Hebrews #31: an exposition of Hebrews 11:17-22. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, November 23, 2014.
Intro:
It was crazy. How would you react? You’re 99 years old and God says, “You and your 90 year-old bride are going to have a baby!” Abraham laughed. Sarah laughed. God had the last laugh because one year later they had a bouncing baby boy. Talk about your dotting parents. They must have been a sight at the little league picnic. The boy’s name was Isaac. An appropriate name if there ever was one – Isaac means laughter. Can you imagine, Abraham was 102 and Sarah was 93 when the kid hit the “terrible twos.” He was the apple of their eye, their pride and joy. That’s what makes the events of Genesis chapter 22 so extraordinary. God came to Abraham and said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” No. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would God do that? This was the child of promise. Through him would come great blessing. Yet, in faith, Abraham obeyed.
Life in this sin-sick, fallen world is filled with heartache and suffering. The life is faith is not easy. It regularly requires more of us than we have to give. But we are not left to ourselves. We are not on our own. It is not up to you to gather enough courage or to muster enough faith. By God’s grace you are given the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. That’s the message to those struggling believers in Rome and to us. When life comes crashing down around you. When you are burdened beyond what you can bear. When you feel like throwing in the towel and walking away – look to those who’ve gone before. Look to that catalogue of the faithful found in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. Our text this morning begins with verse 17 of Hebrews 11.
Text: Hebrews 11:17-22
The background for this text is the story I referenced at the beginning. God’s call to Abraham found in Genesis 22. This story, more than any other, displays the wonder of genuine, biblical faith. It is a fascinating story. A story filled with drama, suspense, courage and faith. From Abraham’s example we learn that…
Thesis: Genuine, biblical faith is marked by a determined obedience and an assured confidence.
There are 2 things I want to point out along the way.
- The life of faith obeys in spite of overwhelming objections. (11:17-19)
- The life of faith comes to the end of days still trusting God’s gracious promise. (11:20-22)
Conclusion:
Faith says God’s Word never fails and God’s Word must be obeyed thus…
Genuine, biblical faith is marked by a determined obedience and an assured confidence.