Hebrews 11:4. By Faith We Come to God

Transcription

1 ï» Hebrews 11:4 By Faith We Come to God 1. On October 31, 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther marched to the front doors of the famous Castle Church in Wittenburg, and proceeded to nail there a large piece of paper with 95 theological statements written upon it. 2. That one act sparked what history has called the Protestant Reformation. Today, we worship as Baptists and Protestants largely due to the work that God began in the life of Martin Luther. 3. While there were 95 statements on Luther s document that day, there was really one single issue that fueled the Reformation. That issue was the doctrine of justification by faith alone. 4. The Bible states, and we believe, that a man cannot be saved and justified before God by any work of his own. No amount of good works can spare a man from the torments of hell, nor earn him a place in the pleasures of heaven. Justification and salvation can only come by God s grace through faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ. 5. The reality is that justification by faith alone is not a principle or theological idea that originated with Martin Luther. In fact, the truth of justification by faith alone was illustrated in the life of only the second man ever born into this world. 6. His name was Abel, and the writer of Hebrews tells us in our text that, By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous 7. The story of Abel, and his sacrifice, is found in Genesis chapter four. It is a story that reveals to us that there is only one way to come to God. By faith, and faith alone, we are allowed to approach God, and participate in a relationship with Him.

2 8. As we begin our journey through Faith s Hall of Fame in Hebrews chapter 11, we come first to the figure of Abel. Let s look at his story, and learn from him the truth that we must come to God only by faith in the sacrificial death of Christ. 9. There are three truths that I want you notice with me from Abel s story. Notice first of all, that Abel s story is a story of: I. TWO SIBLINGS 1. Verse four in our text not only mentions Abel, but it also mentions his brother Cain. The truth is that you cannot tell Abel s story without mentioning his sibling Cain. 2. There stories are intertwined, and to study Abel, you must also study Cain. These two siblings are very interesting character studies. 3. In fact, as you read their story in Genesis chapter four, you will find that these two brothers represent all of humanity. 4. Every man and woman on earth will either relate to Cain or Abel. These two siblings remind us of the two types of lives being lived by men in this world. 5. I want you to notice a couple of things about these two siblings. Notice first of all: A. The connection of these brothers 1. Turn with me and look at Genesis chapter four. Verse one begins, And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2. Verse two says, And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 3. Cain and Abel were the first two births in the history of the world. They were biological brothers. They carried in them the genetics of their parents, Adam and Eve. 4. These two brothers were not only connected physically, but they were also connected spiritually. That is to say, as one writer put it, they were born in the shadow of the fall. 5. Because of Adam and Eve s sin, Cain and Abel were both born with a sin nature. They were fallen creatures, with a propensity and will toward sin. 6. There is one thing that every person in the human family shares. We are all born with this same sin nature. Whether you were born in America or Africa, a hospital or a hut, you entered this world, like Cain and Abel, with a sin nature. 7. We see this sin nature evidenced in our own children. You don t have to teach your children how to be selfish. You have to teach them to share. You don t have to teach your children how to lie. That is a natural tendency they have as a result of their fallen nature the nature they inherited from you. 8. Someone once said, If depravity were blue, we d be blue all over. The reality is that each and every member of the human family is connected by the blue of the fall. We are all sinners. 9. Notice something else about these two siblings. Notice not only the connection of these two brothers, but notice also further: B. The contrast in these brothers 1. While Cain and Abel were connected by their family and their fallen nature, if you read their story in Genesis chapter four, it becomes evident that these two brothers were very different. 2. An old writer named Marcus Dods put it this way. He wrote, Cain is depicted as a dark, morose, suspicious, jealous, violent temper Abel is described in contrast as [honest] and sunny, free from harshness and resentment. [i]

4 3. The contrast in these two brothers is more than just in personality, however. I believe we learn something about them by the different lives they chose to live. 4. Look back in Genesis four, and notice the close of verse two. It says, And Abel was a keeper of the sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 5. The two very different lives of these men represent the two very different lives that are lived by all men. Let me explain what I mean. 6. Abel, as a keeper of sheep, reminds us of those who live their lives as keepers of what God has given them. They live on the grace of God, and are simply stewards of what He has provided them. 7. Cain, on the other hand, as a tiller of the ground, represents those who choose to live their lives striving in their own power to produce and attain in life. 8. The contrast in these two brothers reminds us that all of mankind is either living on the grace of God, or striving in their own works. 9. Abel s story is the story of two siblings. These two brothers represent all of us. We are either like Abel or like Cain. We either exist by the grace of God, or we labor and toil in our own efforts. 10. Notice a second truth we find in the story of Abel. His story is not only the story of two siblings, but notice also further that it is the story of: II. TWO SACRIFICES 1. Look again in Genesis chapter four, and notice verses three and four. It says, And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.

5 2. No doubt, Adam and Eve had taught their boys the need for a sacrifice. These two sons had grown up knowing that they were accountable to God, and that because they were sinners, something had to be done to make up for and cover those sins. 3. And yet we find that while both these sons knew that something had to be done about their sins, they each brought very different offerings. 4. The reality is that all mankind is accountable to God. As sinners, we each must face the fact of our sin against God, and the fact that something must be done about that sin. 5. In the two sacrifices of these brothers we learn the two ways men try to deal with their sins, and make things right with their God. Notice these two sacrifices with me. Notice first of all that we see: A. A sacrifice that was produced 1. Look in Genesis chapter four, and notice again verse three. It says, Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 2. When the time for sacrifice came, Cain decided to bring to God the fruits of his labors. He had struggled, sweated, and strived to produce his crop, and it was the works of his life that he brought before God. 3. Sadly, Cain represents the majority of humanity when it comes to dealing with God. Most men are simply trying to give God their good works in hopes that they will be sufficient to cover their sins. 4. Like Cain, most men come to God believing that they are not that bad, and that in fact, their works are pretty good, and that God will accept their efforts. 5. According to a recent poll, 88% of people that attend church said they believed that if a person is generally good, or does enough good things for others, they will earn a place in heaven.

6 6. Unfortunately, the majority of the world comes to God with a works offering, just as Cain did. They believe they are good enough for heaven, and certainly not bad enough for hell. 7. The problem with a works-based life is that it is completely contrary to Scripture. Paul in Ephesians 2:8 says, For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. 8. In Galatians 2:16, it says, a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. 9. Notice the other sacrifice in this story. We see not only a sacrifice that was produced, but we see also further: B. A sacrifice that was provided 1. Look again at Genesis chapter four, and notice Abel s sacrifice. Verse four says, And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. 2. There are a couple of things to notice about Abel s sacrifice. First, it was not something he had produced. The Lord caused that little lamb to be born. 3. Secondly, it was a blood sacrifice. Verse four mentions the fat of Abel s sacrifice. That means that the Abel s lamb had been killed. 4. In Cain s sacrifice, his works were presented to God. In Abel s sacrifice, an innocent one died in the place of the guilty. 5. In Abel, we find the other class of humanity, and how they deal with their sin before God. Most of humanity follows Cain, and offers their works to God. 6. But those that follow Abel, they come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible calls him the Lamb of God. Those that follow Abel, trust in the sinless, perfect sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on

7 the cross. 7. They do not produce a sacrifice for God, but instead they accept the Sacrifice that God has provided. They take the grace of God instead of their works. 8. I ask you, which brother s sacrifice are you offering to God? Are you presenting your works to Him, like Cain, and hoping that they are good enough? 9. Or, like Abel, are you trusting in the shed blood of the Lamb of God to cover your sins? These two siblings, with their two sacrifices point us to the two ways in which mankind deals with their sin before God. 10. There is one more truth we learn from Abel s story. Notice not only that we see two siblings, and two sacrifices, but notice also thirdly and finally that we see: III. TWO STANDINGS 1. Both Cain and Abel brought their sacrifices to the Lord. Each of them walked away that day in a very different standing before God. 2. The truth is that how you approach God, whether by your good works, or through faith in His grace, will completely determine where you stand with Him. 3. I want you to notice the two different standings that we see in these two brothers. Notice first of all: A. The brother God received 1. In Genesis chapter four, look again at verse four. It says, And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. 2. When Abel placed that innocent lamb in His place, and offered to God the sacrifice that God had

8 called for, God gave respect to Abel and to the offering. 3. Notice that word respect in verse four. It comes from a Hebrew word that means to look at something with approval. 4. The Lord approved of Abel s offering. He approved also of Abel. Abel had presented to God an acceptable sacrifice. 5. 2,000 years ago, when the Lord Jesus died upon a rough, Roman cross, the Lord accepted His sacrifice. He saw the innocent blood shed for guilty sinners, and He approved. 6. Those that come to God by faith in the work that Jesus Christ performed on the cross will find that they can be accepted by God s grace. His Son is becomes their sacrificial Lamb. 7. They stand before God and say with the songwriter: My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust a sweeter frame, But only lean on Jesus name, On Christ the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand! 8. One brother left standing accepted with God. But notice also with me the other brother and his standing. Notice not only the brother God received, but notice also: B. The brother God rejected 1. Look again in Genesis chapter four, and notice verse five. It says, But unto Cain and to his

9 offering [God] had not respect 2. The Lord had looked on Abel and his offering with acceptance. But when he looked on Cain s offering of works, the Bible says that He did not accept it. 3. Cain s works, while good, were not good enough to cover his sins. Notice what God told Cain in verse seven. He says, If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. 4. In essence, God told Cain that he had seen the works of His hands, and they were not good enough to cover his sin. 5. The Bible teaches us that the righteousness of man is nothing but filthy rags before God. Our best is not good enough to make up for our sins. 6. The truth for us this morning is that all our good works are still not an acceptable payment for our sins. That is why the Word of God tells us to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ. 7. In other words, the only way we can come to God and be accepted is to place our faith in the person of the Lord Jesus, and allow His sacrifice and His righteousness to cover our sins. 8. The story of Abel is the story of two siblings, two sacrifices, and two standings before God. The question is, where do you stand before God? 9. If all you bring is your good works, then like Cain, the Lord will not accept your offering. Your good works are not good enough! 1. I remember once, years ago, along with some friends of mine, we stopped at a restaurant to eat dinner. As we approached the door, a well dressed man met us and stopped us from entering the restaurant.

10 2. We didn t realize it, but apparently this was a high-class, fine dining establishment. We were all wearing blue-jeans and t-shirts. The man looked at us and said, You can t come in here wearing that. 3. Anyone, regardless of their condition can come to God. The Bible calls for whosoever will to come to Him for salvation. 4. The only condition is that you can t come to God wearing your good works. To come to God, the only thing you can bring is faith in the finished work of Christ. Only those trusting in the righteousness of Christ will be accepted by God. 5. In Hebrews 11, Abel was inducted into Faith s Hall of Fame. He teaches us that by faith we come to God. There is no other way to come to Him. ote-list"> [i] The Book of Genesis, Dods, Marcus; p. 32