Return to Series on Hebrews 11 Return to Sermons Index Return to Home Page
Presented, September 11, 2005 am
FAITH – THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR (4)
The faith of Abraham – Hebrews 11:8-10, 17-19
Today we note the faith of Abraham. 3 acts are mentioned concerning his faith
I. The Faith of Abraham
a. Abraham is known for his faith. When we think of faith, his name comes first, or at the least, is very prominent. In Abraham we see a great faith from the first time he enters the picture that continues to develop with both successes and failures, until we find him offering his only begotten son, Isaac by faith. Even in death there is demonstration of faith in the life he lives. The Hebrew writer brings some of this out.
b. His faith is featured prominently in the New Testament. He is mentioned some 70 times.
i. When the Paul wanted the Romans to understand faith, he made reference to Abraham. Romans 4:1-3, it was his faith that justified him.
ii. Galatians 3:5-9 – Abraham’s faith is our blessing. When our faith is as it ought to be, we are “sons of Abraham”
iii.
“Abraham believed God.” A phrase worthy of our
attention for a moment. Based on Genesis 15:6 – where God repeats his promise
to Abraham who is somewhat impatient. God promises him that one of his seed
would be the heir (the problem was in the fact that Sarah was barren). God
reassures him and “he believed God.” That means he put his complete trust in
God and would wait for Him to carry that promise out. Friends if you want to
understand the difference in believing in God and believing God – look at
the life of Abraham.
Romans 4:3, 22, Galatians 3:6, James 2:23 – speaking of his being justified by
works, thus not by faith ONLY.
iv. The result of Abraham believing God was that it was accounted to him for righteousness. The idea of righteousness is being declared right (before God). Romans 4 and Galatians 3 both speak of his faith apart from works. This is NOT saying, Abraham did nothing, because he did – he obeyed God completely (as we shall see in a moment) – but rather that which he did was a result of believing God. James 2:23 quotes this same text noting that he DID work – the type of faith we are talking about. In these God accounted or reckoned Abraham for righteousness. The point – we NEED faith, i.e. a proper attitude, in all we do. In that God will declare us righteous as well.
II. By Faith he left Haran (8)
a.
Genesis 11:27-32 reads a quick genealogy of Abraham
leaving Ur and ending up in Haran. Genesis 12:1-6 speaks of Abram moving on to
Canaan after his father Terah dies in Haran, having lived there for awhile.
Understand that Abraham was first called in Ur of the Chaldeans. Note Gen. 12:1
says, “the Lord HAD said to Abram…” Whether or not it was repeated in Haran we
don’t know.
Acts 7:2-4 finds Stephen recalling this occasion. Note where the ‘calling’ took
place.
b. In this we find true obedience and trust. We have seen obedience in every example – it actually is one of the characteristics that ties them all together. But here, it goes further – he is expected to leave all that he is comfortable with and “by faith” go to a new land that God WOULD show him. This is COMPLETE trust in God.
c.
We too, follow God by faith. And with the same call –
only our land is Heaven. We haven’t seen, but God promises it. So we are
willing to change our walk on this earth and follow His path – knowing what
awaits us on the other side – BY FAITH.
What are we willing to give up in this life to receive the reward of heaven in
the hereafter? Romans 12:1-2 – we are to be transformed and not conformed to
this world. Sin no longer has dominion.
III. By Faith he dwelt in tents (9-10)
a. As you examine the life of Abraham (Genesis 12-25) you find he never had a permanent residence. How often he moved we are not told, but we know that twice he left the land (going to Egypt and Gerar) and that there were several places where he built an altar and called on the name of the Lord. Why? It just wasn’t important to him. Believing and pleasing God was.
b. There is a good chance that Abraham’s family was fairly affluent in Ur. The history of that area points to as a place of great wealth. Yet as he dwells in Canaan (and there he becomes very influential and wealthy) he continues to dwell in tents. This is a great testament to his faith – while in the land promised to him, he refused to buy property or conquer the land himself (The only piece of land he purchased was a field with a cave so that he could bury his wife Sarah [Genesis 23], and later be buried there himself – that cave is an interesting study within itself – cf. Genesis 49:29-33).
c. He believed in heaven – and that was his goal. While what we have recorded in the Old Testament does not deal extensively with our eternal reward after this life, we know it was taught. Abraham KNEW that even if in his life he never received a single blade of grass in the Promised Land, God’s word would come to pass. AND he would receive his inheritance – in heaven. Hence words of the author in Hebrews 11:13-16.
d.
How do we live our lives down here? Do we TRULY
believe God and thereby refuse to make this world our home?
Are we strangers and pilgrims? (11:13), 1 Peter 2:11
2 Corinthians 5:1-8, note vs. 7 – we walk by faith, not by sight.
Most of us would say we desire to put God first, but do we ever compromise His
word in pursuit of worldly pleasures? How much would we truly be willing to
give up of this world’s goods for Him?
e. Is heaven a source of motivation for us? There are many promises of a heavenly home in the New Testament directed to us – do we embrace them as an incentive for what we do and what we don’t do (i.e. walk away from)? Do we press toward that goal (Philippians 3:14)
IV. By Faith he offered his son, Isaac (17-19)
a. Recorded in Genesis 22:1-13, this is his ultimate test of faith. In this we find a faith in its perfected state. A brief examination of the event helps us understand the depth of faith Abraham has. The Lord appears to him and instructs him to go to a specified place (in the land of Moriah – 2) and offer his son, the son of promise. Abraham gets up early the next morning and goes – about a 3 days journey. As he sees the place he is to go afar off he instructs his young men to “stay here with the donkey, the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and WE will come back to you.” (5) They go, Isaac inquiring as to where the offering was. Abraham replies, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burn offering” (8). As he draws back the knife to sacrifice his son, the Angel of the Lord stops him. He is commended, saying, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from Me.” (12)
b. In this we faith that does not question God. Abraham may not have understood why God made this command, but he obeyed it anyway. He may not have known HOW God would restore Isaac’s life, but he knew he would – because God had promised him and that promise was not yet complete – in this we see the depth of Abraham’s faith.
c. Notice the text – By Faith Abraham offered Isaac, the verb “offered” the first time (By faith Abraham… offered up Isaac) is in the perfect tense, meaning it has happened and results are present. In other words, this text testifies to Abraham’s intent – he WAS going to do it. Our text also shows why – he concluded that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead…” (19).
d.
How would we react to such a command today? Would we
try to reason away the commands? Men do it every day! Would we begin
submitting while reasoning, “OK, are you going to stop me now?”
True faith is seen in obeying God exactly when you face severe consequences
and/or you don’t understand why you need to do something a certain way.
All those passages that call for our endurance testify to this – Matthew
5:10-12, Heb. 10:36, etc.
How far will we go in our faith toward God? Understand that He will NOT call
upon us to sacrifice our children today as on that occasion (one who says God
told him to sacrifice ANY human being today is delusional at best). BUT, would
we be willing to die for Him?
e. FURTHER, do we believe that God will raise US from the dead? 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Thus we can see the faith of Abraham and why it is so commended in scripture. Compared to Abraham, how is our faith? Is it greater today than yesterday? Let us strive to develop a perfected faith – trusting Him and believing Him at all times. In our next lesson, the other patriarchs and Sarah, Abraham’s wife.