Introduction: Faith Is the Bridge Between God and You
Today we begin a new teaching series titled “Faith: The Bridge Between God and You.”
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
— Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Faith is one of the most important subjects in the Christian life because everything God desires to do in and through us is accessed by faith. Without faith, it is impossible to experience the fullness of God’s promises, His power, or His purpose.
One of the first things we must understand is this:
Faith is personal.
It is not between your pastor and God.
It is not between your parents and God.
It is not between your church and God.
It is between you and God.
The day Adam sinned, every individual became personally responsible before God. Likewise, every person must personally respond to God’s invitation through faith.
No one can believe on your behalf.
No one can develop your faith for you.
No one can walk your spiritual journey in your place.
Your relationship with God is deeply personal.
Jesus asked His disciples in Matthew 16:15,
“But whom say ye that I am?”
Notice He did not ask what society believed.
He asked each person individually.
Faith always begins with a personal revelation of Jesus Christ.
Faith Has Never Been in Common Supply
One truth we must settle early is this:
True faith has never been in common supply.
Throughout Scripture, genuine faith has always been rare.
Jesus Himself asked:
“…When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
— Luke 18:8
Notice He did not ask whether He would find churches.
He did not ask whether He would find religious people.
He asked whether He would find faith.
Why?
Because faith is scarce.
Religion is common.
Tradition is common.
Opinions are common.
Knowledge is common.
Faith is rare.
Many people know about God.
Few actually trust Him.
Many attend church.
Few truly believe God beyond their circumstances.
Faith is heaven’s currency.
And like every valuable currency, it is never produced cheaply.
What Is Faith?
The Bible gives us the clearest definition.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
— Hebrews 11:1
Faith is not positive thinking.
Faith is not emotional excitement.
Faith is not wishful imagination.
Faith is complete confidence in God’s character and in His Word before physical evidence appears.
Faith believes before seeing.
The world says:
“Seeing is believing.”
The Kingdom says:
“Believing is seeing.”
Jesus told Martha,
“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
— John 11:40
Notice the order.
Believe first.
See later.
Why Faith Is Called a Bridge
Imagine standing before a deep river.
On one side is your present reality.
On the other side are God’s promises.
Between both sides is a bridge.
That bridge is faith.
Without the bridge, the promises remain visible but unreachable.
Many Christians know the promises.
Few possess them.
The difference is faith.
Faith connects heaven’s provision to earthly experience.
Everything God has prepared is accessed through faith.
Salvation Begins by Faith
The greatest miracle any person experiences is salvation.
Even salvation is received by faith.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith…”
— Ephesians 2:8
Notice:
Grace provided salvation.
Faith receives salvation.
The cross is available to everyone.
Yet only those who believe experience its benefits.
Faith is the hand that receives what grace has already supplied.
Faith Is Built on God’s Word
Faith does not grow from circumstances.
Faith grows from hearing God.
Romans 10:17 says,
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
The more you hear God’s Word,
the more faith grows.
Many believers struggle because they feed on fear more than Scripture.
If news is your primary source,
fear grows.
If social media becomes your teacher,
confusion grows.
But when God’s Word becomes your daily bread,
faith grows.
Abraham: The Father of Faith
No discussion about faith is complete without Abraham.
God called him while he had no child.
Humanly speaking, God’s promise appeared impossible.
Yet Abraham chose to believe.
Romans 4:20–21 says,
“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith… being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
Notice three qualities:
- He refused doubt.
- He grew stronger instead of weaker.
- He became fully persuaded.
Faith matures into persuasion.
When you know God, arguments lose their power.
Faith Is More Than Believing—It Obeys
Biblical faith always produces action.
James writes,
“Faith without works is dead.”
— James 2:17
Faith moves.
Faith obeys.
Faith acts upon God’s instruction.
Noah believed God.
Then he built the ark.
Abraham believed.
Then he left his country.
Peter believed.
Then he stepped onto the water.
Faith always moves in the direction of God’s instruction.
Why Many Believers Struggle with Faith
Many sincere Christians love God but struggle to trust Him.
Why?
1. They depend more on feelings than truth.
Faith is rooted in God’s Word, not in emotions.
2. They lack knowledge.
Hosea 4:6 says,
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
Faith cannot rise above the knowledge you possess.
3. They listen to fear.
Fear and faith cannot dominate the heart at the same time.
One must surrender to the other.
4. They refuse obedience.
Faith without obedience becomes mere theory.
Jesus—The Perfect Example of Faith
Although Jesus is the Son of God, He lived as the perfect example of dependence upon the Father.
He said,
“The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do.”
— John 5:19
Again He declared,
“I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father.”
— John 5:30
Everything Jesus accomplished flowed from perfect trust and complete obedience.
If the Son depended upon the Father,
how much more should we?
Faith Produces Rest
One evidence of genuine faith is peace.
Hebrews 4 speaks of entering God’s rest.
Faith removes anxiety because it trusts God’s faithfulness.
Faith says,
“I don’t know how God will do it,
but I know He will.”
Faith Must Be Exercised Daily
Faith is not a one-time decision.
It is a lifestyle.
Paul declared,
“The just shall live by faith.”
— Romans 1:17
Notice he did not say,
“The just shall begin by faith.”
He said,
“They shall live by faith.”
Every day requires faith.
Faith for wisdom.
Faith for provision.
Faith for healing.
Faith for protection.
Faith for purpose.
Faith for eternity.
Growing Stronger in Faith
If you desire stronger faith:
- Spend time daily in God’s Word.
- Build a consistent prayer life.
- Obey God’s instructions promptly.
- Guard your heart against fear and unbelief.
- Remember God’s past faithfulness.
- Stay connected to believers who strengthen your walk with Christ.
- Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Faith grows through consistent fellowship with God.
Conclusion: Build Your Bridge
Every promise of God is available through faith.
Faith is not reserved for a few spiritual giants.
It is God’s invitation to every believer.
The bridge between heaven and your life has already been built through Jesus Christ. Your responsibility is to walk across it by faith.
Do not allow fear to determine your future.
Do not allow circumstances to become your theology.
Do not allow unbelief to rob you of what Christ has already provided.
The same God who called Abraham, sustained Moses, empowered David, strengthened Paul, and raised Jesus from the dead is still at work today.
Choose to trust Him.
Walk with Him.
Believe His Word.
For as Jesus declared:
“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
— Mark 9:23
May your faith become the bridge that connects you to God’s purpose, power, promises, and presence. In this series, we will continue to explore how faith transforms every area of life and enables believers to live victoriously in Christ.
Grace and peace be with you.