In the records of American History during the gold rush days there is a story about a family that was crossing the Arizona desert on their way to California.
As they traveled across the hot and blistering desert, water supplies grew scarce and all the family could see was the blinding haze of heat that cracked the thirsty soil.
Yet, as they traveled, they saw an old abandoned shack that had an old water pump off the porch.
Excited about possible being able to obtain water, they B-lined their way straight to the pump and noticed a bucket of water with a note attached to it that said: “This pump must be primed, there is just enough water to prime the pump, but not enough if you drink some first. Pour the water in the top of the pump and pump the handle quickly. After you drink, refill the bucket for the next person who comes along.”
At that point, the family had a choice; believe the note and prime the pump (or) doubt the note and drink the water out of the bucket leaving others with nothing.”
Fortunately, this pump provided water for many years because people believed and obeyed what they read.
Transition:
Today I would like to introduce you to a man named Abraham. It is said that the first 11 chapters of Genesis contain the have history of the human race; while chapters 12-50 give us the history of the Hebrew race.
Abraham is called many things: James called him the: “Friend of God.” (James 2:23) Abraham is also called “The Father of the faithful.” (Hebrews 11:8-9) In chapter 12 he’s introduced as “Abram” that means simply: “Father” and later we will refer to him as “Abraham” which means: “Father of a multitude.”(Genesis 17:5) when God renamed him.
Yet, Abraham is called the Father of Faith. (Galatians 3:6-9) Why? He definitely did not consistently model faith did he? Absolutely not. Yet, he teaches us about how God teaches us to trust. He shows us the pathway of faith and helps us to start walking.
Transitional Sentence: Abraham teaches us what it takes to walk with God by faith. Where do I start? Abraham shows us that trusting God begins when I:
I. Step Out On Faith
vs. 1-4- “Now the Lord said to Abram. Go forth from your country. And from your relatives and from your fathers house, to the land which I will show you. And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. So Abram went froth as the Lord had spoken to him...
Explanation:
When we meet Abram we discover how he met God. Verse 1 reads: “Now the Lord said to Abram. Go forth...”
In these 8 short words we discover that faith is more than > something you believe; it is something you do.
Paul sums up the Christian life saying: “For we walk by faith; not by sight.”
Salvation sets us on the path of faith and we walking with Jesus; not just talking about Him.
When we meet Abram we quickly discover that Abram did not know God until God spoke to him and said: “Go forth...”
It is shocking that Abraham became a follower by faith because of many reasons:
a) He was raised by a family that didn’t know God- He wasn’t saved on the family plan. Abrams family worshipped “the moon god” not the God who made the moon. The moon god was the god of the Chaldees. Joshua 24:2 says records that Abrams father served “other gods” and the moon god was his favorite.
b) He was raised in a family of progress and position- Abram was a part of the upper crust in the city of Ur. Ur was about 135 miles from Babylon. It was a prosperous city and Abraham was prospering with it. He was rich. Had a beautiful wife. He was respectable, and religious.
This city was progressive. Archeologists have discovered that the city Abram grew up in had irrigation canals, ornaments, tombs, altars, art, weapons, household utensils, and even a primitive type of brain surgery.
Terah, Abrams father was a great prince or sheik in the land of Ur. Abram was a type of prince in that city which is obvious when we discover the name of his wife; Sarai, meaning: Princess.
Most would have thought that Abram was too caught up in human knowledge and opportunity to forfeit his prominence for a place with the living God. Yet, he did, by faith.
c) He had no family of his own because his wife was barren.
In Abram’s day, many felt that if a man’s wife was barren it was a curse from God. Yet, notice instead, Abram was the one who received the call of God.
Yet, God surprises us with His invitations doesn’t He? Are you surprised that He is calling you? You shouldn’t. He loves you and wants you to walk with Him.
God wants to lead you through this life and if you will “go forth” he will “send you forth” if you are willing.
Illustration: Unused free pass
The Toronto Ward Museum tells us the story of a nineteenth-century man named Isapo Muxika. He is more commonly known as Crowfoot. He was the chief of the Siksika Indian tribe. He was known for his peaceful relations with Canada during a time of great violence.
When the Canadian Pacific Railroad was being built and they needed to build part of it on his land, the Canadian government approached Crowfoot with an offer. They said, “If you will give us the land we need for the railroad, you can ride it whenever and wherever you want.”
So they made a deal. They finished the Canadian Pacific Railroad and Crowfoot received a lifetime pass. It was put in a beautiful case. Crowfoot is said to have carried that case around his neck for the rest of his life. It entitled him to go wherever he wanted where the railroad could take him.
There was just one problem. As far as we know, Crowfoot never stepped foot on that train. He had the right to travel anywhere he wanted, but he never availed himself of that right.
Application:
Today, there are many people who are like Crowfoot; they possess an invitation through scripture and heard God speak, calling them through the Holy Spirit. Yet, for whatever reason, they refuse to step out and step up.
One of our core values as a church is to “Make followers of Jesus.” Do you know what that means? That means helping you to get moving and trusting Jesus with every day, every decision, and every direction God wants to take you.
Do you know how that is done? One day at a time and one step at a time. Let me encourage you today to do like Abram, take your first steps of faith. It’s not too late. Did you know that Abram took his first steps at 75 years old?
Transitional Sentence: Abraham teaches us what it takes to walk with God by faith. Where do I start? Abraham shows us that trusting God begins when I:
II. Stand On God’s Promises
vs. 2-3- “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you, 2 And I will make you into a great nation,
And I will bless you, And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Explanation:
There is one requirement for walking by faith; it is necessary that we have and take hold of the promises of God.
Romans 10:17 says: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
Let me ask you: “How often do you make decisions based upon what God has promised you?”
As we hear God calling Abram to walk by faith, notice what God did to call him. He began by making promises to Abram.
God made 7 promises to Abraham that he could count on. Basically, Abram could take this to the bank and cash the check. This is what Abraham said:
1. I will show you the land where you should go
2. I will make you a great nation
3. I will make your name great
4. I will make you a blessing
5. I will bless those who bless you
6. I will curse those who curse you
7. I will use you to bless the nations
Did you notice what Abram did in response? Verse 4 says: “So Abram went forth...”
Let me ask you a second question: “Where do you get your security?”
Did you notice that God was asking him to leave what we often get our security from?
1) Like us, Abram was called to leave the security of his country. Can you imagine? What if God called you to go live in the Ukraine? How secure would you be? God promised to give Him a better one, by making him a great nation.
2) Like us, Abram was called to leave the security of his family and tribe. Can you imagine? What if God called you to leave your family and friends? What if God removed them without you making the choice.
Do you see what God was doing? He was saying: Put your trust in my promises.
Illustration: Thomas Jefferson’s face
During his days as president, Thomas Jefferson and a group of companions were traveling across the country on horseback. They came to a river that had left its banks because of a recent downpour. The swollen river had washed the bridge away.
Each rider was forced to ford the river on horseback, fighting for his life against the rapid currents. Each rider was threatened without a very real possibility of death, which caused a traveler who was not part of their group to step aside and watch.
After several had plunged in and make it to the other side, the stranger asked President Jefferson if he would carry him across the river. The president agreed without hesitation.
The man climbed on, and shortly thereafter the two of them made it safely to the other side. As the stranger slid off the back of the horse onto dry ground, one in the group asked him, "Tell me, why did you select the president to ask this favor of?"
The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the president who had helped him. "All I know, he said, "is that on some of your faces was written the answer 'No," and on some them was the answer 'Yes."
The man, who turned out to be the President was a “Yes” face.
Application:
Listen: When it comes to God and His promises; He always has a “yes” face. Listen: His countenance always smiles on His promises.
Let me give you a little assignment: Whatever challenges you are having right now, would you ask God to lead you to the promises in the Bible that apply to your challenges?
Did you know that there are 7,487 promises from God to man in the Bible and a total of 8,810 promises as a whole. That’s over 20 promises for each day of the year if you want to cash in on them! You’ve got a lot of promises to take to the bank don’t you?
Do you know how many promises are recorded in the Bible of people making promises to God? 290.
My point: You can never out promise God. He’s loaded you up.
Abraham moved out of Ur and became the Father of Faith based on 7 promises; how many promises do you need to live out your life of faith?
Transitional Sentence: Abraham teaches us what it takes to walk with God by faith. Where do I start? Abraham shows us that trusting God begins when I:
III. Step Into God’s Will
vs. 4- “So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to Him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”
Explanation:
If you will remember God called Abram when he lived in Ur. Yet, did you read verse 4? It reads:
“So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to Him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”
This is confusing if we skim the passage and don’t read and understand it. You see, when God called Abram to head out to the Canaan; the Promised land, as we call it, Abram failed to do what God told him to do.
We understand the story when we read Chapter 11 verse 31. It reads:
“Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan; and they went as far as Haran, and settled there.”
I want you to see, Abram struggled with his faith right out of the box. Notice what happens:
a) Abram was called to follow God; instead he is following Terah. Instead of following our Heavenly Father; He is following his earthly father. He was told to leave his relatives and his father’s house; yet while they left town; He didn’t leave His father and mother.
He’s trying to cut a deal with God isn’t he? He’s willing to go, but not alone.
b) Abram was called to Canaan; yet Terah led them to Haran and they settled there. When fail to completely obey God; we completely miss out on His will.
Do you see what is happening here? Abraham is struggling with his faith immediately. Isn’t it interesting how we want God’s will on our terms; and wonder why something is missing in our life?
I want you to see what happens. In Chapter 11:32 we read: “The days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.”
It was after Abram’s earthly Father died it was only then that He obeyed and came face to face with His Heavenly Father.
Under His earthly Father’s leadership; he made a half-way commitment, and if you will notice, as long as He lived under the Lordship of His earthly Father; the Heavenly Father did not appear to him.
Yet, when he left Haran, notice what happened, the Bible says that at 75 years old, He left Haran (vs. 4) and took his possessions (vs. 5) and passed through the land as far as Shechem (in Canaan) and it was then that we read: “The Lord appeared to Abram.”
Do you want to experience God in His fullness--- step out on faith.
Where faith and obedience intersect; you’ll meet God face to face.
Many people say, “I wish I could see God at work and active in my life”—here’s the good news! You can!!
We find God on the path He is leading us down. We will never find Him on our own path, or our compromised path. God is a leader and we are called to be faith followers
God will meet you when you step out on faith. You won’t be alone.
Conclusion: Faith/ Womb to Tomb
A lot of people struggle with believing in something they cannot see. In short, they struggle with faith.
Hypothetically, I want you to imagine this. If you had never been born and never left the womb, would you still believe that there’s life outside it? In the womb could you have dreamed of another world where there are stars above to look upon, green grass, flowers, and faces?
If so, what would convince you? Would there be a way to know that you could have another life beyond the womb? In the womb, would you have evidence that would convince you? What would give you faith to believe in the unknown?
-Perhaps it would be your ears that could hear and give you hope and promise that something lies beyond the womb.
-Perhaps it would be your hands and fingers. Perhaps you would look at the design of your body and come to believe that your hands were made to pick up objects outside the womb, to feel, and experience things that are only felt in the “outside” world.
-Perhaps it would be your feet. Perhaps you would look at the design of your toes, legs, and body that made you believe that one day those feet would be able to run, jump, and or feel sand between the toes.
The evidence for life beyond the womb is in the person God has made you.
Did you know God not only made you with physical attributes to prove life beyond the womb. Yet, He has also given you spiritual attributes to believe in life beyond the tomb.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has “set eternity in the human heart.” God has given you a soul and a heart that only He can fill. He has given you a knowledge that life does not only exist outside the womb but life exists beyond the tomb.
He has set eternity in your heart and that’s where faith begins. In your heart.
God is inviting you on a journey of faith that leads you not just through this life but into the next one. And do you know where that journey begins? With belief. Trust. Faith.
What will you do with what God has put in your heart?
