Faith

Upset Equilibrium

[Hook] Definitions of Faith

Faith as trust: “I have faith in my physician,” “I have faith in my politician, that he or she will do what is right.”

Faith that something will happen. “I have faith that my candidate will win the election.” Or “I have faith that this document is authentic.” Generally, this faith is about some statements or propositions.

Faith as uncertainty. “I don’t know that this policy will work; I just have faith.” Faith is about emphasizing we are not sure and that we cannot be sure.

Richard Dawkins, “Faith is belief without evidence.”

Faith as certainty. “For me, its an article of faith that a representative democracy system is the best form of government.”

[Outline] (1) What is faith? (2) how do we obtain faith? and (3) how to increase in faith?

[Significance] This is an important question.

First, faith is a condition of salvation. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).

Second, pleasing God requires faith. without faith, it is impossible to please God. “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6).

Third, in today’s religious culture, being highly influenced by the reformation, which was a strong (too strong in my opinion) reaction to the catholic faith, faith is often talked about as “faith alone.” For example, if I sign up for my bill sharing insurance. I have to commit to their doctrinal statement, which states that I believe we are “saved by faith.” Do I believe that? Do I believe faith saves?

Body

I. The Definition of Faith (Hebrews 11:1)

If we look at the dictionary.

Various definitions.

Various examples.

However, this won’t help much. The dictionary tells us what words mean today; not what Paul meant by the word faith.

Scripture’s Definition: Hebrew 11:1.

[Hebrews like Dictionary] The apostle begins by telling us what faith is and then, as dictionaries do, he beings to give examples of what faith looks like.

[Benefit of method] By reading this (1) definition and (2) some examples, we will not fail to have a sure conception of “faith.

[Greek] Ἔστιν δὲ πίστις ἐλπιζομένων ⸂ὑπόστασις,* πραγμάτων⸃ ἔλεγχος οὐ βλεπομένων.

Kinds of Translations

[NASB/ESV] “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

[NLT] “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”

[Message] “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.”

[NKJV] “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

[NASB/ESV] “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

“Assurance” Most senses of ὑπόστασις can be related to the etymology, which suggests something which “stands under” something else; thus, as in → 1:3, the “substantial nature, essence, being, reality” Guarantees

“hoped for” Expected

“Conviction” Evidence,

“Faith guarantees what believers hope for, it is sight for what is unseen.”

(1) Faith includes future hope.

(2) The reason for the unseen.

Examples

1. Creation. The creation of the world by word is based on faith.

Just 2.

2. Abel. Abel’s faith is not what the writer emphasized, but only the sacrifice. However, his it was his faith.

1: Cain surely believed God would reward his sacrifice. 2: He sacrificed to an invisible God.

3. Enoch. Enock walked with God. The only thing specifically he says is that enoch pleased God. Quickly following it up with, “it is impossible to please God without faith.” (6) Pleasing faith believes (1) that God is and (2) he rewards.

1 and 2

4. Noah. Did Noah see God? Did he see the rain coming? No.

1 and 2

5. Abraham. He didn’t see that promised land, but he hoped for the city that God built.

1 and 2

II. The Source of Faith

Examples

1. Creation. How do we have faith? Gen 1.1 The Word of God

2. Abel. Nature didn’t. Kill and innocent lamb to get blessings? Reasons would say the opposite. The Word of God

3. Enoch. Same with Abel. We don’t know.

4. Noah. Not by reason. Reason would say the opposite. God told him, “the end of all flesh is before me.” “Being warned by God.” (7)

5. Abraham. Not by reason. “when he was called.”

Other passage Romans 10:17

III. The Purpose of Faith

Today many people believe faith is only believing. If they read the word of God, believe it is true, trust in in with all their might, memorize it, having it up on pictures throughout their house, use it as their burial cloth, then they have satisfied the condition of faith.

What if the ancients thought faith as synonymous with obedience? What if faith meant pledging your aligence to God?

When the pharisees reasoned in their hearts, trying to answers whether John’s baptims was from men or heaven, they said, ““If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’”

Abel. Offered up the animal.

Enoch. Walked with God.

Noah. Build the ark.

Abraham. Went out, not knowing where he was going.

Detrich Bonheoffer, “Only those who believe obey" "only those who obey believe"

It is so hard to believe because it is so hard to obey. - SK

Conclusion