[Listen to this sermon]

Today we are going to start a series on faith. We are going to look at a few biblical characters in an effort to discover aspects of faith that are important. Today we’re going to look at Abraham and how he, not only listened and followed God, but how he also had an understanding of what God was doing.

Before we talk about Abraham, let’s look at 4 aspects of biblical faith:

• Biblical faith involves belief the truth – Biblical faith is much, much more than believing in something. It is believing what is TRUE. Under this is Scripture. Many think there is eternal merit in sincerely believing. This has little value unless what you believe is true. The Bible is God-given and true. When it comes to biblical faith, however, this is NOT enough:

James 2:19 (NIV)
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.

• Biblical faith yields to that truth – This goes beyond knowing something is true. Biblical, saving faith changes us. Biblical faith produces fruit, action, a different vision of what is worth pursuing. The faith that God grants, the faith that unites us to Jesus and secures eternity is the same faith that then moves us forward within God’s vision for us. To believe that saving faith is one thing and the faith that connects to life’s daily choices is another, is a lie. In other words, true faith produces faithfulness. We will continually see this in this series.

• Biblical faith brings with it a breathtaking reward - Jesus now, Jesus forever.

Philippians 1:21-23 (NIV)
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

Paul saw his life to be wonderful because he was united with Jesus. His life was pulsating with the presence of and fellowship with Jesus – and to die? That means I’m with him!

• By definition faith always embraces an element of mystery or ignorance – While there is much we know about God’s design and plan, we don’t know exactly how God will bring about his will. Faith is a willingness to move forward without controlling the process.

If there is one thing that brings glory to God in the lives of those who embrace Jesus as Savior it is robust, self-sacrificing, God-dependent faith. Letting go of what enslaves us and trusting the One who cares for his children.

This morning we are going to look very quickly at Abraham – an amazing character who lived about 2,000 years before Jesus. Abraham was the first great patriarch of the Jews. God chose Abraham to, from an earthly perspective, father all of the Hebrew people – including Jesus. From a spiritual perspective Abraham would be the father of everyone who is made right before God through Jesus (Gal 3:7).

While the story of Abraham is lengthy, there were four great events in his life that showed faith – or not. Today we’re going to look at the first one.

For context, however, let’s just “name” the other three. The second big event was when Abraham parted ways with his nephew Lot. Their herds had become large and it was difficult to keep things together. Abraham gave Lot his choice of land. Lot chose the most fertile land and camped near the wicked city of Sodom. Immediately after this God gave Abraham a clearer vision of the blessings in store for him – all the land he can see and offspring without number.

The third big event happened when Abraham was ninety-nine years old. God told him that he was going to bring about Abraham’s nation through the pregnancy of Sarah, his wife (age 90). This one, Isaac, would be the one to move the line forward.

The fourth big event was when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. By then Abraham understood that God’s promise would be delivered by God through those who believe. God will work in ways we cannot fathom. Our role is to believe him, to trust him, to know that we are dependent on his provision, to obey – our role is to function in faith.

So now let’s look at the first event – the initial call of Abraham.

Genesis 12:1-4 (NIV)
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. ² “I will make you into a great nation (earthly blessing) and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you (spiritual blessing).” ⁴ So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.

Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIV)
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹ By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

So what do we learn here?

1. While God alone moves his plan forward perfectly, he calls, develops and involves those who would trust him. Do you trust him? Do you long to be used by God?
2. Walking by faith WILL involve a life committed to God’s purposes. Just as Abraham was called to leave what he new and trust God, we too are being moved toward deeper commitments. What should you leave behind in order to pursue God?
3. We WILL NOT know the details of how God will develop us. We DO NOT know if our path will contain great pain through which God will be our satisfaction, but he has promised to work all things for the good for those who love him and are called toward his purposes (Rom 8:28).
4. Faith is the mechanism used to actualize something other than what this world offers.

Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.