SERMON SERIES
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH
Sermon 1
The Importance of Pleasing Faith
Hebrews 11:1, 5-6
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Intro:
Robert W. Ross said in the Wycliffe Bible Commentary that Hebrews 11:1 is not really a definition of faith but rather a description of faith.
He said, “Faith is trust in the unseen. It is not trust in the unknown, . . . . Faith is the ultimate assurance and the ultimate evidence that things not seen are realities.”
Hebrews 11:6 says if you are going to please God, then you cannot do it unless you have faith!! Just like if you are going to drive a car, then you are going to have to have gas power or electrical power.
When we purchase a new automobile, we have faith in the person who designed it, in the people who built it, in the inspectors who tested it for safety.
In fact, we have faith that everything will work safely and completely. In other words, we trust people without a thought or moment of hesitation.
If we can put faith in people whom we have not seen with our own eyes, how can we not put faith in God whom we have not seen with our own eyes?
I John 5:9 says “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: ”
Real quick let me give you examples of pleasing faith.
1. Willing Faith
Heb. 11:8 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went
- Abraham had willing faith. He was willing to follow the Lord no matter where the Lord led him!
2. Walking Faith
Heb. 11:5 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
- Enoch had walking faith. He walked with the Lord right on home, and his testimony was that He pleased the Lord!
- Does your testimony say that you walk with God and please God?
3. Working Faith
Heb. 11:7 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
- Noah had working faith. He believed in working and building an Ark that would save him and his family from that no one had ever seen or heard of before . . . a flood!
- Noah’s fear of the flood and of the Father drove him to working faith!
4. Worshipping Faith
Heb. 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
- Abel had worshipping faith. He offered through faith a sacrifice in an act of worship that testified that he was a righteous man.
- God testified that Abel was a righteous man. I wonder what the Lord would testify about you and I? Not our own family, friends, or our own mouths, but what would the Lord testify about us? Would our faith cause God to testify that we are righteous?
• I’m interested in Hebrews 11:6a 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:
• My only reason for living is to please God, so if I please Him (according to this verse), it is important to have pleasing faith!
• So let’s look at the Importance of Pleasing Faith
Body – The Importance of Pleasing Faith
I. Pleasing Faith is Important for Salvation
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith”
The evidence that your faith has pleased God is that you are saved!
A. Pleasing Faith Cleanses You Through Salvation
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• If you have faith in Jesus that is pleasing unto the Lord, then His cleansing will Wash You and Whiten you!
• Is 1:18 “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” - That’s a promise!
B. Pleasing Faith Commits You Through Salvation
PS 31:5 5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
• Commit your words, works, ways, and will unto God!
C. Pleasing Faith Connects You Through Salvation
• It connects you to God’s People, God’s Preaching, and to God’s Praises!
Has your faith being pleasing enough unto God that you have received Salvation?
II. Pleasing Faith is Important for Serenity
John 14:27 “My peace I give you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you”
The evidence that your faith pleases God is that you have Serenity!
A. Dedicated Faith Pleases God and Brings Peace
(Faith Dedicated to Christ, the Cross, the Church, and the Coming of Christ is how you continue having peace!)
B. Dependent Faith Pleases God and Brings Peace
(Faith dependent on God and Grace is how you continue to have peace.)
C. Delightful Faith Pleases God and Brings Peace
(Faith that Delights in the Lord, Delights in the Law – God’s word, and Delights in the Love of God will bring continued peace in your life!)
D. Diligent Faith Pleases God and Brings Peace
(Faith that is Diligent is a consistent faith that is done with all of the heart! Half-hearted faith does not please God, and it will not bring peace!)
E. Directed Faith Pleases God and Brings Peace
(Faith that is Directed, points to Christ, praises Christ, and prays to Christ. It says you not only trust the Lord, you take the Lord to be your Savior, and that’s how you have peace!)
Has your faith been pleasing enough that you have received Serenity?
III. Pleasing Faith is Important for Satisfaction
Psalms 17:15 - As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
The evidence that your faith pleases God is that you have Satisfaction.
A. Satisfaction Comes By Faith in the Person of Christ
1. Keep your eyes looking at Jesus to be Satisfied.
• Like Peter, you will not sink if you keep your eyes on Him!
• Don’t look to the right or the left, keep your eyes on Him. If you don’t see Him, put your eyes on heaven!
2. Keep your ears listening to Jesus to be Satisfied.
(Listen for His voice in the word, the worship, and in the wilderness. He’ll be there right on time when you need Him!)
B. Satisfaction Comes By Faith in the Position of Christ
1. His Position is greater than your Troubles
2. His Position is greater than your Trials
3. His Position is greater than your Tears
C. Satisfaction Comes By Faith in the Provisions of Christ
Illustration: A man found a shack in the desert with a pump and a water jug. The instructions said to put the water in the pump to prime it and get all the water he wanted. He did so instead of drinking the water from the jug! Trust the Lord’s provisions.
Has your faith been pleasing enough that you have received Satisfaction?
IV. Pleasing Faith is Important for Service
James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone”
The evidence that your faith pleases God is that you Serve the Lord.
A. You Must Surrender to Faith to do God’s Work
1. Find God’s Work
2. Farm God’s Work
B. You Must Submerge in Faith to do God’s Work
1. Make God’s Work Your Love
2. Make God’s Work Your Life
C. You Must Step in Faith to do God’s Work
1. Get Direction and Step Out in Faith
2. Get Dedicated and Step Out in Faith
Has your faith been pleasing enough that it can been seen in your Service?
Close
1. Do you remember that I told you that the Bible said that God called Abel a righteous man?
2. How many know that God cannot lie?
3. Only you and God knows the truth about your faith.
4. Here is a serious question you need to ask yourself: If God preached your funeral, what would He say about you?
5. Would He say you had a faith that pleased Him and that it was evident in your life through Salvation, Serenity, Satisfaction, and Service?
6. What I’m asking is do you have faith that pleases the Lord? Is there room for improvement?
7. Do you need to talk it over with the Lord?
