Faith
FAITH: TRUSTING GOD WHEN YOU CANNOT SEE
OPENING SCRIPTURE
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
— Hebrews 11:1
INTRODUCTION
Faith is one of the most spoken-about, yet least-understood words in the Christian life.
We talk about faith. We sing about faith. We quote verses about faith.
But when faith is tested—when the evidence is missing, when prayers are delayed, when life contradicts what God said—that is where many struggle.
The Bible does not present faith as a feeling.
It presents faith as a decision.
Today, we are going to look at what biblical faith really is, how it works, and why God requires it from every believer.
FAITH IS DEFINED BY GOD, NOT BY US
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
— Hebrews 11:1
Faith is not imagination.
Faith is not wishful thinking.
Faith is not denial of reality.
The Bible says faith is substance—meaning it has weight.
Faith is evidence—meaning it proves something before it appears.
Faith operates in the unseen realm, but it produces real results in the visible world.
Faith does not ignore facts—it trusts God above them.
II. FAITH COMES FROM GOD’S WORD
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
— Romans 10:17
Faith does not come from hype.
Faith does not come from emotion.
Faith does not come from positive thinking.
Faith comes from hearing God speak.
That is why a believer who is not in the Word will struggle in faith.
You cannot believe what you do not know.
You cannot stand on promises you have never heard.
If the Word is weak in your life, faith will be weak in your life.
III. FAITH IS TRUST IN GOD’S CHARACTER
“He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
— Hebrews 11:6
Faith begins by believing who God is.
Faith says:
- God is faithful
- God is truthful
- God keeps His word
- God does not lie
Faith does not trust circumstances.
Faith does not trust people.
Faith trusts God’s character.
You may not understand what God is doing—but faith trusts who He is.
IV. FAITH IS PROVEN BY OBEDIENCE
“By faith Abraham obeyed…”
— Hebrews 11:8
Faith always produces action.
If faith never changes how you live, how you speak, or how you obey—it is not biblical faith.
“Faith, if it hath not works, is dead.”
— James 2:17
Faith moves your feet.
Faith changes your decisions.
Faith obeys even when obedience is costly.
Real faith is not what you say—it is what you do because you believe God.
V. FAITH IS TESTED BY DELAY
God often allows time to pass before fulfillment—not to destroy faith, but to prove it genuine.
“Though it tarry, wait for it.”
— Habakkuk 2:3
“After he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”
— Hebrews 6:15
Delay is not denial.
Waiting is not rejection.
Silence does not mean abandonment.
Faith learns to wait without quitting.
VI. FAITH SPEAKS BEFORE IT SEES
“I believed, therefore have I spoken.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:13
Biblical faith speaks God’s truth before the evidence appears.
Faith says:
- “I am healed” while pain remains
- “God will provide” while lack persists
- “God is faithful” while the storm rages
Faith does not deny reality—it declares God’s reality over it.
VII. FAITH RELEASES GOD’S POWER
Jesus repeatedly connected faith to miracles.
“According to your faith be it unto you.”
— Matthew 9:29
“Thy faith hath made thee whole.”
— Mark 5:34
But Scripture also says:
“He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
— Matthew 13:58
God is all-powerful, but unbelief restricts what He releases.
Faith gives God something to respond to.
VIII. FAITH DOES NOT MEAN THE ABSENCE OF FEAR
Faith and fear often exist at the same time.
“When I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”
— Psalm 56:3
Faith does not mean you never feel fear.
Faith means you choose to trust God despite fear.
Faith is courage that says, “I will obey anyway.”
IX. FAITH IS THE WAY OF SALVATION
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9
Salvation is not earned—it is believed.
Faith is the hand that receives grace.
Faith is the doorway into eternal life.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
— Acts 16:31
X. FAITH IS HOW THE BELIEVER LIVES
“The just shall live by faith.”
— Habakkuk 2:4
Faith is not a moment.
Faith is not only for emergencies.
Faith is a lifestyle.
“We walk by faith, not by sight.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:7
CLOSING EXHORTATION
Some of you are walking by sight right now.
You are trusting what you see, what you feel, and what you fear.
But God is calling you back to faith.
Faith says:
- God is still faithful
- God is still working
- God is still in control
ALTAR CALL / RESPONSE
“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
— Mark 9:24
If you are struggling to trust God…
If your faith has been shaken…
If fear has been louder than faith…
This is your moment.
Faith begins when you choose to trust God again.