Introduction

Good morning! As we gather here today, I want to dive deep into a topic that is at the very core of our Christian walk – faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines it quite clearly:

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

This verse, my friends, encapsulates the essence of faith - confidence and assurance.

Max Lucado once said, "Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right." Isn't that profound? Our faith isn't a 'get out of jail free card' or a 'magic wand' to get what we want. Rather, it's an unshakeable trust in God's wisdom, His goodness, His timing, and His promises.

Today, we'll be unpacking the definition of faith, the power of faith, and finally, the necessity of faith in our lives. So let's embark on this journey together, exploring the depth and the beauty of faith.

Let's start with a word of prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this wonderful day that you have given us. We ask that as we delve into Your word, that You open our hearts and minds to understand the real meaning and importance of faith. Let our faith be strengthened and let it be a light that shines for others to see Your great love. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Let's dive in!

The Definition

In our quest to understand faith, we must first grapple with its definition. As mentioned earlier, Hebrews 11:1 provides a clear and concise definition:

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

This definition, while simple, is incredibly profound. It suggests that faith is not merely a passive belief but an active confidence and assurance. It's not just about believing in God, but having confidence in His promises and His plans for us.

Based on what we hope for: It's a forward-looking confidence, a hope-filled assurance. It's about believing in the unseen, the unproven, the not-yet-realized. This is not blind faith, but faith based on the evidence of God's past faithfulness and His unchanging character.

It is assurance: The Greek word used here for assurance is "hypostasis," which can also be translated as "substance" or "reality." This suggests that faith is not just a concept or an idea, but something real and substantial. It's not a wishful thinking or a vague hope, but a firm conviction. It's the assurance that what we hope for is already a reality in the spiritual realm, even though we may not yet see it in the physical realm.

Implies a relationship: It's not just about believing in a set of doctrines or principles, but about trusting in a person - God. It's about having a personal relationship with Him, knowing Him, and trusting Him. It's about relying on His character, His promises, and His power.

Dynamic, not static: It grows and develops over time. As we walk with God, experience His faithfulness, and see His promises fulfilled, our faith grows stronger. It's like a muscle that gets stronger with use. The more we exercise our faith, the stronger it becomes.

A gift from God: Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." We cannot muster up faith on our own. It's a gift that God gives us, and our role is to receive it, nurture it, and exercise it.

A confident assurance in God: In His character, His promises, His timing, and His power. It's about trusting Him even when we don't understand, even when we can't see the way forward, even when the odds are against us. It's about holding on to His promises, even when everything else is falling apart.

Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time in your own life where you had to rely on this definition of faith, trusting in God's character and promises even when the circumstances were challenging. This could also be a story about someone else.

The Power

The power of faith is the driving force that propels us forward in our Christian walk, enabling us to overcome obstacles, endure trials, and experience miracles ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO