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Faith is the "an unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence." According to Webster’s Dictionary.

In the Bible, it is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.  It allows us to accomplish things, we could not otherwise accomplish, and enables us to act like something is ours, before we ever receive it.

According to the Bible, Enoch received eternal life, because he while living on earth, he acted as if eternal life was already his.

Noah prepared an ark to the salvation of his family because he believe God that rain was coming, and saw himself and his family on the Ark, before he drove the first nail.

Abraham left his home in the Chaldees, to live a nomad’s life, because he believe somewhere, somehow, God had prepared for him a special city. So he spent his life looking for that city, which hath foundation, whose builder and maker was God.  And because of his faith, he was called a friend of God.

Our Church came into existence because of faith.  A man of God. Dr. E. E. Cleveland preached the word of God and baptized over 400 people some fifty years ago.  His faith led to the planting of our church, which has spawned at least three other congregations to date, nurtured thousands of souls, educated hundreds of children, supplied many pastors to the organized work, and given millions of dollars in Tithe and offering to expand the kingdom of God.

Faith is an amazing.  We Christians have thousands of years of proof of the importance of faith, by the lives and testimony of the men and women who have gone before us.

A. The Bible tells us faith pleases God. 1.    Able sacrifice was pleasing to God, because of his faith. 2.    Enoch walked with God, because of his faith. 3.    Abraham had children because of his faith, even though too old.

Heb 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Bible is replete with story after story of men and women who accomplished great things because of faith. 1.    Moses gave up Egypt’s throne to lead God’s people to the promised land, because of faith. By faith he and the Children of Israel walked through the Red sea and witnessed the miracles of God, because of their faith. 2.    Joshua watch as the walls of Jericho fell before him and his people because of their faith. 3.    Gideon, put thousands of trained soldiers to flight, with 300 men, because of his faith. 4.    To use the words of the author of Hebrews, they subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. All because of their faith.

The importance of Faith is highlighted by the fact that in the Bible. 1.    We live by faith. Romans 1:17 2.    Are saved by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 3.    Stand by faith. 2 Cor. 1:24 4.    Work by faith. 1 Tim. 1:4 5.    Justified by faith. Romans 5:1 6.    Wait for Jesus by faith. Gal. 5:5

B. The Bible tells us faith is future centered. Hebrews 11:7-31 1.    Noah prepared for future rain. 2.    Isaac and Jacob looked for the future blessing. 3.    Moses looked for a future reward. 4.    Joshua and the people looked to occupy Jericho land.

They all looked to the future, but they received not the final promise.

Hebrews 11:3-40. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

They received not the promise because we will all receive it together, when the God in whom we put or faith, return to earth to give us our reward.

I encourage you to stay faithful to God so that you and I can receive a crown of righteousness along with the men and women of faith that went before us.

How do we get faith?  Faith cometh by hearing ROM 10:17.

How much do we need:  MAT 17:20 "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain.

The question is when the son of man comes, will he find faith? Luke 18:8

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One of three messages sent directly to you 2000 years ago.  Message 1. 

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

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