“ God’s Timing,

God’s Way ”Hebrews 11:8-16

Hall of Faith continued…•George Mueller (1805-1898) was an evangelist that ran the Ashley Down Orphanage, in Bristol England•In his lifetime, he read the Bible cover to cover over 200 times•Fed, clothed, educated 10,024 kids•Didn’t take a salary the last 68 years of his life•Never borrowed money or asked a single person for a cent

Hall of Faith continued…•In today’s money, he prayed in millions of dollars over the years•None of his children ever went hungry•Someone asked him what the most important part of prayer was•He said, “The 15 minutes after I say ‘Amen’– because that’s when doubt can start to form in your heart unless you hold on to our Lord in your faith.”

Hall of Faith continued…•The first step of faith is acknowledging who God is just as the Bible teaches us; the second is admitting our helplessness without Him; the third step is trusting the Lord to keep His Word, because He never breaks His promises•Everyone’s faith must go through these three procedures: risking, resting, and relying on God•The Scripture we’ll look at this morning show us a great example of practicing these processes

“8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that

country from which they went 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 a city for them.”

Hebrews 11:8-16, NASB

A. Risking on God•Vs 8,

“ By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

Hebrews 11:8, NASB

A. Risking on God•Vs 8, When God told Abram to leave Ur, he didn’t obey immediately•Yet God didn’t hold his delayed obedience against him•It took time for Him to learn to trust God•He didn’t have directions or GPS– God just told him “GO”•What would you do? 75, life behind, no direction– true faith is able to wait on Him

B. Resting on God•Vs 9-10,

“9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Hebrews 11:9-10, NASB

B. Resting on God•Vs 9-10, they lived in a foreign land as “sojourners”, not settlers•Never owned land, and lived in a tent because they kept moving whenever God spoke•When we face tests and trials it can be because of sin, OR God is training us•Resting is hard because we focus on the trial rather than the faithfulness of God in the past

C. Relying on God•Vs 11-12,

“11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.”

Hebrews 11:11-12, NASB

C. Relying on God•Vs 11-12, yes, Abe was a man of faith, but what about Sarah? •Did she go kicking and screaming?•Nope– she was right there along side of him, trusting God in the journey– even though she had her own setbacks•God promised her a baby when she was 90•She laughed, but unbelief says “How can this be?”•Sarah said, “So shall it be!”

D. Lessons we can learn…•Vs 13-16,

“13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.

Hebrews 11:13-16, NASB

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11:8-16, NASB

D. Lessons we can learn…•Vs 13-16, there are three lessons for us1. Don’t limit the fulfillment of God’s

promises to your lifetime•The promise of Messiah, countless generations of family in their own lands, they never saw– but they believed and saw it in faith

2. Don’t rely on your abilities and resources•It doesn’t mean God won’t use what you have, He may– remember David and Goliath

D. Lessons we can learn…3. Don’t get too comfortable here•Remember we are not citizens of this world, but ambassadors•Scripture says God has placed eternity in our hearts– we shouldn’t get to enamored with the things of this world•2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”

Take Home… Jim Elliot was a missionary who was martyred for Jesus on the mission field in Ecuador. He wrote these two very profound things…•He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose•God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him