The basics of faith

Hebrews 11:1–12 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Introduction

If you havnt already discerned it..

I want to continue talking this morning about Faith..

and I have entitled this series that we are navigating the “Faith Builders Series”

because its my sincere hope that through it God will use these messages to build and grow your faith.

Last Week

Last week we started talking about faith..

and we talked about a big piece of our faith..

the fact that as Jesus said in Matthew 17, with faith the size of a mustard seed all things are possible..

Anyone know where their mustard seed is now?

This week

This week I want to take a step back and break faith apart if you will..

look at the pieces that comprise faith

what makes up our faith..

What comes from our faith..

and the importance of our faith..

so lets talk about faith..

Hebrews 11

hebrews chapter 11 is known as the hall of faith..

Rock Hall

much like we have the rock an roll hall of fame here in Cleveland..

and many of the important people from the music world are showcased there..

the writer of hebrews inspired by the holy spirit gave us the hall of Faith..

a chapter that showcases many of the old testament heros whoms lives were marked specifically by faith..

their action dictated by faith..

and their fruitfulness root in faith..

Faith is required..

But the writer of hebrews doesnt just record these individuals for mere record keeping..

he is building a case as we read this book..

For the important of faith in our lives..

And in verse 6 he makes a particularly important statement..

Look what he says..

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him (God), for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

The writer of hebrews reminds us that faith..

Is so important..

That without it..

our very relationship with god..

and all that comes from that relationship..

Is not possible..

Please

He says without faith..

we cannot satisfy gods desires..

We cant please him

what are gods desires?

Peter

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

One of the biggest desires, though there are more, of god is restored relationship..

without faith..

that relationship is not possible..

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Without faith..

Our very relationship with God is impossible..

but remember what jesus said in matthew 17 last week?

With faith.. nothing is impossible.

Faith is one of the most important aspecs of our walk with..

Because faith is the lynch pen that opens anything and everything that is possible in the kingdom..

and if we don’t have faith..

we will never see or receive those things..

including eternal life..

so faith is vitally important..

so what is faith?

What is faith

Last week I told you that the definition of faith is complicated and can be defines in many ways..

we used the working definition that faith is:

A strong belief and trust that God is the one who can do the impossible..

and that is true..

but this morning I want us to look deeper into the make up of Faith..

the very roots of what make faith faith..

Writers Definition

The writer of faith blesses us with a biblical definition as chapter 11 opens....

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 AMP

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

Faith is Knowing that the things god has divinely guaranteed are true, are fact, and will come to pass as promised..

Faith is taking god at his word, and sincerely believing, standing, and acting on it…

Faith is knowing, that not a single word of God will ever fail....

Faith is the foundation we stand upon..

So what makes up faith?

So what does it look like from a practical sense to have faith..

How do we implement faith into our lives..

well the writer of hebrews shows us this through the lives of those he writes about..

lets look at Abraham..

the first things we see about faith in the life of abraham is that...

Faith is a choice

Faith is a choice we make..

Hebrews 11:8 ESV

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Faith is choosing to believe what god says.. both in his word and too you.. ...

Abraham heard the literal voice of god..

chose to believe him

and chose to obey him..

Us

We might not here the literal voice of god..

but we do have the literal word OF god..

and we have the voice of the holy spirit living in us..

and we choose to have faith or not..

to believe his word, to obey his guidance or not..

We choose to beleive what he says about us..

what he tells us to do..

who he says that he is..

we choose to believe..

Its a choice..

Joshua 24… choose this day whom you will serve..

Romans 10:13 ESV

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Faith is a choice..

Will we believe god and choose to follow his word..

But faith is not just choice..

Faith is a choice made in trust..

Faith is Trust

Faith is trust

Hebrews 11:8 ESV

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Faith is choosing to trust god even when we dont know or understnad..

Remeber the definition the writer gave us?

faith is the evidence of things not seen..

Faith is choosing to trust god not because you know how..

but because you know he said it would be..

remember what solomon said?

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Faith is choosing to trust god..

Problem..

and this is where modern society has a problem with faith..

because in the age of great knowledge..

people say… how can I choose to believe in a god i dont understand..

how can I put my faith in god when I dont know what the outcome will be..

And they make the claim that faith.. is blind..

and unrational..

because its not based on the evidence we want to see..

but I want to point out..

faith is not irational..

rather its very rational..

Faith is Rational

Hebrews 11:11 ESV

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

the evidence sarah had before her was she was old..

her child bearing years were through..

and it wasnt possible..

But the writer of hebrews tells..

that her faith was not in her understnading of the circumstances..

its was in “HIM who she considered faithful who had promised..”

you see..

Faith is the rational choice to trust God is who he says he is..and will do what he says he will do..

Out faith is not in circumstances.. its in his charactor and nature..

Even though we might not understnand the how..

We understand who..

and faith is the rational trust in the nature and character of god himself..

Faith is choosing.. to trust in the character of god..

and when we do it becomes productive faith..

it becomes fruitful faith..

like that of abraham we begin to see the affects of faith in our lives..

Effective Faith

how do we know our faith is productive..

Effective Faith Leads to personal action

Hebrews 11:9 ESV

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

when we choose to trust in god.. with all we are..

it will lead us to act..

its lead abraham to move..

to go..

Abraham heard and believed..

and then he acted..

Faith is walking out the believe you chose..

us

when we here the word of god in faith

we will live the word of god in our lives..

Faith causes us to act..

to change the way we talk.

the way we walk..

the way we act..

because our actions will display our faith..

but more importantly..

Faith not only leads to personal action..

Effective Faith leads to divine action..

Hebrews 11:11 ESV

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

Faith leads to god doing devine things in our lives..

When our faith is productive..

we will see the hand of God working in our lives..

We begin to see signs and wonders..

we see the favor god god and his blessing..

we see the direction of god and his provision…

the protection of god and his intervention..

when we have productive faith..

We begin to see god move in our lives in miraculous ways..

Ending

Remember what the writer of hebrews said in verse 6?

Faith is required..

without it, it is impossible to see god..

have you chosen to believe him?

there will never be enough evidence to prove all your questions..

at some point you have to choose too put your faith, your trust, in him..

and when you do he will begin to work in your lives...

Altar Call

Will you choose to have faith?

General

salvation..

have you put your faith in Jesus?