The Evidence of Your Faith
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19
In this sermon we will be using the word of God to define faith as well as using the example of Abraham’s faith to challenge ourselves regarding the evidence of the faith we claim to live by on a daily basis.
Definition of Faith:
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Substance – Being, something existing by itself; essential part ; main or material part; something real not imaginary. [American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828]
Evidence– That which enables the mind to see truth’ proof arising from our own perceptions by the senses or testimony of others. [American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828]
The Example of Abraham’s Faith:
Substance – the word of God (verse 8) Evidence – Looking for a city (verses 9-10)
Substance – what he had seen God do (verse 19) Evidence – Offering up Isaac (verse 17)
Note that it starts with the word of God, then ends up with what God has done in his life, this is growth of living by faith.
Those affected by Abraham’s Faith (verses 13-16):
1) Died in Faith
- To die in faith you must first be in the faith. For us today in the church age our faith is totally in the finished work of Jesus Christ that is the only way for us to make it to heaven (Romans 10:9-10 ; Ephesians 2:8-9)
2) Persuaded by the promises of God
- We must ask ourselves are we persuaded by the promises found in the word of God. If so where is the evidence? (Acts 26:28 ; Romans 4:21)
3) Embraced the promises of God
- Example of Epaphroditus and house of Stephanas (Philippians 2:25-30 ; 1 Corinthians 16:15)
4) Confessed they did not belong here by the promises of God
- They did not look back, they kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7)
- Is there any evidence of your faith?