Unshakeable Faith

Bradley

An MCF Christmas • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Today we are beginning our Christmas series, a series we have titled “An MCF Christmas”.

If you’re new to MCF, it would be good for you to know

And If I’m being honest with you, when it comes to Christmas series and messages about Christmas, for me, they tend to be some of the hardest to write.

And they’re hard because from year to year the Christmas story doesn’t really change.

Have you ever noticed that? That every year when Christmas comes around, Christmas is always about the birth of Jesus.

Now, you might be thinking, “Ok Pastor, I’m not sure I’m tracking with you. Because shouldn’t that make preaching on Christmas easy? I mean you already know what you’re going to preach about, right?”

Yes, that’s true. But the reality is, because Christmas is always Christmas, many times the Christmas story or even the Christmas services can often become predictable and repetitive.

It’s kind of like when you fly on a commercial airline. Most of us don’t do it very often, but when we do, we already know what’s coming.

We know after getting seated the stewardess is going to show us how to fasten our seatbelts, put on the life preserver, and activate the oxygen masks if the plane goes down.

After the plane takes off, we know the stewardess is going to come by and ask what we’d like to drink.

Not long after that, we know the pretzels are coming.

It’s all very predictable.

And the same is true for Christmas. The fact is, we all know what the Christmas story is about, and for the most part know what’s coming.

We already know it’s about a young couple named Mary and Joseph.

We already know it’s going to involve some Shepards, a stable, some animals, some Wisemen, and a baby named Jesus.

It continues as Mary and Joseph

And let’s not forget about the Shepards and the Wiseman.

And as a result, for many people, Christmas becomes a repetitive and predictable time of the year, and as a result, people often lose sight of how important it really is.

Like the airplane seatbelt instructions

And honestly, that’s my concern, and the challenge I face each year as we begin our Christmas series. Because the last thing I want is for Christmas to become predictable and repetitive.

And so this year I decided to approach Christmas a little bit differently. To approach it in a way that I hope will give all of us a renewed and fresh perspective of the Christmas story.

So, to do that, over the next 3 weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, I want to focus on four major components of Christmas. Four components that highlight not only the Christmas story, but the benefits and certainties that Christmas provides us. Certainties that I believe are critical for us to grasp if we truly desire to celebrate Christmas in a Biblical and meaningful way.

So, with that said, today we are going to look at the first component. A component I’ve labeled “Unshakeable Faith”.

Now, the truth is, when I say the word “Faith”,

And I want to start with Unshakeable faith, because the fact is, for a person to even believe in or celebrate Christmas, it begins with faith.

Faith to believe there was a couple named Mary and Joseph.

This morning we are beginning our Christmas series. And to be honest, I went back and forth on how I wanted to approach Christmas this year.

And to be honest, I went back and forth on how I wanted to approach Christmas this year.

Faith to believe a child name Jesus was born of a virgin.

Faith to believe that over 2000 years ago, in a stable out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a bunch of animals and some Shepards, the Son of God came down from heaven, and was born into the likeness of mankind.

To believe in Christmas, it takes faith.

And therein lies the challenge, because the truth is, to have that kind of faith requires a specific understanding of what Biblical faith is.

And too be honest, I think a lot of people, including some Christians, struggle with what Biblical faith looks like and what its purpose is in our lives.

And they struggle for a number of reasons:

Some struggle because they’ve simply recieved bad teaching when it comes to Biblical faith.

For example, in the late 20th century a heretical teaching called the “Word of Faith” movement swept across the evangelical and pentecostal world. A movement that taught that faith is a force or power that a Christian can access in order to bring prosperity, health, and wellness into all areas of their life. Some refer to it as “name it claim it faith”.

A faith that allows you to claim healing and be healed.

A faith that allows you to claim prosperity and be prosperous.

A faith that allows you to claim and obtain victory over any kind of obstacle or adversity you may face in your life.

And unfortunately many Christians gave themselves to this teaching only to discover, that regardless of their faith; sickness, lack of healing, and death still came.

That regardless of their faith; hardship, poverty, and lack of resource were still present in their life.

And then when they ask

Why? Was it because they didn’t have enough faith? Was it because they didn’t believe hard enough or long enough? Well, that’s what the proponents of this false teaching told them. But that’s not true.

But the reality is, sickness isn’t always overcome. And prosperity isn’t always attained. And as a reuslt, for those

The problem with that teaching though is it’s not Biblical. Because faith isn’t a power or force. We aren’t Jedi Knights who have the power to manipulate the power of God.

It’s not true because Biblical faith isn’t a power or force. In other words, being a Christian doesn’t make you some kind of Christian Jedi Knight with the ability to manipulate the power of God at your whim and for your own personal benefit. That’s now how faith works or the purpose that it serves.

As a result, a true Christian operating in such faith should be able to manipulate the faith-force and become prosperous in all areas of life. In other words, operating in faith, a Christian should be able to name it and claim it.

The Word of Faith movement is an unbiblical teaching that has led many Christians astray, and in some cases wrecked their faith.

So, that’s why some struggle.

Others struggle with Biblical faith because for them it requires believing in something they haven’t experienced or seen with their own eyes.

In other words, they want proof. They don’t want to walk blindly into a belief system or idea without evidence.

And then others struggle with Biblical faith because it doesn’t line up with their perception of reality. In other words, it just seems far fetched.

Others see faith as

For example, when it comes to Christmas, faith requires you to believe in the supernatural. To believe in an immaculate conception and virgin birth. To believe that a baby named Jesus was actually the Son of God.

And for some, that’s no different than believing in something like Santa Claus.

The fact is, people struggle with Biblical Faith for a number of reasons. And so that’s why we need to start with faith. Because without an understanding of what Biblical faith is, you’ll never understand or experience the true power of Christmas in your life.

So, based on all that, I want to answer three questions this morning. Questions that I hope will give us a foundation for Biblical faith and ultimately deepen our understanding and appreciation for Christmas:

Question #1 - What is Unshakeable Faith?

In other words, if we were going to define Unshakeable faith, what would that definition look like and why is it unshakeable?

Question #2 - Why is it Unshakeable?

In other words, once defined, what makes Biblical Faith so stable and certain?

Question #2 - What’s its relationship to Christmas?

Question #3 - How do I get it?

Goal #3 -

Question #3 - How do I get it?

In other words, what does it take for a person to obtain and implement this kind of faith into their life?

So, to get us started, we’re going to go to , where we’re actually going to spend most of our time today.

So, let’s get started by answering the first question, “What is Unshakeable Faith?”

And to answer that question we are going to spend the majority our time this morning in where the writer of Hebrews actually has much to say about faith and gives us a working definition.

And just to be clear, when I refer to Unshakeable Faith, I’m talking about Biblical Faith. Both mean the same thing.

But before we get too our passage, let me begin by saying this:

#1, When I refer to Unshakeable Faith, I’m talking about Biblical Faith. They are one and the same.

To some degree, today’s message might feel a little technical and cumbersome, and it’s going to feel that way for a couple of reasons:

First, Hebrews chapter 11 is a loaded chapter and if we really wanted to uncover what it has to say, it would take several messages for us to do that. Which means, I’m going jump around quite a bit and end up summarizing quite a bit of what the chapter is saying.

Second, because it is such an in depth chapter, I’m going to take a lot of time up front connecting some dots for you so that when we get to the application, you’ll have some understanding to pull from. Which means, I’m going to need to you to stick with me from the git go.

That being the case, this would be a great time to close out Facebook and grab your sermon notes, because we’re about to dive in to one of the most informative chapters on faith in the Bible, and it’s chapter that requires some cerebral engagement.

So, with all that as our basis, listen to what the writer of Hebrews says as he opens up this chapter by defining what we’re calling Unshakeable faith. Beginning in verse 1 he writes:

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

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

Hebrews 11:1-

As you can see, the writer didn’t waste any time.

So, as we dive into this definition, there are a couple of things I want you to notice.

The first thing I want you to notice, is that on the surface it would appear this definition already affirms some of the struggles people tend to have with faith. For example:

Notice what the first part of the definition says. It says that faith is the assurance of “things hoped for”. The key word here being “Hope”.

Let me ask you something, “How many of you have ever hoped for something to happen?” How did that work out for you?

The key word here being “Hope”.

So, why is “hope” a struggle? It’s struggle, because for for a lot of people, hope doesn’t always mean certainty.

Most times, it represents a preferred future outcome that may or may not happen.

Meaning, when we hope for something, most people go in to it knowing it may or may not workout. That’s true, right?

That’s what we mean when we say, “I hope that such and such happens.”

Let me explain it like this, and I think for most in the room this will be a great way to understand it.

At the beginning of the NFL football season, it goes without saying that Chief fans always hope for a great year. That’s true, right?

And when I say great year, I’m talking about the year the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. For the Chiefs fan, that’s the ultimate hope.

But as we all know, it’s a hope. Maybe even wishful thinking if we’re honest.

And for most people, that’s what hope represents. A preferred future outcome, but never a certainty. Especially if your a Chiefs fan.

So, that’s the first challenge with our definition. It seems to be based on a hope versus a certainty.

And again, that’s where some struggle when it comes to faith. Because for some, faith doesn’t always come through.

The writer says

This leads us to the second thing I want you to notice. Notice as well the writer says faith is also based on the conviction of things not seen.

So, what does that mean? Well, on the surface it seems to imply, that faith is about a person firmly believing in something they’ve not personally experienced or seen with your own eyes. A blind faith so to speak.

Which again, is one of the challenges for a lot of people. Because it seems to imply you have to accept something with little to no proof.

So, going back to our Chiefs example, it would be like you not only hoping for a Super Bowl win, but you firmly believing it’s going to happen even though you’ve never seen it happen in your lifetime. You have a conviction for the win not seen.

And again, that doesn’t settle well with a lot of people. Because some people want guarantees before they make an investment.

So, if we stopped right here, and just based our understanding of faith on this surface overview, it would appear that faith is you and I putting our hope in something that may or may not happen based on something we’ve never seen happen.

Doesn’t sound like a great foundation for faith, does it? And honestly discouraging if that’s what faith really is.

But what if I told you that’s not at all what the writer is implying in this passage.

That if we were to dig down deeper into this definition, and look at faith in the context of the rest of this chapter and the rest of Bible, that the kind of faith the writer’s talking about is something entirely different. Something actually much more certain and encouraging.

So, instead of taking a surface view, let’s dig a little bit deeper. And to get us started, let’s begin with the word “Faith”.

And maybe the best way to start would be by defining this word. And in this passage, the word “Faith” is translated from the Greek word Pistis. And it means “to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance.”

Simply put, faith means you believe in something with great confidence.

So, that tells us a couple of things.

#1 - Faith is about trust.

#2 - Faith is about trusting in something specific.

Second, “Why is it so important we have this kind of faith?”

So, a great question would be, “What is the writer wants us to pout our complete trust and assurance in?

So, with that comes a great question, and the question is:

Question: “If faith means to put our complete trust and reliance in something, then in the context of this passage, what's the writer saying we should put our faith in?”

In other words, if we want somebody to embrace Biblical faith, what are we asking them to put their faith in?

Well, too discover that, we need to skip down to verse 6. Because the writer is gong to tell us. In verse 6 he writes:

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

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.

As he further expands on faith, the writer says faith requires a person to believe in God and believe that He’s a good God.

And that shouldn’t surprise us since we are reading this from the Bible.

A faith that believes that the God of the Bible exists and does good things for people who seek Him.

Which means the basis for our faith is God. Faith that believes he exists and that He rewards those who seek him.

And to be honest, that’s how a lot of people who put their faith in God would say it. They would say something like, “Yeah, I believe in God, and I believe He's good.

And while that’s true, there’s a deeper meaning and intent here.

Because if we took time to look at what the writer has said at ihe entire context of chapter 11, what we begin to see that faith isn’t just about believing in the existence of God. But that it’s also about believing in the faithfulness of God.

Now, you might be thinking, “Ok pastor, so what’s the difference?”

The difference is night a day. Because the Bible says that even the demons believe in the existence of God.

what he’s really saying is that Biblical faith isn’t just based on belief in God, but the faithfulness of God. And the two are drastically different. Because the Bible says, even the demons believe in God. So belief alone isn’t enough to have Unshakeable Biblical faith.

To show you what the difference is, I want to walk you through a couple of the Biblical examples the writer gives us to explain this.

The first example he gives is about a man named Abel, who was one of the first sons of Adam and Eve in . And of Abel he writes:

Hebrews 11:

Hebrews 11:4 ESV

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.

Which means it’s a faith that is rock solid. A faith based on the promises of God.

If you’re not familiar with the story of Cain and Abel, it’s a tragic story and represents the first death and murder in the Bible as Cain murders his brother Abel.

So, a great question would be, “Why did he murder him?”

He murdered him because he was jealous of his brother Abel. Why was he jealous? He was because God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but not his.

So, another great question would be, “Why was Abel’s sacrifice more acceptable?”

To discover that we need to go to where this story originates from. So jumping back to , listen to what the Bible tells us about Cain and Abel:

Genesis 4:3–7 ESV

3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Couple of things I want to point out. First, I want you to notice in the passage that both Cain and Abel brought sacrifices, but different kinds of sacrifices. Cain brought grain sacrifices, the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought animal sacrifices, the first of his flock.

So, based on that, we could come to the conclusion that the reason Abels sacrifice was acceptable and Cain’s wasn’t was because God preferred the animal sacrifice over the grain sacrifice. Because that’s what appears to be happening. But if we thought that, we’d be wrong.

Because that’s not what’s going on here. Because the problem isn’t animal versus grain. We know this because if we read on into the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, we’d soon discover that in the OT God accepts both kinds.

So, it’s not a matter of animal versus grain. So, what’s the problem.

Believe it or not, the problem is one of trust.

Hebrews 11:7-

Let me show you what I mean, notice again what it says. It says Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought an offering, but of the firstborn of his flock.

Do you see the less obvious difference? Cain brought an offering, but it wasn’t the first of his harvest, while Able brought an offering, which was the first of his flock.

Meaning, before any other baby lambs, calves, or goats were born, Abel brought the first born from his flock and offered it to God. Another way to say it would be, Abel brought the tithe.

So, what prompted Abel to do that? Well, more than likely that’s what God had asked them to do, so Abel did it.

But I believe there’s deeper reason here. I think the reason Abel brought the first of his flock was because he knew if he was obedient to what God had asked for, and offered God the first of his flock, that God would be faithful to bless him with the rest. Meaning Abel had faith in the financial faithfulness of God.

But Noah believed God. And even though he’d never seen rain and nobody had ever built a boat, he started construction and trusted that what God said would happen would come to pass. And it did.

But Cain refused to obey God and bring what God had asked for, because he refused to trust the faithfulness of God.

And that’s why God refused it. Because it wasn’t a faith filled offering.

And that’s the writer’s point. That faith isn’t just about belief in God, it’s about trusting the faithfulness of God.

The writer then gives us another Biblical example, this time with a man named Noah. He writes:

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.

The writer now moves to Noah. And if your not familiar with who Noah is. He’s the guy who built the first boat, a large boat the Bible calls the Ark.

So, why did he build it. He built it because the Bible says the ancient world had become so wicked that God decided to destroy it with a flood.

But because Noah was a righteous man, God warned Noah, and instructed him on how to build an ark that would save his family and two of every creature on the earth.

Now, here’s where it gets crazy and where Noah’s faith comes in. Because up until this point, it had never rained on the earth.

In fact, the Bible tells us that up until the flood, the earth was watered from below, from the ground up.

Instead, Biblical faith is the belief that God is a God who is true to His Word.

So rain is a foreign concept to Noah. Something that he’s never seen. But God tells him, it’s going to happen.

And guess what that understanding does for us? It changes the meaning of “hope” for us.

So, even though he’d never seen rain and nobody had ever built a boat, and a flood had never happened, he started construction and trusted that God would be faithful to Him.

And in , the flood came just like God said it would, and Noah and his family were spared. Why were they spared?

Writer of Hebrews says:

Noah not only believed God existed, but he did trust Him.

Hebrews 11:7 ESV

He was spared because faith is more than just belief in God, it’s faith in the faithfulness of God.

The point is, Biblical faith is based on trusting in the faithfulness of God.

So, based on that, let’s read verse 1 again, but this time with a different understanding.

A God who is always true to His Word.

“Now the faithfulness of God is the assurance of things hoped for...” (ESV)

A God who will never let you down.

A God who always keeps His promises.

Do you know what that means? It means, in the faithfulness of God, hope now becomes realized. Another way to say would be, “In the faithfulness of God, we are a guaranteed a certain future outcome”.

A God who always comes through, no matter what.

That’s why it’s one thing to believe that God exists, and another to believe that He’s a God that can be trusted no matter what the circumstance.

It was true for Abel, it was true for Noah, and it’s true for us.

And Noah not only believed in God, he trusted Him as well.

So, going back to verse 1, that’s the kind of faith the writer is talking about. That’s Biblical faith. A faith that is based on the faithfulness, promises, and Word of God.

Meaning, it’s no longer hopeful or wishful thinking, but a guaranteed future reality.

Now, here’s why it’s so important we understand this. And this is where some application comes into play. It’s important because this kind of faith changes the meaning of “hope” for us.

And that’s why, with faith like that, we can confidently and with certainty put our hope in the things unseen. Why? Because based on the Faithfulness of God, we can be certain God will always come through even if we don’t or can’t see how it’s going to work out.

Because putting your hope in the faithfulness of God is entirely different than putting your hope in worldly endeavors.

Now, you might be thinking, “Ok pastor, I’m kind of tracking with you, but can you explain it a little better?”

For example, it’s entirely different than putting your hope in the success of a football team who hasn’t won a Super Bowl since 1970.

Or putting your hope in getting a specific job.

Or putting your hope in finding a certain kind of husband or wife.

First the construction illustration. Imagine for a moment that your hope one day was to build a new home to live in.

Or putting your hope in whatever wordly aspiration your hoping for.

It’s entirely different because when you put your hope in the faithfulness of God, you are always guaranteed a win.

Let me explain it like this: Imagine for a moment that your hope one day is to build a new home to live in. Your dream home.

We did that when we added onto the church. Before we ever built, we produced plans and a visual for the finished product.

But for that to happen, you need some certainties to build this hope on. So, what are those certainties?

Well, it begins with a design. Which means you need a drawing or a set of plans.

Not only that, but you need the resources and means to attain the resources. In other words, you need a banker.

Finally, you need a builder. You need somebody that is going to build that home.

Those are the certainties you need in place for your hope of a future home to become a reality. Because once those certainties are in place, your hope now becomes more than wishful thinking, and becomes a future reality.

And no, it’s not going to be fully built today, tomorrow, or next week. But even though the finished product isn’t in front of you, you know with certainty that at some point in the future, the house you dreamed about, the house you designed, will be built and you will be living in it.

Third, you would break ground and begin the construction process of your new home.

No, it’s not going to happen overnight. But someday, at some point in the future, even though you can’t fully see it yet, your going to be living in that house as day by day the house is built.

And now your hope to build and live in your new home is a guaranteed future reality. No, it’s not going to happen today, tomorrow, or next week. But one day, at some point in the future, even though you can’t fully see it yet, your going to be living in that house.

That’s how faithfulness of God works in our lives. It’s a process that is founded on the promises of God with the assurance that if we put our hope in His faithfulness, God will be true to His Word.

Let me give you a couple of examples of how this works out practically in our lives.

And that’s what Christmas is all about. It’s about putting our trust in the faithfulness of God.

Example #1 - One of God’s financial promises is found in . And in that passage God promises that if we trust Him with the tithe, which is 10% of our income, He will pour out the blessings of heaven upon us. Check this out:

Malachi 3:10 ESV

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

#1, it’s important because that’s how faith in general works.

That’s His promise.

However, for a person to trust God like that, you have to be willing to trust in His faithfulness.

This is exactly what the writer of Hebrews is talking about when it comes to faith. In fact, listen to the example he gives us concerning this kind of faith. In verse 8, concerning Abraham he writes:

Faith like Abel had. A faith that believes God meant what He said. A faith that believes God can do more with 90% than you can do with the full 100% of your income.

Like Noah, when the world seems to be going to hell, you have to trust the promise of God that if you keep your eyes on Him, He will see you through the storm.

Example #2 - As a pastor, sometimes I hear people say, “Pastor, it doesn’t matter how hard I try, I just can’t kick some of the sinful habits in my life.”

But here’s the deal. When it comes to temptation and sin, God promises us if we turn to Him, He will always provide a way of escape. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says about this:

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

How do I know? Listen to the example the writer of Hebrews gives us concerning this kind of faith. In verse 8, he gives us another Biblical example. He writes:

Paul says, if we really want to kick the sinful habit, all we have to do is ask God to help us, and He’ll help us overcome it.

The question is, “In the moment of your temptation, will you turn to Him? Will you trust in His faithfulness to deliver you and help you overcome the temptation?”

You see how that works? God makes a promise, and we either believe Him or we don’t. We either try to fix it ourselves, or we ask God to get involved and trust that He can do what we can’t do.

That’s how faith works. In fact, that’s how has always worked.Listen to how the writer of Hebrews describes the faith of many of the men and women in the Bible:

Hebrews 11:32-

Here’s what we need to remember, while God makes and keeps His promises, He doesn’t always do it our way, in our timing, or in the way we think He should.

And here’s why. Because God’s faithfulness isn’t just based on the temporal, but the eternal as well.

Hebrews 11:32–38 ESV

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

#2, it’s important because it is what makes this kind of faith unshakeable. I mean think about it. If what your hoping for is based on something God has promised, then it’s a guarantee. You can take it to the bank. You can be certain that God will come through.

The writer says regardless of their circumstance, challenge, or struggle, anybody that did anything great for God put their hope and faith in the faithfulness of God.

You see, what

Now, I will say this. He may not come through in the way you hoped He would.

Because at the end of the day, that’s where true hope can be found, in the faithfulness of God.

And so while we hold onto the promise of healing, you also hold onto the promise that no matter what happens, God is going to be with you and He’s going to strengthen you, sustain you, and help you navigate the trial you are facing, even if the healing never comes.

Now, this leads us to our second question. The question being:

Christmas actually represents the ultimate faithfulness of God.

And let me just say this. While we should pray for temporal healing here on earth, what we are really striving for is ultimate healing. A healing that comes when we are with the Lord. Which is another promise He has given to those who put their hope in HIm.

And this is where Christmas comes into play.

“If that’s what Unshakeable faith is, then how does that relate to Christmas”

And finally, #3, it’s important because when it comes to Christmas, this is the kind of faith that Christmas is based on. In fact, Christmas actually represents the ultimate faithfulness of God.

In more ways than you can possibly imagine. Because maybe you weren’t aware of this, but Christmas actually represents the ultimate example of God’s faithfulness.

And we know this based on what the writer of Hebrews is about to tell us as he further expounds on this faith. Listen to what he says beginning in verse 8:

Christmas is about the faithfulness of God. And without that understanding, you can’t fully embrace or celebrate Christmas.

Hebrews 11:8-

all about and what the writer of Hebrews is about to show us. And he does it by using another Biblical example. And the examples name is Abraham. In verse 8, listen to what the writer now tells us:

Hebrews 11:8–10 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. 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.

If you’re not familiar with the story of Abraham or who Abraham is, Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation. And of all the stories in the Bible, the story of Abraham is actually a the center of them all.

And it all started back in the first book of the Bible, in , as God made a promise to Abraham.

And the promise was twofold.

The first part of the promise was that through Abraham’s seed, God would build a great people and a great nation. A nation that would eventually become known as the nation of Israel.

The second part of the promise was that through that nation, the promised redeemer of mankind would come. In other words, that through Him, Christmas would be born.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what the Bible is all about. From Genesis to Revelation it’s about God saving mankind from sin by providing a promised redeemer. And the fulfillment of that promise begins with Abraham.

But for Abraham to receive the promise, Abraham was going to have to trust in the faithfulness of God. He was going to have to step out in faith. He was going to have to trust that God would be faithful to His Word.

And so that’s what he did. He stepped out, left his homeland, and went to a place he’d never been.

So, where did he go? The writer tells us:

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.

The writer says he went to live in the land that God had promised to give Him and his offspring. He went to the land we know today as Israel.

But he didn’t go there to possess it or take it over. He simply went to camp around and check it out. Because at this point, it wasn’t his.

That would be like you wanting to build a house in a certain place, but you don’t own the ground yet or have the resources to build it.

But you believe in your future house so much, that you pitch a tent on and around the future site and you begin to live there believing someday you’ll have the means to own the land and build the house.

That’s what Abraham did. What allowed him to do that. It was his faith. He trusted in the promise and faithfulness of God. He trusted in something he couldn’t see but he knew would come to pass. Why? Because God said it would. The writer says:

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

The Bible says that even though the land wasn’t his and he didn’t even have a son yet, he had faith that one day God would provide what he promised. Abraham believed that one day Christmas would come through him.

And thousands of years later, in a little town of Bethlehem, God came through on His promise. Through a supernatural birth, God provided mankind with a redeemer. And His name is Jesus.

You see, Christmas is the ultimate example of God’s faithfulness. And it’s a reminder for us, that God is true to His Word. A reminder that when we couldn’t save ourselves He provided a way. A reminder that we no longer have to live in hopelessness and despair.

2 Corinthians 1 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. 12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you. 15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

2 Corinthians 3:20

2 Corinthians 1:20

Christmas reminds us that when we put our hope in God, we are putting our hope in a guarantee. Because God always comes through,

2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV

20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

John 10:10 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what faith is and what Christmas is all about. It’s you and I putting our faith in the ultimate promise and faithfulness of God. The promise of Christmas.

In fact, it’s the kind of faith that believers before us put their faith in. That’s why the writer of Hebrews says:

Because at the end of the day, that’s what faith is and what Christmas is all about. It’s you and I putting our faith in the ultimate promise and faithfulness of God.

Hebrews 11:2 ESV

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

Because the fact is, without Christmas and without the faithfulness of God, then all we have is what this life offers. And I can tell you right now, this life doesn’t offer much, and it will always fall short.

Abraham and all the OT saints who looked forward to Christmas understood this is well. They understood it’s not this life we’re living for, but the life to come. Listen to how the writer of Hebrews describes it.

Hebrews 11:32–38 ESV

Hebrews 11:13–16 ESV

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

The writer says all the godly men and women of God in the Bible trusted the faithfulness of God. It’s how they got through. It’s how they survived the challenges they faced. It’s how they kept moving forward. Trusting that despite the circumstances they faced, God would be true to His promises. And ultimately trusting that one day God would provide an ultimate redeemer. That God would one day bring Christmas.

Hebrews 11:32-

That’s why the writer then closes out this section by saying

The writer says, “All the OT saints, including Abraham, never saw the fulfillment of Christmas.” But even though they would never see it, by faith they looked at it from afar, because they knew God would be true to His Word.

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 11:39-12:3

-16

And in doing so acknowledged that it’s not this life they are living for. But instead, the life to come. They looked forward to a heavenly home, a city that God had prepared for them.

Hebrews 11:39–12:2 ESV

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

So, while they didn’t see it, they put their hope and faith in it. They knew God would be faithful, and that one day He would provide the promised redeemer.

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

And the good news for you and I, is that God did provide the redeemer. We read about it in as the Angel Gabriel declares to Mary the coming of Jesus:

Hebrews 12:1–3 ESV

Luke 1:30–33 ESV

30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And unlike the OT Saints, we get to celebrate the fulfilled promise of Christmas and the faithfulness of God. That’s why the writer goes on to say:

And God was true to His Promise. Because on a lonely night, thousands of years after He made the promise to Abraham, in a town called Bethlehem, God came through on his promise. He provided the promised redeemer.

The writer says the OT saints never saw the promise of Christmas to come to pass

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

The writer says, we have the privilege of seeing what they never saw. In fact, you and I stand 2000 years on the other side of that fulfilled promise.

That’s why the writer of Hebrews closes out this section by saying:

You see, Christmas is the center point of all history. It’s the moment when God fulfilled the ultimate promise. The promise to send a redeemer. The promise to save us from our sins. The gift of Christmas that God offers us.

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Which leads us to our final question in closing. The question being, “If that’s what Unshakeable faith is, and that’s what Christmas is all about, then how do I attain such faith?

The writer basically says,

I think that’s a great question. Because as I said at the beginning of the message, I think this is something many people struggle to attain.

So, in closing, I’d like to offer you three questions to consider. Three questions that will help determine the state of your faith and what you need to do in order to attain unshakeable faith.

Step #1 - If I want Unshakeable faith, I have to put my hope in the faithfulness of God.

You see, the reality is, we all put our faith and hope in something.

Something that gives us peace, joy, and security.

Something that tends to guide and navigate our life.

For others, its attending the right college or picking the right career path.

For some, its financial gain and success.

For others, it’s their investment in certain relationships.

And then for some it could be a religious or political system.

So, what is your faith and hope in? Is it in the faithfulness of God?

At the end of the day, we all put our faith and hope in something. We all put our trust in something that tends to guide and direct our lives.

But here’s the problem with all of those things. Eventually those things will let you down.

So, I ask again, is your faith and hope in the faithfulness of God?

I ask that question, because if you want to have Unshakeable faith, there’s only one thing that you can put your faith in. Maybe a better question would be, “Is your faith and hope

For example:

When it comes to your finances, do you trust the faithfulness of God? Like Abel, do you trust God enough too tithe? To give God the first 10% of your paycheck. Do you believe God will be true to His Word and do more with the 90 than you can do with the 100.

What does that look like for you financially? Meaning, do you trust the faithfulness of God enough to be like Abel, and tithe? To give God the first of your paycheck. Do you believe God will be true to His Word and do more with the 90 than you can do with the 100.

What about relationally? If your single, do you trust the faithfulness of God enough to bring the right person at the right time into your life?

What about occupationally? Do you trust the faithfulness of God enough to lead you down the path He has for your life, and not your own?

My question for you is, “Do you trust in the faithfulness of God, not just in a few areas of your life, but all areas.”

Because that’s where Unshakeable faith begins. It begins with you believing that God is a faithful God that you can trust with every part of your life.

So, that’s the first step. You have to determine if you trust the faithfulness of God or not.

Step #2 - If I want unshakeable faith, I have to live looking up.

Meaning, when your life or the world you live in goes haywire, do you trust God enough to see you through?

What I mean by that, is if you want to have unshakeable faith, you have to start seeing life from an eternal versus a temporal mindset.

Do you have faith like Noah had? Faith that knows God will take care of you no matter what. Because while we all face challenges, Noah lived in a world where you could actually say, “It can’t get any worse than this.”

But in the midst of his world falling apart, Noah trusted the faithfulness of God. And God rewarded him. God sustained him.

That’s the kind of faith Abraham had. Abraham understood that there is life beyond this life. And so he lived with that mindset.

As a result, he didn’t live for this life, but for the life to come.

The fact is, we live in a day and age where it seems like

That’s why the writer says:

Hebrews 11:

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

You see that’s why Abraham went around living in tents. He wasn’t tied to this life. He wasn’t living for what this life offers. If he wanted it, he could of had it. But instead, he was looking forward to a city, an eternal city, where the builder is God.

So, when it comes to your life, are you living for what this life offers, or for what the next life promises?

Or we put our faith in a relationship, because on a daily basis we receive affirmation and support from that relationship.

My fear is that too many Christians are so focused on the horizontal that they’ve lost sight of the vertical. So caught up in what this life offers. So distracted by the passions and desires of the world.

And as a result, many of us have lost sight of what really matters. And our focus isn’t on the faithfulness of God. Instead, our hope is in what this life provides.

Or we put our faith in a position, because with it comes a title, an office, and respect.

So, what do we do? How do we change that. The Apostle Paul suggests this. He writes:

And it makes sense that we would do that.

The Apostle Paul puts it like this:

But if you’re going to put your faith in God, your going to have to put your hope in something you can’t see. Something that you may not even understand. Something that you’re just going to have to trust God for. And maybe even something that won’t happen in your lifetime.

It’s the kind of faith Abraham had. A faith

2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV

18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Colossians 3:2 ESV

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Paul says life your life looking up. Live with an eternal perspective. Live with a daily reminder that you’re not living for this life, but the life to come.

Now, does that mean you can’t enjoy life? Of course not. What it means though is you shouldn’t put your faith and hope in what this world offers. Because it’s not unshakeable. In fact, it’s passing away.

The Apostle John puts it like this:

1 John 2:17 ESV

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

John says, the world and what it offers will soon pass, but the promises that God offers will last forever.

This leads us to our final step:

Step #3- If I want to have Unshakeable faith, I have to put my faith in Christmas.

In other words, is Jesus Lord of your life? Because at the end of the day, this is the faith that matters most.

The Apostle Paul says it like this:

2 Corinthians 1:20–22 ESV

20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Paul says the ultimate faithfulness of God is found in Jesus. Because in Jesus all the promises of God come to fruition, not just in this life, but in the life to come.

In other words, if you want unshakeable faith, you have to put your faith

But for that to be true for you, you have to be willing to believe and do what the writer of Hebrews encourages when he writes:

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

The writer says that if you want unshakeable faith, then you have to let go of what this life offers and embrace the gift of Christmas. You have to put your hope and trust in Jesus.

Let me ask yo something, “Have you done that? Have you put your faith and hope in the fulfilled promise of Christmas? Have you made Jesus Lord of your life? Have you experienced the faithfulness of God and the Unshakeable faith He wants to give you through a relationship with Jesus?”

The Psalmist says it like this:

Psalm 62:5–8 ESV

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

If you want unshakeable faith, if you want a secure foundation not only for this life, but for the life to come, Christmas stands waiting, and it offers the gift of God’s faithfulness.

If not, I invite you to do that. Because there’s not greater gift at Christmas, than the gift of God’s faithfulness.

Let’s Pray

And as a result, his faith wasn’t in the ups and downs of this life, but in the certainties of God’s Promises.

Everybody has faith, what is your faith in?

Don’t put your faith in Temporal outcomes.

Unshakeable Faith

Unwavering Hope

Unspeakable Joy

Unexpected Love

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