Hebrews 11:4-6

Lives Pleasing to God

The headline of our passage is lives lived that are pleasing to God. Is it our desire to live in a manner pleasing to God? If so, several important factors can guide us in that direction.

The book of Hebrews, with its theme of Christ's superiority, strengthens faith and encourages Christians. It addresses believers who have endured hardships, becoming weary and faint-hearted, pushed to their limits. Trials take a toll on faith. Many of us know that point of exhaustion.

Striving through difficulties in our own strength leads to pervasive weariness. Even those living by faith can grow tired; how much more those relying on themselves? The author speaks to a mixed group—genuine believers weary from trials.

As Christians, we suffer. Scripture affirms that suffering is part of God's will for our lives. Contrary to prosperity messages promising riches and perfect health, God in His benevolence may bless, but the Bible details suffering as normative. It is easy to become discouraged.

When we gather, we seek encouragement, even amid trials—not just after, but during. We also become distracted by trials, temptations, and cares, needing reminders of what matters most: the gospel.

You have need of endurance. (Hebrews 10:36)

The author urges endurance, not barely surviving, but with joy, comfort, and hope. He provides endurance by pointing to the just who live by faith. The faithful preserve their souls, gaining eternal life. Examples show those who endured immensely, not by their strength, but by relying on God's—like Paul, perfected in weakness.

Examining Abel and Enoch

Two familiar examples: Abel and Enoch. Our outline from these accounts and verse 6:

1. An accepted sacrifice.
2. An accepted walk.
3. A response from God.
4. A reward given.

Are we offering acceptable worship and lifestyle to God? Do we notice His response? Do we desire His reward?

Abel: The Accepted Sacrifice

Abel, son of Adam, a shepherd, offers the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions—a quality sacrifice. Cain, a tiller of ground, offers from his produce. God accepts Abel and his offering but ignores Cain's.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. (Hebrews 11:4, NKJV)

Abel's sacrifice was accepted because it stemmed from faith. It was quality worship from a quality worshipper. Cain's lack of faith made pleasing God impossible. Abel drew near to the God he believed in and loved; his heart pleased God.

Even in death, Abel speaks. His blood proclaims from the grave. As Martin Luther said of Abel: "He who when alive could not teach even his brother by faith and example, now that he is dead teaches the whole world. So great a thing is faith—it is life in God."

Amid family, Abel prioritized worship of God.

Enoch: The Accepted Walk

Even less is said of Enoch, appearing briefly in Genesis 5 as one who walked with God, then was not, for God took him.

By faith Enoch was taken away, so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5, NKJV)

"Walked with God" means he was pleasing to God. In an ungodly world, Enoch preached against sin, as in Jude:

Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints.” (Jude 14, NKJV)

Enoch pleased God, not man. He stood firm, prioritizing God's holiness over impressions. Like Paul: "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, NKJV)

Our world deserves judgment, yet God delays for repentance. Do we weigh sin's consequences reverently, in awe of His holiness—"Holy, holy, holy"?

Enoch's life contrasted the wicked around him, preoccupied with God's righteousness.

The Necessity of Faith

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV)

Abel and Enoch drew near diligently. Cain approached flippantly. To please God requires believing He exists—all He reveals: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14)—gracious, holy, sovereign, righteous.

They believed He rewards diligent seekers. Their worship permeated life, not just services. Faith convicts us of Scripture's truths—what God hates, we hate; what pleases Him, we pursue. Relationship with God is the reward: abundant life.

As Luther noted, Enoch became more alive. Faith produces genuine worshippers and diligent seekers. God examines hearts, accepting actions from true faith. Flippant faith saves no one.

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:17, NKJV)

We judge faith's authenticity by worship inside and outside church. True faith offers living sacrifice:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2, NKJV)

Present yourself—living, holy, acceptable. Not conformed to the world. The worshipper lives constantly pleasing God, in fellowship. Life defined not by sins, but walk with Him. Faith views God and His reward superior to all.