Hold Firm Your Faith

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 134
• Hymn
• Prayer of Invocation
• Confession of Sin — Psalm 51
• Assurance of Pardon — Psalm 51:17
• Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 21:1-14
• Pastoral Prayer
• Offering
• Hymn
• Sermon
• Hymn
• Benediction — Hebrews 13:20-21

---

Sermon Title: Hold Firm Your Faith

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16

I. Introduction: The Purpose and Context of Hebrews 11

A. Hebrews 11 does not exist in isolation — it serves the call to endurance in Hebrews 10:36 and Hebrews 12:1-2 B. The original audience had suffered persecution, grown comfortable, and needed a call to steadfastness C. The broad definition of faith: a certain conviction wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit as to the truth of the gospel, and a hearty reliance or trust on the promises of God in Christ D. Faith defined specifically in Hebrews 11:1 — faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen

1. Faith is a guarantee — a confidence now of what has been promised for later
2. To hold firm your faith is to remain confident in your possession of things promised in God's Word

II. Faith Frames a Particular Posture Toward This World

A. The heroes of faith died without receiving the things promised — Hebrews 11:13

1. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob lived in tents in the promised land, never taking full possession — Genesis 12
2. Death reminds us this world is temporary; sin has made death an unwelcome ruler B. The faithful confessed themselves strangers and exiles on the earth — Hebrews 11:13
3. The Greek word for "strangers" carries the sense of alien — one who does not belong at all
4. "Exiles" carries the sense of one merely passing through, not settled
5. In speaking this way they made clear they were still seeking a homeland — Hebrews 11:14 C. God did not fail his promises — Abraham and his heirs lived and died in faith, trusting what had been promised D. Two practical implications of not being home yet
6. Guard what you treasure — Matthew 6:19-21: do not lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy; be careful what you love and give your heart to
7. Work for the good of this world while here — Jeremiah 29:5-7: seek the welfare of the city where God has placed you, as stewards and caretakers of creation since Genesis 1

III. Faith Desires the Sure Hope of a Home with God

A. The faithful desire a better country — that is, a heavenly one — Hebrews 11:16

1. The logic of the verse turns on two words: "therefore" and "for"
2. God prepares a city → the faithful desire that city → God is not ashamed to be called their God B. God has prepared a home for his people — this is pure grace
3. Before the fall, mankind had a home with God — intimacy without fear, guilt, or shame
4. The fall broke that intimacy and expelled man from God's presence
5. God was not required to prepare a home — these words are soaked in grace
6. This home has been prepared from the foundation of the world — Matthew 25 C. This home is not universal — it is for those who by faith desire the better, heavenly country
7. To desire the heavenly home is to desire the home where Christ is
8. Christ ascended into heaven — Luke 24:51-52
9. Christ is seated at the right hand of the throne of God — Hebrews 12:2
10. Christ ever lives to make intercession for his saints there D. God is not ashamed to be called their God — wonder of grace
11. This echoes the covenant promise: "I will be your God and you will be my people"
12. The enmity and hostility created by sin is fully undone through Christ
13. Christ is the mediator of a new and better covenant — his blood cleanses the guilty conscience
14. All things set right: Revelation 21:4 — no more death, mourning, crying, or pain

IV. Conclusion: Hold Firm Your Faith in God's Promises

A. Faith frames a particular posture toward this world — this is not your final home; guard your treasure; work for the good of this place B. Faith desires the sure promise of a home with God — by faith, that home is already a guarantee, waiting for all who trust in Christ