Faith 101

Dr. George Bannister

Woodville Baptist Church

Following Jesus: The Letter to the Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

Hebrews 11:1–3

Faith

0 ratings

· 29 views

Notes

Transcript

Sermon Tone Analysis

Emotion

Language

Social

View more →

Hebrews 11:1-3

Hebrews 11:1–3 (NLT)

1 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.

INTRODUCTION:

I. FAITH PROVIDES SOMETHING SOLID FOR THE BELIEVER (Hebrews 11:1).

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

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

“Ἔστιν δὲ πίστις ἐλπιζομένων ὑπόστασις, πραγμάτων ἔλεγχος οὐ βλεπομένων·”

A. Faith provides the foundation to life.

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for;”

1. This substance is the foundation for living.

a) ὑπόστασις = that which provides the basis (foundation) for trust and reliance—‘trust, confidence, assurance.’

b) It provides the foundation to help us understand God.

c) It provides the foundation that helps us understand our reason for being.

d) It provides the foundation for our relationships with other people.

B. Faith provides evidence for the future.

“it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”

1. This evidence provides the proof needed to live the future with confidence.

a) ἔλεγχος = a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested, a conviction.

b) It provides the proof that God is faithful.

c) It provides the proof that God saves.

d) It provides the proof that God is trustworthy.

II. FAITH PERFECTS THE TESTIMONY OF THE BELIEVER (Hebrews 11:2).

Hebrews 11:2 (NLT)

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

“ἐν ταύτῃ γὰρ ἐμαρτυρήθησαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι.”

A. Faith perfected the testimony of the saints of old.

1. By faith Abel offered God the sacrifice that God required; believing that God would reward him.

a) Faith caused Abel to accept God’s requirement for atonement of sin.

b) Faith resulted in Abel being declared righteous instead of Cain.

c) Faith perfected Abel’s testimony so that it outlived him.

2. By faith Noah obeyed God and built the ark.

a) Faith caused Noah to heed the warning of God about the flood.

b) Faith moved Noah into action following God’s plan for salvation.

c) Faith perfected Noah’s testimony to the point that it brought conviction to those who did not believe.

d) Faith produced righteousness in Noah.

3. By faith Abraham left Ur and followed God.

a) Faith Caused Abraham to forsake his familiar surroundings to obey God.

b) Faith perfected Abraham’s testimony to the point that it encourages others to walk by faith.

B. Faith perfects the testimony of the today’s saints .

1. Faith perfects the believer’s testimony because it releases God to demonstrate His power.

a) The centurion released Jesus to demonstrate His power by faith (Matthew 8:5-13).

Matthew 8:5–13 (NLT)

5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him,

6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”

7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.

9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!

11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.

12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

2. Faith perfects the believer’s testimony by bearing witness to God’s faithfulness.

3. Faith perfects the believer’s testimony by empowering an unwavering character . (Rom 5:3-5).

Romans 5:3–5 (NLT)

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

III. FAITH PENETRATES THE DARKNESS OF IGNORANCE WITH THE LIGHT OF UNDERSTANDING (Hebrews 11:3).

Hebrews 11:3 (NLT)

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.

“πίστει νοοῦμεν κατηρτίσθαι τοὺς αἰῶνας ῥήματι θεοῦ, εἰς τὸ μὴ ἐκ φαινομένων τὸ βλεπόμενον γεγονέναι.”

A. Faith dispels the darkness of ignorance.

1. There is no greater darkness than ignorance.

a) Ignorance produces darkness that leads to destruction (Ephesians 4:17-19; 2 Corinthians 4:4)

Ephesians 4:17–19 (NLT)

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.

18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.

19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)

4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

2. The darkness of ignorance can only be dispelled by the light of faith

a) God called Paul to dispel this darkness

(Acts 26:16-18).

Acts 26:16–18 (NLT)

16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future.

17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles

18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

B. Faith illuminates the mind and heart with understanding.

1. Faith opens the eyes of the spirit so that the truth of God can shed light upon the mind and heart. (2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Peter 2:9)

2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT)

6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

2. Faith makes clear the answers to the questions for which there are no natural explanations.

a) Who am I?

b) Why am I here?

c) Where am I going from here?

CONCLUSION:

A- Hymn: “Have Faith in God”

B. B. McKinney, 1886-1952

Verse 1 Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely, He sees and knows all the way you have trod; Never alone are the least of His children; Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Verse 2 Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered, Your earnest plea He will never forget; Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient, Have faith in God, He’ll answer yet.

Verse 3 Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow, His heart is touched with your grief and despair; Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him, And leave them there, oh, leave them there.

Verse 4 Have faith in God though all else fail about you; Have faith in God, He provides for His own; He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish, He rules, He reigns upon His throne.

Chorus Have faith in God, He’s on His throne; Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own; He cannot fail, He must prevail; Have faith in God, have faith in God.