September 17, 2023
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks."
Hebrews 11:1-2,4 (NASB1995)
The Idea:
You could live in the total approval and acceptance and commendation of God. And that could change you at the deepest level of who you are.
Part 1: The Approval of God
“For by it the men of old gained approval. “
Hebrews 11:2 (NASB1995)
“By faith Abel … obtained the testimony [from God] that he was righteous”
Hebrews 11:4 (NASB1995)
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him …”
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB1995)
And here it means God giving testimony: “You are pleasing to Me. You are completely accepted by Me.”
Part 2: Faith is an Offering
Faith is an offering:
A. Abel’s Offering
“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”
Hebrews 11:4
B. Cains Offering
3 “So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.
4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering;
5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.“
Genesis 4:3-5 (NASB1995)
“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;”
Isaiah 64:6 (NASB1995)
C. Your Offering
Your offering is two things:
1. You offer your faith in His promise
10 “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,”
Hebrews 10:10,12 (NASB1995)
Your offering is two things:
2. You offer your whole life to Him
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. “
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
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