People of Faith--A Brief Study of Hebrews 11

This morning, I was reading in Hebrews and began noticing all the statements about faith in Chapter Eleven. I thought it would be good for me to have a “summary” of sorts, a short reminder about what faith is and isn’t, about how God enables and empowers us to serve him through faith. I wanted to focus specifically on all the active verbs associated with faith; they show very clearly that God requires us to change, to grow, to take action according to his specific, set pattern. “I believe” is not sufficient; God requires us to serve him actively by doing, not just saying.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (11: 1)

1. People of faith understand that the universe was created by God. (11: 3)

2. People of faith offer to God that which pleases God and not themselves. (11: 4, 5)

3. People of faith believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (11: 6)

4. People of faith build according to God’s instructions. (11: 7)

5. People of faith are heirs of righteousness. (11: 7)

6. People of faith obey God and go where he directs. (11: 8, 9)

7. People of faith receive God’s blessings. (11: 11)

8. People of faith don’t always receive the things God has promised…but people of faith see these things and greet them from afar, acknowledging that the faithful are strangers and exiles on the earth. (11:13)

9. People of faith are seeking a homeland. (11: 14)

10. People of faith desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. (11: 16)

11. People of faith, when tested, offer to God that which they love the most. (11: 17)

12. People of faith believe that God is able to raise the dead. (11: 19)

13. People of faith teach future generations about God’s promises and blessings. (11: 20-22)

14. People of faith protect their children. (11: 23)

15. People of faith choose to be mistreated with their fellow believers. (11: 24-25)

16. People of faith do not fear the anger of earthly authorities. (11: 27)

17. People of faith endure as though they can see God. (11: 27)

18. People of faith worship God according to what God instructs. (11: 28)

19. People of faith take risks. (11: 29, 30)

20. People of faith help others in spite of dangers. (11: 31)


People of faith have…
conquered kingdoms,
enforced justice,
obtained promises,
stopped the mouths of lions,
quenched the power of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword,
put to flight foreign armies,
received back their resurrected dead,
become mighty in war,
and worn rags.

People of faith have been…
homeless,
tortured,
mocked,
flogged,
chained,
imprisoned,
stoned,
sawn in half,
killed by the sword,
tempted,
mistreated,
destitute,
and afflicted. (11: 31-38)


So what does all this mean for us? Well, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted! (Hebrews 12: 1-3)