This is an outline I created from Hebrews chapter 11 years ago. I preached this as a sermon titled, “So, What’s Your Excuse?” The main idea was that whatever excuse you could come up with for not serving God, someone in this list would be able to stand up and say, “you can’t use that excuse, look at my story.” The problem with this is that it was trying to make people feel guilty for not doing something for the Lord. So, I now ask a different question that hopefully isn’t trying to make you feel guilty but is asking you to evaluate your faith in God. How far are you willing to go to love God? How’s your faith?

I may be killed for my faith. Abel

By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead. Hebrews 11:4

I may have to do something that has never been done before. Noah

By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverent regard constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7

I may have to leave home and move someplace else. Abraham

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going. By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land as though it were a foreign country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with firm foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:8-10

I’m physically unable. Abraham and Sarah

By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old, he received the ability to procreate, because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy. Hebrews 11:11:

I might lose my children. Abraham

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, yet he was ready to offer up his only son. God had told him, ” Through Isaac descendants will carry on your name,” and he reasoned that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense he received him back from there. Hebrews 11:17-19

I may have to defy the government. Moses’ parents

By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months, because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. Hebrews 11:23:

I may have to give up wealth and power. Moses

By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

I may be persecuted. Moses

By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

I may have to sacrifice. Moses

By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. Hebrews 11:28

I may face obstacles and walls in my way. Moses and the Israelites

By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed up. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after the people marched around them for seven days. Hebrews 11:29

I may have to change my vocation. Rahab

By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace. Hebrews 11:31

So, once again, I ask, “How’s your faith?”

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