Faith: What It Is and What It Does!
Hebrews 11:1
I. Introduction
A. An Important Word in the Bible
1. Ephesians 2:8–9: We are saved by faith in Christ
2. Romans 5:1: We are justified by faith in Christ
B. Faith Defined
1. The assurance of things hoped for
2. The conviction of their reality
3. Believing God to the point of action
4. Humanity’s favorable response to God’s revelation
C. How Faith Affects our Lives
II. Body
A. Faith Made Abel Worship God (v. 4)
1. We do not know many details of Abel’s faith
a. We do not know just how much was revealed to him
b. Remember that Adam walked with God
2. We do know that his faith caused him to worship God
a. Picked the choicest lamb as an offering
b. Brought it to the place of sacrifice
3. Something wrong with the life that does not worship
4. “Can’t I be saved and stay away from church?”
a. Something wrong with that faith experience
b. Faith looks for opportunity to worship
B. Faith Made Enoch Walk with God (vv. 4–6)
1. He walked with God (Gen. 5:22–24)
2. How our walk will be changed if we trust in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17)
3. He pleased God. Can that be said of your life?
a. Is God pleased with the places you choose for recreation?
b. Is God pleased with the books you read?
c. Is God pleased with the words that you speak?
d. Is God pleased with the plans you have for the future?
4. His walk of faith delivered him from death
C. Faith made Noah Work for God (v. 7)
1. The tragic story of the decline of humanity into sin (Gen. 6)
2. Grace triumphs: God will save Noah (v. 8)
3. But if God will save, there must be real faith that produces works
a. Noah will build an ark because he believes God
b. Every swing of the hammer says, “Faith”
c. Every swing of the axe says, “Faith”
d. Every felled tree says, “Faith”
e. Every move of the brush as he applies the pitch says, “Faith”
4. So faith will make us work today
a. Caring, sharing, witnessing
b. Fishing for men
III. Conclusion
A. Has Faith Begun in your Life?
B. What has faith Changed in your Life?
C. Where are Faith’s Evidences in your Life?
Roger F. Campbell, Preach for a Year (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1988-). 111-12.
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