Living a Life That Matters

Living a Life That Matters Genesis 24-25; Hebrews 11 September 1, 2019 ABRAHAM’S FAITH LEGACY: When God says, “Follow Me”, He can be trusted to provide all you and your family will need for the journey. God’s ways are always better than our ways. When God makes a promise to you, He will keep His promise, but it probably won’t come as quickly or easily as you expect it. When you fail to trust God, He will still show you mercy but you’ll have to deal with the consequences of your choices. God is El-Shaddai (God Almighty) and Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Our Provider). Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:8-19 (ESV) 11 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 11 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 13 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 17 Our Starting Point: day. Faith Anticipates. It is always anticipating a better Faith Lesson 1 (v. 8) o Faith Acts. It moves. It is not passive. It is always expressed through obedience to what God says. Faith Lesson 2 (vv. 9-10 ) o Faith Waits. It is willing to wait as long as necessary for God to finish what He is working on. Faith Lesson 3 (vv. 11-12 ) o Faith Believes. It knows that God’s power can overcome any human limitation. Faith Lesson 4 (v. 13) o Faith Perseveres. God’s timing, knowing fulfilment of His promises is certain, but not necessarily in this life. o This blows up a popular belief and attitude – the theology that teaches people of faith get everything you want and deserve, now! o People of faith serve God’s purpose in their own generation wherever God leads them, but they always keep their eyes on heaven (vv. 14, 16) Faith Lesson 5 (vv. 17-19) o Faith Trusts. It is willing to give up all that is precious to us, believing God holds the power of resurrection. What Is Your Faith Legacy? What have you learned about trusting and walking with Christ? o o