Faith, the substance of things hoped for…
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
“Substance”…a setting under for support. And surely our faith supports us in all our times of trials, prosperity, and long nights of illness or pain. Faith gives us the confidence that God knows….we may not “feel” Him….the circumstances may almost seem to cover His Presence….but faith will make Him clear to us.
If we have this substance that is faith,….we will also evidence it. Our lives will prove it.
Hebrews 11:1 (ASV) “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Assurance has to do with quieting our hearts….it soothes our minds….and it braces our wills, to do His Will.
This assurance will give us real convictions from the Holy Spirit that are ours…personally.
No possessor of the faith once delivered to the saints, will be long in the Way of God, before we have these convictions.
(Convictions used to be a common term….though I have not heard it much lately. It means that the Holy Spirit gives us knowledge of those things which will harm us. It may seem a big thing or a small thing….but if the Holy Spirit, through His Word, tells you that it is wrong for you….it is.
1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist steadfast in the faith….”)
Faith acts as our eyes….it gives us sight of God in this situation.
Faith acts as our senses, as we travel through this dangerous world.
It gives us understanding for what we hear…and what people are really saying.
It gives us a taste for the things of God, a love to feast and fellowship with Christ Jesus.
It gives us discernment…a smell for what is good and what is “rotten”.
Faith will command us….or will leave us to “feelings” and “reasons”….till we realize our lack, and yield to His Word to us.
For faith and hope are always linked together. They make it plain that God will do what He has said.
Faith has been given unto us to show us the promises and precepts of God for ourselves.
2 Peter 1:1,4 “…to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Every promise God gives us is intended to be fulfilled….but a promise is only a promise until we obtain it…have it. Are we seeking to have them fulfilled by faith?
(there are some promises I have prayed for for years….still am, because I know that God in His time will complete them. I have “mercy-drops”…but not the showers of blessing yet.
There are some promises I must seek the means to receive….like the lepers going to the priest as Jesus said…even when they were not healed yet. They were healed, as they went! One saw the healing and came, fell on his face, and praised Jesus….and Jesus said, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole”(spiritual and physically healing)…our God is so great! Luke 17:12-19
And there are some promises that I have had fulfilled,…Praise God. He brought them to pass! He is faithful to His Word!)
2 Peter 1:5-7 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith…(that means we have it, and are to use it, to get these next blessings)…
….Virtue…which is literally force….the force and strength of the Holy Spirit in our spirit to strengthen us to step forth into our place in this world.
….Knowledge…as we rely on the Holy Spirit’s courage and strength, we will acquire knowledge of His power and ability to do….and to do through us. He has promised Victory through faith, 1 John 5:4…stay after it, till you have it.
….Temperance…the ability to use from this world only what we need, without grasping it for ourselves.
….Patience…the ability to wait on God….and wait for others.
(How easy it is for us to become “frustrated” with the “slowness” of others. After all, we know…shouldn’t they? But as Paul wrote to the Romans about those gentiles and jews which, though Christians, were not as builded up in the faith as others.
Romans 14:3-4 “Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own Master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”
God is our Master….He will lead us on into more truth, if we will follow Him. So He will with with others, though we may certainly pray for them…and give them the truth.)
….godliness, brotherly kindness, charity (love)….as we use our faith, and the grace by the Holy Spirit to gain these blessings within our character and lives, we will be like Him showing love to our brothers and sisters in Christ….and to others in the world.
Love wasn’t placed in our hearts to stay….love isn’t love till you give it away. Love to God first and foremost….then to the household of faith….then love which tells of Jesus, out into the world.
Faith is the active principle within us that guides our hearts and minds and wills to God….like a magnet drawn to metal….we will be drawn toward God’s Word and Will….and evidence HIs faith and grace to others.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 