By Faith: Abel, Enoch, and Noah

In one paragraph

This message was the second week in a series through Hebrews 11, working through the first three specific examples in what Pastor Ray called the Hall of Faith. He focused on Abel, Enoch, and Noah, and on two general statements the writer of Hebrews places among them. The through line was a simple but hard question: do you believe God exists, and do you believe He rewards those who seek Him? Pastor...

Read together

1. Psalm 62 quoted at the opening of prayer: 'my soul find rest in God, my hope comes from him'
2. Genesis 1 cited for God speaking creation into existence: 'let there be light and there was light'
3. John 1:1 quoted to identify Christ as the Word and agent of creation
4. Genesis 4 source text for the account of Cain and Abel's offerings
5. Genesis 5 source text for the account of Enoch and his genealogy
6. Genesis 6 source text for the corruption of mankind and God's warning to Noah
7. Genesis 6:22 quoted to show Noah's obedience: 'thus Noah did according to all that God had commanded him, so he did'
8. Genesis 7 identified as the account of the flood
9. Genesis 8 identified as the account of the flood subsiding
10. Genesis 9 identified as God's covenant and promise not to destroy the world by flood again
11. Hebrews 11:1-2 quoted as the definition of faith and approval of the ancients
12. Hebrews 11:3 quoted on worlds being prepared by the word of God, what is seen made from what is not visible
13. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 read during the Advent candle lighting: 'now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way'
14. James 2 referenced to note that even demons believe God exists and shudder
15. Matthew 12 quoted where Jesus tells the Pharisees that the men of Nineveh and the Queen of the South will condemn that generation at judgment
16. Luke noted as containing the same account as Matthew 12 with the order of the Queen of Sheba and men of Nineveh reversed
17. 1 John 3 quoted on loving one another and not being like Cain who slew his brother because Cain's deeds were evil and his brother's righteous
18. Jude 14 cited as quoting from the books of Enoch about Enoch's writing concerning certain men

Talk about it

1. Pastor Ray talked about how Abel's act of faith led to his murder, and Noah's act of faith meant condemning the world. What does it do to your expectations of God when you see that obedience and faith do not guarantee a comfortable outcome?
2. The sermon pointed out that God went to Cain and asked him directly, 'Why are you angry?' and warned him that sin was crouching at the door. What does it tell you about God's character that He pursued Cain that way, even before Cain had done the worst of it?
3. Hebrews 11 says that without faith it is impossible to please God, and that anyone who comes to God must believe not only that He exists but that He rewards those who seek Him. Which of those two beliefs is harder for you personally, and why?
4. Pastor Ray suggested that a person's righteous acts can condemn others, not because they are trying to, but simply by the contrast they create, the way Noah's obedience condemned the world and Abel's righteousness condemned Cain. How do you sit with that idea without it either making you proud or making you want to shrink back from living faithfully?
5. The sermon ended with the question: are you currently seeking after God? What does seeking after God actually look like in a practical, day-to-day way for someone in this congregation right now?