Introduction:
One
of the blessings of living in New England is that there are many beautiful
places to explore and trails to hike. Before, I never went for walks, but my
wife got me excited to go on hikes after coming to the US. In the past several
years, we hiked many places in and around the Boston area. As directionally
challenged as I am, the only way I could enjoy and be at rest during a hike is
to know that Wilma is walking with me. Even in new places, Wilma follows a map
and treks the path confidently. As long as I am walking closely with Wilma, I
know I won't get lost, and in the end, we can go back home. That is for me,
Walking by Faith.
We are exploring the lives of men
and women in Faith's Hall of Fame. We will look at three ancient men who lived
and walked by Faith in their generation. In verse one, the author defines the
Biblical Faith as the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen and
the assurance of things we cannot see. He refers to the ancient people who
gained God's approval or good reputation because of their Faith in verse two.
In contrary to the popular theories
of evolution, by Faith, we understand that the command of God's word formed the
universe. Remember these words in Genesis chapter one, "God said, Let
there be," and the universe came into existence. Earlier in Hebrews
chapter one, we learned that "The Son radiates God's own glory and
expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty
power of his command." Hebrews 1:3
In an age of confusion, we need to
know and understand who created and is running the world, lest we think we are
in the center of the universe. God is
the one who rules and controls everything in this world. He makes all things
work out according to his plan. In verses four to seven, we will meet three
ancient people who lived over 5,000 years ago, yet they have some essential
faith lessons to teach us today. Let us continue our Faith Walk.
I.
ABEL'S FAITH OFFERING
Vs.
4, "It was by Faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God
than Cain did. Abel's offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and
God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still
speaks to us by his example of Faith."
Who are Able and Cain? What made
Abel's offering more acceptable to God? Why did God approve Abel's offering and
rejected Cain's? To find answers, we refer to Gen 4:3-5. Abel was the second-born son of Adam and Eve.
His name meant "breath" or temporary.
Abel was a shepherd, and his older
brother Cain was a farmer. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented
some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best
portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his
gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and
he looked dejected."
We don't find a specific reason for
God accepting Abel's gift and rejecting Cain's gift in Genesis four. It was not
just because it was an animal, nor just because it was the very best of what he
had, nor even that it was the culmination of a zealous heart for God. But
because it was in every way willingly and delightfully given according to what
God must have revealed. Cain, disdaining the divine instruction, just brought
what he wanted to bring: some of his crops.
Both brothers knew what God
required. Abel obeyed, and Cain did not. Abel acted in Faith, Cain, in unbelief.
Because of his Faith, God counted him righteous. Later on, Christ himself
referred to the righteousness of Abel in Matthews 23:35. Through his Faith,
Abel left an example to all succeeding generations that we can be made
righteous only by our Faith in God.
We can learn from Abel's Faith, offering
that God is not impressed by what we give to Him but how we give. He doesn't
look at our outward actions but searches for an inward authentic faith in a
person whose heart is genuinely delighted to please and serve God.
II
NOAH'S OBEDIENT FAITH
Vs. 7, "It was by Faith
that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God,
who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his Faith, Noah
condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes
by Faith."
Noah is a historical figure. Many in
the secular and the religious world know of his name. In recent years, scientists
and archeologists found evidence of the worldwide flood and the Ark that Noah
built in obedience to God's command. Russell Crow, Steve Carell popularized his
name further in the movies Noah and Evan Almighty. What do we know about Noah?
Genesis seven and eight chapters
tell us a lot about Noah. Let me summarize. Noah was a descendant of Adam,
great-grandson of Enoch, and the son of Lamech. He lived in a time where the
whole earth became corrupt. God was grieved by looking at the increasing
wickedness among people. So, he decided to destroy everything. But Noah found
favor with God (Gen 6:8).
What made Noah different from a
corrupt generation? "Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person
living on earth at that time, and he walked in close fellowship with God."
Gen 6:9 When God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with
violence, He commanded Noah to build an ark to save himself, his family, and
the living creatures.
It must have taken at least 100
years for Noah to build the Ark. Can you imagine the ridicule and insults by
scoffers Noah and his family may have endured during that period? While the
wicked continued in their evil ways, Noah hammered away and completed the Ark.
Noah was 600 years old when the
flood covered the earth. After the flood, God blesses Noah and his family and
commissions him to be fruitful and multiply. God confirms his covenant with him
and his descendants by placing his rainbow in the clouds. Rainbow reminds us of
God's past dealings with his people and his promises of hope for the future.
Though Noah was dead and gone
thousands of years ago, his obedient Faith still speaks. Jesus compared the
last days to the days of Noah. Matt 24: 37-39 "When the Son of Man
returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood,
the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time
Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the
flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of
Man comes." Are not our days like the days of Noah?
We learn from Noah that amid a
corrupt generation, he lived a blameless life. The God who foretells that the
difficult times would come can also save us through the difficulties. Through
his obedient Faith, Noah could save himself, his family and persevered the
entire human race, animals, and birds from near extinction. Where are the Noahs
of Today?
The Lord commands us through the
Holy Spirit to live blameless lives in this corrupt world. Philippians 2:14-15,
"Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can
criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright
lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people."
We have seen how Able by Faith
offered a better offering than his brother Cain, which God counted to him as
righteousness. Noah, through his obedient Faith, became an example of leading a
righteous life. Let's turn to Enoch, who was known as a man, walked with God.
III
ENOCH'S WALK BY FAITH
Vs. 5 "It was by Faith that
Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying; he disappeared because God took
him. For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God."
What do we know about Enoch? He was the great-great-grandson of Adam. Gen 5:22-24,
"After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with
God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total
of 365 years.
Enoch walked faithfully with God;
then, he was no more because God took him away." Hebrews 11:5 gives us a
few more details. By Faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying, he
disappeared because God took him. For before he was taken up, he was known as a
person who pleased God." Only two people in the Bible are said to have
escaped death; Enoch and Elijah. Enoch was given this privilege due to being a
man who walked faithfully with God.
For what purpose was Enoch taken away?
The Bible does not explicitly say. The most common assumption is that he could
serve as one of the two witnesses, alongside Elijah, in the end, times. We read
about the two witnesses in Revelation eleven. Instead of speculating how and
why God took him away, we should be seeking to follow Enoch's example by being
men and women who walk faithfully with God and desire to please Him by the
right way of living.
Why is it essential that we are to
walk by Faith? Vs. 6, "And it is impossible to please God without Faith.
Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he
rewards those who sincerely seek him." Nothing pleases God more than our Faith
in Him. God is delighted when we trust Him as we are called "to walk by
faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7.
What does walking by Faith look like?
People who walk by Faith are the ones who actively seek and follow God in all
matters of life. They are willing to take risks and are not easily swayed by
popular opinions. They don't go with the flow but against the flow.
They stay closer to God, realizing
that without God, they are utterly lost. They love people and are filled with
compassion wanting all of them to be saved. They will let their actions speak
louder than words. They want to give the best of their talents, skills, and
resources to God. Walking by Faith
demands obedience to God's revealed will. It requires letting go and letting God
in to take control of our lives and lead us and guide us by His Holy Spirit.
Abel, Enoch, and Noah walked with God. Are you in step with God or the world?
Amen.
