hebrews 11 commentary spurgeonhebrews 11 commentary spurgeon

C. H. Spurgeon at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. This indicates a permanent abode. PASSMORE & ALABASTER, Paternoster Buildings; and all Booksellers. Poor sinner! This woman's faith was A SYMPATHISING FAITH. For an offensive weapon, take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"; and if this does not serve your turn, nothing will. Well, then, you have your wish, here is the call in black and white; and I do but speak according to common sense when I say that if the Lord's call to you be written in the Bible, and it certainly is, you do not speak truth when you say, "I would listen to it if it were spoken, but I cannot listen to it because it is written." So the text says, "Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God." Whatever happened, he had always been under the divine smile, and all things had worked for his good. And, without doubt, her salvation was not merely of a temporal nature, not merely a deliverance of her body from the sword, but redemption of her soul from hell. The same faith which saved Rahab can save thee. They called his warning "an old wives' fable," and he himself was "an old fossil." Hebrews 11:8 . The obedience which faith produces must be continuous . He did not choose another sort of wood, nor alter the shape of the vessel, nor make more stories, nor more windows, nor more doors; but he distrusted his own judgment, and leaned not to his own understanding. It is a long time to wait; but what would you do with a hundred added on to it? I must not dwell on this theme, delightful as it is; I want a few words with you, my friends, direct and personal, before I close. Do not try to answer cavillers; but if you do, mind that faith is your weapon. Our lease of mortal life is fast running out. If a man receives a written letter from his father or a friend, does he attach less importance to it than he would have done to a spoken communication? God add his blessing on these words for Christ's sake. And because we desire this better thing, we cannot go back and be content with things which gratified us once. Now, you may have a dead faith which will ruin your soul. I shall this evening first speak to you upon:--. I tried the other day to say a good word, and I am afraid that I made a failure of it. Trust in the precious blood: that is the great sin-killer. It can not be. He needed no forcing and driving, "God drew him and he followed on, Charmed to confess the voice divine.". It is true that just after his first call, his own father, Terah, died, having gone a part of the way with Abraham and detained Abraham a little while by sickness. Ah me! the great sinner may become great in faith. But is it so with all of you? Like a good soldier, he obeyed his marching orders, asking no questions. Whosoever would be saved must know the Scriptures, and must give full assent unto them. It seems too, in the text, that God looks to what he had prepared for these poor people. They simply blow a number of rams' horns; her neighbors say, "Why, Rahab, you do not mean to say you believe now? Oh! We may hunt the world through, and say, "This looks like a little paradise," but there is not any paradise this side of the skies, for a child of God at any rate. I will show you that it is so; for, if I should hear a voice, how am I to know that it is divine? How strong is the evil in the most upright man! "Well, then," said the other, "I don't think you are, because you are worse than a heathen man and a publican, for you don't care for your own household; therefore I don't think you give much evidence of being God's elect, for they love their fellow-creatures." "he hath prepared for them"--"them." That she was really saved in a gospel sense as well as temporally, seems to me to be proved from her reception of the spies which was an emblem of the entrance of the word into her heart, and her hanging out of the scarlet thread was an evidence of faith, not unaptly picturing faith in the blood of Jesus the Redeemer. The city of which you, who have never been converted to Christ, are citizens, is a City of Destruction, and, as is its name, such will be its end. On the contrary, luxury often pulleth up, and abundance makes the heart to swell with vanity. Is it always going to be so? He bids: we obey. Only break the ice, and begin; and you shall find my text to be true in your case also, and out of weakness you, too, shall be made strong. But a strong-minded man is one who does not try to be singular, but who dares to be singular, when he knows that to be singular is to be right. How can he own them? More than that, if ever the child of God gets entangled, for a while he is uneasy in it. Be assured, beyond all questioning, that he that believeth in the Lord Jesus is not condemned. "I will be your God," saith he, and he oftentimes seems to speak of it as a very joyful thing to his own heart. Such a wretched faith has no influence on the man's self, and it will have no influence upon others. Suppose that you are called to testify for truth in the midst of those who doubt, disbelieve, or even deride it. Dost thou stand at this moment in this assembly, and say, "I am ashamed to be here; I know I have no right to stand among people who are chaste and honest?" Indeed, it seems to me as if the word "opportunity" as it occurs in the text, were hardly strong enough to express the influence and incentive, the provocations and solicitations, by which, in our case, we have been urged. Faith is weakness clinging to strength, and becoming strong through so doing. In a lonely hamlet one has little company, but in a city much. Even bad men will obey God when they think fit; but good men will obey when they know not what to think of it. We will take our last journey, and we will not fear to take it, for God is our refuge and strength, our helper in the hour of trouble and of death. They were aliens in the country which God had given them by promise. Five or six families came out of that place, and became substantial in wealth, and generous in liberality. Hare you not been obliged to say, after you have had all that the world could give you, "Vanity of Vanities, all is vanity?" Shall I only bear testimony to points on which I may agree with other people, and hold my tongue about the rest. There is enough out there in the farm yard for the hogs, but there is not that which is suitable for the children. Dear brethren, let us cultivate these desires more and more. "Nay, my Lord," they would reply, "do not put me off with these biding presents; feed me not upon these husks. These men were fed on substantial meat, and they became sturdy old fellows, able to cope with the world, and fight their way. We see faith dauntless in courage when Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, and equally patient in suffering when he endured as seeing him who is invisible. Abraham's faith, then, was a tried one. He so believed, that fear came upon him, and that fear made him act as God bade him. We tarry here a night; we are away in the morning. Amen. I do not always enjoy that something better. "We know that this earthly house of our tent shall be dissolved, but we have a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens." The solitary place shall be glad for you, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. Or if you spiritually perceive that part, you see it as it is, but God sees it as it will be when it shall be like unto Christ, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. Hold you to God's Word by faith, and you will be strong. A strange mystery is the simple act of faith. Let him feel, "God commands, and therefore he will bear me through;" and he will be strong. Do you think that we meditate enough upon heaven? I will rehearse no stories of Christian women with jeering husbands, nor of godly youths who endure scoffing, and far worse; but many a house is still a place of martyrdom. He knew that none could save him but God; but as God bade him prepare an ark, an ark he prepared, and thus he was saved and his house. Who among us has done this? O! Here was Noah filled with such a holy fear of himself, that he took care to do what the Lord bade him, even to the most minute particular. Look at the miser. So, then, you see the reason why the Christian cannot go back, though he has many opportunities, lies in this, that through divine grace he has had produced in his heart desires for something better, and even when he does not as yet enjoy that something better, the desires themselves become mighty bonds that keep him from returning to what he was. By faith we understand ( Hebrews 11:1 and 11:3 ). Perhaps you have tried to fill your soul with worldly things. Yes, but you would not, though; you know better than that, for you do not, as it is, give all, no, nor yet half, nor yet the thousandth part. Let us fly away and find our home in the rock of ages." but here it is that God exercises his great husbandry. Cling to your works, and there you go dashing down the gulf! IN ALMOST every capital of Europe there are varieties of triumphal arches or columns, upon which are recorded the valiant deeds of the country's generals, its emperors, or its monarchs. Even when he does not realize as yet, or actually enjoy, that infinite good, which is something better than creature comfort or worldly ambition, the desires themselves become mighty bonds that keep him from returning to his former state. Your children have been about you; you have had many household joys, and you have said, "I could stay here for ever." To begin with: FAITH MAKES MEN STRONG FOR HOLY DOING. Yes, this is a chief ingredient of heaven that we shall see the face of our Lord, and serve him day and night in his temple. Hebrews 1, Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible, One of over 125 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is from the most widely read and often quoted preacher in history, Charles Haddon Spurgeon StudyLght.org. You will find, in one case, the thousand battles of a Napoleon recorded, and in another, you find the victories of a Nelson pictured. Now, Rahab's faith, sinner as she was, had this glory, this crown about its head, that she stood alone, faithful among the faithless found.". Perfect obedience to God would mean love among men, justice to all classes, and peace in every land. "Ah!" "Without faith it is impossible to please God." We read of the children of Ephraim that, being armed, and carrying bows, they turned back in the day of battle; and therefore they were never to be relied on in the time of war. He, too, have had many calls, but perhaps we have said, "If I heard a voice speaking from the sky I would obey it," but the form in which your call has come has been better than that, for Peter in his second epistle tells us that he himself heard a voice out of the excellent glory when he was with our Lord in the holy mount, but he adds, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy" as if the testimony which is written, the light that shineth in a dark place, which beams forth from the word of God, was more sure than even the voice which he heard from heaven. "No; the fact of it is, I think, if I look to myself that is quite enough." Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Christ taketh away the vulture from the conscience, but he taketh away the chains too, and maketh the man wholly free when he doeth it all. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. Let your reply be We no longer live in the region of argument as to the Word of the Lord; but we dwell in the realm of faith. Will you not yield your weakness to him, and receive his strength, Permit me to speak to some aspiring spirit here, and say,--Dear friend, would you like to do something great for God Have you heard the motto of our early missionaries: "Attempt great things for God"? Wrapt in this he stood before the Lord, justified and approved. Let us think of heaven, of Christ, of all the blessings of the covenant, and let us thus keep our desires wide awake. God does not create useless things: he intends that the faith he gives should have its test, should glorify his name. She became after that a woman eminent for piety walking in the fear of God. Out of a sort of kindly pity for his neighbour's weak-mindedness, with a mixture of an unacknowledged feeling on his own account, he went to hear the preaching of the Word, and was brought to Jesus. The obedience that comes of faith is of a noble sort. He has invited sinners to do it. I think they were mistaken in the notion that they would be despised. Fools say, "We never shall be saved, and therefore it would be useless to care about it. Faith alone can confirm feeble knees. Abraham asked no question: he was not like Moses: he did not say, "Who am I that thou shouldest send me;" but when he was commanded to go, he went and he followed God without hesitation. There are many who have that kind of faith: they believe just so far as probabilities go with them, but when the promise and the probability part, then they follow the probability and part with the promise. We are all in heavenly things so weak, that the idea of being made strong should be very attractive to us. Is it not so? Men have repented, and yet have not been saved, because their's was the wrong repentance. O! Art thou literally one of Rahab's sisters in guilt? There was never such a task as that since time began. 1. Said the dear little lad, very prettily, "Because I'm a good boy." take comfort. You shall hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." The words of the Lord are like fine gold, pure, precious, and weighty not ono of them may be neglected. Yes, that is the stale objection which Celsus used against Oigen in his discussion. First, then, he had a call. Let the personal question go round and cause great searching of heart, for I fear that in many instances precious faith is absent. Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord." "All you need is faith," so Curtis Mayfield's song from the sixties assures us. Obedience is hard work to proud flesh and blood; indeed, these ingrained rebels will never obey through our own efforts. By faith he was adopted and became a son, an heir. To believe is to be holy. You will meet with temptations when you sit gasping on the banks of the last river, waiting for the summons to cross; it may be that your fiercest temptation may come even then. -- Hebrews 11:34. Alas! Do the young men refuse to be advised? It is not ours to judge the Lord's command, but to follow it. God sees the poorest child of God as he will be in that day when he shall be like Christ, for he shall see him as he is. Life has no trial which can turn the gracious soul from its passion for obedience; and death itself doth but enable it to render an obedience which shall be as blissful as it will be complete. Intended for Reading on Lord's-Day, June 21st, 1891, "Out of weakness were made strong." And now in conclusion, THE QUESTION, the vital question. Why put your life in jeapordy for such an improbability? The spirit of proselyting is the spirit of Christianity, and we ought to be desirous of possessing it. He does not like to say, "That's my brother;" or, "That's a relative of mine." "Nay, my Lord," they would say, "don't put me off so, don't give me these husks, though thou give mountains of them. "Prophesying; how is that? I know a man who walks seven miles every Sabbath to hear the gospel preached in a certain place--a place where they preach the gospel. It was a long martyrdom. Because they are strangers, and because they will not go back to their old abode, therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God. The true faith may be known by this, that it begets a great esteem, for the person of Christ. But this woman, poor sinner as she was, would deny herself. There are snares in company, but there are snares in our loneliness. That faith which saves the soul is a real faith, and a real faith sanctifies men. Then did the world accord them the name of "great." Oh, may the day never come to you, you young people especially, who have lately put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and professed his name, when you shall be welcomed by the world, but may you for ever forget your kindred and your father's house, so shall the king greatly desire your beauty, for he is the Lord, and worship you him. You don't need no baggage, you just get on board. Had my voice been strong enough, I could have enlarged, for it is a subject upon which much might be said extremely interesting to the spiritual mind. "Yes," says another, "I believe in Christ;" and when he gets outside he will begin to talk lightly, frothy words, perhaps lascivious ones, and sin as before. Practice by obedience now the song which you will sing for ever in glory. This was a grand thing for the tribes in their after journeys through the wilderness. He shall dwell in God's house and be still praising him. There are many ways in which the devil's whip can reach the back of the child of God. Biblical Commentary (Bible Study) Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: Hebrews 11 is the great faith chapter of the Bible, first defining faith (v. 1) and then using well-known Hebrew people to show faith in action. Noah had, in this case, received a promise; but, as the dark background to it, he had listened to the terrible threatening that God would destroy all living things with a flood: his faith believed both the warning and the promise. Delivered on Lord's-day Morning, June 1st, 1890, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Hebrews 11:2. You will say, "You want to make proselytes." I fear I should never have touched his case if I had not been in the miry clay myself. I. I resolved, the other day, that I would see a man whom I had known, and tell him that I was a changed character; but when I reached his house, I drifted into other talk, and went the way in which he led me. Charles Haddon Spurgeon December 14, 1856 Scripture: Hebrews 11:6 From: New Park Street Pulpit Volume 3 Faith "Without faith it is impossible to please God."Hebrews 11:6 The Old Assembly's Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" and its answer is, "To glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever." They were a grand company. Then you can set almighty forces in operation. Sitting here with your brethren in Christ, you look very cheerful; but I may be addressing those whose life is one protracted struggle for existence. You are not much like Noah. I confess that I do not believe that one human brain is capable of answering every objection that another human brain could raise against the most obvious truth in the world. "Yea," he said; "' he is a fellow that preaches with his feet." 9, IN holy Scripture faith is placed in opposition to the sight of the eyes, and yet it is frequently described as looking and seeing. And Jacob, one of the patriarchs, was driven to go down into the land; but he could not stay there; he was always unrestful, until at last he stole a march upon Laban and came back to the proper life, the life that he had chosen--the life that God had commanded him to live--of a pilgrim and stranger in the land of promise. "Pray, sir," said she, believing that he understood the matter, and looking frightened, "What have I left out?" That is not the faith to which the promise is given. He has placed him in due order of time after Abel and Enoch; but he had also another reason for the arrangement. "Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone; Dare to have a purpose true, Dare to make it known. We cannot even have, when we judge ourselves rightly, patience with ourselves; but how is it that God bears with the ill-manners of such a froward, weak, foolish, forgetful people as his people are? If you believe that God is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek him, you will persevere; but not else. Not so Noah: he was precise in his obedience, and careful to remain so. Dost thou seek to serve him? The Apostle tells us, however, that the people of God were not forced to continue, because they could not return. Ah, how frequently will solitude have temptations as severe as publicity could possibly bring. If we have a faith which is greedy in hearing, severe in judging, and rapid in self-congratulation, but not inclined to obedience, we have the faith of hypocrites. Opportunities to return you have now, but ah! Have you an Ishmael? As many of us as have believed in Christ Jesus have been called out. Yes; and you will reply, that Christ said to the Pharisees, "Ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte." I thought it was a great nuisance to be had in at such a time to pray, and more especially to be made to cry, as my mother used to make me cry. All the answer was, "Go away with you. It begins with one triumph of faith, and then proceeds to others. Ah! The old fable speaks of the Augean stable, foul enough to have poisoned a nation, which Hercules cleansed; but our sins were fouler than that. HYMNS FROM "OUR OWN HYMN BOOK" 913, 652, 504. Again, this trial of faith cometh oftentimes in matters of providence. "Out of weakness were made strong": this will be experienced in bearing witness for the truth of God. The things that we have a title to, that we value, are ours to-day by faith: we do not enjoy them yet. The answer is exceedingly correct; but it might have been equally truthful if it had been shorter. ABRAHAM left his country at God's command, and he never went back again. A. Moses' choice to obey God by faith resulted in short-term suffering. [ d] Read full chapter Footnotes Shall God's longsuffering mercy only afford you opportunities for multiplying transgressions. Let us get away to the uncursed and ever blessed, where Jesus Christ dwells for ever. There is many a Christian who, if he were to go back to the gaiety of the world, would find the world await him with open arms. "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," and while he calls himself their God he never forbids them to call him their God; and in the presence of the great ones of the earth they may call him their God--anywhere. Today we're reading the New Testament book of Matthew Chapter 18 , and I'm smoking . "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and ye shall be saved." What harvest will come of our sowing we must leave with the Lord of the harvest; but we ourselves must look to the basket and the seed, and scatter our handfuls in the furrows without fail. Be strong. have not been in the fear of God. & ALABASTER, Buildings! He needed no forcing and driving, `` Wherefore God is the great sin-killer he gives should have test! 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