Abraham: Father Of The Faith

Abraham: Father of the Faith

Hebrews 11:8-12; 17-19

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLsGh1gYFjQ

As I was wondering and seeking about what to talk about next with you, the issue of faith came back, especially seeing how the mask mandate has once again been instituted within the U.S., but also how we looked at this topic in our year-long series in 2020 on faith, hope, and love.

But the series I believe the Lord would like us to journey down is the faith of our forefathers, those who sometimes have been called the heroes of the faith as outlined in the book of Hebrews, the 11th chapter.

Now, there’s quite a few names listed in this chapter, as well as many more whose deeds and lives are recorded but never mentioned by name. Now, I doubt if I’m going to hit each one of these, but there are some notable people listed whose lives can help us as we live out the type of faith that pleases God, as the writer of Hebrews says that without faith it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Now, to most in the Christian faith, this title for Abraham, that is, “Father of the Faith,” is familiar, and it may be because his faith is something that we not only identify with but aspire towards.

Now, in Hebrews we are introduced to four specific choices Abraham made “by faith,” and from these choices we’ll learn a little bit about how faith works and how to develop this kind of faith.

Now, I know this is scary to a lot of people, but what we need to remember is that Abraham never began with this level of faith. Instead, he developed it throughout the entirety of his life. And through Abraham’s life, we’ll see how that kind of faith develops through the struggles and hardships Abraham experienced, just like the struggles and hardships we experience. You see, God develops faith through our struggles and even through our missteps.

When I went to seminary, one of the professors asked, “When we’re told to increase our faith, how is that faith increased?” Well, there were all sorts of answers, and as I was hearing all these answers, I was kind of chuckling to myself. When the professor saw me, he said, “Okay Lee, how does our faith increase?” And I answered, “Though times of hardships and trials,” which is exactly how faith became my number one spiritual gift.

So, what was it in Abraham’s life that helped to develop his great faith, and what can we learn to help us develop ours?

Abraham Stepped Out by Faith

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NKJV)

Abraham lived in a place called Ur. Today, this is the area of Iraq. But his father took them from there to the city of Harran, which today is in the country of Turkey. But while Abraham was there, all comfortable and secure, with family and friends, God came and said, “Hey Abe, I want you to move to a place you’ve never heard of.”

Now, just so you don’t think I’m taking too much liberty in my paraphrase, look at what the Bible says about this call. The Lord said the Abraham, “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:1-2 NKJV)

But notice that the Lord never named that country, and yet, even though Abraham had no idea or clue as to where this place was, or what it was even like, it says that he believed and trusted in God and stepped out by faith and left, eventually arriving in the Land of Canaan.

If we want to develop such a great faith, this is where we must start. We must be willing to step out by faith. Now, a lot of the time we let the fear of the unknown keep us from doing something great. We have this thing that unless we have all the facts and answers in advance, then we’re not going anywhere.

But to have such great faith like Abraham, we must be willing to do what God says. Abraham had no idea where he was going, but he knew that God was telling him to move, so he moved. Often, we say, “Lord, I’m willing to have faith, but could I please have a signed contract with an itinerary.”

But life doesn’t always come with guarantees, or with an agenda attached.

So, how do we take this first step. Maybe this is why some of us are here today, or are listening to this message on-line, because maybe God has already spoken to our hearts, or is about to speak something to our hearts about what He is calling us to do. Maybe it involves a relationship, schooling, family decision, job, or some kind of move.