Being Led By Faith
Griffith Baptist Church – 11/9/08
A.M. Service
Text: Hebrews 11:8-10
Key verse: Hebrews 11:8 - 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.
Premise: The secret to great faith is simply to let God lead us and trust the outcome, no matter what we see or don’t see.
The Introduction
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It’s the same in my business."
I love planning trips.
For the Christian, it’s even better, because the trip is already planned for you.
There is an itinerary, stops along the way, places to see, interesting people you will meet, wonderful companions to travel with, a great final destination, and best of all, it’s all paid for!
As we take a look at Abraham in this passage, four wonderful truths come to mind that encourage us to surrender ourselves to trusting God on our journey.
Body
1. Director – Truth #1 – Abraham, when he was called (by God) . . . (v. 8)
A. We all rely in guides who know what they are talking about and can guide you rightly - In an interview with an African Safari guide, he was asked, “Is it true that jungle animals won’t harm you if you carry a torch?” The guide replied, “That depends on how fast you carry it.”
B. God guides and goes with us from beginning to end.
i. From the moment of our salvation to moment of our graduation into heaven, He is there.
ii. Before we were children of the devil and under his control and guidance (Eph. 2:1-3; Jn. 8:44)
C. God is there, . . .:
i. Wherever we go - Joshua 1:9 – Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Ps. 37:28; Is. 41:10; Heb. 13:5)
ii. Whoever or whatever comes against us - Romans 8:31 – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
iii. Living in us to be overcomers - 1 John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
2. Direction – Truth #2 – . . . to go into a place . . . (v.8)
A. We all need good, clear direction - A brochure put out several years ago by the Durham, N.C., County Public Library explained the use of the card catalogue, acknowledging that this can be mystifying at times. The brochure told of one patron who, upon reading “See Main Entry” on a catalogue card, went out to the front steps of the library. Durham, N.C. Herald
B. God gives small directions so we can accomplish big things
i. He doesn’t overwhelm us with details
ii. If He did, this wouldn’t be faith.
iii. It is a step at a time according to the how our faith measures up
C. To receive directions properly we need to do:
i. Total Confidence in God and not ourselves - Proverbs 3:5-6 – 5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
ii. Live a holy lifestyle - Proverbs 11:5 – The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
iii. Trust God’s inerrant Word - Psalms 119:133 - Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
a. How much do you trust God’s Word?
b. God’s Word always works and is never without effect - Isaiah 55:11 - So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
iv. Understand that God sees more than we do - Psalms 32:8 - I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
3. Determination - . . . obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went (v. 8)
A. Someone once asked Paul Harvey, the journalist and radio commentator, to reveal the secret of his success. “I get up when I fall down,” said Harvey. Bits & Pieces, March 3, 1994, p. 16
B. The consistency of your path will be determined by the exercise of your faith.
i. Faith must be a daily exercise and put into practice
ii. Faith is the foundation upon which a productive Christian life is built - 2 Peter 1:5-8 - 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
C. Being determined means:
i. An internal drive to finish strong - 2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
ii. That we must have faith to please God - Hebrews 11:6 – 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.
iii. That we waste no time in seeking and listening to God - Proverbs 8:17 – I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
iv. That our seeking must be passionate and fervent - Jeremiah 29:13 – And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
4. Destination - For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (v. 10)
A. Former Senator Dwight W. Morrow searched in vain to find his railroad ticket as he was on a train leaving New York City. “I must find that ticket,” he muttered. The conductor, who stood waiting beside him, said, “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Morrow. We know you had a ticket. Just mail it to the railroad when you find it.” “That’s not what’s troubling me,” replied Morrow, “I need to find it to know where I’m going.” Our Daily Bread, September 11, 1992
B. The final destination is worth the trials and troubles of the trip.
i. There is a lot going on on this journey
ii. God is teaching us something everyday that helps us to get through it
iii. The future is so bright it outshines the present
C. Our final destination, heaven, is:
i. Eternal - Hebrews 13:14 – For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
ii. Magnificent - Revelation 21:10-14 – 10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
iii. Prepared - Hebrews 11:16 – But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
iv. Personal - John 14:2 - In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
a. Notice He is not going to prepare mansion, the mansions are already prepared (In my Father’s house are many mansions)
b. What Christ is doing is getting those mansions literally “fitted” for us.
c. What a great God that cares that much to give individual attention to every detail, just because He loves us!
Conclusion:
Are you allowing God to lead you?
Do you trust Him enough to lead you or is there some part of you still holding on?
