Sermons

S.R. Hebrews 11:1-13

Introduction

1. When you hear the words “living by faith” what is your first thought?
2. Faith is: (Hebrews 11:1, 6)
3. Let’s take a look at very early people who lived on the basis of faith in God:

Outline 

1. Abel lived by faith in offering a sacrifice
   1. Abel and Cain both offer sacrifices. (Genesis 4:1-8)
      1. Is God pleased with both sacrifices?
      2. Is God partial based upon quality or quantity of that offered?
      3. On what basis does God say that He accepts Abel’s and not Cain’s
      4. Hebrews 11:4 describes Abel’s sacrifice as better on what basis?
      5. How does God describe Abel in Hebrews 11:4?
   2. Cain’s sacrifice was not acceptable. (Genesis 4:5-8)
      1. Could Cain have done well? Did he have a choice?
      2. What is sin? (1 John 3:4)
      3. Can there be sin where there is no law? (Romans 4:15; 5:13)
2. Enoch walked with God
   1. Was it possible in those days for people to call upon God? (Genesis 4:26)
   2. Did Enoch walk with God? (Genesis 5:21-24)
      1. What is implied regarding acceptable walking with God?
         1. Must know something about God and which way He is going.
         2. Faith comes by what means?
            1. Romans 10:8-13
            2. Romans 10:17
      2. People can claim to be “calling on God” without responding appropriately to His directions. (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21-23)
   3.  Is there some means by which we can measure whether or not we are walking with God? (1 John 2:3-6)
   4. Enoch walked with God and God took him (Hebrews 11:5)
3. Noah: What Does God say About Him? (Genesis 6:5-9)
   1. Noah – real historical person and events (cf. Luke 17:27)
      1. Found favor with God (Genesis 6:8)
      2. How did God describe Noah: (Genesis 6 and 9)
         1. _______________ (did what was right),
         2. _______________ (no blame could be lodged that had not been remitted)
         3. Walked with God
      3. Noah did: 7:5 “According to _______ that the Lord had _______________ him.”
   2. Noah acted by faith (Hebrews 11:7)
      1. Did Noah believe God when God described something that Noah had not yet seen?
      2. How did Noah respond to God’s instructions? (with reverence prepared)
      3. In what way did Noah’s obedient faith condemn the world?
         1. 2 Peter 2:5 Noah announced what was right and his generation refused to believe God.
         2. When we choose to act by faith and do right some folks are not going to like it. (1 Peter 4:1-5)
   3. Acting by Faith in building the ark (boat) meant carefully following commands
4. What did Abraham do when God called Him?
   1. Did Abraham always act with complete trust in God and His promises?
      1.  sometimes he failed to trust God (Genesis 12 and 20)
      2. 2. But most of the time Abraham “believed God.” (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3).
   2. Sometimes he needed evidence that would assure Him of God’s ability and trustworthiness to keep His promises (Genesis 15 and 17).
   3. We too can have our faith strengthened by listening to the words of God as spoken to the fathers and later through the prophets. (Hebrews 1:1-3)
   4. We will do well to learn from the things written before so that we can have absolute confidence when we listen to God’s Son (Hebrews 2:1-4)
5. Are you like:
   1. Abel – seeking to offer to God sacrifice and worship that is based upon faith?
   2. Enoch – walking with God according to His path and precepts.
   3. Noah – a righteous and blameless man that “did all that the Lord commanded him.”
   4. Abraham – believing God as you hear His instructions and go wherever He calls, not even knowing yet exactly where all that may take you.
   5. God wants to rescue us as he rescued Noah from a generation whose thoughts were only evil continually. (1 Peter 3:20-21)