Rsbc
January 25, 2004
Sunday Night
Subject “ FAITH IS”
Text: Hebrews 11- 1-6
Intro: The concluding of his message in chapter ten is now shown in his belief in the doctrine of faith. He uses the word “NOW” to introduce the great stories of God’s people in action.
The word “NOW” is a attentive getting word. When you make a statement of fact, it is usely followed by the word now, because that sets the stage to prove what you have said.
This is exactly what he is doing in this chapter. My subject through out this chapter will be “FAITH IS” Faith being the noun, and is the verb. This means it is going to show how active God’s people were in faith.
The first verse is a defining one... It is the “substance” that which has actual existence, and “evidence” that by which a thing is proven or tested. Even though faith is not seen, does not mean that it is not real. This is were faith takes hold of Hope and spiritual reality.
Romans 8:24‑25 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? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].
Paul again..
2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
The truth of these introductory statements are seen in the whole of this great chapter in the lives of the people of God who were in one way or another demonstrating their God given faith.
The Elders stand out he says as having been reported as men of faith. vs 2
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I... “ FAITH IS.. AN ABSOLUTE TO UNDERSTANDING”..VS 3
The foundation and the ground by which these are reported to have faith, is in the “WORD OF GOD”. Through faith is the instrument by which their minds were illuminated, their hearts was given perception. The great change that faith has upon us is profound to say the least..
1st. It tell us what it is that they have this insight... “the framing of the world.
All the so called theories of modern thinkers concerning how the world came into being, denies the reality of faith taking hold of what God says concerning creation.
“Bernard Ramm” wrote a book called “ Christains View of Science & Scripture” In this book chapter one the very first words he wrote were these “ If we were to examine the faculty of a large medieval university we could be sure that practically to a man, the faculty would be composed of those who accepted without reservations the full inspiration of the Bible and it’s reliability in all matters pertaining to the universe”. If we were to visit a European university of a hundred years ago, the situation would be changed some what. You would fined materialist, atheist, but would fine some of the greatest men of arts, letters, and sciences, to be sincere devout believers who trusted all the Bible said on matters of the universe. If we were to go from office to office in a modern university today we would discover that considerably more than 90% of the faculty or either completely naturalist, materialistic in creed and nominal on religion. End of quote.
This was written 45 to 50 years ago imagine today.
I do not need to prove to you that the bible teaches that God created the heavens and the earth and all things in it... but I will establish it in our minds again lest we faint in our minds and question the reality of faith in what the Bible says...
Isaiah 40:25‑26 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these [things], that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that [he is] strong in power; not one faileth.
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Again read or listen to this:
Isaiah 41:19‑21 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, [and] the pine, and the box tree together: 20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.21 Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong [reasons], saith the King of Jacob.
In the first chapter of Genesis the Lord said after he created all things, he spoke and it was so, it was good, God saw that it was good. Call upon unbelievers present your case, your cause before God and see who looses.
II... FAITH IS... “ ABSOLUTE TO WORSHIP”..VS 4
Worship, as seen here in this verse a must. Jesus said to the woman at the well these words that hold up today in this service. John 4:23‑24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.
Abel’s sacrifice was a lamb, it was blood that brought man back to God, the way to the Lord has always been by sacrifice since the fall. Abel offered of the ground that which he produced and God rejected him and the offering but accepted Abel’s..
Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
The Lord is interested in what we think in worship, what we do in worship, how we act in worship... this is not a play time, this is a serious time and must do it in faith.
When Abraham went “worship” he went to sacrifice” Genesis 22:5
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When Joshua was near Jericho he saw a man over against the wall with a drawn sword and fell to the earth and worshiped him, which was the LORD..Josh 5-14
Paul in defending the truth before Felix said these words concerning worship ...Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
What is acceptable to the LORD in worship? Let the Bible answer that: Hebrews 13:15‑16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
III..FAITH IS ..“ABSOLUTE PLEASING THE LORD ”..VS 5-6
What a testimony to this man. He did not die he was translated. No I am not saying that if we please GOD we want die.. But what I am saying is that faith is a necessity to pleasing the LORD.
1st He pleased God by walking with God... Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he [was] not; for God took him.
What this is talking about is “fellowship and communion with God”... John wrote of it... 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
2nd. Walking with God means that we say the same thing God says... Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
The primary meaning of this verse is that no one can walk with God unless they are in agreement with God. This is even true in our relationships in life in church in business we must have that common agreement.
3rd. Walking with God means coming to God:..vs 6
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Two things about this!
(1.) Must believe in the Lord to walk with him...
John 12:36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Peter said:
1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
(2.) Must seek the Lord in order to please him:
Isaiah 55:5‑7 Behold, thou shalt call a nation [that] thou knowest not, and nations [that] knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
In order for you to seek the Lord you must have a conviction from the LORD, through the Holy Spirit... and his word. In order for you to seek the Lord you must be made alive by the Holy Spirit, In order for you to seek the Lord and walk with him you must actively do this...
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.