Is Christian faith just blind belief, or can it be a reasoned trust based on real evidence? In this Hebrews 11:1–3 sermon, Pastor Ryan Skolrud examines biblical faith, forensic faith, and whether the origins of the universe point to God. If you’re skeptical, wrestling with science, the Big Bang, and suffering, this message invites you to think, not just feel—asking whether a timeless, immaterial Creator better explains reality than a closed material universe.
Drawing from Hebrews 10:32–39, Romans 1, and John 20 (Thomas’s doubt), Pastor Ryan argues that Christianity is not anti‑science but offers the most coherent account of why anything exists at all. You’ll hear about three kinds of faith—unreasonable faith, blind faith, and forensic faith—and be challenged to move beyond “I just believe” into an evidential trust that can stand up in the courtroom of ideas. Along the way, you’ll be invited to take honest next steps: to ask God for evidence, to examine the historical case for Jesus, and to reconsider what you’re actually placing your faith in.
This sermon was preached at Living Word Community Church (Carnation, WA) as part of our series in Hebrews on the Supremacy of Christ and the necessity of gathering as His body.
Next Steps:
- Examine what kind of faith you actually have: unreasonable, blind, or forensic. - Move from blind or uninformed belief to an evidential, reasoned faith rooted in Scripture.
- Ask God honestly to show you the evidence of His existence and love, instead of waiting forever on unanswered questions.
- Anchor your hope in God’s promises, trusting that what is not yet seen is guaranteed by His character.
- Commit (or recommit) your life to Christ, responding to the gospel of His death and resurrection.
- Prioritize gathering with the body of Christ as a necessary expression of faith and source of endurance.
- Engage your mind: study Scripture, explore apologetics, and grow a faith that can stand in trials, suffering, and cultural pressure.
Scripture Passages Used:
- Hebrews 10:32–39
- Hebrews 11:1–3
- Romans 1:18–23
- Romans 4:17
- Romans 8:24
- Genesis 15:6
- Psalm 19:1
- John 1:1–3 (implicit in the “Word” language)
- John 20:24–31
- Hebrews 1:2
- Colossians 1:16
Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-269399.html Connection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card
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Blessings,
Living Word Community Church
Other Resources Mentioned in this video:
Diary of a CEO Podcast Interview with John Lennox - https://youtu.be/dLrvJeSugkM?si=2K-2MHKq992D60hH
Forensic Faith Book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Forensic-Faith-Detective-Reasonable-Evidential/dp/1434709884
