This week, Pastor Chris continued our Victorious Jesus series with a message from Hebrews 11. Faith isn’t just a feeling or blind optimism—it’s trusting God fully, believing His promises, and obeying His Word even when the outcome is unclear. This sermon explored four expressions of biblical faith: future faith that looks ahead to God’s eternal promises, tested faith that endures trials, generational faith that impacts others, and personal faith that chooses obedience over comfort. True faith sees beyond the present moment and lives with eternity in view.

Faith is…

  • Trusting God completely, believing His promises, relying on His character, and obeying His Word even when we cannot see the outcome yet.

True Biblical Faith is Not…

  • A positive feeling.
  • Blind optimism or trust.
  • Vague hope grounded in wishful thinking.

1. Future Faith

Hebrews 11:13 (ESV)

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

The Promises of God…

  1. God always keeps His promises (Num. 23:19, Ps. 146:6)
  2. God created us and knows us (Ps. 139)
  3. God chose us (Ps. 33:12, 2 Pet. 2:9)
  4. God is always with us (Deut. 31:8)
  5. God never forgets us (Is. 49:15-16)
  6. God watches over our lives and keeps us from harm (Ps. 121)
  7. God has plans to prosper us and give us hope (Jer. 29:11-13)
  8. God strengthens us and helps us (Is. 41:10)
  9. God fights for us (Ex. 14:14, Deut. 1:30, Deut. 3:22, Neh. 4:20, 2 Cor. 10:4-5)
  10. God rewards us when we love our enemies (Lk. 6:35)

Hebrews 11:14–16 (ESV)

15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

“Nothing is more often misdiagnosed than our homesickness for Heaven. We think that what we want is sex, drugs, alcohol, a new job, a raise, a doctorate, a spouse, a large-screen television, a new car, a cabin in the woods, a condo in Hawaii. What we really want is the person we were made for, Jesus, and the place we were made for, Heaven. Nothing less can satisfy us.” Randy Alcorn

“For the Christian, this present life is the closest they will come to hell. For the unbeliever, it is the closest they will come to heaven.” Randy Alcorn

Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

2. Tested Faith

Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV)

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Genesis 22:1–5 (ESV)

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”

Potential Tests from God

  • Integrity (honesty, private vs. public life),
  • Obedience (following the Lord’s guidance)
  • Words (receiving instruction and applying it)
  • Time (when God seems to delay)
  • Service (asked to do menial tasks)
  • Character (temptations/accusations)
  • Self-will (will it be our plan or God’s plans)
  • Promotion (reactions when we are not advancing like we think we should)
  • Humility (recognizing God’s grace, giving credit to others)
  • Faith (trusting God in impossible situations)
  • Perseverance (refusing to quit when facing setbacks)

3. Generational Faith

Hebrews 11:20-22 (ESV)

20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

4. Personal Faith

Hebrews 11:23–26 (ESV)

 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Acts 26:22–23 (ESV)

22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Hebrews 11:27–28 (ESV)

27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn.

Discussion Question:

  1. Which of God’s promises (from the list in the sermon) is most encouraging to you right now, and why?
  2. From Hebrews 11:17–19; Genesis 22:1–5, Abraham trusted God enough to offer Isaac. What does that teach us about surrender, obedience and faith?
  3. Look at the “Potential Tests from God” list. Which of these tests have you experienced? How did it challenge or grow your faith?
  4. In what ways are you passing on faith to the next generation—whether to your children, friends, or church family?

Application Question:

  1. What is one step you can take this week to deepen your faith in God?