“Without faith it is impossible
to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
We can state the same truth by
answering the question, how can man please God? The
author of the Epistle of Hebrews in chapter eleven
gives a list of people who did please God.
“By faith Able offered to God a
better sacrifice than Cain . . .” (v. 4).
“By faith Enoch was take up so
that he should not see death; and he was not found
because God took him up; for he obtained the witness
that before his being taken up he was pleasing to
God” (v. 5).
“By faith Noah, being warned by
God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared
an ark for the salvation of his household” (v. 7).
“By faith Abraham, when he was
called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was
to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not
knowing where he was going” (v. 8).
“By faith he lived as an alien
in the land of promise . . . for he was looking for
the city which has foundations, whose architect and
builder is God” (vv. 9-10).
“By faith even Sarah . . .
considered Him faithful who had promised” (v. 11).
“By faith Abraham, when he was
tested, offered up Isaac . . . He considered that
God is able to raise men even from the dead, from
which he also received him back as a type” (vv. 17,
19).
“By faith Isaac . . . . By
faith Jacob . . . . By faith Joseph . . . . By faith
Moses . . . . considering the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he
was looking to the reward” (vv. 24, 26).
The list goes on and on of men
and women who pleased God, “who by faith conquered
kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained
promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the
power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from
weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put
foreign armies to flight. Women received back their
dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not
accepting their release, in order that they might
obtain a better resurrection, and others experienced
mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and
imprisonment” (vv. 33-36).
And there was a price they paid
for their faithfulness. “They were stoned, they were
sawn into, they were tempted, they were put to death
with the sword . . .” (v. 37).
The writer of Hebrews tells us
what was common of them was they, “All died in
faith, without receiving the promises . . .” (v.
13). “And all these having gained approval through
their faith, did not receive what was promised,
because God had provided something better for us, so
that apart from us they should not be made perfect”
(vv. 39-40).
The last two verses are
absolutely amazing. They all obtained a testimony
“through their faith,” yet they “did not receive
what was promised (lit. the promise).” The reason
they did not receive it was “because God had
provided something better for us, so that apart from
us they should not be made perfect.”
What was “promised”? Jesus
Christ the Messiah! That is what the whole book of
Hebrews has been about. They all looked forward by
faith to the coming of Jesus Christ. We look back
upon Him by faith. Those who walked by faith and
pleased God received the fulfillment of their
promises “in the fullness of time” when God provided
His Son (Galatians 4:4-6).
Faith that pleased God is
connected to Christ. It is a vital union with
Christ. Do you have faith in Him? Have you come to
Him saying, “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to
the cross I cling”?
How can a person please God?
There is only one way. Faith alone in Jesus Christ
saves. “None but Jesus can do helpless sinners
good.”
The very essence of true faith
is leaning upon Jesus Christ. It is a personal trust
in His saving death that saves. Just knowing that
Christ died for sinners will not save you. It is not
enough just to know Jesus Christ is a Savior. I
shall be saved by believing that Jesus Christ died
for my sins. Jesus is my refuge, my trust; He is my
Savior. I cast myself on the promise of the word of
God that all who call upon Him for salvation will be
saved. It will save you to trust, believe, and rely
upon Jesus Christ to be your Savior. The way to
please God is simply to believe in Jesus Christ.
Have you faith in Him? Do you believe on Jesus
Christ with all your heart? Do you have saving
faith?
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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