Faith & Trust

Trusting God During Uncertain Times

Developing quiet time and understanding that faith involves navigating doubts

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

Open Presentation

LEGEND

Obedience
Perseverance
Courage
God's Promises
Trust

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Hebrews 12:1-2

Understanding Faith & Deeds

Saved by Grace Alone: These heroes were saved by God's grace through faith in His promises, not by their good deeds. As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of deeds, lest anyone should boast."

But Faith is Never Alone: True saving faith always produces obedience and good deeds. James 2:17 declares, "faith without deeds is dead." The deeds of these heroes didn't earn their salvation, but they proved their faith was genuine. Faith is the root; obedience is the fruit. You cannot separate them - real faith will always result in a changed life.

Faith Followed by Obedience: Every hero in this chapter demonstrated their faith through costly obedience. Their actions didn't save them, but their obedience proved their faith was real. As James 2:18 says, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." God calls us to both believe and obey.

All Point to Christ: These Old Testament saints trusted in God's promises and obeyed Him, looking forward to the Messiah. We look back to Christ's finished work on the cross and are called to the same pattern - trust God and obey Him.

James 2:14-26 — Faith and Deeds Together

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have deeds? Can that faith save him?... Thus also faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds... You see that faith was active along with his deeds, and faith was completed by his deeds... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without deeds is dead."

Every hero in Hebrews 11 demonstrated this truth: saving faith produces obedient action. They were saved by faith, but their faith was proven genuine by their deeds.

The Focus of Faith: Jesus Christ

All of these heroes looked forward in faith to God's promises, which were ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We look back to His finished work on the cross. Just as they were saved by grace through faith, so are we.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of deeds, lest anyone should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law." - Romans 3:28

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:1

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the deeds of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ... for by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified." - Galatians 2:16

Salvation is found in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone.

Faith & Trust - Trusting God During Uncertain Times