Fundimentals Relating to Faith

Revelation 2:10

INTRO: Good morning church.
Please turn in your Bible to the Book of Revelation. I would like us to read Revelation 2:10 to introduce today’s lesson. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

We're especially concerned with the final words found in this verse. According to what the Lord said to the church in Smyrna, God's people must be faithful unto death to receive a crown of life.

In the Book of Revelation, chapters two and three, the Lord sent a message to each of the congregations in the area known as Asia. The Lord informed the congregation in Smyrna that they were going to face tribulation. Indeed, they were already facing tribulation, and the Lord was aware of it, but He said, you will have more tribulation.

The Lord encouraged this congregation to remain faithful, and He said if it would, then the members would receive a crown of life. Much of the New Testament is written for the purpose of helping Christians accomplish that goal, that is, to remain faithful.

Now, let’s look at some things that are written in the Book of Hebrews. The writer of this book understood that those to whom he was writing were undergoing tribulation, their faith was being tested. The letter to the Hebrews was to help these Christians, and us, be faithful unto death. These people were undergoing tribulation and it was taking a toll. They were assured that if they would remain faithful, they would receive the crown of life that the Lord also mentioned in Revelation 2:10.

We should note in a general way, that Hebrews contains several admonitions given to God's people which involve faith. Let's look at Hebrews 6:11-12 – “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” We need to follow the example of those who received God's promises by holding to their faith with patience. From these and other scriptures we come to understand that faith is not just saying “I Believe”, it is a way of life. Not just our public life either but how we pray, handle trials, temptations and in our expression of thanksgiving to God.

From our lessons in Hebrews, we noticed how faith is involved in receiving the benefits of God's promises. The Lord told the church in Smyrna to be faithful unto death, and they would receive a crown of life. That same principle is addressed throughout the Book of Hebrews.

Next look at Hebrews 10:22 which says, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
The very next verse, verse 23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” This passage contains a very important admonition; we are to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.

Go down to Hebrews 10:35 and we will read through the end of the chapter. Notice the emphasis that is being placed on living by faith. “35. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36. for you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37. "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.'' 39. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

God's people are to live by faith. I think it would be interesting to see how many times faith and patience are mentioned together. We just read at least two passages where those two subjects are linked. Without patience, faith is likely to falter. We understand from scripture that faith is not a one-and-done proposition, don’t we? In his second letter to those in Thessalonica Paul wrote, in 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,”

The other day I was reading from the Gospel of Luke where Jesus talked to the disciples about their responsibility to forgive one another. After the Lord finished, the disciples responded by saying increase our faith. They knew that they needed some help in that regard. That's a good plea to make; Lord, increase our faith. Faith is linked to so many very important subjects.

The 11th chapter of Hebrews contains a detailed study of faith. It tells us about the faith demonstrated by several of the great men and women that we read about in the Old Testament. A couple weeks ago we examined five lessons from Noah's faith. Noah is just one of the great Old Testament characters mentioned in Hebrews eleven.

What I would like to do today is consider some fundamental principles that relate to faith that are dealt with in Hebrews. When the Lord said in Revelation 2:10, be faithful… do we know what the word faithful means? Of course, it means full of faith, but it also carries with it the idea of being dependable, being reliable, being trustworthy.

The Bible also says, and we've already read one verse that shows this to be the case, God is faithful. He's certainly dependable. He's trustworthy. He wants His children to be faithful as well. It's imperative that we be faithful unto death to receive the crown of life.

If faithfulness is such an important matter, and it is, we need to be aware of some fundamental principles that relate to faith.

I'm very much aware of the fact that most of you've already heard these things taught. But I'm reminded of what Peter said in 2 Peter chapter one and I paraphrase, I know that you know these things, but I'm going to remind you of them again. [para] In other words, there are certain things that are just so important that we need to be reminded of them on a regular basis, I know I do.

I. In the opening verse of Hebrews 11, we are supplied a description of faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” [NKJV]

A. I suggest a general definition of faith would go like this: faith may be defined as believing what God tells us in the Bible and following His instructions so that we can receive His promises. That's the classic definition of faith.
B. We notice that faith is described as substance. That word substance may also be translated assurance of things hoped for, or confidence of things hoped for. The word evidence may be translated conviction of things not seen…the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. If we're concerned about being faithful, which certainly we are, we need to know what faith is and we have been looking at faith over the past few months. Faith is the evidence of things that you don't necessarily see or experience yourself, but you believe them, you assent to them. We believe, even in the absence of first-hand experience, that these things are true.
C. Let’s consider Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” I wonder if perhaps… that's why there's such a lack of faith today. If people don't come in contact with the Word of God, how can they possibly have any faith?

1. It is amazing the statements that some people make about the Bible. When someone makes a negative comment about the Bible, that person needs to be challenged to identify the verse under consideration. Often they can't give it.
2. I’m sure many of us have experienced that the people who make these derogatory remarks are often just repeating what they've heard from someone else. Many of us have been taught to do some thinking for our selves and not to take anyone's word when it comes to the Scriptures, but search the Scriptures and determine if what was said is right, based on what God has revealed in His Word.
3. I wish those people making the derogatory remarks would take the time to do that, but it takes effort and unless they are challenged, they are not likely to make that effort.

II. Our faith is based on the Word of God.

A. Romans 10:17 says, as we read just a moment ago, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Since our faith is based on God's word, we can understand things from the past that we have not seen. The Book of Hebrew shows this to be the case.
B. Hebrews 11:3 – “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Our faith is based on Scripture, and Scriptures say in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, with details of the creation supplied for us.

1. In Genesis 1, there were six days of creation, and on the 7th day God rested. All those details concerning the creation are revealed in this chapter.
2. With our faith based on Scripture, we can understand things from the past that we have not seen. I certainly was not present at the creation, and you were not either. How do we know that the Bible record is accurate? How do we know that God created everything in six days? The scriptures are dependable for they are the inspired word of God.
3. When the Bible says that God created everything in six days, we believe that although we were not present to see what took place. Faith is described as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. With our faith based on the word of God, we can understand things from the past.

C. I was thinking the other day about how when people are ignorant of history; they often repeat its mistakes. It is true that sometimes history can be uncomfortable to remember, and we do not like to see reminders of unpleasant things that have happened. Monuments of past wars for example. Now it is true that some may want to glory in these things, yet they also serve to remind us of that horrible time in our history. If we are not aware of those events, I fear we're bound to repeat them.

1. We need to understand things from the past. How do we know that George Washington ever lived? He is called the father of our country. I never saw him, you didn't either. We have the historical record of his life just like we have the historical record of what happened at the creation.
2. Moses wrote it down and we're able to read it, so we could understand things from the past that we have not seen. Faith enables us to do that because our faith is based on God’s Word.

D. Now I want you to notice that faith allows us to look in a different direction as well. With our faith based on Scripture, we can understand things in the future that we have not seen. Let's look at how this is demonstrated by some of the great patriarchs in Hebrews 11.

1. Go to Hebrews 11:13-16 – “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
2. These great Bible people that all died in faith were looking for something. God had promised them… a city. They spent their lives looking forward to that city. Why did they do that? Because God said it, they believed it. They knew it was going to happen.
3. Faith when it's based on Scripture will enable us to know things in the future that we have not seen. That's illustrated by some of the great patriarchs.
4. Let's look at what Jesus said in John 14:2-3 where He talked about some things that we’ve never seen. He talked about things that will occur in the future. John 14:2-3 – “In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
5. Our Lord talked about His return, and He said that when He comes back, He's going to take His followers to His Father's house where there are many mansions. The Lord has gone there to prepare that wonderful place.

a. We have never seen the Father's house. How do we know that the Father's house exists? Because the Bible says so.
b. How do we know that Jesus is coming back? Because the Bible says so.
c. How do we know that the Lord is going to take His faithful followers to that wonderful place called heaven? It's because the Bible says so.
d. We've never seen heaven, but we believe with all of our hearts that it exists, because our faith is based on the word of God… on Scripture.

6. With our faith based on Scripture, we can understand things from the past that we have not seen. We can also understand things that will occur in the future that we haven't seen.

E. If we're going to be faithful, we need to be mindful of these principles that relate to faith. We need to know what faith is, and we need to realize that it has a profound effect upon our understanding. With our faith based on Scripture, we can look back in time and know certain things that we've never seen. We can also look forward in time and know about some things that no one's ever seen except the Lord.

III. Let's look at another fundamental principle revealed in Hebrews 11. Verse 6 contains this statement: “But 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.”

A. This verse shows us that faith is essential. How do we know that faith is essential? It's because this verse says that without it, it is impossible to please God. That's stating it in a negative way. The positive point to learn from that is, through faith we can please God.
B. As we look at what the Bible says about faith, we see that it's possible to possess different degrees of faith.

1. Consider what's written in Mark 4:40. This verse shows us that it's possible to have no faith. In this verse the Lord asked a question of the disciples, after He had calmed the great storm that arose on the Sea of Galilee.

a. Remember, they were frightened, they thought that their lives were about to be lost. They asked Jesus if He cared in verse 38.
b. After Jesus calmed the storm, He asked the questions. “… "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?''”

2. These are men who had left their livelihoods and their families to follow Christ. Did they have faith? Yes, but see how they reacted to that storm. Jesus said how is it that you have no faith? It's possible then to have no faith. That's one degree of faith.

C. We find that the Bible also mentions little faith. Matthew 6:30. In this portion of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was talking about being filled with anxiety over things such as the necessities of life. I imagine this is something we have all experienced.

1. In dealing with that issue, Jesus said, “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
2. We've already pointed out that it's possible to have no faith. Here, Jesus talked about having little faith.

D. Let's look now at James 2:17 – “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This verse reveals another degree of faith. Here the Bible talks about dead faith. Of course, that kind of faith is not pleasing to God. We see from the Scriptures that there are different degrees of faith.

1. It's possible to have no faith.
2. It's possible to have little faith.
3. It's possible to have a dead faith.

E. I suggest that leaves one more. It's possible to have great faith. Let’s consider the backgrounds of two people who had great faith.
F. We are now looking at Matthew 8:10. Jesus made this statement about a centurion, an officer in the Roman army. He would have been a Gentile. His servant was ill. The Lord healed the servant. Notice what Jesus said.

1. Matthew 8:10 – “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” That's quite a statement to be made about a man who was a Gentile.
2. Look also at Matthew 15:28 in reference to a Canaanite woman whose daughter Jesus healed. She was determined to have her daughter healed. Notice what is said in Matthew 15:28 – “Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.'' And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” This was a woman of Canaan, not from Israel. Jesus commended her for having great faith.

G. These verses indicate to us that it's possible to have different degrees of faith and we are concerned about pleasing God. We know that without faith it's impossible to please God, but with faith we can please God.

IV. The faith that pleases God includes believing that He is. Let's go back and look at that verse again. Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is… ” It's obviously imperative that we believe God exists. We have plenty of evidence available to us to convince us that there is a God in heaven.

A. Faith that pleases God also includes believing that He will reward those who seek Him. Once again, the verse says: “… for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” That includes obeying God's will, a point that is made very clear once again in James.
B. In James 2 again let's continue at verse 18. James 2:18 – “18. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works.'' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! 20. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.'' And he was called the friend of God. 24. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only”

1. In this part of his letter, James is talking about the relationship that exists between faith and works. We've already seen from verse 17 that faith that's not backed up by works of obedience is dead. It's vain. It serves no good purpose.
2. The faith that pleases God, and that's what we're concerned about, believes that He is. The faith that pleases God also believes that God will reward those who diligently seek Him.
3. The faith that pleases God includes obeying His will, doing what He says in other words.

V. Faith is essential, but not just any faith. It is the kind of faith that God describes in His Word that pleases Him. I think God ought to know what pleases Him don’t you? He shows us very clearly in His Word the faith which is pleasing.

A. There's another sense in which we see that faith is essential. Go back to Hebrews 11:2 where it is talking about faith, “For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.” Faith will enable us to obtain a good report. That's referring to the great Bible characters from the Old Testament, and we're able to read about them.
B. This also applies to us as they are our example. We understand that faith is essential in that it will enable us to obtain a good report. That has reference to receiving that crown of life that Jesus mentioned in Revelation 2:10.

CONCLUSION: The source of our salvation is not our work or activity, but a work that has been done by someone else—Jesus. To be saved we must accept and rely upon what has been done for us. This act of relying on Jesus and His work is the very essence of faith. Salvation comes to us not through God’s law but through His promises. Romans 4:13 – “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
God offers salvation through His promise; the only way to respond to a promise is by believing it and trusting in it (and in the one who gave it).

Salvation is by grace, and faith is the natural and proper response to grace. Romans 4:16 - “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all”.

We have looked at some important fundamentals that relate to faith. We understand that it's essential that we be faithful unto death to receive that crown of life.

1. That being the case, we know what faith is.
2. We know that faith is based on Scripture.
3. We understand that there are different levels or different degrees of faith.
4. We understand we need the kind of faith that pleases God. That's the faith that we need to strive to have.
5. We also understand that faith is essential.
6. It will enable us to obtain a good report.

I love to study about these great men and women of faith in the book of Hebrews.
We can receive a tremendous amount of encouragement from studying about them.
Take the time to go back to the Old Testament as well. Read about these Bible characters and see how they faced some difficult circumstances. Yet, God blessed them abundantly.

When we go back to the Old Testament and examine these faithful people, let's remember these fundamental principles we just talked about that relate to faith.
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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins… If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

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Taken from a sermon by: Raymond Sieg