Good morning,
This week we will study the characteristics of faith.
Each person, lost or saved, lives by faith. Faith in what is the question.
We will look at faith through the lens of the Bible.
Characteristics of Faith
Hebrews 11
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Definition of FAITH
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb 11:1)
Source document for faith:
Word of God
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)
PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAITH:
1) OFFERED TO GOD
Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)
Abraham offers tithes to Melchizedek
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Heb 7:1-3)
2) SEEK GOD
Enoch pleased God
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5)
God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Get to know God better. What are some characteristics of God?
3) FEAR GOD
Noah moved with fear
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
Noah’s fear moved him to prepare the ark. Eight saved/world repopulated
4) OBEY GOD
Abraham obeyed and went, not knowing where he was going
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (Hebrews 11:8)
Abraham sojourned in strange country
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: (Hebrews 11:9)
Abraham looked for city
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:10)
Sarah judged God faithful to keep his promise
Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. (Hebrew 11:11)
5) DESIRED GOD’S COUNTRY
The faithful desire a better country
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16)
Heavenly, God prepared for them a city
Pilgrim’s Progress
6) SUFFER FOR GOD
Moses choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (Hebrews 11:23-29)
Of whom the world was not worthy
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;38 (Of whom the world was not worthy🙂 they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:36-38)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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