Message Date: May 22, 2022
Bible
- 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:1-6 NKJV
- 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
- This scripture does not give us what faith is, but what faith does.
- We need to understand thee words/phrases:
- Faith
- Substance
- Hoped for
- Faith
- Strong’s: persuasion
- Vine’s: firm persuasion, conviction based upon what you have heard
- Thayer’s: belief or what you believe
- Substance
- Strong’s: ὑπόστασις hypóstasis, hoop-os’-tas-is; from a compound of G5259 and G2476; a setting under (support)
- Thayer’s: a stetting or placing under, substructure, foundation.
- Legal: grounds
- “The Greek word translated substance literally means “a standing under,” and was used in the technical sense of “title deed.” The root idea is that of standing under the claim to the property to support its validity.” – Excerpt From NKJV, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible Thomas Nelson
- Pastor Will definition: basis
- Things hoped for
- Strong’s: ἐλπίζω elpízō, el-pid’-zo; from G1680; to expect
- Hope (noun and verb), hope (for) – Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
- Hope: favorable and confident expectation; has to do with the unseen and the future
- Belief is the basis for what you expect. If you want to know where your faith is at, what are you expecting?
- False expectations
- 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3 NKJV
- 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Romans 1:20 NKJV
- Universe: all time, all space, all matter
- Time: past, present, future
- Your past is always affecting your present and directing your future. You may only be able to see the present, but that doesn’t make the past or future unreal.
- Space: You can only see the space you’re exposed to. That doesn’t mean the space out there isn’t real.
- Matter: energy in motion producing phenomena. You only see the results of the unseen realities.
- A good testimony
- Abel
- 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. Hebrews 11:4 NKJV
- Grace is the foundation of faith like faith is the foundation of hope.
- Grace is the source; faith is the channel.
- 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:3-7 NKJV
- Abel: righteousness by faith
- Cain: righteousness by works
- Enoch
- 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 NKJV
- 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:23-24 NKJV
- Enoch pleased God because he walked with him. Relationship is the context of faith.
- 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:5-6 NKJV
- Diligently seek: to require
- Faith is primarily relational, not transactional. God wants you to walk with him.
- Abel
- False expectations
- 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV
- 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV