Examples of Faith… (5 points)

• 1^st – The FAITH of Abraham… vs. 8-10 / 13-19
  • The FATHER of FAITH…
    • Abraham was the FIRST Hebrew – he was the FATHER of the Jewish people…
    • We know Abraham was SAVED by FAITH – Genesis 15:6
    • But because Abraham also WALKED by FAITH – he became the FATHER of FAITH…
    • Galatians 3:7 – “Those who are of FAITH are sons of Abraham.”
    • That makes him the MOST important example of what it means to OBEY by FAITH…
    • Which is why the Author dedicates more verses to Abraham – than to ANY other person!
  • 1^st – OBEY when CALLED… vs. 8
    • By faith Abraham OBEYED…
      • OBEYED – from the root word [ἀκούω] meaning to HEAR…
      • Abraham was able to OBEY by FAITH – because he LISTENED to the WORD of God!
      • How can a child OBEY their FATHER – if they do not LISTEN to what he says!
      • One of the great questions people have in life – is what God WANTS me to DO…
      • We know the ONLY way to have a fulfilling life – is by OBEYING God…
      • We spend a LOT of time doing Bible studies – all throughout the week…
      • The reason is because the ONLY way to be OBEDIENT to the Lord…
      • Is through HEARING the WORD of our FATHER!
      • Romans 10:17 – “FAITH comes by HEARING, and HEARING by the word of God.”
    • When he was CALLED to the place which he would receive as an inheritance…
      • The CALL – leave your country – your family – your Father – Genesis 12:1
      • We are given additional information about the CALL by Steven – Acts 7:2-3
      • Abram was FIRST called by God in the Ur of the Chaldean – to leave his FAMILY…
      • He departed – but went with his FAMILY (Terah / Lot) …
      • The result was his father TOOK him to Haran – rather than Canaan – Genesis 11:31
      • After the death of his Father Terah – God called Abram AGAIN – Genesis 12:4
      • And he departs again – but STILL brings Lot with him – a decision he will regret!
      • Abram was NOT perfect – he did obey – but reluctantly!
      • If we will just step out in FAITH – even imperfectly OBEYING…
      • God is faithful to do things in our lives that are beyond our wildest imaginations!
    • He went out – NOT knowing where he was going…
      • God did not give very detailed directions to Abram – go to a place He would show him…
      • Psalms 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
      • God gives us just enough information to keep dependent on Him
      • If God gave me BIG PICTURE – I would thank Him – rely on myself to fulfill it…
      • But if He ONLY gives me the next step – I come to Him DAILY – step by step!
      • II Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by FAITH, not by sight.”
  • 2^nd – OBEY by DWELLING… vs. 9
    • By faith he DWELT in the land of promise as in a foreign country – DWELLING in tents…
    • DWELT [sojourn] 2x NT – to live next to – emphasizing the idea of not SETTLING in…
    • God PROMISED to give the land of Canaan to Abraham – but he lived there like a STRANGER…
    • He never built a PERMEANT house – he and his descendants lived in TENTS!
    • By FAITH we understand this is NOT our HOME – we are only here for a short stay…
    • Far too often we get way to attached to things in this life and FORGET…
    • We are not HOME yet – our HOME is a place we have yet to see – our home is HEAVEN…
    • We need to remember to keep a light touch on things here – just living in TENTS!
  • 3^rd – OBEY in PATIENCE… vs. 10
    • [By FAITH] – WAITED for the city which has foundations – whose builder and maker is God…
    • WAITED [imperfect] – he CONTINUALLY waited for a BETTER home…
    • Abraham NEVER did INHERIT the Promised Land – that would come 400 years later…
    • His focus was NOT on this life – he was NOT looking for an earthly reward for his FAITH!
    • The REWARD for our FAITH does NOT come in this life – it comes in HEAVEN…
    • That is where we have a CITY waiting for us – worth WAITING for – Revelation 21:2
  • 4^th – OBEY in LIFE… vs. 13-16
    • These all DIED in faith – NOT having received the PROMISES… vs. 13
      • PROMISES – NOT talking about the Promised Land – it is talking about HEAVEN…
      • They did SEE [to know] the PROMISES – BUT they were VERY far away [end of their life]
      • Having SEEN them – they were PERSUADED [passive] by them…
      • To EMBRACE and CONFESS – they were STRANGERS and PILGRIMS on earth!
      • STRANGER – a foreigner – someone from ANOTHER country…
      • PILGRIM – to live among strangers – not your HOME – I Peter 2:11
    • Those who say such things DECLARE PLAINLY that they seek [their HOME] … vs. 14
      • DECLARE PLAINLY – [ἐμφανίζω] – where we get the word EMPHASIZE…
      • When we EMBRACE and CONFESS – we are STRANGERS and PILGRIMS…
      • We EMPHASIZE that we do NOT belong to this earth – our HOME is with God!
    • If they had REMEMBERED where they had come out – they could have returned… vs. 15
      • REMEMBERED [imperfect] – if they have focused on what they GAVE up…
      • It could have led them to GO BACK to the world – walk away from HEAVEN!
    • But now they DESIRE a better – heavenly country… vs. 16
      • Therefore God is NOT ashamed to be called their God – He prepared [aorist] a city for them!
      • DESIRE [present] – 3x in NT – CONTINUALLY stretching out in order to reach something…
      • They were CONTINUALLY reaching by FAITH for what they could NOT see – HEAVEN…
      • Which had TWO results – God was PROUD [not ashamed] of them!
      • AND even though they could NOT see HEAVEN – God had ALREADY prepared it for them! 
      • The PROMISE of Heaven – for most of us – is still VERY far away…
      • And if we want – we can focus on what we can SEE in this LIFE – live in the moment…
      • But when OBEY – LIVING by FAITH in what we CANNOT see – until the day we DIE…
      • We will find a God who is PROUD to call us His own…
      • A God who has prepared a MANSION – for us to live in with Him FOREVER – John 14:2
  • 5^th – OBEY in TESTS… vs. 17-19
    • By faith Abraham – when he was TESTED – offered up Isaac…
      • TESTED – [πειράζω] 38x in NT – can alternately be translated as TRIALS…
      • WALKING by FAITH – means we are going to go through TRIALS!
      • James 1:2 – “Count it all joy WHEN you fall into various TRIALS [same root].”
      • Why would God TEST us – why would He bring TRIALS into our lives!
      • If you go to the Market and want to buy some mangos – you want good ones…
      • Problem: how to know which are best – the outside might look good – but…
      • But unless you TEST the fruit you do not know what it is like on the inside!
      • We do not get to really know who someone is when life is easy…
      • The real test of character is how they act when life falls apart…
      • God uses TRIALS in life to TEST us – let us see what we are made of…
      • God already knows – but He wants US to see what is in OUR hearts!
    • [Abraham] offered up his only begotten son…
      • Of whom it was said – in Isaac your seed shall be called – Genesis 21:12
      • There was NOTHING more important in life to Abraham – than Isaac…
      • Yet God asked him to give up what he held MOST dear – valued more than anything!
      • Why was He willing to SACRIFICE Isaac – he believed God would RESURRECT him!
      • Abraham [reasoned] if Isaac died – God was able to bring him back to life again… [NLT]
      • And in a sense he did – for [יְהוָה יִרְאֶה] – provided Himself as a sacrifice instead of Isaac!
    • James uses THIS as an example to show us how FAITH WORKS – James 2:20-24
      • Abraham was justified / saved by WORKS when he offered Isaac his son…
      • Not by WORKS alone – but by FAITH working together with his WORKS!
      • We know a fruit tree is alive – if there is fruit on its branches…
      • In the same way we know there is TRUE FAITH in Jesus – if there is FRUIT…
      • The FRUIT / WORKS are the proof that our FAITH is TRUE!
    • WHEN the FAITH of ABRAHAM produced good WORKS…
      • Abraham was counted as RIGHTEOUS when he was around 85 – Genesis 15:6
      • But when Abraham offered Isaac – he was between 115-137…
      • That means there was up to 50 years before the FRUIT was seen!
      • If we plant an apple seed – we do not expect to harvest apples a week later!
      • FRUIT takes time to grow and develop – but a healthy tree will ALWAYS bear FRUIT!
      • If we have TRUE FAITH in Jesus – there WILL BE good FRUIT coming from our lives!
      • But not all FRUIT is immediate – it might take years for the FRUIT to come out…
      • That should be VERY encouraging – if we WALK in FAITH – FRUIT eventually comes!

• 2^nd – Sarah was STRENGTHENED by FAITH… vs. 11-12
  • 1^st – Sarah was OLD… vs. 11
    • By faith Sarah received STRENGTH to conceive – when she was past the age…
    • Because she JUDGED Him faithful who had PROMISED!
    • God promised Abraham and Sarah would have a son – Genesis 15:4-5
    • But God waited UNTIL Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 – until it was IMPOSSIBLE!
    • God then came to Abraham – I am Almighty God – El Shaddai – Genesis 17:1
    • God confirmed a PROMISE – that was IMPOSSIBLE – except for Him!
    • When Sarah heard the PROMISE – she laughed [Isaac] – Genesis 18:12
    • But she then JUDGED – and realized the one who made the PROMISE – was FAITHFUL!
    • There is no circumstance to difficult – or problem to overwhelming for God…
    • He turns sinners into saints – the week into the mighty – the lowly into the great…
    • The only thing that limits God – is us JUDGING Him who PROMISED – FAITHFUL!
  • 2^nd – Abraham was OLDER… vs. 12
    • Therefore from one man – and him as good as DEAD- were born as many…
    • God gave TWO descriptions of how MANY children Abraham would have!
    • As many as the STARS [10 billion – trillion] – or the SAND on the seashore – Genesis 22:17
    • There are an estimated 8 BILLION grains of sand per m² – 700 BILLION m² of sand on earth!
    • That number is 56 – with 21 ZEROS after it – 5.6 sextillion!
    • Perhaps the point being – ENUMERABLE – way too MANY to count!
    • Meaning EL Shaddai did not just do the impossible – He went WAY beyond!
    • Which is ALWAYS the result of those who WALK in FAITH…
    • God does not just give us the STRENGTH to do the IMPOSSIBLE…
    • Through His STRENGTH we find we are able to do things beyond IMAGINATION!
    • Ephesians 3:20 –“Now to Him who is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ADUNDANTLY above all that we ASK or THINK, according to the POWER [STRENGTH] that works in us.”

• 3^rd – Isaac PROPHESIED by FAITH… vs. 20
  • 1^st – Isaac made MISTAKES…
    • Isaac lived longer the others [Abraham / Jacob] – he died at 180 – Genesis 35:28
    • Yet the shortest number of chapters are dedicated to his life – only THREE!
    • The reason is because for most of his life – he did NOT walk by FAITH…
    • When the men of the city of GERAR began to ask about his wife Rebekah…
    • He LIED – and said she is my SISTER [same as Abraham] – Genesis 26:7
  • 2^nd – Isaac PROPHESIED…
    • By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come…
      • When Isaac was OLD – and could NOT see – Genesis 27:1
      • He PROPHESIED over his TWO twin sons – Esau and Jacob!
      • Although Jacob TRICKED his father into thinking he was Esau – to get the blessing…
      • He dressed up like his older brother – HAIRY – to fool their father…
      • When Esau came begging for ANY blessing – Isaac PROPHESIED – Genesis 27:39-40
    • Interesting – a man who walked by SIGHT – lost the ability to SEE…
      • And ONLY then – was he able to SEE – what would happen to his TWO sons!
      • When we think we can SEE – what to do in life – where we should go…
      • Like Isaac – we will walk around BLIND – and not do much worth writing about…
      • But when we understand we are BLIND – that is when we look to the Lord who can see…
      • Only then will we KNOW what it will happen – what God desires for us to do!
      • John 9:39 – “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do NOT see may see, and that those who see may be made BLIND.”

• 4^th – Jacob BLESSED by FAITH… vs. 21
  • 1^st – Jacob made MISTAKES…
    • Isaac made MISTAKES – but it is hard to find something Jacob did right!
    • He STOLE the birthright – CHEATED his uncle Laban – WRESTLED with God!
    • Everywhere Jacob went – he FOUGHT – against everyone!
    • Yet God used all these things to CHANGE Jacob – to ISRAEL [governed by God]
  • 2^nd – Jacob BLESSED…
    • By faith Jacob – when he was dying – blessed each of the sons of Joseph…
      • Of all the things recorded in Genesis – Jacob blessing his GRANDKIDS was his act of FAITH…
      • Jacob was OLD – and like his Isaac before him – he was BLIND – Genesis 48:10
      • Joseph gave Manasseh to the right hand of Israel – and Ephraim to his left hand…
      • The purpose was the greater blessing (right) went to the oldest son – Manasseh…
      • BUT – Israel crossed his hands – blessing Ephraim with his right / Manasseh his left…
      • It was not a mistake – he was guiding his hands KNOWINGLY – it was intentional…
      • KNOWINGLY – the word in Hebrew suggests having special insight or knowledge…
      • Manasseh would become great tribe – but Ephraim would be even greater! 
    • [Then he] worshiped – leaning on the top of his staff [only mentioned here]!
      • Old – BLIND – Israel could not SEE with his eyes – but SAW more clearly than anyone else…
      • He was NOT bound to follow the WISDOM of this world…
      • By FAITH he could see what the world missed – the BLESSINGS of God!
      • Living for Jesus is almost always the exact opposite of what the world says…
      • The world says to seek riches – the Bible says to be content – Hebrews 13:5
      • The world says to focus on yourself – the Bible says to die to ourselves – Luke 9:23
      • The word says to be strong – the Bible says we need to be weak – II Corinthians 12:9
      • It can be hard to accept – it is so DIFFERENT from everything we were taught…
      • But when we WALK by FAITH – we CLEARLY see what the world misses…
      • The BLESSED – ABUNDANT life – is found by LIVING for Jesus – John 10:10

Living a life that points others to the Word of the Lord – to the promises of Jesus!

5^th – Joseph encouraged by FAITH… vs. 22

1^st – Instructions for bones…

By faith Joseph – when he was dying – made mention of the departure of the children of Israel…

And gave instructions concerning his bones!

On his deathbed he made his family make a promise…

This is likely NOT his brothers – as they were almost all older and had likely passed…

God will surely visit you and BRING you out of THIS land – the PROMISED land…

WHEN God brings you out– take my BONES with you – bury me in the land!

God did redeem His people – and bring them to the Promised Land…

So Joseph died – was embalmed – and his coffin was put in Egypt!

When Israel left 400 years later – they took the bones of Joseph – Exodus 13:19

When they entered the Promised Land – they buried him – Joshua 24:32

2^nd – Greatest ACT of Faith…

Joseph was a ruler / a king – who saved the lives of thousands from famine…

He was a Godly brother / father / grandfather / he was even a great grandfather…

Yet of all the things Joseph did – the one was recorded in the Hall of Faith…

Was his request to take his bones and bury them in the Promised Land!

Encouragement…

Joseph could have had them bury his body right then – like they did for Jacob…

But he wanted to leave a legacy – something to ENCOURAGE future generations…

God WOULD be faithful to His Word and bring Israel out of Egypt – Genesis 46:4

Therefore the greatest act of Faith of Joseph was not something HE did…

It was believing – and showing others – God would be faithful to do what He says!

If we want to live WALK by FAITH – it is NOT about what we do for the Lord!

It is about believing what God says He wants to do for us!