The Essence of Faith

Hebrews 11:1–7 AV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. 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. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But 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. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Introduction:

We talk a lot about faith. We are called people of faith. We struggle with our faith but perhaps the most difficulty we have is understanding faith. Hebrews chapter 11, referred to as the Hall of Faith Chapter, illustrates what faith looks like in the lives of the saints of old. Chapter 10 closed out encouraging the believer to persevere and that the “just shall live by faith.” The lesson we need as believers is when we live in peaceful or tumultuous seasons of life we need to trust (believe, demonstrate faith) in God. This will help us to persevere.

The Description of Faith, vs. 1-2

The Hebrew writer is describing what “faith is” or what is the essence or nature of faith.

Verse 1 describes it two ways:

The substance of things hoped for

Substance describes something that is a foundation by nature but also is used for the substances that define the character of something.

So faith contains the reality or actual essence of the things hoped for.

Hope is a sure expectation. A confident reality in future things

So faith is built upon the contents of what has been promised i.e. salvation, or any other promises of God

The evidence of things not seen

Evidence is the proof or conviction concerning the things not seen.

The conviction that God exists, His Word is true, His promises are true, etc.

Warren Wiersbe said, “This is not a definition of faith but a description of what faith does and how it works. True Bible faith is not blind optimism or a manufactured “hope-so” feeling. Neither is it an intellectual assent to a doctrine. It is certainly not believing in spite of evidence! That would be superstition. True Bible faith is confident obedience to God’s Word in spite of circumstances and consequences. Read that last sentence again and let it soak into your mind and heart.”

It is this demonstration of faith that the elders received a good report.

This is not a definition of faith but a description of what faith does and how it works. True Bible faith is not blind optimism or a manufactured “hope-so” feeling. Neither is it an intellectual assent to a doctrine. It is certainly not believing in spite of evidence! That would be superstition.

True Bible faith is confident obedience to God’s Word in spite of circumstances and consequences. Read that last sentence again and let it soak into your mind and heart.

Good report is literally a testimony or witness in a positive way.

This would be opposite of a bad witness.

The Illustration of Faith, vs. 3

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 317). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

By faith we understand and are convinced about matters concerning Creation

By faith we understand the world was created by the very utterance of God

When God spoke, things were created.

See , example is “God said let there be...”

By faith we understand that the very universe was created by something that did not before exist

God created something out of nothing

Not out of something that did not exist before.

This is something that men cannot do.

The Faith of Abel, vs. 4

Abel offered a great sacrifice than Cain

In , we see that Cain brought an offering from the fruits of the ground and Abel brought an offering from the firstlings of his flock and the fat of the sacrifice.

Many people have debated as to why Able’s sacrifice was accepted and Cain’s was not. Many have offered their opinions but simply the Bible does not definitively say except as a matter of faith.

Here is what we do know about their offerings

Cain’s was from the fruits of the ground. Such offerings were given. They were called first fruits however, it does say Cain gave of the first of those fruits

Abel’s was the firstlings of the flock and the fat representing the very best.

Genesis therefore says that God had respect or God looked at with approval of Abel’s offering but not Cain’s offering.

Abel’s faith testified that he was righteous

Faith produces obedience indicating his righteous character

James 2:14–26 AV

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

1 John 3:12 AV

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

Abel’s faith is still testified about today even though he died.

The Faith of Enoch, vs. 5-6

By faith, Enoch did not experience death because God took him

The Bible refers to Enoch’s translation in

He was known as a man who “walked with God.”

People looked for him but could not find him. He was removed from earth and taken into heaven.

Before his removal from earth, Enoch had a testimony to have pleased God.

Can you imagine the relationship and fellowship Enoch had with God? One of complete trust, dependence and intimacy.

Enoch believed God and lived out what God had said to do.

It is an impossibility to please God without or apart from faith.

Impossible describes an inability that cannot under any circumstances be done

Everything we do must be out of faith in God.

Every man who approaches God must believe two things:

It is necessary

Believe that God exists

Believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Seek out fully)

The Faith of Noah, vs. 7

Noah was warned about things that were to come which were not yet seen or experienced

tell of the Flood

God communicated with Noah because he was righteous in his generation

By faith Noah moved with fear or reverence towards God and constructed out of obedience the ark

So Noah feared God and was obedient to God because of faith.

This was for the deliverance of his family.

Such faith resulting in obedience condemned the world

“In Noah’s day, the people were involved in innocent everyday activities and completely ignored Noah’s witness,” -Warren Wiersbe

Matthew 24:36–42 AV

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

2 Peter 2:5 AV

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Such faith resulted in Noah becoming the heir of righteousness which is only according to faith

Righteousness by means of faith

His righteous behavior was clearly shown to be the outworking of his faith.

He was rewarded.