Attempting The Impossible

Faith is not just a belief, IT IS FOUNDATIONAL! To have faith means that one has accepted what he cannot see or feel, with the conviction of truth!

Heb 11 teaches what it means to possess genuine faith, genuine trust in God:

Look at chapter 10:39 - Hebrews 11 is the continuation of that thought!

Genuine Faith is MANIFESTED by Genuine Christians. - that is the message!

We act and live according to what we really believe because of God’s promises

By our faith that we exhibit is the SUBSTANCE, foundation, the “title deed” to the things for which we have hope!

By our faith, when genuine, we exhibit the EVIDENCE - that is PROOF by CONVICTION, of God’s work in our lives. Our faith is an inward conviction of truth. When genuine, evidence is exhibited through our lives.

When REAL faith is present, it is the substance and evidence of things to come!

Everyone has faith in something - An Idolater puts his faith in graven images. Materialists in financial matters. Humanists in himself.

Muslims in the Koran and Muhammad. Philosophers in their own thought.

Most Religionists in their own works. Some want to usher in a one world kingdom. Others believe they can become God. The Entrepreneur in his abilities. The Athlete in his strength.

And most of humanity believes they are alright if their good outweighs their bad! None is sufficient! Even God’s children trust more in their own sufficiency than that of their Savior

Heb 11, some call the Hall of Faith, gives some that exhibited Faith - Eternal examples of trust in God. This chapter demonstrates LIVING faith. We are saved by grace through faith, and that is how we are to continue! Colossians 2:6 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."

I. Abel exhibited a Worship of Faith - Abel - vs. 4

A. The Scene - An Altar - Where it all begins! Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

B. The Sacrifice - A Lamb by Faith - It must be accepted that Adam had taught his sons of the sacrifice of God to clothe them. And Abel took the best. Genesis 4:4 "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:"

1. Its Worth (Excellent) Abel brought a sacrifice of blood by faith, (Portrayed Calvary) Cain brought a sacrifice of works without faith. (Religion of our own merit!)

2. Its Witness - It was RESPECTED by God - Only Calvary!

Cain’s false religion, too good for a slain lamb, showed its true colors by the murder of Abel. Truth has always been attacked!

But God is the witness that will testify of the validity of the blood.

II. Enoch had a Walk of Faith - vs. 5 Enoch stood midway between the fall and the flood, an OT picture of the church.

A. A Fellowship of His Faith

Genesis 5:24 "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."

B. The Fruit of His Faith - no death - Enoch was the first man to escape death.

1. Translated - Suddenly removed (raptured!)

2. Transformation - He escaped death, and lived in Heaven!

1Co 15:51 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

C. The Force of His Faith - he had a testimony - He was different.

1. He was Missed - they could not find him

2. He was Marked - He had the testimony that he pleased God!

Acts 4:13 "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Oh that the world would mark us as God pleasers!

III. A Work of Faith - Noah vs. 7

A. He was Mindful of the Warning of God - O that we would be mindful

1. His Warning Genesis 6:13 "And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth."

2. Our Warning Revelation 20:15 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."