Have you ever felt like you were unimportant? How do we treat those weak in the faith, the little ones? Let’s understand Jesus’ attitude towards believers whose faith is still small in Mark 9:38-50.
Do Not Hinder
Mark 9:38-39 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.
How many of us have had friends come to our side despite belonging to a different church? How many of us have had others hinder us because we did not have the “right” opinion? Why would we hinder those who are different from us? Doesn’t it a contradict Jesus’ instructions?
For Us
Mark 9:40 For he who is not against us is for us.
This apothegm teaches us that we should rejoice in good done by believers in Jesus of any denomination. Jesus did not tell his disciples to then go and follow the other fellow, but that they should not hinder him. We can be loyal to our denomination, and not hinder others.
A Cup of Water
Mark 9:41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.
Even the poorest can give a cup of water. A charitable act done because someone follows Jesus, shows a love of Christ as well. Even the smallest act done because of Jesus, is recognized by Him and rewarded. What small acts have you done for a stranger who followed Jesus?
Little Ones Who Believe
Mark 9:42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.”
The phrase “little ones” refers to those weak in faith, even some leaders. In context, it can also be those who believe in Jesus but belong to a different church. Unwise discussions can causes little ones to stumble. Better NOT to feed meat to those who can only handle milk.
Hands, Feet and Eyes
Mark 9:44-48 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire” If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
Using a hand, foot or eye to cause the weakest believers to stumble, puts one in danger of Gehenna’s unquenchable fire (Isaiah 66:24). Gehenna, Jerusalem’s garbage dump in the valley of Hinnom, where Canaanites sacrificed children to Molech and Chemosh, pictures the miserable end of unrepentant sinners. Let’s repent!
Be at Peace
Mark 9:49-50 “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Christianity has a very wide diversity of faith, but one Christ. We have little ones in the faith and giants in faith. Laity and leaders can be strong or weak. How should we treat those who may believe but are not strong? Would Jesus expect us to treat them kindly?
The church grew large in the Greek and Latin-speaking worlds. They eventually divided, each vilifying the other because they were “not following us.” Protestants are no different. We too have sinned against other Christians in similar ways. Let’s not offend or hinder each other. Be at peace with one another.
Outro
At some time or other we will all be the little guy, in feebleness of old age, in sickness, in financial ruin, in divorce, in unemployment, in business failure, in a flood or other calamity. It’s such a blessing, when we go through our own valley of the shadow of death, that someone keeps us company and walks through with us. Jesus is with us! Little ones are all around us. Let’s not hinder them. Let’s not use our hands, feet or eyes to make them stumble. Let’s be at peace with one another.
Mark 9:38-50, Isaiah 66:24
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
True Greatness
Who are the true greats? You may be surprised who they are because you know many of them by name. They live in your neighborhood. Let’s find out what the basic ingredient of true greatness is. Let’s look at Mark 9:30-37, what Jesus has to say.
Jesus
Mark 9:31 “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” Into the hands of men (anthropos), more completely understood, into the hands of the whole human race.
Isaiah 53:6, 12 “the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him… Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great… Because He poured out Himself to death… He Himself bore the sin of many.” Jesus continually taught this, the heart of the Gospel.
True Greatness
Mark 9:35 “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” At Jesus’ words the disciples were ashamed and did not answer, because on the road, they had been disputing over their own greatness, while Jesus had been talking about giving himself.
Mark 9:36 “Taking a child, He set him before them.” Many people stifle children at church, or send them out from the main sermon so they will not disturb it. Jesus never did that. He welcomed children, noise and all and taught us to receive children, not banish them.
Mark 9:37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” A child teaches us humility. Worldly greats are demanding and arrogant. Look around at our own community. See those who serve, true greats.
Receiving
Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant.” Mark 9:37 uses receiving four times. The disciples thought about personal glory, missing the point of the cross. In Aramaic, child and servant are the same word. True greatness is giving, self-sacrifice. Service is always a sacrifice.
Our Neighborhood
A truly great person is a father who may work at a job he hates because he loves those at home, who gives himself in self-sacrifice to one woman and avoids anything that might ruin that marriage, who spends time with his family as his most important people on earth.
A truly great person is a mother who gives life to a child that many may not want, spends 20 years putting on diapers, feeding, clothing and educating that child in life’s important basics, then spends the rest of her life praying for and thinking about her child every day.
A truly great person is also a single, who because they have the freedom and time may dedicate themselves to military, civil or other service to humanity. This truly great person is loyal to God and country and is ready at a moment’s notice to defend us against all enemies.
A truly great person is a police officer who takes no bribe and shows no bigotry or favoritism. A great person is a nurse who cleans up after grumpy patients with a smile. A great person is a teacher who instructs our children faithfully even when they are too tired.
Most of history is written by bullies, not the brave soldiers who defended us against them. Yet, those mostly anonymous soldiers have a legacy of pure self-sacrifice and a great reward in heaven. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Outro
Many of you are among the truly great and I count it a privilege to have journeyed with you for a time. True greatness comes in all shapes and sizes but always contains one essential ingredient: selfless service to others.
Mark 9:30-37; Isaiah 53:6, 12; Philippians 2:5-8
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Jesus
Mark 9:31 “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” Into the hands of men (anthropos), more completely understood, into the hands of the whole human race.
Isaiah 53:6, 12 “the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him… Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great… Because He poured out Himself to death… He Himself bore the sin of many.” Jesus continually taught this, the heart of the Gospel.
True Greatness
Mark 9:35 “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” At Jesus’ words the disciples were ashamed and did not answer, because on the road, they had been disputing over their own greatness, while Jesus had been talking about giving himself.
Mark 9:36 “Taking a child, He set him before them.” Many people stifle children at church, or send them out from the main sermon so they will not disturb it. Jesus never did that. He welcomed children, noise and all and taught us to receive children, not banish them.
Mark 9:37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” A child teaches us humility. Worldly greats are demanding and arrogant. Look around at our own community. See those who serve, true greats.
Receiving
Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant.” Mark 9:37 uses receiving four times. The disciples thought about personal glory, missing the point of the cross. In Aramaic, child and servant are the same word. True greatness is giving, self-sacrifice. Service is always a sacrifice.
Our Neighborhood
A truly great person is a father who may work at a job he hates because he loves those at home, who gives himself in self-sacrifice to one woman and avoids anything that might ruin that marriage, who spends time with his family as his most important people on earth.
A truly great person is a mother who gives life to a child that many may not want, spends 20 years putting on diapers, feeding, clothing and educating that child in life’s important basics, then spends the rest of her life praying for and thinking about her child every day.
A truly great person is also a single, who because they have the freedom and time may dedicate themselves to military, civil or other service to humanity. This truly great person is loyal to God and country and is ready at a moment’s notice to defend us against all enemies.
A truly great person is a police officer who takes no bribe and shows no bigotry or favoritism. A great person is a nurse who cleans up after grumpy patients with a smile. A great person is a teacher who instructs our children faithfully even when they are too tired.
Most of history is written by bullies, not the brave soldiers who defended us against them. Yet, those mostly anonymous soldiers have a legacy of pure self-sacrifice and a great reward in heaven. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Outro
Many of you are among the truly great and I count it a privilege to have journeyed with you for a time. True greatness comes in all shapes and sizes but always contains one essential ingredient: selfless service to others.
Mark 9:30-37; Isaiah 53:6, 12; Philippians 2:5-8
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Jesus, Lamb of God
How is God’s purpose hinted at from earliest human history? What does it have to do with a lamb? Let’s look at how Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain from the beginning and how it culminates in Revelation 22.
Genesis 4:4 “Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift”[1] Why do you think that Abel’s gift to God was accepted and Cain’s not? Some people give God their leftovers and others give Him their best.
Genesis 22:13 “Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.”[2] Jesus is our substitute ram offering.
Exodus 12:3 “Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household.”[2] We are introduced to the Passover lamb, a symbol of our Passover, Jesus.
Why does God say in Isaiah 1:11 “I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats”? It’s no use offering without a change of heart, “Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”[2]
Isaiah 53:7 “Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”[2] This detailed prophecy of the Messiah’s suffering has made it obvious to many Jews who their Messiah is. (Acts 8:32)
John 1:29 John the Baptist knew who Jesus was, because he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”[2] John prophetically spoke of the purpose of Jesus’ mission, from the prophecies of Messiah coming as a sacrificial lamb to atone for sins.
Luke 22:8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.”[2] What did Jesus think as He sat there eating with His disciples, knowing that all the Passovers were going to culminate in His death on the following day?
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 It was not necessary to keep the letter of the old festival, but its spirit in the purging of “the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” Why? Because “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.”[1]
1 Peter 1:18-19 “you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”[2] Jesus died to atone for sins once for all.
Revelation 5:6 “I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders.”[2] This literally means “a little lamb” and also highlights His resurrection because He is “now standing.”
Revelation 5:8-14 “the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.” This is amazing. The purchased “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation… will reign upon the earth.” Angels will say with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain".[2]
Revelation 7:9 “and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands”.[2] Finally, what God planned from the beginning, happens.
Revelation 22:1 After peace reigns on earth, a renewed heaven and earth will be made, and in that new place will be a river. “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb”.[2]
We all fail and need a Savior. Jesus became our Passover Lamb to take away our failures, the sins of the world. He will return to bring world peace and the heavens and the earth will be renewed and come together. God’s purpose from the beginning has been life forevermore, a the River of Life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Genesis 4:4; Genesis 22:13; Exodus 12:3; Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32; John 1:29; Luke 22:8; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:6; Revelation 5:8-14; Revelation 7:9; Revelation 22:1
[1]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
[2]New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Genesis 4:4 “Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift”[1] Why do you think that Abel’s gift to God was accepted and Cain’s not? Some people give God their leftovers and others give Him their best.
Genesis 22:13 “Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.”[2] Jesus is our substitute ram offering.
Exodus 12:3 “Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household.”[2] We are introduced to the Passover lamb, a symbol of our Passover, Jesus.
Why does God say in Isaiah 1:11 “I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats”? It’s no use offering without a change of heart, “Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”[2]
Isaiah 53:7 “Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”[2] This detailed prophecy of the Messiah’s suffering has made it obvious to many Jews who their Messiah is. (Acts 8:32)
John 1:29 John the Baptist knew who Jesus was, because he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”[2] John prophetically spoke of the purpose of Jesus’ mission, from the prophecies of Messiah coming as a sacrificial lamb to atone for sins.
Luke 22:8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.”[2] What did Jesus think as He sat there eating with His disciples, knowing that all the Passovers were going to culminate in His death on the following day?
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 It was not necessary to keep the letter of the old festival, but its spirit in the purging of “the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” Why? Because “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.”[1]
1 Peter 1:18-19 “you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”[2] Jesus died to atone for sins once for all.
Revelation 5:6 “I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders.”[2] This literally means “a little lamb” and also highlights His resurrection because He is “now standing.”
Revelation 5:8-14 “the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.” This is amazing. The purchased “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation… will reign upon the earth.” Angels will say with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain".[2]
Revelation 7:9 “and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands”.[2] Finally, what God planned from the beginning, happens.
Revelation 22:1 After peace reigns on earth, a renewed heaven and earth will be made, and in that new place will be a river. “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb”.[2]
We all fail and need a Savior. Jesus became our Passover Lamb to take away our failures, the sins of the world. He will return to bring world peace and the heavens and the earth will be renewed and come together. God’s purpose from the beginning has been life forevermore, a the River of Life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Genesis 4:4; Genesis 22:13; Exodus 12:3; Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32; John 1:29; Luke 22:8; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:6; Revelation 5:8-14; Revelation 7:9; Revelation 22:1
[1]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
[2]New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Abraham, the Rest of the Story
Why was Abram who became Abraham called the father of the faithful? What can we learn about faith today by looking back at Abraham? Let’s look at his early life and ten tests of Abraham’s faith and how he dealt with them in Genesis 12-22 (Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; 17:24, 20:2; 21:12; 22:2).
Family Stories of Abram
Today, we might be blessed enough to have four generations alive at one time. In those days, people lived much longer. Noah was ten generations older and died when Abram was 58. Abram got his faith initially from his mother, but also from years with Noah and Noah’s son Shem.
Noah and Shem were faithful believers in the one true God. Abram’s father Terah, was a high priest for Nimrod and made idols for his false religion, a way to control people. Dictators like the power to make the rules, including license to murder those who get in their way.
Astrologers told Nimrod of a baby who was to become father of a great nation. Like Herod, Nimrod wanted the threat killed. Terah took a servant’s child instead, and Nimrod thus deceived, killed the baby with his own bare hands. Abram’s mother hid him in a cave for ten years.
Abram’s mother told him stories of Noah and Shem and the one true God. When he was ten years old, Abram left the cave to go to Kedem in the mountains of Ararat to visit Noah and Shem. They welcomed him and taught him God’s ways for about 39 years.
Then, Abram heard the news about the tower of Babel, where God had divided people into seventy languages and people groups. So, Abram went out to teach them about the one true God. He was risking his life, because Nimrod had proclaimed himself god and forced people to worship him.
At age fifty, Abram returned to his father's house. Terah had an idol workshop in his house. Idols were made from wood, stone and precious metals. It was big money. People came from all over to worship and buy the idols. Terah wanted Abram to be in charge of sales.
With an axe Abram destroyed all the idols except one. He placed the axe in the last one’s hands and claimed that it had killed the rest. Terah said that was impossible. Abram had tricked him into admitting that the idols were powerless, and in anger betrayed him to Nimrod.
Nimrod threw Abram into a furnace, but he came out unharmed and Nimrod was afraid to touch him. Nimrod then gave Abram many presents and sent him back to his father’s house. With him went two hundred noble men, including Eliezer who was later to become Abram’s most trusted servant.
A large crowd rejected Nimrod and his opulent lifestyle to go with Abram and learn more about the one true God. Two years later, Nimrod had decided once more to try and kill Abram. Eliezer warned Abram and they left for Haran, where God was about to make a promise.
Bible Stories of Abraham
2. Genesis 12:10 Famine (Trial)
The first thing Abram encountered in the promised land, was famine. “Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.” How often when we start to do God’s will, are there strings of obstacles?
3. Genesis 12:15 Pharaoh (Failure)
The next obstacle on Abram’s faith journey was Egypt’s king. “Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.” Even faithful believers fail some of life’s obstacles. When have we lied like Abram to try and get out of a difficult situation?
4. Genesis 14:14 Battle (Trial)
Abram was probably not wanting a fight, but “When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” How often in doing God’s will must we fight battles?
5. Genesis 15:13 Enslaved (Discouraged)
God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.” This is a prophecy of Egyptian slavery. Do we believe that even such bad news will be for our good?
6. Genesis 16:3 Hagar (Failure)
“After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.” Abram neglected to ask God’s advice. Can faithful followers of God make unwise decisions, and still be people of faith?
7. Genesis 17:24 Circumcised (Success)
“Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.” If our faith journey revealed that God required something causing some short-term pain, would we believe God? Do we have faith that what we do not yet know about God’s ways will be good?
8. Genesis 20:2 Gerar (Failure)
“Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.” Abraham lied because he was afraid. How many times have we done the same thing, lied to protect ourselves from embarrassment, from a perceived threat, to be polite, or cover sin?
9. Genesis 21:12 Hagar (Failure)
But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” For the sake of family peace, someone had to leave. God promised to bless them and provided for them.
10. Genesis 22:2 Isaac (Success)
He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Unlike God, Abraham did not have to give up his son.
Hebrews 11:8-13
By faith Abraham… went out, not knowing where he was going… lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs… for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Romans 4:16
…it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
Conclusion
If you have ever followed God not knowing where you are going, you might have the faith of Abraham. If you feel like a foreigner in this land, looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God, then you might have the faith of Abraham. Like Abraham, none of us is perfect, but then salvation does not depend on our perfection, but our faith in the mercy of the One who is perfect.
Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; 17:24, 20:2; 21:12; 22:2; Hebrews 11:8-13; Romans 4:16
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112063/jewish/Abrahams-Early-Life.htm
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246612/jewish/Abraham.htm
Family Stories of Abram
Today, we might be blessed enough to have four generations alive at one time. In those days, people lived much longer. Noah was ten generations older and died when Abram was 58. Abram got his faith initially from his mother, but also from years with Noah and Noah’s son Shem.
Noah and Shem were faithful believers in the one true God. Abram’s father Terah, was a high priest for Nimrod and made idols for his false religion, a way to control people. Dictators like the power to make the rules, including license to murder those who get in their way.
Astrologers told Nimrod of a baby who was to become father of a great nation. Like Herod, Nimrod wanted the threat killed. Terah took a servant’s child instead, and Nimrod thus deceived, killed the baby with his own bare hands. Abram’s mother hid him in a cave for ten years.
Abram’s mother told him stories of Noah and Shem and the one true God. When he was ten years old, Abram left the cave to go to Kedem in the mountains of Ararat to visit Noah and Shem. They welcomed him and taught him God’s ways for about 39 years.
Then, Abram heard the news about the tower of Babel, where God had divided people into seventy languages and people groups. So, Abram went out to teach them about the one true God. He was risking his life, because Nimrod had proclaimed himself god and forced people to worship him.
At age fifty, Abram returned to his father's house. Terah had an idol workshop in his house. Idols were made from wood, stone and precious metals. It was big money. People came from all over to worship and buy the idols. Terah wanted Abram to be in charge of sales.
With an axe Abram destroyed all the idols except one. He placed the axe in the last one’s hands and claimed that it had killed the rest. Terah said that was impossible. Abram had tricked him into admitting that the idols were powerless, and in anger betrayed him to Nimrod.
Nimrod threw Abram into a furnace, but he came out unharmed and Nimrod was afraid to touch him. Nimrod then gave Abram many presents and sent him back to his father’s house. With him went two hundred noble men, including Eliezer who was later to become Abram’s most trusted servant.
A large crowd rejected Nimrod and his opulent lifestyle to go with Abram and learn more about the one true God. Two years later, Nimrod had decided once more to try and kill Abram. Eliezer warned Abram and they left for Haran, where God was about to make a promise.
Bible Stories of Abraham
1. Genesis 12:1-3 Leave (Success)
The people of Haran were as much idolaters as those in Babylon. Abram and his followers were the only ones who worshipped God. So, God intervened and said, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you”.
This was bigger than Abram could imagine, “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” The Messiah came from Abram. Would we be willing to move to an unknown country, at age 75, if God offered us an inheritance we would not even receive in this life?
The people of Haran were as much idolaters as those in Babylon. Abram and his followers were the only ones who worshipped God. So, God intervened and said, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you”.
This was bigger than Abram could imagine, “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” The Messiah came from Abram. Would we be willing to move to an unknown country, at age 75, if God offered us an inheritance we would not even receive in this life?
2. Genesis 12:10 Famine (Trial)
The first thing Abram encountered in the promised land, was famine. “Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.” How often when we start to do God’s will, are there strings of obstacles?
3. Genesis 12:15 Pharaoh (Failure)
The next obstacle on Abram’s faith journey was Egypt’s king. “Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.” Even faithful believers fail some of life’s obstacles. When have we lied like Abram to try and get out of a difficult situation?
4. Genesis 14:14 Battle (Trial)
Abram was probably not wanting a fight, but “When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” How often in doing God’s will must we fight battles?
5. Genesis 15:13 Enslaved (Discouraged)
God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.” This is a prophecy of Egyptian slavery. Do we believe that even such bad news will be for our good?
6. Genesis 16:3 Hagar (Failure)
“After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.” Abram neglected to ask God’s advice. Can faithful followers of God make unwise decisions, and still be people of faith?
7. Genesis 17:24 Circumcised (Success)
“Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.” If our faith journey revealed that God required something causing some short-term pain, would we believe God? Do we have faith that what we do not yet know about God’s ways will be good?
8. Genesis 20:2 Gerar (Failure)
“Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.” Abraham lied because he was afraid. How many times have we done the same thing, lied to protect ourselves from embarrassment, from a perceived threat, to be polite, or cover sin?
9. Genesis 21:12 Hagar (Failure)
But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” For the sake of family peace, someone had to leave. God promised to bless them and provided for them.
10. Genesis 22:2 Isaac (Success)
He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Unlike God, Abraham did not have to give up his son.
Hebrews 11:8-13
By faith Abraham… went out, not knowing where he was going… lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs… for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Romans 4:16
…it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
Conclusion
If you have ever followed God not knowing where you are going, you might have the faith of Abraham. If you feel like a foreigner in this land, looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God, then you might have the faith of Abraham. Like Abraham, none of us is perfect, but then salvation does not depend on our perfection, but our faith in the mercy of the One who is perfect.
Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; 17:24, 20:2; 21:12; 22:2; Hebrews 11:8-13; Romans 4:16
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112063/jewish/Abrahams-Early-Life.htm
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246612/jewish/Abraham.htm
Secure in God's Hand
What makes us Christ’s sheep? Are we in danger of being lost for eternity? Are we secure in His hands? Let’s examine John 10:22-30 and see.
The Setting
John 10:22-23 “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.” Jesus showed his approval of Hanukkah by attending it. It’s a winter celebration remembering the miraculous restoration of the Temple.
John 10:24 “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’” Literally, they encircled Him. Some were perhaps sincere, others with deceitful hearts, men who sought to denounce and sabotage Jesus.
The Believers
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.” Why did these learned men not believe Jesus’ works? Why did they not believe over 300 prophecies from the Bible? What was missing?
John 10:26-27 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep [as I said to you]. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”. This logic is followed by a series of “and’s” which explain why some believe and others don’t.
The Promises
John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Notice that eternal life is already given to them. They will not perish, be lost to eternity, based on continued belief. Jesus, on His part, holds them tightly.
John 10:29-30 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” Though they are one, the Father is greater, and the final guarantor of this “blessed assurance.”
Here is truth: We believe because we are His sheep. Here are promises: believers in Jesus will never perish and no one can snatch them from God the Son’s hand, nor God the Father’s hand.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
The Setting
John 10:22-23 “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.” Jesus showed his approval of Hanukkah by attending it. It’s a winter celebration remembering the miraculous restoration of the Temple.
John 10:24 “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’” Literally, they encircled Him. Some were perhaps sincere, others with deceitful hearts, men who sought to denounce and sabotage Jesus.
The Believers
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.” Why did these learned men not believe Jesus’ works? Why did they not believe over 300 prophecies from the Bible? What was missing?
John 10:26-27 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep [as I said to you]. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”. This logic is followed by a series of “and’s” which explain why some believe and others don’t.
The Promises
John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Notice that eternal life is already given to them. They will not perish, be lost to eternity, based on continued belief. Jesus, on His part, holds them tightly.
John 10:29-30 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” Though they are one, the Father is greater, and the final guarantor of this “blessed assurance.”
Here is truth: We believe because we are His sheep. Here are promises: believers in Jesus will never perish and no one can snatch them from God the Son’s hand, nor God the Father’s hand.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
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