Abraham and Moses: Models of Faith and Faithfulness in God’s Plan
-Brother Vincent
Notes from Brother Vincent's Session
Introduction to Faith in Hebrews 11
Hebrews chapter 11 highlights numerous heroes of faith, starting with Abel, Enoch, Noah, and continuing through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and others. A key verse, Hebrews 11:6, states that without faith, it is impossible to please God. The chapter allocates varying numbers of verses to different figures, with Abraham receiving the most—12 verses (Hebrews 11:8-19)—compared to five for Moses (Hebrews 11:23-27) and one each for Abel, Enoch, and Noah. This disproportionate allotment underscores Abraham’s significance as the father of faith, emphasizing the centrality of faith in his life.
Abraham as the Prototype of Faith
Abraham is likened to a prototype, similar to how manufacturers test a car or mobile device before mass production. A prototype undergoes rigorous testing to ensure reliability, as failure could harm the company’s reputation. Similarly, God tested Abraham to establish him as a model of faith. His life was a test of discipleship, with God examining his obedience and trust. For instance, in Genesis 12, God called Abraham to leave his nation, people, relatives, and parents to follow Him, and Abraham obeyed, demonstrating his commitment despite challenges, such as pausing his journey due to his father’s presence until his father’s death.
Conditions of Discipleship Tested in Abraham
Three main conditions of discipleship were tested in Abraham’s life:
- Leaving Relationships for God: Genesis 12 records God’s call for Abraham to leave his nation and family, testing his willingness to prioritize God over relationships. Luke 14:26 explains that disciples must “hate” their father, mother, siblings, and even their own life in comparison to their love for God. This does not mean literal hatred but loving God supremely. Abraham passed this test by obeying God’s call, leaving his family behind, even though it meant separation from loved ones.
- Detachment from Possessions: Abraham’s lack of attachment to material possessions was tested when he allowed Lot to choose the fertile land of Jordan (Genesis 13). Despite having the right to choose first, Abraham relinquished the better land, showing no love for possessions. Later, after a battle, he refused even a shoelace from the king’s spoils, declaring he wanted no one to claim credit for his blessings. This reflects the second condition of discipleship: not loving possessions more than God.
- Denying Self and Aligning with God’s Will: The third condition was tested in two stages. First, God commanded Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 17:15-18). Abraham, who loved Ishmael and initially hoped God’s promise could be fulfilled through him, obeyed despite the emotional pain, choosing God’s will over his own. Second, God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, his promised son (Genesis 22). Without questioning, Abraham laid Isaac on the altar, demonstrating unconditional obedience. This act showed his willingness to deny his own will and align with God’s, even at great personal cost.
Abraham’s Faith: Belief in Death and Resurrection
Abraham’s faith was characterized by two key beliefs:
- God Can Bring Life from Death: Hebrews 11:12 describes Abraham, who was “as good as dead” due to his and Sarah’s old age, believing God could give them a child. Despite their physical limitations, he trusted God’s promise, as seen in Romans 4, where his faith in God’s ability to bring life from a “dead” situation is detailed. His name change from Abram to Abraham, meaning “father of a multitude,” required him to proclaim God’s promise even when it seemed impossible, reinforcing his faith.
- God Can Raise the Dead: Hebrews 11:19 reveals Abraham’s belief that God could raise Isaac from the dead, giving him the courage to offer his son as a sacrifice. This faith had no precedent, as no one before Abraham had experienced such a resurrection. His trust that God would restore Isaac, even after death, was a prototype for the ultimate faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
God’s Righteousness and Justification
Abraham’s faith in God’s ability to raise the dead was counted as righteousness (Galatians 3:6). This faith is the foundation for believers today, who trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection for salvation. Romans 3:25 explains that Jesus’ death was a public display of God’s righteousness, demonstrating that God is just and the justifier. Sin requires punishment, but God’s love for humanity led Him to send Jesus to take that punishment. The cross was not only a physical sacrifice but also a public shame, as Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem, likened to a leper or criminal (Hebrews 13:12-13).
God’s justice demanded punishment for sin, but His mercy provided a way for humanity to be justified through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice. Romans 10:9 states that confessing Jesus as Lord and believing God raised Him from the dead leads to salvation. This belief acknowledges God’s righteous plan: Jesus’ death dealt with sin, and His resurrection ensures eternal life and the power to overcome sin.
The Danger of Unbelief
Unbelief is a serious offense to God, as seen in Hebrews 3, where the Israelites’ failure to trust God’s promise to enter Canaan led to their punishment. Despite witnessing miracles like the parting of the Red Sea, they lacked faith to conquer the giants in the promised land. Abraham’s faith in the resurrection was far more challenging, yet he believed without precedent. In contrast, the Israelites’ task was simpler—stepping into a land God had promised—yet they failed due to unbelief, showing the importance of faith in God’s promises.
Application: Living a Victorious Christian Life
Entering Canaan symbolizes living a victorious Christian life, overcoming temptations (the “giants”) little by little. Believers must fight temptations like impatience, anger, or lust by relying on God’s strength, as seen in Romans 8:1, which promises no condemnation for those who walk in the Spirit. Yielding to the flesh leads to spiritual death, while listening to the Spirit brings life and renewal (Romans 12:2). Every temptation is an opportunity for death to self and resurrection to divine character, such as choosing to love instead of hate (e.g., “Lord, fill my heart with love for those I’m tempted to scold”).
Moses’ Faithfulness in God’s House
Moses is another model of faith, certified as faithful in all God’s house (Numbers 12:7, Hebrews 3:2-5). His faithfulness involved listening to God’s precise instructions for building the tabernacle, ensuring every detail, such as the size of a wooden frame, aligned with God’s will. This required patience and obedience, even when workers urged compromise. Believers today are called to be faithful in building the body of Christ, the church, by seeking God’s will in their responsibilities and interactions (e.g., “Lord, what words should I share with this person?”).
Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s Role
Jesus, as the ultimate faithful servant, is building a mansion for believers (John 14:1-3), possibly referring to the presence of God or the spiritual fruit accumulated through love, patience, and kindness. His death and resurrection enabled the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers’ cleansed hearts, preparing them for eternal life (John 16:7). The Holy Spirit equips believers to live victoriously, aligning their will with God’s and enabling them to love the unlovable.
Conclusion: God’s Justice and Love
God is both just, punishing sin, and the justifier, offering salvation through faith in Jesus. Believers are called to emulate Abraham’s faith and Moses’ faithfulness, trusting in God’s promises and obeying His will. Without faith, pleasing God is impossible, but with faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit, a victorious Christian life is attainable.
Bible References:
- Hebrews 11:4-19, 11:6, 11:12, 11:19
- Genesis 12, 13, 17:15-18, 22
- Luke 14:26
- Romans 3:25, 4, 8:1, 8:6, 10:9, 12:2
- Galatians 3:6-7
- Hebrews 3, 13:12-13
- John 14:1-3, 16:7
- Numbers 12:7
Faith and Love: The Essential Marks of Practical Christianity
Brother Victor
Faith and Love: Complementary Truths
The session emphasizes the interplay between faith and love, drawing from the Gospel of John and the epistles of John. Faith is central to salvation, as seen in John 5:24, which states that those who believe in God’s word and the One who sent Jesus have eternal life, passing from death to life without judgment. However, 1 John 3:14-15 complements this by asserting that passing from death to life is evidenced by loving the brethren, while failing to love equates to abiding in death. Faith without love is a dead faith, akin to faith without deeds, and believers who claim faith in Jesus but refuse to love their brethren are in deception.
The Transfer Certificate and Mark Sheet Analogy
Faith and love are likened to a transfer certificate (TC) and a mark sheet required for college admission. The TC, representing faith (John 5:24), contains details like the believer’s name, spiritual birth date (e.g., “born again in 2000”), and church affiliation (e.g., “Christian Fellowship Church”). It certifies attendance and conduct but requires the mark sheet to confirm qualification for higher spiritual growth. The mark sheet, representing love (1 John 3:14), is evaluated based on actions like forgiving others, showing mercy, and demonstrating peace (1 Corinthians 13). Without marks in love, the TC alone is insufficient, emphasizing that faith must be accompanied by love to qualify for spiritual maturity.
Loving Difficult People
Loving difficult people is a true test of Christian love, as outlined in Matthew 5:44-47. Loving those who love you offers no reward, as even non-believers do the same. True love blesses enemies, does good to those who curse, and prays for persecutors. This love distinguishes believers, proving their faith through action, especially toward critics, difficult family members, or challenging relationships (e.g., “difficult wife, difficult husband, difficult in-laws”).
Personal Example: Helping a Relative
A personal example illustrates the challenge of loving difficult people. I decided to help a poor Roman Catholic relative with their daughter’s marriage, pooling money with others for the expense, done for God’s glory. A year later, they requested funds for a ritual (a “baby show” before childbirth), which I refused, believing it did not align with God’s will, as my wife and I are stewards, not owners, of our resources. Despite planning to assist during the childbirth, the relatives sent critical WhatsApp messages, forgetting the prior help for the marriage. This reflects the worldly spirit of expecting help on demand and turning hostile when refused.
The flesh urged me to withhold further help, especially since they did not inform me of the baby’s birth, but the Holy Spirit prompted a different response: to make a surprise visit, bless the child, and help the poor family. God instructed me not to act self-righteously (e.g., “I’m blessing you despite your criticism”) but to love genuinely, without seeking to shame them. This act of love transformed the relationship, restoring closeness that persists today.
Practical Christianity
Practical Christianity involves dwelling in Matthew 5:44 until the end of life, loving critics and those who spread negative messages (e.g., “WhatsApp messages poking at me”). Help given to others must align with God’s will, done for His glory, and within one’s ability, avoiding actions like taking loans to help beyond capacity. The glory of Christianity lies not only in faith (John 5:24) but in combining faith with love (1 John 3:14), enabling believers to overcome challenges and reflect Christ’s love.
Bible References:
- John 5:24
- 1 John 3:14-15
- Matthew 5:44-47
- 1 Corinthians 13
Conclude: Brother Danish
Responding to God’s Voice
The session emphasizes the importance of hearing and responding to God’s voice, as referenced in Hebrews 3:7-8, which urges believers not to harden their hearts. The messages delivered are not mere teachings but God’s voice speaking directly to the audience. God addresses various groups, including children growing up in the church who strive to be Christians and believers who struggle to love and forgive others.
Assurance of Salvation and Sanctification
Some believers seek assurance of salvation and forgiveness, needing conviction that Jesus has taken their punishment and set them free. Others, confident in their salvation, find it difficult to love or forgive, yet sanctification is essential, as Hebrews 12:14 states that without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Believers must fear failing to live up to the greater responsibility given to those who have received much (Luke 12:48).
Leaning on the Holy Spirit
God’s love, poured into believers’ hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), enables them to love the unlovable and difficult. While loving such people is impossible in human strength, nothing is impossible with God. Believers are called to rely on the Holy Spirit to fill them with love and passion to live for Christ alone, not for themselves, in the remaining days of their lives.
Prayer for Guidance and Blessing
The closing prayer acknowledges God’s presence and the messages as His divine plan. It seeks God’s help to prioritize Him in believers’ lives, lean on the Holy Spirit to love the unlovable, and gain assurance of salvation. The prayer also requests blessings for the speakers, their continued ministry, the fellowship meal, and the remaining conference sessions.
Bible References:
- Hebrews 3:7-8, 12:14
- Luke 12:48
- Romans 5:5
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