By faith we understand

 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. - Hebrews 11:1-3

 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for

Faith the evidence of what we cannot see

Faith gave the ‘elders’ a good report

Faith allows us to understand the word of God

 

Faith is what makes the invisible visible for the believers. Faith does not require sight. Faith is the essence of all we hope for and it all the evidence for what we can’t see. When Thomas was doubting Jesus until he saw the marks on Jesus’ body Jesus said ‘more blessed are those who believe without seeing.’

 

Sometimes we hear the words ‘blind faith.’ While I don’t necessarily like how that is used, there is a point where faith does choose to believe without seeing. In a sense true faith is blind and it is all the evidence we need to trust God.

 

How did we get the universe? By faith we know that God did it. Faith gives us a good report as we are going to see here in a whole bunch of folks.

 

Faith is the core for all the rest.