Faith Has Roots
Learning from Abel and Sarah
Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is not just blind hope — it's rooted in something real.
Today, we’re reflecting on Hebrews 11 — often called the “Faith Hall of Fame.” While many names appear in this chapter, we’re focusing on two people who don’t get much airtime in Scripture: Abel and Sarah.
These two embody two different yet deeply meaningful expressions of faith:
Abel had a faith that gave.
Sarah had faith that received.
The same is true for us. Sometimes, faith invites us to give, and sometimes, it invites us to receive. In either case, here’s what matters most:
Faith has roots.
It’s not wishful thinking or blind optimism.
It’s grounded in memory — in remembering who God has already shown Himself to be.
What Is Faith, Really?
Hebrews 11 begins with this powerful statement:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see.”
(Hebrews 11:1)
And it goes on to say:
“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.”
(Hebrews 11:3)
Faith is rooted in the unseen. Just like we can’t see the roots of a tree but know they’re there, faith has roots beneath the surface. It's built on what God has already done — and on the stories of those who came before us.
Abel: A Faith That Gives
Abel doesn’t get much space in the Bible, but what we do know is profound. In Genesis 4, we read that he was the second son of Adam and Eve. Abel brought God a costly offering — the fat portions from one of his animals. His brother Cain, by contrast, offered some of his fruit, and God didn’t look on it with favor.
Abel didn’t give leftovers. He gave his very best. His offering said:
“God, I believe you are worth it — even if it costs me something.”
And it did cost him. His story ends in tragedy. He was killed by his own brother.
But Hebrews tells us:
“By faith, he still speaks.”
(Hebrews 11:4)
That kind of faith leaves a legacy. It echoes beyond a lifetime.
Legacy Isn’t About Success — It’s About Trust
As pastors, we’ve been to many funerals. And no one stands up and says,
“Let’s talk about how much money he made,” or
“Let’s list all her degrees.”
Instead, people talk about the character of a person’s life:
How he brought her flowers on Sunday nights
How she made his favorite meal on his birthday
How they popped popcorn and watched movies every Friday night as a family
These are the moments we remember. And when someone has lived a life of faith — even through hardship — that’s what really endures.
Your legacy will still speak after you are gone.
The question is: What will it speak about?
Abel’s life speaks of a faith that gives, even in the face of injustice.
Sarah: A Faith That Receives
Then we meet Sarah. Her story is different — her faith received.
No less rooted in trust, but expressed in another way.
Sarah was told she would have a child. But by the time the promise came, her body told her, “It’s too late.” Her story, found in Genesis 11 onward, is deeply intertwined with Abraham’s. And while it may seem like Sarah was just along for the ride, Scripture honors her faith equally.
She left her home. She followed Abraham to an unknown place. She heard God’s promise — and waited. And waited. And waited.
At first, when Sarah hears she’ll have a child, she laughs. Honestly, that just makes me love her even more. Because her first response is:
“Yeah, right.”
But something shifted. Eventually, she decided to trust anyway.
“She considered Him faithful who had made the promise.”
(Hebrews 11:11)
That’s the heart of faith — not having all the answers, not always feeling 100% certain, but choosing to trust because you remember who God has been.
Faith Grows in the Soil of Memory
Faith has roots, and it grows in the soil of memory.
That memory can be:
Your own experiences — the times God showed up for you
The stories of others — how God was faithful to them
When you recall the moments of provision, healing, or unexpected kindness, those become your foundation for today’s faith.
If your faith feels shaky today, go back.
Remember.
Trace the fingerprints of God in your story.
Or look to someone else’s story and borrow their hope while you wait.
Whether You’re Giving Like Abel or Waiting Like Sarah…
If you’re in a season of giving — where faith costs you something — or in a season of waiting — where promises feel delayed — know this:
You are not alone.
Your faith is seen.
Your story matters.
You are part of a long line of people who trusted God even when it didn’t make sense.
So may you walk in that legacy today — rooted, remembering, and trusting the One who is always faithful.
Grace and peace, friends.
We’ll see you next time.
