Hebrews - part 5

Chapters 11 - 13 - Faith and instructions

11:1 - Faith = sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

11:3 - Just a little jab at evolution! - What is seen was made out of what is not visible.

11:4 - 38 - Faith without seeing the end result!
Abel
Noah
Abraham
Sarah
Isaac
Jacob
Joseph
Moses
Rahab
and Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets.

11:39 - These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised themselves.
11:40 - God had planned something better for us so that only together wit us would they be made perfect.

All these guys (and girls) were faithful without ever truly seeing success. They didn't live in the promised land, they did see Jesus Christ resurrected from the grave. The prophet Jeremiah obeyed God and warned the people for over 40 years and yet he died without seeing the people of Israel turn back to God.
*This is the kind of faith and obedience God requires of me. Do I only obey when I can see the promised end result? Or am I willing to obey even if I never see it?

12:5-6 - encouragement that we are disciplined
12:7-12 - Endure hardship as discipline. If we are not disciplined then we are illegitimate, therefore, praise God for discipline! Yes it's painful, but it produces righteousness and peace.

12:14 - 21 - We have not come to mt. Sinai, we are not under the wrath of God.
12:22 - 24 - But you have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant - Forgiveness!

Chapter 13 - Instructions

1. Love each other
2. Entertain strangers (They may be angels!)
3. Bear each others burdens
4. Honor the law, especially as it relates to marriage, adultery and sexual immorality.
5. Don't love money! - Be content
6. Remember those who brought you to faith - imitate their faith.
7. Don't be at home here on earth, remember we are looking for the city that is to come.
8. Praise Jesus Christ!
9. Share
10. Obey your leaders - Don't be a burden to them
11. Pray for others

13:20-21

May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing His will. May He work in us what is pleasing to Him.

Amen.