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Faith Defined
(Hebrews 11:1–3)
Introduction
Hebrews chapter 11 defines and demonstrates true faith in God. In
verses 1 through 3, we find faith’s meaning, reward, and
understanding, showing what it means to trust God completely and to
live by His promises.
The Meaning of Faith
(Hebrews 11:1)
The writer of Hebrews begins by saying, “Now faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The New
American Standard Bible says, “Faith is the assurance of things
hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This verse defines
faith as complete confidence in God’s promises, even when we cannot
see their fulfillment. The word “substance” literally means
foundation or assurance. Faith is the solid ground upon which our
hope rests. Without faith, that foundation crumbles, and our hope
collapses with it.
Faith and hope are inseparable.
The same promises that we hope for are those in which we place our
faith. Hebrews 3:6 joins these two qualities together, saying,
“Christ, as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold
fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.”
Faith is confidence that God will do everything He said He would do.
When He promises eternal life to those who are faithful, we believe
it completely. Our responsibility is faithfulness; His promise is
eternal reward.
Faith is never uncertain,
doubtful, or vague. It is not wishful thinking or blind optimism. It
does not rest on human reasoning or feelings but on God’s revealed
word. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God.” True biblical faith accepts as certain what God has
said, because His word is trustworthy. Faith is conviction—the firm
persuasion that God’s word is true, His promises are sure, and His
purposes will be fulfilled.
The Reward of Faith
(Hebrews 11:2)
The writer continues, “For by it the elders obtained a good
testimony.” The reward of faith is God’s approval. Throughout
Scripture, those who trusted in God received His commendation.
Hebrews 11 is filled with examples—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham,
Sarah, Moses—all ordinary people who gained God’s approval by faith.
They were not perfect, but they were faithful. God does not demand
perfection; He calls for steadfast trust and obedience.
Faith pleases God. Hebrews 11:6
says, “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.” God’s pleasure rests on those who
trust Him fully. Jesus made the same promise in John 5:24, saying,
“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has
everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment but has passed
from death into life.” Faith believes that promise. Faith accepts
eternal life as real because the Lord Himself declared it.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:6–7,
“To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us
accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His
blood, the forgiveness of sins.” The faithful are accepted in
Christ. They are redeemed and forgiven because they trust the one
who made the promise. Faith brings the believer into fellowship with
God and secures His approval. That is the reward of faith—a good
testimony before God and the assurance of eternal life.
The Understanding of Faith
(Hebrews 11:3)
Finally, the writer says, “By faith we understand that the worlds
were framed by the word of God.” This reveals the understanding of
faith. True faith begins with belief in the Creator. Without that
foundation, there can be no genuine faith. We understand, through
faith, that God created all things by His word. Psalm 33:6 declares,
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of
them by the breath of His mouth.”
The world itself testifies to
God’s existence. Romans 1:19–20 says that His invisible
attributes—His eternal power and divine nature—are clearly seen in
the things He has made, so that all are without excuse. The Bible is
God’s written revelation confirming His creative power, and Jesus
Christ, the living Word, is the visible expression of that power.
Faith sees the evidence of God in creation, in Scripture, and in the
life of His Son.
God spoke the universe into
existence from nothing. Romans 4:17 says that He “calls those things
which do not exist as though they did.” The same power that created
the world gives spiritual life to the believer. When a person obeys
the gospel—believing, repenting, confessing Christ, and being
baptized into His death—he is raised to walk in newness of life
(Romans 6:4). Faith accepts that as truth. Faith believes in the
unseen but certain promises of God.
Those who deny creation deny
faith itself. True faith perceives, understands, and accepts that
God is the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all things. That
understanding forms the basis of every other truth in Scripture. By
faith we know that God framed the world, that He sent His Son, and
that He offers eternal life to all who believe.
Faith Defined Sermon
Outline:
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Introduction:
Hebrews 11 defines faith through its meaning, reward, and
understanding.
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I. The Meaning of
Faith (Hebrews 11:1)
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Faith is assurance and
conviction.
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It is the foundation of
hope and trust in unseen realities.
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Faith and hope are
joined together (Hebrews 3:6; Romans 8:24–25).
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Faith comes from
hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17).
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II. The Reward of
Faith (Hebrews 11:2)
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Faith brings God’s
approval and commendation.
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The faithful are not
perfect but steadfast.
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Faith pleases God
(Hebrews 11:6).
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Believers are promised
eternal life (John 5:24).
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The faithful are
accepted and redeemed in Christ (Ephesians 1:6–7).
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III. The Understanding
of Faith (Hebrews 11:3)
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Faith accepts that God
created all things by His word (Psalm 33:6).
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Creation testifies of
His eternal power and nature (Romans 1:19–20).
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Faith sees the evidence
of God in creation, Scripture, and Christ.
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God gives life through
His creative and redemptive power (Romans 4:17; Romans 6:4).
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Denying creation
destroys faith’s foundation.
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Conclusion:
Faith is confidence in God’s word, trust in His promises, and
understanding of His creative power. It defines our relationship
with Him and leads to eternal life.
Call to Action
Do you have the faith that pleases God? Faith that believes His word
and obeys His commands? Faith that sees the unseen and holds firm to
His promises? God has spoken, created, and promised redemption
through His Son. Strengthen your faith today. Believe His promises,
obey His commands, and live in confidence that He will do all He has
said.
Key Takeaways
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Faith is the foundation of
hope and conviction in unseen realities (Hebrews 11:1).
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Faith pleases God and
brings His approval (Hebrews 11:2, 6).
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True faith begins with
belief in the Creator (Hebrews 11:3).
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Faith accepts God’s
promises of redemption and eternal life (John 5:24; Ephesians
1:6–7).
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Faith understands that the
same God who created the world can give new life to the believer
(Romans 4:17; Romans 6:4).
Scripture Reference List
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Hebrews 11:1–3
– Defines the meaning, reward, and understanding of faith.
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Hebrews 3:6 –
Faith and hope joined in confidence to the end.
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Romans 10:17
– Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
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Romans 8:24–25
– Hope and perseverance in unseen realities.
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Hebrews 11:6
– Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
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John 5:24 –
Promise of eternal life to those who believe.
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Ephesians 1:6–7
– Acceptance and redemption in Christ through His blood.
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Psalm 33:6 –
God created the heavens by His word.
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Romans 1:19–20
– Creation reveals God’s power and divine nature.
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Romans 4:17 –
God calls things into being and gives life to the dead.
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Romans 6:4 –
Baptism raises us to walk in newness of life.
Prepared
by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
