THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH
THEME: FAITH LEADETH UNTO HOPE, HOPE LEADETH UNTO GLORY
PREAMBLE
Praise Ye the LORD… Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow us…
Beloved, am excited about the realities of the Christian Faith and Christian Life. The Faith and Life of the Christian is based on the Revelation, Knowledge, and Trust in God, and Full Confidence in the Holy Scriptures or the Word of God.
The height of revelation of God is the Word that became flesh, in the incarnation of God in and through His Son Jesus Christ. That is to say, the Christian Faith and Christian Life is based on Faith in Christ or better still Trust in God through Faith in Jesus Christ.
To put it another way, the Christian Faith and Christian Life are built together around Jesus Christ.
In these coming weeks of the months July and August, we are out here on a mission—An Open Revival Outreach Services with the theme:
FAITH LEADETH UNTO HOPE, HOPE LEADETH UNTO GLORY.
To put it simply—This faith, this Hope, and this Glory is built around Jesus Christ, the Son Given, the Word Made Flesh, the Second Adam, the Spirit basis and Glory of the Redeemed of the LORD. In other words, Christ Jesus is the FAITH and HOPE and GLORY of Christianity.
Last Friday, at the All-Night or House of Prayer Service, we were made to consider the critical issue of CHRIST as the Spirit of Divine Intervention, and Deliverance and Redemption with the Great Conspiracy of Satan and Man in alliance to build a Kingdom on earth in rebellion, disobedience, and indeed opposition to the Kingdom of God in Heaven and thus God’s Will and Plan for the Kingdom Of God or Heaven on Earth.
Satan and Man want to reign and rule the earth, to order and establish dominion over all creation on earth outside the Will and Purpose of God the Creator. Christ has come not only to stop the rebellion, cancel out and nullify the Great Conspiracy, but also to Redeem Fallen Man, Reconcile Him with God, and Establish the Kingdom of God/Heaven on earth so, the Will of God be done on earth as it is in heaven.
This is the basis and Hope of Glory in CHRIST and the FAITH. Essentially, the Christian Faith is an invitation to Reconciliation, Trust, Obedience, and Hope in God and His Kingdom Glory on earth.
Salvation, Remission of Sin, Deliverance from Satan Victory and Resurrection from Death and Rise in Glory in the Nature and Glory of Christ Jesus are the benefits and Blessed Hope in the FAITH.
These are the issues we shall discuss during this outreach mission. They shall constitute the basis of Preaching, Teaching, and Ministration. Faith, Hope, and Glory in Christ is the subject and goal of the Revival Services. Every one of us must open our hearts, lift up the gates of Spirit, Hearts, and Minds, so THE KING OF GLORY CAN COME IN….. And I said last Friday, the GLORY of GOD is a deep, high, broad, and wide thing.
Until we reach fullness of perfection in the stature of Christ and of God there is much to learn, receive, grow, and mature therein.
INTRODUCTION
We will begin our discussion with THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH by discussing the Spirit and Life of the Father of Faith, even Abraham. Abraham’s Spirit of Obedience, Dedication, Patience, and Resolve is the Foundation of the faith that begat or established Israel and through this THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
As the scriptures declare—Righteousness through Obedience and Faith in God is the foundational spirit of the Christian Faith. And this was established by Abraham’s obedience of and faith in God (Romans 4; Hebrews 11:8-19).
ABRAHAM’S FAITH
There are three things the LORD would have us discuss today, namely:
- Abraham’s STATE and POSITION at His Call
- Abraham’s Encounters on Building the Promised Nation—His Patience, Trust, Self-Denial, and Endurance, and
- Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac
Abraham’s State and Position at His Call. His Obedience – a prototype for Righteousness
1. HIS STATE AND POSITION AT THE CALL
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4, 7
- God Appeared to Abraham
- God Instructed Abraham
- Abraham Obeyed in spite of everything
2. ABRAHAM WAS A MAN OF SUBSTANCE
Scripture: Genesis 13:2-4
Abraham was not a man of lack; he was a man of substance. Yet, his greatness was defined by:
- Trust in God through PRAYER.
- He accepted the call and went out in obedience.
- No problem with his possessions, rights of inheritance, nor threats of dangers, challenges, insecurity.
Abraham was a man of Faith, Industry, and Performance. God does not call and use lazy and careless people. Abraham established himself before his call. The important lesson here however is THE NEW THING—The Promise of God, Trust unto Hope of Attainment or Promise.
Abraham like Jesus Christ left his glory—in the father’s home or land and people… will you have Trust in God and Faith to that extent?
Abraham was chosen to start and build a new nation. Abraham Believed, Trusted, Obeyed, Moved Out… This is Faith that leadeth unto HOPE. Hope in the Promises of God, Hope in the “New Thing.” The Divine Thing intangible, non-seeable, Yet Trust, Obedience.
CONCLUSION
The Christian Faith is:
- A HEAVENLY VISION
- A NEW MAN
- A NEW LIFE
- A NEW KINGDOM
All these are not seen. Indeed, they are not seeable in advance.
Faith is the substance of things hope for. Faith is the evidence of things unseen. Faith is based on The Word and Promises of God. WE BELIEVE, ACCEPT, OBEY, AND WAIT TO SEE.
ABRAHAM DESERTED HIS FORMER GLORY, like JESUS CHRIST, for the PROMISE.
Next week we shall consider ABRAHAM’S ENCOUNTERS on the way to the Promised Land or The PROMISE of FATHERHOOD.
Sunday, July 8, 2007