RADICAL FAITH: What is faith? (Hebrews 11:1-3) - April 19, 2020
INTRODUCTION
Radical Love is the highest of all human qualities. The Apostle Paul says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV. If we don’t have love, we don’t have anything. While faith and hope may not be as great as love, they are still essential for Christians living in the world. Radical Hope is the culmination of suffering, perseverance, and character. Hope does not disappoint with its ability to get us to the next day, hour, or minute. What is Radical Faith though?
For the next several weeks we are going to look at faith through the lens
of Hebrews Chapter 11.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do
not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand
that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made
out of what was visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV
Quote of the series- “Seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing.” Judy,
the elf, from The Santa Clause
Other worthy quotes
“Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that
are not at hand.” - Thomas Aquinas
“God, our Father, has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has
faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing.”
- Martin Luther
“During the terrible days of the Blitz, a father, holding his small son by
the hand, ran from a building that had been struck by a bomb. In the front yard
was a shell hole. Seeking shelter as quickly as possible, the father jumped into
the hole and held up his arms for his son to follow.
Terrified, yet hearing his father’s voice telling him to jump, the boy
replied, “I can’t see you!”
The father, looking up against the sky tinted red by the burning buildings,
called to the silhouette of his son, “But I can see you. Jump!”
The boy jumped, because he trusted his father. The Christian faith enables
us to face life or meet death, not because we can see, but with the certainty
that we are seen; not that we know all the answers, but that we are known.” -
Donner Atwood.
I. FAITH AND THE UNKNOWN
“The steps of faith fall on the seeming void and find the rock beneath.” -
Whittier
A. Confidence in what we hope for
B. Assurance of what we do not see
II. FAITH AND OUR HERITAGE
“Faith doe not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for
God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.” -
George Muller
A. Biblical characters of faith
1. Noah - built a boat while never seeing rain
2. Sarah - trusted God even after long disappointment
3. Rahab - helped God’s people without knowing them or their God
4. Moses - obeyed God and kept the Passover
B. Restoration Movement characters of faith
1. Barton W. Stone
2. Alexander Campbell
3. Raccoon John Smith
C. Our personal heritage of faith
1. My grandmother, Ila Mae Lackie - taught the Word for longer than I have
lived
2. My mother, Patty Lackie - demonstrated faith to her family
3. My dad, Aubrie Lackie - showed the difference a decision makes
3. My wife, Paula Lackie - left her own people to follow God’s plan
III. FAITH AND OUR BELIEFS
“Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand
that you might believe, but believe that you might understand.” -
Augustine
A. The creation of the universe
1. “the universe was formed at God’s command” - Hebrews 11:3
2. “In the beginning, God created . . .” - Genesis 1:1
B. The truth of Scripture
1. It is a matter of faith.
“When I disagree with something in God’s Word, I just assume that I’m
wrong.” - Francis Chan speaking in the Philippines
CHALLENGE
Make a list of 3 specific instances that are difficult for you to trust God
(COVID-19 recovery, salvation of someone, finances, etc). Pick one of them. Make
another list of 2 actions that would demonstrate that you did trust God in that
area. Pick one of them. Do that one thing. That is faith.
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