I. Heb. 11:1-3

• "Now faith is"-Faith is in the present tense, not past or future. God is in the present, not past or future. His name is "I AM."
• "Substance"-This is a word for something solid being under your feet, "sub-stance." It means "confidence and assurance, the legal title deed."
• "Evidence"-This word means "proof." The Bible is your proof of things "not seen."
• "Good report"-When a person accepts the reality of God as a Person, trusts His promises, and perseveres through adversity, they receive a "good report" (approval, commendation) from God.

II. 12 FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH

• "Creation"-We must believe that God exists and that He created the entire universe out of nothing.
• "Sacrifice"-Abel put his faith in blood atonement, not vegetable atonement. We KNOW God by faith. We HONOR God by faith. He gave the "first" of the flock, His tithe.
• "Fellowship"-Enoch walked with God (the word refers to a "walk," a lifestyle). It is a patterned life, a regular, systematic life, a consistent life. "Whoever would draw near to God must first believe that He is and that He is a reward of those who SEEK HIM." (v. 6)
• "Action"-Noah "constructed" the Ark by faith. Faith is not just "believing." It is an ACTION.
• "Obedience"-God commanded Abram to leave his heathen family behind. He obeyed, believing that the new land would be his "inheritance." God cannot give you something until you leave your security.
• "Patience"-Abraham and Sarah waited for 25 years for their natural baby, Isaac, to be born. The promise came at 75 and was fulfilled at 100.
• "Strangers"-Faith sees the eternal city. They are LOOKING FOR A CITY. "God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city" (v. 16)
• "Surrender"-Abraham stretched out the knife to kill his heir that God had provided. He gave back to God what God had first given to Him. You cannot refuse to surrender what you did not provide. God gave it and He can ask it back.
• "Generations"-Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all invoked future blessings on their future generations. Faith believes our future generation will be more blessed than we are! "God will SURELY visit you…and you will carry my bones out of here."
• "Courage"-Moses' parents hid him from Pharaoh against the law but in obedience to God's law. Courage is taking a stand against Satan when he tries to keep you in bondage.
• "Praise"-Joshua led Israel around the mighty walls of Jericho. He blew the trumpet of praise on the seventh day and God pushed them over from the inside.
• "Trust"-This chapter ends with people whose faith was strong even when they didn't understand the outcome. God calls their trust and faithful witness, "FAITH."