The Power Of Promise

The Power of God’s Promise (Hebrews Chapter 11)

Lakewood Christian Church

Pastor Rex E. Faile, Sr.

Introduction: In tonight’s lesson we wish to discuss the power of God’s Word in our lives. God’s Word is the foundation on which all things are created, sustained, and increased. If we conclude that God has a plan for us and that the plan is for our good then we must follow the “map” closely, looking for “Godly appointments, interventions, and opportunities” to EXPERIENCE GOD. God’s Word quickens us to these promises and challenges us to changes in thought, attitude, and perceptions. This is FAITH!

Heb 11:1-40

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

Heb 11:1 ¶ Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. (Weymouth New Testament)

Rom 8:24-25

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (KJV)

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (KJV)

2 Cor 4:17-18

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

(NIV)

2 Cor 5:6-8

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

(KJV)

2 For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds came into being, and still exist, at the command of God, so that what is seen does not owe its existence to that which is visible. (Weymouth New Testament)

Gen 1:1-3

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

(KJV)

Ps 33:6

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. (KJV)

John 1:3

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (KJV)

Heb 1:1-2

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

(KJV)

A. Faith is our confidence for the things promised from God and “a conviction of the reality of things” which we do not see.

1. By “this faith” the elders (which will be spoken of) obtained a good report (receive this witness …gr. Martureo)

2. This “faith” begins with understanding that ALL THINGS come into being and still exist by God’s power and that which is does not exist from the things which are now visible.

A. Why is this important? It gives way to the supernatural!

Things do not necessarily “evolve” from what is… but God has the power to “speak His will” into our lives without our help or help from other resources.

*The Power of our future does not come from our Faith, but from God who gives us a faith made alive by His Word and His Spirit! R.F.

*For this reason we title this message The Power of God’s Promise rather than the power of faith because it begins with God’s Word in which we take confidence and refuge.

The Testimony Of The Patriarchs (By Faith)

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.

Heb 11:4 ¶ Through faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain did, and through this faith he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God giving the testimony by accepting his gifts; and through it, though he is dead, he still speaks. (WNT)

A. By Faith Abel Gave To God What God Required