Exile by Faith
Hebrews 11:8-16, 32-40
Verse 8
The key to growing in obedience is not knowing where it will lead to but knowing who is the one leading.
Called → Obey
The weight of the unknown in our young adulthood years is real. But it is irrelevant to this simple ethical formula from the Bible: we obey what God has called us to do.
Idk if I’m called to Izamal for a longer term but I’m called to love you all. Bear your burdens. Pray for you guys. These are straightforward commands we don’t need an encounter from God to confirm this is a command.
Verses 9-10
Desire to belong is often betrayed in this lifetime. When we’re in an undesirable place in our lives, I’ve observed two possible responses: despair or hope. The patriarchs chose hope by faith.
Verse 11
Faith in the promise. Our faith is not assessed by certainty but the object of our faith. That’s why “just having more faith” isn’t biblical. Biblical faith is not blindly asserting that God will certainly heal your sick grandma.
Verse 13
How do we reconcile this verse and 6:15? They received parts of what they were promised but not everything.
What keeps the patriarchs going when they didn’t receive everything that was promised to them in their lifetime? They considered him who was faithful.
What does admitting that they were foreigners look like? Lamenting. I truly don’t belong. It looks like:
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” — Psalms 73:25 NIV
Verse 16
They are longing for the fulfillment of ALL that was promised. It is faith that keeps us persevering until the fulfillment of God’s promises.
In the beginning God had planted a garden for humanity to live in (Genesis 2:8). In the end he will give them a city. In the New Jerusalem the blessings of paradise will be restored, but the New Jerusalem is more than paradise regained. As a city it fulfills humanity’s desire to build out of nature a human place of human culture and community. True, it is given by God and so comes down from heaven. But this does not mean humanity makes no contribution to it.
Verse 34
Spurgeon: Many of us may never have to brave the fiery stake, nor to bow our necks upon the block, to die as Paul did; but if we have grace enough to be out of weakness made strong, we shall not be left out of the roll of the nobles of faith, and God’s name shall not fail to be glorified in our persons.
Verse 35
There’s a shift from great achievements as the result of faith to suffering as the result of faith.
From previous Bible narratives, what were the precursor to exile? We’ve seen the biblical narrative show exile by sin, idolatry, etc.
What if you’re exiled because of your faith?
Why is Jesus worth following if one has to endure all the above?
Verse 38
God reaffirms where He places value. Those who have faith in Him. The value of their faith outweighs the riches of the world.
Your deep cries to Him trusting Him when there’s no reason to brings more value in His eyes than standing on a graduation podium or receiving the applause of a stadium or going viral on the internet.
Verse 40
Faith that God takes us from grace to grace and glory to glory.
Discussion Questions
- When was there a time where a promise from God gave you faith or strengthened you?
- Pastor Sun said a couple weeks ago that what you fear is the litmus test for where you lack faith. What is an area of your life you have trouble trusting God in?
- What keeps you going in your walk with Christ?