Faith in Times of Doubt | Six Realities about Faith

Introductory Matters

Before we begin, I will ask you from right where you are to close your eyes and bow your head in pray for a minute

whether you are here physically or watching online

lift up your heart to God in prayer that you hear his voice to you today

pray that it won’t be I speaking to you, but the Spirit of God!

Let me tell you a bit about me first to those of you who may not know me

My name is David Adeeb

My wife Michelle and I have been coming to Restoration of Love Ministries for a few months now

I began studying the Bible more seriously in 2018

I graduated in 2023 with a master’s degree in biblical studies from Moody Theological Seminary

I am now pursuing my PhD in Bible Exposition at Liberty University

Since I will be preaching from the word of God, let me tell you what I believe about the Bible:

It is the inerrant word of God (i.e., it does not have errors)

It is to be taken literally when it tell us that it should be taken literally!

Though written by men, it is fully inspired by God

Finally,

despite what you hear in the media or read on the Internet

no, there are no contradictions in the Bible

Now that this introduction is out of the way, I will be speaking to you today on the topic of faith—something that Apostle James has asked me to preach on.

This is a sermon I titled, Faith in Times of Doubt: Six Realities about Faith.

This sermon will include THREE SECTIONS: Definition of faith, then our text from Hebrews 11 with some initial observations, and finally the six realities I would like to talk about today.

In this sermon, I will be using Hebrews 11 as my text. But before we read our text, let me give you the lay of the land, so to speak:

Hebrews was written to a congregation of Jewish converts who were contemplating returning to Judaism

It was written to encourage them to hold steadfast to their faith in Christ and not abandon it

So if you are struggling with your faith, or find it hard to hold steadfast to your faith, or find it hard to grow your faith, this sermon may be important to you.

If you have faith, please raise your hand.

What Is Faith?

Question: How would you define faith? What is faith?

trust (faith) n. — strong confidence in, and reliance upon, someone or something; often with the object of trust understood.

Hebrews 11:1 YLT

1 And faith is of things hoped for a confidence (substance), of matters not seen a conviction

Two words here are of interest to us: confidence/substance and conviction

Meaning of confidence/assurance: title (deed) n. — a legal document to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it.

It is what shows proof of ownership.

Jesus is described as the exact imprint of the essence of the Father.

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature (substance)

FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF OUR HOPE

Faith to hope is what God the Father is to Jesus—i.e., the essence behind our hope.

Faith apprehends as a real fact that which has not yet been revealed or realized (i.e., hoped for).

3. Faith captures the essence (the reality) of the things that we hope for.

It makes them real, even though they are not yet.

Hebrews 11:1 YLT

1 And faith is of things hoped for a confidence, of matters not seen a conviction

Meaning of conviction: convicting evidence n. — evidence that makes someone fully agree, understand, and realize the truth or validity of something.

Faith is being convinced beyond doubt of things you cannot see—the things that God has promised in the future.

Faith is

resting upon the promises of God

acting upon them, and

holding steadfast to that which he promised in the face of all that seems to contradict it.

Faith is believing God's promises

believing that what God says, God does!

having confidence in God

Hebrews 10:35–11:12 ESV

35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 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.

Initial Observations about the Text: What Faith Does

1. By faith we receive commendation (approval) from God

Hebrews 11:2 ESV

2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

2. By faith we believe God's word, beginning with the creation of the world

Hebrews 11:3 ESV

3 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.

2.1. Those who do not have faith, do not believe the Bible!

2.2. In this verse we also see another details: the world was created from nothing

3. By faith we please God

Enoch was an example of that

Hebrews 11:5–6 ESV

5 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. 6 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.

3.1 Therefore without faith, we cannot please God (v. 5–6)

4. Faith makes you see the unseen

Hebrews 11:7 ESV

7 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.

4.1. Faith makes you righteous in the sight of God

Let me give you anther example from the Bible

Numbers 13:17–20 ESV

17 Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, 18 and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, 19 and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, 20 and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

Though the spies came back with a cluster of grapes that was big enough for two people to carry (!), they brought a discouraging report saying that they seemed to themselves as grasshoppers!

Joshua and Caleb went to the same land, saw the same tall and might people, yet they came back with a complete different report. And what did they say?

Numbers 13:30 ESV

30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”

Joshua and Caleb had no doubt in their minds that the LORD would deliver the land into their hands.

Joshua and Caleb were the only two that entered the land of Canaan among those who departed from Egypt.

This single act of disbelief and lack of faith caused the Israelites to wander the desert for 40 years—one year of punishment for every day of spying!

5. By faith we receive our inheritance

Hebrews 11:8 ESV

8 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.

5.1. True faith is like holding God's hand and closing your eyes. (Illustrate with Apostle James).

6. Faith sustains you in the land of your sojourn

Hebrews 11:9 ESV

9 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.

7. Faith makes us see future blessings as though they are present (Isaac, Jacob, Joseph)

Hebrews 11:20–22 ESV

20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

Six Realities about Faith

1. FAITH IS NOT A FEELING

Faith by definition cannot be a feeling since feelings are subject to circumstances.

Faith is demonstrated by works! In other words, it does not matter how you “feel” on the inside; what matters is what you do!

“Action speaks louder than words”

Abel presented his sacrifice by faith

Noah built the ark

Abram left his kindred and his country and blindly followed God in faith

James 2:21–24 ESV

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Application: When you “feel” like you do not have faith, you ought to remember that faith is not something you feel on the inside.

Faith is whether or not you are willing to obey the LORD not knowing what the end of the road may take you.

Are you willing to take a leap of faith?

Does behavior show that you trust the LORD in spite of your circumstances?

2. FAITH COMES BY WALKING WITH GOD

Enoch was an example.

Genesis 5:21–24 ESV

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

Application: There is ONLY ONE way you can receive faith—that is, by your DAILY communion with the LORD in prayer and Bible reading.

Guard your time with the LORD!

Treat it as if your life depends on it!

3. FAITH IS CONTINUALLY TESTED BY TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

Abel was persecuted (and killed) by his brother Cain.

Abraham was tested by the LORD himself to sacrifice Isaac, his son.

Genesis 22:1 ESV

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

1 Peter 1:6–7 ESV

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Tests and trials determine whether your faith is real, the same way gold and other precious metals are tested by fire (which would burn off “the fake stuff” such as wood, straw, and the like)

Application: When faced with trials, keep in mind that this is NORMAL.

Do NOT be discouraged! Keep walking with God

4. TRUE FAITH IS CONTINUALLY GROWING

Our walk with the LORD is like climbing a ladder up to heaven

Every step represents a new level of growth—a new depth or “measure” of faith

Does a seed grow only initially or does it keep growing?

A tree that does not grow is known to be dead

Psalm 1:1–3 ESV

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

All the men and women of God mentioned in the Bible had to start small and then grow:

Abraham did not trust God’s protection and therefore lied twice about Sarah being his wife:

Once in Egypt

Another time in Gerar

He also laughed at God’s promise of Isaac at first.

Then he was willing and ready to sacrifice his son, Isaac!

Sarah laughed at the LORD’s promise too.

Then she bore Isaac.

Look at what Hebrews say about her

Hebrews 11:11 ESV

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

Moses did not believe God at first when he spoke to him from the burning bush.

Exodus 3:11 ESV

11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

But then he led the Israelites out of Egypt and parted the Red Sea with his staff!

Application: Do not despise your small beginning.

Be watchful for your faith walk. To do that, ask yourself these questions:

Where was I from the LORD this time last year? Six months ago? A month ago?

Am I growing in grace and in my knowledge and intimacy with the LORD?

The Apostle Peter exhorts us to:

2 Peter 3:17–18 ESV

17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

If you evaluate your stature in faith now and compare it to last year (for example) and see that you have not grown, then you need to spend more time in prayer and Scripture—you need to go deeper.

5. FAITH STANDS CONTRARY TO HUMAN REASONING

When Abraham received the promise of Isaac from the LORD, he was advanced in age

When Isaac was born Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 99 years old

What does the Scripture say?

Hebrews 11:12 ESV

12 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.

The three young Hebrew boys had faith that stood in the face of the fiery furnace.

Listen to their amazing confidence in God:

Daniel 3:16–17 ESV

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

Their faith was contrary to the reality they were looking at—the fiery furnace.

6. Faith is not your ticket to get God to do what you desire

I just spoke about the three young Hebrew youths

Listen to how they continued their answer to the king:

Daniel 3:18 ESV

18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Their faith in God was not dependent upon whether or not God would deliver them

Write this down:

If your depends on what God does for you, it is not biblical faith

God does not work for you; you work for him!

This is exactly why many lose their faith when God “does not come through for them” the way they expect

The LORD never promised to live up to your expectations

If your faith is against the sovereignty of God, then it is not biblical faith

You pray in faith—whatever your prayer is— and God answers however HE desires

Conclusion

Question: What are God’s promises to you?

Written in his word

Spoken to you during your time of communion with the LORD

Given to you via words of prophecy

How Do I Get More Faith?

As mentioned earlier, faith comes only by communion with God.

There is no other way that you can get faith!

If you do not have a daily sit-down with the LORD in prayer - start doing that.

join a prayer group, or partner up with other believers to help encourage you to pray

start by praying for others!

If you do not read your Bible daily - start doing that.

If you do not know how to, or need encouragement, start a Bible-reading routine with other brothers and sisters.

If you already pray and read your Bible daily:

dedicate one or two days every week to study a chapter from your weekly reading.

Spend some time meditating on the word of God not just reading it.

Use a journal or a notebook to take notes.

This will create a wealth of Spirit-filled insights that you can go back to years from now and read and be encouraged.

Let’s pray.