True Faith leads to a Response

The writer develops his faith stories in sections. His first section deals with the faithful prior to the flood (vv 4-7); the second section deals with faithful patriarchs from Abraham until the Exodus (vv. 8-22); the third section deals with Moses until the entry into Canaan (vv. 23-31); and the fourth & final section deals with heroes from the time of the Judges until the prophets (vv. 32-40)

The reader will notice that in all accounts, without exception, the faith of these listed deal with responses. Their trust in the Sovereign God led them to specific actions. In each section, the writer brings out life application principles that benefit the listener.

As we look at the faith of these three antediluvians we will discover important principles for application in the areas of our worship, our walk, and our works.

Let’s read the text and get started: Hebrews 11:4-7

Genuine faith will lead to worship (Hebrews 11:4)

Explanation: Our first example of faith is Abel, one of the first two sons of Adam and Eve. The writer brings out Abel without introduction and states that his offering to God was “more excellent” than his brother’s offering. Abel is shown as the brother who was commended as being righteous in the presence of God.

It is interesting what the writer omits as he continues to demonstrate the faith of Abel to his 1st century audience. He simply states that Abel’s faith, though he died, still speaks. There is no explicit mention of the fact that Abel was murdered by his own brother. Cain killed Abel because he was jealous; God did not accept his offering but he accepted Abel’s.

Argument: Much ink has been used by commentators attempting to determine the specific “WHY” of God NOT accepting Cain’s offering, but accepting Abel’s, but ultimately, God accepted Abel’s offering because he offered it in faith. Abel’s sacrifice was an act of worship that flowed from a heart that trusted in God. Genuine faith WILL be involved in worship.

Application: Motive matters. You can show up for every service, you can sing the songs with gusto, and you can give lots of money, but if you are “checking boxes” you will not honor the LORD and it won’t be counted as a righteous before God.

Genuine faith will result in a lifestyle that pleases God (Hebrews 11:5-6)

Explanation: The writer moves to Enoch as his second example of faith. Enoch is the seventh in line from Adam and Enoch has the special status of being 1 of only 2 people who never experienced physical death. [The other is Elijah - see 2 Kings 2:9-12] Enoch was translated (taken up) to be with God. The Genesis account (Gen 5:21-24): ) states that “Enoch walked with God and was not, for God took him.”

The writer of Hebrews adds to our understanding of Enoch’s account by stating that Enoch “pleased God.” We do not have many details, but we are given this very important one: Enoch’s lifestyle pleased God.

Argument: Those who profess to be followers of Christ are called to a life that pleases God. Through trusting daily in Jesus we CAN please God with our lives. Verse 6, which we discussed last Sunday, stresses that without faith it is impossible to please God. So, if we are trusting in Christ - God’s only provision for sin - then we CAN please God.

Application: If you are IN Christ you are called to walk worthy of your calling (Eph 4:1). Genuine faith will result in a life that is qualitatively different from the secular culture. Question: Is your faith in Jesus affecting your daily decisions in a way that pleases God?

This question leads to the final account in this section

Genuine faith will produce works of righteousness (Hebrews 11:7)

Explanation: The writer closes his first group of faith heroes with the account of Noah. The retelling in Hebrews is condensed from three chapters in Genesis to 2 sentences, but the main idea is present. God is holy and He judges sin. The writer informs his audience that God warned Noah of the coming judgment and Noah response was to build the Ark. We are told that Noah responded to God’s command in reverence (fear). Noah, like the rest of the world, had never seen a flood, but in faith he believed that God was going to judge the world through the means of a global flood.

Argument: Most of us are somewhat familiar with Noah and the Ark in the sense we know that God told him to build a big boat to escape the great flood. We tend, however, to place a positive spin on the story with catchy upbeat songs and fanciful representations of the Ark as s tiny boat with the giraffe’s heads sticking out. When we talk about the Flood we tend to minimize the reason:

11 The earth also was corrupt BEFORE God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God LOOKED UPON THE EARTH, and, BEHOLD, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, BEHOLD, I will destroy them with the earth. (Genesis 6:11-13)

Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9) and as a result, he knew something about God’s character. Noah understood that God was Holy and that God was grieved by the wickedness of sin. Noah built the Ark without ever experiencing flood waters and relentless rain because of his faith in God’s promise to destroy. In his obedience to God’s revealed command, Noah’s actions condemned the unbelievers to a watery grave.

Our obedience to God results in some level of condemnation to those around us.

When we pray in public - those who observe can feel less spiritual

When you take your children out of public education because you refuse to have them subjected to godless indoctrination - public educators, even those who are believers, will feel condemnation

When you refuse to drink or to take drugs when your friend group is doing these things - they will sense condemnation

When you choose sexual purity over sexual immorality - others will feel condemned

When you oppose the LGBTQ movement - others will feel condemned

Application: Your faith in Christ WILL produce actions that are righteous before God and different from the secular world around you. Faith in the finished work of Christ as your sin substitute is prior to any works. No one is good enough to earn God’s favor. Only those who bow the knee to Jesus as Lord and Savior through faith are saved. Genuine faith, however, WILL produce works!

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17)

CONCLUSION

Genuine faith produces results.