Title: Faith of Abraham (Hebrews 11:8-16)
The Bible is a book about faith. Among them, the 11th chapter of Hebrews that we read today is a famous Bible. Here is the definition of faith. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). And he summarized the faith of the great men of faith.
Among them, we want to receive grace by thinking about the faith of Abraham, who is called the father of faith of all of us who believe (Galatians 3:7-29, Romans 4:16-17).
一. Let's look at the history of Abraham (Genesis 11:26-)
Abraham was originally born in Ur of Chaldea as the son of Terah. Terah wanted to go to the land of Canaan with all his household, but came to Haran, lived there, and died at the age of 205. Abraham had a stable life in Haran. The wealth was increased and the number of employees increased. But Sarah was not confident because she was barren.
二. God called Abraham.
God called Abraham from among many. There was no particular reason to be called. It was a special grace from God. Abraham did not choose God, but God chose Abraham (John 15:16). Today we wish to express our sincere gratitude for the grace of being specially chosen from among many.
“Behold your calling, brethren, there are not many members of the flesh, not many powerful, not many of good families. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the weak 1 Corinthians 1: "He chose men to shame the strong; God chose the good and the despised of the world, and the things that are not, to destroy the things that are, so that no flesh may boast before God." 1 Corinthians 1: You said on 26-29.
When we look at Abraham, there are many good things, but there are also many things that our lacking humanity was exposed. The fact that he went down to Egypt to escape the famine and tried to save his life by deceiving his wife as a sister in Egypt. that was done It was said that he would give birth to a child through Sarah, but when it did not come true, his heart was shaken. He also asked his servant, "Will Eliezer of Damascus (Genesis 15:2) be the heir?" On the other hand, his wife Sarah obtained Ishmael the seed of righteousness through her servant Hagar (Genesis 16:15). Despite these weaknesses, God's choice of Abraham was an unconditional grace.
three. Abraham was a man of absolute obedience.
The LORD said to Abraham, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing; to those who bless you I will I will bless you, and I will curse those who curse you, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
When God always requires us to make a decision of faith, he doesn't just give orders. He surely promised him the blessings that would follow. You have promised the blessing of children, the blessing of honor, the source of blessing, and the blessing of protection.
We are called to have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
2. So that we may go and bear fruit, and that our fruit may remain so that we may receive whatever we ask in the name of Jesus (John 15:16).
3. As the Lord was rich, He made us poor for our sake, that we through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
1 Samuel 2:6 says, "The LORD kills and makes alive; brings down into the grave, and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles and exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and brings the needy. He lifts up rulers from the manure heap, and makes them sit with nobles, and sets them on the throne of glory.
Genesis 12:4 says, “Abraham went according to the word of the Lord.” Hebrews 11:8 also says, “And he obeyed and went out to a land that he was to receive as an inheritance, and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Abraham's obedience was an obedience without hesitation. It was obedience without complaint. There was no question of “why should I leave?” He didn't even ask for an explanation of "where should I go". We must not respond to God's commands. He responded to God's call by severing ties with his country, his relatives, and everything in the world at an unexpected moment and a sudden call. We must learn the great faith decision of Abraham.
4. Abraham was a man of worship first (Genesis 12:7)
The first thing Abraham did when he arrived at Shechem was to build an altar to God. He also built an altar not for himself, but for the Lord. The foremost act of a person of faith is worship-firstism. Worship first principle means God first, that is, God's priority in all things. Such was the case with the Puritans who sought religious freedom in America. Whatever we do, we must live with worship-first principle for God's sake.
5. Abraham was a man of generous faith.
He was pastoring with his nephew Lot, and the shepherds shared the territory with each other. As an uncle, he gave priority to his nephew, Lot, even though he had priority in all aspects. Here we can learn about Abraham's generosity.
When he heard the news that Lot had not only been plundered by the war, but also had been taken into barren conditions, Abraham, along with the Amorites and his 318 men, went after him and came to retrieve his nephew Lot, his possessions, his women, and all the people. It was the first time in the history of the Bible to give a tenth, or tithe, to Melchizedek, king of Salem, the priest of the high God. Tithing is the touchstone of faith. You must have the faith to pay tithe at least to say that you love God.
六. Abraham was a full-grown man who obeyed God even if he had a son born at the age of 100.
Abraham was commanded to sacrifice the promised son he was born when he was 100 years old. "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on a mountain as long as I will show you.
Abraham got up early in the morning and went on a three-day journey to Mount Moriah to offer his son as a burnt offering. Abraham's faith in sacrificing himself is the great faith. It was the most difficult test. But Abraham was victorious. Although he was the promised son, he thought that God was able to raise him from the dead. It was faith to believe that nothing was impossible with God (Hebrews 11:19).
七. Abraham longed for his heavenly home and lived.
I hope that we too will live longing for our heavenly hometown.
1. Among many, God called Abraham by grace.
2. He immediately obeyed God's call.
3. He went to the land that God had given him and started with the first part of building an altar to God.
4. Abraham was truly a man of generous faith.
5. And he was the first person to pay tithes than anyone else. 6. The most difficult test - He passed the test to offer the full grain of grain at the age of 100.
7. And he was a man who lived longing for his heavenly hometown.