“All these died in faith…”

  “All these died in faith…”  Who are “these”?

Hebrews 11:4 Abel offered a better sacrifice because of his faith in God.
Hebrews 11:5 Enoch walked with God, by faith.
Hebrews 11:7 Noah had a history of faith in God.
Hebrews 11:8 Abraham obeyed God’s call by faith.
Hebrews 11:9 Isaac and Jacob were fellow heirs of God’s promise given to Abraham.
Hebrews 11:11 Abraham and Sarah believed God’s promise of a son in their old age.

(NASB) Hebrews 11:13 “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”

Not one of these believers received the promises God gave them.  They saw the promises of God and welcomed them – from a distance.  Their faith was in the reality of God’s promises…God’s promises were real and true then and they are real and true today.  Their faith was in the One who made those promises.

(NASB) Hebrews 11:14-15 “For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
¹⁵ And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

Conclusion: They knew they were strangers and exiles, without a permanent home here on earth.  They lived by faith in the living God and His promises without turning back. They chose not to return to living without God.
Their desire was for God!  They believed in His promises to them and for them.

What are your desires?  Having once put your faith in the living God, don’t turn back to living without Him in your life.  You and I are to live by faith in the living God.

All of these, who are in this Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, did not live to see God’s promises fulfilled…not one!  Yet their faith was in the living God and His promises.

Take it to heart ~

We are to live by faith!  We are to die in faith!

(NASB) James 4:7-8 “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

“All these died in faith”…are you living by faith so you will die in faith?