- Faith is confidence in God that leads to obedience to God.
- True faith is based on what God says and is demonstrated in what we do.
- People with faith do things for God, and God does things for them.
- Faith is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is for common people and not just great leaders.
- We need faith for worshiping (v. 4) as well as for working (v. 7), walking (vv. 8–9), waiting (vv. 10–12), and warring (vv. 30–34). In any area of life where you ignore faith, you will sin (Rom. 14:23).
The Message
Hebrews 11:1-6 NIV 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
- Psalms 33:6, 9 NIV 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 9 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
- Psalms 19:1-4 NIV The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
- Genesis 4:3-4 NIV In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
- Genesis 5:24 NIV Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
- He had walked so far with God that God said you might as well come and stay at my house…
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
- Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Psalms 9:10 NIV Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
- Psalms 34:5 NIV Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.