Series: Jesus Is Better- The Better Way [#2]
GOD’S INCREDIBLES
Hebrews 11:1-7
Introduction:
As we have studied the Book of Hebrews, we have seen that Jesus is better. Jesus is the better messenger, the better Apostle, the better priest, the better covenant, and the better sacrifice. This week, we are going to see that Jesus’ way is the better way.
T.V. and movies have changed dramatically through the years concerning subject matter and morals; but one theme that has always been popular (especially amongst children) is Super Heroes. Super Heroes are those who use their “super powers” to defeat evil. There is an animated movie that came out several years ago called “The Incredibles”.
The movie begins by showing several Super Heroes saving several people against evil; but all of a sudden “Mr. Incredible” saved a man who did not want to be saved and therefore the man sued him. The results from this was that all Super Heroes were forced to stop using their “super powers” and live normal lives like everyone else. As the movie continues “Mr. Incredible” has to choose whether he will blend in or continue to use his “super powers” to help others and he and other Super Heroes begin to use their powers again and they are victorious over evil.
This morning, we are going to look at some of “God’s Incredibles” who had to make similar decisions. They had to decide if they were going to blend in with the world or have faith in the “super powers” of God in their lives. Those of you who are saved are also “God’s Incredibles”. How will you choose?
Hebrews 11:1-4 (NIV)
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.”
A true Super Hero of the faith strives to…
1. Truly worship God.
Cain was the founder of the world’s 1st false religion. It was a religion of good works and what man could do. Cain tried to earn his salvation by offering God his best from what he had. This sounds good; but Cain ignored the fact that what was required was not his best but a substitute. We have nothing that is acceptable to God to offer. Cain tried to approach God in his own way. Abel brought a lamb and shed its blood in order to approach God in God’s way.
Many of us are trying so hard to approach God by bringing Him our best that we forget that God wants us to approach Him through the blood of Jesus. Your best is not good enough.
Hebrews 11:5-6 (NIV)
“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
A true Super Hero of the faith strives to…
2. Truly walk with God.
Enoch lived before the flood. Enoch lived during an evil time in which godlessness seem to grow and grow. He was the 1st man to ever escape death. The fruit of Enoch’s faith was that he skipped death. I am here to tell you today that through your faith in Jesus Christ as being God’s only Son who died on the cross and was raised from the dead on the 3rd day, you too will skip death. The fruit of being one of “God’s Incredibles” is not dieing a spiritual death.
I also want each of you to notice that not only did God take Enoch out of this earth without dieing; but that people missed him. Enoch made an impact upon his generation. Unfortunately, Enoch’s impact was not noticed until he was gone. You may never receive any acknowledgment of your impact upon this world while you are here on this earth, but it doesn’t mean that you are not living faithfully to God.
So many of us spend all of our time trying to make everyone like us. One of the hardest things for me to deal with is the fact that not everyone is going to like me. No matter how bad I want everyone to like me, agree with me, and appreciate me; it’s not going to happen. But, Super Heroes of the faith don’t care if everyone likes them. They only strive to please one person- God.
Hebrews 11:7 (NIV)
“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
A true Super Hero of the faith strives to…
3. Truly be a witness for God.
When God first spoke to Noah about building the ark, (more than a 100 years before the flood); there was no sign that such a disaster would ever happen. For a 100 years, evil people continued to get worse and worse with no change in sight; but Noah was mindful of the Word of God.
There are going to be many times as “God’s Incredibles” that we are going to have to trust God simply because He said to. How many times I hear God’s instructions for my life and think, “Are you sure, Lord”? There have been many times that people have asked me for some sort of sign or proof that God has asked me to do something and all I have is God’s Word. By the way, if God’s Word is not enough; then we are in huge trouble.
Noah’s faith set him and his family apart from the rest of the world and Noah became intimate with God. A Super Hero of the faith draws a sharp line between the actions of the world and the actions in their own life. Look at the result: Intimacy with God.
Conclusion:
“God’s Incredibles”, are you “blending in” on this earth or are you allowing God’s “super powers” to be shown in your life? Do you have a faith that truly worships God, truly walks with God, and truly is a witness for God?
Maybe like “The Incredibles”, you have gone through a time where you have tried to live a “normal”, “earthly” life. O.k., it’s too late to focus on that. We live in a world that needs to be saved.
