What is faith?

Bible Reference: Heb 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" Hebrews 11: 1
Faith is the basic ingredient to begin a relationship with God.
Faith is the assurance that the things revealed and promised in the Word are true, even though
unseen, and gives the believer a conviction that what he expects in faith, will come to pass.

Faith of our Fathers

We will consider four biblical personalities that are father of faith:
1. Abraham the father of faith
2. Abel was a father of faith in Worship
3. Enoch was a father of faith in Walking
4. Noah was a father of faith in Working

Abraham:
Romans 4:3 – Abraham believed in God, and it was credited to his account of righteousness
Rm 4:11 – How he was made father of faith.
Rm 4:19 – Abraham was not weak in faith even as he was almost a hundred years
Rm 4: 20 – Abraham never doubts God but grew strong
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Abel: Gen 4:4,7,16,
(i) According to Heb 11:4 – By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Can did.
(ii) By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gift even
though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.
(iii) Abel had the right attitude when it came to his sacrifice
(iv) He trusted God in his worship

Abel believed -> He offered a sacrifice that shows he was righteous.

Note: Fathers should not only sacrifice their families on the altars of careers and material
things but also sacrifice their selves to their family.

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Enoch: Cain gave birth to Enoch,Gen 5:21-24
 He pleased God by the way he drew near to God.
 After Enoch gave birth to methuselah (Gen 4:16-17; 5:22), Enoch walked with God for
300yrs & father other children.
 Enoch was walking with God while he was training up his children, he modeled his faith
such that the children could see it and learn from him
 He became a role model to his children in faith.
(i) By faith Enoch was taken away so he didn’t experience death
(ii) He was not found because God took him away
Bible (Heb 11: 6): Without faith, it is impossible to please God for the one who draws near to
Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him (Heb 11: 5-6)
Learning point:
(a) Fathers, how is your work in faith i.e faith-work?
 (b) Are you children seeing your work-in faith?
(c) Are you able to share with them how God is drawing near to you?
(d) Are you able to tell stories about how you are drawing close to God?
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Noah: Gen 5:28 – 30; 6: 5-10, 22
He was motivated by Godly fear (Heb 11:7)- By faith he condemned the world and became an
heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
(i) His mind was warned of God
(ii) His heart was moved with fear
(iii) His will acted on what God told him
(iv) His faith his whole family and they were saved
Family saw:
(a) His family his faith work
(b) They saw that he respected
(c) They saw that he listened to God
(d) They saw that he obeyed God