"By Faith..." Hebrews 11 I. Introduction. A. Define faith: Hebrews 11:1. 1. The one ingredient(power) upon which all obedience is built.(Trust-First definition in Vine's, also, "a firm conviction." 2. Without faith: Hebrews 11:6. B. This is how Christians live! Romans 1:17. II. Body. By faith...(Hebrews 11) A. We understand the creation of the world: v. 3. 1. The "world" struggles to discover--the Christian knows how created. 2. Observe the universe, the earth, living creatures--the complexity, the pattern, yea--the wonder! 3. Our faith leads us to Genesis 1:1. 4. Billions may be spent to "discover" our "origins"--for $1(or less)--you can learn what happened. 5. Even David understood: Psalms 139:14. 6. We were not there: we accept by faith--logical and reasonable to believe. 7. God did it; Moses said it--I believe it. B. We can offer acceptable sacrifices to God: v. 4 1. The difference: one believed God, the other trusted in himself. 2. Abels' faith led him to comply with God's requirements-- followed the instructions. 3. However sacrificial one may be--must meet God's standard (by faith). a. Illustrate: I Corinthians 13:3. b. If one loves God, he has faith in God and obeys God. 4. Being a humanitarian will not save--it takes faith. 5. How sad that some spend lives in complete sacrifice to "God" --but do not follow His word. C. We can prepare the family for salvation: v. 7. 1. Often takes much faith in an unbelieving world. 2. Our faith is to be an example: children can see through pretense. 3. Our family knows whom we put first in our lives. 4. A family full of faith can weather any storm, any disaster, etc. 5. The families of Hebrews 11 had trails, temptations, and adversities. a. The one protection that endured: faith. b. Families can become islands of protection in a sea of iniquity. D. We can trust in God strong enough to follow His directions-- whatever they may be: v. 8. 1. Go to a strange country: v. 9. a. People are to carry their faith with them. b. How many "move" and leave their faith back "home?" c. Paul's faith went with him: sea, Rome, and death. d. One's trials may come in many different ways: James 1: hence, v. 3. e. Note: I Corinthians 10;13. 2. Offer up commanded sacrifices: v. 17. a. The commands of the Lord are nothing when compared to the reward. b. Faith leads one to give up anything contrary to Jehovah's will. c. Faith leads one to full dedication: Galatians 2:20. E. We can look to Jehovah to fulfill the promises: v. 11. 1. The Bible abounds with illustrations. 2. He promises remission of sins for alien. 3. He promises rest for the disciple. 4. Jehovah promises to be with disciples: Matthew 28:20. 5. Hence: Revelation 2:10. F. We can refuse anything that would defile or corrupt us: v. 24, 26. 1. This is HOW to resist temptation. 2. No sin is so great that God is not greater. 3. One can conquer drugs, addictions, appetites, lusts, desires or whatever--by faith! 4. Remember: I Corinthians 10;13. 5. Satan likes to tell you: "You cannot do it" but God tells you "You can--by faith." G. We can look to Jehovah to save the righteous and overcome the wicked: v.29, 30. 1. Peter said it plainly: I Peter 1:4-5. 2. And just as plain: Revelation 21:8(Revelation 20:10). 3. Only proper faith can make heaven a reality. III. Conclusion. A. Consider Enoch's and his obedience to God(v. 5).-James L. Yopp