THEME: FAITH LEADETH UNTO HOPE, HOPE LEADETH UNTO GLORY 

PREAMBLE 

Praise Ye the LORD…Service to God: Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow us…  

Last Sunday, we stated how excited we were about the CHRISTIAN FAITH and CHRISTIAN LIFE. And what confirmation from the LORD, He strengthened our faith and intensified our Joy with signs. I trust all of us not only went home with Revived Spirit, Faith, and Hope but also followed up with a week of intense search of the scriptures and prayer. 

As we mentioned last Sunday, the Christian Faith and Life is built upon Revelation, Knowledge, and Trust in God, strengthened with Full Confidence in the Holy Scriptures and the Word of God and ministration of the Holy Spirit.  It is the combined work of our spirit in seeking God through the Scriptures, meditation, prayer, and supplication and ministration of the Holy Spirit that we experience the Fullness of Joy, Power, and Fruit in Life and Works of Glory. 

Am sure, we can confirm through the scriptures and our own experience that not only there is God, or God is there, but also that THERE IS REWARD in seeking and fellowship with God and fullness of JOY in HIS PRESENCE. 

We continue our discussions of the FOUNDATION OF THE FAITH with reference to the Calling, Life, and Times of Abraham, the father of Faith. 

Before continuing, let me exhort you to do study once again Hebrew Chapter 11.  There you will experience again the Spirit and Power of Faith.  Faith is a spirit which we receive through the Word of God through Holy Spirit ministration. 

Remember what the Bible says about FAITH.  “Faith cometh by hearing, Hearing the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).  “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  And by it, the elders obtained a good report” (Hebrews 11:1-2). 

The Righteousness of God is established by Faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. “For what does the scripture says? Abraham, believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).  Continue—Rom. 4:13, 16, 20-22; 4:23-25; 5:1-2). From Faith, we build Hope.  In between is CHARACTER.  From Hope we race on to Glory. 

Last Sunday, we learnt that Righteousness through Obedience and Faith in God is the foundational spirit of the CHRISTIAN FAITH.  Obedience, Trust, and Hope in God is the Spirit we identify in Abraham and all the Faithfuls. 

We also learnt that Abraham had another enduring character and nature—Faith, Industry, and Performance. Faith leads to Hope, Hope engenders us to Industry—creativity, hard work, determination, and endurance. Industry results in Performance—good and effective performance of course. From Faith, Industry, and Performance—Hope leads to Crown of Glory. 

INTRODUCTION 

Last Sunday, we discussed Abraham’s State and Position at His Call. We learnt that Abraham was not only rich and wealthy before his call—he was a man of Faith, Industry, and Performance. Faith unto Industry, Good Works, and Glorious Performance is NOT (repeat not) the “Faith of Miracles”—of vigorous waiting and hoping for miracles that is being preached today as Faith of / from Abraham. 

Let us examine Abraham’s Faith, Character, and Performance in today’s discussion—Abraham’s Encounters on Building the Promised Nation—His Patience, Trust, Self-Denial, and Endurance as we find, hence, is the Promise —Genesis 12:1-3, 7. 

THE FIVE TRIALS OF THE JOURNEY 

• The first sign on the journey was FAMINE (Genesis 12:10-20). 

• The second was confusion in camp… Strife, Jealousy, separation.  Lot takes the Good Land. 

• Third trial— Genesis 14.  Lot in trouble.  War—Abraham to rescue. 

• Fourth trial—the sinews of office. Benefiting from works. Abraham refused the honor and blessing of men. Living from works—Bribery, Fraud, Offerings, and Rewards, et al. The Church today – the Prosperity Folks – “Success, Breakthroughs, Winning Ways, methods or theories, principles of success… (No Dependency, Spirit, No Honor of God). 

• Fifth Trial—Genesis 16—the Carnal Plan of Success, Victory, Attainment of Goals – Methods, Principles, Theories of Success on the Human Spirit-Mind-Power. 

Sarah’s suggestion—THERE WAS RESULT—Good Result, but PAIN in the NECK. Note: Blessings of Abraham comes even with carnal plans. 

THE WORD AND PRESENCE OF GOD ON THE WAY 

Throughout these trials, the Word and Presence of God were the constant anchors: 

• Genesis 13:14-17 

• Genesis 14:18-20 

• Genesis 15:1-6 

• Genesis 15:18-21 

Sacrifice—this is very critical for FAITH and LIFE. 

As we stated at the beginning, Revelation, Knowledge, and Trust in God are strong foundational blocks. It is in the encounters with God that bring Revelation, Knowledge, and Trust in GOD.  The Scriptures are good but the Encounters with God bring Revelation and Build Knowledge and Trust in God. Of course, the ministration of the Holy Spirits cements and strengthens everything. 

CONCLUSION 

The Faith and Faith Life is not a “sweet by and by” affair.  It is punctuated, challenged, and tested with diverse kinds of events. The MAN and WOMAN of FAITH breaks not. He or she is rather strengthened, purified, and raised from Glory to Glory through the challenges, tests, and threats. 

The BEAUTY is that at each point on the way—THE LORD APPEARS. Yes, the LORD is there all the way. Abraham’s encounters with challenges and tests brought him closer to God, resulting in greater Revelation, Knowledge, and Promises including covenants. 

In fact, there were scenes of unrighteousness.  Abraham’s wife Sarah, Haggai, and Ishmael. Moments of “self-preservation” when he lied about Sarah his wife… when he accepted to try CARNAL WAY… God did not deny Him… However, His Walk, Love, Obedience, and Desire to walk with God saved the situation. God came to his rescue. 

Let Israel say, “THE LORD IS GOOD, HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER.”  Jesus declares: “I am come that they might have Life and that they may have it ABUNDANTLY.”  GOD, who knew Abraham’s heart and mind and way did not condemn, but appeared to him, saved him, and delivered him. 

There was this critical issue with the FAITH and CHRISTIAN LIFE… CHARACTER. The Christian Character is the Hope of Glory— (Romans 5:1-9; 2nd Peter 1:1-11). Therefore, have assurance of Faith… 1st Peter 1:2-9, 13-16.  

 THE LORD IS THERE. 

Sunday, July 15, 2007