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.

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.

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 UrCalled 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 UrCalled while in UrApparently a Apparently a wealthy merchant wealthy merchant or noble 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 UrCalled while in UrApparently a Apparently a wealthy merchant wealthy merchant or noble or noble

First thing = First thing = leaving his leaving his security basesecurity 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.

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 Trust = willing to follow God into follow God into the unknownthe 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 Trust = willing to follow God into follow God into the unknownthe unknown

Monkey barsMonkey 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 Powerless and unknownunknown

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, 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and but having seen them and having welcomed them from a having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.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, 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and but having seen them and having welcomed them from a having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.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.

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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”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:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

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

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”your descendants be.”

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”your descendants be.”

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

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

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed the Lord; and believed the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

Faith based Faith based on the Word on the Word of Godof God

10 years pass 10 years pass with no children!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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”your descendants be.”

Gen 15:Gen 15:66 And Abram And Abram believed the Lord, and the believed the Lord, and the Lord declared him righteous Lord declared him righteous because of his faith.because of his faith.

Faith based Faith based on the Word on the Word of Godof God

10 years pass 10 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe finally takes Abe finally takes matters into his matters into his own hands…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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, “Now look toward the “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”your descendants be.”

Gen 15:Gen 15:66 And Abram And Abram believed the Lord, and the believed the Lord, and the Lord declared him righteous Lord declared him righteous because of his faith.because of his faith.

Faith based Faith based on the Word on the Word of Godof God

Abe finally takes Abe finally takes matters into his matters into his own hands…own hands…

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."your descendants be."

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe takes matters Abe takes matters into his own hands; into his own hands; IshmaelIshmael

Rom. 4:Rom. 4:19 Without 19 Without weakening in his faith, he weakening in his faith, he faced the factfaced the fact that his body that his body was as good as dead--since was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."your descendants be."

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe takes matters Abe takes matters into his own hands; into his own hands; IshmaelIshmael

Rom. 4:Rom. 4:19 Without 19 Without weakening in his faith, he weakening in his faith, he faced the factfaced the fact that his body that his body was as good as dead--since was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. womb was also dead. No denial or No denial or

pretendingpretending

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

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe takes matters Abe takes matters into his own hands; into his own hands; IshmaelIshmael

Rom. 4:Rom. 4:19 Without 19 Without weakening in his faith, he weakening in his faith, he faced the factfaced the fact that his body that his body was as good as dead--since was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but waver in unbelief but grew grew strong in faithstrong in faith, giving glory , giving glory to God,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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."your descendants be."

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe takes matters Abe takes matters into his own hands; into his own hands; IshmaelIshmael

Rom. 4:Rom. 4:19 Without 19 Without weakening in his faith, he weakening in his faith, he faced the factfaced the fact that his body that his body was as good as dead--since was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but waver in unbelief but grew grew strong in faithstrong in faith, giving glory , giving glory to God,to God,

The longer The longer he waited, he waited, the stronger the stronger his faith his faith grewgrew

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

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe takes matters Abe takes matters into his own hands; into his own hands; IshmaelIshmael

Rom. 4:Rom. 4:19 Without 19 Without weakening in his faith, he weakening in his faith, he faced the factfaced the fact that his body that his body was as good as dead--since was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, strong in faith, giving glory giving glory to Godto 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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."your descendants be."

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe takes matters Abe takes matters into his own hands; into his own hands; IshmaelIshmael

Rom. 4:Rom. 4:19 Without 19 Without weakening in his faith, he weakening in his faith, he faced the factfaced the fact that his body that his body was as good as dead--since was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, strong in faith, giving glory giving glory to Godto God,,

How we How we know we know we are living are living in faithin 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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."your descendants be."

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe takes matters Abe takes matters into his own hands; into his own hands; IshmaelIshmael

Rom. 4:Rom. 4:19 Without 19 Without weakening in his faith, he weakening in his faith, he faced the factfaced the fact that his body that his body was as good as dead--since was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory strong in faith, giving glory to God,to God,21 and being fully assured 21 and being fully assured that that what God had what God had promised, He was able also promised, He was able also to performto 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 Gen 15:5 And God took Abraham outside and said, Abraham outside and said, "Now look toward the "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."your descendants be."

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe takes matters Abe takes matters into his own hands; into his own hands; IshmaelIshmael

Rom. 4:Rom. 4:19 Without 19 Without weakening in his faith, he weakening in his faith, he faced the factfaced the fact that his body that his body was as good as dead--since was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory strong in faith, giving glory to God,to God,21 and being fully assured 21 and being fully assured that that what God had what God had promised, He was able also promised, He was able also to performto perform..

Unbelief Unbelief denies the denies the power of power of GodGod

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

Gen 15:Gen 15:6 Then Abraham 6 Then Abraham believed in the Lord; and believed in the Lord; and God reckoned it to him God reckoned it to him as righteousness.as righteousness.

25 years pass 25 years pass with no children!with no children!Abe takes matters Abe takes matters into his own hands; into his own hands; IshmaelIshmael

Rom. 4:Rom. 4:19 Without 19 Without weakening in his faith, he weakening in his faith, he faced the factfaced the fact that his body that his body was as good as dead--since was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah’s years old--and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. womb was also dead. 20 yet, with respect to the 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory strong in faith, giving glory to God,to God,21 and being fully assured 21 and being fully assured that that what God had what God had promised, He was able also promised, He was able also to performto perform..

““If you’re If you’re into God, into God, you’re into you’re into waiting”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 Why does God make us wait?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 Why does God make us wait?us wait?See the effects of not See the effects of not waiting: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 Why does God make us wait?us wait?See the effects of not See the effects of not waiting:waiting:Immediate Immediate gratification leads to gratification leads to immaturityimmaturity

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 Why does God make us wait?us wait?See the effects of not See the effects of not waiting:waiting:Unless we wait, our Unless we wait, our faith never growsfaith 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 Why does God make us wait?us wait?See the effects of not See the effects of not waiting:waiting:Always getting our Always getting our way leads to way leads to ungrateful selfishnessungrateful 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,

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.

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 22Genesis 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.