Hebrews 11_4 outline

2nd What is faith? The steadfast assurance of God’s future promise to deliver manifested in the present. You absolutely believe in the present time that when you finally stand before God He will accept you into His kingdom and not reject you.

The author begins to give examples of the faithful ones, he goes all the way back to the very 1st Martyr (Mt. 23:35) Able. You have so many witnesses that endured by faith that lived according to faith, don’t turn back, ENDURE!

CPS: It was only by faith that Able’s offering was accepted, it is only by faith we are accepted.

The Sacrifice of Able (Vs 4a) (Gen. 4:1-5)

Ables profession

Milk (Meat wasn’t eaten until post-flood)

Cain’s profession

Agriculture

Able’s sacrifice

Some suggest that Able did not slay the sacrifice instead brought one alive and it’s milk

Gen 4:4 Fat portions – FAT = best portion - Killed an animal Probably after God’s example of covering Adam and Eve with the hide of an animal. - ATONEMENT

Able brought his best to God - Firstling with it’s fat

‘The priest shall offer them up in smoke on the altar as food, an offering by fire for a soothing aroma; all fat is the LORD’S. 17 ‘It is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall not eat any fat or any blood.’ ” Le 3:16–17.

Cain’s sacrifice

Gen 4:3 Cain brought produce of the land

Cain brought some of the Land’s produce (CSB)

He did not bring His best

Application: Many scholars differ on the thought of the two sacrifices

Some say Able brought the right kind of sacrifice – A blood sacrifice –

According to the Law it was blood that covered the sin of mankind (Heb. 9:22) - but this pre-law

Others say that Cain’s offering was cursed because it came from the ground

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life Gen 3:17.

In faith Able gave of His best….. It was not the type of sacrifice it was the manner it was brought in.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, Proverbs 15:8.

Cain was wicked – God told him sin was his door and it’s desire was for him

We see Cain’s wickedness in his actions towards Able – murdered him

Able loved the Lord He wanted to bring His best to Him not for any reward but out of devotion. Because he trusted God at His word.

The Righteousness of Able Vs. 4b Gen 4b

His faith approved him as righteous not his gift, but evidence of his faith was found in GOD’s APPROVAL OF HIS GIFT.

By faith he was approved as a righteous man

Righteous – Just = Right standing before God - seen as innocent in the eyes of God

Able’s faith bears witness to His right standing before God.

By it the men of old gained approval

Author takes us back to 10:38 – the just shall live by faith

Remember the definition of faith - The steadfast assurance of God’s future promise to deliver manifested in the present

Able trusted God at His word – stood fast on God’s promise

What was the promise – God would send a deliverer

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen 3:15

The Gospel

God would destroy the adversary and deliver mankind from sin and things would return to the way they were.

Illustration: The good old days – Adam and Eve certainly spoke of them (fellowship with God)

Application: By faith we can walk with God

It was not His gift but His faith

Not works faith

Humanitarian - Philanthropist - Good deeds

you will never gain approval from God without faith.

Just ask Cain

Able’s faith – in his heart and mind he was as good as delivered

The Testimony of Able vs. 4c

After being dead possibly 5,000 + years Able still speaks.

Dead men don’t talk …

Illustration: walk through the cemetery all you will hear is your voice reading the names off of the headstones.

How does Able still speak?

Simply - By his faith as a testimony to us still today.

Application: Sacrificial Law is a broken system now you have the perfect sacrifice don’t turn back

We walk by faith not sight – we walk as though we have already received the fulness of God’s promise – we will be delivered.

By faith we are deemed righteous before God – not works – don’t resort to a task-oriented system

Our good works are only deemed good unto the Lord if they are fruit of our faith.

*** If you ever feel like giving up, open the pages of the Scripture and read of the examples of the faithful that God has laid in the pages for you.

Related Media

Related Sermons