Building a Legacy Worth Leaving A Study in Hebrews 11 Harry W. Lewis

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. Hebrews 11:8-12

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Abraham’s journey was one of faith He was commended for his faith in and obedience to the promises of God Abraham’s faith was not in the unknown but in the Known The place he was going was unknown The Person commanding him to go was known! He trusted God!!

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) God’s plan required extra ordinary trust Leave what was familiar Leave family Leave friends Go where he had never gone before!

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) God’s promises to Abraham: I will show you the land I will bless you and make you a great nation You will be a blessing to all peoples

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Abraham’s legacy began with immediate obedience: No evidence that he questioned God “So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him….” Genesis 12:4 Note he was 75 at the time! We are never too old to follow God

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Our legacy: Depends on our relationship with God Depends on our obedience to His commands Depends on an unusual exercise of faith Faith to go against unconventional wisdom Faith to do the “unreasonable” Illustration of decision to go to Liberty

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Faith to go to Outer Mongolia: It was an unfamiliar place It was an unfamiliar person making the request It was a trip alone

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Some challenges to Abraham’s obedience: He had no children to fulfill the promise He was 75 years of age – past the child-bearing age The fulfillment of the promises was humanly impossible But there is nothing too hard for God! He had faith in the promises because he had faith in the One making the promises!

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Abraham’s concern in Genesis 15: He has no son to be his heir His servant will be the heir by default God reinforces His original promise: Do not be afraid (v. 1) You will have a son (v. 4) You will become a great nation (v.5) Abraham believed God and it was accredited as righteousness (v.6)

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Patience is required in being obedient to God’s promises His timing is not ours Abraham knew the promises He did not see the solution to them

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Sarah’s plan to fulfill the promises of God (Genesis 16): Approximately 10 years has passed since the promises were made Remember that it requires patience to follow God Suggestion: have a son by Hagar, the handmaid of Sarah Abraham yielded to the suggestion: Ishmael

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) The Results: Disastrous for Abraham’s family Disastrous for the world Disastrous to his faith God reaffirmed the promises (Genesis 17) Abraham was 99 Sarah became pregnant at 89 It happened in God’s timing (Genesis 21:1-2)

Session Six: Faith in God’s Promises (Part I) Abraham’s faith was not perfect But the God of the Promises is! We are not always faithful. But God is!! God will keep us on track if we will trust and obey Him!!