Faith Is The Substance
[ Preached by Pastor Kenneth Chin at Acts Singapore on 18 March 2018 ]
Is there weight to our faith? Not an easy question but one which we desperately need to answer.
Reading from Hebrews, what do the “faith giants” described in the letter can teach us?
EVIDENCE comes from faith.
Read | Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Just as in a law court, the barrister brings forth the evidence before the sentence is passed, so we have to show evidence of our faith before we see the nature of our reward. Without some practical commitment to our faith, it is little more than wishful thinking.
It takes faith to PLEASE God.
Read | Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Just look at Enoch. Without faith in who He is, how He works, and that He’s good, we can never really receive His fullness.
Faith not only results in results, but demands REWARD.
Read | Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
When we ask in faith, we have to expect that He will deliver what we ask for. And if we do, we will be far more ready to give the “more excellent sacrifice” that our greatest desires call for.
Faith not only calls us to go out, but also to STAY PUT.
Read | Hebrews 11:8-9
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.
That’s what Abraham did in obeying God’s commands. Regardless of whether we stay or move, faith impels us to obey God’s instructions – believing in the goodness of the eventual outcome.
Faith comes from STRENGTH.
Read | Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
Why was Sarah included in the list of “faith giants” when she laughed at God’s promise of a child? Because she kept going, even though it must have been an intense embarrassment and fear of her aged pregnancy.
When everything says “can’t”, but your actions – if not your thoughts – say “can”, that’s called faith.
Are you believing in a miracle? Do you need that backbone of faith in your life? So do we all.
#decadeoflegacy2030
Written by Writer’s Ink Singapore
Edited by Hailey Chung
