Abraham's Steps Of Faith

Abraham's Steps of Faith

Hebrews 11:8-12

Introduction

- Has anyone ever had an issue with faith? For example, we pray and nothing happens …

- Let’s start out with some honesty: Faith is something that we all struggle with, right?

- Even though with our mouths we confess we have it; we struggle on the follow through

- God’s Word however, is what allows our faith to be strengthened through examples of living

- If we’ll take the time to read, the answers we need are right here; as are the life lessons for all

- Let’s examine one man’s steps of faith and see how we might be changed by his testimony

- I believe if we will open our hearts and listen – God will speak to us and move us to change

- Stand together and read Hebrews 11:8-12 / Pray

Point 1 - He left all FOR God

- Abram’s name literally means “my father is exalted” – Abraham is “father of many nations”

- But, who was Abram? Son of Terah; tenth generation from Noah; twentieth from Adam

His family tree is well marked and his knowledge of what God has done is well known

-- (Josh 24:2) Terah worshipped other gods – even though his lineage was what it was

-- He knew the stories, he knew the outcomes, but even his father worshipped other gods

- But, what did Abraham leave? Genesis 12:1 says, “The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.”

- God called him to walk away and have only 1 God – to serve the only God that is true

- It wasn’t the promise of luxury, or of a greater life, but that of following God moved him

- Abraham left because God called, and in His Spirit he knew he must obey (exp on inner voice)

- APP: When God calls you to move, what is your response? Will you look back and see what you might be missing? Jesus addressed this: Luke 9:62, “Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

- When God calls us to move we MUST be willing to obey and follow the Lord’s leading

- So Abraham heard the call of the Lord, and was willing to obey and follow; without pause

- TRANS: When he left it all though, he did not leave alone – he left WITH God

Point 2 - He left all WITH God

- Left his home for a promised land; but with all the uncertainty of “what’s next”; God was there

-- Lived in tents, ate from the land, dealt with the stuff that people bring to the table (moods, etc)

-- Consider: Long car rides with children: “Are we there yet … ?” Now imagine the crowd …

- Abraham’s desire was from the inside to be obedient; it moved him to go, without hesitation

- As Christians we can learn that even in his perhaps moments of doubt he was still with God

- He was accompanied by God’s presence, and lived a life to exalt Him – as we should and must

- APP: Are we the living “with God” or “without”? Faith is not only believed, it is practiced!

- TRANS: But in practicing our faith, we must be willing to give everything to God’s control

Point 3 - He yielded all TO God

- (Ref Heb 11:10) Note how that verse is worded: It is God who is the architect and not us

-- (KJV) “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

- We are not in control of how our lives work out; because everything is under God’s control

- Think about your own life for a moment – what are you in control of? Let’s start basic:

-- Can you create a breath on your own? Can you order your heart to work? Brain to think?

-- Are you able to make choices to behave? (yes) But does God not order your footsteps?

-- Ref: Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” – Two part sentence: FIRST God directs – THEN we delight (obey) in the path

- APP: If God orders our footsteps, and we choose not to follow, this is out of disobedience

- He was looking forward to the promise that does not come from himself – “a-ha moment”

- Abraham knew there was something greater; something to strive for; and this world wasn’t it!

- TRANS: Because he yielded, he realized that everything he needed was found in God!