September 29, 2024

FAITH WORTH FOLLOWING: THE TESTIMONY OF FAITH

 September 29, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

What is your reputation among those who know you? King Solomon wrote “A good name is [better] than riches.” Without a doubt you have known others who have that good name, but as Christians, it should be our testimony—our reputation—is that we are loving, honorable individuals, even if someone gets tired of hearing about Jesus from us! Abraham, once he was living in the land of Canaan, had a name for integrity, honor, and was called a mighty “prince” of God among the people of the land. His character was built on his faith in the Lord God, and he was held in high regard. Abraham believed God when He spoke to him, and it was counted for him as righteousness.

Focal Passage: Genesis 23:1-19.

True faith leads to a strong witness:

  • Read Gen. 23:3-6. This act by Abraham is the first time Moses addresses burial; however, it was practiced from ancient times. Why do you think God put it into our hearts to bury our dead? Why did Abraham not return to Ur and the family plot? Why did he feel it necessary to purchase a cave (unused burial plot for posterity)?
  • Abraham refers to himself as a “foreigner”; had the Hittites allowed him to live among them peacefully? In verse 6, what do their words of praise mean about the lifestyle of Abraham while he had been living among them? Can you infer from their words he lived quietly and honorably among them?
  • What kind of witness do you assume Abraham was while in Canaan? Would your neighbors say the same thing about you, in your community?

True faith leads to respect for others:

  • Read Gen. 23:7-9. What evidence is there that Abraham was respected by the Hittites? In verse 7, how did he show respect for them?
  • Why did Abraham insist on paying for the sepulcher? How do you see this same analogy in Gen. 14:21-23? Read Gen. 13:14-15. In verse 9, why does Abraham reiterate that he will pay full purchase price for the cave?
  • What could Ephron and the Hittites have said had Abraham let them give him the land, rather than paying for it?
  • Why did he want the burial place to be separate from the Hittites?

True faith leads to respect FROM others:

  • Read Gen. 23:10-11. During this conversation with Ephron and the Hittites, what sense of regard did they hold for Abraham? What are some qualities he must have shown to them? Do your friends see these same qualities from you?
  • Read 1 Tim. 3:7. When missionaries from our church go into foreign fields to win people to Christ, what type of lifestyles must they see in order to understand the love of God?

True faith demands integrity:

  • Read Gen. 23:12-16. Can someone give a definition for integrity? What are the characteristics of someone who has integrity? Why is it so important in this day to have a lifestyle of integrity? Can you live one way in the home, and another when you pull into the church? How long will it be before people see the real person?                                           
  • Have you learned anything from the life of Abraham that causes you to desire to have a closer relationship with God? What has been the catalyst?

ACTION POINTS:

  • You are called to be a witness in this world, trust God to accomplish it.
  • Show respect to others, regardless of what they believe or how they act.
  • Live your life in such a manner that you will be respected in the world.

Close: 

There are some people who inspire you to be better than “ordinary.” As we read of the life of Abraham, particularly the trip to Mt. Moriah (when he had no reason to think he would not have to go through with the act of sacrificing Isaac), we see time after time God appearing to him, giving him promises or instructions, and Abraham obeying instantly and fully. Are you a person like that, or do you know people like that?

Has it caused a desire to grow in your heart that you would like to emulate Abraham, and have a closer, more intimate, relationship with the Lord God? What would that look like for you? Perhaps to give up television time, or reading time; perhaps to stay home more with your children and spouse, respecting them, rather than berating them, spending quality time with them, telling them how proud you are of them? It is so easy to find time for the fun or wasteful things of life, but hard to discipline ourselves to live in such a way that we will encourage those we live with to develop characters that will result in a “good name.” But we get to choose, don’t we?

 

By Sandy Day

September 29, 2024

/by