Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:1-13
Memory Verse: “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38
Lesson Aim: To show that the walk of the believer is a lifestyle of faith.
Key Points
- Without faith it is impossible to please God.
- Faith is the essence of one’s relationship with God.
- The life Jesus lived in the flesh was a life of faith.
- A victorious life can be obtained through faith.
What is faith? The Scripture states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). In other words, it is the assurance, the confirmation of what we are expecting, and is the proof and the conviction of what we do not perceive with our senses.[1] Understanding what faith is, we therefore realize that faith is the essence of the believer’s relationship with God. Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him…” Living by faith is a walk that a believer begins with the acceptance and confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. It also entails trusting God for everything: the basic needs of life, facing challenges, direction for our lives, healing, health, etc.
This walk requires an unwavering confidence and unconditional trust in the Father and the Master Lord Jesus Christ. Down through the ages, faith has been the foundation upon which God-fearing men and women have built their relationship with God. It enabled them to endure destitution, torture, trials of cruel mocking, scourging, stoning, afflictions, torment, bonds, and imprisonment. It is this type of unwavering and unmovable faith the believers of the 21st Century must exercise to endure life’s challenges, persecution, prosecution, other difficulties and to maintain an open relationship with God.
Of all the great men and women of faith that Paul listed – Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, etc. – he presented Jesus as the supreme example of perfect faith. By faith, in speaking the Word, Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness. By faith He performed miracles – healed the blind, the deaf, the lame and raised the dead. By faith Jesus proclaimed the words of life. By faith He committed Himself into the hands of God in the Garden of Gethsemane. By faith Jesus endured the agony of the cross and conquered death, hell, and the grave. He rose in triumph over Satan and all his evil principalities and powers and is now seated in a position of supreme power and authority at the right hand of the Father. The war has been won. Jesus has overcome the world! Because of this victory, He has become the author – the source of our faith, and the finisher – bringing our faith to maturity.
As we abide in Him through constant fellowship and communion, and as His words abide in us, molding and conforming us into His image; we have access to faith which enables us to “…ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). Not only that, but God takes great pleasure in seeing His children walk in obedience by operating in faith. It truly pleases Him.
A life of victory is available to us when we think, walk, talk, and act faith. The words of the Apostle Paul as recorded in Galatians 2:20 sum up quite well what it means to live by faith. His words are, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the FAITH of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (KJV emphasis added).Now that’s living by faith!
[1] “Hebrews 11:1.” The Amplified Bible, Expanded Edition. Zondervan Corporation and the Lockman Foundation, 1987.
Questions and Discussion
- What is the ultimate purpose of faith? Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:38; 11:6; Habakkuk 2:4
- What are some of the things faith will accomplish? 2 Timothy 3:15; Matthew 9:22; Galatians 3:14; 1 John 5:4
- How is faith manifested by the believer? James 2:18; Luke 5:18-20
- What are some steps we can take to live a victorious life of faith? Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:22-23; James 4:7-8; Joshua 1:8
- How are we justified in the eyes of God? Acts 15:8-9; Romans 3:28; 5:1-2; Galatians 2:16; 3:24
- How far should we go in trusting and obeying God? 1 Timothy 6:11-12; Revelation 2:10; Proverbs 3:5
- Why should we continue to have faith despite evident obstacles and present difficulties? 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 Discuss.