Famous Last Words

A Faith That Pleases God

Introduction

“Just like learning to ride a bike, life’s biggest moments often come down to letting go of what feels safe and choosing to trust.”

Four Things Faith Does

1. Faith Trusts God’s Sovereignty

[Hebrews 11:1-3] “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”

Key Points:

• Faith is believing God enough to obey God
• Faith is only as good as its object
• Faith is conviction in God’s power, goodness, and trustworthiness

2. Faith Gives God Our Best

[Hebrews 11:4] “It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.”

[Genesis 4:3-5] Contrast between:

• Cain: “some” of his crops
• Abel: “best of the firstborn”

[Proverbs 3:9] “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.”

3. Faith Spends Time with God

[Hebrews 11:5-6] “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—’he disappeared, because God took him.’ For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

[Micah 6:8] “The LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

“Nothing else pleases God but our willingness to take off the training wheels and trust Him.”

4. Faith Obeys God’s Commands

[Hebrews 11:7-12] Examples of waiting faith:

• Noah: Built ark before rain existed
• Abraham: Left home without knowing destination
• Sarah: Trusted God’s promise despite age

Key principle: Faith waits on God’s promises despite circumstances and consequences.

Application

Self-examination questions:

1. How would you describe your relationship with God?
2. What priority does God have in your life?
   • In money
   • In time
3. Where are you not giving God your best? Root causes:
   • Fear God won’t come through
   • Pride in personal control

“The question isn’t if you ‘believe’ God. The question is do you believe God enough to trust God.”

Conclusion

“When we truly grasp that the Creator of the universe is holding us, that His strength is limitless, and that His love for us is unshakeable – everything changes.”

Two requirements for pleasing God:

1. Believe He exists
2. Trust He rewards those who seek Him

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