01 NOW FAITH IS

SIMULCAST
I. Introduction
A. General Introduction
Hello Mannahouse! I want to take just a moment and thank you for being with us today – wherever you
are listening from … we’re all together today as one church studying the Word together from our
campuses all over – from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, WA.
I also am very aware that many of you are worshipping with us online from your home, on the road
because you’re traveling, or at work in the break room. I want you to know, you are loved and we’re so
grateful that you’re here today!
Today is the beginning of our Fall Season:
 February-April – Spring Season 1 (BE WITH)
 June-July – Summer Season 2 (BECOME LIKE)
 September-November – Fall Season 3 (DO THE THINGS HE DID)
This simply means that:
 We are starting a new Season of Groups – in every lobby (GROUP IS LIFE)
 We’re shifting the emphasis of our preaching.
We’re titling the series of talks: SLIDE THE MOTION OF FAITH.
CENTRAL QUESTION: SLIDE What does a life of faith look like?
The foundation of our study in the Word will be based out of Hebrews 11. You may be familiar with
Hebrews 11 – it’s one of the pinnacle chapters of the Bible:
 Jewish Christians were undergoing fierce persecution, socially and physically, both from Jews
and from Romans.
 Under pressure, these new believers were evaluating Jesus … their faith was at risk of
deconstruction – the validity of Christ’s claims and the teaching of the church’s leaders were
being questioned.
 Christ had obviously not returned, and the new Christians needed to be reassured that
Christianity was true and that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
 The message of Hebrews is written to answer those doubts. It reminds the Christians that Jesus
is superior and completely sufficient for salvation.
- Their original faith (Judaism) and newfound faith in Christ (Christianity) were both of God.
- The old covenant contained Christ CONCEALED while the new covenant is Christ REVEALED.
- From chapters 1-10, you find this revealed Christ, superior to angels, to their leaders, to the
priests, surpasses Judaism and the old covenant because it is a better covenant, and
sanctuary is a better sanctuary, and the sacrifice was more sufficient for forgiveness of sins.
- Once a solid foundation of Christ’s superiority has been laid, the author moves on to build a
framework for the practical implications of following Christ. They are exhorted to hold on to
their faith, encourage each other, and look forward to Christ’s return. They are warned
about the consequences of rejecting Christ’s sacrifice and reminded of the rewards of
remaining faithful in the motion of faith.

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  If they were to life as a re-presentation of Christ on earth, they needed a pattern or a model to
live by. Chapter 11 lists men and women of God through the ages and helps followers of Christ
live out their calling on earth by linking arms with those who have gone before us.
Hebrews is a must-read manual for those of us who want to do the things Jesus did. What does faith
look like when it’s in motion? I want to lay that foundation out today as we move into the Fall Season
together.
B. Key Text: Turn to Hebrews 11
SLIDE Hebrews 11:1-3, 6 ESV “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction [evidence]
of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that
the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are
visible … 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.”
Three things we’ll look at in these verses today:
 Faith Defined
 Faith Commended
 Faith Lived Out
Taking notes? Write this title down: NOW FAITH IS. PRAY
Do you remember how you felt when you were very young, and your birthday was coming close? Excited?
Anxious? Wonder? You hoped for something! Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation – so does faith.

II. SLIDE Faith Defined

SLIDE Hebrews 11:1 ESV “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction [evidence] of things
not seen.”
1. The word translated “substance” or “assurance” occurs in Hebrews 3:14; 2 Corinthians 9:4; 2
Corinthians 11:17, and is translated “confidence.”
5287 hypóstasis(from 5259 /hypó, "under" and 2476 /hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, (to
possess) standing under a guaranteed agreement ("title-deed"); (figuratively) "title" to a promise or
property, i.e. a legitimate claim (because it literally is, "under a legal-standing") – entitling someone to
what is guaranteed under the particular agreement.
For the believer, 5287 /hypóstasis ("title of possession") is the Lord's guarantee to fulfill the faith He
inbirths (cf. Heb 11:1 with Heb 11:6). Indeed we are only entitled to what God grants faith for (Ro
14:23).
2. The word translated “conviction” or “evidence” is from a verb which signifies “to convince.”
Cognate: 1650 élegxos (a masculine noun) – inner conviction focuses on God confirming His inbirthing of
faith ("the internal persuasion from Him," see 4102 /pístis). See 1651 (elegxō).
1. Faith is not belief on the evidence of the senses. People often say, “Don’t you know what is
happening?”
“Faith is to sight and reason what the telescope is to the naked eye. By the use of this wondrous
instrument the most distant planets are now made known to us in detail. A map of Mars has been
published showing canal-like seas, islands and large mountains or tablelands covered with snow.
Faith brings the distant near, makes the spiritual the most real, and gives us to dwell in heavenly
places.” – H. O. Mackey

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 2. Faith is not gullibility. God is fundamental truth, then it is reasonable to rest confidently in what He
said.
3. Faith is not a mere assent of the understanding. It is a divine exchange where what we see and what
we experience is subjected to the word and promises of God. In that moment, something
supernatural is birthed … a creative force of God’s Word is released.
4. Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing
through the word of Christ.”
SLIDE Faith is an uninterrupted state of inner confidence, rooted in legal standing, that God’s new and fresh
promises are already ours. It is a confident standing of assurance regarding unseen things. It is a continual
positioning of oneself under the authority of an agreement of things God has said. It’s a decision to subject
all of life to God’s will and promises.
Authentic faith does not deny earthly reality. Its foundation is just not based in what is seen. To solidify your
faith, according to Hebrews 11:6, it has to be established and rooted in two fundamental truths:
SLIDE Hebrews 11:1-6 ESV “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.”
A. SLIDE God is
He is. I believe in His character. He does not lie. He is good. He is a covenant-making, covenant-keeping
God. But this is only the beginning … God will not settle for mere acknowledgment of His existence.
Faith is a verb. It’s pictured in scripture like a shield that we use to fight, resist fiery darts, and advance
through opposing experiences.
When you do not feel it. When you don’t see it. You know God is.
B. SLIDE God will do what He says
When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises
materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.
SLIDE John 20:24-31 NLT “One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the
others when Jesus came. They told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he replied, ‘I won’t believe it unless
I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his
side.’ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors
were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said.
Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in
my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’ ‘My Lord and my God!’ Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus
told him, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.’ The
disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But
these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that
by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”
I love this portion of scripture because it shows us the nature of God in dealing with us as we grow in
faith. He’s not afraid if we doubt. Rather, He’s willing to come near and help us in our unbelief. At the
same time, He knows that faith is active on our parts … at some point, we must cross the line and
believe. We must throw ourselves into God and His promises. Doesn’t matter how many things are
written, if we won’t believe, He cannot give us life by the power of His name.

III. SLIDE Faith Commended

SLIDE Hebrews 11:2 ESV “For by it [faith] the people of old received their commendation.”

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 As men and women follow God and live by this kind of faith, there is a dynamic shift that takes place in the
way they live on earth. Heaven and earth both take notice. All those who have gone before us are part of
the people of old … throughout the coming weeks, we will study some of them: Abe, Noah, Sarah, Moses,
Rahab, The People of Israel, and Abraham.
What does “received their commendation” mean? To be a witness, to bear witness, testify, i. e. “to affirm
that one has seen or heard or experienced something” to give (not to keep back) testimony.
After having watched you, someone is able to say, “Now I know what faith looks like.”
A. SLIDE God and people take notice
1. According to Benson: Our forefathers, were commended of God’s admiration of them, or were
borne witnesses to by God as persons accepted of him.
The word is very comprehensive, implying that God gave a testimony, not only of them,
but to them, and they received his testimony, as if it had been the things themselves, of which he
testified.
The truth is that God is looking over the earth continually for me and women of faith.
SLIDE Luke 18:8b ESV “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
2. According to Barnes: an honorable testimony was attributed to them by those around them and
those after them because of their faith. In their acting under the influence of faith, in the
circumstances in which they were, people took notice and spoke of the fact that things were
different.
People do not celebrate or talk about “little” or “no” faith. Faith gets noticed! It’s attractive. People
know how to live a mundane life. They know what the world system has to give.
 People know how to break up a relationship – they just need to see someone fix it by faith.
 People know that sickness tears families apart – they need to see someone stay together and
have a unified voice for healing.
 People know the northwest is in crisis – they need to hear someone say God loves the cities our
campuses our located in.
 People know how to get stuck – they need to hear someone pray themselves through.
SLIDE “When a man or woman live by faith, it greatens them. They live in a sphere of divine possibility,
readily available to all classes and mightily affecting ordinary human life. It’s consistent among different
degrees of knowledge, socioeconomic classes, across ethnic and racial divides, and lifts anyone and
everyone to a level above what is extraordinarily believed. Stormy seas forbid our passage; frowning
fortifications bar our progress; mighty kingdoms defy our power; lions roar against us; fire lights its
flaming barricade in our path; the sword, the armies of the alien, mockings, scourgings, bonds and
imprisonment — all these menace our peace, darken our horizon, and try on us their power; but faith
has conquered all these before, and it shall do as much again. Reckon on God's faithfulness. Look not at
the winds and waves, but at His character and will. Get alone with Him, steeping your heart and mind in
His precious and exceeding great promises. Be obedient to the utmost limit of your light. Walk in the
Spirit, one of whose fruits is faith. So shall you be deemed worthy to join this band, whose names and
exploits run over from this page into the chronicles of eternity, and to share their glorious heritage.” –
FB Meyer

IV. SLIDE Faith Lived Out

SLIDE Hebrews 11:3 ESV “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that
what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”

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 Here, the author connects the creation account to the operation of faith. There is a direct parallel between
Genesis 1 and your daily walk of faith. It’s almost as if you can hear the author asking, “Do you want to
know how to live this out? Really? Well, okay! You have to go back to the beginning.”

 God created. He is creative. He is all-powerful. Nothing exists that He did not create. He is distinct
from His creation. He is eternal and in control. He sustains all things by His power.
 God hovered and brooded over his creation. His Spirit is seen here as active, caring, and protecting
what He was doing.
 God’s spoke. And his creative word made the unseen, seen.
And that’s it. That is our confidence. That is what we come under. That is our contract when we pray in
faith for healing.
A. SLIDE God. God’s Presence. God’s Word. My Alignment.
FAITH IS THE SOURCE OF ANY AND ALL SPIRITUAL ACHIEVEMENT. “By it the elders” achieved all that this
chapter records. Faith was the secret of who they were and what they did.
1. SLIDE Saving Faith
SLIDE John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in
him should not perish but have eternal life.”
2. SLIDE Justifying Faith
SLIDE Romans 4:5 ESV “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the
ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”
3. SLIDE Overcoming Faith
SLIDE 1 John 5:4 ESV “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the
victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
4. SLIDE Great Faith
SLIDE 1 Corinthians 12:7-9 NLT “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To
one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message
of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one
Spirit gives the gift of healing.”
5. SLIDE Enduring Faith
SLIDE 1 Peter 1:3-5 NLT “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy
that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with
great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for
you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is
protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last
day for all to see.”
This Christian life is the result of heavenly influences, and faith lifts it into these. It raises the soul into
the heavenly world; brings future things near, and makes Christ live before us. The effect of this on our
spiritual nature is its development, like that of a tropical plant brought from a cold land into its native
clime and proper conditions. The unseen becomes seen.

V. Conclusion:
STAND Prayer over congregation … a season of great faith. Doing the things Jesus did.

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INVITE EVERYONE TO GO BACK INTO WORSHIP