Today we are continuing our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”.

Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus.

But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him.

The message from the writer of Hebrews is loud and clear: “There’s no life in the old way of doing things. The only source of salvation is Christ alone. He is above all.”

As chapter 11 opens the author is about to share the "hall of faith" to encourage his readers to persevere in the faith.

In Chapter 10 the author has been encouraging the readers to recall how they had already persevered in the midst of hardship and trials.

He is seeking to lift their spirits and spur on faithful living in the face of persecution. Coming into Chapter 11 he is about to share the Hall of Faith, names and stories of people who trusted God in the face of some really difficult circumstances. Before he begins, he wants to clear up what he means by Faith.

“Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

What we notice immediately is that biblical faith is not a flimsy hope. It’s decided and resolute choice, a firm and conscious decision to believe and trust in the reality of the Lord.

And biblical faith is not a static intellectual assent, it’s not a casual “yeah I believe in God”, it’s a settled affirmation that he is LORD of YOUR life that results in action.

Faith in the Lord means we live by his word and his desire, not what we see all around us in the world. And that’s the kind of lives the author is about to show us.

From the first children of Adam and Eve, through the great flood with Noah, to the calling of Abraham, the author does a sweep of biblical history to highlight the impact of faith on each persons life.

Notice how many times he says “By faith” then lists the action they took.

This phrase comes up again and again, that repetition is there to drive home the point- True Faith results in ACTION.

All of these stories are unique and different, but they all show a life lived by faith and trust in the word of God.

The author wants his audience to understand- The life of faith is not all about happy endings. He says “All these people died before they ever saw the fulfillment of the promises.”

Even though they never got to experience what God had promised, they continued to believe and trust him. And that’s the life the author is calling his audience to live.

As if he is running out of breath he says “I could go on and on, but I don’t have time to share with you all the amazing stories from the hall of faith. Men and women who despite challenging circumstances in their lives, chose to trust the Lord”

With wording connecting all the way back to verse two the author puts the finishing touch on this whole section. All of these people were commended, were celebrated and approved by God, because of their faith.

Imperfect people can still live a life that pleases God, the life of Faith.

The author has given considerable space in his letter to show his audience what a life of faith looks like and to make it clear- it’s the only life that pleases God.

To the original audience, facing ongoing persecution and pressure from the world, I have to think this came both as an encouragement and a warning.

An encouragement that they were not alone in facing trials and even persecution and yet a warning that they needed to hold firm in their faith.

Generations of God’s people before them faced incredible difficulties in following God’s call for their lives, some even died before they saw the fulfillment of those promises. But they lived each day, moment by moment, trusting in the promises of God. I think that’s what the author was calling his first century readers to, and I believe that’s exactly what we are called to now. To be hall of faith Christians.


These 'hall of faithers' did not make this list because they were perfect, but because their faith called them to repent of their sins and failures, and continue after the will and way of God. And that’s exactly what a life of faith is about for us today.

It’s about a conscious and purposeful decision to live every moment, to make every decision, in light of the reality of God. Even if we don’t see the promises fulfilled, even if the world says we are crazy and stupid- choose faith. Cling to the promises of God.

That’s the only life that pleases God.

The beautiful thing about God’s grace is that today can mark a new day in your story. You can start your life of faith today, right now.

Will you live you life by faith?