A World Not Worthy

For the last three weeks, as we’ve made our way through Hebrews 11, we have learned about faith through the saints who have gone before us. We’ve been looking at their faith so that, by the grace of God, we might walk in that same faith ourselves.

Now God willing, in this final installment from verse 30 through the end of the chapter, we will look one more time at the faith of our forefathers and foremothers and let their faith provoke us to walk after them. Look with me at verse 30. This is the Word of the Living God:

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”

-Hebrews 11:30–40

We’ll break this final section into five parts:

In verse 30, we’ll see how Christian faith conquers civilizations. In verse 31, we’ll see how Christian faith makes sinners into sons and daughters of God.In verses 32–34, we’ll see how Christian faith is the root of all good fruit. In verses 35–38, we’ll see how Christian faith faces trial with steadfastness. And finally, in verses 39–40, we’ll see how Christian faith awaits its coming future glory with all of God’s saints.