The bible gives a definition of faith.

Hebrews 11:1 now faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen.

Beloved of God, hope is a beautiful word, and means to expect future good. We as Christians are always expecting something good to happen to us. And, it is not necessary for us to see to believe. There are in this present world both wheat, and tares. Both the children of God, and the children of Satan. The children of God have faith, and the children of Satan are faithless. The apostle paul was in inspired of God to record these Words.

11 Thessalonians 3:1 finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you; 2. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all men have not faith.

Let me repeat holy brethren, that there are in this present world both children of God, and children of Satan. And there are multitudes of the children of Satan, and only a few children of God. You may wonder how I know that there are only a few children of God. I base my opinion on these verses of scripture.

St. Matthew 7:13 enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Saints of God, we as children of God are saved by faith; if you are a new convert to the Christian religion, you may not be acquainted with how we as Christians are saved by faith. We, as children of God, are made righteous in word, thought, and deed, by faith in Christ Jesus, and faith in the blood he shed on Calvary tree. When we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, and our faith and trust in the blood he shed on Calvary's cross, God the father allows us to declare the righteousness of the lord Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins pass.

Romans 3:20 therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh kb justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference; 23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 25.

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness; that he might be just, and justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27. Where is boasting then? It is excluded, by what law of works? Nay; but by the law of faith. 28. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Beloved, when a man places his faith and trust in the lord Jesus Christ, and in the blood he shed on Calvary tree, he will not only save himself, but his house, his family. His father, and his mother, his sisters, and his brothers, his aunts, and his uncles; and all of his kin. In these verses of scripture I am about to read the apostle Paul, and Silas, have been cast into prison, and the guard has just asked them, what he must do to be saved, and they reply.

Acts 16:31 and they said, believe on the lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Holy children, it is absolutely necessary that a person be strong in faith, have an unshakeable faith, for we are made righteous by faith. But, not only are we made righteous by faith, but we receive the holy ghost by faith. When men of God come with the intent to perform the ritual of laying on of hands, that a person may receive the holy ghost. We, as children of God, receive the holy ghost by faith. The world, the children of Satan, cannot receive the Holy Ghost, because they cannot see him. Jesus Christ, the creator of heaven, and earth, said these words,

St. John 14:13 and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the father may be glorified in the son. 14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 15. If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16. And I will pray the father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever; 17. Even the spirit of truth. Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Saints of God, when the holy ghost comes to dwell within a person, the holy ghost brings a gift or gifts. And one of the gifts is faith. Listen as I read the gifts of the spirit. Reading from,

1 Corinthians 12:7 but the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8. For to one is given by the spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit; 9. To another faith by the same spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same spirit. 10. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; 11. But all these worketh that one and selfsame spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Holy children, these gifts are life changing gifts, for example the bible says that wisdom is to be desired above silver, and gold; that the man that loves wisdom loves life, and the man that hates wisdom loves death. Knowledge is a wonderful gift, men try to accumulate knowledge all the days of their lives. A man cannot even call Jesus lord except it be by the holy ghost.

1 Corinthians 12:3 wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed; and that no man can say that Jesus is lord, but by the holy ghost.

Wisdom is a wonderful gift, knowledge is a marvelous gift, but if a man has faith, nothing is impossible to him. In these verses of scripture a man has brought his son to be healed of Jesus for his son could not be healed of the disciples of Jesus.

St. Matthew 17:18 and Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, why could not we cast him out? 20. And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Let me at this time, saints of God, acquaint you with the law of righteousness by faith. Have you ever gone to a funeral, and heard a preacher say that the deceased person has gone to heaven. We, as children of God, are not say even in our heart who goes into heaven, or who goes into hell. If you are truly a child of God, a member of the household of faith, do not say who goes up or who goes into the pit. For to say who goes up, is to bring Christ down from above. Or, who shall descend into the deep? That is to bring Christ again from the dead. God inspired the apostle Paul to record these words about faith.

Romans 10:1 brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2. For I bear them record that they have zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish there own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven?: ( that is, to bring Christ down from above;) 7. Or, who shall descend into the deep? 9; that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach. 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Come into this knowledge children of God, it is impossible to please God without faith. For a man to please God, he must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 but with out faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Brothers, and sisters in Christ, faith is the substance of things hoped for? What do we as Christians hope for; have you ever thought on eternal life? To live for a hundred thousand years, and not be ready for the grave. Have you ever thought on the immortal body, a body if you are a man that is handsome, if you are a woman, a body that is beautiful. A body that does not grow old, that is never sick; a body that is filled with love and joy, and peace. And the city new Jerusalem, a city were there is no hospitals, for there is no sick, a city were there is no jails or prisons for there is no wicked. A city that is so beautiful that the mind cannot imagine. All of these things are what we as Christians hope to inherit. To be heir, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of God. How do we know that these things are real? We know that they are real by faith. There are certain things that a person must do inherit the kingdom of God. First of all you must believe, you must trust in, rely upon the lord Jesus Christ as your saviour. Secondly you must repent, thirdly you must, be born of water, baptized, and born of the spirit. You must receive the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the holy ghost. You must work in the harvest; for faith without works is dead. What type of work? You must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those that are sick, and in prison. Remember this verse of scripture. St. Matthew 7:12 therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

If people would live by that one scripture, there would be no need for prisons, there would be no need for armies. This time on earth would be very similar to heaven. Let me conclude with this thought, never, let me repeat, never, fall away from the church, and renounce your faith. For if you do there is no repenting of that sin.

Hebrews 6:1 therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. 2. Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3. And this will we do, if God permit. 4. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. 6. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.