By Faith (Scripture only sermon)

 Alright, let's dive into a Scripture-only sermon on the topic of faith. We'll be using the Bible as our primary source of information and inspiration.

First, let's define faith. The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11:1, which says, 'Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.' This definition tells us that faith is a belief in something that we cannot see or prove, but we trust in it nonetheless.

Now, let's explore some examples of faith in the Bible:

1. Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4, 15:1-6, 22:1-19): God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a place that God would show him. Abraham obeyed without knowing where he was going, demonstrating great faith in God. Later, God tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham was willing to do so, trusting that God would provide a way out, which He did.

2. Noah (Genesis 6-9): God told Noah to build an ark because He was going to send a flood to destroy the earth. Noah had never seen rain before, but he believed God and spent years building the ark. His faith saved his family and the animals on the ark.

3. Moses (Exodus 3-4): God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Moses initially doubted his ability to do so, but God reassured him and gave him the power to perform miracles. Moses' faith in God allowed him to lead the Israelites to freedom.

4. David (1 Samuel 16-17): David, a young shepherd boy, had faith in God to defeat the giant Goliath. Despite being ridiculed by others, David trusted in God's power and was victorious.

5. Jesus' disciples (Matthew 14:22-33): Jesus' disciples were in a boat during a storm when they saw Jesus walking on water towards them. Peter had faith and stepped out of the boat to walk on water too, but he began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus. Jesus saved him, and they both got into the boat.

These examples show us that faith is essential in our relationship with God. It requires trust, obedience, and a willingness to step out in faith, even when we don't understand or see the outcome.

In conclusion, faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It is a belief in God's promises and His ability to fulfill them. As we see in the examples from the Bible, faith can lead to incredible outcomes and blessings. Let us continue to grow in our faith and trust in God, just as Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, and Jesus' disciples did.

I hope this Scripture-only sermon on faith has been insightful and helpful. If you have any further questions or would like to explore this topic further, please feel free to ask.