IDEA: Faith is a response to the promises of God.

TEXT: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate the confidence and assurance on which faith is based.

Muncey, a Methodist theologian of another time, told a story to illustrate faith. I want to tell it to you and get your reflections on it: "A man stumbles and falls over a cliff . . . "

I. What makes that story impressive?

What do you think the man did? Why?

II. What kind of certainty did that man have about the angel?

Did he have to have "absolute" certainty?

Did the angel make a promise to him? Would it have been better for the man if he had?

III. Hebrews 11:1 states that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Is this story a good illustration of that verse?

How can we be "sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"?