THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM Hebrews 11:8-10, 17-19

Hebrews 11: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God The Faith of Abraham 2

Hebrews 11: By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. The Faith of Abraham 3

Introduction Abraham is a member of the “hall of faith” He obeyed God “by faith” Never questioned God when tested or tried He obeyed every command of God We should look to Abraham and others of old when we are tested Our faith will be strengthened The accounts of the faithful of old are for our learning… “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” - Romans 15:4 The Faith of Abraham 4

“By Faith Abraham…” “Went out, not knowing whether he went” - Heb. 11:8 He left his homeland by God’s direction - Genesis 12:1-4 Ur of the Chaldees - Genesis 11:27-31; 15:7; Nehemiah 9:7, 8 Abraham left at an age of 75 - Genesis 12:4 Took all of their belongings and went without delay Content to follow God’s directions He did not make excuse and question God about his going He went to an unknown place “unto a land that I will shew thee” - Genesis 12:4 Why did he go? He went “By faith” - Hebrews 11:8 Do you trust God as Abraham did? The Faith of Abraham 5

“By Faith Abraham…” “Sojourned In The Land of Promise” - Heb. 11:9 He lived in the land of Canaan He lived in tents He journeyed as though in a “strange land” He looked for a better inheritance “He looked for a city whose…builder and maker is God” No such inheritance is on earth We are strangers and pilgrims here on earth - 1 Peter 2:11 We Need To Realize This World Is Not Our Home? The Faith of Abraham 6

“By Faith Abraham…” “Offered Up Isaac” - Heb. 11:17 God tempted (tried or tested) Abraham - Genesis 22:1-13 Abraham carried out God’s command without delay Journeyed to the place and took Isaac - vss. 3, 4 Prepared the wood for the offering - vs. 3 Built the alter - vs. 9 Assured his men and Isaac - vss. 5, 7-8 Bound Isaac and laid him on the alter - vs. 9 Raised the knife to slay his son Isaac was the promised son - Genesis 17:17-19 His beloved son of his old age - Genesis 21:1-8 Abraham did not physically offer Isaac - Genesis 22:11, 12 But he offered him in God’s eyes - Hebrews 11:17 Abraham Proved His Faith By Obeying God? The Faith of Abraham 7

Conclusion and Application Abraham acted “by faith” Romans 10:17 A faith that saves, is a faith that obeys Hebrews 5:8, 9 Abraham’s deep faith resulted in his obedience to God Genesis 22:12 Resulted in Christ coming and saving man Genesis 12:1-3; Acts 2:38, 39; Galatians 3:26-29; Hebrews 11:18 Our faith is precious when it “worketh by love” Galatians 5:6 The Faith of Abraham 8

James 2: But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. The Faith of Abraham 9