I have to begin this week's email with a disclaimer. I was not in attendance this week at The Journey because I was filling the pulpit at a small country church which I have been honored to minister to now on several occasions as they search for a new pastor. Therefore, I have not had the opportunity to hear Cody's message yet, and so I am flying a bit blind in regards to reflecting on that. However, knowing Cody's faithfulness to preach the true message of the text, I feel confident that I can share some reflections on the passage itself and still be in line with what was taught from the pulpit. That being said, here we go...
One of my favorite books of the Bible is Genesis and in particular from chapters 11 onward as we are introduced to Abram (Abraham). For the "uninitiated," Abraham's family is the Bible's equivalent of the Skywalkers in the Star Wars franchise (if you don't know what I am talking about, I just can't help you!). I say that partly in jest, but it's actually not a bad analogy. What I mean is that, the whole story is tied to the family tree of Abraham. Through him, God goes on to establish a people for himself and more importantly, he establishes covenantal promises with Abraham and his offspring that point to, and are eventually fulfilled in Christ Jesus, the promised Messiah. I wrote a more detailed blog post on the concept of the covenant in scripture and why it is so important to how God has worked through redemptive history. You can read that here. For today though, the key takeaway is that Abraham is one of the most important people we meet in the scriptures.
The interesting thing about Abraham is that he was no one special. I could just as easily be writing right now about some other ancient middle eastern man or woman had God instead chosen to use them for his purposes. What made Abraham great wasn't anything within him, but rather what God did through him. I think this is the whole point of chapter 11 in the book of Hebrews. The author keeps pointing us to ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things because God decided to call them into action. And the faith element is the key to why we look to them as examples today. When God called them to act, they trusted him and obeyed. That's faith!
As we continue our study through chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews, we continue to meet the heroes of faith. It is like taking a trip through the faith hall of fame. As Christians, it is important that we know these people and understand the story around them. This is why Cody has chosen to walk us slowly through each one week by week. But what we can't fail to see in their individual stories is the hand of God that is at work in each one of them. So often we are tempted to read about great acts of faith in scripture and think that such faith is unavailable to us. This couldn't be further from the truth.
Most, if not all of us will never be called to sacrifice our child on an alter or build an ark or part the Red Sea. It's just not in the cards for us. But this doesn't mean that God isn't calling us to step out in faith. Moreover, Paul teaches us in Ephesians chapter 2 that even our faith is a gift that is given to us by God. This means that God has given each of us the capacity to act faithfully.
No character in the scriptures displayed greater faith than Christ. His trust in his Heavenly Father was unwavering and unmatched by any before him and by any since. Of course if we look at other members of the faith hall of fame and feel inadequate, how much more so when we look at the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time)? We can't help but look at Jesus and feel woefully inadequate. But is that really what God desires for us? Or are we believing the lies of our enemy?
You see, the same power that resides in Jesus now resides in us as his followers. The Spirit of Christ dwells in the heart of every believer. This is great news for us!
Think of it this way. If Michael Jordan were to come and offer to teach you to play basketball just like him. Would that be good news? Of course not, right! I mean sure, it couldn't hurt your hoop game to get some pointers from one of, if not the, greatest player ever. But training only takes you so far. There is a reason MJ was one of the best. He had unparalleled talent. That just can't be taught. It also doesn't hurt to be 6'-6" tall and freakishly athletic either.
However, imagine now that in some miraculous way, MJ could transfer all of his abilities, athleticism, instincts, competitiveness, etc. to you. That might be a different story right? Now, you not only have the ability to learn what he could do, but the power to actually do it. This is what each and every believer has with Christ. Not only can we look to his example and instruction, but we have his power within us to do all that he calls us to.
When God asks ordinary people to step out in faith to do extraordinary things, he doesn't simply call them to act according to their own ability and strength. Rather, he pours out his Spirit to them in order to empower them to act well beyond what they can do on their own. As the late Billy Graham said, "The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us." You've probably seen that on a coffee mug or a wall hanging somewhere, and it is true. The problem is that we often fail to believe it...regardless of what our mug might say.
The story of Abraham, like the others we have studied so far is a great picture of faith. But it is only great because God gave Abraham the faith he needed to believe and to act. If he hadn't, we wouldn't be reading his story still today. I say that not to take away anything from Abraham's obedience, but rather to make much of God's grace. But both are true and necessary. God gives us the faith to believe as an act of pure grace. At the same time, we walk in obedience by faith. Both things must happen for God's ultimate purposes to be fulfilled in and through us. We may never find our names in the faith hall of fame, but every act of faithful obedience to God glorifies his great name...and that's what truly matters most.
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 29 - Faith Like Abraham
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. What do we learn about faith through the life of Abraham?
2. What does Sarah teach us about how to live with faith?
3. How does this passage change our perspective on faith?
Next week's lesson: Hebrews 11:23-31
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