Believe It Or Not Series

INTRODUCTION

• SLIDE #1 PC VIDEO DEFEAT

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• We all need something to hope in, the hope that we have can inspire great faith and confidence.

• Hope and faith are linked very closely together.

• The key I wanted you to take from the clip is this; your actions will follow your beliefs.

• What you believe, what you hope for will direct the outcome of your life.

• SLIDE #3 PC VIDEO

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• When it comes to our hope, we have to decide if we are going to BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

• When you think of the whole concept of God it can be overwhelming. Last week we spoke a bit about the eye test.

• For the young man in the clip the eye test told him he would fail, his past experience told him he would fail, yet he reached a moment in which he chose to believe.

• There will come a time when you will face a crossroad in your life where you will have to decide if you are aging to BELIEVE IT OR NOT concerning God.

• In Hebrews 11 we have what has been called the Hebrews Hall of Faith. The chapter lists some of the saints of old and how their faithfulness to God led them to do amazing things.

• What you believe or where you place your hope will determine your actions.

• Let’s turn to Hebrews 11. We will start with verse 1.

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• Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

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SERMON

I. Two attributes of faith. (1)

• One of subtleties of this chapter is that verse 1 gives us more of a definition of what faith DOES verses being a definition of what faith IS.

• Faith can be defined as WHOLE-SOULED TRUST IN GOD’S WORD BECAUSE OF THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE.

• Real hope and real faith have a relationship with the heart, mind and soul of the one possessing them.

• In verse 1 we have a couple of ways faith is expressed.

• First we see that faith is the assurance of things hoped for.

• Eyesight produces a conviction about objects in the physical word whereas faith produces the same convictions for the spiritual realm.

• Faith displays itself by producing an assurance that what we hope for will come to pass.

• The word translated ASSURANCE is used 5 times and it gives the thought of possessing a title deed to a property.

• Faithfulness is the substructure of all the Christian life involves. When we miss this we miss the heart of the Christian life-style.

• Faithfulness is what we are to build our life on.

• Our faith is the title-deed we hold for the things (promises of God, heaven, eternal life) hoped for.

• Faith is living in a hope that is so real that it gives us absolute assurance in God.

• Faith is not about just wishful thinking. Real hope cannot be based on simply wishful thinking.

• Wishful thinking does not possess ASSURANCE.

• We know God and we act accordingly.

• When you look through chapter 11 all the saints mentioned acted because their faith was more than mental ascent. It was based on assurance of hope.

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• Revelation 2:10 (ESV) Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

• When times of difficulty come true faith based in the things hoped for will allow you stay true to God.

• A second attribute of faith is that faith is also conviction of things not seen.

• What is a conviction?

• Conviction is defined in the dictionary as follows: a belief or opinion that is held firmly

• In the context it is an inward persuasion that has an effect on the soul.

• For a conviction to happen there needs to be strong evidence. For the heart and soul of a person to change there needs to be a conviction concerning the reality of Jesus.

• When we have that conviction it will lead us to follow Jesus.

• What kept the saints of old following God? It was their conviction of things not seen!

• The things not seen are the promises of God in which our HOPE is built.

• Let’s examine verse 2.

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• Hebrews 11:2 (ESV) For by it the people of old received their commendation.

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