Hebrews 11:17-19 “Abraham - The Way of Faith”
The people we’ve looked at so far were Heroes of the Faith for the way they lived their lives showed that they had amazing faith in God. Let’s review:
Noah’s life showed that our Faith is real. It has a basis for it is founded on God’s Word.
Joseph’s life revealed the adequacy of faith.
Rahab taught us that when we live a life of faith people notice and are drawn to faith in God themselves.
Moses showed us that faith lifts us up and gives us a perspective that faith-LESS people don’t have.
Paul calls Abraham the “father of ALL who believe”
Romans 4:11; Also see Galatians 3:6-9
Abraham shows us The Way of Faith.
The strongest faith in God is a faith that is based on an understanding of God’s nature. God is:
- All-powerful.
- All-loving
God “tested” Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son.
This test was for Abrahams benefit, not God’s.
We never understand our strengths and weaknesses until we have been tested in the fires of pain, suffering and defeat.
Submission to God is the place of tender care.
A truly deep Faith is basically a confidence in the character of God.
“The things of God seemed to fight against the things of God, and faith fought with faith, and the commandment fought with the promise.” Chrysostom
We must put our faith in the Person of God and not the circumstances of life.
After the sacrifice was completed (Isaac was spared) Abraham named the mountain “God will provide.”
These Heroes of the faith were oriented toward the future. Hebrews 11:13
In naming the mountain “GOD WILL PROVIDE” Abraham was foretelling the sending of God’s only Son to provide a WAY for us all to know Him.
Because of our sinful state there is no WAY we can know God. As Romans 5 says we were all:
- “God’s enemies”
- Separated from Him
- Far away
- Without hope.
- But…Ephesians 2:13.
Jesus shed His blood on the Cross for our sins and when we ask Him to, He washes us in His blood. Then He adopts us as His own children.
- 1 Peter 1:19
- 1 John 3:1
God has made a WAY when there was none!
