Preached at Rogersville, Alabama

I am thankful to the Lord for all of those present tonight.

Romans 1:20 tells us that we can see God in His creation. The evidence is everywhere. But what I want to talk to you about is the fact that no matter how much evidence we can see in this world: "IT STILL COMES DOWN TO FAITH!"

[PP 1-4]

1. Definition of Faith (Hebrews 11:1-3) - We believe when we see evidence of things we do not see! We see all around us evidence of things not seen. Trees, birds, animals, stars, planets, fossils, etc. They all should make us realize that these things did not come into being by accident.

2. Examples of Faith (belief in things not seen).

A. Abraham (Hebrews 11:8-19) [In tents, willingly gave son!] Gave over his will to God.

B. Peter says in 1 Peter 1:6-9 that they had believed in Him whom they had not seen and rejoiced, receiving salvation.

C. Paul said, but hope that is seen is not hope (Romans 8:23-25). We hope for what we do not see, and that gives us perseverance.

D. The apostles had faith in things not seen. This helped them deal with the trials they had to endure (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

E. Jesus told Thomas blessed are those who do not see yet believe (John 20:29).

Our faith needs to be the same. The more we seek those things not seen, the easier this life will be!

[PP 5-6]

3. Who or what do people put their faith in? Most of mankind put their faith in there own wisdom (Romans 1:25, Acts 17:21).

Let’s look at modern day examples where man’s wisdom does not have the answers!

[PP 7-20]

Gray Wolf – In the fall of 2007 a gray wolf was seen in Massachusetts and biologists wonder how the animal could have traveled so far. If this wolf originated in Canada, the experts say, it likely crossed the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, went through Maine, then navigated hundreds of miles of roads, rivers, and communities before reaching Shelburne, Massachusetts.

Grand Canyon – In a recent article it was stated that scientists cannot agree on the age of the Grand Canyon. Their guesses range from 6 to 17 million years old, with ages differing for parts of the canyon.

Polar Bears – Going against the media’s concern over polar bears survival due to global warming, there are more polar bears now than in 1972. In 1972 there were about 5,000 and now there are between 20,000 and 25,000 polar bears.

Global Warming – In 2007, over 400 scientists disputed global warning as the terrible threat Al Gore and others like him claim. Therefore man’s media has suppressed scientific evidence that is in disagreement with their global warning theories! Over 400 prominent scientists from more than two-dozen countries recently voiced significant objections to major aspects of the so-called "consensus" on man-made global warming. Many of the scientists featured in this report consistently stated that numerous colleagues shared their views, but they will not speak out publicly for fear of retribution. Atmospheric scientist Dr. Nathan Paldor, Professor of Dynamical Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, author of almost 70 peer-reviewed studies, explains how many of his fellow scientists have been intimidated. Ted Turner recently claimed that because of global warming we could have people living as cannibals within 30 years.

Many want to scare us into thinking that man controls the earth’s destiny. There is only one who has that control and it is not man (2 Peter 3:5-7)!

White Killer Whale – Researchers working near Alaska's Aleutian Islands on February 23, 2008 spotted a white killer whale, which they estimate was 25 to 30 feet long and weighed more than 10,000 pounds. This is only the third time in the past 15 years that such a whale has been seen in the area. Many thought this creature was simply a myth.

Wolverine - Until this picture of a wolverine was taken on February 28, 2008 by a motion-and-heat-detecting digital camera in the northern part of the Sierra Nevada range in California, scientists didn't believe wolverines still existed there.

Maud Island frog - This Maud Island frog lives at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in New Zealand. The rare breed, which has changed little over the past 70 million years (mcw – If evolution is true why hasn’t it evolved?), is thriving in the predator-free environment. Unlike other frogs, they hatch fully formed, skipping the tadpole stage. They also do not croak, live in water, or have webbed feet. Isn’t that a shame?

Telea Hairstreak Butterfly - Visitors flocked to Falcon State Park in Texas after this rare telea hairstreak butterfly was captured on film by Berry Nall in October of 2007. The butterfly hadn't been seen in the U.S. for more than 70 years.

Fishing Monkeys – Researchers say they have discovered groups of the silver-haired monkeys in Indonesia that fish. Four times in the last eight years, long-tailed macaques were observed scoping up small fish and eating them. Erik Meijaard, one of the authors of a study on fishing macaques that appeared in last month's International Journal of Primatology said "It's an indication of how little we know about the species."

Long-Whiskered Owlet - The long-whiskered owlet, one of the world's smallest owls, was spotted in the wild for the first time in February 2006. It was seen in a private reserve in Peru.

Giant Squid - In December 2006, scientists released footage of a giant squid -- here attacking a bait squid -- that may be the first images of a live giant squid at the water's surface.

Green Tree Frog – On March 25, 2009 it was announced that a brilliant green tree frog with huge black eyes, jumping spiders, and a striped gecko are among more than 50 new animal species scientists have discovered in a remote, mountainous region of Papua, New Guinea.

Baby Tuatara - In this photo a baby tuatara is held by a staff member at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington, New Zealand, Thursday, March 19, 2009. “The juvenile hatchling of the rare reptile with lineage dating back to the dinosaur age was found on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in about 200 years.” Quote from a co-worker: “Oh, that is a very ancient reptile!” My reply: the little guy does not look that old to me!

One Secret of Flight Discovered – In April of 2009 it was announced that it is a 1-step process for birds, bats, or bugs to make a turn in flight: Launch a turn and then simply flap normally to end it and fly away. Tyson Hedrick of UNC said that this came as a surprise to researchers who thought turning and stopping was a 3-step process.

[PP 21]

Some Observations From These Examples

(1)   Man does not have the answers (Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 14:12)

(2)   God’s wisdom is higher than the wisdom of man (Proverbs 9:10, Isaiah 55:8-9, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

(3)   The wise will put their faith in Jesus (Matthew 7:21-24)

[PP 22-23]

4. True Faith is more than just believing someone.

(A) We must have Humility - Men of faith had to humble themselves. Obedient Faith Requires Humility (Hebrews 11:6). We must realize without God we cannot make it and we have no hope (1 Peter 5:5-7, Ephesians 2:11-13). By humbling ourselves to God, then and only then, will He lift us up (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6-7)! This is hard for modern man - He thinks his wisdom is supreme and he does not need anyone (1 Corinthians 3:18-20).

(B) We must put our total trust in God - The faithful turned their lives and homes totally over to God's control, without holding anything back. They gave up ALL to follow the Lord (Luke 5:11, Mark 10:28, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 11:8). To be acceptable to God, our faith must be one that does not hold anything back (Colossians 3:17). Have you given up all to follow Him?

TURN OFF PP

5. Close - People of the world, teachers in school, professors in universities, judges, and scientists will point to evidences that seem logical. But no matter what evidences we see of God or of man, we must choose the one we are going to put our faith in and diligently seek (Hebrews 11:6)! If we could prove all things; there would be no need for faith. God says without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him. We have to make a choice. Faith in God or faith in the world? Faith in God or faith in man’s theories? Faith in God’s Word alone, or compromise? Trust in worldly possessions or jobs or trust in the Creator! Who is your faith in? Man, yourself, science, worldly pleasures? Or is it completely in God?

If you are not a Christian, you have a big problem. You have sin in your life. Your heart and your conscience are not clean in the sight of God. I think many times we forget a simple fact about creation; that Jesus Christ along with God the Father created all things (John 1:1-5, Ephesians 3:8-12, Colossians 1:13-20, Hebrews 1:1-4). Imagine that! The Creator of all things we know, knew we had sin, knew we had absolutely no way to pay the price for our sin, gave up the glory of Heaven, became a physical man, faced the same temptations we do and more but did not sin, and then gave His perfect life as a sacrifice for all of our sins (Hebrews 10:10, 1 John 1:7). And He did this while being spat upon and mocked by His creation (Matthew 27:27-31) and when none of us deserved salvation (Romans 5:6-8)! Hanging on the cross as he was murdered by His creation, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:33-34)

Isn’t that worth something to you? Put your faith in the one who died for you! Put on Christ in baptism to have your sins washed away (Galatians 3:26-29). Then He will provide for you and lead you to eternal life in Heaven! If we can help you now, please come forward while we stand and sing.