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Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 10:35-11:1

Fundamental Faith

Intro.

1.  Heb. 11:1:  Now faith is the…

  a.  Substance of things hoped for (hupostasis):  “a setting or placing under; thing put under, substructure, foundation” (Rom. 8:24-25).

     - (“It is common in the papyri in business documents as the basis or guarantee of transactions,” Robertson’s NT Word Pictures.)

  b.  Evidence of things not seen (elegchos): “a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested; conviction” (Jno. 20:29-31; 1 Pet. 1:8-9).

2.  Faith saves, Rom. 5:1.

  a.  Our faith is tested daily, Jas. 1:2-3.

  b.  Enduring faith saves, Heb. 10:36-39. 

  c.  Such faith is accounted to us for righteousness, Rom. 4:3-8, 16; Jas. 2:14-24 (Heb. 11:17) (Faith like Abraham).

3.  Faith is so fundamental, yet often it is fundamentally misunderstood and misapplied.

I.  FOUNDATION OF FAITH IS THE WORD OF GOD (Rom. 1:16-17). 

  A.  The Word of Faith – Rom. 10:6-10.  Evidence

    1.  Divine testimony:  “For the Scripture says” (10:11); “As it is written” (10:15)…Isaiah says (10:16).

    2.  Faith comes by hearing God’s word, 10:17; cf. Jno. 8:47 (37-38).

    3.  God’s word must have first place in our lives (Jno. 8:37, 31-32):

      a.  How to be saved (HBRCB).

      b.  Moral living (Tit. 2:11-12).

      c.  The church (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23).

      d.  True worship (Jno. 4:24).

      e.  Pure doctrine (Gal. 1:6-9).

  B.  Foundation of Faith is Not…

    1.  Personal experiences, Phil. 3:3-7.

    2.  Your friends/parents, Jno. 1:45-46 (come & see for yourself).

    3.  The church, Eph. 3:21 (misunderstands what the church is).

    4.  Elders/preachers, Acts 20:30.

    5.  Man’s wisdom, 1 Cor. 2:4-5.

   -Foundation:  Hear & obey words of Jesus, Matt. 7:24-27.

II.  FOCUS OF FAITH IS GOD.  Heb. 11:6

  A.  Jesus Said without Faith in Him we Die in Sin, Jno. 8:23-24, 8:58.

    1.  Faith that Jesus is who He said He is, Jno. 14:7-11.

    2.  Faith that Jesus is where he said He would go, Jno. 14:1-6 (Acts 1:9-11; 2:32-33).

    3.  Faith that Jesus will do what He said He would do, Matt. 11:28-30; 28:19-20; Heb. 9:28.

    4.  Focused faith obeys Jesus for salvation, Heb. 5:8-9.

      a.  Cleanses hearts by faith, Acts 15:8-9 (Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:26-27).

      b.  When the sinner obeys Jesus, Acts 10:34-35, 47-48.

  B.  The Focus of Faith is Not…

    1.  Feelings, Prov. 14:12.  (Deceitfulness of sin, Heb. 3:12-13).

      -Many feel they are saved, even when Bible says they are not (Matt. 7:21-23); Acts 26:9 – Saul is an example for us to learn from.

    2.  Family, Lk. 18:28-30 (Matt. 10:34-39).

    3.  Funding, 2 Cor. 8:1-5.

    4.  Fun, food & frolic, 1 Cor. 11:22, 34.

    5.  Self, Lk. 9:23.

III.  FULLNESS OF FAITH DILIGENTLY ENDURES.

  A.  A Full Faith Works, 1 Ths. 1:3; Jno. 6:28-29 (Jas. 2:22); Heb. 13:21.

  B.  A Full Faith Remains Diligent & Patient, Heb. 6:9-20.

      -Endurance produces a genuine (approved) faith, 1 Pet. 1:7.

  C.  A Full Faith is Fully Assured, Heb. 10:22.

    1.  Boldness & access that relies (confidence) on Christ, Eph. 3:12.

    2.  Strengthened by God thru the fellowship of faith, Eph. 3:16-19.

IV.  FINALITY OF FAITH IS ETERNAL LIFE, 2 Tim. 4:7-8.

  A.  The Crown of Life, Jas. 1:12.

    1.  stephanos:  “the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games” (OBL).

    2.  Imperishable; the result of living with self-control, 1 Cor. 9:25.

  B.  Result of Being Faithful unto Death, Rev. 2:10; Matt. 10:21-22.

    1.  Yes, until you die; but here it is primarily “to the point of” dying for Christ (cf. context of tribulation; Antipas, 2:13).

    2.  Faith that strives against sin, Heb. 12:3-4.

    3.  Hold faith; don’t let anyone take your crown, Rev. 3:10-11.

Conclusion

   Heb. 10:39:  Believe unto the saving of the soul.