A Faith Worth Dying For
Hebrews 11:4
The first of many of these listed in what we called the hallmark or hall of fame of faith goes all the way back to the first family. He is the second born of two boys and the Bible speaks of him as being righteous.
See: Genesis 4:1-10 The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground
Abel is the picture of several things and I want to carefully present them out.
“By faith Abel”
1. The Second Birth
All through the Bible we see the significance of the second birth that teaches us that the righteousness of the LORD is given when one is born again.
From the family Adam to Isaac we see the second born inheriting the birthright blessing in the continuing of the line of Jesus the Christ.
“Offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain”
2. The Sacrifice Brought
See: Genesis 4:4 He brought the firstlings of his flock
It is certainly understood that Cain and Abel knew what was considered an appropriate sacrifice given unto the LORD.
Mention: Vs.3 Cain brings before the LORD the fruit of the ground and no doubt his very best.
Hebrews 11:4 Abel brought a more excellent sacrifice than Cain
The sacrifice of Abel was a blood sacrifice and Cain a bloodless offering
See: Hebrews 12:24 We see here how the sacrifice of Abel is compared to the blood sacrifice of Jesus.
Mention: Hebrews 9:22 Without shedding of blood is no remission
And: Matt. 26:28 Jesus says His blood of the New Testament was shed for many for the remission of sins.
Point: While Cain offering is a picture of man attempting to come unto God his own way Abel offerings teaches us that the only way is through the blood of the Lamb of God.
“By which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts”
Statement: Today our sacrifices unto God are…
Psalms 51:17 A broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God thou wilt not despise
Vs.19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness...
Mention: Romans 12:1 Present your bodies a living sacrifice…
3. The Suffering Of The Righteous
“And by it he being dead”
Mention: Genesis 4:8 Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him
Fact: Abel is not the first to experience death but also the first martyr believer
Down through the years we read of those who gave their lives for their faith.
Statement: If your faith is not worth dying for it is not worth living for
See: Matt 23:35 Abel is list among the prophets who died for their faith
4. The Sure Judgment Of The Wicked
“And yet speaketh”
Do you realize that there is not a recorded word of Abel in the Bible, but he is declared a prophet? His faith speaks
It speaketh of that which came in Jesus the Christ and also the future avenge of the righteous.
Genesis 4:10 The voice of thy brother crieth unto Me from the ground
We read in the book of Revelation where they cry unto the God “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” Rev. 6:10
Question: What is it that Abel says to you today? What sacrifices are you willing to make for your faith?
