Hebrews 11:1-6 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Faith….

1. Faith is Active trust
Hebrews 11:1(NLT) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

2. Faith is necessary to please God.
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) Without faith it is impossible to please God.

3. Faith Functions

“Faith that does not express itself is dead faith”
James 2:17 (NKJV) Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Moving Foreword in Faith…
A. Start seeing:

Isaiah 43:19-20 (NLT) I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed.

“In the world seeing is believing in the Kingdom believing is seeing.”

“Faith see’s before it is visible.”

B. Start processing

C. Don’t Stop Believing
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight.

4. Our faith will be tested!
James 1:2-8 (NLT) Dear brothers an sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

5. Faith will be Rewarded!
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.