What is Faith
Notes
Transcript
πίστις (Pistis) Faith
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (πίστις)
① that which evokes trust and faith
ⓐ the state of being someone in whom confidence can be placed, faithfulness, reliability, fidelity, commitment
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 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.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
(David T was told he didn’t have enough Faith)
False Faith says “My Will be Done”
Name it and claim it
Faith is not us trying to manifest our own will, that is witch craft.
Real Faith says “Your Will Be Done”
Even when I don’t understand it
We have faith in what bears fruit
(Pearls are formed from wounds)
We have faith due to conviction
We have faith because we trust
God will provide… Jehovah- Jireh
2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
It is easy to over look this verse, Faith is was set the Old Testament Hebrews apart from the word around them. It is what made them stand out.
It is what gave them a Good Name
3 By faith we understand that the universe was framed by the word of God, so that things that are seen were not made out of things which are visible.
We can look back to Genesis 1 and see God speak into nothingness and something appears.
Science can give us a glimpse into the the effects of this and simply confirm what the Bible already says.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
Why was Abel’s better? The bible does not explicitly say. But Hebrews 12:24 gives hint and we are entitled to our own thoughts as to why. The point is God found him faithful.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
Enoch was first to experience what is to come for the believer on the great day of the rapture.
Hebrews Exposition
You cannot be Enochs unless you please God, and you cannot please God unless you have faith in Him. - Charles Spurgeon
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Self Explanatory
Take Home Question
What do you place your faith in?
