Grace For You Day November 28

Hebrews 11 has been referred to by many names. For example, it has been called “The Hall of Faith,” “The Heroes of Faith,” “the Honor Roll of Faith,” and “The Westminster Abbey of Scripture.” However, one key theme that is always prominent in any discussion of it is the word “faith” which appears more than 20 times in the chapter. Several key instances include:  

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms (11:32-33).  

The reason the author spends so much time on this issue is because he wants to show his audience that the people in the Old Testament were saved the same way we are, by faith. They were not saved by works the way some Jews thought they were in the first century. They were not going to Heaven because they earned it through the Law. It came by the mercy of God just like it does for Christians.  

God has never redeemed a man by works. As this chapter makes clear, even as far back as the days of Abel, he forgives us on the basis of grace alone. Our works are not the instigator of our redemption. They are simply the by-product of it.  

 
This is important because the Book of Hebrews has spent a considerable amount of time demonstrating how the New Covenant is superior to the old. In doing so, some readers may think that this principle of saving faith originated in the New Covenant and the saints in the Old Covenant were saved another way. But the writer is making it clear that that is not the case, which is what we will talk about this week at Grace Fellowship Church.  

This Sunday, we are going to look at one of the most exciting chapters in the Bible. This is a portion of Scripture that we should all appreciate because it teaches us that God’s standard for salvation has not changed throughout all of human history. It may have looked differently at times but people have always been forgiven through one thing and one thing only and that is faith. It was that way for the Israelites of the Old Testament and it is the same way for the Church.  

Please join us as we talk about this encouraging subject! Our service begins at 9:30. It will be recorded and livestreamed on our YouTube Channel for all those who are not able to join us in person. 

– Jeremy Cagle