Tuesday, May 27, 2008, Part 2
". . . who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth" (Hebrews 11:33-38).
IDEA: It takes great faith to "subdue kingdoms" but even greater faith to "rule in righteousness."
PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that getting to the top by faith isn't as hard as governing at the top by faith.
In Hebrews 11 the writer changes tactics: instead of describing individual people of faith in detail, he now lists what unnamed people accomplished through faith.
Why do you think the writer changed this approach?
I. Do you enjoy reading lists?
They are difficult to preach. "Watch out for lists."
The genealogies in the Bible are seldom made into an extended study series.
In Romans 16:1-16 Paul sends greetings to individual people in the church at Rome, many of whom we may not have heard before. Most preachers skip them.
The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are a challenge to preach in a single sermon.
Do you think it is wise to "skip" them as you read through the Bible?
The lists in Hebrews are difficult to read unless we slow down and think about them.
We note that the writer divides his list into two groups:
Those who accomplished great things (Hebrews 11:32-35a).
Those who suffered great things (Hebrews 35b-38).
Does this division surprise you in any way?
II. In the first division he writes about leaders who "subdued kingdoms" and those who "ruled in righteousness."
Which of the two do you think is more difficult?
Many of the victors won against overwhelming odds. They won military victories, and those who won them were applauded by the people.
"Wrought righteousness" refers to the way leaders ruled by faith.
Do you agree with the 19th century historian, Lord Acton, who warned, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely"?
How might "faith" keep someone from that corruption?