What Is The Substance? by Brother Duke Hansen

         The message this morning is going to be about faith. There are so many things that are mistakenly described as faith away from the word. The definition in the bible can be found in Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 1. We will be reading from that chapter this morning.

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

        Faith is  the substance. Now, you can tell the truth one way and lie countless ways. So, what is the substance? Faith can be seen in a person's actions, what they do and how they live their life. Culture matters to the world but not to the truth of God.

        2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

        You either will get a good report or a bad report. Some say, "My faith is what I believe in." The times when faith is prevalent is when the deck is stacked against them, the odds are insurmountable, yet a stirring, a voice inside tells you God will see you through that time.

        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 appear.

        The first testament is called the testament of faith. One man followed God's instruction. Verse 3 is a call back to Genesis 1:1 and John 1:3.

        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.

        Now if we go to Genesis chapter 4: 1-4, we see the births of Cain and Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain was a farmer. Verses 5 and 6 shows how both had faith in their individual offerings. Cain got mad because Abel received respect for his offering but Cain didn't receive respect. If you find something that pleases the flesh more, that's what your flesh settles on. What entices you are the hardest things to quit. Your self justification and rationalizing are always at work to appease your flesh.

        What you believe matters but it has to come from the right places. If you're wrong, you are putting your spiritual life in jeopardy.

        God was merely pointing out to Cain that his way was wrong and it needed to be changed. If you don't do well, sin lies at that door of yours. Iniquity. is what you continue to wrestle with. The flesh grips iniquity hard which you need faith to pull apart.

        There are three types of groups in the bible. The righteous, the sinner, and the ungodly. There are no ther groups in the bible.

        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.

        Without faith it is impossible to please him. Who does that eliminate? Nobody, because everyone is given a measure of faith. 90% of your internal battles are against yourself and not against the devil. You can defy God and shake your fist. Your life could take a turn, situations grow dire and instead of realizing God may be trying your faith, you're too focused on what is oppressing.

        Cain's substance was vegetables. Abel's substance was animals. What is your substance?

        7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of thing 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 heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

        Now, Noah not only prepared the ark, he also preached to the people while he built for 125 years. If you come to God, you have to believe that he is God and he rewards those who seek him? If you don't understand scripture fully, sin is at the door. Your flesh is weakening your eyes to the light. What you need to understand you may not be prepared for because it may run counter to how you were brought up.

        God said, "When did you decide what you do is not a sin?" Make sure if you're aligned with God you are prepared for his answers. There's more choices than ever in life but the only choice for me is to stand on the truth which is in the scripture. When you allow God to direct you, a different outcome appears. The truth still reigns.