DIGGING DEEP NO1086  – June3,2025                            Faith That Pleases God                                   Hebrews 11-1-7

A key concern in this epistle is that Christians remain strong in faith because there is the danger of developing a heart of unbelief  Hebrews 3:12 It was the lack of faith that destroyed Israel in the wilderness Hebrews 3:16-19 In chapter ten, there is an exhortation to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith  Hebrews 10:22 also an admonition to have that faith which endures to the end  Hebrews 10:35-39;  Hebrews 6:11-12

But one might ask. What is this faith which leads to the saving of the soul? How does this faith manifest itself in the lives of those who possess it? In our Bible Study tonight we find the answer to such questions 1-With a definition of faith   Hebrews 11:1 2-With a mention of how necessary faith is to please God  Hebrews 11:6  and 3-With examples of Old Testament saints who demonstrated saving faith  Hebrews 11:3-40

FAITH EXPLAINED (1-3) Faith is confidence and conviction. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for…”

In other words Faith is firm trust and assurance. “…the evidence of things not seen.” How other versions translate this phrase “certain of what we do not see.”

PERTAINING TO THINGS HOPED FOR AND NOT SEEN” Faith is confidence about things hoped for, such as the coming of our Lord Titus 2:13.The resurrection of the dead Acts 24:15 It was this kind of confidence possessed by the OT saints that pleased God  Hebrews 11:2 Faith is conviction about things we have not seen, such as the existence of God whom no man has seen or can see 1Timothy 6:16 Such things about how the world began: “the worlds were framed by the word of God” Hebrews 11:3 Faith is that strong conviction that such matters are true.

As expressed in verse 2, the elders obtained a good testimony because of their faith. The rest of the chapter is filled with illustrations of the faith possessed by these elders.

FAITH EXEMPLIFIED 4-5,7

1-The testimony of Abel (Faith Worshiping). By faith he offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain   Hebrews 11:4 The reference is to Genesis 4:3-5 Cain’s offering was of the fruit of the ground, Abel’s offering was of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. It is said the Lord respected Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s. Why did God respect Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s? It may have been that God had specified an animal sacrifice. It may be Cain offered left-overs, while Abel offered his best (the firstborn). Cain’s attitude may have been wrong; he certainly showed himself prone to display envy and hatred, capable of murder. Perhaps most likely, Abel offered his with faith while Cain did not. Through faith Abel obtained witness that he was righteous  Hebrews 11:4 God certainly testified of his righteousness in showing respect to his offering. Jesus also bore witness to the righteousness of Abel Matthew 23:35 The apostle John also 1John 3:12 Through his faith, he being dead still speaks  Hebrews 11:4 His example of faith was written for our learning Romans 15:4 His example of faith continues to warn us in regards to worshipping God

2-The testimony of Enoch (Faith Walking) By his faith, Enoch was translated so that he did not see death  Hebrews 11:5 The historical reference alluded to is Genesis 5:21-24 Like Elijah, he did not experience death 2Kings 2:1-11 His faith was such that he pleased God  Hebrews 11:5 What God found pleasing is that he walked with God Genesis 5:21,24

His example of faith illustrates the value of walking with God throughout life.

3-The testimony of Noah (Faith Working) By faith Noah. moved with godly fear  Hebrews 11:7 The scriptural background is Genesis 6:1-22 God warned him about things not seen, the coming flood  Hebrews 11:1 His confidence, that is his faith in what God said would happen prompted him to act with reverence toward God. By faith Noah prepared an ark for the saving of his household and the world Hebrews 11:7 His faith moved him to do according to all that God commanded him Genesis 6:22; 7:5 Through such faith working, he stood in stark contrast to others. His obedience magnified the lack of obedience in others. He received the standing of being right in God’s eyes. His faith pleased God.

FAITH EMPHASIZED (6)

Without faith it is impossible to please God. We have seen how Abel, Enoch, and Noah obtained a good testimony by their faith. Without faith, then, there is nothing we can do that will please God.

The faith which pleases God 1-includes conviction that believes that God is. We must believe there is a God, and He is the God of the Bible. Though we do not see Him, we have conviction in things not seen Hebrews 11:1b

2– It includes confidence that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We must believe that God acts on the part of those who seek after Him 1Chronicles 28:9; 2Chronicles 16:9 It is regarding such things hoped for, that we must have confidence  Hebrews 11:1a Such was the faith seen in the lives of Abel, Enoch, and Noah; one might ask, how do we develop such faith today?

HOW SAVING FAITH IS DEVELOPED…

Today, faith comes by hearing the word of God Romans 10:17 The word of God presents evidence to believe in God and Jesus. Through God’s word, we can develop the kind of faith which pleases God Romans 15:4

CONCLUSION

The kind of faith that we develop in our God and our Lord Jesus Christ will affect the manner in which we worship God. It will affect our walk with God and how we work for God.