First Union Missionary Baptist Church E. Chelsea Street, Tampa FL

Transcription

1 First Union Missionary Baptist Church 3707 E. Chelsea Street, Tampa FL Rev. B.E. Garmon, Sr., M.Div - Pastor Deacon Anthony E. Brown - Chairman Deacon Bernard Reese, Vice Chairman Deacon Robert. L. Barnum, Jr. Deacon Joseph Echols Deacon Michael A. Hudgins, Sr. Deacon Tom D. Marshall Deacon Wendell Pope, Jr. Deacon Robert R. Scott, Jr. Deacon Mark Sherman, Sr. Deacon Willie Tim Faith! Class # FAITH HALL OF FAME! Operation Education: Catch The Vision God never changes (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), and the requirement for faith is nothing new. God s consistency in requiring man to have faith in Him goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden after Adam sinned. Prior to Adam s sin, there was no need for man to have faith in God because God actually walked and talked with man. But once the rift of sin separated man from that intimate relationship with his Creator; man on this earth, can no longer have that level of communion. Therefore, man s relationship with God was thus changed from that of personal communion to that of personal faith. Man transitioned from walking and talking directly with God, to experiencing God from within his person. Ever since Adam s fall, faith has been the only way that man can develop, foster, and maintain, an intimate relationship with God; there is no other way. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Have you ever taken the time to consider what the word impossible really means? A very simple definition comes from Noah Webster s 1828 Dictionary; it simply defines the word impossible as, that which cannot be. When we consult the Greek of the New Testament, the word impossible in Greek is adunateo (ad-oonat-eh-o) or adunatos (ad-oo-nat-os); and meanings are: not to have strength or power or ability to be weak. Furthermore, impossible is something that can not be done. Therefore, when you take the time to consider the word impossible, we find that it means exactly what we always thought it meant impossible! as in ain t gonna happen! No way! Forget about it!!! c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx 1

2 Welcome TO THE The FAITH HALL OF FAME Hebrews Chapter Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 02. For by it the elders obtained a good report. 03. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Welcome to the FAITH HALL OF FAME. This is the place in Holy Scripture where God Himself chose to reserve for those whom He knew to exhibit genuine faith in Him. God gave a report on Job one day, and God declared Job to be blameless and upright. Job did not disappoint God with his faith, and as a result, he was granted double everything that the devil took away from him. Job 1:8 (KJV) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job 1:8 (NASB) The LORD said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil. In the 11 th Chapter of Hebrews, we find where God Himself thought enough of the faith of these people to list them in a special section of His Word. Just as God personally spoke very highly of Job; God has created a list of those whom He holds in high esteem, mainly because of their faith! This fact should make it very clear to all Christians the necessity of true faith in God. If God were to give an oral report on YOU what would He say? To believe is one thing; but to actually act upon that belief, is what will make the difference! It s good to believe (James 2:19) Belief needs to be followed up with action (James 2:20) It is our actions that demonstrates to God and the world that we truly do believe! (James 2:18) Actions are outward expressions of inward faith (Matthew 7:21; James 1:22-23) Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. The first step in a God pleasing faith is believing that God exist. When a person believes the God exist in the first place, the actions of their life will demonstrate that belief (Titus 1:16). Truth faith is based on action, for we never do anything except through faith of some kind. A person sits on a chair because they believe it will hold them. A person takes medicine because they believe it will cure them. Conversely, if a person does not believe a chair will hold them, they will not sit! Of if there are doubts about a medications ability to heal, or possibly cause harm, it will not be ingested. c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx 2

3 Columbus discovered America because he believed that there was another continent beyond the ocean: many another grand deed has also been born by faith, for faith works wonders. More common things are done on the same principle; faith in its natural form is an all-prevailing force. God gives salvation to our faith, because he has by this touched the secret spring of all our emotions and actions. He has, so to speak, taken possession of the battery, and now he can send the sacred current to every part of our nature. When we believe in Christ, and the heart has come into the possession of God, then we are saved from sin, and are moved towards repentance, holiness, zeal, prayer, consecration, and every other gracious thing. Since the time of Adam s fall, God has been consistent with His requirement for Faith. His call for faith in the New Testament is a reassertion of what He required in the Old Testament; nothing has changed. God Himself, reviewed the faith of men in the Old Testament and created His Hall Of Fame for those that demonstrated true faith. Let us begin our journey down the Faith Hall Of Fame with the first children, the first rivalry, and the first murder on earth! (1) ABEL Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Adam and Eve had more children, other than Cain, Abel, and Seth (Genesis 5:4). Various numbers are given; some theologians believe they had as many as 52 children. With a life span of more than 900 years, they people of this time were able to have children well into their hundreds of years old, and they were able to see many generations of their grandchildren. Genesis 4:1-8 1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx 3

4 Here we see the first instance in the Bible of God honoring man s faithfulness. God has asked man for tithes & offering since man was kicked out of the Garden of Eden (Malachi 3:7-12). The giving of the tithe is showing appreciation to God for what He has given to us. It ALL belongs to God, He only asked that 10% be given back to Him as a demonstration of our faithfulness in acknowledging that without God, we would have nothing. So to give Him only 10% back, is minor compared to what we would have without Him. God respected what Abel had to give, but not Cain (Proverbs 3:9). Notice that Cain did give; but could it be that the spirit in which he gave it was unacceptable to God? There was definitely something about the way in which Cain gave that displeased God. (2 Corinthians 9:7). The giving of the tithe is showing appreciation to God for what He has given to us. It ALL belongs to God, He only asked that 10% be given back to Him as a demonstration of our faithfulness in acknowledging that without God, we would have nothing. So to give Him back only 10% is minor compared to what we would have without Him. Offering is something quite different. In the original Hebrew, the word Offering has meanings of sacrifice. The word sacrifice means to give up, to give your all, to give regardless of profit. Thus, to give God an offering doesn t mean dropping in loose change in the bottom of your pocket; but it is deliberate intention to give to God in a manner than is sacrificial. (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:7). Abel finds His way into God s Faith Hall of Fame by faithfully giving to God. (2) ENOCH Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Adam was approximately 622 years old when Enoch was born. Enoch was Adam s great-great-great-great grandson. Adam died at age 930, which means that Enoch lived with Adam approximately 308 years with Adam. Imagine the exchange of information they must have had. Adam was able to tell them about how he actually walked and talked with God! What an impact this must have had on Enoch, so much so that Enoch devoted himself entirely to God, to the point that God felt him worthy enough to leave the earth and go directly to Heaven, without passing through death (yet). Genesis 5: And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. It is apparent that Enoch did much more than what we read of in Scripture. Jude confirms the genealogy of Enoch, and also informs us that God used him as a prophet before he left the earth (Jude 1:14). What level of Godliness must a person reach in order for God to take them directly from the earth straight to Heaven. This has only happened to two people in recorded history Enoch and Elijah. For this reason, most theologians agree that Enoch and Elijah are the two-witnesses spoken of in Revelation. (Revelation 11:3-12) However, some believe that Moses will be one of the two and not Enoch. c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx 4

5 Some believe that Moses and Elijah are the two witnesses because Scripture says the witnesses will have power to turn water into blood (Revelation 11:6), which Moses did in Egypt (Exodus 7), and their power to destroy people with fire (Revelation 11:5), which Elijah is known for (2 Kings 1). Also giving support to this opinion the fact that Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3-4). The position for Enoch and Elijah to be these two witnesses are based on the fact that these are the only two individuals recorded in Scripture whom God has taken to heaven without death (Genesis 5:23; 2 Kings 2;11). The fact that neither Enoch or Elijah have experienced death seems to qualify them for the role of these two witnesses. No one can say for sure which view is correct, but one thing that we do know for a fact; Enoch found his way into God s Faith Hall of Fame by faithfully walking and talking with God. (3) NOAH Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. How quickly man forgets! Solomon s wisdom continues to amaze, even all of these hundreds of years later. Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9), it s all been done before. So when we marvel at how quickly man forgets about God, we need to realize that this is nothing new, man has been forgetting about God for thousands of years. Reference to the Genealogy Chart shows that God determined the flood on mankind just 1600 years from Adam, 10 generations. In that period of time, man s sin had become so horrific, God just couldn t take it anymore! Genesis 6:5-7; And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. In a period of only 1600 years, man has gone from walking and talking directly with God, to God regretting that he had ever made man. In considering these verses, it is clear to see what motivated God to destroy the earth by way of the flood. (Oh how God must be feeling today!!!) The flood is actually the baptism of the earth as we understand what baptism symbolizes; the burying of the old and the resurrection of the new. Of all the people on the earth, there was at least one who was not caught up in the ways of the world, and he stuck out in the eyes of God. For whatever reasons, Noah decided not to get caught up in the sin and debauchery of the people of the earth. (How important is it for Christians to learn from this [and other] examples that we do not have to go along with the crowd, nor should we! In fact, we should be willing to stand out from the crowd, even if that means standing alone!) c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx 5

6 Noah Genesis 6:8 Job Job 1:8 Isaiah Isaiah 6:8 Christians - 2 Corinthians 6:17 Genesis 6:8-9 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Noah was one of these men whose lifestyle was such that he caught the attention of God, and when God decided to destroy the world, he called upon Noah for this special assignment. What did God see in Noah? (1) Grace in the eyes of the Lord = the simple definition of the world Grace is unmerited favor. It means that God loves us even though we don t deserve it. (2) A just man = he treated people right and fairly. How we treat other people is the only way that we can truly serve God. (3) Perfect in his generation = not perfection in the modern sense, Noah was human with a sin nature like all humans; but Noah did his best to live a righteous life. In his conversation and deed, Noah s life example exceeded that of the others of his time. (4) Walked with God = Noah maintained an active relationship with God. He prayed on a regular basis, offered the required sacrifices at the required intervals, and gave God of the first fruits of all his increase! Basically, God was pleased with the way that Noah was living, especially since Noah made a conscious decision not to participate in the sinful ways of the rest of the world. This of course, probably made Noah an outcast from the rest of the world! Can you imagine the pressure that must have been applied on Noah to go along with what everyone else was doing at the time? And when he wouldn t yield, the negative things they must have said about him. By finding favor in the eyes of the Lord, this surely meant that Noah did not find favor in the eyes of man. They surely hated and persecuted him because both by his life and his preaching he condemned the world. God gave Noah very specific instruction on how to build the Ark; and Noah followed God s instructions in every detail. God could have sent Noah an army of Angels to construct this Ark without putting him through any pain or troubles. But God chose to give Noah the instruction, after which it was then up to Noah to be obedient and faithful to carry out the Lord s instruction. Genesis 6: Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx 6

7 The actual size of Noah s Ark can be read beginning in Genesis 6:14. It is believed to have been 450 feet long (300 cubits), 75 feet wide (50 cubits), and 45 feet tall (30 cubits). However, it is important to be mindful that these dimensions are based on the typical Hebrew cubits that were believed to have been used at this time. The typical Hebrew cubit was the length from a man s elbow to the tip of his middle finger. However, there is evidence of larger cubits being used at this time, which would have made the Ark much larger! The Ark had three stories, it would be higher than a three story building today. The dimensions of its deck were equal to 36 tennis courts or 20 basketball courts. No other ship surpassed its size until the Eturia was built in According to the Bible, the Ark was built from gopher wood. Gopher is a Hebrew term and the exact English equivalent is not accurately known, there are many speculations as to what type of wood this would be equivalent to today. However, it is believed that biblical Gopher wood, is one of the types of wood species that is known not to float! Ebony Petrified Sandal Wood Litgum Vitae Saxual Jinkoh Ironwood Red Gum Caucasian Palm The Ark s internal volume was 1,518,750 cubic feet; this is equal to 570 railroad boxcars, and its floor space would have been more than 100,000 square feet. PRESENTATION The faith that Noah had was absolutely incredible. This massive project took more faith than one could imagine! Put yourself in his shoes for a moment and consider the facts : 1. At the time that God called Noah, he had no children, but yet God told him to take his sons and daughter s in law in the Ark. 2. It had never rained on the earth before. 3. He was building a huge vessel, on dryland, out of wood that is known not to float Imagine the ridicule, taunting, and disparaging remarks that Noah endured; for more than 100 years! His children spent their ENTIRE LIFE working on this Ark and being teased by all the other kids about their crazy father! At what point does one give up? At what point does one throw in the towel, give up, and cite the worthlessness and futility of the mission? But it is precisely because of Noah s incredible faith to carry out this mission for more than 100 years, and never give up, until he had done all that God had commanded him to do! Genesis 6: And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx 7

8 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. 21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. How could Noah have possibly fit two of every animal on earth on the Ark? What about large animals such as elephants and dinosaurs? As massive as the Ark was, it would have to be able to hold millions of animals in order to accommodate two of every animal on earth! God told Noah to bring two representatives of every land dependent, air breathing animal kind (Genesis 6:19-20). To fully understand this, we must take a closer look at the word kind as used in the King James Bible. An animal kind, or baramin (from the Hebrew words for created and kind ), is a group of related animals not related to any other animals. The study of created kinds is called baraminology. Kind is a broader category than species, and usually includes many species. EXAMPLE: Dogs & Cats are kinds ; however, within the dog and cat kinds we have different species of dogs and cats. Some species of Dogs include; Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Pit Bull, Chihuahua, Wolf, Dingo, etcetera. Some species of Cats include; Siamese, Persian, Balinese, Burmese, Cougar, Panther, Bob Cat, etcetera. When we understand the definition of the word kinds, we can easily see that Noah did not have to bring two of every animal on earth, but only two of every kind of animal. To preserve the Dog kind, Noah only needed to bring two little puppies. To preserve the Cat kind, Noah only needed to bring two little kittens. This same is true for all animals on earth. From the two kinds that were brought on the Ark, we have all of the different species of animals that exist on the earth today. Now that we have a better understanding of the word kinds, let s redress the question, How could Noah have possibly fit two of every animal on earth on the Ark? The answer is, he did not have two of every animal on earth, but he had two of every animal kind as he was directed by God to do (Genesis 6:19-20). As late as 2013, studies of land-dependent vertebrates conclude that there are fewer than 1,400 known living and extinct kinds. Therefore, in a worst-case scenario, it is projected that Noah was responsible for approximately 6,700 individual animals (3,350 couples). Just imagine the amount of food that it took to feed these animals every day for more than a year. How much fresh water did it require, and how did they keep the water fresh? How did they dispose of all of the animal waste? How many more daily logistics can you think of? c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx 8

9 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. Genesis 6:22 is key to as to how Noah earned a prominent place in the Hall of Fame. His obedience couple with his faith! Noah could not see any sons and daughters-in-law. Noah could not see a boat constructed with wood that don t float. Noah (and no one else on the earth at that time) had never seen rain before. But by faith he carried out God s instructions and earned his God appointed place in God s Faith Hall of Fame! Let s review Noah s induction statement again: Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Noah found his way into God s Faith Hall of Fame by taking on the largest example of faith known to mankind at that time! As we continue our journey down the Hall, we come to the fourth position which is occupied by a giant of faith. His name is Abraham. (4) ABRAHAM Hebrews 11:8; By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. God Himself spoke to a man by the name of Abram and gave him specific instructions for the short term, and allude to further instructions to come for the long term. Originally his name is Abram, which in the Hebrew basically means Father. At the age of 75, God speaks to him and gives him instructions to get up and go, but He doesn t tell Abram where to go, but God tells him that I will show you. Here we see the first example of Abram s faith! (Genesis 12:1-3) c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx 9

10 God obviously saw something in Abram, that he picked him to be the father of the nation. Abraham s place in God s faith Hall of Fame is altogether unique and cannot be compared to any other. He was chosen by God Himself to be the father of a new spiritual race and the patriarch of God s chosen people. Abram was not able to make himself worthy, but it was the grace of God that chose him. He was from the great and populous city of Ur, and therefore a Gentile, but this calling of God made him to become the first Hebrew. God made promises to Abram and to confirm those promises He would make a Covenant. In Genesis 15 God details the terms of the Covenant, and then God signs the Covenant first! (Genesis 15:1-18) Fifteen years after His first contact with Abram, God is back again and is ready to finalize all the terms of the Covenant that He has been drafting for the past 15 years. Abram is now 90, and in an effort to show how imperishable and transcendent God s Covenants are, God does three things. (1) He changes Abram s name to Abraham ; this changes the meaning from father to father of many (although there are many variations, this is the basic Hebrew meaning). (2) The second thing that God does is to tell Abraham that it is now his turn to sign the agreement! Pencils, Crayons, and Ink, will all fade in time; but blood will last for Eternity! Therefore, ever since the Garden of Eden, God has required His Covenants to be signed in blood! (Genesis 17:1-11). (3) The third thing that God does to confirm the Covenant was to change Sarai s name to Sarah. Again, there are many variations throughout so many translations; but to keep it simple Sarai in the Hebrew basically means or my lady or my princess ; and Sarah basically means princess of the multitude ; this coincides with the meaning of the name Abraham He will be the father of the nations, and she will be the mother (or princess) of the nations. Abraham was a rough, simple, venerable Bedouin-like sheep master. Abram uttered no prophecies, wrote no books, sang no songs, and gave no laws. Yet he was truly special in God s eyesight; for although the Bible offers us many TYPES of Christ, Abraham is the only type in Scripture of God the Father. John 3:16 says that God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son. 2,000 years prior to that event, Abraham loved God so much that he was willing to give up his only son! God puts Abraham s faith to the ultimate test. He commands Abraham once again to get up and go, and once again he doesn t give him complete information. But yet again, Abraham is immediately obedient. Later, God gives him further details, but these details are indeed grizzly! Genesis 22:1-18 Because of his faithfulness, Abraham holds a prominent place in God s faith Hall of Fame, and he alone is referred to as the father of the faithful and as the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). Faith in spite of trial glorifies God. Abraham s story is written in tears and blood, but God was so glorified by his trials of faith! Abraham s obedience of faith earned him the honor, Abraham My friend! (James 2:23). Truly, there is no greater rank or no greater honor than to be described as a friend of God! But yet, we too can be called friends of God, if we are obedient and faithful to His Word! (John 15:14) Abraham found his way into God s Faith Hall of Fame by believing God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness and he was called the Friend of God! c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx (fax) info@firstunionmbc.com 10 ( ) (website)

11 Since we are in the neighborhood, we need not go far to find the 5 th position occupied in God s Faith Hall of Fame, but this time it is a woman, the wife of Abraham. Her name is Sarah. (5) SARAH Hebrews 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Sarah is another perfect example of how God will use us even with our character flaws. We must remember that God is the one that made us, and He is well aware of our weaknesses and our sin nature. Let s follow the timeline: Abraham was 75 when God first told him that he would have a child; this would make Sarah about 66 at the time. We know from Scripture that Abraham was 86 when Ishmael was born, which means that Abraham would have been 85 when Ishmael was conceived. This means that ten years had gone by from the time that God told Abraham that he would have a son until the time that Sarah intervened! Genesis 16 1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai (Genesis 3:17) 3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee. 6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. 7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx (fax) info@firstunionmbc.com 11 ( ) (website)

12 13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? 14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. 16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram. Abraham laughed when God told Him that Sarah would indeed have a son regardless of her age (Genesis 18:15-17). Apparently it wasn t so hard to take when she was age 66; but now she is 90 and this is something that had never been done before. Later, Sarah did the same thing, she laughed when she was told that she would have a child even though she was 90 years old (Genesis 18:12-14). Even though man fell short and doubted God s promises; God was still kept His part of the Covenant that He made with Abraham. At age 91, Sarah did conceive and had a child Isaac. Even though they initially laughed, at some point Abraham and Sarah had faith that what they were told would come to pass; we know this because at age 90 and 99, they kept trying to have a child. Eventually, she did get pregnant, and when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 91, Isaac was born! The fact that they kept trying is testimony to their belief in what God told them. God honors Sarah s faith as He did Abraham s, in two very unique ways. (1) Sarah died at the age of 127 years old (Genesis 23:1); this is the only instance in Scripture where the age of a woman is recorded. (2) Sarah is recorded in God s Faith Hall of Fame! Sarah found her way into God s Faith Hall of Fame by believing God, and having a child in her very old age! c:\aaa-fumbc\bible class\faith\faith - lesson docx (fax) info@firstunionmbc.com 12 ( ) (website)