This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled "Live by Faith." Pastor Ben reminded us from Hebrews 10:35-39 that we are called to persevere in faith, holding onto our confidence in God and His promises rather than shrinking back. He explained that biblical faith is more than simply believing—it is confident trust in what we hope for and assurance of what we cannot see. Pastor Ben highlighted three characteristics of faith: faith is confident trust, faith is active and demonstrated through our actions, and faith pleases God. This message encourages us to live with a faith that trusts God’s promises, responds with action, and seeks to please Him in every area of our lives.
✍️ Notes Title: Live by Faith – Ben Johnson
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:35-39 (NIV)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 (NIV)
Faith in the Bible: Saving Faith – Ephesians 2:8 Gift of Faith – 1 Corinthians 12:9 Living by Faith – Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith…”
1. Faith is confident trust “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)
2. Faith is active “Now faith is…”
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17 (NIV)
3. Faith pleases God And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
