Hebrews 11

1. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen.
2. For by this the people of old received their commendation.

Faith is the “substance”

• Greek: hupostasis = underlying reality
• Heb 1:3 “the Son is the exact representation of God’s hupostasis (underlying reality)”
• The underlying reality is the invisible eternal kingdom of God
• Living faithfully brings the kingdom into this world

Faith is the “proof” or “conviction” of things not seen.

• Faith is the proof or conviction that:
  • if we are faithful in the events of the present,
  • God will be faithful in looking after the events of the future, the events that have not yet happened.

Genesis 5

23. So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. ²⁴Enoch walked with God;
    then he was not there because God took him.

Hebrews 11

5. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him.
   Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
6. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him

The curse of our self-centred culture

• Reduces faith to name it and claim it
• If we don’t get more of what this world has to offer, we think our faith has failed us.

Faith: continual sowing into God’s purposes

• to raise our children a different way and with different values than those around us.
• to conduct our financial affairs differently
• to walk faithfully in the marriage covenant
• to walk in integrity, to be people who do not walk out on one another.
• to be men and women of honour whose word is their bond, and who remain faithful to it even at their cost.
• to suffer, even die, and in the midst to remain faithful is the highest victory of faith than can be won
• Like a farmer sowing seed, faith does not require instant results. It perseveres, without wavering, days, years or decades.

Hebrews 12

1. Therefore... let us lay aside every hindrance... And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

Faith makes ordinary people extraordinary

• Faith takes spiritual pygmies and turns them into giants.
• Transforms ordinary folk into people who change the world.
• Exercising faith is not an option.
• It doesn’t matter how or where we begin, but it does matter that we begin.
• Small steps now will turn into mighty strides later.
• Every one of us was born to make a difference.
• The only way we can do it is by faith.