Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV) The Greek word for “substance” is hupostasis. In the everyday Greek language, the word is used to depict title deeds. A title deed gives “substance” to a person’s claim to property. The word for “evidence” is elenchus. It means proof.
Two thoughts emerge here. Faith gives us the title deeds to the things hoped for. Faith also gives the proof we need that things we have not yet seen, are all they are said to be. In other words, faith has to do with things we long for, things still unsatisfied; and it has to do with things we look for, things still unseen. In both cases faith makes them real. Faith is not wishful thinking. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV)
Abraham demonstrated how faith is the title deed, the guarantee, the substance of things hoped for. Abraham longed for a promised son. The years passed and the son did not come, and yet he still had hope. Paul tells us in the book of Romans that Abraham against hope believed in hope…and not being weak in the faith. When Abraham was about a hundred years old, he saw that faith fulfilled with a son.
Noah shows us faith is the evidence and proof of things unseen. When God told Noah he was going to send a flood it was likely Noah had never seen a flood. Genesis 2:6 would indicate he had never seen rain and had certainly never seen such a dramatic judgement from God. But God spoke, Noah obeyed and built the ark, and 120 years later his faith became fact.
I am looking forward to working by faith with you, my brothers and sisters at Somerset, in the days ahead. Let me ask you to become involved by faith in the work of the church by reaching out to the community, inviting, teaching, and serving others. If the nominating committee contacts you about a position of service, accept it by faith. Let’s show our faith in our attendance, our service, and our giving. I believe we can accomplish great things, by faith, for the cause of Christ in the days ahead.
Mother’s Day is coming on May 14th. This is a time to celebrate our families in church. Let’s use this special day to bring our whole family to church and celebrate it by worshipping our great God together. God can use this day to mold and shape our families in a fashion that is pleasing to him.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV) The Greek word for “substance” is hupostasis. In the everyday Greek language, the word is used to depict title deeds. A title deed gives “substance” to a person’s claim to property. The word for “evidence” is elenchus. It means proof.
Two thoughts emerge here. Faith gives us the title deeds to the things hoped for. Faith also gives the proof we need that things we have not yet seen, are all they are said to be. In other words, faith has to do with things we long for, things still unsatisfied; and it has to do with things we look for, things still unseen. In both cases faith makes them real. Faith is not wishful thinking. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV)
Abraham demonstrated how faith is the title deed, the guarantee, the substance of things hoped for. Abraham longed for a promised son. The years passed and the son did not come, and yet he still had hope. Paul tells us in the book of Romans that Abraham against hope believed in hope…and not being weak in the faith. When Abraham was about a hundred years old, he saw that faith fulfilled with a son.
Noah shows us faith is the evidence and proof of things unseen. When God told Noah he was going to send a flood it was likely Noah had never seen a flood. Genesis 2:6 would indicate he had never seen rain and had certainly never seen such a dramatic judgement from God. But God spoke, Noah obeyed and built the ark, and 120 years later his faith became fact.
I am looking forward to working by faith with you, my brothers and sisters at Somerset, in the days ahead. Let me ask you to become involved by faith in the work of the church by reaching out to the community, inviting, teaching, and serving others. If the nominating committee contacts you about a position of service, accept it by faith. Let’s show our faith in our attendance, our service, and our giving. I believe we can accomplish great things, by faith, for the cause of Christ in the days ahead.
Mother’s Day is coming on May 14th. This is a time to celebrate our families in church. Let’s use this special day to bring our whole family to church and celebrate it by worshipping our great God together. God can use this day to mold and shape our families in a fashion that is pleasing to him.
