The Tests Of Faith Series

Hebrews Series

“The Tests of Faith”

Heb. 11.8-19

July 27,2014 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction:

A There are some great examples of faith in the O.T. (Noah, Moses, Joshua, David, etc.) But the greatest specimen is Abraham.

1 He is the progenitor of the physical seed though which God would bless the world!

a Israel began as a nation with the call to Abraham to leave Ur, and go to place he had never been... all on a promise this his wife Sara would give birth to a son... & through his physical seed, God would speak to the nations.

Genesis 12:1-2 (NASB) 1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth 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 a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;

b Their son Isaac became the father of Jacob & Esau, Jacob’s sons would become the 12 tribes of Israel, Judah - Jesus’ tribe.

2 He is the patriarch of all who believe.

Romans 4:11 (NASB) 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,

a This is in reference to the fact that Abraham “believed” in the Lord, & He accounted it him for righteousness.

b If he hasn’t trusted, put his faith in YHWH there would have been no Jew, No Israel, no tribes, No Savoir.

c Abraham is the father of all who believe. (Song)

d Galatians 3:29 (NASB) 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

3 He sets the pattern for the life of faith.

Galatians 3:5-7 (NASB) 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

a John 8:38-40 (NASB) 38 "I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father." 39 They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 "But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do.

b The true children of Abraham are those who follow the faith filled lifestyle of Abraham.

B Abraham’s faith was so great that God called him friend.

1 Isaiah 41:8 (NASB) 8 "But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend,

James 2:23 (NASB) 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.

2 How does one gauge, test their faith? (Abraham has 3 tests)

a Every test we’ve ever taken, we usually know what the test will cover.

aa (IL) We’d think it odd/unfair if an instructor gave us a test over material we had not covered... heads up on.

bb Abraham has taught us the material with his life.

b He passed all three tests.

I The tests of worldliness. (11.8-10, 13-16)

Hebrews 11:8-10 (NASB) 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:13-16 (NASB) 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.