Hebrews - Our Supreme Messiah #25, It's Always Been, "By Faith" (Heb. 11:1-3)

Faith is the heartbeat of the Christian life—both the way we are saved and the way we are called to live every day. From the very beginning, God has always related to His people through faith. This is not a new idea, nor is it a mere theological concept; it is the very foundation of our relationship with God. The book of Hebrews, especially chapter 11, reminds us that Jesus is greater than anything or anyone, and that our salvation, our hope, and our perseverance all rest on faith in Him. Faith is not just a one-time decision, but a continual, abiding trust that shapes our actions, our hopes, and our endurance through trials.

Faith is deeply personal. Many of us, like myself, have wrestled with what it means to truly believe. For some, faith is a foreign concept, especially in a world that often values what can be seen and proven. Yet, biblical faith is not blind optimism or wishful thinking. It is not a vague hope that things will work out, nor is it simply intellectual agreement. True faith is confident obedience to God’s word, even when circumstances are difficult or unclear. It is assurance in what we hope for, conviction about things we cannot see, and a willingness to act on those convictions.

The examples of faith in Hebrews 11 begin with the assurance that God’s promises are trustworthy. Our hope is not dead or uncertain, but living—rooted in the resurrection of Jesus. We are called to place our hope in what God has actually promised, not in our own desires or in the empty promises of the world. Faith is also grounded in the reality that God is the Creator. The universe itself was spoken into existence by His word, and this foundational truth undergirds all our trust in Him. If God can create all things from nothing, He can certainly sustain us, redeem us, and fulfill every promise He has made.

Faith is not about perfection, but about direction. It is about living with assurance, conviction, and obedience, even when we do not see the full picture. The saints of old were commended not for their flawless lives, but for their trust in God and their willingness to act on that trust. As we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we remember that our faith is anchored in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, whose body was broken and blood was shed for us. Let us live by faith, grounded in the Creator, assured of His promises, and obedient to His word.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith is Confident Obedience to God’s Word True biblical faith is not passive belief or mere optimism. It is a confident, active obedience to what God has spoken, even when circumstances are uncertain or difficult. This kind of faith moves us to action, shapes our decisions, and sustains us through trials. It is the assurance that God’s promises are true and worthy of our trust. [26:52]
• 2. Our Hope is Living and Rooted in Christ Christian hope is not wishful thinking or vague desire. It is a living hope, anchored in the resurrection of Jesus and the faithfulness of God. This hope gives us confidence in forgiveness, transformation, and the promise of Christ’s return. We must be careful to place our hope only in what God has truly promised, not in our own expectations or the empty assurances of the world. [17:44]
• 3. Faith is Grounded in God as Creator The foundation of all faith is the conviction that God created everything by His word. If He is the Creator, then He is able to sustain, redeem, and fulfill every promise. This truth gives us confidence to trust Him with our lives, our futures, and our salvation, knowing that nothing is beyond His power or purpose. [33:59]
• 4. Faith is Evidenced by Our Actions Over Time What we truly believe will inevitably shape how we live. Faith is not just a private conviction, but a public reality that becomes visible in our choices, our relationships, and our endurance. The saints of old were commended for their faith because it was lived out, not just professed. Our faith, too, should be evident in the way we love, serve, and persevere. [07:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:28] - Introduction and Prayer
• [03:05] - Personal Journey with Faith
• [05:12] - Discovering Sola Fide: Faith Alone
• [07:24] - Faith and Its Evidence in Life
• [10:19] - Encouragement to Persevere in Faith
• [12:39] - Living by Faith in Difficult Times
• [14:40] - Assurance, Hope, and Conviction
• [17:44] - The Nature of Christian Hope
• [20:03] - Conviction Leads to Action
• [22:12] - Faith Shapes Our Daily Living
• [24:20] - What Faith Is Not
• [26:52] - True Biblical Faith Defined
• [30:23] - Faith and Righteousness: Old and New
• [33:59] - Faith Grounded in God the Creator
• [35:46] - The Foundation of Our Faith
• [39:24] - The Lord’s Supper: Remembering Christ
• [41:30] - Christ’s Sacrifice and Our Righteousness
• [44:19] - Invitation to Believe and Obey

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV) — > Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 11:1, what two words are used to describe faith, and what do they mean in this context? ([14:40])
2. In verse 2, who are “the people of old,” and what did they receive because of their faith? ([26:52])
3. What does verse 3 say about how the universe was created, and why is this important for understanding faith? ([33:59])
4. The sermon mentioned that faith is not just a feeling or wishful thinking. What are some things the pastor said faith is NOT? ([24:20])

Interpretation Questions

1. The pastor said that faith is “confident obedience to God’s word in spite of circumstances.” Why is obedience such an important part of biblical faith? ([26:52])
2. The sermon described hope as “living” and rooted in the resurrection of Jesus. How does this kind of hope differ from the way people usually use the word “hope”? ([17:44])
3. Why does the author of Hebrews start his list of faith examples by grounding faith in God as Creator? What difference does it make to believe God created everything? ([33:59])
4. The pastor shared that what a person truly believes will be evident in their actions over time. How does this challenge the idea of “easy believism”? ([07:24])

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared his own journey of wrestling with faith and coming to believe in Jesus. Have you ever struggled with what it means to truly have faith? What helped you move forward? ([03:05])
2. Faith is described as “assurance of things hoped for.” Is there a promise of God you are struggling to trust right now? What would it look like to have assurance in that area? ([14:40])
3. The sermon warned against putting hope in things God never promised. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been disappointed because your hope was in something God didn’t actually promise? How can you realign your hope with God’s actual promises? ([17:44])
4. The pastor said, “Faith is not about perfection, but about direction.” In what area of your life do you need to take a step of faith, even if you don’t have all the answers or feel “perfect” in your faith? ([24:20])
5. The sermon emphasized that faith is grounded in God as Creator. How does believing God created everything affect the way you trust Him with your problems, your future, or your salvation? ([33:59])
6. The saints of old were commended for their faith because it was lived out. What is one practical way your faith could become more visible in your daily life this week? ([07:24])
7. During the Lord’s Supper, the pastor encouraged everyone to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and what it means to live by faith. How does remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection encourage you to keep trusting and obeying God, especially in hard times? ([39:24])