FAITH
HEB 11 VS 1-3,6,32-40
Hebrews 11:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
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.
Hebrews 11:32-40 (NKJV)
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented--
38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,
40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
1. THE SOURCE OF FAITH- GOD HAS GIVEN EACH ONE A MEASURE OF FAITH, WHETHER WE ACT UPON THIS IS UP TO US:
Romans 12:3 (NKJV)
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
**ACTING UPON THIS FAITH BUILDS IT UP** WHEN WE TRUST GOD IN THE SMALLER THINGS WE CAN EVENTUALLY TRUST HIM IN THE LARGER THINGS:
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
2. THE SIGHT OF FAITH- BY FAITH WE CAN SEE THINGS THAT WITHOUT IT WE COULD NEVER SEE:
Hebrews 11:13-16 (NKJV)
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
*BY FAITH I CAN SEE A SAVIOR- I WASN’T THERE WHEN HE WAS CRUCIFIED, BUT I BELIEVE IT AS IF I WERE THERE**
*BY FAITH I CAN SEE AN EMPTY TOMB- JESUS IS NOT IN THE GRAVE*
*BY FAITH I CAN SEE HIM IN HIS RESURRECTION GLORY, NOW SEATED ON THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER MAKING INTERCESSION FOR US*
*BY FAITH I CAN SEE HIM COMING AGAIN IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN TO RECEIVE US UNTO HIMSELF!
*ABRAHAM SAW A CITY…. I OFTEN HAD WONDERED JUST HOW HE WAS ABLE TO LEAVE EVERYHING HE HAD EVER KNOWN TO GO UNTO THE UNKNOWN, BUT AS I STUDIED THIS – TODAY I DO KNOW.. GOD GAVE HIM A VISION OF THE HEAVENLY CITY AS MENTIONED IN REVELATION AND HE TRAVELED LOOKING FOR IT.. AND GLORY TO GOD HE FOUND IT!!
3. THE SURRENDER- FAITH WILL CAUSE US TO SURRENDER OUR WILL TO GOD’S WILL IF IT IS GENUINE AND SINCERE. I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS THAT DO A LOT OF TALKING ABOUT FAITH, BUT THERE ISN’T ANY EVIDENCE TO PROVE THIS LIFE OF FAITH WITHIN THEM:
Hebrews 11:32-39 (NKJV)
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented--
38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,
OH, WE NEED SOME FOLKS THAT WILL STEP OUT IN FAITH TODAY AND ACT UPON GOD’S PROMISES!
*Luke 1:37 (NKJV)
37 For with God nothing will be impossible."
