If the enemy can get us to doubt Gods love in a time of trials, we will draw away from God and disobey His Word of truth. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Since the day that Enoch began to know God, he must have been thoroughly enthralled at God's goodness to reward him. Paul reminds us in Romans that hope is not yet seen is not hope (Romans 8:24). There is, of course, overlap between the objective and subjective senses of these words. So, faith believes what God has revealed and trusts what God has promised. He wanted Meacham, an Episcopalian, to defend the Christian faith against the sulfuric criticism of Christopher Hitchens. So a life of faith means a life in which we base our whole hopes on Him and on His promises. After telling us about Enoch who walked with God, Hebrews says, Whoever would draw near to God.. We know that for sure from his prophecy recorded in Jude, but there may also be a hint of this in the name Enoch chose for his son. Suddenly they realize the heavy weight of responsibility that is upon them. It is the doorway through which we enter the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. I need not try to convince you of anything. It seems that the responsibility of being a father caused Enoch to feel that he needed God in a way that he had not felt before. If you would draw near to God, you must believe that he exists (vs. 6). God has made Himself known in the Scriptures, and If you want to walk with Him, you must believe what He says about Himself. Imagine the impact of this first recorded death by natural causes. They knew what death was because they had seen it in the animals, but when the first man died, all of the others knew this is what will happen to me! Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition The Lockman Foundation, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. Their answer (Dan. 2. Christ said he would return, but it has been 2,000 years! One day Enoch and God had walked so far that God said, "Why don't you come home with me?" Pew Forum director Luis Lugo says, "You no longer have an alignment of affiliation, belief and behavior. Hebrews 11:1-3 | Search Results | Sermon and Worship Resources To ensure you receive the best experience on Lifeway.com, we use cookies to process information about your visit. Creation is dependent upon the Son for its maintenance. Faith recognizes that God sometimes tests us (17a) A. The roll call of the saints of the Old Testament would have been well known to the congregation. Until recently, the nearly universal voice of the Church was the traditional view that God created all from nothing. There is clearly a reference here to God revealing His name to Moses. It proves the reality of the unseen world. See More Details. A.W. The Bible calls Noah a preacher of righteousness but he didn't have much to show for his efforts. Being unconditionally certain that it's true requires faith. The author does not want us to have a temporary, flimsy faith that shrinks back to destruction. The second is (p. 249), a proving of (or conviction about) unseen things.. THE OLD Assembly's Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" and its answer is, "To glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever." One place where it comes close to doing so, however, is in today's reading from the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews. Ten generations are recorded. Walking with God involves peace, purpose, progress, privilege and pleasure. On a lifespan of 90 years that would be about 18 years old. What I am about to say will probably sound obvious (Duh!). It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (Heb 9:27). If the story of Cain and Abel seems short, the story of Enoch is minuscule by comparison. For 65 years he lived for himself, but when his son Methuselah was born, he began to walk with God. According to Hebrew 11:6 he firmly believed that God is a rewarder. [2] For by it the people of old received their commendation. Faith is the telescope that brings the future promises of God into present focus. That parable serves as a useful backdrop to our text last week (10:32-29), where the author urges his readers on to enduring faith. (2) Faith enabled people in the past to overcome. He is not focusing on the aspect of justification by faith, as Paul does in Romans 3. His faith saved his entire family. As it is difficult to directly translate into English because it has many meanings, we must look at the context here. Last week we looked at Abel and saw from his story that faith listens to God. We are looking for something - meaning, purpose, identity, fulfillment, satisfaction - and many people spend a lifetime engaged in a literal journey from one place to another, and sometimes from one relationship to another, seeking something that seems just out of our reach. Before we look at these three aspects of faith, it may be helpful to explain something about the nature of faith with reference to relationships. Colin S. Smith. Because he was looking to the reward (11:26). Faith is unconditional trust in the promises of God. Walking involves movement in a particular direction. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.. The seed sown on the rocky ground sprang up quickly, but it also quickly withered and died when trials hit. What exactly had Adam taught his sons about the proper way to approach God? We assume it is by Abraham's faith, his belief in God, that "he obeyed and set out for a place , not knowing where he was going.". Verse 1 says that faith has "substance." Faith is tangible, even though it is invisible. Hebrews 11:1-3, Hebrews 11:8-16, Hebrews 11:1-16, Denomination: The difficulty of the verse lies in the meaning of the words translated (NASB) as assurance (being certain of, NIV) and (NASB) conviction (certain, NIV). By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him (Heb 11:5). Faith, you see, is confident in the power of God's words. How could he do that? Enoch lived with a profound awareness that judgment was coming. This is called providence. Theres more here than believing there is a God. Ten generations are recorded here from Adam to Noah. By faith he preached when no one would listen. If you would like to download two encouraging, FREE full-length MP3s of Tony's popular sermons: "The Sovereignty of God" and "How to Handle a Crisis," you ca. The answer lies in the resurrection and the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is about the faith and that faith must be in Jesus. 1:18-22), sinful men suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Every time the boy became sick you would think This is it. Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Put Your Hand in the Hand of God The Rev. The French philosopher Pascal said that there is a "God-shaped vacuum" inside every human heart. This is not good work. Enoch was taken. Hebrews 11:1-16 NASB. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. The word confidence itself means full of faith. He trusted in God. Pleasures are found at Gods right hand, and those who walk with God taste these pleasures before they ever arrive in heaven. God invites you to live in the constant, conscious enjoyment of His presence. But Hebrews applies the story of Enoch directly to us. All men and all boys, heed this word. The lifespans of these generations are about ten times as long as our lives today. Why did Moses do what he did? Independent/Bible. This means that the Son is Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. Enoch walked with God. But God is full of grace and mercy and soon after the death of Adam, God gave a wonderful sign that deaths power would be broken. People who acted in defiance toward God. Each of them highlights a distinct aspect of faith. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2004, All Rights Reserved. A lack of truth erodes trust and causes distance in relationships. 2Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. They refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzars idol, which caused the offended king to threaten to throw them into the blazing furnace. While we should never be needlessly offensive toward people, our focus should not be on pleasing people, but on pleasing God, who examines our hearts (1 Thess. Verse 1 says that faith has substance. Faith is tangible, even though it is invisible. Hebrews 11 begins by telling us what faith is: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb 11:1). It will sustain you in the trials that you face right now! Have Faith, Hebrews 11:1-3 - September 5th, 2021. Hebrews 11:1-6. . Dont hope in your good works, because all the good works in the world can never erase the debt of sin that you owe. But over time Adam became weaker. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. How did Cain know Abel's sacrifice had been accepted and his had not? Bur Hebrews 12 says they had not resisted unto blood. We are not a very trusting people. Here we see another side of the life of faith. Adam and Eve chose a different vision. And were all in it for the same reasonto fuel the churchs mission of making disciples. All the ultimate answers of life lie in that kingdom. If this is the best God can do, I am not impressed. Some of the things that God says are not easy to accept. Let's read the text ( Hebrews 11:1-3 ): Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Adam lived to see his great, great, great, great, great, great, grandchildren. Faith obeys God even when we don't understand (17b-18) A. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his one and only son - Hebrews 11:17 God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac - Genesis 22:1-2 B. Romans 10:17. And that's why we've got to take it seriously. He's right! Just after I became pastor here, I had to take a stand on a matter that resulted in a lot of conflict. Some of you may think that 65 sounds quite old, but at this point, Enoch was about a fifth of the way through his life. You may say, Thats just the way I feel, and thats true. The "end" is often the culmination of a lifetime pursuit of intimacy with God. The Roman Catholic Church promised Jan Hus, the brave Czech martyr, safe passage to a hearing. Such faith takes the future promises of God and makes them real in the present. What a loony tune!. b. Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us that Gods agent in creation was the Son. He believed that in His excellent goodness, God is ever willing to bestow blessings, and ever ready to reward those who come to Him. Ditto for Cain. A Matter of Faith: My Sermon on Hebrews 11 Faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing. This is a constant theme of Scripture. This Son also maintains the universe by the word of His power. Rather, his emphasis is more on the operation and outworking of justifying faith in the face of trials (John Owen, An Exposition of Hebrews [The National Foundation for Christian Education], VII:5, 7). It has the idea of a "foundation or basis. The word also is used as a technical term for the unity of the Trinity, although this is not what is implied here. But note this. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. Scot and Janet escaped the blaze with burns, but they couldn't save their children: Ben, 13, Joe, 11, Sam, 9, Hank, 6, Elizabeth, 3, and Peter, six weeks old. Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! Your Bible study. Finally, By faith we understand that the ages [lit.] C. H. Spurgeon at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. The phrase is appropriate because this story is dark and tragic from beginning to end. That's the power of a godly leader. Taken seriously, makes a difference, changes the way we live. If the story of Abel is about our quest for acceptance, then the story of Enoch is the familiar metaphor of the journey. Since the birth of Seth, all of these patriarchs carried on living. "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Hebrews 11:6. Today their grief is wrenching and unremitting, yet they continue on by faith. Our weekly email connects you to the latest content and resources. As we saw last week, there is a type of faith that does not endure trials and temptations. Now faith is the substance: Just as our physical eyesight is the sense that gives us evidence of the material world, faith is the "sense" that gives us evidence of the invisible, spiritual world. All we need is the courage to do what Noah did and to believe what God has said. The subjective understanding is, faith means being confident of what we hope for, convinced of what we do not see. An objective understanding is, faith means the reality of the goods hoped for, (Helmut Koster, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. It is like the sound of a train on the tracks when it gets up to speed, and he died, and he died, and he died.. It understands the origins of all that is. Abel was commended as righteous because of a sacrifice that God accepted. How does all of this relate to Hebrews 11? What is the reward? Concerning faith, he wrote (George Muller of Bristol, A. T. Pierson [Revell], p. 437, italics his): It is the very time for faith to work, when sight ceases. That's what Tim Russert said to Jon Meacham when he invited him to appear on Meet the Press to debate noted atheist Christopher Hitchens. And we know how Noah saved his family while the world around him perished. Your family. Our Savior broke the power of death when He rose from the grave. By faith they saw the unseen God as more real than the enraged king standing in front of them, threatening to roast them alive. When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. The worlds first baby became the worlds first murderer. This indicates that things were going to become even more difficult in the immediate future. Hebrews 11 paints a picture of what a life of faith looks like. Cain brought an offering from his crops while Abel brought a sacrifice of the best of his herd. Moses asked the Lord, What is your name? And God said, I am that I am (Ex 3:14). It's the faith. Although I am not an example of great faith, I can share a personal example. If you look at the end of Luke 3, you will see that this is the line of descent into which Jesus Christ was born. Sermon: Living By Faith in God - Hebrews 11. Enosh lived 905 years (Gen 5:11). He had always believed in God, always come to worship, always offered the sacrifices. Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. Knowing the U nknowable. The Power of Faith will help you strengthen your confidence in God's promises. We can't see sins forgiven, we have to believe it. We don't even trust God. A life was laid down for him. ''Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Enoch's journey led him to God, and when he found God, he walked with him. It did for three men: Abel, Enoch, and Noah. If what we believe makes any difference, then it has to change the way we live. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Unlocking the Bible, 1-866-865-6253. You can't see any of this. In this sense, the phrase is parallel to our confession (ctive sense in 11:1: faith is the reality of the goods hoped for. Faith is the reality of what is hoped for in exactly the sense in which Jesus is called the [exact representation] of the reality of the transcendent God in 1:3 (ibid.). It's what we believe about the things that matter most. Scriptures: I think we take faith for granted. He said the following about God: "Something is wrong here: War, disease, death, destruction, hunger, filth, poverty, torture, crime, corruption and the Ice Capades. Jesus: The Truer and Better Object of Faith: Hebrews 11:1-6. Rick Ezell is the pastor of First Baptist Greer, South Carolina. Permissions: You have permission and are encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format you choose, as long as you do not alter or change the wording in any way and do not charge a fee (beyond the cost of reproducing these materials). Check reviews on By Faith Sermons on Hebrews 11 from Reformers Bookshop: Endorsement'As an expositor of Scripture I regard Manton with unmingled admiration. That means more than that heaven is a place of great happiness. To blast a person may be truthful, but it is not loving. What is the faith that pleases God. He will save all that come to Him in faith. I suggest this expanded paraphrase of 11:1, Faith makes real in our experience the promises that God has given about the future. The prevailing current worldview, that matter always existed and that the current universe, including man, happened by sheer chance over billions of years, is based on blind faith, because there is no evidence to support it. In any case he walked with God for 300 years. Most scholars take the second instance (Heb. In The Greenville (SC) News, (June 24, 2008) a story about a recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life portrays our nation as one of "free-flowing spirituality" with a declining adherence to dogma "stunning." 4 By faith Abel offered to God. It is a central doctrine of both the Hebrews and Christians that God created the universe out of nothing (ex nihilo). Then he adds, "That's a lot to believe." And by the time of Noah we read, The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Gen 6:5). Seen through the eyes of a public that gasped at the enormity of their tragedy, Scott and Janet Willis faced unendurable grief. He speaks. God spoke into the nothing and creation happened. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. We must believe that he will keep his promise. To go back to Howard Fineman's quote, it's all about pursuing (a great biblical concept) the one true God. You would think that a discovery such as human DNA, which shows amazing design, would cause all scientists to fall down in worship before God. Most of us will be taken through the river. Let me remind you that you may believe what you want, think what you want, act like you want, but there is only one way to God and that is through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. Genesis 5 is a chapter of numbers and as every accountant knows, the numbers tell a story. The first verse of Genesis presents you with a crucial choice: If God created everything that is, then He is the sovereign of the universe. And without God's help, we would never believe all of that. The story of Enoch is told back in Genesis 5, where God records the generations from Adam to Noah, whose story we will look at next week. Why? Prepare meaningful sermons and worship events with our sermons, illustrations, quotes, humor, commentary, powerpoint, children's sermons and bulletins. Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened (Matt 7:7-8). God has made Himself known in Jesus Christ. But I often see people violate this principle in their personal relationships, causing much damage. Faith taken seriously makes a difference in our world and changes the way we live. But this first one goes back to Genesis 1, to the biblical account of creation. The evidence of our eyes is against all of this. If two people come to a crossroads and they want to take different paths, they cannot walk together. 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