God’s Way - (Faith)

Scripture Text Heb. 11:1

Intro: God tells in His word about the ways by which He works. One of those ways by which God works is the way of faith. Faith in God’s eyes is the way of righteousness, “the just shall live by faith.”  (Hebrews 10:38) The bible gives us God’s definition of faith.

I. God’s definition of faith.  (Hebrews 11:1)

Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

a. The dictionary says that Faith is “confidence or trust in a person or thing.” But biblical faith is more than that. The word "substance” means the foundation, assurance, title-deed, and guarantee of things hoped for. The word "evidence" means proof or confirmation of the things hoped for that is not seen with physical eyes.

b. The person who holds the title-deed to property actually possesses the property. It is his already. Certainly from God's perspective, we already possess His promises; He has already seated us in heavenly places, and we already possess eternal life. It is not that we are going to possess it; we already possess it. We are convinced that we have what God says even if we don’t see it in the physical realm. Faith in God’s word supersedes all worry, doubt, and fear.

II. We are made righteous by faith.  Romans 4:1-3 (NLT) ¹ Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? ² If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. ³ For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

 a. No amount of good works will make anyone righteous in God’s eyes. If works could make us right we would have something to boast about before God. We are made right with God when we by faith believe His word just as Abraham believed God and then God counted him as righteous. When we believe God’s word concerning His Son Jesus and we ask Him to forgive our sins we are made right with God and we have peace with God.

III. Abraham our example of faith. Romans 4:15-25 (NLT) ¹⁵ For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) ¹⁶ So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. ¹⁷ That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. ¹⁸ Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” ¹⁹ And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. ²⁰ Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. ²¹ He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. ²² And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. ²³ And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded
²⁴ for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

 a. Even the good works of Abraham trying to keep God’s commandments were nothing in God’s sight because none can perfectly keep them.  What made Abraham righteous in God’s eyes was when he believed what God had told him. Abraham’s faith in God expressed his obedience even though he couldn’t yet see it with his eyes. His faith and trust in God’s word was credited as righteousness and he was considered worthy by God.

b. Abraham was often confronted with situations that seemed cruel. He was promised a son when from a human standpoint his body was considered “as good as dead.”

     Yet he did not waver or weaken through unbelief regarding the promise of God. (vs:19-20)

 IV. We are to live by faith.  Hebrews 10:38 (NLT) ³⁸ And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” Since we are saved by faith, we also live by faith and not by what we see with physical eyes.

a. Faith is the only thing that will please God. Living by faith will affect every part of our lives, from our families, to our workplaces, and to our involvement in church, to our prayers being answered and to our relationship with God. The secret of closeness to the Lord is with those who have put their total trust in Him. Only those who live by faith in God’s promises enjoy a close growing relationship with Him that others do not have because “without faith it’s impossible to please God.” (Heb. 11:6)

Conclusion: Abraham’s faith speaks for all who want to know God’s way of faith. Abraham lived by a simple truth: if you trust in what God says at all times regardless of the situation you are the one whom God will teach His ways and all things will be possible to you. Mark 9:23 (NKJV)  Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."      

      Invitation: Without faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior you can never see the kingdom of God or enter therein. If you have never confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive and save you, now is the day of salvation for you if you exercise faith in Him alone for your salvation. If Jesus is your Savior and Lord, are you living a life of growing faith in God? That’s His way! It’s the only way that is acceptable to God.