If They Could Do it—So Can You!

by Wilson Adams

Introduction

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews could be called "the Reader's Digest of the Old Testament."  In no more than five minutes, the reader of these forty verses can survey the Old Testament and see its greatest characters.  The point of the chapter is simple:  to show us that faith is possible in anyone's life.   Ordinary, plain, unassuming people can live EXTRA-ordinary lives by faith.   Any Christian can qualify.  If they could do it, so can you.

Our faith, however, must be the kind that endures (10:35-36; 12:1).  God is not asking us to run a 50-yard dash but a marathon of ups and downs.  That is why our faith must be real and strong and enduring.  (See James 1:2-3).

Can it be done?  Yes.
Can it be done by someone like me?  Yes.
How can you know?  Hebrews 11.

  1. ONE THING WORTH NOTICING

    1. The Context.  The "faith" section of Hebrews doesn't just begin in chapter 11 but rather comprises the whole letter.  Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were being pressured to defect and return to Judaism.  The message:  "Don't!   Hold fast your faith!"  See 3:6, 12-14; 4:14.

      1. 10:32 reminds them of former days "after being enlightened" (a reference to their conversion to Christ) when they had endured "a great conflict of sufferings."  His point?  You trusted in God then, didn't you?  He pulled if off then, didn't He?  Then keep trusting; keep believing; keep growing in your faith.

      2. Here is the three chapter breakdown:

        Hebrews 10 - the righteous live by faith
        Hebrews 11 - it CAN be done!
        Hebrews 12 - if they could do it, so can YOU!

  2. FOUR THINGS WORTH REMEMBERING
    Hebrews 11 gives a list of people - men and women like us - who lived by faith.  They weren't especially gifted people; no halos or perfect backgrounds; just people.  They were people who failed... who struggled... who worried... but who in the end learned to trust in God.  They lived by faith.

    1. Faith as it relates to people.  To those who would say, "I'm not the faith type..." Hebrews 11 is quick to point out:

      1. No certain type is necessary.  Any type will do.  Abel (vs.4) was a farmer.  Noah (vs. 7) was a builder.   Abraham (vs.8) was a successful herdsman.  Sarah (vs.11) was a homemaker.   Joseph (vs.22) was a politician.  Moses (vs.23) was a shepherd.  Rahab (vs.31) had been a harlot.  Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jeptha (vs.32) were judges.   David (vs.32) was a shepherd turned song writer turned king.  What was special about all of them was not their "type" but their faith.

      2. No special record is necessary.  The men and women in "Faith's Hall of Fame" were anything but perfect.   They each had weaknesses with which God had to deal.  Noah drank, Abraham lied, Sarah laughed, Jacob deceived, Moses murdered, Rahab had been a prostitute, Samson refused to control his lusts, etc.  These were people who learned (sometimes the hard way) that they had to trust in God and not in themselves.  Are you learning that?

    2. Faith as it relates to circumstances.  Let's make two clarifications:

      1. The odds are always overwhelming.  When you trust in God and walk by faith, it is not going to be easy.  THINK:

        1. The odds against a world-wide flood...
          Incredible!

        2. The odds against a 90-year old woman conceiving...
          Great!

        3. The odds against a body of water opening...
          Unprecedented!

        4. The odds against the walls of Jericho falling...
          Unthinkable.

        But it all happened!
        What odds are facing you?
        Remember that "nothing is impossible with God."

      2. The outcome is not always pleasant, vs.35-36.   Hebrews 11 is not telling you that if you walk by faith that everything will be wonderful and rosy.  It won't.  We must realize that faith doesn't change our circumstances - faith changes us! Read verses 35-38.  Faith didn't stop all those things from happening but it did give those people roots and character and stability to handle situations beyond their control.

        is like glasses or contact lens.  If you take
        them off, everything is blurred.  If you leave them
        on, everything is clear.  The point:  The lenses
        don't really change reality - they just affect my
        perspective!  Faith does the SAME thing.

    3. Faith as it relates to God.  Two things to note:

      1. Our faith brings God pleasure, vs.6.   How can I please God?  Stop worrying and start trusting!

      2. Our faith gives Him honor, vs.16.   When you have this kind of faith, God is not ashamed to link His name to yours.   Remember... the One who is the God of "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob..." is also the God of ___________(your name).

    4. Faith as it relates to you.

      1. Christians of faith are God's advertisement.   If you are suffering, others know.  They also know if your faith is for real.

      2. Your faith must be practical.  If your faith is going to work, it must penetrate every part of your life.  Faith is not a "Sunday thing" --it is an everyday thing.  For example, your faith will affect your:

        F inances
        A ttitude
        I deas
        T rials
        H ope

        May God help us to be men and women of faith.

Conclusion
How deep is your faith?  Is it deep enough to come to terms with God's will for your life?  Would you read Acts 2:38.  May I ask two questions?

Have you done that?
If not, what's stopping you?

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