BY FAITH IT IS POSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
Hebrews 11:1-7
Key Verse: 6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Through Mark’s gospel bible study we learned that Jesus is coming again to save those who persevere to live by faith in him. This news of Jesus’ second coming can be summed up in the words of verse 1 of today’s passage. His coming is our sure hope. Though we do not see him now we can be absolutely certain he is coming a second time. What must we do until he comes? We are told in Hebrews 10:38 “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be please with him.” We must live by faith and not shrink back. To teach, show how and empower us to live by faith the author now in Hebrews 11 takes us on a wonderful, exciting journey back into the Old Testament. His main purpose is to show us biblical, historical examples of men and women who in difficult times did not shrink back. Instead they stood their ground and earnestly tried to please God by faith.
Part1, three foundations of faith—hope, confidence, and understanding (1-3).
Look at verse 1: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Here, the object of faith is not some impersonal idea, state, or things. Rather, the object of faith is God. Therefore, faith is being sure of God we hope for and certain of God we do not see. Faith is being sure of God whom we will clearly see in the future and certain of this invisible God that we experience now.
Look at verse 2: “This is what the ancients were commended for.” The ancients refer to many people of God in the Bible. The ancients, who lived thousands of years before us, lived by faith. By living by faith we join these people of faith throughout the ages that went ahead of us. We take their wisdom of life as our own for today.
Look at verse 3: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” The important foundation of faith is about understanding God’s creation. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command. Out of nothing, God created everything by his command such as: “Let there be light...” then it was so. By depending on the Creator God we can engage in an exciting life of creation as well. With faith in Creator God we can discover this world and study the laws of nature. Jesus had creation faith so he said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mt. 19:26)
Part 2, by faith we come to God (4).
Look at verse 4: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” The author of Hebrews skips the first man Adam and the first woman Eve. They failed. They lost the Garden of Eden and lived in a world where hardship increased. They had to sweat to eat and they had to die. Thinking about the painful reality of life and their miserable fate was hard. Yet, they taught their children about the holy God, their disobedience, God’s provision for their return to the kingdom of God through the Messiah. (Ge 3:15) In due time, their two children grew up. Later, Abel became a shepherd and his brother Cain a farmer. They had different attitudes toward God and life. Cain was an angry and rebellious man. Abel, on the other hand, was a godly man.
Look at verse 4a: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.” One time both offered offerings to God. Abel’s offerings were some of the firstborn of his flock that involved a blood sacrifice. Cain offered “some” of the fruits of his crop. To God, Abel’s offering was a better sacrifice. Abel loved God who is invisible. He did not blame God for a hard life. He did not argue with God, saying, “Lord, why should we work hard and toil here for the sin of my parents?” Instead, he probably said, “O Lord, thank you for giving us the hope of returning to the Garden of Eden someday through the seed of a woman. Help me to live by faith.” Abel loved God and honored him and accordingly offered a sacrifice with sincere faith.
Cain was very upset because of God’s rejection of him and his offering. So he thought murderous thoughts in his heart. God visited him and said, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” (Ge 4:6-7). God did not mention a word about Cain’s offering.
God only spoke about Cain. God’s advice for him was to do what is right. Therefore, the real issue seems to have more to do with the heart condition of Cain. Anyway, Almighty God explained the reason for his rejection and counseled him in order for him to change, Yet, Cain was too proud to listen to God’s advice; so he rejected it right away. Instead, he killed his brother Abel in the field.
Then how does Abel still speak to us? Look at verse 4b: “By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” What does Abel’s life say to us? Abel’s life seems to be too short. One may ask, “What is so wonderful about being murdered by his brother? Why should Abel, a righteous man, leave the earth so young? Couldn’t he defend himself? Couldn’t he run?” Cain was a murderer and yet lived a long life building his own nation. Abel’s life teaches that God is pleased with our coming to him having a sincere and sacrificial life. Abel’s life speaks a truth that a surprising but righteous death is better than a long and ungodly life on the earth. In a sense, our life is the life of offering to God. Abel’s life was a success because he loved God and offered himself to God.
As we conclude this life, the main point of this life can be explained in one phrase, “This life is to come near to God.” Apart from God, death is such a sad reality. With death everything ends. However, with God, death is the gate to glory. Without faith by death everything ends. By faith with death everything starts totally new. That’s why a seemingly surprising death is so heartbreaking to us. However, in the other side of eternity such death is also a path of glory. Then, how can we come to God? We come to God by faith. From a human point of view, Jesus himself died an untimely death on the cross. Yet, to many, Jesus’ death on the cross speaks more powerfully than his long life. His righteous death on the cross is the foundation of our salvation. What does the cross of Jesus do really? It enables sinners to come to God. We come to God, by faith in Jesus. The first important way to please God is to come to him. This year my first priority each day is to come to God. By faith I come to him daily. By faith we come to God this is the first important way to please God.
Part 3, by faith we walk with God who exists (5).
Look at verse 5: “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” After Abel’s death, Adam and Eve had another son, Seth. Through Seth new lines of God’s people continued. Enoch is from the line of Seth. Enoch was taken from this life. He did not experience death. Why such a reward? Enoch was a prophet (Jude 14-15). As a prophet he preached the message of God’s judgment. People did not like to hear it. His life was hard among the ungodly. He experienced death every day until he could not endure any more. God had mercy on him and one day took him away. God spared him from the pain of death. The prophet Elijah was another one whom God took him away (in a chariot of fire). Such a glorious departure was the result of a life long walk with God.
When he was 65 years old, Enoch’s first son Methuselah was born. (Genesis 5:22-24) It is not clear what his faith was like before that. However, with the birth of his son, Enoch was much more serious about his spiritual life. He decided to walk with God. Certainly, by his example of daily walking with God he taught faith to his son. In that sense, his son became a 1:1 Bible student.
What was so great about Enoch’s faith? Enoch walked with God. (Ge 6:21-24) What was so wonderful about that? To “walk with God” means to be in “fellowship with God.” To “walk with God” means to keep in step with God. Every step of his way he included God. He lived a life of faith for a long journey one day at a time. His walk with God was so steady and fruitful that before his departure he was commended for his faith. As a spiritual man he knew the heart of God. Enoch’s life teaches us the blessed life being with God.
God is pleased with those who believe in his existence. Those who believe in his existence live in the presence of God. They walk with God knowing that God is with them. God is walking by them. Walking with God is about trusting God who is near. It is life that rejoices! Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness is evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Php 4:4-5). God is near. It is good to walk with God. It may not happen right away.
Enoch’s life demonstrates that the sound habit of walking with God is the best gift we can pass on to our children and the people we love. That’s why one of the key spiritual trainings is to be able to do daily bread mediate on God’s word, and keep in prayer no matter what happens. Jesus also confirmed this truth when he said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5-6)
All of God’s blessings come through this important walk with God. David also made a same conclusion. David speaks about his joy of walking with God, “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Ps. 23:6) To David, to walk with God and to be with God was the greatest joy of life. What do we do this year? By faith we walk with God. We live in the presence of God. We are conscious of God in our lives.
Part 4, by faith we believe God’s reward and earnestly seek him (7).
Another hero of faith is Noah. The description of Noah’s generation was corrupt, violent, and evil. “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” (Ge 6:8-9). Noah was different from that generation. Why? God showed him favor in his eyes in the eyes of the LORD. He was righteous and blameless among the people of his time. He walked with God. God saved Noah in his generation.
Look at verse 7a: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” Noah had one message to the people. It was about the holy God and the impending judgment on the world. Noah’s life was not that easy. As a farmer he had to work hard to feed his family and get enough funds to build an ark. Moreover, he had to raise his children among such an ungodly generation. Building an ark was not a petty project. It was a life long project. It took many years.
Look at verse 7b: “By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Noah was not an angry man. Probably, he was a very gentle and generous man. He did not condemn the world. He did not have to. People could laugh at his work, but they could not hate him. They allowed his project to keep going. Then at the right moment, God condemned the world. Just before the flood came, God himself close the door of the ark. Too late, people cried and wept. God rewarded Noah’s faith by saving him and his family members.
The life of faith is about building something in this life. A Life of faith is one of earnestly seeking putting our heart into the work we do. By faith we learn to work hard! By faith students study eagerly! By faith Bible teachers study and teach eagerly. As we do our work eagerly, there is reward God’s reward.
The common point of Abel, Enoch, and Noah is that by faith it was possible for them to please God. By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice to God. By faith Enoch walked with God. By faith Noah built an ark and saved his family. These three people Abel, Enoch, and Noah were the first group of the blessed people in Hebrews chapter 11. They pleased God
By faith it is possible to please God. May God help us to believe in the living God and his abundant reward so that we may be able to please God. May God help us to invite new campus student to Bible study by faith during the orientation week. I pray that the life of faith of Abel, Enoch and Noah will encourage us to live by faith till the day of Jesus Christ’s coming.
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