Message Notes

Introduction

1. The theme of “By faith”

a. It is about learning to apply our faith in God

b. There is hope for the Lord’s rewards and blessings

2. The writer of Hebrews chose Abraham as an example of faith

3. We will be focusing on how Abraham began to apply faith in the Lord

The knowledge of God given

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.”   Hebrews 11:8

1. To leave

a. Wrong beliefs

b. Wrong practices

2. To go

a. To the promised land

b. God was giving the land as an inheritance

To respond appropriately

“By faith Abraham obeyed…”   Hebrews 11:8

1. Understanding

a. Change in understanding

i. From wrong understanding to true understanding

ii. Darkness to light

iii. Fake to real

b. Even at 75 years old

i. Abraham was given this knowledge at a much older age

ii. Never too late to change our understanding

2. Faith

a. Knowledge of God changes the basis of our faith

i. From a wrong basis to a right basis

ii. From an unreliable basis to a solid basis

b. Abraham had to change his own basis for his faith

c. A real faith

3. Obedience

a. By having this real faith, Abraham was able to respond in obedience

b. A very difficult thing to do

i. Leave his home and to go to the land of Canaan

ii. Even though he was 75 years old

c. The challenge to obey the Lord

i. With the new understanding that we have of God

ii. By the real faith that we have in God

iii. No matter how difficult it may be

Though not fully knowing

“And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”   Hebrews 11:8

1. Still obeyed

a. Abraham did not have all the necessary knowledge

b. Nevertheless he still obeyed and went out

c. His faith caused him to trust and obey the Lord

2. The mercy of God

a. God showed His mercy to Abraham in his journey

b. As Abraham had the faith to obey, the Lord also blessed with His mercy

c. God showed mercy as He kept and protected him and his family

Conclusion

1. Appreciate the new knowledge of God that is given to us

2. Respond appropriately

a. Understand correctly

b. Apply faith based on true knowledge

c. Obey the Lord accordingly

3. Even when there are uncertainties

a. Continue to obey

b. Hope and trust in the mercy of God