Faith (Hebrews 11:1-6)

Faith is a word that is used a lot in the religious world. People are encouraged to "just have faith." Some believe that "God is testing their faith." Others see the need to "defend the faith." With the word "faith" used so frequently, we need to have a proper understanding of what "faith" is. This is especially true because the Bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith.

Faith comes from the Greek word pistis, which means a deep-rooted trust and the conviction of the truth. Hebrews 11:6 illustrates what faith is when it says "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." That verse teaches that there are two components of faith: (1) the belief that God exists, and (2) the belief, or trust, that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Faith believes God exists. It is the conviction that He exists. Faith also reverences God as God. Satan believes God is God, but Satan doesn't revere God as God. Faith in God means you believe He exists and that you reverence Him as God.

Faith not only believes in God, but it trusts God. (Hebrews 11:6 - He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.)

Faith believes that God rewards those that diligently seek Him. It trusts God to reward the seeker for salvation, as well as those seeking His help in time of need. So, basically faith means a deep-rooted trust in God.

Faith also means believing God. It means to take God at His word. Hebrews 11:3 says "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Through faith, we understand that God created the heavens and the earth the way Genesis 1 records creation, because we believe God. We take Him at His word.

Faith is our foundation. Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith is the substance... the "Setting under," or "foundation." Faith is the foundation of things hoped for... things we confidently expect. That faith can be evidence of the truth of God's word and existence. We have 2,000 years of Christians willing to die for the Gospel that prove the Gospel is real.

Faith pleases God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). That verse comes right after 11:5, which says Enoch pleased God. How did Enoch please God? He must have had faith.

Faith also brings acceptance with God. Hebrews 11:2 says "By it (faith) the elders obtained a good report (acceptance)." The elders obtained God's acceptance because of their faith.

There are examples of faith in Hebrews 11. Abel is mentioned in verse 4, bringing a more excellent sacrifice, because of His faith. Abel's faith motivated him to give his best to God and worship. Our faith should motivate us to give our best to God and worship.

Abel's faith also illustrates our definition of faith (belief in God's existence and trusting Him). Abel obviously believed God existed, as did Cain. But Abel had a deep-rooted trust in God, Cain didn't. 

Hebrews 11:5 discusses how Enoch's faith pleased God. Genesis 5 records how Enoch walked with God. He fellowshipped with God. He communed with Him. Enoch spent time with God, because of His faith. Do you spend time with God?

Do you have faith? Do you trust God?

Intro to the Faith Series

Defining Faith (Hebrews 11:1)

I once heard an individual define faith as "The substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." While this is a good quotation of scripture, Hebrews 11:1 does not define faith... it describes it. Hebrews 11:1 doesn't tell you what faith is, merely, it shows you the result of having faith.

The word faith is translated in scripture from the Greek word pistis, which means a persuasion, moral conviction, or the conviction of the truth. In regard to God, faith, or pistis, means you are convicted in the truth of His existence, and He rewards those who repent and turn to Him (Hebrews 11:6). In regard to Jesus Christ, it means that you trust that His death on the cross paid the penalty for your sins, and you are saved by His death, burial and resurrection. You are hanging your hat on what He did for your salvation.

Faith is not something you hope is true, or that you like to think is true. It is something you believe in, or trust, because it is real to you. If you have faith in God, He is as real to you as the ground you walk on. If you have faith in Christ, He is as real to you as the environment where you live.

Many people promote the idea of "blind faith." Just believe it without questioning it. Jesus did tell the disciples that those who didn't see, but believed were blessed, however, faith involves a certain amount of examining the facts. Jesus said in John 5:39 "Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me." Faith is built and strengthened as the individual learns more about God. The believer gathers evidence through a study of the word, and thus his faith grows stronger. That's why scripture says "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)." The more you learn about God, the more you trust Him, the more faith you have.

So, faith is that conviction of the truth of God, Jesus and the Gospel. So, let's tie this back into Hebrews 11:1. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The word substance means a "setting under," or a "support." It's an assurance, or a foundation. We have an assurance that one day we'll be with Christ in His Kingdom. Why? Because we believe. We have faith. Our faith is the assurance, the foundation of the hope of eternity in Heaven. (Remember, hope means confident expectation, not wishful thinking). Faith is also the evidence of things not seen. Evidence is proof. Many of the things of God are unseen, but we have proof. How? Because of the faith of countless generations who have gone on before us.

By the way, Parents, your faith can be evidence to your children that God exists.

So, as we approach our study in Hebrews 11, let's have a proper understanding of faith. It's a deep-rooted conviction in the truth of God's word, and it's a deep-rooted trust in the Lord. It is not a religious system, or a system of obedience. This understanding will impact the way we interpret the examples of faith in Hebrews 11.

Companions of Faith (Acts 24:22-27)

Paul preached to Felix about the faith in Christ, righteousness, temperance and the judgment to come, which made Felix tremble.

The first thing Paul preached was the faith in Christ. Faith is the deep-rooted trust and conviction of the truth of God's word, specifically that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. The Bible teaches that those who believe that Jesus paid for their sins on the cross, then rose again the third day, are saved. When someone believes in Jesus Christ as their savior, other personality traits often arise as well. These traits are righteousness, temperance and a confidence toward judgment.

Righteousness is a companion of faith. Righteousness is defined as having integrity or virtue. Faith is the foundation, but virtue is added to faith (2 Peter 1:5). If you have faith in the Lord, you will act like it. James 2:20-22 records how Abraham's faith motivated him to be obedient to the Lord, and by his actions, his faith was shown to be complete.

The faith in your heart will motivate your actions. If your faith is in the things of this world, you will only do what benefits you in this life. But, if your faith is in the Lord, the things of this world lose value.

The Bible teaches that those who have faith will have works to show for their faith. Those who do not have faith will show it in their lifestyle. Those who continue to accept and adopt a sinful lifestyle do not have faith, and have not accepted Christ as their savior. 1 John 1:6 says "If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth." To accept and live in a lifestyle of sin, without repentance, all the while professing Christ, is to practice the art of self-deception.

Faith and righteousness, faith and virtue go hand in hand.

Temperance is defined as self control. It is a fruit of the spirit, which means that it is a sign that you are following the Spirit's guidance and leadership. A lack of self-control is an unGodly trait, listed as a condition of lost men in the end times in 2 Timothy 3:3. So, faith is accompanied by temperance, or self-control.

Believers need not fear judgment. When Paul preached salvation by faith in Christ, righteousness, temperance and judgment, Felix trembled, because he knew he didn't know Christ as Savior, nor did he have righteousness, nor self-control, and thus he was in danger of judgment. But believers have the assurance that they will be shielded from judgment (John 3:16, 5:24, Romans 5:1, 5:9)

Felix rejected the message of salvation for political reasons (he feared what people would think). Don't make the same mistake. If your life lacks righteousness, or self-control, then you have a spiritual problem. Settle that with the Lord today.

Praise the Lord! (Luke 24:36-53)

The two disciples who went to Emmaus returned to Jerusalem after seeing Jesus, and encouraged the disciples. As they spoke, Jesus showed up, reminded all the disciples how He fulfilled the Gospel, and how they were to be witnesses for Him throughout the world.

The Gospel of Luke, and our series on Gospel Glory, conclude with proof of the resurrection, the giving of the Great Commission, and by prompting praise for the Lord.

Praise the Lord, because the resurrection is real. When Jesus appeared in Luke 24, He appeared in bodily form, not as a ghost. In verse 39, Jesus invited the disciples to touch Him, so they'd know He was real. In verses 42-43, He eats fish and honeycomb. He proved that He had really resurrected from the grave.

We have proof of the resurrection. In Luke 24, we see Jesus in bodily form., We have His disciples and their written works as witnesses. We have scripture, and the 500 witnesses mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15. Then, there's the evidence of the motivation of the Apostles in the book of Acts.

The resurrection blesses us. Romans 8:17 says we are joint heirs with Christ, which is only possible because Christ rose again. Hebrews 7:25 says He sits at the right hand of God, where He makes intercession for us. He pleads for us on our behalf.

Praise the Lord, He called us to be witnesses. In verse 48, He said "And ye are witnesses of these things." Those disciples who followed Jesus saw His ministry, His death, and His resurrection. They saw Jesus fulfill the Gospel, which they preached throughout the world. Today, we look at their actions as proof that the Gospel happened. We have their witness, because of their faith.

We need to have the same witness today. The Gospel changes people. It should have changed you, if you know Christ as your savior. We need to live our lives as evidence that the Gospel is real. Has the Gospel changed you?

In verse 47, Jesus said "Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations." Christ told His disciples to preach repentance and remission of sins in His name. He told them to preach repentance... and like His disciples, we are instructed to call the world to repentance. We are to call the world to turn from their sin and toward the savior. But Jesus also told His disciples to preach remission of sins in His name. We are to not only preach repentance, but we are to preach that Jesus has paid for their sins, and they can have eternal salvation if they only repent and believe.

Then, in verse 49, Jesus promises that He will send them the Holy Spirit. We have that same promise. The Spirit empowers the church to carry out the Great Commission.

Finally, we should praise the Lord. In verses 52-53, the disciples saw Jesus ascend into Heaven, and they worshiped Him, and gathered in the temple to worship. We should worship God, and consistently gather with the church to worship.

Jesus went all out to secure our salvation. We have no reason to hold anything back.

The Complete Gospel Glory Series from Luke 21-24

Summer Sermon Series at Grace Pointe!

This summer, we'll explore the Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11, and learn what faith is, and how we can build it, grow it, and express it. Most importantly, we'll learn where to direct it.