BY FAITH IT IS POSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD

Hebrews 11:1-7

Key Verse: 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

A Happy New Year for everyone! Two days of European Directors Conference are over. God blessed us with the word of God through Dr. John Jun. God wants us to hold the power of the gospel. God blesses us as we trust the power of the gospel and the life by the spirit. At first some people might have wondered why Dr. Peter Chang gathered all of us here in Israel. It is God who has brought us here. We came here to pray for Israel. We feel much closer to God in this land.

A closing message is about preparing for our new beginning.  We will soon return to our mission field (happily after the memorable tours in Israel together with fellow leaders). Whether we are from England, Slovakia, Germany, USA, Israel or from any part of the world, it is important to clarify some essential aspects of this life of mission. First, our joy depends on us. It is not the situation, other people and or anything else, but our faith (i.e., our own attitude, approach and perspective)—that determines our joy.  Second, the quality of this life of mission depends on whom we try to please. If we, like all people do, merely seek to please ourselves only, either we become quite self-centered or selfish. On the other hand, if we focus on pleasing those we serve or lead, our life would be quite superficial in that our joy rises and fall on the passing opinions of people.

This is the first year of the next ten years! Have you thought about 2020?  What will be most critical by 2020?  To many of us, next ten years will be quite important years. To many seniors in their late 50s or 60s, the next ten years are the time for wonderful conclusion about the first part of life. Those who are in 30s and 40s, the next ten years are most active and dynamic period of life. Regardless of our age, each of us here commit to a life that pleases God. Heb 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God”.  Then, the entire chapter shows, how by faith it is possible for people to please God.  If our intent is to please God, then we pursue a truly rewarding life. The title of today’s message is, “By faith it is possible to please God.”

First, three foundations of faith—hope, confidence, and understanding (1-3).  Look at verse 1: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Here, the object of faith is not something impersonal idea, state or things. Rather, the object of faith is God. Therefore, faith is being sure of God we hope for and certain of God we do not see. Faith is being sure of God we will meet face to face in the future while we are certain of this invisible God we now love and serve.

Look at verse 2: “This is what the ancients were commended for.” The ancients refer to many people of God in the Bible. The ancients, who lived thousands of years before us, lived by faith. By living by faith we join with these people of faith for ages that went ahead of us. We take their wisdom of life as our own for today.

Look at verse 3: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” The essential foundation of faith is about understanding about God’s creation.  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command. Out of nothing, God created everything by his command such as: “Let there be light…” then it was so. By depending on the Creator God we can engage in an exciting life of creation as well. With faith in Creator God we can explore this world and study the law of nature. Jesus had creation faith so he said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26).  So faith is in God we hope for, the invisible but real God we love, and the work of God that we understand. Then, what do we do by faith?

Second, by faith we come to God (4). Look at verse 4: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” The author of Hebrews skips the first man Adam and the first woman Eve. They failed. They lost the Garden of Eden and lived in a world where thistles and thorns flourished. They had to sweat to eat and they had to die.  Thinking about the painful reality of life and their miserable destiny was hard. Yet, they taught their children about the holy God, their disobedience, God’s gracious provision for their return to the kingdom of God through the Messiah (Gen. 3:15). In due time, their two children grew up. Later, Abel became a shepherd and his brother Cain a farmer. They had different attitudes toward God and life. Cain was an angry and rebellious man. Abel, on the other hand, was a godly man.

Look at verse 4a: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.”  One time both offered offerings to God. Abel’s offerings were some of the firstborn of his flock that involved a blood sacrifice. Cain offered some of the firstfruits of his crop. One can go into the details about the offerings themselves. Anyway, to God, Abel’s offering was a better sacrifice. Abel loved God who is invisible. He did not blame God for a hard life. He did not argue with God, saying, “Lord, why should we work hard and toil here for the sin of my parents?” Instead, he probably said, “O Lord, thank you for giving us the hope of returning to the Garden of Eden someday through the seed of a woman. Help me to live by faith.” Abel loved God and honored him and accordingly offered a sacrifice with sincere faith. What was the outcome of his sacrificial life? One day his brother Cain invited him to a field.  There, Cain killed his brother Abel in an uncontrollable rage.

Then how does Abel still speak to us? Look at verse 4b: “By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” What does Abel’s life say to us? Abel’s life seems to be too short. Cain was a murderer and yet lived a long life building his own civilization. Abel’s life speaks a truth that a seemingly untimely but righteous death is better than a long and ungodly life on the earth. Abel’s life teaches that God is pleased with our coming to him—a sincere and sacrificial life.

Many of us are here in 30s, 40s, 50s and even 60s. In the movie, “Titanic”, women and children were first taken to the boats.  People said, “Farewell”.  It was the moment of closing.  At the final moment when the ship was sinking, the band plays the song, “Nearer God to thee” as the ship sinks. As we conclude this life, the essence of this life can be summarized in one phrase, “This life is to come nearer to God”.  Apart from God, death is such a sad reality.  With death everything ends.  However, with God, death is the gateway to glory.  Without faith by death everything ends. By faith with death everything starts totally new. That’s why seemingly untimely death is so heartbreaking to us, in the other side of eternity such death is also a path of glory. Then, how can we come to God? We come to God by faith.  From a human point of view, Jesus himself died an untimely death on the cross. Yet, to many, Jesus’ death on the cross speaks more powerfully than his long life. His righteous death on the cross is the foundation of our salvation. What does the cross of Jesus do primarily? It enables sinners to come to God.  We come to God, by faith in Jesus. The first important way to please God is to come to him.  Any parents know that their children’s coming to them is most pleasant joy of all. God loves us coming to him through Christ Jesus. This year, as usual to all other years, we may face events that make us anxious and even fearful. Those who practice to come to God learn to face the most fearful of all—the holy God. Then, all else is not so terrifying after all. Only God alone is the consuming fire that kills both body and soul (Luke 12:4,5). So let us resolve to come to God as of first importance.

Third, by faith we walk with God who exists (5). Look at verse 5: “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” After Abel’s death, Adam and Eve had another son, Seth. Enoch is from the line of Seth. Enoch was taken from this life. He did not experience death. Why such a reward? Enoch was a prophet (Jude 14,15). Enoch preached the holiness of God. His life was hard among the ungodly. He experienced death every day until he could not endure any more. God had mercy on him and one day took him away. God spared him from the pain of death.

When he was 65 years old, his first son Methuselah was born (Genesis 5:22-24). It is not clear what his faith was like before that. However, with the birth of his son, Enoch was much more serious about his spiritual life. Enoch walked with God(Gen 6:21-24).  What was so wonderful about that? To “walk with God” means to be in “fellowship with God.” To “walk with God” means to keep in step with God. Every step of his way he included God. He lived a life of  faith for a long journey one day at a time. His walk with God was so steady and fruitful that before his departure he was commended for his faith.  As a spiritual giant he knew the heart of God. Enoch’s life teaches us the blessed life–being with God.

God is pleased with those who believe in his existence.  Those who believe in his existence live in the presence of God.  They walk with God knowing that God is with them. God is walking by them.  Walking with God is about trusting God who is near. It is life that rejoices!  Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness is evident to all.  The Lord is near.”(Phil 4:4,5). God is near.  It is good to walk with God. It may not occur right away..

Enoch’s life demonstrates that the sound habit of walking with God is the best gift we can pass on to our children and the people we love. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5,6).  All God’s blessings come through this vital walk with God. David also made a same conclusion. David speaks about his joy of walking with God, “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Ps. 23:6). By walking with God we are committed to love. Walking with God is to enjoy his presence. As we walk with God, we are also able to walk with people. As we walk with God, we dwell in the light. By coming to God, we learn to overcome fear in this world. By walking with God, we practice his love in this world.

Fourth, by faith we believe God’s reward and earnestly seek him (7). Another hero of faith is Noah. The description of Noah’s generation was corrupt, violent and evil. “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God” (Gen. 6:8,9). Noah was different from that generation. Why? God showed him favor in the eyes of the LORD. He was righteous and blameless among the people of his time.  He walked with God. God preserved Noah in his generation.

Look at verse 7a: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” Noah had one message to the people.  It was about the holy God and the impending judgment on the world. Noah’s life was not that easy. As a preacher he prepared and delivered messages. He did not have a large congregation to support his living expenses. As a farmer he had to work hard to feed his family and get the sufficient funds to build an ark.  Moreover, he had to raise his children among such an ungodly generation. Building an ark was not a petty project. The ark was not a toy; it was as big as a huge football stadium. So it was a life-long project. It took many years.

Look at verse 7b: “By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Noah was not an angry man. Probably, he was a very gentle and generous man. He did not condemn the world. He did not have to. People could laugh at his work, but they could not hate him. They allowed his project to keep going. Then at the right moment, God condemned the world. Just before the flood came, God himself shut the door of the ark. Too late, people cried and wept. God rewarded his faith by saving him and his family members.

Life of faith is about building something in this life.  Life of faith is to earnestly seeking—putting our heart—into the work we do.  By faith we learn to work hard! Life of mission requires hard work.  Most of us work at home, at our job in this world and for the ministry of God’s word and prayer. In 2009 Toledo UBF started building and renovation project that required a sizable investment. It was to prepare a ministry for the next ten to twenty years beyond. Many leaders were unsure about this. We always prayed and did not give up. Eventually, all leaders decided to commit for this project with a unanimous vote. It is one thing to build a visible house of worship. It is quite another to build people for Christ and his kingdom. Our work is to build people for Christ and his kingdom.

As we lift our eyes and see beyond our immediate concerns, it is obvious that God is building his kingdom through his people. Over the past 50 years God has built numerous base camps for mission in many parts of the world—even in this land of deeply religious people. Directors Conference is the moment of fellowship with God and his people. Through this fellowship we are able to build something larger than each of our ministries can do. This year we have this conference in Israel where our Lord first came to God, walked with God, and built his disciples through the ministry of God’s word and prayer.

The three people–Abel, Enoch, and Noah–were the first group of the blessed people in Hebrews chapter 11. They pleased God. As we conclude Directors Conference this year, we affirm that by faith it is possible to please God. Sometimes we don’t know what to do.  However, God gives us wisdom what to do in any situation, when our direction is clear: live in ways to please God. I remember what the late Dr. Samuel Lee said, “In the new land of mission, I resolved to please God as of first importance.” If God is pleased with us, everything is possible. Life that pleases God is life that shows that everything is possible. By faith we come to God. By faith we walk with God.  By faith each of us put our mind and heart to build a ministry that is big enough to save the world—our family, the people around us and the world we live in. God rewards this life of faith. As we close this conference, we are resolved to come to God, walk with God and build God’s people in Europe through whom the entire world is being saved. This is the way we please God.  Therefore, again this is what we are happy to do daily—throughout this year again.