Hall of Faith - (Part one)

I was struck by something in the sermon today. Our Pastor was reading a verse from Hebrews 11, and he said, "this is the 'Hall of Faith' chapter in the Bible." We think of Hall of Famers, and their contributions to the world... Hockey: 300+ career goals, 1000+ games played, one game wonders, you name it... But that's not all... there are Halls of Fame for Country music, Aviation, Rock and Roll, Baseball and all other sports, Science and Engineering, and the list goes on and on... seriously, you should Google "Hall of Fame" if you want to see how many Halls you can try to get your name on.

But the difference that struck me with the Hall of Faith, is that these men listed in Hebrews 11 weren't in a contest, or sports challenge trying to get recognized for their great abilities... rather, they usually were simply following God's commands and they seldom received the rewards while they were alive.

What does it take to be inducted into the Hall of Faith?

What is FAITH??

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1-2

What did these guys hope for? They wanted to please God. That was it. That was their goal. So how were they equipped? Were they men of valour and courageous as kings? Not usually!

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. (vs. 4)

Did you catch that? Abel died... and part of the reason was because of his faith. He didn't get a reward for living in faith, at least not that he saw on this earth. But his eternal reward outshines all that we could hope for here. God approved of his actions because it says, "God spoke well of his offerings."

PLEASE GOD...

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (vs. 5-6)

TRUST GOD...

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (vs. 7)

Would you have done what Noah did? The people in Noah's day had never even seen rain, so to talk about a flood was pure foolishness by their standards. But Noah stood his ground, build his ark and let his faith in God be the guide. What God said to do, he did, and for that he was saved along with those who would listen to him. Have you seen the movie "Evan Almighty?" It is a modern day telling of Noah's Ark. Although the whole world doesn't get wiped out like in the Bible story of Noah, it shows faith in God, and how we need to trust God even when we can't understand.

LET GOD GUIDE.... GO.....

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-and Sarah herself was barren - was enabled to become a father because he considered him fitful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. (vs. 8-12)

Wow- Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Sarah was 90. God keeps his promises. Just follow his leading, and believe.

BELIEVE AND DO.....

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (vs. 13-16)

There is more to it than just believing... you must live by faith, which implies action. To say you have faith means nothing, without doing something with it you are speaking meaningless words.

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (James 2:16-18)

Have you been inducted into the Hall of Faith? Do your actions back you up?

This is where I had to turn the page for verses 17-40 of Hebrews 11... so this is where I'll stop. If you want to read the entire chapter click here for Hebrews 11. I will come back soon to write the rest!