Hebrews 11
As we continue the series Elevate to the Next Level, which began with “Living in the Holy Spirit,” we now enter a mini‑series shaped by Paul’s closing words in 1 Corinthians 13: “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” These three qualities form the core attributes of Christian life, and today we begin with the first: faith.
What Pleases God?
Many assume God is pleased by rituals, rules, or religious observances. But Scripture says otherwise: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him…” (Hebrews 11:6). God desires relationship, and faith is the foundation of that relationship. Jude 1:20 tells us to build our lives on this foundation, so the question becomes: What is faith?
Hebrews 11—God’s Hall of Faith—gives us a practical picture. The chapter doesn’t define faith as much as it describes it: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith believes before seeing. As your document says, “We often say, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’ But God says… ‘You have to believe it to see it.’”
Faith Believes When We Don’t See It
Like an architect envisioning a building or an athlete imagining a record, faith sees what is not yet visible. John Glenn once said that looking at creation made disbelief in God “impossible.” Faith trusts God’s reality even when His face is unseen.
Faith Obeys When We Don’t Understand It
Noah obeyed God’s command to build an ark even though rain had never existed. Your document notes, “By faith Noah… moved with godly fear, prepared an ark…” Obedience and faith are inseparable. Abraham likewise obeyed God’s call to leave everything familiar, “not knowing where he was going.” Faith often requires stepping out without guarantees.
Forgiving those who hurt us, loving enemies, or giving generously may not make sense to our natural reasoning. But obedience in confusion builds a deeper foundation of faith.
Faith Gives When We Don’t Have It
God uses giving to test and strengthen faith. Abel’s offering is the first act listed in Hebrews 11: “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice…” Giving by reason calculates what is affordable; giving by revelation trusts God’s promises. Paul reminds us that sowing generously leads to reaping generously (2 Corinthians 9:6–7). Faithful giving plants seeds before the harvest arrives.
Faith Persists When We Don’t Feel Like It
The world says, “If it feels good, do it,” but feelings are unreliable guides. Faith persists even when emotions resist. As your document states, “If we only do it when we feel like it, then Satan will make sure we’ll never feel like it.” Moses persevered for forty years in the wilderness because “he saw Him who is invisible.” Persistence—daily disciplines, prayer, Scripture, obedience—forms spiritual endurance.
Many quit too soon: marriages, ministries, dreams, even faith itself. But God calls us to keep our eyes on Him and continue trusting His promises.
Faith Thanks God Before We Receive It
Before Jericho’s walls fell, Israel marched in silence for seven days and then shouted praise. Your document says, “I believe they shouted God’s praises, thanking Him for the victory He promised.” Faith doesn’t merely believe God can act; it believes He will act according to His word. Jesus teaches us to pray believing we have already received what we ask (Mark 11:24). Gratitude after receiving is appreciation; gratitude before receiving is faith.
Faith Believes Without Receiving It
Hebrews 11 ends with a surprising truth: “All these… did not receive the promise.” They endured suffering and still believed. Their faith looked forward to Christ, who had not yet come. Some who prayed for revival never saw it, yet their faith helped shape what came later. Faith trusts God’s goodness even when the answer is delayed or arrives in eternity rather than time.
How God Builds Our Faith
God strengthens faith in two primary ways:
1. Through His Word “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” As we read Scripture, God speaks directly to our hearts.
2. Through Trials Trials refine faith like fire refines gold (1 Peter 1:7). As your document beautifully states, “God doesn’t open our heads and pour into our lives more faith. Instead, He takes us through times of trials and tribulations to see if we’ll remain faithful.”
Building a Life of Faith
To elevate your walk with God, cultivate these six aspects drawn from Hebrews 11:
- Believing when we don’t see it
- Obeying when we don’t understand it
- Giving when we don’t have it
- Persisting when we don’t feel like it
- Thanking God before we receive it
- Believing without receiving it
This is the life that pleases God—a life built not on ritual or religion, but on a relationship of trust.
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