Life is a Journey
Notes
Transcript
What Do We Do When We Mess Up Our Journey?
What Do We Do When We Mess Up Our Journey?
How are we to journey?
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Jesus made the statement once
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
How many of us would have 20/20 vision and how many of us would remain blind?
Faith is what separates Saints from Sinners!
Saints were identified as believers long before they came to be Christians.
God only asks us to Believe!
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
So, if Faith is the greatest duty of the saint, then by reason, Unbelief is the greatest evil of the saint.
As a matter of fact, the Sin of unbelief is the only sin that will deliver your soul to hell.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Unbelief halts the Power of God!
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
God does not do great things because of His inability to do great things. God does not do great things because of our unbelief.
There is one statement that is repeated 4 times in the Word of God. It is first discovered in Habakkuk 2:4
4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: But the just shall live by his faith.
Then it is repeated 3 times in the New Testament.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
So, Is Faith in the Saint Important?
Absolutely!
Again,
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Last week, we saw the Faith of Abraham.
1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
The Trust of Faith
4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
The Obedience of Faith
5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
The Reward of Faith
6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.
Abraham has no children but God informs him his children will receive this land.
Abraham takes a step in his journey and Acknowledges God and builds Him an altar.
Again another step,
8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.
Now at Bethel, Abraham calls upon God.
There is a huge difference in acknowledging God and calling on God.
The word Bethel means (house of God) and Ai (a heap of ruin).
Let me suggest that we often find ourselves somewhere between Bethel and Ai almost every day: Between the house of God and a heap of ruins; between obeying God and following our selfish desires.
Have you considered the consequences of your choices lately? What should you do when you get to a fork in the road? Do you stop or continue; turn left or right? Do you trust God or will you do your own thing?
How do we make sure our Journey goes toward Bethel rather than Ai?
The everyday trials and tribulations of our faith choose the direction.
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
We have to focus on the promises of God.
Faith is not about our understanding, faith doesn’t need explanation.
Isa 55:8 tells us we can know or understand why God does what God does.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
However, God will test your faith to find out whether your faith is real. God is not trying to discover if you will be faithful or not, because He already knows that.
God will test your faith so you will know if your are faithful or not.
Now, the Father of the Faith for the Jew and for the Christian, is about to be tested to discover something out His faith.
Again Gen 12:9
9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
WOW! Faith in Action!
Why did Abraham end up in Egypt?
Why did Abraham end up in Egypt?
Worldly Compromise:
Worldly Compromise:
Notice
1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
Did Abraham obey?
4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
If you go back to chapter 11,
31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
Halfway obedience does not cut it.
Too many Christians start the journey of Faith but don’t fully separate from sin and the world.
You can not claim the promises of God by going halfway.
When we Compromise or Faith is Weakened.
Weak Confidence:
Weak Confidence:
10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
Confidence is hard to have when you are not fully obeying!
Life is filled with trials and tribulations.
What are you going to do when a famine comes along?
Will you focus on the promise?
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Or will you focus on the Famine?
10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
Abraham decided to try to save himself rather than focus on the promises.
Egypt in the Old Testament is never a good place for the Child of God.
As a matter of fact, Isaiah prophisied,
1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; And stay on horses, And trust in chariots, because they are many; And in horsemen, because they are very strong; But they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, Neither seek the Lord!
Why is it easier for the Child of God to head to the world for answers and relief rather than have faith in God to believe and stand firm?
Abraham trusted God to leave Ur of Chaldeans, but then fails to trust God to provide in Canaan.
This is the problem with those who believe you can lose your salvation.
People trust God to save them by grace through faith but fear God can’t keep them saved.
If you trusted God to bring you out of the world, then you are going to just have to trust Him when the famine comes along.
Fear is a horrible thing that is based on sight and not faith.
Listen, if you compromise and your confidence in God begins to falter, then it is only a matter of time before you display your fear in
Wicked Conduct:
Wicked Conduct:
Remember,
He has left the place where God instructed Him to go.
He has left the worship and communion of the altars erected to God.
…and we say, “Church isn’t necessary”
and now, He has fear.
11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
Fear of famine leads Abraham to fear of death. Fear forgets others and focuses on self.
12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
This plan is great for Abraham, but what about Sarah? How will this work out for her and her life.
13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
Did Abraham really lie?
She was 50% sister and 100% wife.
Half truth=Full Lie!
Now, Why did he lie to begin with?
Because she was beautiful and Pharoah would kill him to have her.
“Helping God” and acting out of fear will make you spiritually blind!
But, it doesn’t stop there.
14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
Everyone agreed with Abraham.
15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
Wait a minute! Where is Abraham speaking up? He just lets her go, but he is alive.
WOW, you can’t make this stuff up.
16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
Pharoah is taken care of Sarai’s brother and everyone with him.
I guess Abraham is enjoying the blessings of the world at the expense of his wife living in Pharaoh’s home.
Life is good. Everything works out.
Abraham survives the famine and is provided for. All is good.
17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.
God always knows what is going on and steps in to teach Abram a lesson about Faith rather than Fear.
God attacks Pharaoh and his house.
What has changed?
Why these plagues, troubles, and mischief?
After apparently doing some heavy duty investigation, Pharaoh nears the truth as to why these plagues.
One thing has changed! this new woman in his house.
18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
What is amazing is that Abraham wasn’t killed on the spot?
However, everything worked out right!
20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
What did Abraham lose in Egypt?
What did Abraham lose in Egypt?
He lost
His Time:
His Time:
Time is a commodity that we are only alloted a certain amount of in this life and in reality, it is not our time but rather God’s time, because it is His grace and mercy that we are alive anyway.
But notice:
During this time, Abraham doesn’t appear to build any altars to God.
During this time, Abraham doesn’t appear to speak of Jehovah God and His promises.
The question I have for you this morning is: Based on the promises of God
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Is Abraham fulfilling His purpose provided by God?
17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Another verse that is a little more direct for those of us that are a little slow or need a little more information.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
When you are not living by faith, you are wasting time.
Abraham lost time.
2nd of all
His Testimony:
His Testimony:
Do you think Pharaoh’s thoughts about Jehovah God would have been different if Abraham would have been truthful and forthright about God and His purpose for Abraham?
Pharaoh sees Abraham as a liar.
His Turnout:
His Turnout:
Yield:
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
His Nephew Lot:
His Nephew Lot:
Lot that was a compromise that came along for the trip saw and experienced things in Egypt that he never got out of his heart.
Abraham may have gotten Lot out of Egypt but he never got Egypt out of Lot.
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Uncle Abraham provided this wonderful vacation that will forever change the life of Lot.
His Wealth:
His Wealth:
16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
How can getting wealthy be a problem? Most of us would be quoting Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
While a famine was happening in Egypt, Abraham is getting wealthy.
I have seen a many churches struggle while the members get fat.
Cattle:
Cattle:
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Where did the cattle come from? He left Ur and Haran with sheep.
Abraham was a shepherd, not a rancher.
Now Preacher, “What could possibly be wrong with cattle.”
7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
God didn’t give Abraham those cattle, Pharaoh gave Abraham those cattle.
Those cattle caused a feud. Why?
Cows and sheep are both ruminants, meaning they chew cud and have multi-chambered stomachs for digesting fibrous plant material, but they differ in chewing behavior and dietary preferences due to differences in size, physiology, and grazing habits.
Chewing Behavior
Cows:
Chew more slowly and thoroughly.
Have larger mouths and broader teeth, suited for grinding tough, coarse plant material.
Spend more time ruminating (chewing cud) — up to 8 hours a day.
Sheep:
Chew more quickly and with shorter jaw movements.
Have narrower mouths and sharper teeth, allowing them to be more selective grazers.
Ruminate less than cows, usually 5–7 hours a day.
Diet and Grazing Habits
Cows:
Are bulk grazers: they consume large amounts of low-quality, coarse forage like tall grasses and hay.
Less selective in plant choice — they graze over larger areas and consume more fibrous plants.
Sheep:
Are selective grazers or intermediate feeders: prefer high-quality, shorter vegetation like tender grasses, forbs, and legumes.
More likely to nibble at plants close to the ground, and can pick out more nutritious parts.
Summary
Feature Cow Sheep
Chewing Slower, thorough Faster, more selective
Mouth size Large, broad Small, narrow
Rumination time Longer (~8 hrs)Shorter (~5–7 hrs)
Grazing style Bulk grazer Selective grazer
Diet quality Coarse, fibrous plants Tender, nutritious plants
Not only wealth in cattle but wealth in
Men and Maidservants:
Men and Maidservants:
16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
Now go to Gen 16:1
1 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
Abraham would later use the maidservant, he picked up in Egypt, to be a surrogate wife to fulfill God’s promise of a son.
Please do not try to tell me that your decisions do not matter and only affect you.
Bad decisions cost Abraham time, testimony, and the turnout was not the greatest.
Friends, it will cost you the same thing.
We are to live the Christian life, by Faith, not by sight.
However, we read Hebrews 11:8-10
8 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.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
So,
How did Abraham return to Faith?
How did Abraham return to Faith?
Praise God we can’t Fail at the Journey of Faith!
God simply got him back on the right Path.
First, there has to be
Repentance:
Repentance:
1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
He left where he was not supposed to be!!
Remembered:
Remembered:
3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Hai;
Bethel, means “the house of God”
Hai, means “a heap of Ruins.”
When you have gotten away from God, do you know where you can find Him? The last place you left Him because He will never leave or forsake us.
Abraham went back to the altar that he worshipped God and the tent where he slept before God
so, we repent, we remember, and lastly we are
Restored:
Restored:
4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
Now, let me explain something to you in 2025. That altar represents Jesus Christ.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Learn from Abraham’s mistakes:
Do not stop short of your calling and do not try to save yourself.
Do not act out of fear or doubt.
Acknowledge God’s presence in life’s journey.
Build and remember key events and worship times along life’s journey.
Allow God to be God in the situation.
Acting outside of God’s plan is messy and spiritually unhealthy.
Understand this key truth on life’s journey: “helping” God and acting out of fear make us spiritually blind.
When we try to do things on our own, we sin and things get messy.
When we are acting out of fear and selfishness, rather than in faith and obedience in God, we will find ourselves outside of God’s plan.
Remember, God’s way is always best.
