Introduction– The eleventh chapter of Hebrews sets before us at least seventeen men and women of faith who wrought great things for God.
Our text refers to the fact that we are compassed about with this great cloud of witnesses.
Let them be our challenge to greater heights of service of our Lord.
Let’s notice Five of these witnesses here.
1. Abel Is Our Challenge To Unexcelled Way of Sacrifice.
By Faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by Faith, which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts.
And by it he being dead yet speaketh.
A – Definition of Sacrifice- An offering to God in homage. Allegiance- To show reverance.
B- Possessians we should offer to our Lord
C- Ourself – our heart, our soul, our mind, our body
2 Corinthians – 8:5 ” And this they did not as hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God”.
2. Our Time, Talent, and Testimony
Ourselves are our all.
3. Our Influence
Matt 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.
A. The Rewards of Sacrifice to God
1. Obtaining witness that we are righteous (V.4)
2. Noted and testified to of God (V.4) – God testifying of his gift.
3. Continued influence after death (V.4) and by it he being dead yet speaketh
2. Enoch Is Our Challenge To Please God In This Life
By faith Enoch has translated that he should not see death and was not found, because God had translated that he pleased God.
A. The only way of pleasing God is by faith; Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)
B. The reward for pleasing God in this life
Translation – As Enoch was translated from earth to heaven. There is a translation from death to life when faith is exercised in Christ Jesus for us. We are translated from the Kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of Christ when faith is exercised in Christ; Col. 1:12 – Which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints of light.
We are translated from darkness to light upon faith in Christ; 1 Peter 2:9 that ye should show forth the praise of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
– A good testimony from those who know us (Hebrew 11:3) He has this testimony that he pleased God
– Will not be found in this world of sin after the rapture; Hebrews 11:15 – And was not found because God had translated him.
3. Noah Is Our Challenge – Perserverance
Now – No Waiting – Action – Move
Hebrew 11:7 – By faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an ark to the saving of his house.
– Noahs experience began with a warning from God
a). Of things not seen as yet God also warns us in the Bible of things as yet unseen
b). Of things to be disbelieved by the world
– Noahs experience moved him to proclaim the message from God that destruction was coming soon
– To make sure of a place of safety for himself and family
– Noahs experience gave status with God
a)- His message and action condemned the world
b)- He was made heir of righteousness which came by faith
4. Abraham Is Our Challenge To Obediance
Hebrews 11:8-12- Abraham went not knowing where his steps would lead. V.8- He stayed temporarily in the land of the promise. V.9- He was walking by faith or dwelling in tents by faith He was looking for a better country or city made by God.
– He was rewarded the Father of the Faithful
5. God Is No Respector of Persons
– By Faith Rahab The Harlot Did Not Perish; God Spared Her
As these and countless to others have gone before us are our great cloud of witnesses in our struggle against sin – they had faith in God.