Heroes: Abraham – Tried and Tested

Heroes: Life Lessons from Faith Champions

Part 1 – Abraham – Tried and Tested

Genesis 12-22; Hebrews 11

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. Romans 4:16

THREE CRITICAL LIFE TESTS GOD GIVES US

TEST 1 – WITHOUT

But God had other plans for them. He was about to turn their lives upside down. The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. Genesis 12:1

2 “I will make you into a great nation,

    and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

    and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

    and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

    will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3

8 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. Hebrews 11:8

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

TEST 2 – GOD TO DO THE

5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:5-6

3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. Genesis 17:3-4.

17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” Genesis 17:17

• God views time differently than we view time… He moves in

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3:8.

• Thinking in Bible time gives us an perspective and helps us to manage .

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

TEST 3 – MAKING A

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:2.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Genesis 22:12

17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. Hebrews 11:17

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24.