Series: The Importance of…
The Importance of Faith
INTRO: Continuing with the series about things that are important. We have looked at love and truth. Today we look at FAITH. I know it is lengthy, but I want to take time and read from the “Faith Chapter” of the Bible, Hebrews 11. This is a beautiful chapter.
Hebrews 11:1(KJV) 1Now faith
is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3Through 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.
4By 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.
5By 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.
6But 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.
7By 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.
8By 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.
9By 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:
10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and
maker is God.
11Through faith also Sarah 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.
12Therefore 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.
13These 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.
14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a
country.
15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from
whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16But 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.
17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that
had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even
from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of
Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of
the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23By 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.
24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called
the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than
to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures
in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for
he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood,
lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land:
which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed
about seven days.
31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed
not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32And 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:
33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34Quenched 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.
35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection:
36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37They 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.
39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,
received not the promise:
40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect.
Before we get into the lesson
What is faith? – vs. 1
1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen.
Brother Hulon preached years ago and I still recall his acronym for faith:
Forsaking All I Trust Him
Faith is not about our strength or character, but about our believing in Him
I like what the NLT says here…
1Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
I have two main points today. First, Faith is important to God, and second, Faith is important to our family.
When we glance at this chapter, we can understand that…
Faith is important to God
231 times in the Bible (2 in OT and 229 in NT)
Then it should be important to us
We need faith to please God - 6
6But 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.
We need to live by faith
Hebrews 10:38(KJV) 38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Faith helps keeps us from sin
Romans
14:22-23(NKJV) 22Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before
God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does
not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Faith is part of salvation
Ephesians
2:8-10(NKJV) 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and
that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Faith is a changing part of life
We believe in Him
We follow Him
Proverbs
3:5-6(KJV) 5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not
unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
We trust Him to be and do what He said
Mark 11:24(NKJV) 24Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Do we need more faith?
Dare I say YES?
James
1:2-6(NKJV) 2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into
various trials,
3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all
liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is
like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Can we have more faith?
Romans 10:17(NKJV) 17So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
God’s Word brings faith
We need to hear God’s Word
Preaching?
Teaching?
Reading?
Using?
Lest we forget…
Faith is important to our family
God tells the story here in Hebrews about family and their faith.
Abraham believed God
Abraham trusted God
Abraham’s family believed God
Abraham’s family trusted God
Moses’ family believed God
Moses’ family trusted God
Moses believed God
Moses trusted God
Etc.
That is what faith is about when it comes to our families… exercising our faith that their faith TOO will grow!
What about your family and their faith?
Think before you answer this…
What story do you want your faith to tell your family?
Does it really matter how your family perceives your faith?
I think you know the answer to this question…
What story does your faith tell your family?
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 022810am