 Abraham: Man of faith

Heb. 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

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.

Called while in Ur

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. Called while in Ur Apparently a wealthy merchant or noble

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. Called while in Ur Apparently a wealthy merchant or noble First thing = leaving his security base

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.

Trust = willing to follow God into the unknown

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. Trust = willing to follow God into the unknown Monkey bars

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.

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.

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. Powerless and unknown

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. 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.

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. 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.

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.

Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness.

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness.

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. Faith based on the Word of God

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. Faith based on the Word of God 10 years pass with no children!

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Gen 15: 6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord declared him righteous because of his faith. Faith based on the Word of God 10 years pass with no children! Abe finally takes matters into his own hands…

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Gen 15: 6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord declared him righteous because of his faith. Faith based on the Word of God Abe finally takes matters into his own hands… 25 years pass with no children!

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. 25 years pass with no children! Abe takes matters into his own hands; Ishmael Rom. 4: 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. 25 years pass with no children! Abe takes matters into his own hands; Ishmael Rom. 4: 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. No denial or pretending

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. 25 years pass with no children! Abe takes matters into his own hands; Ishmael Rom. 4: 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. 25 years pass with no children! Abe takes matters into his own hands; Ishmael Rom. 4: 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, The longer he waited, the stronger his faith grew

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. 25 years pass with no children! Abe takes matters into his own hands; Ishmael Rom. 4: 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. 25 years pass with no children! Abe takes matters into his own hands; Ishmael Rom. 4: 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, How we know we are living in faith

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. 25 years pass with no children! Abe takes matters into his own hands; Ishmael Rom. 4: 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. 25 years pass with no children! Abe takes matters into his own hands; Ishmael Rom. 4: 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Unbelief denies the power of God

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Gen 15: 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. 25 years pass with no children! Abe takes matters into his own hands; Ishmael Rom. 4: 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. “If you’re into God, you’re into waiting”

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. Why does God make us wait?

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. Why does God make us wait? See the effects of not waiting:

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. Why does God make us wait? See the effects of not waiting: Immediate gratification leads to immaturity

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. Why does God make us wait? See the effects of not waiting: Unless we wait, our faith never grows

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. Why does God make us wait? See the effects of not waiting: Always getting our way leads to ungrateful selfishness

17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,

18 though God had promised him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”

19 Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

Genesis 22

Is. 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait upon the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

 Every new day is a new opportunity to live in faith. Your relationship with God should help you know what He’s trying to do. If you know what He’s doing and you’re willing to wait for it, you are living in faith.

 The heroes of faith and their lesson for us cont.