Faith Changes Everything (2)

NLT

11 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Title: Faith Changes everything

Theme: Faith brings the approval of God

Text: Hebrews 11:1-3

Goal: Faith Changes everything in the life of a follower who will puts Christ first.

The life of faith is the only life that pleases God

ME: ORIENTATION: FIND COMMON GROUND WITH THE AUDIENCE

I have been talking about this direction for awhile.

I have shared in past sermons pieces of this. Now it is time to put the pieces in order and illustrate.

WE: IDENTIFICATION (MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU STRUGGLE)

Christians will always struggle with the secular world around us.

Faithful follows of God through Christ.

Faithful church that follows the mission of Christ ( Great commission & Great commandment

Faithful denomination that all of the above.

Country that is Godly morals and followers God will be blessed.

Counter culture: a way of life and a set of attitudes opposed to or at variance with the prevailing social norms

The values and norms of a culture that disagree with the teachings of the new testament could cause the church to be counter culture from a secularist society.

Faith Changes everything in the life of a follower who will puts Christ first.

The life of faith is the only life that pleases God

GOD: ILLUMINATION (THE GOAL IS TO RESOLVE THE TENSION

I. How is faith defined

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

11 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

The writer of Hebrews begins his example list with a two-part definition of faith: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” The word hypostasis, ( The Assurance)translated by the niv as a participle (“being sure”), is in fact a noun, which was used variously to communicate the idea of substance, firmness, confidence, a collection of documents establishing ownership, a guarantee, or a proof.2 It probably should be understood in 11:1, as in 3:14, in the sense of a “firm, solid confidence” or a “calm courage” with reference to things hoped for.

Faith

Faith (πίστις, pistis). Reliance upon and trust in God; a central emphasis of Christianity.

B. Traditional Christian faith

Traditionally, saving faith consists of knowledge, receive (Assent), and trust.

Believing that certain things are true about Christ must lead to belief in Christ, a personal trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.

This initial trust, given in response to the gospel’s announcement, is the first step in an ongoing covenant relationship marked by continuing trust and faithfulness.

C. Faith grows as we grow in Christ

We grow in a relationship with Christ by spending time with Christ.

With out this time and opportunities we do not grow. ( Human illustrations of marriage and family prove this as well.

Illustration

C. S. Lewis put it. The author’s whole program is to call struggling, sometimes bumbling Christians to live boldly by faith. He calls us—with all our habits and hang-ups, warts and worries—to action. We are called to step out of step with the world, hop up on the stage of history, and take our place in God’s roll call of the faithful. Of course we are inadequate; but so have been all others who have evidenced the grace of God. It would not be grace otherwise.

Faith Changes everything in the life of a follower who will puts Christ first.

The life of faith is the only life that pleases God

II. How are people of faith approved

Hebrew 11:2 (NLT)

2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

Real people of faith

real faith must be expressed by real people, real pilgrims who have yet to reach the heavenly city.

They are searching; they have not yet arrived. These are “heroes” not because they are perfect, but because they worked with God in his perfect work. Thus, we too are eligible for enlistment in the life of faith.

Noah who was naked and drunk

David who committed adultery and had her husband murdered.

Peter who denied Christ and moved forward to share the gospel.

Modern day example

B. These old Testament follows were commended for their faith even though they never received the answer.

a. Some saw the begin-ning and others saw the fruit.

b. They were part of something bigger than their life time.

John Wesley didn’t see the major growth of the methodist movement.

Left the episcopal church after Wesleys death

Wesley:

I set myself on fire and people will come to watch you burn

Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn,

The hole world is my parish.

Faith Changes everything in the life of a follower who will puts Christ first.

The life of faith is the only life that pleases God

III.Creation comes by faith

Hebrews 11: 3 (NLT)

3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Faith Changes everything in the life of a follower who will puts Christ first.

The life of faith is the only life that pleases God

YOU: APPLICATION (TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO AND WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD)

Conclusion:

To lead us to renewed grace and faith that will walk us into God’s future. The scripture gives a deeper understanding of faith that we need to live and operate in.

Come back to faith

Surrender to Christ as Savior

Put Christ first Lordship

Follow him grow, obey, serve and share the Gospel