It Is A Matter Of Faith Series

Title: It is a Matter of Faith – Our DNA

Theme: To show that faith is priority in the life of Christian. It is part of our DNA

Text: Hebrews 11

Opening Scripture

Joh 4:46-54 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. (47) When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. (48) Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” (49) The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” (50) Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. (51) And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” (52) Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” (53) So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. (54) This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

Introduction

This is one of the most incredible stories of faith. Who he was or position he hold did not matter. What mattered is that he had a son who was sick, “at the point of death”. He needed a miracle and knew only one person to turn to, Jesus. He is persistent in his request. But notice the “incredible part”. Jesus looks at him and says, “Go your way; you son lives.” So the man leaves and believes.

The next details are important. He meets his servant on the road who confirms the miracle. When did it happen? Yesterday. This tells me that this nobleman had a days journey even after Jesus told him that his son was healed.

I wondered what the rest of the day was like. I can tell you it was a day full of faith. It was a day full of relief. It was a day of trusting Jesus that led to a life change. It was a day that led to faith in Christ. But not only for him but for the household.

This is real faith. Real faith is not always seeing, real faith is trusting even though we don’t see it.

Look with me now at Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

NIrV Heb 11:1 Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being certain of what we do not see.

NLT Heb 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

This verse headlines a chapter full of people who exemplies a life of faith. And faith is important. How do we know?

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

God gives great attention to those who have faith.

This was developed

This is how they come to live their lives. Notice I said come. This faith was developed for many over time. Through ups and downs. Through moments of “mistrust” to moments of blind faith.

Take for instance Abraham. Called out by God to leave his land. This was an act of faith. Yet this faith was raw and developing. One time he finds himself in a foreign land in Egypt. What does he try to do when fear of attack from the king come, instead of trusting God he lies. We find out this not only happens once but twice. This does not include Ishameal who was born out of Abraham and Sarai discovering their own plan.

Yet in this chapter we learn that: Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. (9) By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; (10) for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Abraham’s final act of faith came in Isaac. His God chosen son. At 100 years of age he finally sees part of God’s promise fulfilled.