Faith is the Victory!

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3

C.I.: The Power of Faith in the “Re-Creation”

Last week we began a series on Faith from Hebrews 11. - “Believe even when we don't see, Obey…, Keep going…, Thank God…!” To have this we need learned that, “Faith requires obedience to God's word in spite of circumstances or consequences!” - Heb. 11:6
Today we will learn how a faith that pleases God - changes lives… beginning with our own!

INTRODUCTION:

1. ( v. 3 ), “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is
seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
a. Man's views regarding the creation (whether he be an evolutionist or a creationist) is ALL a
matter of faith .
1) For neither group is able to reproduce their theories in a laboratory. They can only get so
close, then, faith !!!
2) ILLUST.: Scientists approached God and said, “Because of our scientific knowledge we
now have the power to create life as you did!” God answered, “Really? Show Me.” So
they reached down and took some dirt…. Then God said, “Oh no, get your own dirt!”

b. But why does v. 3 bring up the creation of worlds – if the chapter is all about people?! Because
if God is able to create people from a handful of “faithless” dirt – imagine what He can create in
the life of a faith-FULL believer?
1) ( II Cor. 5:17 ), “If any man is in Christ Jesus He is a new creation ; the old things have
passed away; behold, new things..”
2) ( Phil. 1:6 ), “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you
will perfect i t until the day of Christ Jesus.”
3) ( Phil. 2:12-13 ), “…just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear & trembling; for it is God who
is at work in you , both to will & to work for His own good pl.”

I. Two Examples of a Re-Creative Faith

A. Sarah : Whose “Laughter” Became Flesh

1. ( Heb. 11:11 ), “By faith even Sarah received the power to conceive beyond the proper time.”
a. In an O.T. theophany God and two angels appeared before the tents of Abraham and Sarah.
1) ( Gen. 18:9-12 ), “They said to him, ‘Where is Sarah your wife?' and he said, ‘Behold, in the
tent.' And He said, ‘I will surely return to you this time next year; and behold, Sarah your
wife shall have a son. And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. And
Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord
being old also?'”

b. Sarah, like many believers today, had difficulty believing in the promises of God!
1) People offer many excuses for why they cannot accomplish the will of God in their lives…
2) “I'm too old” – “I'm too young” - “I'm not smart enough” – “I'm not strong enough” – etc.!

2. Two reasons why believers have a “Powerless Faith”…
a. ( Gen. 18:13-14 ), “And the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I
indeed bear a child when I am so old?' Is anything too difficult for the Lord?”
1) Reason #1: They don't believe God can work in their lives, ( cf. Phil. 2:13 )!
CIRCUMSTANCES !

b. ( Gen. 18:15 ), “ Sarah denied it, however, saying, ‘I did not laugh'; for she was afraid. And He
said, ‘No, but you did laugh.'”
1) Reason #2 why people have a powerless faith: WE ARE AFRAID CONSEQUENCES !
2) God is NOT limited by our weaknesses – only by our faithlessness!!!

3. God keeps every one of His promises…
a. ( Gen. 21:1-3, 6 ), “…and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. So Sarah conceived and
bore a son to Abraham in his old age. And Abraham called the name of his son, Isaac … And
Sarah said, ‘God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.'”
1) The name Isaac means “Laughter.” God had the last “laugh.”
2) Though she laughed she came to believe God's promise, ( Heb. 11:6b ) , “…for she
considered Him faithful who promised.”
3) ( Matt. 19:26 ), “Jesus said, ‘With men this is impossible, but not for God; for all things are
possible for God!”

B. Abraham : Who Brought Life Out of Death

1. ( Heb. 11:12 ), “Therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as
many descendants as the stars of the heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by
the seashore.”
a. Abraham teaches us the means of a faith that changes lives. Abraham's faith is revealed for us
in Romans 4 …

b. First, the faith that pleases God is NOT about trusting in religious observances or legalistic
obedience!
1) ( Rom. 4:9a ), “Is this blessing upon the circumcised or the uncircumcised also?”
a) Righteousness doesn't come because we trust in religious observances (communion,
baptism, etc.)!
b) ( Rom. 4:9b ), “ For we say, ‘ Faith was reckoned to him as righteousness.'”
2) Neither is our faith in the legalistic observance of any type of law!
a) ( Rom. 4:13 ), “For the promise to Abraham that he would be heir of the world was
not through law, but through the righteousness of faith .”

c. Therefore, our faith is not in a ritual, an activity or an event. Our faith is in the person of JESUS
CHRIST!!!
1) ( Rom. 4:2-3 ), “If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not
before God. For what does the scripture say? ‘ Abraham believed God , and it was reckoned
to him as righteousness.'”
2) The person who believes God and acts upon that trust daily is the one whom God will
reward!

2. Steps of Faith…

a. Step #1: Believe that God Can Do the Impossible in Our Lives!
1) ( Rom. 4:17 ), “… he believed, GOD, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that
which does not exist.”
2) In Abraham's case God called into being the power to conceive and righteousness in
Abraham's life!
3) What does God need to call into being in your life in order for you to be able to accomplish
His will???
4) Do you ever say, “Oh, I could never ____ (teach, lead, give, share, baptize, excel in
work/marriage/school…).
5) Remember, if God created worlds ( Heb. 11:3 ) & gave abilities to Sarah, is anything
impossible for Him?!!

b. Step #2: Acknowledge Resources (But Don't Forget God)!!!
1) ( v. 19 ), “And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, -now as good
as dead, since he was about 100 years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb.”
2) We limit God's power when we place greater FAITH in what we lack than in the God we
have!!
a) How many lives have NOT been changed because of the excuses people offer; too
young/old, etc.?!
b) How many wonderful ministries have never gotten off the planning board, because of
this problem?!
3) Limited resources with God: Moses' staff (became a snake), David's sling, young boy's
lunch (5 loaves, 2 fish)
4) Remember, “Faith requires obedience to God's word IN SPITE of the circumstances or
consequences!”

c. Step #3: Focus on Glorifying God!
1) ( v. 20 ), “Yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew
strong in faith, giving glory to God.”
2) When it comes to our faith we must constantly remind ourselves that this is for/about God
not me!!!
3) Sarah was initially afraid, but she changed! But Abraham never wavered. We: Afraid?
Changed? Faith?!
4) The focus of our lives must be to bring all the glory to God. ( Matt. 5:16 ), “Let your light
shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father
who is in heaven!”

d. Step #4: Accept that God is Working in You and ACT!
1) ( v. 21 ), “…and being fully assured that what God had promised, HE was also able to
perform.”
2) Has God promised that when we act by faith in Him we will be victorious, ( I Jn. 5:4 )?
YES!!!

CONCLUSIONS (Family/Guests):

•  So do you believe God wants you to be spiritually successful?

•  Are you allowing Him to create in you whatever it takes to be that success? (“Steps of Faith”).

•  Your fear is normal but don't allow it paralyze you! Keep moving ahead where God wants you to be!

•  If you have been putting off becoming a Christian put your faith in God and let Him recreate you!!! ( Mk. 16:16 ).