1 Peter 1:10-12
There are many things we have not yet received but they are realities we grasp by faith.
“it has not appeared as yet what we will be.” - 1 John 3:2-3
“the dead will be raised imperishable” - 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
“we are looking for new heavens and a new earth” - 2 Peter 3:13
“will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin” - Hebrews 9:28
SOMETHING BETTER FOR US
Better than...the parting of the Red Sea, defeating the prophets of Baal, commanding the sun to stay still, shutting the mouths of lions, quenching the power of fire, etc. We have better provision!
The realities in the new covenant - God, Satan, heaven, hell, justification, grace, fellowship with God Almighty, partaking of the Divine nature, a clear conscience etc.
PERFECTION!
“for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15)
“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are [being] sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14)
“spirits of righteous men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:23)