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INTRODUCTION

Familiar to us as the chapter on faith. As I Corinthians 13 is the chapter on love.
We often us it as the definition of faith. v. 1.
The way we usually approach the subject of faith in this chapter.
- The necessity of faith.
- Without faith impossible to please God. v. 6
- Is essential to our beginning the Christian life.
BUT WHAT IS THE EMPHASIS PLACED ON IT BY THE AUTHOR ?
- The emphasis in the 11th chapter of Hebrews is not on the beginning of Christian life!
- But upon the successful ending of the Christian life.
Without faith it is impossible to be pleasing unto God, because we cannot complete, live successfully the Christian life without faith. Let us notice:

FAITH

Faith deals essentially with two types of things.
- Things future ( or hoped for).
- Things "not seen". V. 1
It is equally sure of the coming fulfillment of the one and the present reality of the other.
- Without such an active awareness toward God "it is impossible to please him." v. 6
- God is the supreme unseen reality with which faith has to do; and His faithful fulfillment of His promises." cf v. 11.
IN THE EXAMPLES GIVEN:
- There are things future (hoped for)
- There are things "not seen".
- The trust in the faithful fulfillment of God to keep his promises.

HEAVENLY FULFILLMENT

Contrast to the visable appearance and immediate natural outlook which seemed often completely to contradict their confidence.

1. Abraham is a sojourner, with no relief in sight. v. 9.

- Sarah - was well past child bearing age...Faith seemed to be in the impossible. v. 11.
- Abraham - offered up Isaac. Seemed to contradict all of the promises God had made. v. 17.
- The others....
They never withdrew or turned back to the world because the believed in a fulfillment that was heavenly rather than earthly. vv 14-16.
- True, many reached faith's goal here in this life....Sarah and birth of Isaac

2. The complete fulfillment of God's promises yet future.

BY FAITH

Every example begins in the same way "By faith..."
"By Faith"....the accomplishment.
Quickly look at the Beginning, - Life, - and End, of some of the examples.
- Enoch - "he had been well pleasing unto God"
- - "Without faith it is impossible to please Him"
  - Enoch lived by faith.
- Noah - Began in faith - Continued in faith - Saved by faith.
- Moses - Rejected by his brethren. - in the land of Midian 40 years. -

Became deliverer.

CONCLUSION

Quick review of the examples of faith given in this chapter.
NOTE: not one of these is given as an example for beginning to obey or follow...but ALL are given as an example of the necessity of faith to complete the life of service to God.
READ AND COMPARE: James 2:14ff. Written to Christians - not about faith to become a Christian...but faith to live the Christian life.
THIS IS OUR LESSON TODAY:
- Do we have faith? Enough faith??
- Do we have enough or strong enough faith to continue and successfully complete a life of service to God?
- Without faith we simply cannot deal with all of the problems in life.
- We cannot be pleasing unto God.
HOW DO WE DEVELOP SUCH A FAITH?
- The Holy Spirit give us the answer.

2. Romans 10:17; "Belief comes of hearing" The more we hear God's Word