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INTRODUCTION
ILLUS: Great Platt River Road Archway at Kearney, NE. Not that many generations ago mid 1800’s half a million people traveled westward
across endless prairies, through wild storms, disease, lack of necessities, even facing hostile natives/thieves. Of those who traveled, in
most families at least one died along the way. They had a vague idea where they were going, maybe scouts to lead, traveled in caravans - but
was dangerous/deadly. Can you imagine doing that, not that long ago? Took faith and courage. We drive same trails on paved highways in air
conditioned cars at 75 mph, listening to radio/CD with kids watching a DVD.
The religious during those times not that long ago, often likened their journey to that of Abraham, the Father of Faith in his journey to the Promise
Land some 6 thousand years ago. There are some similarities, even to us today in our faith journeys in responding to the call of God in our lives.
In Scripture Reading we read the original account in Gen., and the faith lesson in Galatians. Now Hebrews account 11:8-10. Context
11:8-16. The largest section of the Hall of Faith of Faith is devoted to Abraham and Sarah.
READ Hebrews 11:8-16
What can we learn about Abraham’s Call to follow God to apply to us today?
1. Faith Goes to Places even though we don’t have all the Information. v.8
- Author of Hebrews takes us all the way back to Genesis 12:1-3. His journey by faith is amazing. When God called, Abraham obeyed
and traveled. Obedience accompanied his calling, it was spontaneous, which is all the more remarkable because He didn’t know where
he was going
- “to a land I will show you.” “Just go Abraham, I will give you the directions as you travel.” A journey
1000 miles from Ur to Canaan - Camels, donkey’s, oxen, much walking, tents, desert land with oasis along
- Then did not have maps, rest areas, convenience stores, GPS, motels. Didn’t have U-hauls, cars, Harley’s, Amtrak, motor
coaches, or planes.
ILLUS: Denise Bell in Sunday School teaching about Abraham call to travel to Canaan: “So God told Abraham to take a plane and
stay in a hotel right?” That would probably make the most sense today.
- Contrast between vs. 7, 8. Noah’s faith was based on a detailed calling, but an unknown future event. Abraham’s
faith based on vague calling to a mysterious unknown place “Go, I will show you as you go.”
ILLUS: Being called to every church I have pastored - a lot of unknowns. I learned as much as I could, visited ahead of time, still
unknowns... Col. 4:17
Had friends in Village Missions - their call is from DS with a photo and map, they go on faith.
Ever been in the Military? They go on a need-to-know or after the fact basis.
ILLUS: What has God called you to do and you don’t have all the info? New job, moving to a new community, new home, sending
kids off to college or military. Missions. You don’t have all information, but God called - faith...
- Faith may involve distance, discomfort, and dangers
- It is faith for it is confidence in the Word of God. You let God lead you wherever He wants you to go.
- Like Abraham obeyed the Word of God to him, Bible is our authority for faith, the basis of our calling to live by faith. Thus we must
seek Biblical principles and precepts to guide us - don’t go without God’s Word.
- Psalm 119: Verse 35 “Make me walk in the path of your commandments, for I light in it.” Verse 133 “Establish my
footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.” Verse 168 “I keep Your precepts and Your
testimonies, for all my ways are before You.”
QUOTE: Uncle John: “If you do not have a Divine precept or principle upon which to base your trust or conduct, you are not
acting by faith as the Bible defines it. This means that a lot of so-called faith cannot be ratified as faith, for it is nothing but
the flesh...” (64)
- What Scriptures are guiding your decisions today?
- A great test of genuine faith as seen in Abraham is taking God at His Word even when God hasn’t given you all the information, just
the call. You allow Him to direct as you obey. One step at a time. One day/a time.
2. Faith Accepts the Promise even without the Complete Fulfillment vs.9-10
- Even though he was given an inheritance of land, a land of promise, like Isaac and Jacob, they were just sojourners in someone
else’s land, they had little ownership, couldn’t take complete possession.
- They were “in a foreign land”, but it was the “land of promise”
- Abraham was a nomad - living in tents. They had “settled” in Haran, then called to leave and went camping the rest
of his life - in tents, not an air conditioned motor home with slide outs, with plumbing/kitchen
- Abraham could travel as a nomad knowing that God was building “a city” yet to come. This was a prophecy of
Jerusalem, really still waiting to be fully fulfilled in the Millennium.
- “architect” = designer of each part that fits in to a grand whole, sees the big picture but can fill in the minute
details; and “builder” = maker who can actually accomplish it fully. God is the Master Craftsman.
- The promises sustained Abraham and Sarah, they saw the beginning of them not the fullness, but knowing the promises would be fulfilled
was an act of faith, and they accepted the promises as good enough for them.
- When Abraham died at age 175, Isaac was 75, Jacob was 15, they didn’t own much land or have many people in their family.
- There are times we don’t see complete fulfillment. Starting a church ministry, building a building, raising our children and/or
grandchildren.
ILLUS: Apostles Paul/Peter both died and much work of evangelism to do.
- Hudson Taylor mid 1800’s to China - saw very little spiritual harvest. Today the church in China, in the midst of
persecution is growing.
- Gary Bennett’s first wife, Melanie, rewrote Awana material for Rwanda. Started then passed away before completion - it has
been completed now.
- Many a Christian leader was taken home to glory before their ministry vision was fully completed - Dawson Trotman founder of
Navigators died at age 50, Eric Liddell - Olympic runner Chariots of Fire died in China age 43
- Jonathan Edwards, greatest American Preacher, passion for holiness, lead to revival in Northfield, Mass. But his own church
didn’t fully share his passion, he was forced out, yet served as a missionary to the Indians.
- Some have the vision, but next leaders bring fulfillment - Pastor Tom Mabe had the passion for this new building, but Pastor
Jerry Harris built it.
- Faith trusts God, like living in tents, a temporary resident, we are too pilgrims just passing through this life on our way to our
heavenly home. Nothing permanent about life on earth - did two funerals this week 92, 97.
- Our flesh likes the things of earth, faith stretches us to see things of heaven. Our flesh settles for temporary things, faith
passionately pursues the eternal things of God.
- Mark 8:36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Nothing. Abraham knew that by
faith.
ILLUS: Abraham and Lot Gen. 9:9 - Lot looked at the attractive temporary, choose Sodom - suffered greatly - wife a pillar of salt.
Didn’t look in faith.
- I ask that you not settle for the temporary, but seek eternal. “Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
CONCLUSION
What are you doing for Christ that will last?
What has God called you to do for Him?
Are you obeying His call?
All of you are making some sort of decisions for your life, family, jobs are you trusting God to lead you? Using Scripture to guide you?
Steps of faith are often no easy, but when God calls, He provides/blesses.
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