Four Ways God Four Ways God Tests Our FaithTests Our Faith

Hebrews 11:8-19

A. The Test of The UnknownA. The Test of The Unknown

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going....going....10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.whose builder and maker is God.

1. The hardest step is the first. God has not 1. The hardest step is the first. God has not given us all the details. He leads us one given us all the details. He leads us one

step at a time. We must live one day at a step at a time. We must live one day at a time, moment by moment.time, moment by moment.

2. God is the only one who knows the future 2. God is the only one who knows the future accurately. accurately.

(Isa 46:9-10 NKJV) (Isa 46:9-10 NKJV) Remember the former things of old, Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, {10} Declaring the end from the is none like Me, {10} Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'My pleasure,'

3. There are lots of unknowns and our faith is 3. There are lots of unknowns and our faith is tested in following God's guidance in spite tested in following God's guidance in spite of the unknown possiblilities. of the unknown possiblilities.

B. The Test of DelayB. The Test of DelayHeb 11:11 Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

1. Abraham was 75 yrs old when God promised they 1. Abraham was 75 yrs old when God promised they would have a son (Gen 15:5,6)would have a son (Gen 15:5,6)

2. At age 85, tried to second-guess God by using Hagar, 2. At age 85, tried to second-guess God by using Hagar, but that was not God's plan. (Gen 16: 3, 16)but that was not God's plan. (Gen 16: 3, 16)

3. At age 100, God reminded Abraham of the promise. 3. At age 100, God reminded Abraham of the promise. Waited 25 yrs. Sometimes our faith is tested in Waited 25 yrs. Sometimes our faith is tested in waiting on the Lord.waiting on the Lord.

C. The Test Of The ImpossibleC. The Test Of The ImpossibleHeb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

1. Mary, the mother of Jesus had the faith to believe, the angel “...for with God nothing will be impossible.”

2. Jesus told His disciples: “...with men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

3. Things may seem totally out of whack and impossible to cope with or solve, but God is able!

D. The Test Of The Apparent Contradiction To D. The Test Of The Apparent Contradiction To The Will of God – (Heb. 11:17-19) The Will of God – (Heb. 11:17-19)

1. God's command to sacrifice Isaac seems a 1. God's command to sacrifice Isaac seems a contradiction, but God sees Abraham's contradiction, but God sees Abraham's faith and obedience and spares Isaac and faith and obedience and spares Isaac and blesses Abraham. (Gen 22:11-18) blesses Abraham. (Gen 22:11-18)

2. Job was tested by seeming contradiction2. Job was tested by seeming contradiction3. Jesus' disciples were tested this way. (Mark 3. Jesus' disciples were tested this way. (Mark

4:37-40) 4:37-40)4. Jesus was tested this way. (Jn. 12:27-33; 4. Jesus was tested this way. (Jn. 12:27-33;

Lk 22:42)Lk 22:42)

Conclusion

Many have gone before us and set an example Many have gone before us and set an example of faithfulness, obedience, and growth of faithfulness, obedience, and growth through testings and trials. May we each have through testings and trials. May we each have the grace to follow God at any cost and grow the grace to follow God at any cost and grow thereby and be blessed and comforted.thereby and be blessed and comforted.

As God said to Joshua:As God said to Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9)