Living Examples of Justification by Faith

Order of Service

• Sermon
• Prayer of Dismissal

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Sermon Title: Living Examples of Justification by Faith

Scripture: Hebrews 11:4-7

I. Introduction: The Context of Hebrews 11

A. The chapter does not appear in isolation — it is framed by a call to endurance rooted in Hebrews 10:36

1. "You have need of endurance" — the original audience faced trials threatening their faith
2. Chapter 11 is bracketed by this call; it flows into the exhortation of chapter 12

B. The nature of saving faith

1. Faith is hearing, accepting, and resting upon Jesus Christ as set forth in God's word
2. Three Latin terms summarize it: notitia (knowledge), assensus (intellectual assent), fiducia (personal trust and reliance)
3. Hebrews 11:1 — faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen; it operates in the environment of waiting and endurance

C. The theme of commendation in Hebrews 11:2

1. By faith, the people of old received their commendation — they were declared righteous before God
2. The writer addresses those tempted to add works of the law to faith in Christ, or to abandon faith for outward ritual altogether

II. Abel — Faith and Acceptable Sacrifice

A. The text: Hebrews 11:4 drawing on Genesis 4

1. Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain
2. The question is not primarily about the quality of the offering itself — Abel brought the firstborn and fat portions; Cain brought some fruit of the ground

B. The basis of Abel's acceptance was faith, not the superior nature of his offering

1. The key words are "by faith" — do not miss them
2. Cain's offering represented the works of his toil brought to God; Abel's offering flowed out from faith in God's promises
3. We are prone to works-based thinking — measuring our standing before God by the balance of good versus bad deeds

C. Abel believed the promises he received through his father Adam

1. Adam would have taught his sons of life before the fall, the fall itself, God's grace in covering them, and expulsion from the garden
2. Abel believed Genesis 3:15 — the promise of the seed of the woman who would crush the seed of the serpent
3. Cain heard the same promises but did not believe

D. Though Abel died, he still speaks

1. He is the first righteous sufferer in Scripture, the first to enter the presence of the Lord through death
2. His blood still proclaims the gospel; the writer of Hebrews notes that the blood of Jesus speaks a better word than Abel's blood

III. Enoch — Faith and Walking with God

A. The text: Hebrews 11:5-6 drawing on Genesis 5

1. Enoch is mentioned in only three verses in a genealogy — son of Jared, father of Methuselah
2. He did not see death; God took him — one of only two such men in Scripture (along with Elijah)

B. "Walked with God" — the Septuagint renders this as "pleased God," which the writer of Hebrews adopts

1. Walking with God includes genuine holiness and godliness evident to those around him
2. It also includes a vital, personal, loving relationship with God
3. Paul in Ephesians 2:1-10 contrasts two kinds of walking — in trespasses and sins versus in good works

C. Enoch was not commended because of superior works — the basis was faith

1. Hebrews 11:6 — "Without faith it is impossible to please him"
2. His godliness flowed from his faith; his faith was the root, his holy walk the fruit

D. The content of pleasing faith according to Hebrews 11:6

1. Belief that God exists
2. Belief that God rewards those who seek him — he is a gracious rewarder
3. The reward is salvation — access to and the presence of God; Jeremiah 29:13-14; 1 Chronicles 28:9

E. Drawing near to God is the great theme of Hebrews

1. Sin's core problem is separation from God's presence — seen in Adam and Eve's expulsion from the garden
2. The good news throughout Hebrews (chapters 4, 6, 7, 10) is that through Christ we may draw near
3. Enoch's translation is a vivid picture of drawing near to God; we draw near through the broken body of Christ

IV. Noah — Faith and Obedient Action

A. The text: Hebrews 11:7 drawing on Genesis 6-9

1. God warned Noah of an unseen judgment and commanded him to build an ark
2. Noah built it over 120 years with no visible signs of the coming flood

B. Noah believed God's word amid scoffers and an unconcerned, unconverted world

1. The ark itself functioned as a pulpit proclaiming coming judgment — Noah was a preacher of righteousness
2. 2 Peter 3 warns that in the last days scoffers will ask where the sign of his coming is — just as in Noah's day

C. Noah's works flowed from his faith

1. He is declared righteous not because he built the ark, but because he believed God
2. The building of the ark was the necessary fruit of genuine faith — had he not built it, it would have demonstrated unbelief
3. This mirrors the teaching of James: faith that justifies is never alone; a working faith

V. Conclusion: The Gospel Pattern in All Three Men

A. Abel, Enoch, and Noah are justified by faith alone in Christ alone — thousands of years before Christ's coming

1. They believed God's promises ultimately fulfilled in Christ
2. Their works were fruit of their righteousness, not the ground of it

B. The order must always be kept right

1. Justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone
2. The faith that justifies is never alone — it produces works

C. The call to the original audience and to all believers: do not stop believing

1. Do not add works to faith as the basis of justification
2. Do not abandon faith for outward ritual
3. You have need of endurance — yet a little while and the coming one will come (Hebrews 10:37)