Faith, Man's Unlimited Reach

Faith, Man’s Unlimited Reach

(This sermon was prepared for Preaching Class taught by Dr. Scott Tatum at Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth. Shortly after its preparation, I was afforded the opportunity to preach it at Cedar Ridge Baptist Church in Fort Worth.)

         The story is told of a little boy and his sister who were touring with a group through a great cavern. It is said that the tour guide stopped the group and told them to stand perfectly still, for he was going to turn out the lights. Instantly they were surrounded by the blackest darkness that they had ever experienced.

         And in that moment of darkness the little boy was heard to say, “I’m scared!”

         To this his sister calmly replied, “It’s alright, there’s a man here who knows how to turn on the lights.”

         There are times in life when we stand in what we believe is the blackest darkness. It is in those times what the Christian must believe that there is One who can bring light into the darkness. The act of trusting in God is what we as Christians call faith. It is important that Christians and non-Christians alike understand something about the nature of faith in God. For to the believer, faith is truly man’s unlimited reach. For it is faith in God today that provides assurance of our hopes for our tomorrows. It is faith, as lived in the life of a believer, that bears witness to the God that we serve; and, it is this faith that is rewarded by the God to whom it is placed.

         With this in mind I ask you to prayerfully follow with me as I read from the book of Hebrews. Our text is taken from Hebrews 11:1-6. And I ask you to also prayerfully consider today, Faith, Man’s Unlimited Reach.

         Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the men of old received divine approval, Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do no appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased

God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

         In this passage there are revealed some aspects of the nature of faith in God. These aspects of faith were valid for men then and they are valid for men today. With the help of your prayers, we shall examine this nature of faith in God this morning. The first aspect of faith that we shall consider is that:

         Today’s faith provides assurance for tomorrow’s hope. I believe it would be accurate for me to state that there is not a person here today that hasn’t, at some time in your every day life, as well as your spiritual life, needed an assuring word. As children, when the storm clouds gathered and thunder shook the heavens, many of us scurried to the warmth and assurance of the covers of our parent’s bed, just as your own children probably do today. Throughout our lives assurance is needed in times of trials, at times when our soul is shaken by the death of loved ones, in moments when disappointment plunges us deep into emotional despair, and when eminent failure seems to threaten the security of our future. Who of us here has not yearned for an encouraging word and some thread of hope to lift us up? Well, let me share with you my friends, that in order for us to claim assurance in our tomorrows we need faith in God in our todays.

         The text this morning was written to a church in need of a little assurance. To the members who graced the rolls of that early church the hopes of tomorrow were vague and dim, to say the least. This early church was experiencing the gradual persecution of the mighty Roman Empire. This persecution finally resulted in the branding of Christianity as an illegal religion. In 64 A.D, the Emperor Nero falsely accused the Christians of the burning of Rome. And it was in that very same year that many of the Christians were martyred because of their Christian faith. It has been documented that Nero, this madman, had scores of Christians soaked in tar and oil, suspended on poles, and set aflame so that he might drive his chariot through his garden at night by the light of their burning bodies.

         This first century church had distinguished themselves by their consistency and faithfulness under severe persecution. But now, because of that persecution, they were in danger of slipping into an unhealthy spiritual condition. They were drifting toward a sluggishness and dullness to the original truth that they had first discovered in Christ Jesus. And it is in the light of this drifting away that the urgent message of Hebrews is heard. Here the writer, and we suspect that it is Paul, attempts to reestablish, into the hearts and minds of the people, the assurance that comes when one places his faith firmly in Jesus.

         Understand please, the condition in which many in the church found themselves. This was certainly a dark moment. God was being blotted from the books. The Lord that you and I know was proclaimed to be illegal. You and I have likely never experienced times like that. But as dark as it may have seemed, I am here to tell you that the darkest night is not where the light of God has never shown, it is rather that place where the light had once shown brilliantly but is now hidden by the heavy mantle of despair. And it is that context that the Apostle embraced these Saints with a message that faith in God can and does provide certain hope for the future and can restore that light that only God can give.

         When trials come into our lives, we tend to search for those things that can give strength and assurance in the moment. The writer of Hebrews knew that. And that is why he urged the people to examine the nature of their faith in God. In the very first verse, he speaks of the assurance of faith. Now, this word assurance implies much more than simply feeling good and safe. In the legal sense the word bears the implication of a title-deed. Now you know what it means to have the title-deed of a piece of property. It means that it belongs to you. All of the laws of the land confirm and affirm that it is yours and you may do with it as you wish. So, likewise, Paul is saying here that faith is the title-deed of heavenly hopes. Or better yet, he is saying that faith in God gives one legal possession of eternal realities, that can be a living and effective power in the lives of men.

         The beauty of this is that this assurance is not found within ourselves. It can’t be supplied by the preacher. You can’t get it at the Baptist Book Store. That dear mother and father may support and love and care for you, but they can’t provide you with this kind of assurance. It isn’t found in any resource that we may produce. This title deed assurance is found only through faith in God. It’ not faith in the church. It's not faith in religion. No it wasn’t in religion that the early church placed its faith. It was in God. It is faith in God that produces assurance through God.

         When life falls in, it is our nature to grasp at whatever we can find in order to keep stability in our lives. Throughout the ages men have grasped at power, at fame, at fortune, at ambition, and some, the fortunate and discerning ones have grasped the Galilean. What do you hold in your grasp today? In what, or in whom do you place your faith? What gives you assurance for tomorrow? Why not place your faith in God right now. Why not receive the title-deed to your hopes for tomorrow.

         Not only does faith in God today provide assurance for our hopes for tomorrow, but:

         Faith proclaimed in the lives of Christians bear witness to God. Now, I want you to understand that actions were never meant to be the means of faith in God. In other words, the things you do and say are not the measure of your faith in God. However, your faith in God will naturally be reflected by your actions. Abel and Enoch are prime examples of men of God whose faith was reflected in their actions. It is interesting to observe that these two men reflect different types of faith. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, so also each man approaches God as a unique creation. And this bears witness to the central truth that a life lived in faith to God will bear witness to God.

         Verse four relates to us the faith involved in a solitary sacrificial act. We do not know much about Abel and Cain. What we do know is based upon the account of the sacrifices that they brought to God. And it is significant to this passage that Abel is the first example of what faith can do for the one who exercises it. It makes an important difference, whether or not you exercise faith or not. Through Abel this verse relates that the importance and consequences of exercising faith is righteousness in the eyes of God.

         Here we see the drastic contrast of faithfulness and unfaithfulness. The question always seems to arise; and it is the same question. “Why was Abel’s sacrifice accepted and Cain’s was not?” Where not both sacrifices legitimate according to Levitical Law. But even so, we find that Abel’s sacrifice is accepted and Cain’s rejected. The reason, my friends, is because Abel offered his sacrifice in faith and Cain did not. You see, it isn’t important what item we sacrifice; what is important is how we bring the sacrifice to God. It was by faith that one sacrifice was accepted and the lack of it that the other was not. Abel offered his sacrifice freely, as a gift, as offering given in love and respect; knowing that God provided it in the first place and that it was God’s to begin with. Abel offers unreservedly a portion of that which God had given to him, back to God. Cain did not.

         Enoch, on the other hand, does not demonstrates to us a particular single act of faith; but rather Enoch is the example of a continuous faith relationship with God. The scripture does not teach here that Enoch had faith to be taken to heaven without dying. And it doesn’t imply that you or I will be taken that way. What it does say is that Enoch lived a life of faith that pleased God. Our faith can be pleasing to God. What a marvelous thought that I could be pleasing to God. And how do I do that? By trusting in Him every minute of the day. By living a life of faith in Him.

         The faith proclaimed by lives can be compared to a candle in the darkness. It takes a simple, solitary act to light a candle. But until the initiative is exercised and the candle is lit, it remains in the darkness. Faith is an action, a simple solitary action. But it is also a matter of the will. Once the candle has been lit, it will shine faithfully until it is extinguished. Make no mistakes about it, the faith that is practiced by Christians in this church shines brightly in the darkness. I have seen the faith of simple people, who have not placed the mark of greatness on this world, shine with a brilliance that eclipses the mighty accomplishments of prominent and influential people of our time. Remember, it is not what you’ve done or said that is of eternal significance; it is how you have lived. Enoch lived a life of faith; and it pleased God.

         Too many people today believe that faith in God is something that is practiced in the church. They believe that it can be turned on and off like a light switch. I want you to be sure to know that this is not the message that God’s scripture shares with us today. For you and me today, there is a mandate to understand that faith in god is a lifestyle. Faith is a simple solitary act of the will. It is by faith, an act of the will, that people choose to accept Jesus Christ as Lord. And it is by faith that you and I are to live the Christian life. We are to be candles in the darkness, bearing witness to God and to others, showing them what it means to live a life of faith in God. It should be as natural as lemons are to a lemon tree, as roses are to a rose bush. The Christian of faith lives a life that bears, as a natural result of that life, witness to God.

         But there is more to the nature of faith that is accounted for in our scripture passage. For the best news is that faith freely given merits God’s rewards. Faith is a voluntary act. When a person professes faith in Christ Jesus, he willfully chooses to come to Jesus. The willingness of the believer to accept God as who He is, is pleasing to God. Barnes states, “God cannot be pleased with the man who does not have confidence in Him; who doubts the truths of His declarations and promises; who does not believe that His ways are right, or that He is qualified for universal empire.”

         This passage provides us with two great spiritual truths that are universal for all who would seek to draw near to God. The first is that God exists. You cannot draw near to that that does not exist. We live in an age where it carries some sort of prestige to identify oneself as an atheist. By the way, I believe that that term is meaningless. There is no one alive who knows without a doubt that there is no God. And I often wonder if even the most vocal and adamant self-proclaiming atheist, in the quiet stillness of the night, when he is alone, really alone, doesn’t ask himself, “What if I am wrong?” My friend, the great universal spiritual truth is that God exists! And the second truth is that God rewards those who seek Him and are faithful to Him.

         We need not look far for examples of God’s reward for faithfulness. In this very passage there are two. God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice. How this favorable reception was demonstrated by God to Abel we are not told; but, by this testimony Abel was pronounced a righteous man. The reward of Enoch was an exalted one. God was pleased with Enoch, so much so, that he took Enoch to heaven without him having to experiencing death.

         I’ve been told a story of how a little girl once related the story of Enoch. She told it something along this manner. “One day God was walking in His garden with His good friend Enoch. It was at the end of the day. And God turned to Enoch and said, “Enoch, we’re closer to my house than yours. Why don’t you just come on home with me.” A simple story from a child, but that is God’s reward to those who come in faith to Him. Someday, maybe not today, but someday God will say, “My good friend, we are closer to My house than yours, why don’t you just come on home with Me?” Can there be any greater reward. That new car can’t compare with it. That new 10,000 square foot house full of possessions can’t compare to it. That bank account can’t compare with it.

         In John 3:16, John says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” There it is, God’s promise to you. There it is, Gods ultimate reward, everlasting life. For the person who may be in this room at this time who is not a Christian, I urge you to receive Him, and receive his gift to you. Come in faith, believing that God exists and that He wants to reward you. Remember, it is a universal truth that whosoever approaches God to worship Him and to receive a blessing from Him must believe in His existence and in His power to reward those who seek Him.

         A story has been told of a preacher who was told that he had only six months to live. He drove to the crest of a hill overlooking the city. Out there alone with God he looked eastward towards the mountains and said, “You have been here many years guarding this valley. Generations have come and gone and you have seen them all. Someday you will be no more, but when you are gone I will still be living.” He then looked at the stars. Millions of them were twinkling in the sky. He said to them, “You have been here for eons. God put you there. You may shine on for ages to come. But when you shine no more, I will still be living.” Then the preacher looked to the river and said, “Oh mighty river, for millenniums you have coursed your way down toward the sea. But some day you will be gone and I will still be living.” After saying these things, he turned and went home, with the peace of God in his heart. He had won the victory and had no more fear of the future. Yes, thank God, by faith we can have Jesus and hope when we come to the end of the way. The assurance that faith in God brings, the joy of living lives of faith that bear witness to God; and the reward that God bestows on those who come to Him in faith can by yours today. I invite you to commit yourself to Christ Jesus in faith. God bless you.