Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please Him
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

The Power and Necessity of Faith
Our text comes from Hebrews 11:4–6, a section that emphasizes both the power and the essential role of faith in our relationship with God. These verses recount the examples of Abel and Enoch, then conclude with the undeniable truth that “without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Faith is not optional. It is not one of many paths to God—it is the path. And not just any faith—a living, obedient, active faith that seeks and follows God with diligence.

Abel’s Faith: Worship That Pleases God
The first example given is Abel, who “offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” (Hebrews 11:4). Through this offering, he obtained a witness that he was righteous. Abel was declared righteous by God because he acted by faith. But why was Abel’s sacrifice accepted and Cain’s rejected? Both men were religious. Both offered sacrifices. But Abel did as God directed—he shed blood in obedience to God’s command. Cain, by contrast, substituted his own idea of what was acceptable, offering fruit instead of blood.

This is not just a detail—it’s a profound warning. From the beginning, blood was required for sin. Remember Adam and Eve? God clothed them with animal skins (Genesis 3), which meant blood had to be shed to cover their guilt. Abel followed this pattern. Cain rejected it. John writes in 1 John 3:12 that Cain “was of the wicked one and murdered his brother,” because Abel’s works were righteous and his were evil. Cain's religion was vain because it wasn't of faith. He didn’t follow what God said. Today, many people follow Cain’s path—worshipping how they want instead of how God directs.

Let us learn from Abel. True faith listens, obeys, and offers what God has commanded. That is the only worship that is accepted. Anything else—no matter how sincere—is rejected, just like Cain’s.

Enoch’s Faith: Daily Fellowship with God
Next comes Enoch in Hebrews 11:5. By faith, Enoch was taken so that he did not see death, “because God had taken him.” Enoch’s life was marked by this testimony: he pleased God. Genesis 5 tells us that Enoch “walked with God.” That wasn’t a one-time act. He walked with God daily. He lived in agreement with God’s will and enjoyed close fellowship with Him.

Everyone else in that chapter is listed with this phrase: “and he died.” But not Enoch. His walk with God was so faithful that God spared him from death entirely. Enoch foreshadows what will happen to faithful Christians when the Lord returns. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul writes that those alive in Christ will be changed and caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. Like Enoch, they will not see death. Faith that pleases God is one that walks with Him—consistently, closely, obediently. That’s the kind of faith Enoch had.

The Universal Truth: Without Faith We Cannot Please God
Finally, Hebrews 11:6 declares, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Not unlikely. Not difficult. Impossible. And this verse defines two non-negotiable elements of faith:

1. Belief that God exists
2. Belief that He rewards those who diligently seek Him

First, we must believe in Jehovah God. Not just “a god” or some vague force—but the Creator revealed in Scripture. This is not optional. Romans 1 makes it clear that no one will be excused for denying God’s existence. The evidence is everywhere.

Second, we must believe that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. That means commitment. That means effort. That means we seek God earnestly, not halfheartedly or out of convenience. God does not reward casual religion. He honors those who seek Him with all their heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Do we? Are we living as people who are diligently seeking Him? Or are we just checking boxes and hoping that’s enough?

Conclusion: A Faith That Obeys, Walks, and Seeks
Faith is not just belief. It’s obedience, action, and pursuit. Abel offered what God commanded. Enoch walked daily with God. And all who want to please God must diligently seek Him.

This morning, we witnessed someone enter the waters of baptism and be made a new creature (Romans 6). That was the beginning of a life of seeking God. So I ask—have you truly sought Him? Or have you just dabbled in religion like Cain? God will not reward the complacent. He will only reward those who diligently seek Him, walk with Him, and obey Him.

If your faith has been half-hearted or lukewarm, now is the time to change. Come to Him with all your heart. Seek Him. Obey Him. Please Him.

Sermon Outline: Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please Him

1. Abel’s Example of Faith
   • A more excellent sacrifice
   • Righteousness through obedience
   • Worship by God’s command, not man’s preference
2. Cain’s Error: Substituting Religion
   • Sincere but rejected
   • Vain worship today
3. Enoch’s Walk of Faith
   • Daily fellowship with God
   • Pleasing God leads to reward
   • Enoch as a picture of our hope at Christ’s return
4. The Two Essential Beliefs of Faith (Hebrews 11:6)
   • God exists
   • God rewards those who diligently seek Him
5. Modern Application
   • Faith must act, seek, obey
   • God accepts only what He commands
   • The faithful walk daily with God, not occasionally

Call to Action:
God does not accept faith in name only. He requires faith that obeys, walks, and seeks. Like Abel, offer what God has commanded. Like Enoch, walk with God daily. Like the faithful, believe and act upon His promises. If your faith has grown cold or if you’ve never begun walking with God, today is the day. Obey the gospel. Be buried with Christ in baptism. And begin your walk of faith. God is waiting to reward those who diligently seek Him.

Scripture References:
Hebrews 11:4–6; Genesis 3–5; 1 John 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Acts 1:9–11; Romans 1:18–22; Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 5:6; Romans 6:1–6