JOURNEY OF FAITH
( The Meaning of Faith - January 30, 2022)
Series Big Idea: "Faith in God's promises enabled Old Testament saints to claim God's promises and experience salvation"
Sermon Big Idea: "The rewards of Faith are not necessarily in this life"
Key Scripture (Hebrews 11:1-4)
Last week we discussed the biblical description of faith, how to have it, and where and on whom it should be placed. Today I want us to look further in chapter 11 at one of three examples of people who lived by faith in God. We will see that a life of faith results in different circumstances in a believers life depending on God’s divine purposes. The first man on this list, Abel, was a murder victim!
Let me warn you from the beginning of this sermon, if you are following Jesus for all the benefits that He will give you in this life, you are probably going to be disappointed because Abel is not really the example of a long and happy life. The other man on the list in this chapter was one of only two men in all of history who never died. Enoch was taken directly to heaven. Next, Noah lived for 950 years, and was delivered from the flood. How many of us would immediately sign up for the Enoch and Noah journey, but how many of us are interested in following in Abel’s footsteps.
Hebrews 11:1-4 (CSB)
1Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2For by it our ancestors won God’s approval.
3By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. 4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.
How does Abel's faith speak to us?
1. Believers will one day be Vindicated
In (Revelation 6:9), the Apostle John saw a vision of the saints in heaven who had been martyred because of their faith and testimony in Christ. They cry out, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then the Lord gives them each a white robe and tells them to rest a little while longer, until the number of martyrs yet to be killed is completed. Then He will bring judgement.
As Christians, we may be mistreated and ridiculed in this life for Christ’s namesake, but God is the righteous judge and one day He will right all the wrongs. He will bring justice on our behalf as His followers.
2. A believer's Godly Life is powerful
Abel represents the righteous man that is referred to in (Hebrews 10:38) “But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him.” His acceptance before God was based on his ultimate sacrifice. Abel’s words were never recorded in the Bible, but thousands of years after he died, he still speaks. It wasn’t about what he ever said, it was about who and whose he was.
Seeing Abel’s faith in God teaches us the power of a godly life, which not only benefits his generation, but also inspires future generations. Please understand, godly speech is important, but we shouldn’t ignore the power of godly example, especially in the home. If you want your words to connect with power, then allow the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to be evident in your life. If your life doesn’t demonstrate these qualities, your words will be in vain.
3. The Righteous Suffering of believers will never be in vain
Viewed during his lifetime, others probably felt Abel’s life was wasted. He died young. He didn’t seem to accomplish anything. But Cain on the other hand apparently lived a long and seemingly prosperous life. the Bible says he built cities and fathered many children who were successful themselves by worldly standards.
Cain’s life was the wasted one. Abel was truly successful. Martin Luther once said that when Abel was alive, he “could not teach even his only brother by his faith and example, but now that he is dead, he teaches the whole world.” Luther said Abel is “more alive than ever! So great a thing is faith! It is life in God.” Generations of people have looked back at Abel’s faith and learned that even if we suffer and die for the cause of righteousness, it will not be in vain. You and I may never have to physically die for our faith but even if we do, it will not have been in vain.
Conclusion:
In January of 1956, five young missionaries from the United States, including and man named Jim Elliot, were brutally murdered by a group of Indians they had been ministering to in the Jungles of Ecuador. All these men were in their early twenties and thirties when they died. In her account of the martyrdom of her husband and the other four men, Elisabeth Elliot wrote a book Through Gates of Splendor. Even though her husband was murdered and taken from her in this way she wrote that the prayers of all the widows themselves were for the Indians who had committed this terrible act. “We look forward to the day when these savages will join us in Christian praise.”
Years later one of the murdered men’s son, Steve Saint, begin traveling through the United States with a man from the tribe who had murdered his father. This Indian was now a murderer-turned-worshiper by God’s grace and was baptized. As they traveled, the Indian would sing praises to God in his native tongue while Steve translated. Many came to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. By faith, those five missionaries obtained God’s testimony that they are righteous, and by faith, their lives still speak, even in eternity.
By faith you can join their company by choosing to follow Christ today. But be ready, the rewards of faith are not necessary in this life.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
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Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
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Cole, Steven J. “Lesson 33: A Dead Man Speaks (Hebrews 11:4).” Hebrews. Ed. Steven J. Cole. Dallas: Galaxie Software, 2017. Print. Steven J. Cole Commentary Series.
Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Thomas Nelson, 1992.
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Anderson, Robert. Types in Hebrews. WORDsearch, 2005.
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