Author Archives: John Sanzone

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PATRIARCHS OF PROMISE. Hebrews 11:17-22. 3/03/2024. #37.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸ of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” ¹⁹ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. ²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. ²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

²² By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

1. Abraham put to the test

                a. Abraham and Sarah waited a long time for a son

                                a1. Abraham was promised a land he did not possess and a progeny he did not have

                                a2. Abraham was promised to be a great man in

                                    whom all families on earth would be blessed

                b. When Sarah bore a son at 90, she called him Isaac (laughing), for she laughed with incredulity and joy

                c. As Isaac grew, he was labeled the son of promise

                d. When God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac many things must have gone through his mind

                                a1. God had promised Isaac as the fulfillment of God’s stated plan

                                a2. Genesis 9:6 God had decreed murder was a horrendous sin, punishable by death

                                a3. God’s promises can’t fail, so Abr. Believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead

                                                b1. Genesis 22:26 God told his servants to wait behind and both would return

                                                b2. Abraham’s faith in God’s word was solid

                e. Isaac was called by God Abraham’s only son

                                a1. Only means unique son (monogenes), for Abraham had other sons (Ishmael, and later the sons borne by Keturah)

                                a2. Monogenes is used of Jesus in John 3:16, for Jesus was the uniquely begotten son, and all other sons have been adopted

                f. Abraham received Isaac back from the dead

                                a1. Abraham had offered up Isaac, fully intending to sacrifice him (trusted God)

                                a2. God stopped Abr. and gave Isaac back to him, replacing Isaac with a ram

                                a3. Unlike Eli, who did not honor God over his sons, Abraham was willing to give God his son

                                a4. Later, God gave His Son for us

2. Isaac, the great link

                a. Isaac was a peaceful, quiet man, who kept moving further south to remove himself from harassment

                b. Even though Isaac thought that he was blessing Esau, when he blessed Isaac, he later recognized that Jacob was the son of promise

3. Jacob, a mixed bag

                a. Jacob was a man of faith, but he had his issues

                                a1. He was manipulative, conniving, and greedy

                                a2. He showed favoritism and selfishness

                b. Jacob did believe the promises of God

                                a1. He believed that God was giving him and his descendants a great inheritance

                                a2. At the end of his life, Jacob described himself as having few days and hard

                c. When Jacob was old he passed the blessing on to his 12 sons (leaders of the 12 tribes)

                                a1. As Jacob laid on his bed or leaned on his staff (in Hebrew, either is possible), he gave each son, his future

                                a2. Much of the trouble Jacob had was his own doing, but he trusted in the Lord’s leading

                d. Joseph trusted the Lord and received a double portion in the land (Ephraim and Manasseh)

                                a1. Though, ruler of Egypt, his heart was in the Promised Land, so he wanted his bones taken there to be buried (Shechem)

                                a2. Acts 7:9-16 looked forward to a great reward

Key Passage: Acts 7:9-16

⁹ “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him ¹⁰ and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. ¹¹ Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. ¹² But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. ¹³ And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh. ¹⁴ Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, [b]seventy-five people. ¹⁵ So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. ¹⁶ And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

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ABRAHAM FOLLOWS GOD. Hebrews 11:8-16. 2/25/2024. #36.

⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. ¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ¹⁵ And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

1. A promise beyond sight and experience

                a. The author spends more time on Abraham than any other person in the list

                b. Abraham is mentioned 10 times in book (15 by Luke and 11 by John)

                c. Abraham’s faith is viewed to be exceptional:

                                a1. Told by God to go to a land he did not know

                                a2. Led by God until God told him to stop

                                a3. He dwelt in the land as a stranger

                                a4. Told by God he would be given the entire land, but only ended with a burial field for Sarah

                                a5. Told by God that he would be a father of a great nation, but he had no children

                                a6. Told by God that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed

                d. In reality, Abraham wouldn’t personally experience any of the promises of God

                                a1. He lived in tents his entire life in the land

                                a2. He dwelt in no permanent building

                                a3. He was not master of the land

                                a4. He did not see a child born to his wife, Sarah, until he was 100 and she was 90

                                                b1. Sarah was well beyond child bearing

                                                b2. Abraham still believed in the promise

                e. No matter what Abraham saw, he trusted that God would honor His word

                                a1. Faith goes beyond sight and experience

                                a2. Faith has nothing to do with wishful thinking (claiming things God has not given)

                                a3. Acts 7:2-7 Abraham trusted God’s word

                g. Abraham’s faith survived not owning the land, not having a child when his body was “good as dead”, and not being a great nation

2. The Sarah passage

                a. The reference to Sarah is difficult, for she did not exhibit the same faith as Abraham (Genesis 18)

                b. The passage literally states she “provided seed”, which is not possible (deposited seed)

                c. The meaning seems to be that Sarah cooperated in receiving the seed that produced Isaac

                                a1. She submitted to Ab.’s faith and leadership

                                a2. Eventually, she also yielded to faith

3. Beyond the horizon

                a. Abraham looked forward and not back

                                a1. He would not go back to where he started

                                a2. Ab. looked for a city not made by hands

                b. Ab. was not troubled that he was not master of the land of promise (only place in the Bible Promised Land is used)

                c. Eventually, all that God had promised came true

                                a1. From Isaac and Jacob came a great nation

                                a2. 400 years after Abraham Moses lead his descendants to Canaan and Joshua led the conquest of the Land

                d. From Abraham descends Christ, in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed

                e. Due to Abraham’s unwavering faith, he is highly honored

                                a1. Faith does not need results to stay strong

                                a2. Matthew 28:20, He will never leave us = enough!

Key Passage: Acts 7:2-7

² And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, ³ and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ ⁴ Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. ⁵ And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him. ⁶ But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. ⁷ ‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’

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ABEL, ENOCH, & NOAH. Hebrews 11:4-7. 2/18/2024. #36.

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. ⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ⁷ By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

1. The walk of Abel

                a. Abel, a man of firsts

                                a1. Abel, second male born on earth, was the first mentioned to be a keeper of flocks

                                a2. Abel is the first mentioned to offer a blood sacrifice (best of his flocks)

                                a3. Abel is the first mentioned to have is offering accepted

                                a4. Abel is the first person murdered

                b. Mt. 23:35 Jesus called him “righteous Abel”

                                a1. We do not know what other deeds or acts of worship Abel did

                                a2. At some point, God must have instructed Adam how to make sacrifices & what was acceptable to Him, so Adam told sons

                c. 1 Jn. 3:11-12 Cain is described as of the wicked one

                                a1. Even though Cain knew God, he was not a child of God, but a follower of Satan

                                a2. A contrast is made between Abel & Cain

                d. The righteous acts recorded of Abel:

                                a1. A worshipful attitude

                                a2. He gave God his best

                                a3. Humility before God

2. Enoch

                a. Jude 1:14-15 Jude was in the 7th generation from Adam

                                a1. Called a preacher of righteousness in an evil generation

                                a2. Prophesied that the Lord will return with tens of thousands of His saints to judge the earth (Mt. 25:31-46)

                b. God carried Enoch away (translated) without him dying

                                a1. Only Enoch & Elijah were translated (perhaps, to be the 2 witnesses in Revelation)

                                a2. Enoch was taken up at 365 (when many lived to be 900)

                c. Enoch demonstrated righteousness under stress

                                a1. Enoch lived & preached righteousness while surrounded by extreme wickedness

                                a2. Enoch steadfastly served God while being alone before God in his righteousness

3. Noah

                a. MT. 24:36-44 in the days of Noah, people were living life (eating, marrying, working…), not realizing their destruction was at hand

                b. 2 Pt. 2:5 Noah was a preacher of righteousness:

                                a1. Noah tried to convince men to repent

                                a2. No one would listen to him

                c. Through Noah’s righteousness he saved his family

                                a1. Noah’s family was the only people saved out of millions

                                a2. Righteousness knows how to stand alone for the Lord

                d. These 3 examples are pre-flood

                                a1. Abel continued in righteousness despite what his brother was doing (paid for it)

                                a2. Enoch & Noah lived & proclaimed righteousness in the face of extreme evil

                                                b1. They did not waver

                                                b2. They did not bemoan being alone

                e. Righteousness dares to be different & vocal

Key passage: Matthew 24:36-44³⁶ “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. ³⁷ But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ³⁸ For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, ³⁹ and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ⁴⁰ Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. ⁴² Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. ⁴³ But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁴ Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

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THE SUBSTANCE OF FAITH. Hebrews 11:1-3. 2/11/2024. #35.

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. ³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

1. The substance of faith

                a. This passage is not a definition, but a description

                                a1. If someone has faith, they will show it

                                a2. Christian faith is not in some unknowable object or entity

                b. Faith is the substance of things hoped for

                                a1. Substance (hypostasis) = “the which is stood on”, underpinned, foundational

                                a2. On what believers’ base faith is real, even if it is unseen (John 3:1-8)

                c. The substance (foundation) of faith is a real God who sent His real Son to die for our sins

                                a1. Belief and trust in the real Son grants the believer real eternal life

                                a2. Belief in the Son is not a hope-so trust without any real evidence

2. The evidence of things not seen

                a. Evidence = conviction or confidence (3:14), test, proof, assurance, certainty, or certitude

                                a1. God has not left us without solid confirmation that His Word and our salvation is sure

                                a2. Those who belittle our faith know nothing of the solid foundation on which we stand

                b. ch. 11 launches into a litany of heroic faithful men and their deeds and testimony

                c. God has left us a solid trail of prophetic proofs

                                a1. Micah 5:2 foretold where He would be born

                                a2. Isaiah 9:6-7 foretold His nature

                                a3. Isaiah 53 foretold His ministry

                                a4. Daniel 9:24-27 foretold the time of His death

                                a5. Isaiah 53 foretold the purpose of His death

                                a7. Psalm 22 foretold the method of His death, including precise events surrounding it

                                a8. Psalm 16:10 foretold His resurrection

                d. The ground on which faith stands is solid

                                a1. It gave the forefathers of faith a good testimony (witness) of that faith

                                a2. The example of the faithful who came before us, fortifies our faith and resolve

                e. The example of the faithful demonstrates that we also can be faithful

3. The invisible revealed

                a. Those things we now see at one time did not exist

                                a1. That which is real at one time was unreal

                                a2. The origin of the universe (lit., ages – aeons) was made out the invisible (things unseen)

                b. Genesis 1 God commanded everything into existence

                                a1. The Word of God framed the material cosmos (the seen world)

                                a2. Without an effective cause for existence, there could be no existence

                c. Since no one was present at the start of all things, we take the explanation of how all things began by faith (no other explanation makes sense)

                d. The components of faith:

                                a1. An effective explanation of existence

                                a2. Adequate evidence proving the tenets of our faith (proof is used of testing metals to see if they are real and pure – gold, silver,…)

                                a3. Acceptance of the Word of God that attests to the validity of our faith

                e. The author desires that the readers move from receiving Christ, to living for Christ

                                a1. To let go of all that hinders faith

                                a2. To lay aside divided loyalties

                                a3. To grow in both the knowledge and the testimony of faith in Christ

                                a4. To stand firm when faith is challenged

Key Passage: John 3:1-8

¹ There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” ³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ⁴ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” ⁵ Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

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LIVING BY FAITH. Hebrews 10:32-39. 02/04/2024. #34.

³² But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: ³³ partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; ³⁴ for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. ³⁵ Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ³⁷ “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. ³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” ³⁹ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

1. Confidence

                a. After issuing many warnings to his readers, Hebrews gives them some encouragement

                                a1. Chapters 11-12 deal with faith

                                a2. The writer expresses confidence in their faith and lists evidence for his confidence

                b. Heb. is confident in their faith

                                a1. They held true to the faith when they first believed and were under severe persecution

                                a2. They identified with those under persecution

                                a3. They suffered for their faith

                c. They were made a spectacle (gawked at; English word, theater)

                                a1. Put on display before the world

                                a2. Used of gladiators in the arena

                                a3. As a Roman conquering general displaying his war prisoners in a triumph parade, so Christ will make a spectacle of His enemies (Colossians 2:15)

                                a4. Used of the apostles being made a spectacle for Christ before the world (I Corinthians 4:9)

                d. Since they withstood reproaches and threats for Christ, Heb. is confident in their salvation

                e. The Hebrews joyfully allowed their possessions to be plundered for the sake of Christ

2. A better promise

                a. Even though their earthly goods were plundered, God promises far better possessions for eternity

                b. Hebrews warns his readers not to back away from faith

                                a1. Gal. 6:9 don’t wear out and lose your reward

                                a2. Endure (stand under) trials

                                a3. God has great rewards for those who endure to the end

                                                b1. Don’t give up right before the end

                                                b2. To endure briefly is to endure for all eternity

                c. A call for endurance (hupomeno, ”to remain under”)

                                a1. Perseverance is choosing to be faithful even in the midst of trials and obstacles

                                a2. Testing of one’s faith reveals what your true core values are (RM. 5:1-5)

                                a3. God gives strength to endure to faithful

3. Pressing on to the end

                a. Hebrews quotes Habakkuk 2:3-4

                                a1. The Lord is coming quickly

                                                b1. James 4:14-16 life is quite short

                                                b2. Romans 9:28 God will make a short work of the earth (Psalm 90)

                                a2. We are given power to endure (I Corinthians 10:13)

                b. To back away from Lord is to forfeit rewards

                c. The just will live by faith

                                a1. Not only believe and trust by faith, but live it!

                                a2. The just (righteous, spiritual) will live daily for the Lord (no hypocritical lifestyle)

                                a3. Daily life must be an exercise in living by trust, conviction, and purpose for the Lord

                d. Job 1 endurance in a tested faith speaks louder than a testimony during periods of tranquility

                e. Hebrews expresses a final conviction that his readers will indeed endure and gain the promises

Key Passage: Romans 5:1-5

¹ Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces [b]perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, [c]character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.