The Challenge Of Fully Trusting God's Word Series

Today, we continue a series dedicated to the life of Abraham, the father of the faith, the Patriarch who lived 4,000 years ago (Romans 4:11b). Abraham is venerated among Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Yes, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam trace their roots back to this one man.

Just how important is Abraham? Did you know that every time Catholics do the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the priest mentions Abraham? During the Muslim’s five times of prayer daily, they call upon the name of Abraham. And our Jewish friends believe Abraham was the first of the Chosen People. Abraham is so important he serves as a bridge to the nations of the world.

Shortly after 9/11 terrorist attacks, leaders of the three different faiths assembled in what was called Abraham Salons. These gatherings served to bring people of differing religious viewpoints together around Abraham. Now, Abraham is such a big deal that one NY Times best-selling author has discovered 240 different stories about Abraham when you read all the stories of the three different religions. But more importantly, Abraham occupies fourteen chapters in the book of Genesis, or around twenty pages. I think you’d agree with me that Abraham was one of the greatest people in all of history.

But what makes Abraham so great?

Abraham didn’t have any followers or disciples.

He didn’t write any books that we know of.

He wasn’t a great teacher, politician, or a great warrior.

He didn’t even technically begin a “religion”.

In fact, the only real claim to fame Abraham really has is this: God chose him and made some very special promises to him.

If you have a Bible near you, please turn with me to Genesis 12, if you will. When you find it, look up here at me so I can see your smiling faces. Would you agree with this statement: We can believe something to be true without it making much difference to us.

Fredric Baur dreamed up the iconic “Pringles” can and now’s he buried in one. That’s true. Here’s another: there are more plastic flamingos in the U.S, than real ones! I think you would agree that we can believe something to be true without it making much difference to us. But what we place our faith in something that is what is vital to the way we live. Faith is a deep-seated confidence.

I want to do everything possible to encourage you to place your faith in the very One Abraham did.

For the next few moments, I want you to see how to handle the rugged areas of life through the lens of our father, Abraham.

We are going to see 2 vignettes (if you will) into the life of Abraham.

Today’s Scripture

“Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, ‘I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.’ 14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 17 But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” 20 And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had” (Genesis 12:10–20).

There’s one item keep your eye on one item throughout Abraham’s life the command of God and the promises of God.

There are really two sides to one lesson Abraham is going to teach us.

1. In a Crisis, Don’t Doubt God

Now, it’s true … Abraham is our forefather in the faith. Abraham is incredibly blessed by God. Skeptics and secularists will call it luck, but in reality, the God of the universe smiled on Abraham. As we’ll see, Abraham is his own worst enemy here.

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