Faithful Sacrifice

Friday, December 11, 2015
Hebrews 11:4-16 KJV 

4 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. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 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. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Why does the writer of Hebrews include Abel and Enoch among God's faithful people? (v.4-5)
2) What is impossible to do without faith? (v.6)
3) Why are Noah, Abraham and Sara listed among God's patriarchs of the faith? (v.7-12)
4) How did these people of faith depart this life and what did they think of themselves? (v.13)
5) What did the patriarchs of faith seek and what did the Lord prepare for them as a result of their faith in Him? (v.14-16)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What are you believing that the Lord will do in your life?
7) Will your faith remain in the Lord even if you never see what He has promised you?

LIFE LESSONS
8) Our faith is not simply in the promises of God, but in the faithfulness of God Himself.