Words of Life|Pastor Balan Swaminathan|HIPM

Some of the key characteristics of Moses' parents especially his mother Jockebed that led them to such a great faith in God:

-  A knowledge about the time in which she was living

Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

- Joseph had a certain future hope, being a man of faith

What does this mean today to us?----more----

Secondly, Joseph left his bones as a reminder that one day God will deliver them.  What are we going to leave as a reminder for our generation?  Bones represent strength, long lasting.  What is that we are leaving to our children that will make them strong and long lasting?

The fear of God, Faith in God, A sacrificial living, To love others, to care about others, etc.

Hebrews 11:21 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

Jacob's faith could foresee the things that are yet to happen on the land.

What is Isaac's faith?

- Isaac's faith in God that leads to obedience to his father.

Such a faith in God made Isaac to bless his children even at the old age.

Today, God wants us to be a blessing to others.

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?----more----

- God was not a stranger to Abraham, God was a family member

If you get a strong hold of this amazing truth in your life, you will have such a faith as Abraham.

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.----more----

Sarah was not a weak, spineless, overly dependent, empty-headed woman. Her parents called her Sarai, that means princess.

When God changed her name to Sarah, he did not remove the princely meaning, but rather He added the further dignity of motherhood.   Because a according to Gen. 17:15-16 she will be blessed as a mother of nations”. 

Sarah never doubted God.  She never considered God as unfaithful.  Sarah judged God or considered God as faithful.

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

Today Abraham, the one called as the father of faith is encouraging us and telling us that we are not left as orphans , Jesus is preparing a mansion for us and one day HE is going to comeback to take us home

Abraham died but the faith he had on God still speaks to us.

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 stranger and a pilgrim, by faith he also waited for the city built by God.

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.

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.----more----

Enoch went to be with the Lord, Jesus' disciples went to be with the Lord.  Our ancestors were gone to be with the Lord.  One day it will be our turn, we will be gone.  Where we will be depends on what we believe in while living on this earth.  Our belief will enable us to prepare to be with the Lord.  Enoch was well prepared and he was gone.  One day will be our turn. Are we ready? 

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.