Faith for the Generations to Follow

Hebrews
Written By Steve Estes

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Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: Hebrews 11:20-22
October 1, 2023

Hebrews 11:20-22, NIV: By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

Hebrews 11:20-22, ESV: By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Sermon Outline

1. Isaac's faith on his deathbed

  • His wife and the birth of his twin sons

  • Jacob and Esau's early life

  • Esau exchanges his birthright for stew

  • Jacob steals the blessing of the firstborn

  • The blessing given to Jacob

  • The blessing given to Esau

  • How Isaac showed faith

2. Jacob's faith on his deathbed

  • Why Jacob fled

  • Jacob in Haran

  • Trials in Canaan

  • How did Jacob have faith?

  • What we learn

3. Joseph's faith on his deathbed

  • Joseph spoke about the exodus

  • Joseph gave instructions about his bones

Steve Estes

Steve Estes has been senior pastor at Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, Pennsylvania, for over thirty-five years. 

Steve’s books and other writings began with his longtime friendship with Joni Eareckson Tada. As teenagers, they grappled with why God allowed Joni’s paralysis in a swimming accident in the Chesapeake Bay. Steve left for college . . . they kept in touch . . . she liked the style of his letters. When her 1976 autobiography Joni spawned thousands of reader responses, she asked Steve to join her in crafting a follow-up. The result was A Step Further in 1978.

Later, Wycliffe Bible Translators commissioned Steve to write the biography of former college friend Chet Bitterman, a Wycliffe linguist who was kidnapped and murdered by political terrorists in Colombia in 1981. Other books and articles followed, including When God Weeps (with Joni) and A Better December (a giveaway book for non-Christian friends at Christmas.)

Steve was educated at Westminster Theological Seminary, Columbia Bible College and Jerusalem University College in Israel. He has taught homiletics at Westminster and is a board member of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation.

But Steve would say his most significant life achievement was persuading college classmate Verna Stoltzfus to marry him in 1974.  They now have eight children and more grandchildren than can fit in a van.

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Honor Them: The Shape of Christ in the Quietly Faithful
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Offering Up Isaac