Sabbath School Class Week 16
This weeks class is a continuation of last weeks class. We are looking at the end of Chapter 11. When I started preparing for this study I read as much as I could about the author, the time, the audience. One of the interesting things I found was one commentary mentioned that the book of Hebrews is arguably the best written book of the entire bible. From a literary stand point. So though we do not know the author we do know that whom ever it was had a real gift for the art of writing. This chapter is a great example. When I read this chapter I can almost here it being preached. I can imagine a powerful, dynamic person preaching this chapter. Especially this last section. To get what I am saying please listen to the video below. Listen to it not only for content but for style, for rhythm. Then let's read the last part of Hebrews 11 together. Do you hear the rhythm, the style?
READ: Hebrews 11: 7-40
7 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[c] 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
FAITH in ACTION: What did Abraham do?_______________________
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
FAITH in ACTION: What did Isaac do?___________________________
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
FAITH in ACTION: What did Jacob do?_______________________________
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
FAITH in ACTION: What did Joseph do?________________________________
23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
FAITH in ACTION: What did Moses' parents do?__________________________
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
FAITH in ACTION: What did Moses do?________________________________
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
FAITH in ACTION: What did the people do?_____________________________
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
FAITH in ACTION: What did the army do?_______________________________
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[d]
FAITH in ACTION: What did Rahab do?________________________________
Now here is where the preacher really gets going.... Can't you hear him or her?
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again.There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning;[e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
This last passage in the message reads....
Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.
What does this mean?
Their testimonies, their faith, their stories help to give us strength, help to build our faith and understanding of God and his great love for us. Their faith is made complete when we are all together with Him in glory. Another way to say it... Our faith is not just about us. Our faith is not about prosperity or gain here on earth. Our faith is not just about our walk with God but our faith is also important for those around us! Our faith, our story is an important part of encouraging one another. Our faith is also important for bringing others to Christ. For pointing others to HIM.
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