Sunday School with Pastor, Dr. Theodis Acklin

Background Scripture: Hebrews 11

Lesson Context: The writer of this letter does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. Though for some 1,200 years (from c. a.d. 400 to 1600) the book commonly called “The Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews,” there was no agreement in the earliest centuries regarding its authorship. The theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of God’s grace. The prologue presents Christ as God’s full and final revelation, far surpassing the revelation given in the OT. Hebrews could be called “the book of better things” since the two Greek words for “better” and “superior” occur 15 times in the letter.

Faith Explained (Hebrews 11:1-4a):

A. Definition (vv. 1-2). “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Equal more, our physical eyesight is the sense that gives us evidence from the material world, belief is the “sense” that gives used evidence of the invisible, spiritual world-wide ego. Believing has seen cause. The Bible does not recommend a “blind leap” of creed. But the reason can’t be measured in a laboratory; they have to be understood spiritually.

“of things hoped for…is things not seen.” If you have the chemical before you or if you can see it, there exists none uses for faith. Faith is needed for whichever we can’t see and can’t touch. Faith does not contradict reason, while it may go beyond good. First allow objectivity prove which Bible is the most unique book ever publicly and has impacted society more than any other book. But only faith can demonstrate that the Bible is the Word of God.

“For by it the elders obtained a good report” The great examples regarding holiness total had different circumstances or personalities, but they all has one thing in common-creed. Like Jewish Christians been discouraged and thought of giving up on Jesus and a distinctive Christianity. They needed a great testimony, both so they needed these examples of faith to break them out of discouragement.

B. Foundations (vv. 3-4a):

3-4a. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” This happened when God simply commanded, “Suffer thither be light” (Genesis 1:3). As one Psalmist explained: By the speak of the GENTLEMAN the canopy were made, and all the host of you by one breathing of His mouth. For He spoke, and it was done. He commanded, and it stood fast.”

lll. Promises Because of Faith (Hebrews 11:39-40):

A. Not Received (v. 39). “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.” The word translated having obtained a good report is the same as that in Hebrews 11:2; it carries the idea of “having been witnessed” doing something through faith. Since the faith of these being considered looked ahead to the arrival of Jesus, which did not come about in their lifetime, they received not the promise. But they had faith nonetheless.

B. Something Perfect (v. 40)

40. “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” The better thing is the promise fulfilled in the earthly mission of Christ. Both we and they are made perfect in His suffering (Hebrews 2:10; 5:8-9; 7:28).

References: David Gouzik: Study for Hebrews, International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2023-2024

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