Embarking on a Journey of Faith

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Embarking on a Journey of Faith</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="21"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id482.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Resolving Conflict From the Perspective "><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>"Embarking on a Journey of Faith," </B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+12:1-20" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Genesis 12:1-20</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, September 18-19, 2004</B></div> <bR> <div>      A three-year-old boy named Mark accidentally spilled his fruit punch on the floor one evening. He decided to clean up the mess himself and dashed to the back porch to get the mop. Suddenly realizing it was dark outside, he became apprehensive about reaching out the door for the mop. His mother reminded him Jesus is everywhere - even in the dark. Mark thought for a minute. Then, putting his face to the door, he said, "Jesus, if you're out there, will you hand me the mop?" (Leadership Journal email). If you are the parent, what do you tell your child when Jesus doesn't had him the mop?</div> <div>      To many people, faith is just child's play. It's good for when your young, but then you grow up and see the world more "accurately." Faith is often misunderstood as a blind leap, living life in a fog. It is often misunderstood as demanding that you give up all that is good and forget about enjoying your life. It is often misunderstood as meaning life will be easy and peaceful and without problems.</div> <div>      If we are going to call ourselves people of faith, we must have an accurate understanding of what faith is about. Abraham, the father of those who have faith, who believe, teaches us a little of what faith is all about it. Let's look at three lessons from Abraham and the beginning of his journey in Genesis 12:1-20.</div> <div>      This is where the Bible starts to get very personal, with a particular man and his family. With Abraham, the level of focus increases, and the story of salvation history takes a big step forward. Through his family comes the Jews, the Messiah (the Savior of the world), and all who believe in Jesus as the Messiah (Christians). Abraham is the father of all who have faith (Rom 4:16-17) He is in the "faith hall of fame" (prominently, Hebrews 11:8-19).</div> <bR> <div> <B>I. The journey of faith is a journey into the unknown, but it is not a blind journey (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+12:1-5" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>vss. 1-5</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      The journey of faith is often a journey into the unknown (vs. 1). His trip took him from his home near the Persian Gulf, about 550 miles northwest, and then south -southwest about 500 miles from Haran to Canaan. Abram ended up in the area of modern-day Israel. But he didn't know that starting out. He took it one step at a time.</div> <div>      But the journey of faith is not a blind journey. It is based on: 1) God's direction (vs. 1), and 2) God's promises (vss. 2-3), and he is one you can trust. It is a journey that may seem impossible. For example, making him into a great nation at this point might be difficult; the text highlights the fact that his wife is unable to have children (11:30). Their situation was hopeless as far as they were concerned. But God made a promise to do that which was impossible.</div> <div>      Hebrews 11:8 tells us, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." Someone said, "Don't talk about faith to move mountains if you don't have the faith to move yourself" (Don Boys, Albany, 3-96). Abraham moved, in response to God's call on his life. He stepped out of his comfort zone and got going!</div> <div>      It is scary to leave the familiar of our comfort zones. The original hearers, the children of Israel, had been wandering in the desert towards this "Promised Land." They had left slavery in Egypt, miraculously by the hand of God, but they came to a point where they wanted to go back to slavery rather than press ahead on the journey to what was new, and far better, the place of God's promise and blessing.</div> <div>      Is there a comfort zone you refuse to leave? Home, habits, possessions, pleasure, control?  Maybe because of your comfort zone, you are not serving Jesus in a significant way. Maybe God has placed a dream on your heart, to a make a difference in the world for the cause of Christ, but it seems impossible, so you stay in your comfort zone. Maybe you are comfortable keeping God at a distance in your life, you are afraid to get into a real relationship with God, even though you know he offers forgiveness and salvation. It takes leaving your comfort zone to become a follower of Jesus. Then, are you letting him lead you and guide you? Are you following his basic instructions for your life? Are you willing to give up and go God's way? Or is your comfort zone in the way?</div> <bR> <div> <B>II. The journey of faith is the pathway to blessing, both for you and for others through you (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+12:2-3" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>vss. 2-3</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      God offered blessing for him and for many others (vss. 2-3). "Blessing has to do with being in favor with God and under his protection and care" (Walton, <I>Genesis</I>, NIV Application Commentary p. 392). Being blessed and being a blessing for others always go together. God would give Abraham land, where he would find a home, resources and provisions for living. God would bring success, fame, peace, protection, prosperity, joy, satisfaction, and a multitude of descendants. He wants to give good things to Abraham. And through Abraham he wants to give good things to many others.</div> <div>      The blessing God gave to and through Abraham related primarily to two things: 1) God's revelation of himself: God was going to reveal himself to the world through Abraham's family; and  2) God's offer of salvation through Jesus, the Messiah, the descendant of Abraham: through Abraham's family, he would ultimately bring about salvation to all who believe.</div> <div>      It is not enough that we receive and experience God's revelation and his offer of salvation in Jesus. Our job now is to share it with others.</div> <div>      Author Philip Yancey wrote, "Recently, I have been asking questions of strangers - for example, seatmates on an airplane - when I strike up a conversation. 'When I say the words "evangelical Christian" what comes to mind?' In reply, mostly I hear political descriptions: of strident pro-life activists, or gay-rights opponents, or proposals for censoring the Internet. I hear references to the Moral Majority, an organization disbanded years ago. Not once -<I> not once</I> - have I heard a description [suggestive] of grace. Apparently that is not the aroma Christians give off in the world" (quoted in Walton, p. 409). Of all the things a follower of God should be known for, it should be of a person of grace and blessing, one who received it who now shares it with others!</div> <div>      Are you seeking the blessing and favor of God on your life? Are you allowing him to bless others through you?</div> <bR> <div> <B>III. The journey of faith includes difficult circumstances which will test you (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+12:6-20" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>vss. 6-20</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      The whole journey begins out of impossible circumstances - Abraham's wife is barren (11:30). People were already living in the land God was going to give Abram (vss. 6-7). Famine arise (vs. 10) and a poor choice is made (vs. 11-13), resulting in even more difficulties (vss. 17-20, for others and for themselves). The poor choice to deceive was made as a response to fear and the lack of faith in God. Abram faced a test and in this case he failed.</div> <div>      Abram is hanging out in Egypt, he's got no land, no children, and his future with his wife is in severe danger - what happened to the promises of God? What happened to the blessing? But God <I>promised</I>! And that's why it is a journey - you don't see it all on the way.</div> <div>      Your faith will be tested by circumstances you face along the journey. Will your faith affect the little choices you make each day, when you are faced with a trying circumstance or a temptation to disobey the will of God? Abraham had enough faith to pack up all his stuff and move his family, but he didn't trust God to take care of him and his wife in the famine or in Egypt.</div> <div>      When you face the trials, challenges and temptations, will you trust God to meet your needs? Will you trust God enough to obey him, even when you would rather disobey? Will you trust God enough to stay on the journey of faith?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Questions for Thought and Discussion:</B></div> <div> 1. Is there an area of your life in which you need to exercise greater faith? Be specific. Don't let your comfort keep you from following a path that God has opened for you.</div> <bR> <div> 2. Often we got bogged down and discouraged by difficult circumstances. What can you do to to help your focus remain on God, to help you continue to trust in him?</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2004, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>