Keys to Faith

Hebrews 11:1-6

Hebrews 11:1-6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Faith at the Dawn of History 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

What is faith, something not actually seen....right? [Demonstration with gravity]

When we come into our relationship with God, we start the journey of faith. If you could just believe, we can learn to release faith. Our lives changes at the moment we live in faith, because God wants us live a good and happy life, but we know it does not come automatically. The things of God are only obtained as you read and hear the Word and release faith.

Faith is not optional for a believer. It is not an emotion that comes and goes upon situational circumstances. Faith is something we obtain day by day, hour by hour.

I want to talk about 6 Characteristics of Faith:

Faith Has Ears....that is right! Faith allows us to hear what people don’t hear. It goes much deeper than auditory sounds, but spiritual hearing. It allows us to comprehend and understand things that may not have an audible human sound. Faith allows us to hear something that connects to your spirit, and gives your that know how, or even that conscious that we think is our understanding, God allows us to hear direction and guidance that no man can grasp.

Faith in not in the future - This is important to understand, our future is hope. Our past is past and is already done. Our Past is experience, there is no need for faith because its already done. Faith is in the now, its the moment we are currently in. Matt 6:34 tells us don’t worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry for itself. But the question for this point, is do you have faith now? In many areas we complicate faith by our worries about 3,6, or even 12 months from now. That is hope. But when we look at the scripture, God tells us always about the now, to have faith and God’s will shall be done. The bible tells us 249 times on the how to believe in the now.

Faith has language. Faith speaks, I believe this to the max. See faith does not deny our current reality, but faith speaks in opposite of it. When we look at the character of God, he doesn’t look at us and say “look there is that liar, that old thief, etc.... He never calls us by what we were, rather who we would be. Faith has a language, that allows God to interact on our behalf and make ways that weren’t makeable. Faith allows us to see what was, and allows us speak to what God can do!

Faith speaks what it hears - follow me here, you have to speak speak what you hear, so you can see what you say. When we speak what we hear in the spirit, and keep doing so, you will see what you say. Meaning you may go back to the same situation, the same circumstances, but you are able to see what others do not see. Remember, our natural eyes are set on seeing material, but our spiritual eyes are set on seeing the things of God.

People of Faith do not give up - With faith we always choose progress! People of faith face adversities, obstacles, disappointments, and attacks just like other people. But we have a different attitude with a different outlook which allows us to choose to move forward rather than stop the potential. When we see that God is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end, if He started something, unless He has finished it, who are we to quit on the process of God.

Faith Does not work with Methods - This is my favorite of the characteristics, because every person will characterize themselves with some kind of methodology. Logical, Mathematical, scientific, educational, Theological, visual, and every ism and naturalistic value you can think of, is not faith. See faith has no specific method but to believe, all those other things limit what your faith can be. Jesus even showed us that he didn't do the miracles the same way, He didn’t heal the same way. The kind of faith when a women who is preparing her last meal 1 Kings 17, and Elijah tells her i know your hungry, but do as I tell you. But first with the little you have, make me something first, there is no methodology on earth that says when you have barely enough to survive a minimal time, give to someone first. But when you read v15 it says she went and did, she didn’t think about later, or tomorrow. She worked faith and put her hope in the unseen, and believed what the world could not provide answers for.

Conclusion: Faith is something that comes only in a fashion that you can develop, but know this, your faith allows you to hear, see, speak, live in the now, not giving up, in an unorthodox way that can’t be explained and succeed. You don’t have to hear and say what others say, Faith allows you to live a life of progress and moving forward regardless of the situations around you.