Faith: Assurance, Obedience, and Christ's Sacrifice
Summary
In Hebrews 11, we explore the profound nature of faith, a vital element for enduring life's pressures. Faith is described as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. This chapter emphasizes that faith is not a blind leap but a trust in God's promises and revelations. It is formed and fed by the Word of God, providing a foundation for endurance. The chapter illustrates faith through the lives of Old Testament figures, beginning with Abel, whose story teaches us that faith listens to God.
Abel and Cain, two brothers from the same family, both brought offerings to God. However, God accepted Abel's offering and not Cain's. This acceptance was not due to Abel's superior faith but because he offered a more acceptable sacrifice, as God had revealed. Abel's faith was demonstrated by his obedience to God's instructions regarding the sacrifice, which he learned from his parents, Adam and Eve. This story underscores that faith involves listening to and trusting what God has revealed.
The narrative of Abel and Cain also highlights that faith can provoke anger and opposition, as seen in Cain's reaction. Despite Cain's attempt to silence Abel by killing him, Abel's faith continues to speak across the ages. This teaches us that the voice of faith can never be silenced. Abel's sacrifice points forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate acceptable sacrifice, whose life was laid down for our sins. Through Jesus, we are commended as righteous before God.
Faith, therefore, is not just a belief in God's existence but a deep trust in His promises and revelations. It listens to God, cannot be silenced, and finds rest in Jesus Christ and His accomplished work. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, our faith grows, shaping our hearts and minds, and guiding our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith as Assurance and Conviction: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. It is not a blind belief but a trust in God's promises and revelations, which are accessible to all through His Word. This faith is essential for enduring life's challenges. [00:34]
- Faith Listens to God: Abel's story teaches us that faith listens to God. Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice because he followed God's revealed instructions. Faith involves not just believing in God but also obeying His Word and trusting His promises. [21:03]
- Faith Provokes Opposition: Abel's faith provoked Cain's anger, leading to the first attempt to silence the voice of faith. Despite this, Abel's faith continues to speak, demonstrating that true faith cannot be silenced. It stands firm even in the face of opposition. [29:20]
- Faith Points to Christ: Abel's sacrifice points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate acceptable sacrifice. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we are commended as righteous before God. Faith rests in Jesus and His accomplished work, providing us with assurance and peace. [33:22]
- Faith Grows Through Scripture: Faith is formed and fed by the Word of God. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, our faith grows, shaping our hearts and minds, and guiding our lives. This growth in faith enables us to trust God's promises and endure life's challenges. [28:16]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Hebrews 11
- [00:34] - Definition of Faith
- [01:02] - Trusting God's Promises
- [01:45] - Believing God's Revelations
- [02:29] - Foundation of Faith
- [03:16] - Faith in Action
- [04:00] - The Story of Abel
- [05:09] - Offerings of Cain and Abel
- [06:12] - God's Acceptance of Abel
- [07:51] - The Scene at the Altar
- [10:18] - Significance of the Sacrifice
- [13:16] - Revelation to Abel and Cain
- [16:41] - The First Sacrifice
- [19:52] - Cain and Abel's Knowledge
- [21:03] - Faith Listens to God
- [29:20] - Faith Provokes Anger
- [33:22] - Faith Rests in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:1-4
- Genesis 4:1-10
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined, and what are the two key components of this definition? [00:34]
2. In the story of Abel and Cain from Genesis 4, what were the different offerings brought by the two brothers, and how did God respond to each? [06:12]
3. How does Hebrews 11:4 describe the outcome of Abel's faith, even after his death? [04:39]
4. What does the sermon suggest about how Abel knew what kind of sacrifice to offer to God? [13:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the acceptance of Abel's sacrifice over Cain's tell us about the nature of faith and obedience to God's revelations? [12:23]
2. How does the sermon explain the significance of Abel's sacrifice pointing forward to Jesus Christ? [34:13]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith can provoke opposition, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel? [29:20]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Scripture in forming and feeding our faith? [28:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your faith was challenged. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Abel's example of faith and obedience? [21:03]
2. Abel's faith was demonstrated through his actions. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your faith in God's promises and revelations? [04:14]
3. The sermon highlights that faith can provoke opposition. Have you ever experienced opposition because of your faith? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now? [29:20]
4. Abel's sacrifice points to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice. How does this understanding impact your view of Jesus' role in your life today? [34:13]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to God. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are actively listening to God's Word in your daily life? [21:20]
6. How can you immerse yourself more deeply in Scripture to grow your faith, as suggested in the sermon? Identify one specific way you can incorporate more Bible reading into your routine. [28:16]
7. Consider the idea that faith cannot be silenced. How can you be a voice of faith in your community, even in the face of opposition or indifference? [32:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as Assurance and Conviction
Faith is described as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. This means that faith is not a blind belief but a deep trust in God's promises and revelations, which are accessible to all through His Word. This kind of faith is essential for enduring life's challenges because it provides a solid foundation upon which we can stand firm. When we trust in God's promises, we are assured of His presence and guidance, even when we cannot see the outcome. This assurance and conviction are what enable us to face life's uncertainties with confidence and hope. [00:34]
Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you find difficult to trust fully? How can you begin to rely on His Word to strengthen your faith in this area today?
Day 2: Faith Listens to God
Abel's story teaches us that faith listens to God. Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice because he followed God's revealed instructions. This demonstrates that faith involves not just believing in God but also obeying His Word and trusting His promises. Abel's obedience was a result of his faith, which was informed by what he had learned from his parents, Adam and Eve. This story underscores the importance of listening to and trusting what God has revealed to us through His Word. When we listen to God, we align our actions with His will, which is a true demonstration of faith. [21:03]
James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively listen to God's Word this week? How can you ensure that you are not just hearing but also doing what He instructs?
Day 3: Faith Provokes Opposition
The narrative of Abel and Cain highlights that faith can provoke anger and opposition, as seen in Cain's reaction. Despite Cain's attempt to silence Abel by killing him, Abel's faith continues to speak across the ages. This teaches us that the voice of faith can never be silenced. True faith stands firm even in the face of opposition and challenges. It is a reminder that living a life of faith may not always be easy, but it is always impactful. Abel's faithfulness serves as an example of how faith can endure and speak powerfully, even when faced with adversity. [29:20]
1 Peter 3:14-16 (ESV): "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."
Reflection: Think of a situation where your faith might provoke opposition. How can you prepare to respond with grace and steadfastness in such circumstances?
Day 4: Faith Points to Christ
Abel's sacrifice points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate acceptable sacrifice. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we are commended as righteous before God. Faith rests in Jesus and His accomplished work, providing us with assurance and peace. This aspect of faith is crucial because it shifts our focus from our own efforts to the finished work of Christ. By trusting in Jesus, we find rest and assurance in His promises, knowing that our righteousness comes from Him alone. This understanding of faith leads us to a deeper relationship with Christ, where we can experience true peace and assurance. [33:22]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice change your perspective on faith? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in His finished work today?
Day 5: Faith Grows Through Scripture
Faith is formed and fed by the Word of God. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, our faith grows, shaping our hearts and minds, and guiding our lives. This growth in faith enables us to trust God's promises and endure life's challenges. The more we engage with God's Word, the more our faith is strengthened, allowing us to navigate life's uncertainties with confidence. Scripture serves as a constant source of encouragement and guidance, helping us to align our lives with God's will and purpose. [28:16]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to immerse yourself more deeply in Scripture this week? How can this practice help you grow in faith and trust in God's promises?
Quotes
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things that are not seen. Now that raises the question, how can you be sure of things that you hope for? I mean, these are things that do not yet exist, like redeemed bodies, a perfect church, a perfect world. [00:40:00]
The answer is that these are the things that God has promised, and we saw last time that faith trusts what God has promised. And then we're told that faith is the conviction of things that are not seen. Again, the question is, how can we be convinced of things we cannot see? [01:00:00]
Faith is formed and then it is fed by the word of God, and that is how it is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things that are not seen. Now we saw together that this is really, really good news because God has given the same promises and the same revelation to all people. [02:02:32]
By faith, Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. Now let's begin with the story of Abel. [04:23:44]
Notice that the reason that Abel was accepted and Cain was not lay in the sacrifice. By faith, Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice. Now, some writers focus on the way in which the offering was brought. They read the story like this: well, two men brought their gifts to God. [11:10:40]
Faith believes what God has revealed and trusts what God has promised. It follows then that if Abel was to bring the sacrifice with faith, God must have revealed what the sacrifice he wanted would be. Abel wasn't guessing when he showed up at the altar with a lamb to be offered there. [13:04:56]
Cain did not listen to what God said. He did not believe what God revealed, and he did not trust what God had promised. Now this comes out in the story very clearly when God speaks directly to Cain back in Genesis chapter 4 and verse 6. [22:36:24]
Faith is formed and it is fed by the word of God. So let me ask you these questions: are you listening to God when he tells you in Scripture that sin is crouching at the door, very powerful, seeking and looking to destroy you? Do you see your need of the strength and the Spirit of God? [26:34:48]
Faith is formed and it is fed by the word of God, and your faith therefore will grow as you immerse yourself in the Scripture. This will happen over time as the word of God shapes your thinking, shapes your mind, shapes your heart, gives direction to your life. [28:00:00]
Faith can never be silenced, and through his faith, God says of Abel, though he died, he still speaks. Now let's complete the story from Genesis and chapter three. It makes very clear that faith provokes the world's anger. [29:00:00]
What does it take for a person today to be counted righteous before God? What does it take for you to be right with God today? Well, the answer from the story is that a life must be laid down in sacrifice, and Abel's sacrifice of the lamb, the lamb's life being laid down in his place. [33:00:00]
God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. Our sins were laid on him, and he, the Son of God, in love and in mercy, died for us. And God demonstrated that Jesus is the acceptable sacrifice. [34:25:00]
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