weekly sermon6-27-10 It Is Faith
This week we are going to talk about a word that we have all heard and more than likely know, faith. The online dictionary describes faith as a belief that is not based on proof. Why is it that we must believe so much on faith? Why is it that so many message are done about faith? Well I want us to look at a chapter in the Bible that will hopefully open our eyes to why faith is so important in this great book. You will have to bear with me for a bit because it does require a whole chapter to fully understand what a great part faith played in the whole Bible.
Turn with me if you will to Hebrews 11:1-40, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2)For by it 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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (9)By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: (10)For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God. (11)Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. (12)Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. (13)These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (14)For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. (15)And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. (16)But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (17)By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son], (18)Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: (19)Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. (20)By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (21)By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff. (22)By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. (23)By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw [he was] a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. (24)By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25)Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (26)Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (27)By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (28)Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (29)By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry [land]: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (30)By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. (31)By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (32)And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets: (33)Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought 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, waxed valiant in fight, 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)And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (37)They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, 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 [in] mountains, and [in] dens and caves of the earth. (39)And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (40)God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
There are several things I want us to notice about what we have just read here in Hebrews chapter 11. The very first thing I want us to notice is the definition that is given in verse 1. Remember the definition we found in the online dictionary, faith is a belief in something without proof. Here we see in verse one how faith is defined, "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". I really want us to keep that in our minds as we read the rest of this chapter.
There are many stories wrapped up in this one chapter that deal with faith. As we can see in verse 4, we start at the very beginning with Abel. Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice and this was done by faith. Abel held a strong hold in the eyes of God all because of this faith. Look at Enoch, by his faith, he was the only person that did not die, he was taken because he had a testimony that really pleased God, all because of his faith. Can we imagine in our own minds to be loved, by God, so much, because of our faith, that God would never allow us to see death.
It took a great faith, in verse 7, to be able to do the thing that Noah had done. I am not even talking about the immense size of the boat that Noah was asked to build, but I am talking about having such a great faith to believe that God was going to do what He claimed He would do. Remember that Noah was not the only one on the planet. I am sure that there were many that laughed at or even mocked Noah because of his quest. Noah kept his faith strong, in God, to do what it was that God had asked him to do.
There were three great faith experiences that take place in Abraham's family. Abraham was told he would be the father of the nation. Abraham had no children as well as a wife that could not bear children. How is it that a man with a barren wife and no children be the father of all, faith. Abraham had faith that God would give him a child to start the largest family ever known. Sara, Abraham's barren wife, had to have faith that God would do what He said and give them the child He promised. Through faith Sara did conceive and give birth to a child that would start a generation of families to come. Once this child was born, God really put Abraham to the faith test. God instructed Abraham to take his only son and put him on an altar and kill him in the name of God. Abraham had such great faith that God stopped him and told him it was a test and that he had found that he had that great faith He was looking for.
Now for the next several generations we see many displays of faith. Isaac, by faith blessed Jacob and Esau, telling them things that were to come. This is a prime example of faith, relaying to your family things that have not even happened yet. Jacob then in turn, by using his faith, blessed the sons of Joseph. Joseph, by faith, prophesied the children's release from Israel and the story of his bones.
Moses also had several displays of faith in his family. Moses' mother had enough faith in God that she hid Moses for 3 months so that he would not be killed, because God had great things in store for him. Moses had enough faith to stand up and be known as the person he truly was and not the Pharaoh's child, as was believed. Moses then in turn had such great faith, after adulthood, to be able to perform the miracles that God had in store for him. By faith Moses believed in so much. Moses took down the Pharaoh army, he kept the Passover to protect the first born sons, he parted the Red sea and the walls of Jericho fell. You talk about someone that had to have much faith at all times throughout his whole life.
So many others are shown here to have displayed so much faith, Rahab, Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel and the prophets. All of these folks, it states, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, receive promises, stopped lions from killing them, lived in a furnace of fire, escaped being killed by a sword, were made strong in weak times, won battles, conquered armies, saw their family brought back to life from being dead, tortured and beaten and still received a better life, we laughed at, mocked, beaten, imprisoned, stoned, cut down, tempted, killed, afflicted, tormented and even lost in the desert and mountains, dens and caves. Through it all their faith brought them forward and made them shine in the eyes of God.
If we can take a moment to reflect on all these things that are mentioned, which are only a few, and see the many things that have accomplished, through faith. We can see that many great things, things we would never think possible, were done through faith. I bring this up only to show that no matter what the problem was, faith brought them out of it. I know that many folks have many things going on in their lives that they believe are impossible tasks, but I also truly believe that nothing could be as bad as having to live in a fire, having your first born killed by your own hands or even being tortured as a slave in Israel. All these things were overcome by faith and so can anything you have going on in your lives.
By faith we receive salvation. We must have a faith that God sent His only Son to die on a cross and rose from the dead that would could have life. If you have never looked at faith in this manner and would like to get to know your real saviour, then I take this time to offer you the beginning of some great faith. All you have to do is say this little prayer with me.
Say this simple prayer with me, Dear Lord, I want you to be the Lord over my life, forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.
If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
With Love in Christ,
Pastor Stone
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