What is faith?

11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God...

11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we anticipate will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

3. An Emotional State - taking emotional temperature - faith when I feel doubtful? 2Cor. 5:7 “We live by faith, not by sight.” - God gives confirmation - Not the norm! Current Definitions

11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we anticipate will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

The nature of faith

11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we anticipate will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. The object of faith

11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we anticipate will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. ExpectationExpectation

ExpectationExpectation Col. 1:4,5 we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven

11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we anticipate will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Convinced the unseen portion of the universe is real

11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we anticipate will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Convinced the unseen portion of the universe is real This momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2Cor. 4 : This momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2Cor. 4 :

11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we anticipate will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Convinced the unseen portion of the universe is real ThomasThomas

11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we anticipate will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Sure enough to act

11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we anticipate will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. NASB “Conviction”

2 God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith. 3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

6 And 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 seek Him.

That God is real That he is who he says he is

6 And 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 seek Him.

That God is good = personal trust

6 And 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 seek Him. Considering how central faith is, how seriously do we view the issue of unbelief in our lives?

6 And 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 seek Him. Considering how central faith is, how seriously do we view the issue of unbelief in our lives? Stealing, assault, prostitution, etc.

6 And 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 seek Him. Considering how central faith is, how seriously do we view the issue of unbelief in our lives? Stewing in anxietyStewing in anxiety feeling sorry for ourselvesfeeling sorry for ourselves non-actionnon-action Stewing in anxietyStewing in anxiety feeling sorry for ourselvesfeeling sorry for ourselves non-actionnon-action

A willful decision to accept God’s interpretation of reality Should include both mental affirmation of the truth… and personal trust expressed in action Ways to think about faith:

- Faith is a denial of pride- putting my views, my feelings aside to accept his view - Dependence and trust is the furthest thing from autonomy  Why does God pick faith as His requirement rather than something else?

- If a minimum moral standard was required, some might have trouble meeting it, - but faith is something we all can do  Why does God pick faith as His requirement rather than something else?

- Faith is the basis for personal relationship  Why does God pick faith as His requirement rather than something else?

Applying this abstract understanding of faith through Old Testament stories