THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPE FOR
Text: Hebrews 11
19 February 2012
(I) THE PLACE OF FAITH IN GIVING SUBSTANCE TO OUR HOPE
1. The importance of faith in hope
a) Faith is the substance of things hoped for
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,” Hebrews 11:1
b) Faith is the evidence of the unseen things that we hope in
“The evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
2. Without faith, there would be no substance to our hope
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
a) If we did not have faith, we would not be assured of the things hope for
b) If we did not have faith, there is no assurance of hope that God would reward us
(II) THE PERSON OF CHRIST GIVES SUBSTANCE TO OUR HOPE
1. Focusing our faith in Christ
a) See Christ
“But we see Jesus…” Hebrews 2:9
b) Consider Christ
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,” Hebrews 3:1
c) Looking unto Jesus
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,…” Hebrews 12:2
2. Person of Christ gives substance to our hope
a) Son of God
b) Apostle
c) High Priest
d) Christ Jesus
e) Author and finisher our faith
(III) THE PEOPLE OF FAITH WHO HAD SUBSTANCE IN HOPE
1. A grand hall of faith ( Hebrews 11)
2. The substance of hope seen in living “by faith”
a) “By faith”…the means to having hope in life
b) Great hope of the people were realized by faith
3. The substance of hope seen
a) The hope of understanding the word of God…such as creation ( Hebrews 11:3 )
b) The hope of seeing the invisible hand of God ( Hebrews 11:3 )
c) The hope of having an excellent worship ( Hebrews 11:4 )
d) The hope of pleasing God ( Hebrews 11:5 )
e) The hope of being divinely warned ( Hebrews 11:7 )
f) The hope of obedience ( Hebrews 11:8 )
g) The hope of a heavenly city/country ( Hebrews 11:10, 13-16 )
h) The hope of passing the test of God ( Hebrews 11:17 )
i) The hope of being able to suffer afflictions rather than pleasures ( Hebrews 11:25, 26 )
j) The hope of overcoming great challenges in life and death ( Hebrews 32-36 )
4. Result of such substance of hope
a) Obtained a good testimony ( Hebrews 11:2, 39 )
b) Most worthy ( Hebrews 11:38 )
(IV) THE PURSUIT OF FAITH THAT WE MAY HAVE HOPE
1. Understand the place of faith…as the substance of our hope
2. Look unto Jesus…who gives substances to our hope
3. Follow the example of the heroes of faith who had substance of hope
4. Work towards having a good and worthy testimony of faith and hope