TEXT: Heb. 11:8-19
Intro: Abraham is one of the great men of the Bible. When we think of men like him, we tend to see them as being larger than life. We seem to imagine that they started off at the top of the game and them just stayed there. Then, if we are foolish enough to compare ourselves with them, we feel like we are always struggling, always failing, and always facing some obstacle or another. We may begin to think that we will never succeed spiritually, but that we are doomed to a life of struggles and defeat. Well, I want to let you in on a little secret. Abraham didn’t start off as a man of God! Neither did Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Elijah, John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, etc., etc. They started off just like you and me! In fact, Abraham started off as a idolater, a sinner a million miles away from the Lord. But one day, God did for Abraham what He did for you and me, if you are saved. He called Abraham to follow Him. Abraham did and by that simple, small step of faith, he began a new life with God. Don’t think for a minute that it was any easier for him than it is for you. Abraham had to overcome some very real obstacles before he became the spiritual giant we read about in the Bible. He had some very high mountains to climb before he earned the title “Friend of God”, James 2:23. Allow me to share some of the obstacles that Abraham had to overcome and you may find that you have more in common with him than you thought. Because, thee are several obstacles that we must overcome before we can become the men God wants us to be! (Ill. The need for FAITH! At home, at church, in the community!)
I. WHEN DEALING WITH FAMILY (Gen. 11:31-12:5)
A. NOTICE THE TRUST His family, her family, Sarah. How many women would be pleased to follow their husbands under those circumstances?) Many times, our families don’t understand us, but we must serve God in spite of the wishes of others. Matt. 10:34-37; Luke 14:26.
B. NOTICE THE TRIUMPH God will help you to overcome your family and serve Him. (Ill. Thank God for those who serve in the face of opposition!) (Always consider family!!)
I. WHEN DEALING WITH FAMILY
II. WHEN DEALING WITH FACTS (Gen. 12:4) So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
A. HE BELIEVED INSPITE OF NO SIGNS So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;
B. HE BELIEVED INSPITE OF HIS SEVENTIES and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. Abraham had to face the fact of his limitations. He was 75 years old when God called him to service! We all have feelings of being inadequate, or of being unable to do the Lord’s will. BUT ACCEPT IT BY FAITH AND LET HIM DO IT
LISTEN TO THIS HUNTER Sam was my best dog, ever. Often we’d share together lazy lunches in an abandoned apple orchard, and the snooze that followed. Late one afternoon, Sam and I became separated. Neither of us was familiar with the area. I called and whistled. No sign of Sam. I had to get back . But how could I leave Sam? If he finally came back and I wasn’t there, would I lose him for good? Then I remembered a trick an old dog trainer had passed on. I unbuttoned my jacket, removed my shirt and laid it on the ground under the branches of a small bush. I worried all night. But when I returned the next morning there was Sam curled up with his nose under the sleeve of my shirt. He looked up and wagged his tail. “Where’ve you been friend?” his eyes seemed to say. “I’ve been waiting for you all night. But I knew you’d come back.” Later I wondered. When I get confused, do I have the faith to look for some part of God’s word and curl up in it? To wait patiently, knowing that my Friend will find me if I just have faith in him?
I.WHEN DEALING WITH FAMILY
II. WHEN DEALING WITH FACTS
III. WHEN DEALING WITH FEAR (Heb. 11:8) By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
A.FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN Abraham had to overcome the fear of facing the unknown.
Topic: Fear During World War II, a military governor met with General George Patton in Sicily. When he praised Patton highly for his courage and bravery, the general replied, “Sir, I am not a brave man - the truth is, I am an utter craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn’t so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands.” Years later, when Patton’s autobiography was published, it contained this significant statement by the general: “I learned very early in my life never to take counsel of my fears therefore they do not conquer me.
B. FEAR OF THE UNCERTAIN fearing that God will not do what he said is the worst fear of all. Fear will steal your motivation and will defeat you spiritually. Whether it’s fear of some service to God, or fear of something in life, it must be overcome! Everyone is afraid at times, but you do not haft to allow fear to defeat you.
“Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed.” Sometimes our fears are quite profound, complicated, and deep. At other times, they’re very simple. God will help you to overcome your fears, 2 Tim. 1:7
1.Know that God is with you - Heb. 13:5
2.Know that God is only interested in your best interests - Rom. 8:28
3.Know that you can trust in God - Psa. 56:3; Isa. 12:2
I. WHEN DEALING WITH FAMILY
II. WHEN DEALING WITH FACTS
III. WHEN DEALING WITH FEAR
IV. WHEN DEALING WITH FAILURES
A. SIN Abraham had to overcome sin in his life.
1. Gen. 12:11-20; 20:1-18 - Lying, deception, fearfulness,
2. Gen. 16:1-16 - Faithlessness
B. Sin often defeats the Christian in this life - Heb. 12:1
C. God will help us to overcome our failures!
God allows fresh starts!
V. WHEN DEALING WITH FLESH
A. SELF
A. THIS DEALS WITH THE WILL Abraham had to overcome the desires of the flesh.
1. When God promised him Isaac after the birth of Ishmael - Gen. 17:15-19.
2. When God commanded him to send Ishmael away - Gen. 21.
3. When God asked for Isaac - Gen. 22.
B. THIS BRINGS A WARFARE Our flesh is in constant warfare with the will of God! Gal. 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
C. THIS BRINGS THE WONDER God will allow us to have victory over our flesh - Gal. 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. How much trouble does God have with you getting you to do what He wants you to do?
Conc: Abraham came to be called, “The Friend of God” and “The Father Of The Faithful”, because he WALKED BY FAITH. do you constantly find yourself being overcome by circumstances and the trials of life? If you fall into that group of people who struggle, I want to give you some encouragement. You can overcome whatever you face today! It will require some action on your part. It will require faith - Our families deserve it, our church and our communities deserve it.
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