Hebrews 11:01-07 Faith That Pleases God – audio

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Text: Hebrews 11:1-7

Introduction

1. A key concern in this epistle is that Christians must remain strong in faith

a. There is the danger of developing a heart of unbelief – Hebrews 3:12

b. It was the lack of faith that destroyed Israel – Hebrews 3:16-19

2. In chapter ten, we saw:

a. An exhortation to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith – Hebrews 10:22

b. An admonition to have that faith which endures to the end – Hebrews 10:35-39

3. But one might ask:

a. What is this faith which leads us to draw near to God and endure to the end?

b. How does this faith manifest itself in the lives of those who possess it?

4. In chapter eleven, we find the answer to such questions

a. With a explanation of faith – Hebrews 11:1

b. With a warning of how necessary faith is to please God – Hebrews 11:6

c. With examples of Old Testament saints who demonstrated saving faith – Hebrews 11:3-40

Body

I. WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH? (Hebrews 11:1-3)

A. FAITH IS CONFIDENCE AND CONVICTION

1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for… (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)

a. The Greek word translated substance is hupostasis {hoop-os’-tas-is}

b. Literally, it means to stand under, i.e., to be a foundation

c. As translated in Hebrews 3:14, it means confidence; i.e., firm trust, assurance

d. Other translations illustrate that the main idea is confidence

1) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for… (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

2) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for… (Hebrews 11:1 ESV, Hebrews 11:1 NASB)

2. …the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:3 NKJV)

a. The Greek word translated evidence is elegchos {el’-eng-khos}

b. It means conviction

c. How other versions translate this phrase

1) Certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:3 NIV)

2) The conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:3 ESV, Hebrews 11:3 NASB)

B. PERTAINING TO THINGS HOPED FOR AND NOT SEEN

1. Faith is confidence about things hoped for, such as:

a. The coming of our Lord – Titus 2:13

b. The resurrection of the dead – Acts 24:15

c. It was this kind of confidence possessed by the OT elders that pleased God – Hebrews 11:2

2. Faith is conviction about things we have not seen, such as:

a. The existence of God: whom no man has seen or can see – 1 Timothy 6:16

b. How the world began: the worlds were framed by the word of God – Hebrews 11:3

c. Yet faith is that strong conviction that such matters are true

3. As expressed in verse 2, the elders obtained a good testimony because of their faith. The rest of the chapter is filled with illustrations of their faith. First, let’s look at the antediluvians.

II. GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES OF FAITH (Hebrews 11:4-5, Hebrews 11:7)

A. THE TESTIMONY OF ABEL (HOW FAITH WORSHIPS)

1. By faith he offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain – Hebrews 11:4

a. The reference is to Genesis 4:3-5

1) Cain’s offering was of the fruit of the ground

2) Abel’s offering was of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.

3) It is said the Lord respected Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s

b. Why did God respect Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s?

1) It may have been that God had specified an animal sacrifice

2) It may be Cain offered left-overs, while Abel offered his best (the firstborn)

3) Cain’s attitude may have been wrong; he certainly showed himself prone to display envy and hatred, capable of murder!

4) Perhaps most likely, Abel offered his with faith while Cain did not

2. Through faith Abel obtained witness that he was righteous – Hebrews 11:4

a. God certainly testified of his righteousness in showing respect to his offering

b. Jesus also bore witness to the righteousness of Abel – Matthew 23:35

c. The apostle John also – 1 John 3:12

3. Through his faith, he being dead still speaks – Hebrews 11:4

a. His example of faith was written for our learning – Romans 15:4

b. His example of faith continues to warn us in regards to worshipping God

B. THE TESTIMONY OF ENOCH (HOW FAITH WALKS)

1. By his faith, Enoch was translated so that he did not see death – Hebrews 11:5

a. The historical reference alluded to is Genesis 5:21-24

b. Like Elijah, he did not experience death – 2 Kings 2:1-11

2. His faith was such that he pleased God – Hebrews 11:5

a. What God found pleasing is that he walked with God – Genesis 5:22, 24

b. His example of faith illustrates the value of walking with God throughout life

C. THE TESTIMONY OF NOAH (HOW FAITH WORKS)

1. By faith Noah, moved with godly fear – Hebrews 11:7

a. The scriptural background is Genesis 6:1-22

b. God warned him about things not seen (Hebrews 11:1); the coming flood

c. His confidence (faith) in what God said would happen prompted him to act with reverence toward God

2. By faith Noah prepared an ark for the saving of his household – Hebrews 11:7

a. His faith moved him to do according to all that God commanded him – Genesis 6:22; Genesis 7:5

b. Through such faith working, Noah

1) Condemned the world

a) His own example of faithfulness stood in stark contrast to others

b) His obedience magnified the lack of obedience in others

c) Just as Nineveh will condemn those who did not listen to Jesus – Matthew 12:41

2) Became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith

a) He received the standing of being right in God’s eyes

b) It was his faith that so pleased God!

3) Demonstrated that faith and works are not necessarily contrary to one another – Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-26

D. From the examples of these antediluvian elders we learn that the faith is a strong conviction that worships God properly, walks with Him in life, and works as He directs.

III. HOW IMPORTANT IS FAITH? (Hebrews 11:6)

A. WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD

1. We have seen how Abel, Enoch, and Noah obtained a good testimony by their faith

2. Of Enoch in particular it is said he pleased God – Hebrews 11:5

3. Whether we are worshipping, walking, or working, faith must be the motivating factor behind it all — Without faith, then, there is nothing we can do that will please God!

B. THE FAITH WHICH PLEASES GOD

1. Includes conviction that believes that God is

a. We must believe there is a God, and He is the God of the Bible

b. Though we do not see Him, we have conviction in things not seen – Hebrews 11:1b

2. Includes confidence that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

a. We must believe that God acts on the part of those seek after Him

b. It is regarding such things hoped for, that we must have confidence – Hebrews 11:1a

3. Such was the faith seen in the lives of Abel, Enoch, and Noah; one might ask how we develop such faith today…?

IV. HOW SAVING FAITH IS DEVELOPED?

A. FAITH IS NOT THE RESULT OF FEELINGS

1. A common misconception is that faith is blind

2. That there is no logic or reason to faith, one simply believes

B. BUT FAITH AS DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE IS THE RESULT OF EVIDENCE!

1. Faith in God is the result of evidence provided via creation – Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1

2. Faith in Jesus is the result of evidence provided via revelation – John 20:30-31

3. Certainly the antediluvians had such evidence, including God speaking to them directly!

C. TODAY, FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD OF GOD – Romans 10:17

1. The word of God presents evidence to believe in God and Jesus

2. Such as fulfilled prophecy, eyewitness testimony, etc.

3. Through God’s word, we can develop the kind of faith which pleases God! – Romans 15:4

Conclusion

1. The faith which leads to the saving of the soul is one that includes:

a. A strong conviction that God is

b. A strong confidence that He will reward those who diligently seek Him

2. It is the same kind of faith that we see in:

a. Abel, in how he worshipped God

b. Enoch, in how he walked with God

c. Noah, in how he worked for God

3. Do you have that same kind of faith today?

a. If you don’t, let the Word of God create such faith in you

1) It can produce faith in the existence of God!

2) It can produce faith in Jesus as His Son who died for you!

b. If you do, then let it affect the manner in which you:

1) Worship God

2) Walk with God

3) Work for God

4) As revealed through His Son Jesus Christ

4. With the right kind of faith, we can have the assurance that:

a. God is pleased

b. We are heirs of the righteousness which is according to faith

c. We too will one day obtain a good testimony!