A. INTRODUCTION: GOD CALLED ABRAHAM
“By obedient faith, Abraham left his home in Ur, when God called him to go see another country that God would give him as his inheritance. Abraham went without knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8, ELT
1. In Babylon God called Abraham. “The Lord had said unto Abram” (Genesis 12:1-3, 7).
a. “I will make of thee a great nation.” Influence.
b. “I will bless thee.” God’s presence.
c. “I will make thy name great.” Known.
d. “Thou will be a blessing.” Messiah.
e. “I will bless them who bless you.” United States.
f. “I will curse them who curse you.” Hitler.
g. “I will give you this land (v. 7).” Holy Land.
2. Faith overcomes the barriers to God’s blessing. “Sarah … was barren” (11:11).
3. God’s promise began with Abraham’s seed (a son).
4. Supernatural faith – for 50 years, Abraham believed without evidence.
B. ABRAHAM’S FAITH-WALK WITH GOD
1. Faith-obedience. “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8, NLT).
2. Continued faith-walking. “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise” (11:9, KJV).
3. Abraham’s faith grew from weak-faith to strong-faith. “Who against hope … being not weak in faith … he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith” (Romans 4:18-20, KJV).
4. Faith-reward. “What God has promised, He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:21).
5. “But also, for us (today’s believers) … who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:24, NKJV).
C. SIX DOORWAYS TO FAITH
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11:6, NLT
1. Doctrinal faith. Content, identified with article. “I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:8).
2. Saving faith. “For by grace are you saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
a. Intellectually, to know.
b. Emotionally, to feel conviction of sin, and love to God.
c. Volitionally, to act/receive Jesus as Savior.
3. Justifying faith. Non-experiential. God declared you are righteous (Genesis 15:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
4. Indwelling faith. “Christ lives in me … I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20).
5. Daily faith. Sanctification. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
6. Gift of faith. One of the spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit whereby we serve the Lord.
D. APPLICATION OF FAITH
1. If your faith pleases God, what does your doubt accomplish?
2. Don’t look at the size of your giants, or the size of your faith, rather look at the size of your God.
3. Either you have faith or not. “Faith as a grain of mustard seed” (Matthew 17:20). Jerry Falwell Sr. said, “I don’t have great faith, I have a great God.”
4. The problem of limiting God. “All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).
5. Faith-choice. What do you want or need?
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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