HEBREWS: Faith Defined

Faith Defined

Hebrews & James Hebrews 11: Learning Faith from the Champions!

“The great achievers in history have been the men and women who could see the invisible and strive to reach it. Explorers, inventors, liberators, and pioneers in every field have always been characterized by the steady eye that sees the invisible and strives for the seemingly impossible.”

Warren W. Wiersbe

Hebrews 11:1–3 CSB

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For by this our ancestors were approved. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Main Idea: Living by faith is essential to the Christian life.

Key Question: Are you living by faith?

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament III. Exegesis of the Letter

Faith apprehends as a real fact what is not revealed to the senses. It rests on that fact, acts upon it, and is upheld by it in the face of all that seems to contradict it. Faith is real seeing.

1. Faith is defined. (v. 1)

Hebrews 11:1 CSB

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

Thomas Lee

Hebrews & James A. The Result of Faith (vv. 1–3)

Eyesight produces a conviction about objects in the physical world. Faith produces the same convictions for the invisible order.

Romans 8:24 CSB

Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees?

2 Corinthians 4:18 CSB

So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2. Faith is demonstrated. (v. 2)

Hebrews 11:2 CSB

For by this our ancestors were approved.

“BY FAITH”

Hebrews 11:39 CSB

All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised,

3. Faith is determined. (v. 3)

Hebrews 11:3 CSB

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Genesis 1:1–3 CSB

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

John 1:3 CSB

All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

Hebrews 1:2–3 CSB

In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Faith is believe in something this not yet so as though it were so that it may be so. Ricky Jenkins