Words of Life|Pastor Balan Swaminathan|HIPM

Faith Hall of Fame | Abraham Offered Isaac

Hebrews 11:17-19 ¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸ of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” ¹⁹ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative (symbolic, allegorical or metaphorical ) sense.

What made Abraham to demonstrate such a faith in God?

What was the reason for such a faith of Abraham in God?

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Faith Hall of Fame | Sarah

Hebrews 11:11-12 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

When we think about Sarah, it comes to our mind Sarah as a woman of failure.  We can understand Abraham a man of faith.  But some time we hesitate to accept Sarah as a woman of faith.  But since God considered her a woman of faith, certainly we want to know what kind of faith Sarah had.

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Faith Hall of Fame | Abraham

Unlike Abel, Noah and Enoch, the life of Abraham is addressed in the scriptures in detail. 

As we will note, Abraham did not come from a godly home. In fact, his father was an idol worshiper.  Thus, Abraham was brought up in a home with heathen, ungodly ideas.

Yet, though he was born into a home of pagan idolaters, he became a great man of God who left an example for those who would follow in his footsteps and walk by faith in the promises of God.

- By faith Abraham obeyed the call of God
- By faith he went out not knowing where he was going
- By faith he dwelt in the foreign land as a stranger
- By faith he waited for the city built by God

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Faith Hall of Fame | Noah

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

God is looking for such Noahs who will build an ark to save themselves and their household.

Faith Hall of Fame | Enoch

Hebrews 11:5 ⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away (translated/taken up to heaven) so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

Genesis 5: 21-24 ²¹ Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. ²² After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. ²³ So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. ²⁴ And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

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Faith Hall of Fame | Abel

Hebrews 11:1 says, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Abel just believed in God. He was considered as a man of faith.

Even though Abel died as a martyr, his life still speaks today of his faith - knowing God, trusting in Him and moving along with God.  Abel believed it was God who created him, everything in the past was God and the hope for the future is God. 

 

Crossroads | Conclusion

It is not easy at times, but God wants us to move forward.  If Moses would have been standing in front of the Red sea telling the greatness of God and what God had done in Egypt without taking a step of faith they would have been completely destroyed.  That was the reason God was telling them to move forward. 

Today I am sure God has spoken to you, it may be prophetic even to some of you who are listening to this message, God is not asking you to stand at the crossroads and wonder forever.  God is asking you to move forward.

As we stand at the crossroads of our lives, God is asking us to do four things. Consult, Listen, Examine and Walk. 

 

Crossroads | Crossroads of Death

If we are standing at the crossroads of death, there is only one way to take victory over death.  To be washed by the blood of the lamb.  The sting of death is sin, once sin is removed, death is no more a painful experience. That’s why Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:54-56  54 So when this corruptible has put on in-corruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

Crossroads | Crossroads of Sickness

Sickness has been one of the major concerns of mankind right from the beginning.  Disease control and prevention is one of the major concerns of the government to ensure healthy living conditions of the citizens.  Every year millions and millions of dollars are spent on medical research and health and welfare programs by the government. 

One hand the health condition of human has been deteriorating day by day, but on the other hand the advancement of modern medicine is trying to prove that we are ready to handle any challenges that we may face today in human health conditions.   

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Crossroads | Crossroads of Discouragement

Discouragement is a plague sweeping the country today. This outbreak is as dreadful as any other epidemic known to man.

Andy Drymalski, a psychologist says, "Discouragement steals hope and undermines your faith in the value and purpose of life. With cynicism, it sows seeds of bitterness and resignation. It sours you to life. True to its name, it relieves you of your courage, a precious gift of the heart. Discouragement is your enemy, the enemy of humanity, and of nature herself".

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