August 18, 2019 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

“4 ¶ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:4-7 NKJV)

Life is at the heart of the heroes of the faith. They not only chose life but trusted God to lead them to the fullness of life. Each story of faith is connected and reveals to us the continuous stream of those who lived in faith.

Abel and Cain

This story may be confusing because they try to understand its meaning with just this passage. From Genesis 3 all the way to Revelation we see the need for a blood sacrifice, a death to pay for a death. From the death of the animals God used to cover Adam and Eve, the animal sacrifices at the Temple to Jesus Christ the ultimate blood sacrifice. It is necessary to offer a blood sacrifice to God.

What was the difference between each brothers offering?

Why was Cain’s offering wrong? (Genesis 3:21)

How does this fit with the sacrifice of Jesus?

Enoch

Someone once said Enoch and God walked so closely together that one day God told Enoch to come with Him since they were closer to His home.

What happened to Enoch and why?

What reward did Enoch receive from his faith?

Noah

The story of Noah is probably one of the most know but least understood Bible stories. What the Bible shows is not a little flood with a little ark and little animal heads sticking out. The flood was God washing away the sin and horror of humanity and to “baptize” the whole world!

Why did God warn Noah about the flood?

Why did Noah build the Ark?

How did Noah condemn the world?

What does it mean Noah “became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”?

Are you part of the lineage of faith?