Faith: Trusting God's Promises Beyond Our Circumstances

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. This is not a vague optimism or wishful thinking, but a deep trust in what God has promised and what He has revealed. Our hope is not rooted in our own experiences or feelings, which can often mislead us, but in the unchanging Word of God. Even when we do not see the fulfillment of His promises in our present reality—whether it’s the hope of a redeemed body, a spotless church, or a perfect world—we can be confident because God Himself has spoken these things. Faith is formed and fed by the Word; it grows as we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s illumination and understanding.

The story of Cain and Abel in Hebrews 11:4 gives us a powerful example of what true faith looks like. Both brothers were raised in the same believing family, both came to worship God, and both brought offerings. Yet, only Abel’s sacrifice was accepted. The difference was not in who was the better brother, but in who listened to God and responded in faith to what God had revealed. Abel brought the sacrifice God had prescribed—a life given, a foreshadowing of Christ—while Cain brought what he thought was best. Faith listens to God, not just acknowledges His existence or brings what is convenient, but responds in obedience to what God has said.

God’s mercy is evident even when we fail. He gave Cain an opportunity to repent and do what was right, warning him that sin was crouching at the door, ready to overpower him if he did not master it. This is a warning and an invitation for all of us: when we stray from what God has revealed, we open ourselves to sin’s destructive power. Yet, God always provides a way back through repentance and faith.

True faith cannot be silenced, even by death. Abel’s faith still speaks, testifying that God commends those who trust and obey Him. Our faith is not mere lip service; it is a living response to God’s Word, a willingness to bring what is costly and to lay down our lives on the altar. Jesus is the ultimate, most acceptable sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are declared righteous. Let us be people who not only read the Word but draw life from it, offering ourselves fully to God in faith and obedience.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith is anchored in God’s promises and revelation, not in our experiences or emotions. When we base our trust on what God has said and done, rather than on the shifting sands of our feelings or disappointments with others, we find a hope that is both enduring and eternal. This kind of faith allows us to look beyond our present circumstances and rest in the assurance of God’s unchanging character. [41:40]
• 2. The difference between Cain and Abel was not in their outward actions, but in their response to God’s revealed will. Abel’s offering was accepted because he listened to what God had prescribed and responded in faith, while Cain chose his own way. True faith listens, obeys, and brings what God desires, not what we think is best or most convenient. [55:51]
• 3. God’s mercy is persistent, even when we fail. He confronted Cain, offering him a chance to repent and warning him of the danger of unmastered sin. In our own lives, God continually invites us to turn back to Him, reminding us that obedience is better than sacrifice, and that repentance opens the door to restoration and acceptance. [64:55]
• 4. Sin is always crouching at the door when we refuse to trust and obey God’s Word. The warning to Cain is a warning to us: if we do not master sin through faith and obedience, it will master us. The only way to overcome is to return to God’s presence, trust in His promises, and believe what He has revealed, rather than walking away in anger or disappointment. [67:28]
• 5. Faith that is rooted in God’s Word cannot be silenced, even by death or opposition. Abel’s faith still speaks because it was anchored in obedience and trust. Our true feelings about God are revealed when He does not give us what we want; in those moments, faith calls us to surrender, to bring what is costly, and to trust that God’s ways are higher and better than our own. [71:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [24:00] - Opening Worship and Prayer
• [25:19] - Greeting and Introduction
• [26:38] - Blessing Over Children and School Workers
• [29:42] - Announcements and Family Updates
• [32:09] - Introduction to Faith and Hebrews 11
• [34:42] - The Assurance of Things Hoped For
• [37:46] - Faith in What God Has Revealed
• [39:47] - The Role of Experience vs. God’s Word
• [41:40] - God’s Invitation to Trust Beyond Disappointment
• [44:51] - Endurance and the Example of Jesus
• [46:08] - The Story of Cain and Abel
• [53:52] - The Answer Lies in the Sacrifice
• [55:51] - Faith Listens to God
• [64:55] - God’s Mercy and the Opportunity to Repent
• [67:28] - The Danger of Unmastered Sin
• [70:46] - Faith Cannot Be Silenced
• [77:51] - Jesus: The Ultimate Sacrifice
• [79:03] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:1, 4 (ESV) — 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

Genesis 4:2b-7 (ESV) — Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined? What two things does faith give us assurance and conviction about?
2. In the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:2b-7), what did each brother bring as an offering, and how did God respond to each?
3. What was God’s warning to Cain after his offering was not accepted? What does the phrase “sin is crouching at the door” mean in this context?
4. According to the sermon, what was the real difference between Cain and Abel’s offerings? Was it about the quality of the gift, or something deeper? [[55:51]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Faith is anchored in God’s promises and revelation, not in our experiences or emotions.” Why is it important to base our faith on what God has said, rather than on our feelings or circumstances? [[41:40]]
2. How does Abel’s example show us what it means to “listen to God” and respond in faith, rather than just doing what seems best to us? [[55:51]]
3. God gave Cain a chance to repent and warned him about the danger of unmastered sin. What does this reveal about God’s character and His approach to our failures? [[01:04:55]]
4. The sermon says, “True faith cannot be silenced, even by death.” In what way does Abel’s faith “still speak” to us today? [[01:10:46]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that faith is not just wishful thinking, but a deep trust in what God has promised. Are there any areas in your life right now where you are tempted to trust your feelings or experiences more than God’s Word? What would it look like to shift your trust back to God’s promises? [[41:40]]
2. Abel brought the sacrifice God had prescribed, while Cain brought what he thought was best. Are there ways you tend to offer God what is convenient or comfortable, instead of what He actually asks of you? What is one area where you sense God calling you to greater obedience, even if it’s costly? [[55:51]]
3. God’s mercy was shown to Cain even after he failed. Can you recall a time when God gave you a second chance or warned you before you made a destructive choice? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[01:04:55]]
4. The sermon warns that “sin is always crouching at the door” when we refuse to trust and obey God’s Word. What are some practical ways you can “master” sin in your life this week, especially in areas where you feel weak or tempted? [[01:07:28]]
5. The pastor said, “What we really feel about God will always be revealed when He does not give us what we want.” Can you think of a recent disappointment or unanswered prayer? How did you respond to God in that moment, and what does it reveal about your faith? [[01:11:24]]
6. The sermon calls us to be people who “not only read the Word but draw life from it.” What is one step you can take this week to feed your faith through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s help? [[39:47]]
7. Jesus is described as the ultimate, most acceptable sacrifice. How does trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice change the way you approach God, especially when you feel unworthy or have failed? [[01:17:51]]