Introduction:

A. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

1. Faith is: [pistis] Defined by Thayer: “conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it; relating to God; the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ; relating to Christ; a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God; the religious beliefs of Christians; belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same”

B. We are justified [to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered] by faith (Romans 5:1). 
C. It is by faith that we walk (II Corinthians 5:7).

1. We will find that we do not have “blind faith”.

a. We will see that our faith has foundation.
b. We will see that our faith is based upon proof.

2. When we walk by faith we display our faithfulness (Hebrews 11:7ff.).

A. The word “substance” in the KJV means: “that which has foundation, is firm; that which has actual existence; a substance, real being; the substantial quality, nature, of a person or thing; the steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage, resolution; confidence, firm trust, assurance” – Thayer.
B. We add various things to our faith, because our faith is our foundation (II Peter 1:5-10).

1. Our faith comes from the word of God (Romans 10:17).
2. Christ tells us that those who obey Him are likened unto one who builds a foundation upon a rock (Luke 6:47-49).

a. Our faith must be tried so that we can build up endurance (James 1:3 and I Peter 1:7-9).

3. Our faith produces action [works]:

a. Abraham (James 2:21-22 and Hebrews 11:17-19). 
b. Those on the Day of Pentecost – received the word then obeyed (Acts 2:41).  
c. What is to be said of our faith when we do nothing for the Lord?

C. The same Greek word translated “substance” here [KJV] is translated as “confidence” in Hebrews 3:14.  

1. Our faith also plays into our prayer life (James 1:5-8).
2. Our boldness is through confidence in Christ (Ephesians 3:12). 

a. Faith will be our shield in allowing us to be bold in battle (Ephesians 6:16).

A. We hope [trust] in God to keep many promises as the Bible says God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

1. We have hope [trust] in the resurrection (Acts 24:14-15). 
2. We have hope [trust] in salvation (I Thessalonians 5:8). 

B. There is but one hope of our calling (Ephesians 4:5).

1. That hope is in the only way – Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
2. It is a hope we have not seen, but we do have the evidence to have faith in.

III. Our Faith is Based Upon Evidence of Things We Have Not Seen

A. We learn through the word evidence [proof], that our faith is not blind, but based upon something that proves that which we have not seen with our eyes exists.

1. In a court of law evidence is often based upon witness accounts.  We have a sixty-six book witness account, by 40 different writers, in which all of their accounts are in complete agreement with each other.
2. This is made possible because all 40 writers were guided by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:20-21). 

a. All scriptures are inspired [God-breathed] (II Timothy 3:16-17).
b. Not the words of man’s wisdom (I Corinthians 2:1-13).
c. It was God’s intention to provide all that we need to know to obey (Deuteronomy 29:29, John 20:30-31, and John 21:24-25).
d. Within those accounts we have several witnesses to the physical existence of Christ and the works He did including His resurrection (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:32, Acts 3:13-15, Acts 10:38-39, and I Corinthians 15:1-8).

B.  How we can know that God exists and that the Bible is a credible source of information 

1.  Prophesies (the length of time between them being written and then being fulfilled in detail). 

a.  Micah 5:2 (BC 737) fulfilled (737 years later) Matthew 2:1.  
b.  Isaiah 53:3-12 (BC 685) fulfilled (about 718 years later) [the following scriptures are just some of the details outlined in Isaiah 53] Matthew 20:28, Matthew 27:12-14, and Matthew 27:35. 
c.  Psalms 69:21 (around 600 BC) about 633 years later Matthew 27:34 
d.  Psalms 22:18 (around 600 BC) about 633 years later Matthew 27:35. 
e.  Isaiah 9:1-2 (BC 685) about 715 years later Matthew 4:12-23.
f. Isaiah 2:2-3 (BC 700) about 733 years later Luke 24:47 and Acts 2:5; 38; 47.

C. How about some of the scientific foreknowledge in the Bible?

1.  Oceanography Fresh water springs in the ocean found in 1976 by the US Geological Survey: Job 38:16 
2.  In 1876 the Challenger Expedition found recessed (Channels) in the Ocean: II Samuel 22:16 
3.  In 1690 Pierre Perrault and Edme Mariotte found water cycles that formed the rain from large bodies of water. THE BIBLE TELLS US THIS IS WHY THE SEA IS NOT FULL WITH ALL OF THE RIVERS THAT FLOW INTO IT.  

a. Ecclesiastes 1:7 
b. Ecclesiastes 11:3 
c. Amos 9:6

4.  In 1935 Prof. H. Dam realized that babies blood clot abilities (VIT. K) is best on the 8th day after birth: Genesis 17:12 
5.  ASTRONOMY The Earth is round was found by Christopher Columbus 1492: Isaiah 40:22 

D. What do the above points “B” and “C” prove?

1. Isaiah 55:8-9 
2. Genesis 1:1 
3. Hebrews 11:3 

A. The Bible teaches that we need to prove all things (I Thessalonians 5:21).

1. Through Bible foreknowledge, prophesies, and witness accounts we can know the Bible is true and that our faith is based upon evidence.
2. As Gamaliel pointed out: if it is not truth it would not stand (Acts 5:29-42), but over many attempts skeptics have not been able to provide anything that has blemished our source of evidence; which is the inspired word of God!

B. James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

1. Will you go further in allowing your faith to lead to obedience?
2. Will you allow your faith to keep you following the Lord?

2003 by Brian A. Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.