April 18, 2024 -- Hebrews 11:4-7 -- Three examples from the Hall of Faith

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. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Hebrews 11:4-7 ESV

How do these three Old Testament figures demonstrate faith? I wish I could claim credit for this, but the teaching used for for today's material was originally taught by Dr. Michael Kruger, RTS, Charlotte. (If you want to watch the 40 minute or so podcast, I highly recommend it, follow the link pasted below). Abel demonstrated his faith in God by offering a blood sacrifice. One cannot approach God however he wants to do so or in any way he wants. Abel’s sacrifice pointed to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and thus demonstrated Abel’s confidence in God’s forbearing love. According to Genesis 5:21-25, Enoch walked with God. There is very little else known about him, except that he didn’t die, God took Enoch to Himself. The expression “walked with God” means that in the ordinary duties of life, in the highs and lows of life, Enoch put God first. Finally, imagine how hard it must have been for Noah, to be at a decades-long project of building a massive ark, far away from the sea, confident that God would one day send the promised rains and floods. He must have faced huge pressure and ridicule. What do these three teach us about faith?

Abel shows that faith begins with one’s confidence and hope anchored securely in Jesus Christ and His blood. Enoch’s faith demonstrates that faith is not just knowing about God, it is knowing God Himself. Faith draws a believer closer to Him in deep, real relationship. Noah’s faith demonstrates for the reader the radical obedience that is the result of faith that is based on Christ and is relational. What God commands might not seem logical or sensible—His command definitely does not have us doing whatever it is we want to do! Faith leads the believer to yield his will to God, walking joyfully in step with the King of Glory.

O LORD, from whom all good things do come: Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Divine Service Book for the Armed Forces, 1950, page 12

https://youtu.be/y0ac4sT-4-o?si=vnHWZ32uSe5oxjIW “When We See Your Face”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Kkwi9Sq4w  Dr. M. Kruger, Hebrews 11

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