Faith at the Dawn of History

{4} By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. {5} By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. {6} But 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 diligently seek Him. {7} By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

{8} By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. {9} By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; {10} for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. {11} By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. {12} Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude; innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

{13} These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. {14} For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. {15} And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. {16} But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs

{17} By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, {18} of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," {19} concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. {20} By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. {21} By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. {22} By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

{23} By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. {24} By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, {25} choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, {26} esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. {27} By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. {28} By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. {29} By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

{30} By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. {31} By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. {32} And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: {33} who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, {34} quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. {35} Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. {36} Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. {37} They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; {38} of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. {39} And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, {40} God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us."

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Golden Text:

(Heb 11:1 NKJV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

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1.) (Heb 11:6 NKJV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

2.) (Heb 11:6 NKJV) "But 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 diligently seek Him."

3.) (Heb 6:1-2 NKJV) "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, {2} of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."

(Eph 2:8 NKJV) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,"

4.) (2 Tim 3:15 NKJV) "and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

(1 Pet 1:5 NKJV) "who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

5.) (Eph 2:8 NKJV) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,"

(Rom 5:2 NKJV) "through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

6.) (Rom 3:28 NKJV) "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law."

(Gal 2:16 NKJV) ""knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified."

7.) (Rom 4:20-24 NKJV) "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, {21} and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. {22} And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." {23} Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, {24} but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,"

(Gal 5:5 NKJV) "For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."

(Phil 3:9 NKJV) "and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;"

8.) (Mark 11:20-23 NKJV) "Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. {21} And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away." {22} So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. {23} "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says."

9.) (1 Cor 2:5 NKJV) "that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

(Col 2:12 NKJV) "buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."

(1 Pet 1:21 NKJV) "who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."

10.) (1 Th 1:8 NKJV) "For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything."

(Heb 6:1 NKJV) "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,"

11.) (Rom 12:3 NKJV) "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."

(Eph 2:8 NKJV) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,"

12.) (1 Cor 12:9 NKJV) "to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,"

13.) (Gal 3:14 NKJV) "that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

(Gal 3:22 NKJV) "But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."

14.) (Gal 3:26 NKJV) "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

15.) (Acts 3:16 NKJV) ""And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

(Acts 24:24 NKJV) "And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ."

(1 Tim 3:13 NKJV) "For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."

(2 Tim 1:13 NKJV) "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."

(2 Tim 3:15 NKJV) "and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

16.) (Mat 8:8-10 NKJV) "The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. {9} "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." {10} When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"

17.) (Acts 3:16 NKJV) ""And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

(Eph 3:12 NKJV) "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him."

(Phil 3:9 NKJV) "and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;"

(Heb 12:2 NKJV) "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

(Rev 14:12 NKJV) "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

18.) (Rom 10:17 NKJV) "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

19.) (Rom 3:31 NKJV) "Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law."

20.) (1 Cor 13:2 NKJV) "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."

21.) (James 2:14-24 NKJV) "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? {15} If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? {17} Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. {18} But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. {19} You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble! {20} But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? {21} Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? {22} Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? {23} And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. {24} You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."

22.) (Hab 2:4 NKJV) ""Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith."

(Rom 1:17 NKJV) "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith.""

(2 Cor 5:7 NKJV) "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

(Gal 2:20 NKJV) ""I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

(Gal 3:11 NKJV) "But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith.""

(Heb 10:38 NKJV) "Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.""

23.) (Mark 11:22 NKJV) "So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God."

(Rom 14:23 NKJV) "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."

(Eph 6:16 NKJV) "above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."

(Phil 1:27 NKJV) "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,"

(1 Th 5:8 NKJV) "But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation."

(1 Tim 6:11-12 NKJV) "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. {12} Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

(2 Tim 2:22 NKJV) "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

(Jude 1:3 NKJV) "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."

24.) (Jude 1:3 NKJV) "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."

25.) (Luke 18:8 NKJV) ""I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?""

26.) (James 1:3 NKJV) "knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

27.) (Mat 9:22 NKJV) "But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour."

(Mark 5:34 NKJV) "And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.""

(Mark 10:52 NKJV) "Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road."

(Luke 8:48 NKJV) "And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.""

(Luke 17:19 NKJV) "And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.""

(Luke 18:42 NKJV) "Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.""

(James 5:14-15 NKJV) "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. {15} And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."

28.) See Hebrews 11:4 above.

29.) See Hebrews 11:7 above.

30.) See Hebrews 11:8 above.

31.) See Hebrews 11:11 above.

32.) See Hebrews 11:13 above.

33.) See Hebrews 11:13-16 above.

(Rev 21:9-11 NKJV) "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." {10} And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, {11} having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal."

34.) See Hebrews 11:35 above.

35.) (Heb 12:2 NKJV) "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."