Four ways to live by faith:
I. Abraham
Hebrews 11:8-9 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
Hebrews 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
Psalm 77:19 Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!
Additional Notes:
II. Abraham and Sarah
Hebrews 11:11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
Hebrews 11:12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Hebrews 11:13-14 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
Additional Notes:
III. Live as
Hebrews 13:14 (NLT) For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Hebrews 11:15-16 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Revelation 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Additional Notes:
IV. Welcome the
Proverbs 17:3 (NLT) Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
Hebrews 11:20-22 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT) Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Additional Notes:
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever had to rely on faith to get you through? Explain.
2. Do you look forward to the City of God?
3. Have you ever received power from God? When and where?
4. Do you feel like a stranger in this world? Or, do you feel comfortable?
5. Do you know if God has actually tested you before? Share how.
Next Week’s Verses: Hebrews 11:23-31