Gateway Baptist Church
January 11, 2026

      • Matthew 25:40NKJV

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      • Matthew 25:40NKJV

  • The Lily Of The Valley
  • Whosoever Meaneth Me
  • Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
  • I'll Fly Away - O Brother Where Art Thou
  • Holy Ground

  • Hebrews 11:1-40

    What does it signify to believe, belong, and become? Is this concept aligned with a biblical ideal? Why is it not possible to belong prior to believing? Alternatively, could I not become without the other two? Is it necessary for these elements to occur in this specific sequence? Over the forthcoming weeks, we will examine Hebrews 11 and address these inquiries.
    Let us read this chapter.
    In team sports, it is essential to believe and trust that each teammate will fulfill their responsibilities. Such trust and confidence are fundamental to our teamwork. In coaching sessions, emphasis was consistently placed on effective communication among team members. Our defensive formation was a 3-4 scheme, wherein the middle linebackers would vocally alert the team by shouting commands such as "pull" along with directional cues. They monitored the guards and the center; if a pull occurred, they would promptly inform our defensive ends to prevent them from being caught off guard. The defensive backs maintained constant communication, especially when observing motion, which enabled them to align correctly and safeguard vulnerable areas. This mutual communication fostered a sense of trust, reinforcing the notion that teammates look out for one another.
    In our spiritual journey with Christ, we can maintain consistent trust and faith in Him. We can recognize the enemy's presence through communication with the Holy Spirit. By having faith and acting in accordance with our beliefs, we establish our sense of belonging, paralleling the actions of fellow believers. Understanding our divine purpose enables us to become the individuals He has created us to be. But we cannot skip the order.
    What is the nature of belief? Seeing is not equivalent to believing; rather, believing is equivalent to seeing. How many of us have ever heard this saying? It is indeed true and originates from the Word of God. Hebrews 11:1-3 illustrates what genuine belief entails. In these verses, we see three assurances from faith. The first is assurance is hope. The second is assurance of commendations. The last assurance is Christ.

    Hope:

    Believing is the assurance of something being true. In verse one, we read “…the assurance of things hoped for….” What is the author trying to convey?
    The Greek word for 'Assurance' is 'hypostasis,' which signifies the provision of a foundation of trust and reliance. Where does this assurance come from? Hebrews 3:14
    Hebrews 3:14 LSB
    For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
    Please be advised that the assurance which motivates our hope is founded upon faith in Christ. Absent Christ, my hope relies on human ability, which, frankly, is not reassuring. However, if my confidence is placed in Christ, then I possess a well-founded assurance of hope.
    The Greek term for ‘Hope’ is ‘elpizo,’ which denotes the capacity to anticipate with confidence that which is advantageous and beneficial; Luke 24:21; 1 Timothy 4:10.
    Luke 24:21 LSB
    “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.
    1 Timothy 4:10 LSB
    For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
    The Hebrew author stated in Hebrews 3:6 that our hope resides in the confidence of Christ. I would prefer to express hope in humanity; however, our historical performance is not encouraging. Consequently, my hope does not lie in my own or mankind's abilities, but rather in what has been secured for us through Christ’s abilities.
    Hebrews 3:6 LSB
    but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope.
    Salvation—this was solely Christ's accomplishment. Our security is rooted entirely in Him. Hope—again—belonging exclusively to Him and attainable solely through Him. This underscores the importance of placing our faith in Him. While mutual trust is essential, verification remains a prudent approach.
    The second component of hope corresponds to the latter part of this verse: “…the conviction of things not seen.” The Greek term for ‘Conviction’ is ‘elenchos,’ which signifies evidence, typically derived from argument or discussion, regarding the truth or existence of something. There exists more evidence supporting the existence of Jesus Christ than for any other historical figure, such as George Washington. Are we not, then, believing without direct visual confirmation?
    The phrase ‘…things not seen” originates from the Greek term ‘Blepo,’ which signifies to see, often in the context of becoming aware of or noticing something. Moses observed the burning bush and became cognizant of it. Peter observed Christ and recognized His identity as the Messiah. Romans 8:24; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:7; John 1:29
    Romans 8:24 LSB
    For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees?
    2 Corinthians 5:7 LSB
    for we walk by faith, not by sight—
    2 Corinthians 4:18 LSB
    while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
    John 1:29 LSB
    On the next day, he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
    Faith is not merely the assurance of hope but also entails that those who believe in Christ will be granted their commendations.

    Commendation:

    By the time of Christ, Judaism was no longer the supernatural system God had originally given. It had been twisted into a works system, with all kinds of legalistic requirements. It was a system of self-effort, self-salvation, and self-glorification. It was far from the faith system that God had given. In many ways, it was a religious cult built on ethics. As all works systems, it was despised by God, particularly because it was a corruption of the true system He had given. God has never redeemed man by works, but always by faith (Hab 2:4). As this chapter makes clear, from the time of Adam on, God has honored faith, not works. Works have always been commanded as a by-product of faith, never as a means of salvation. God does not tolerate any self-imposed ethical system as a means of reaching Him.
    Habakkuk 2:4 LSB
    “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.
    They received their commendations because they believed. For each patriarch mentioned, the first thing we read is “by faith.” Our commendation is wrapped up in our faith in Christ.

    Christ:

    Listen to verse three; it states, “…the universe was created by the Word of God….” Who is the Word? John 1:1-4.
    John 1:1–4 LSB
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
    If Christ orchestrated all of this, why do we not believe He can orchestrate our lives? If faith is the way to life, then why don’t we live by faith? When we believe we have assurance that Christ has sealed us with His blood (John 10:28-29). We can die to the old and be raised in the new with Him.
    John 10:28–29 LSB
    and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish—ever; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
    The assurance of faith in Christ is where we should all reside. I understand that it is easier said than done, but it is where we should work toward. You and I can because Christ did not leave us alone in this world but sent us the Holy Spirit. It is time we fully rely on Christ and stop trying to do it our way!
    This is what belief means this year in our journey He has us on.

      • Hebrews 3:14NKJV

      • Luke 24:21NKJV

      • 1 Timothy 4:10NKJV

      • Hebrews 3:6NKJV

      • Romans 8:24NKJV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:7NKJV

      • 2 Corinthians 4:18NKJV

      • John 1:29NKJV

      • Habakkuk 2:4NKJV

      • John 1:1–4NKJV

      • John 10:28–29NKJV

  • Have Thine Own Way
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      • Matthew 25:40NKJV

Gateway Baptist Church
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