As you carefully read this 11th chapter of Hebrews you will discover that it is about people who overcame difficulties through their trust in the LORD.
The pathway of faith is one of suffering. I remember when this "awakening" began in my own walk with the LORD. Somewhere over 20 years after I asked the LORD to come into my heart, as I listened to God's men and women share, something struck me. All of those who had an "anointing" on them were people who experienced great pain, sorrow or loss. It wasn't that they talked about it. I discovered it quietly more times than not.
We see this morning that this Hall of Faith contains people who endured and overcame.
Faith-
1. What It Is. -v.1
Faith is being sure of what we hope for.
Prior to this section on faith, the LORD had been speaking about Hope. Faith is firming up hope. For example the LORD told Abraham that he and Sarah would have a baby. Abraham hoped for that day. He was enable by God to become a father because he believed that God would do what He said. (v.11)
It is faith that keeps our hope firm in that Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for us. People who not believe throw doubts our way, sometimes we struggle inwardly with doubts but through faith we overcome them.
Faith is being certain of what we do not see.
Faith is not sight. We walk by faith not by sight. We believe God's Word. We believe God is with us. Like Abraham, the father of the faithful, we believe God will do what He says. Belief in God and His Word is faith. The LORD is faithful to all His Promises.
which is explained in verse three...
2. What Is Is In- v.3
Faith cannot truly exist apart from God.
This verse takes us all the way back to the beginning. Genesis 1.1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
God spoke the worlds into existence. I cannot intellectually wrap my puny mind around that fact- it is beyond my limited understanding. David in Psalm 139 spoke of God's mind in creating him and said in verse six such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Faith overcomes the challenge of truth to my intellect. My faith in God and in His Word enables me to understand that God spoke in creation and things existed at His command. Read Genesis 1 Let there be light... and it was so and there was evening and morning the first day... and on.
In Matthew 8.5-13 we see the faith of the Roman Centurion. He understood Hebrews 11.3 before it was written. "Just say the word..."
God speaks. It happens. Creation, Abraham and Sarah (Hannah, Mary)
The essence of faith...
3. What It Is For - v.6
believe He exists- Faith is first in God- believing- He exists. Faith in God's existence from everlasting to everlasting, from Genesis to Revelation, faith in Who He is.
And He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Here is the struggle- the belief and the journey. Faith is not freedom from obstacles but God giving us the ability to overcome them.
Let's take Joseph v.21 Joseph's sons- Genesis 41.46, 50-52 Joseph had experienced great suffering after those dreams God gave him. Unbelievable almost what Joseph went through- yet he had faith. He was sure of what He hoped for and certain He did not see- which is why when Mrs. Potiphar tried to seduce him- he said this in Genesis 39.6-10. He overcame by faith in what God had said. The patience of hope. Faith tested personal experience to help others.
The essence of faith
Have faith in God
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