Abel’s Faith (Genesis #14)

Abel’s Faith

Text: Genesis 4:1-8, Hebrews 11:4

Let’s look at Hebrews 11:4 and discuss Abel’s faith.

An active faith

  • By faith Abel OFFERED… 
  • By faith describes the performance of faith
  • Genesis 4:3 …process of time… 
    • The process of time suggests that Cain did the right thing for a while, but over time something changed and he decided to offer something else.
    • Perhaps Cain’s fruit trees were in season and he decided to offer something from the garden.
    • Time is the trial afforded by God to test the metal of faith.

An superior faith

  • offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain…
  • Both of them offered something to God.
  • Excellent because Abel’s was a SACRIFICE.
    • Abel’s offering more excellent because the COST was greater.
  • Excellent because of obedience.
    • Offerings are a response to God’s revelation of Himself.
    • Offerings are about God, not about you. Excellent because Abel regarded what God wanted, not what he wanted.

A justifying faith

  • by which he obtained witness that he was righteous
  • The offering wasn’t what made him righteous, his offering was the result of his righteousness.
  • And God testified of his righteousness when the sacrifice was made just as God testified of Cain’s wickedness when his sacrifice was made.
  • …God testifying of his gifts…
  • Genesis 4:4-5 …respect unto Abel…Cain and to his offering he had not respect….
  • You could bring your service to God and He might not accept it.
    • You can’t even approach God without a sacrifice.

An enduring faith

  • …he being dead yet speaketh.
  • The first record of the human family are not cave pictures.  (No such thing as cavemen.)  It is a story of religion, faith, obedience, persecution, hatred, and murder.
  • Revealed from faith to faith as faith is passed on, enduring the test of time.  Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
  • Persecuted for his faith. Abel left a testimony.
  • Now, what’s your testimony in this life?