The Process Of Faith by Brother Duke Hansen

         This morning we are going to be reading from the book of Hebrews 11. It is a very familiar selection of scripture for many of us. The chapter is about the many heroes of faith in the bible. The spiritual world was created before the physical world and the physical is a mirror image of the spiritual. The iniquities that are in the physical, such as pride, envy, jealousy, and so on are also in the spiritual world. Your goal should be to walk so much in the spirit that you aren't affected by your physical self. 

        Let's start reading Hebrews 11 with verse 1.

        Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

        Faith is not visible. It is tangible. It is your testimony to the world. Our failures or shortcomings are often hung on a lack of faith. It's because your flesh enjoys to sin. Many christians misinterpret biblical terms and processes for their life. What we say we know that faith is true there will be substance. It's the works as a result of your faith.

        2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

        3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do not appear.

        We think a lot of things in small terms unless it is ourself. We think on a much larger degree then you may be hoping for things but never ask God for guidance. Some people are so head strong, they take 18 steps into something before you recognize you need to talk to God.

        4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

        Abel had offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Both brothers were raised up the same and yet they split because Cain decided to do things his way in offering. Abel may be dead, but he still lives today. The substance of Abel's faith was his offering, his excellent sacrifice.

        5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

        How would have Enoch had such faith in God, he was translated to heaven? He spoke right, lived right, walked right while he was on the earth. You can live those steps as well. The term translated is to take up into heaven.

        We all come into the same door on this walk and that is Jesus. When the truth is revealed to you, there is one of two reactions. One is resistance, fighting against it because you have junk in your life. You are mad at the truth. The other reaction is curiosity. You may be hurt, may even be offended but you want to know more.

        Faith is not the same in looking at life of Abel and Enoch. The fruit, or the substance is the same despite their separate lives.

        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 that diligently seek him.

        It takes faith to seek after God. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Sometimes you may be rewarded by God for something and not be what you want. God may be rewarded something better.

        7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became of the righteousness which is by faith.

        Where there is wickedness, there is no fear of God, Noah had a godly fear, preparing his ark and saving his house.

        8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

        Abraham just stepped out by calling of God from his hime land and received an inheritance.

        Enoch was so close to God, people felt shrunken next to him. Abel was a spotlight shining on a selfish sacrifice. Noah exhibited a Godly fear. There is far more information in the scriptures about Noah and Abraham.

        Substance is the fruit of the person's character. You can see everyone's faith through that. By faith, you can overcome things in your life, whatever obstacle or sin it is, you can overcome. You can get to a place where you can approach a temptation, weigh the good and bad, the after effects and the knowledge of the outcome. It's just a chance but for your flesh will bring drama to it.

        Let's talk a little about afflictions. You can choose to kill your flesh. If you allow, God will afflict your flesh. Some of you may not have the holy ghost because your vessel is too dark and dingy. Maybe what comes out of your mouth, that's the final battle. Affliction should have you to exercise our faith. Affliction is to change our course, wake us up, get us back on course. It's there not to steal, kill, and destroy your character but to build and strengthen your faith because God loves you.

        God knows pain. God knows your pain so don't waste your pain. You can get into cycles or fall into depths of pain where you call out to God to come and take you.

        God knows about separation, abandonment, stress, anxiety, surrender. We each have our own path. They look similar but are different. If you're hoping for something you're praying for it and not crying about it. God wants you to choose him over you. He wants you to be victorious. He wants you to dig and dig deep. God wants you that somewhere in your battles that he is with you. Seek for that hope, that victory, that overcoming. View God like David wrote songs about in his psalms. He's the 4th man in the fire. He is where Godly faith is.

        Are you fine standing aside and too afraid to step in the fire? Afraid of change and growth. God isn't mad or angry at you. He may be disappointed in you. Think about your walk, where you've been, where can you go this morning?