Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1-6, Psalm 33:6

Through this teaching Dr. Merritt answers the question, "How can I please God?" We learn from Hebrews that we can please God in three ways as we understand what faith in God really means. Faith sees the future as guaranteed in the present. This is important for you to understand. Faith is not believing something in spite of what you think is true. It is believing something because of what you know is real. Real faith is based on fact although it is different from fact. Faith is the legal proof and absolute guarantee of things that we can't even see. This is why faith pleases God because faith sees what the eye cannot see. My eye gives me sight, but faith gives me vision. Faith sees the invisible. Faith hears the inaudible. Faith attempts the impossible.

"There is a difference between fact and faith. It is a fact that you are sitting in these chairs. It is a fact that I am standing here speaking to you, but it is only by faith that I believe any of you are listening to me. The Greek word behind that word substance literally means 'a legal guarantee.' In other words, faith is the legal guarantee that what God says is going to happen is going to happen. Faith does not say, 'One day I'm going to get it.' Faith says, 'I already have it.' Let me give you this illustration. As a Christian, I am not waiting to get into heaven to believe that heaven is there. By faith I know I am going to heaven as if I were already there." --Dr. Merritt

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