Faith is a Journey edited

Faith is a Journey

Jason Henshaw / General

Faith / Hebrews 11:8–12; Hebrews 11:13–16

The journey of faith is an adventure story God creates for us to read a chapter at a time.

Any journey you take has a beginning point, route to take, and destination. Many times, at least as far as my experiences prove, we look more towards our destination and miss out on the journey we take to get there. Faith is what helps us on our journey to our ultimate destination: heaven. I like what William Barclay said when speaking about Abraham and his faith:

“Abraham's faith was the faith that was ready for adventure. God's summons meant that he had to leave home and family and business; yet he went. He had to go out into the unknown; yet he went. In the best of us there is a certain nervousness, fear, lack of confidence. We wonder just what will happen to us if we take God at his word and act on his commands and promises.

Most of us live a cautious life on the principle of safety first; but to live the Christian life there is necessary a certain reckless willingness to adventure. If faith can see every step of the way, it is not really faith. It is sometimes necessary for the Christian to take the way to which the voice of God is calling him without knowing what the consequences will be. Like Abraham he has to go out not knowing where he is going.” -William Barclay's Commentary

“To live a Christian life is to live a life of adventure.” (-Barclay)

In what ways does faith help us on our journey? First of all,

I. Faith sees the invisible

Ex: The promise of the land to Israel cf. the promise of heaven to us. (Ge 12:1-3; Heb 11:8-10)

Genesis 12:1–3 NLT

1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

God made promise to Abram and he had faith that God would fulfill His promise.

Hebrews 11:8–10 NLT

8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

They went to an unknown place (v. 8)

They stayed for an undetermined time (v. 9)

They knew they were on the way to a permanent home (v. 10) [and lived expecting to find it each day]

We are all on a journey of faith. Whether you are just starting on your journey or have been traveling for a while. When God calls us on this journey of faith, we do not know where He will lead us or how long He will ask us to stay. What we can be confident of is having faith God knows where He wants us to go and what He wants us to do. And we need to continue to do that until He leads us elsewhere. What has God asked you to leave as you have started on your journey of faith? Relationships? Habits? Job?

What is God asking you to leave now? Relationships? Habits? Job?

While on this journey, God will ask us from time to time to leave a certain area, a job, relationships, etc. And there will be times that will be easier to let go than others but the point is that we need to let go when God says to let go.

Transition: Not only does faith help us see the invisible, but…

II. Faith believes the impossible

Ex: the promise of the seed to Abraham cf. the promise of the Messiah to humanity

There are two choices we can make when it comes to the impossible. We can focus on the inability we have as humans or focus on the Divine enablement that comes from believing in the impossible to take place.

1. The problem of human inability (Sarah couldn’t have a child and the promise was given when Abram was too old) cf. Ro 4:18-22 (in spite of their doubts and laughter, they trusted God)

Romans 4:18–22 NLT

18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

2. The power of Divine enablement (Hebrews 11:11-12)

Hebrews 11:11–12 NLT

11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

Ge 18:14-is anything too hard for God? Isaac born

Luke 1:37-Mary says how can that be? Virgin birth of Jesus

Matt 19-rich young ruler and camel thru a needle a salvation; new birth is impossible with man but possible with God

**How many times do we allow what is impossible to us dictate whether we do something or not?

III. Faith waits for the inevitable

The promise of the inevitable blessing of salvation influenced:

1. The example of their integrity (Heb. 11:13a)

Hebrews 11:13a NLT

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.

2. The expression of their identity (Heb. 11:13b-14)

Hebrews 11:13b–14 NLT

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.

3. The endurance of their intensity (Heb. 11:16)

Hebrews 11:16 NLT

16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Conclusion:

We imitate the faith of Abraham when we are willing….

To leave when God calls us to leave

To live where God leads us to live

To long for what God promises us

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

-Corrie ten Boom