Some Great People Who Trusted God (Hebrews 11:13-16)
Introduction:
1. This morning we showed from the Scriptures that God is trustworthy. a. The Bible declares that God keeps His promises. b. God's promises can be trusted because He cannot lie. c. God's promises to Bible characters illustrate how He keeps them. 2. In Hebrews 11:13-16 we read about some people who believed God's promises, even though they did not receive the promises made to them. 3. The examples set by these people help us to understand what is involved in trusting in the Lord with all the heart.
Discussion:
I. LET US EXAMINE THE INFORMATION REVEALED IN THESE VERSES
A. Vs.13 mentions some people who "died in faith, not having received the promises." 1. They believed the promises that God made to them, they considered themselves to be strangers and pilgrims on the earth, they refused to return to the country they left, and they were looking for a heavenly city. 2. Consequently, God was "not ashamed to be called their God." B. The people under consideration in these verses were: 1. Abraham (vs.8-10) a. God made special promises to him (Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:4-5, 18; 17:6-8). 1) God promised to give him many descendants. 2) God promised to give Canaan to his descendants. 3) God promised that kings would descend from him. 4) God promised that all families [nations] of the earth would be blessed through his seed. b. Were all these promises fulfilled before Abraham died? 2. Sara (vs.11-12) a. God made special promises to her (Genesis 17:15-16; 18:9-11). 1) God promised her that she would give birth to a son. 2) God promised that kings would descend from her. b. Were all these promises fulfilled before Sara died? 3. Isaac (vs.20) a. God made special promises to him (Genesis 26:1-4). 1) God promised to give him many descendants. 2) God promised to give Canaan to his descendants. 3) God promised that all nations of the earth would be blessed through his seed. b. Were all these promises fulfilled before Isaac died? 4. Jacob (vs.21). a. God made special promises to him (Genesis 28:12-15). 1) God promised to give him many descendants. 2) God promised to give Canaan to his descendants. 3) God promised that all families of the earth would be blessed through his seed. b. Were all these promises fulfilled before Jacob died? C. Abraham, Sara, Isaac, and Jacob "died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." D. Also, God was not ashamed to be called their God (Exodus 3:6). E. As Hebrews 11 concludes we see that all the Old Testament characters listed obtained a good report through faith without receiving the promise (vs.39).
II. APPLICATION
A. In Hebrews 11:13-16 we read about some people who trusted in God, even though they did not receive all of the promises He made to them during their lifetimes. B. According to Hebrews 11:40, we have certain advantages over the men and women listed in this chapter in that God has "provided some better thing for us." C. Let us trust in God and exercise patience so we can receive the promises that God has made to us (10:36). D. In 2 Peter 1:4 God's promises are described as "exceeding great and precious."
Conclusion:
1. The Scriptures we have studied today show that God is trustworthy. 2. Let us follow the examples of the people we have read about and live by faith, appreciating God's promises, and looking forward to spending eternity in that heavenly city that the Lord has prepared.
