Now faith is the substance!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1

What is faith?
A. The Bible gives its own definition of faith.
Hebrews 11:1
B. Scripture says that believing God is the greatest thing we can do.
John 6:28-29 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
(Even Jesus marveled at the centurion's faith) Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
C. There is a difference, however, between having faith & believing. "Read this two times"
1. The faith God requires is more than a factual knowledge of His Person.
Even the demons know who Jesus was.
Mark 1:24 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
2. There must be an outworking of that inner conviction. Faith is perfeted
(Completed, matured) in works. James 2:18.Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
D. Unbelief is sin.
John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
II. Every individual has been given a measure of faith
(Rom 12:3), For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
A. But faith grows.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
B. Faith must be tried, to be proven true.
Psalms 18:30, As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.Psalms 105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
James 1:3, 4 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
1 Peter 1:6, 7 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

C. It can be disturbed (overthrown) & lost through useless disputations, false
doctrine, and "vain babblings."
2 Timothy 2:16-18 / 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
III. How is faith increased?
A. Worship.
Romans 4:16-21 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
B. The Word of God.

1. The spoken ("rhema") word.
John 4:39-42; 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.41 And many more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
John 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. The written Word.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
C. Prayer.
Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
D. Miracles (signs & wonders).
Exodus 4:30-31 30 And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. 31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
Acts 9:42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
John 2:23; Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
John 7:31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
John 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
E. Fulfillment of prophecy.
John 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

IV. We need not strive for faith. It is given to us freely by God.
Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
A. "Faith cometh."
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
B. It is a gift (unearned).
John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
I Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
C. "Your faith groweth." (It is a fruit of the Spirit--not a work of the flesh.)
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
D. Its Author & Source is God, not our will.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
V. Faith is one of six of the most basic & fundamental doctrines of the New Testament.
Hebrews 6:1, 2 Therefore leaving the (six) principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Should already live and know?)
http://keepinminddavedill.blogspot.com/2006/12/six-principles-or-oracles-of-god-is_10.html
A. Without faith there can be no salvation.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Romans 5:1-2 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

B. Without faith we cannot stand victoriously in spiritual warfare against the enemy.
Ephesians 6:16 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.1 Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
C. Without faith we cannot worship God.
Hebrews 3:1919So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 11:7 7 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.
D. Without faith we cannot know the blessings of answered prayer.
Mark 11:22-24 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
James 1:6-7 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
E. Without faith, we cannot even profit from the Word of God.
Hebrews 4:22 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
F. Without faith, God's promise of healing is made void to us.
Matthew 8:13 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Matthew 9:28-30 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
Luke 17:19 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Acts 3:16 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Acts14:9 9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
James 5:14-16 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
G. Without faith, we cannot minister deliverance.
Matthew 17:19-20 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
H. Without faith, we cannot enter into God's rest.
Hebrews 3:18 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
Hebrews 4:2-3 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
I. Without faith, we cannot inherit the many promises of God.
Hebrews 6:12 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews11:33 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
J. Without fiath, we cannot operate in the gifts of the Spirit.
Romans 12:6 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
K. Without a consistent life of faith, we cannot know the joy of our salvation.
Romans 15:13 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 16:34 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
1 Peter 1:8 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
L. "Without faith, it is impossible to please Him."
Hebrews 11:6 6 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.
VI. The world says that seeing is believing. But Jesus said, "Blessed are they which have not
seen, and yet believe." For "faith is ... the evidence of things not seen."
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Dillard Munsell Bible study Wed. 6:30 dillmunsell@yahoo.com