Faith In Something Better

Hebrews 11:32-40

Faith...

 -gives present substance to future hope

 -acts upon perception of spiritual realities

 -fuels our worship 

 -walks with God

 -pleases God

 -follows through on God’s word

 -draws distinction from the world

 -receives righteousness from Jesus 

 -prefers God in the unknown over security in what is known

 -patiently waits for a better future

 -believes God has power to do what He promises

 -desires the life to come more than the life that is

 -obeys even when command and promise seem to clash

 -doesn’t flesh out as perfection

 -surrenders our wills to God’s will 

 -has present confidence in unfulfilled promises 

 -Starts with God and is kept by God

 -faith’s future breeds worshipful hearts

 -chooses not to give in to fear 

 -chooses God’s path over worldly pleasures 

 -chooses to fully renounce your former life

 -chooses to act upon the Lord’s provision

 -chooses to walk in what God gives you to walk in 

 -overpowers the obstacles in your path between promise and possession

 -overpowers the brokenness in your life that stands between you and God. 

BIG IDEA: Faith finds the promise of God in Christ to be better than life and death

1. Better than what life can give (vv. 32-35a)  

2. Better than what death can take (vv. 35b-38)  

R.C. Sproul, “There are only two ways of dying: you can die in faith or you can die in your sins.”

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs
And works his sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purpose will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
the bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

3. Better than the wait (vv. 39-40)