Hebrews 11:1-7

In the last part of chapter 10, the author of Hebrews applied the truth of Christ's superiority in a myriad of ways:

1. Draw near to God! (22)
2. Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess! (23)
3. Spur one another on! (24)
4. Continue meeting together! (25)
5. Cease deliberately sinning! (26)
6. Persevere with passion! (36)

Now, in chapter 11, the author illustrates his applications with well-known stories from the Old Testament. These characters are examples of 'not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.' It was because of their faith that they were commended (11:2)

First, faith is defined:

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see

Some have twisted the first example as if it were claiming God created the world by faith, but verse 3 actually teaches that WE understand creation by faith. Faith is our part, not God's part.

The examples of faith are as follows:

1. Us: By FAITH we UNDERSTAND

Those who accept and build their lives on the foundation that God did not form the world out of visible materials do so by faith. We believe that the universe was formed at God's command. Too many Christians look at the issue of origins from a purely scientific basis. But believing the account of Genesis is most accurately an act of faith. No human being was present when God created the world, so we must accept this belief by faith. Certainly evidence, rightly interpreted, will accompany this truth, but creation can not be proven. It is an issue of faith. And by this faith we believe the following about the world:

a. The physical universe is not eternal
b. That God is the Creator of the universe
c. That the world was specifically designed by God
d. That God's command is sufficient to create (Romans 4:17)

2. Abel: By FAITH he OFFERED

Why was Abel's offering 'better'? There are several possibilities:

a. Perhaps because Cain’s offering wasn’t a ‘firstfruit’
b. Perhaps because Cain’s offering didn’t include blood
c. Perhaps because Cain’s offering wasn’t by faith

Because of the attitude behind and nature of his offering, Abel was commended as a righteous man and his story of faith is preserved for all to see (even though he died as the 1st martyr).

3. Enoch: By FAITH he was TAKEN

Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:21-24) and was taken by God without experiencing death. All who walk with God by faith will be rewarded by God. The nature of the reward is up to God, but the rewards can only be gained by faith because w/o faith it is impossible to please God.

4. Noah: By FAITH he BUILT

We know the following from Scripture regarding Noah:

1. He was a righteous man (6:9, Ezekiel 14:14)
2. He was blameless among the people of his time (6:9)
3. He walked with God (6:9)
4. He was a man of Faith (Hebrews 11:7)
5. He was a preacher (2 Peter 2:5)

There is indication that there had never been rain on the earth prior to the flood, but Noah obeyed the command to build an ark anyways. He believed God was going to judge because God said He was going to judge. He was rewarded by becoming heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

The faith of these 3 men did not include equal actions
1. Abel actively offered
2. Enoch passively was taken
3. Noah actively built

The faith of these 3 men did not produce equal results
1. Abel was the 1st human to die
2. Enoch was the 1st human not to die
3. Noah lived as the world around him died

But the faith of these 3 men was identical. And this is what they were commended for.