The Hall of Faith: Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Us

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hebrews 11:1-7. The author of Hebrews launches into a long list of examples of those who did not shrink back from their confidence but instead lived by faith. The faith of the Old Testament saints was certainty in the promises of God, even though they did not see them. Before naming any specific individuals, however, the author includes us among those who live by this faith because we know that God is the Creator of all things. The first individuals the author brings up are Abel, Enoch, and Noah. Each of these men trusted God’s promises even though the results remained unseen, even though people around them did not live by this true faith. “The New Covenant in Christ” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Hebrews. The book of Hebrews is best understood as a sermon preached to those who have gathered for the Divine Service, exhorting them to continued faithfulness to Jesus. As the Son of God and our Brother, Jesus is both our exalted King and faithful High Priest who is truly present with us so that we might fix our eyes on Him.