Sermon # 11 - Faith That Inspires Others Series

We read in Genesis 12:4, When Abram was seventy-five years old, he started out from Haran, as the LORD had told him to do; and Lot went with him. (GNB)

Abram believed the words of the Lord who called him, left his country and people to follow after God. The reason for this kind of implicit obedience on the part of Abram is described in the verse below.

Faith prompted Abram to obedience

In Hebrews 11:8 we read, “It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going.”(GNB)

Abram heard God’s word, put his faith in God, and ventured out even though he did not know where he was headed to. When the creator of heaven and earth called Abram, he left with no questions, but with total confidence and trust in the God who called him. Abram had an immovable or unshakeable faith in God, and knew that the one who called him would lead him to a better place, and take him to a higher level.

Some of you may have had this experience when someone really close to us wanted us to accompany them to a certain place, and we went along even though we were not sure where they were going. We did so because we really trusted that person, and knew that we could be safe with them. The question we need to ask ourselves is, ‘Are we willing to take this journey of faith that God calls us to, like Abram did?’ Often we give numerous excuses pertaining to our personal lives, and are therefore hindered from taking this step of faith that Abram took willingly.

Abram motivated Lot

When Abram set out from Haran at the age of seventy five, took his wife and all that he had and set out by faith, Abram’s nephew Lot took note of this. This move instigated Lot to join his Uncle Abram, as this was a move of faith on an Almighty God. Haran must have been a big place, and Abram’s faith move must have caused a major flutter amongst the people there. There might have been varied responses and perspectives offered to Abram regards this move. Lot was really curious to know how Abram had the courage to trust God this way, and the outcome was that he too decided to venture out with Abram.

Even today when we want to take a step of faith and follow Jesus, we will encounter varied reactions by those around us. Nonetheless, when we continue to stand firm in our faith, this will surely be an inspiration to those Lots who are watching us. Our lives too must be such that those who associate with us or are just observing us, are challenged to put their faith in the God we believe in, and want to live just the way we do. Instead of blending in with the majority, we must choose to live in such a way, that others should desire to follow our example, and be motivated to live like we do.

Naomi’s life challenged Ruth

Naomi was an Israelite who had settled in the land of Moab. Naomi had two sons who were married to Ruth and Orpah, both of whom were Moabite women. Sadly, Naomi was widowed and she also lost her two sons. Naomi was hard pressed on every side, but her faith in God was immovable.

Generally, when people go through situations like Naomi did, they are disheartened, backslide from the faith, and even doubt the existence of God.

As Naomi lived in the land of Moab with her two daughters in law, these were her words of counsel to them.

We read in Ruth 1:8, “But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.” (ERV)

Naomi encouraged her daughters in law to go back to their own mother’s house, so that they could have a good future since their husbands had both died. In the midst of her calamities, Naomi realized that God was kind, and she assured her daughters in law that He would certainly show them the same kindness that God had lavished on her.

Our faith in God should be unshakeable like Naomi’s because we believe in a living God, who is true and faithful.

We read about the response of Naomi’s daughters in law in Ruth 1:14, “Again they started crying. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye and went back home, but Ruth held on to her.” (GNB)

Naomi’s two daughters in law began to cry when they heard that their mother in law wished to depart from them. While Naomi thought it best to return to her home town, she realized that her daughters in law were young, and so it would be better for them to get married and to settle down right where they were. Orpah accepted this advice and kissed her mother in law goodbye to return back to her home. However, Ruth wouldn’t let go of her mother in law.