Faith

Faith

Hebrews 11:1

Preached by: JB Hall

Introduction: Efforts to explain faith often fall short because it is an intangible that cannot be experienced with the natural senses, or felt in your spirit. It is in essence, the heart’s work toward the promises of God, and toward the God of the promises.

Thus, faith is better understood by examining it in action than by trying to analyze it alone, apart form its action in the life of the possessor of it.

Let’s put the pieces of the Faith puzzle together then, and see if a clear picture of the operation of Faith in the life of a person won’t begin to emerge.

1. Faith hears the voice of God through the cacophony of voices that demand your audience.

A. Galatians 3:2 says, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

B. The voices of this life speak loudly; but faith is able to sort through them all and to distinguish the voice of God in the midst of them.

C. The voice of conformity cries out, “You don’t want to be different! You don’t want people to think you are weird! You have to live among these people so you have to dress, look, talk, and act like them”!”

D. But faith says, “I would rather be right with God than be accepted by man.”

E. The voice of reason says, “How could a good God allow all the suffering in this world. We need real answers and just believing in God is not fixing the problems. We need to invest more money in science and research.”

F. Galatians 1:4, speaking of Jesus says, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

G. So, Jesus doesn’t intend to fix this present world. He intends to deliver us from it; and place us in a perfect world. So, faith says, “I choose that world.”

H. The voice of tolerance says, “Everyone has his own god, or his own concept of god, and no one’s idea of God is more important than anyone else’s. It would be arrogant to claim your God is more important than someone else’s god.”

I. But faith, speaking of the Lord Jesus, says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

J. The voice of materialism cries out, “You have to be somebody! You have to be successful! If you’re going to be successful, you have to remain focused and be willing to do whatever it takes to advance your career goals.”

K. But faith says, “I hear the voice of God saying “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’” (Matthew 6:33)

L. The voice of indifference says, “Forget God; enjoy your life; you can deal with the hereafter later.”

M. But faith hears the voice of Jesus saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) and chooses to ignore the demanding voices, to obey the voice of God instead.

N. The voices of this world are loud, but faith hears the voice of God through the cacophony of voices demanding your audience, and listens to His voice instead of them.

2. Faith reaches beyond this world into eternity, and lays hold on eternity’s God.

A. Speaking of Moses, Hebrews 11:27 says, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”

B. Faith deems eternity’s God more valuable than this world’s king.

C. Faith gives spiritual eyes to your heart and makes it able to see Him Who is invisible.

D. Faith’s enabling you to see the Unseen God of eternity produces an endurance that boggles the mind, and defies explanation to the causal observer.

E. Truly, faith’s endurance is beyond human understanding.

F. Hebrews 11:36 – 40 describe the kind of endurance faith can generate.

G. Let’s read Hebrews 11:36 – 40.

H. According to Verses 39 & 40 these endured these things through faith.

I. By faith they reached beyond this world into eternity, and laid hold on eternity’s God, enduring unspeakable atrocities, counting eternity’s God more valuable than anything the king of this world could offer them.

3. Faith is the hand of the heart that reaches out to the universal offer of forgiveness, and grasps it for yourself.

A. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

B. Faith reaches out to the offer to “whosoever” and accepts the offer as being personal to you.