Hebrews 11 - The Definition of Faith:
 "Now faith is the assurance of things
hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 (NAS)
This definition of faith helps us to further understand this concept of
faith.
Let's look at an example from 1 Thessalonians
4:16-18:
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise
first.
17
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we
shall always be with the Lord.
18
Therefore comfort one
another with these words." 1Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NAS)
Let's look at the steps in
having faith in the promises of 1 Thessalonians
4:16-18:
|
By Faith:
Faith is the assurance of things
hoped for...
the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews
11:1 |
| 1. What is the
thing hoped for...or is not seen? |
What Are the Things Hoped For:
When
Jesus comes again:
-
The
"dead in Christ"
shall be raised from the dead (verse
16);
-
That those that are in Christ who are
still living will go with those who are
raised from the dead to meet Jesus in
the air (verse 17); and
-
Thereafter, those that are in Christ
will always be with the Lord (verse 17).
|
| 2. What is
man's
part, if any? |
I
must be "in Christ." |
| 3. What is
God's part? |
The
Lord will descend from heaven and raise
people from the dead. The Lord will
take those who are "in Christ" up from the
earth to meet Him in the air. He shall be
with them always from that time forward. |
| 4. How do I
have this assurance and conviction in what
is hoped for...or what is not seen? |
-
Understand the thing hoped
for...or the thing not seen.
-
Hear God's word (Faith comes
by hearing...and hearing by the word of
Christ. Romans 10:17) to
understand God's power and faithfulness
to His promises.
-
Do your part, if any.
-
Trust God that He has done what
He has said...and/or that He will do
what He promises.
-
Pray that God will help increase
your belief and faith (Luke 17:5, Mark
9:23-24) and give you wisdom (James 1:5).
|
Question:
According to Hebrews 11:1, when we have faith...we have __________ that God
will perform the promises that we hope for. (fill in the blank)
|
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Now
faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain
of what we do not see. (NIV)
Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. (NKJ)
Now
faith is assurance of (things) hoped for, a
conviction of things not seen. (ASV)
Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. (KJV)