One of the key aspects
of human survival is ‘Hope.’ I do not know how many of you would agree with me.
But the fact is that the most vulnerable being in the world is none other than HUMAN
BEINGS. Therefore, people are always
insecure and try their best in some way or other to land on safe ground, no
matter what price is to be paid. As a result, we have also experienced the
problems of terrorism, religious conflict, and corruption which are the
dominant issues of this age. By saying
this, I don’t want to lead you toward a pessimistic worldview. Rather I would
begin with a question: “how would we respond to these issues from the Biblical
arena?”
The author of the book
of Hebrews is anonymous. However many readers believe it to be the work of
Paul. The title doesn’t appear in any ancient manuscripts and, even if one
agrees that Paul may have written it, he hardly has any prior claim to the
authorship. Also, one cannot be certain about the date of Hebrews either; it is
probably safe to assume that the book was written in the early eighties or soon
after the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in AD 70.
One
of the interesting things that we see in the book of Hebrews is that the Old
Testament plays a dominant role throughout the book. Each chapter begins with an
Old Testament reference or refers to Old Testament people or Old Testament concepts.
Raymond Brown brings out five rich spiritual qualities in the lives of Old Testament personalities from the selected
text, i.e. their confidence, witness, quest, discernment and security. However,
I would like to approach the text in a slightly different way. Based on the
read text I will be speaking on the topic “Christian legacy and the
Missional Journey”
1.
PROMISES OF GOD
Verse 13 begins with the position of kata. pi,stin at
the beginning of the sentence. One of
the interesting things that we can find here in the verse is that it doesn’t
begin in a way that it has been used in the preceding verses! The dative form
of pistin pi,stin, meaning
‘by faith’ is used eighteen times
in Hebrews 11: 3-31. However the phrase Kata pi,stin ( according to their
faith) is used only once in Hebrews. The
author connects the early Christians with the patriarchs. The author very
clearly signifies that the patriarchs had not acquired the promise, yet they
could see it and they had it in mind. That’s what faith is all about.
Therefore, it gives a clear sense of how the author defines faith in the early
verses of chapter 11. It is an unseen substance! I know many of us are
struggling with the quest for our future! We might not have received the answer
yet. We might be in a dilemma concerning what we should do. I think we should see the heroes of the faith
and emulate their faith in order to have hope and assurance of the future.
We can observe the trial of faith here: Firstly,
the promises were not fulfilled in their life time, secondly, they could
however see clearly that the promises would be fulfilled, thirdly, they were
persuaded and believed the promises, and fourthly, they embraced them.
How do we check our faith? How do we articulate it?
Can we say that, “Yes! God has the answers!”
Unfortunately, we don’t have eyes to see the
promises which do not logically fit in
with our understanding! There is one
thing lacking in our academic intelligentsia--
we downplay the heart of God in order to please the world. This is
the great set- back of our Christianity. This is what we see in Europe and
other western countries where churches are turning into museums and relics. Let
us not forget that God is still looking for ….here and there…those who would
hold onto the promises of God.
2.
MISSION OF GOD:-
I mentioned in the first section how the Promises of God are what revive
our wounded soul. I do not hesitate to say that it is the Promise of God which
gives us the boost into the Mission of God.
Patriarchs continued on in their mission that they would receive the
promises of God. The writer of Hebrews clearly knew that the early Christians
were on the verge of backsliding after the destruction of the temple of
Jerusalem. Their hope of the Messiah’s return did not really seem to be sure.
Who would give them justice and peace from the hands of the ever- present Roman
Empire?
I raised the question earlier of how we would respond to the world’s
problems. How would we see the promises fulfilled when we can’t even see what
the promises are? Well! This is the
secret of faith in that we have a hope which takes us beyond the state of the
world to find the answers to the problems! Paul says in II Cor 1:10 that “we
have set our hope on him that he will rescue”. In the same letter 3:12 says,”
we have such a hope on which we act with boldness”. It’s hope that links the
Promise of God with the Mission of God.
Andrew Kirk affirms in his book (what is Mission?) “The Church is
because the Mission is.” Therefore, Mission is always active. How can we
carry on in Mission if we don’t carry the promise of God with us? Jewish Christians
were confounded with questions. The
author comments on this situation, stating that our home is not here! “We are
sojourners.” The end of verse 13 talks
about strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (KJV). The Greek Bible says xe,noi kai. parepi,dhmoi “strangers and sojourners”. The source of this
expression might be Gen 23:4 where Abraham describes himself as a temporary
resident in the district of Kiriath Arba, without any civil rights. Whatever it
may be, one thing is clear, and that is that Faith links the promises and the
Mission and this very faith refuses to be silent. FAITH doesn’t limit its
territory.
3.
DESTINY OF THE
MISSION
One of the profound meanings in the book of Hebrews is that it focuses on “Better
Christ” and we are waiting for the BETTER COUNTRY. It is
clear that their unsettled existence in Canaan provided enough room for
returning to their previous land. But no! The promises of God helped them to
carry on the Mission. Vs. 16 uses the verb ovre,gontai ‘to aspire to’,
‘to long for’. They were molded by a clear promise; longing for the promises…Headland
calls it an Eschatological perspective. A perspective that would revive
their hearts and minds. This also gives enough explanation why God is not
ashamed to be called ‘the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob” Exodus 3:6.
Friends! Sometimes there are no answers to our
questions! If we really want to know the answers, ask the
Patriarchs and they would answer!
Ask Jim Elliot, who gave his life for the people of
Ecuador. It seems to be foolishness! In fact it was foolishness in the eyes of
the world but he knew that God’s promise would never fail. It would be better
to be a fool for Christ sake than to be a prince in this world. Ask Fanny
Crosby who was blind but could see God through the Promise. Ask Gladys Staines who
lost her husband and two sons. After losing the treasures of her heart, Gladys
could see the Promise of God and can greet Graham, Philip and Timothy with joy!
That’s Faith!
In conclusion, I would
like to leave these three thoughts with you and let us ponder upon this! One of
the profound English writers G.K. Chesterton said that “The object of a
new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a
new soul.” The problem will carry on... You will never see a problem- free
world! But how shall we tackle this? Let the promise of God, the mission of God
and the destiny of mission inspire us to take the right steps in the year
2012.
Presentation:
Presentation:
(This sermon was
preached in the chapel at Union Biblical Seminary on 19th January
2012)
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