Title: The Way of Faith
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:6: Genesis 12:1-5
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.
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:
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.
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 thatthey had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
The Way of Faith means the method, technique or the system of faith. Hebrews 11:6 is a declaration asserting the importance of faith. There is no way you can please God, if you do not have faith.
Firstly, Genuine salvation is a result of personal faith. Ephesian 2:8-9 says, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith.’
Secondly, constantly we see the commendation of faith by Jesus on individuals. One of the finest commendations is to the woman of Phoenicia where Jesus says, ‘O woman great is thy faith. This shows us that great faith may be found in unexpected places – not merely Gentiles, but a centurion and a woman (both were not accepted by society). Faith is often greatest when it is expressed on behalf of someone else’s need.
Thirdly, we witness triumph of victory, resulting in heroic achievement because of faith. 1 John 5:4 is clear, ‘Yes, verily, this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith.
Then on the other hand, why was there lack of faith: Sin. Psalm 78:22 says, ‘Therefore the LORD heard this and was wroth. So a fire was kindled against Jacob and anger also came up against Israel. Because they believed not in God and trusted not in His salvation.’
Again and again, Jesus emphasizes faith. He always say, ‘Have faith in God..
Let’s learn something today on the way of faith.
- What is to have faith in God.
To have faith in God is to do something more than just a firm belief in His existence.
So, firstly, to really have faith in God mean to unite with him in a union similar to that, that exists between a man and a woman who are ideally related to each other in marriage
Secondly, to have faith in God means to let Jesus Christ come and live within your life.
Thirdly to have faith in God is to make a constant response to the indwelling Holy Spirit.
- The way of faith begins with a divine initiative
Since faith is so essential, let us discover the way of faith in the life and experience of Abraham.
Genesis 12:1-3 says,
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:
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.
From this story we see firstly the faith begins with a divine initiative.
‘it is not you that have called me, but I have called thee and chosen thee that you should bring forth much fruit and that your fruit should remain.’
We have the call of Abraham. Abram was removed out of the land of nativity into a land of promise, which was designed both to try his faith and obedience and also to separate him and set him apart for God and for special services and favors. The nativity of Abram was Ur of Chaldees, a pagan world, heathenistic that worship idols. Likewise we are all called out of this sinful, wicked, evil world, full of idolsnot only in society but also in our own home; into a relationship with Him which comes along with promises for our future.
Stephen in Acts 7:2 says, ‘And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.’
From the story of Abraham, secondly, we see what was involved in the divine initiative of faith. One, it is the call. The call of God is notable because it is personal. The bible says, ‘Abraham, when he was called.’ Two, the call of God is worthy because it is holy. 2 Timothy 1:9 says, ‘It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work. Third, the call of God is high because it is heavenly. Fourth, the call of God is apart from human merit. Fifth, the call of God is to a plan and purpose.
Roman 8:30 says, ‘Whom he called, them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified.’ God took care of Abraham in the entirety of his journey with God. God took care of me and God will also take care of you.
- The way of faith involves a command
The way of faith involves a command. Genesis 12:1 ‘Get thee out.’ Following the call is the command to get out from. The command is to get out from country, kindred and the father’s house, but it is to a land to be shown to him.
So what do you mean by ‘Get thee out’”
Firstly, the real essence of the message is to separate from the undesirable, in order to embrace that which is better, far better.
Secondly, natural affection must give way to divine grace: our country is dear to us, our kindred dearer and our father’s house dearest of all: and yet they must all be hated. That is we must love them less than Christ, hate them in comparison with Him, and whenever any of these come into competition with Him, they must be postponed, and preference given to the will and honor of the Lord Jesus.
Thirdly there is a command to embrace that which God will show. Abram was tried whether he could trust God to go into a land which God would show him. God did not say, ‘It is the land that I will give thee’ but merely a land that I will show thee.
- The way of faith involves a promise to bless
Genesis 12:2-3 says, “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:
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.”
The way of faith is both inclusive and universal. The promise is to include Abraham plus all who bless him and even all the families of the earth and woe to those who curse a called child of God.
Genesis 12:3. ‘And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:’
In conclusion, the way of faith requires a personal response.
3 responses of Abraham was indicated in verse 4-5. First was personal and a display of obedience. The second was communal and involved others. The third was a climatic realization. Into the land of Canaan they came.’
Are you having the difficulty of walking by faith as prescribed by God? Then look to Jesus’ example today. God the Father, initiated the call upon Jesus to be the first missionary to leave his home – heaven to come to this fallen world. The command of God to Jesus is to live a life that exemplified kingdom living and worst of all – to die for you and me even though we were sinners. Imagine he died for the sin of the people who crucified him but he also died for us who weren’t born yet. Such great love of Christ for us! And did God leave Christ desolate after he has walked the way of faith in His Father’s initiative and command? NO! The atoning death of Jesus for sinners were so complete and satisfactory that not only God resurrected Christ but also gave him a name that is above all name. God exalted Christ to sit at His right hand – an honor that entails all knees to bow to him and confess that Jesus is LORD. Till you identify with that same faith – initiative and faith command of God in Christ we will not be able to experience the blessing that faith will grant us. Christ fulfilled all these 3 ways of faith so that he can make up for our inability to please Him. By seeing the faith Christ lives by and died by should spur all of us to do the same as Him.
