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!
Point 4 - He found all/everything IN God
- Let’s examine just one example of finding all in God; from the life of Abraham as well
- Genesis 22:2-12 / Read / Refer to Heb 11:11 recap of same story and premise (God provides)
- Abraham’s desire was to have a son; but in his flesh he and Sarah laughed at God’s promise
- However, when God says it is to be, it is a promise that no one can revoke or undo … ever!
- Remember comment earlier about breathing? Genesis 2:7 says, “… the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” None of us could ever make this happen! None of us have this power!
- This one truth we must accept; we must realize that we are not in control – He is – always!
- What Abraham realized over the course of his life is that little by little everything he needed; everything he desired; was found only in a God that loved him THAT much
- APP: It was found in a God that desired to show him how he should live …
- APP: It was found in a God that gave it all for him to have victory …
- TRANS: But as for us – we too can find everything we would ever need in the Lord
Conclusion
- We too can everything we ever need in God’s son, Jesus, sent to be our Savior
- We are called to leave our lives, to turn to God in all struggles AND leave them at the Cross
- Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Let me ask (and quote Rom 8:31) “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
- When God is in us, who are we to worry and not just follow? Why do we wait and lack faith?
- Abraham left all for God …
- He left all with God …
- He yielded all TO God and …
- He found EVERYTHING in God …
- Invite singers
- What about you? What are you looking for? Have you looked for it in God?
- Do you need to establish a life of faith? I’d love to introduce you to this same God …
- Are you looking for a church to worship at? This body of believers would love to have you …
- Perhaps you need to strengthen your faith this morning and turn it over to God …
