"By grace are ye saved through faith." - Eph. 2:8
Heb. 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance (assurance or reality) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen."
Faith occurs 247 times in scripture. F.B Meyer said "Faith is our sixth sense." 31 times in Hebrews of which most are in Chapter 11.

I. FAITH, WHAT IS IT?
1. It is made up of three things— knowledge, belief and trust.
a. Knowledge - Nathan Mayer Rothchild acted on his early knowledge that the Battle of Waterloo had been won and sunk most of his fortune in the stock market with certain knowledge that the market would rise once the news was confirmed.
b. Belief - Noah built an ark because he believed that the flood would happen just as God had said.
c. Trust - Abraham left his country because he realized that Canaan would be his home as God had promised.

2. It is believing that Christ is what he is said to be.
3. It is believing that Christ will do what he has promised.
4. It is expecting anything and everything of Him
5. Sometimes it is little more than simply flinging to Christ.
6. Another form of faith is to freely follow Christ as a leader.
7. Again, one exerts faith in Christ while learning of Him
8. A higher form of faith is that which grows out of love.
9. Again, faith also realizes the presence of the living God and Savior.
10. This is the faith which makes it easy to commit our soul and all its eternal interests into the Saviour’s keeping.

II. WHY FAITH IS SELECTED AS THE CHANNEL OF SALVATION?
1. Because faith is the avenue by which God adapts or fits our understanding
2. Because it gives all the glory to God.
3. Because it is a sure method, linking man with God.
4. Because it touches the springs of action.
5. Because faith has the power of working by love
6. Because, moreover, faith creates peace and joy.

III. How can we obtain and increase our faith?
1. If you have a difficulty concerning faith, take it before God in prayer.
2. The Holy Spirit will enable you to believe if you hear frequently and earnestly and which you are commanded to believe.
3. Next, consider the testimony of others.
4. Note the authority upon which y our are commanded to believe.
5. Think over what you must believe.
6. Think upon the person of Jesus Christ. You cannot doubt Him for He cannot lie.
7. Submit yourself to God. Yield to Him.