By A. A. Meeks, Sr.

Intro: The subject of “Faith” is very important.

A. The word “faith” is used over 200 times in the N.T.

B. Other words with similar meaning are: Believe, Believes, Believed, Believing.

I. The word “faith” is used two ways in the N.T.

A. When used with the article “the” it means “the system of doctrine which we must teach and practice.”

1. 1 Cor. 16:13 “Stand fast in the faith.”

2. 2 Cor. 13:5 “Try your own selves, whether you are in the faith.”

3. Jude 3 “Contend earnestly for the faith.”

B. Most of the time it means “a firm belief and trust in a person, doctrine, or statement.”

II. Faith is important because —

A. Faith is necessary for our salvation. Jn. 3:16; 8:24; Mark 16:16; Rom. 5:1; 10:9-10

B. We cannot please God without faith (Heb. 11:6).

III. Faith is based on evidence (Heb. 11:1).

A. We believe there is a God. Why?

1. The evidence —

a. Rom. 1:18-20

b. Ps. 19:1 “The heavens declare ...”

2. We do not see God, but we believe because we see things He created all around us.

B. We believe in Christ because of the testimony of credible witnesses. There is more testimony for Christ than for the existence of Julius Caesar.

C. We believe the Bible because the evidence within it shows it is from God (prophecies made and fulfilled, no contradictions, no mistakes, etc.).

IV. Difference between opinion, faith, and sight.

A. In matters of opinion, one opinion is as good as another. Example: What kind of bush did Moses see burning? The Bible does not say. People may have different opinions about it, but we cannot know the answer.

B. In matters of faith, the Bible is God’s only source of doctrine and truth (Rom. 10:17).

C. Illustration of opinion, faith, and sight.

Opinion: “What do you think is in my hand?” (The audience may have different opinions.)

Faith: “I am holding a coin. Do you believe me?” (Some in the audience may believe the speaker.)

Sight: Speaker opens his hand, and a coin is seen in the speaker’s hand.

D. Special Note: Consider the idea of “Knowledge.”

Knowledge from Sight, Sound, Touch, Feel: Our human senses give us some “knowledge.” However, our senses sometimes give us “uncertain” messages, and they sometimes deceive us.

Knowledge from Faith: True “knowledge” of spiritual matters can only come to us through Faith. Heb. 11:3; Jn. 8:32; Eph. 3:4; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 1:2-8; Rom. 10:17.

V. Hebrews 11 is called the “Faith Chapter.”

A. People were blessed because of their faith.

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Israel, etc.

B. On each occasion the blessing was received after the people took action (Gal. 5:6). “faith working through love.”

VI. What about faith without works (Jas. 2:14-26)?

A. It is without profit (Jas 2:14-16).

B. It is dead (2:17).

C. It cannot be seen (2:18).

D. It is no better than the demons (2:19).

E. It is barren (2:20).

F. It is imperfect (incomplete) (2:21-23).

G. It will not justify (2:24-25).

H. It is dead (2:26).

Conclusion: Faith saves us when we obey.

outline by Alfred A. Meeks, Sr.