V.

V verse 34 is very clear about how that comes about.

It says, you joyfully accepted the seizure of your property.

Here's the key. Knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.

In other words, confidence in hope that something better and abiding is coming to us, namely God and all of his promises,

beyond the grave is the power that releases people to live lives of radical love here and now.

So what gives us the confidence to live lives of radical love in the here and now.

In this episode of Light and Truth,

John Piper turns to Hebrew 11, one to three

to explore our confidence giving hope.

This sermon was originally preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church on June 1st, 1997.

As we begin this morning our exposition of Hebrews chapter 11 we need to ask why it's here in the book and why it makes a difference in your lives. So turn with

me to Hebrews chapter 10 verse 34 and I'll try to show you why I believe this chapter is written

and you will see I think very quickly the relevance that it has for your life.

Verse 34, you remember the situation Christians had been put in jail

in those early days among that church.

Those who had not been put in jail were faced with a crisis

as to whether or not they would go underground and disappear or whether they would identify

with the suffering church and thus put themselves at risk along with their property.

And here's what happened in verse 34.

You showed sympathy to the prisoners and as a result they were plundered and you

accepted joyfully the seizure of your property knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.

...