“Faith is the substance of things hoped for” Hebrews 11:1
INTRODUCTION
1. Faith has two main aspects
a) The Objective part
i) The content
ii) The contour
iii) The context
b) The Subjective part
i) Personalised
ii) Internalised
2. It is always a blend of both part
a) The objective helps us to understand what true faith is
b) The subjective helps us to apply what we know to be true
A WORKING DEFINITION OF FAITH
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
1. Faith involves “substance”
a) The word “substance” is “standing”
b) It is standing
i) Upon something
ii) For something
2. Faith is based upon Hope
a) Something hoped for
b) Something we believe in
c) Something we build upon
3. Faith is Evident in life
a) Proven
b) Certain
c) Concrete
MEN OF FAITH LISTED
1. Abel’s Faith in God
a) He believed in God
b) He worshipped Him
c) He expressed his Faith in his gift
2. Enoch’s Faith in God
a) He walked with God
b) He walked with God faithfully
c) He walked with God to the end of his life
3. Noah’s Faith in God
a) He listened and heeded the word of God
b) He was moved with godly fear
c) He saved his family from death
4. Abraham’s Faith in God
a) He obeyed the Lord
b) He left all to follow the Lord
c) His Faith was outstanding
d) He is hailed as the father of faith
LESSONS FROM THESE PEOPLE OF FAITH
1. Faith and Giving
a) Abel sought to worship God
b) He worshipped God with the best of what he could give
c) Does our Faith in God move us to give?
2. Faith and Walking with God
a) Enoch’s Faith caused him to desire to walk with God
b) He walked with God consistently
c) He walked with God till he was taken from the earth
3. Faith and godly Fear
a) Noah’s Faith caused him to listen to God
b) He listened and he was moved with godly fear
c) He saved his children from a watery grave
4. Faith and Obedience to God
a) Abraham’s Faith caused him to obey the Lord
b) He was prepared to leave everything and to follow God’s leading
c) His faith did not waver but became stronger over the years
THE CHALLENGE TO LIVE BY FAITH
1. Each life of Faith is different from another
2. The challenge is to ask ourselves how we may live by Faith
3. We must want to Live by Faith
a) Sincerely
b) Determinedly
c) Prayerfully
CONCLUSION
1. A successful life of Faith is possible
2. It just requires much from the individual
3. God would not fail to do His part in helping us