Embracing Faith Amidst Imperfection: Abraham's Journey
Summary
As we gather to celebrate the Christmas season, we are reminded of the beauty and complexity of Jesus' lineage. Unlike the way we might try to hide the imperfections in our Christmas trees, Jesus does not hide the broken branches in His family tree. In Matthew 1, the genealogy of Jesus is laid out, showcasing the flawed and broken individuals who are part of His lineage. This is a powerful testament to how God uses imperfect people to fulfill His perfect plan. Throughout this month, we will explore these stories, beginning with Abraham, a man called by God to leave his home and family to become the father of a great nation.
Abraham's journey is a profound example of faith and trust in God. Despite his imperfections and doubts, God reassures Abraham, saying, "I am your shield, your very great reward." This relationship between God and Abraham highlights the importance of trust over understanding. God seeks faith from us, not necessarily our comprehension of His plans. Abraham's story teaches us that faith is about acting on God's promises, even when we cannot see the outcome.
In our own lives, we often face hardships and suffering. These challenges are not merely for our education but for our sanctification. They refine us, making us more like Jesus and increasing our faith. As we navigate these trials, our prayer should be for God to increase our faith, trusting that He will fulfill His promises in His time.
Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, illustrating that our faith places us in right standing with God. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we receive His righteousness, a gift we have not earned but receive by faith. As we reflect on Abraham's story, we are invited to place our trust in Jesus, to rely on Him, and to entrust our future to Him. This Christmas season, let us walk in faith, trusting in God's promises and allowing Him to refine us for His glory and our good.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1 highlights the broken and flawed individuals in His lineage, demonstrating that God uses imperfect people to fulfill His perfect plan. This encourages us to embrace our own brokenness, knowing that God can use us for His purposes. [39:25]
- Abraham's journey of faith teaches us that God seeks our trust, not our understanding. In times of uncertainty, we are called to place our confidence in God, trusting that He is our shield and reward. [45:41]
- Hardships and suffering are not just for our education but for our sanctification. They refine us, making us more like Jesus and increasing our faith. Our prayer should be for God to increase our faith through these challenges. [50:25]
- Faith is about waiting on God to fulfill His promises. It requires patience and trust, believing that God's word will accomplish its purpose. This willingness to wait is a testament to our faith in God's faithfulness. [52:25]
- Through faith, we receive the righteousness of Jesus, placing us in right standing with God. This gift is not earned but given through our trust in Jesus. We are invited to rely on Him and entrust our future to Him. [56:20]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Christmas Eve Services Announcement
[02:30] - Thanksgiving and Christmas Traditions
[05:15] - The Story of Our First Christmas Tree
[08:00] - Jesus' Family Tree and Brokenness
[12:00] - Abraham's Call and Journey
[15:30] - God's Promise to Abraham
[20:00] - Trusting God Over Understanding
[25:00] - The Role of Suffering in Our Lives
[30:00] - Faith and Waiting on God's Promises
[35:00] - Righteousness Through Faith
[40:00] - Invitation to Trust in Jesus
[45:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 12:1-3
- Genesis 15:1-6
- Matthew 1:1-17
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 1, how does the genealogy of Jesus highlight the broken and flawed individuals in His lineage? What does this reveal about God's plan? [39:25]
2. What specific promise does God make to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, and how does Abraham respond to this call? [42:51]
3. According to Genesis 15:1, how does God describe Himself to Abraham, and what significance does this have in their relationship? [45:41]
4. How does Abraham express his doubts and concerns to God in Genesis 15:2-3, and what does this reveal about his faith journey? [46:46]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the inclusion of broken individuals in Jesus' genealogy teach us about God's use of imperfect people in His perfect plan? How can this understanding impact our view of our own imperfections? [39:25]
2. How does Abraham's journey of faith illustrate the concept of trusting God over understanding His plans? What might this look like in a believer's life today? [49:14]
3. In what ways do hardships and suffering contribute to our sanctification, according to the sermon? How can this perspective change the way we view challenges in our lives? [50:25]
4. How does the concept of faith being credited as righteousness in Genesis 15:6 relate to the believer's relationship with God through Jesus? [54:24]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt broken or inadequate. How can the story of Jesus' genealogy encourage you to embrace your imperfections and trust that God can use you for His purposes? [39:25]
2. When faced with uncertainty, how can you practice placing your confidence in God as Abraham did, trusting that He is your shield and reward? What steps can you take to strengthen this trust? [45:41]
3. Consider a current hardship or challenge in your life. How can you shift your prayer from seeking understanding to asking God to increase your faith through this situation? [50:25]
4. What does waiting on God's promises look like in your life? How can you cultivate patience and trust in His timing, especially when the outcome is not yet visible? [52:25]
5. How can you actively rely on Jesus and entrust your future to Him, as Abraham did? What practical steps can you take to deepen your dependence on Him daily? [54:24]
6. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to see God's plan. How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and choose to trust Him despite the uncertainty? [49:14]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to embrace their brokenness and trust in God's ability to use them for His glory? What role can you play in supporting them on their faith journey? [39:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Imperfection in God's Plan
In Matthew 1, the genealogy of Jesus is presented, revealing a lineage filled with flawed and broken individuals. This genealogy serves as a powerful reminder that God uses imperfect people to fulfill His perfect plan. It encourages us to embrace our own brokenness, understanding that God can work through our imperfections for His purposes. By acknowledging the broken branches in Jesus' family tree, we are reminded that our own imperfections do not disqualify us from being part of God's story. Instead, they highlight the beauty of His grace and the transformative power of His love. [39:25]
"Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:26-27, ESV)
Reflection: What imperfections or weaknesses in your life have you been trying to hide? How might God be calling you to embrace them as part of His plan for you?
Day 2: Trusting God Beyond Understanding
Abraham's journey of faith is a profound example of trusting God beyond our understanding. Despite his imperfections and doubts, Abraham placed his confidence in God, who reassured him, saying, "I am your shield, your very great reward." This relationship between God and Abraham highlights the importance of trust over comprehension. God seeks our faith, not necessarily our understanding of His plans. Abraham's story teaches us that faith is about acting on God's promises, even when we cannot see the outcome. In times of uncertainty, we are called to place our confidence in God, trusting that He is our shield and reward. [45:41]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to trust God because you don't understand His plan? How can you take a step of faith today, trusting Him as your shield and reward?
Day 3: Sanctification Through Suffering
Hardships and suffering in our lives are not merely for our education but for our sanctification. They refine us, making us more like Jesus and increasing our faith. As we navigate these trials, our prayer should be for God to increase our faith, trusting that He will fulfill His promises in His time. These challenges are opportunities for growth, shaping us into the people God intends us to be. By embracing the refining process, we allow God to work in us, transforming our character and deepening our relationship with Him. [50:25]
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What current hardship are you facing that God might be using for your sanctification? How can you invite Him to increase your faith through this challenge?
Day 4: Patience in God's Promises
Faith is about waiting on God to fulfill His promises. It requires patience and trust, believing that God's word will accomplish its purpose. This willingness to wait is a testament to our faith in God's faithfulness. Abraham's story illustrates the importance of patience, as he waited for God's promise to be fulfilled in his life. In our own lives, we are called to trust in God's timing, knowing that His plans are perfect and His promises are sure. By cultivating patience, we demonstrate our confidence in God's faithfulness and His ability to bring His promises to fruition. [52:25]
"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:25, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a promise from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled? How can you practice patience and trust in His timing today?
Day 5: Righteousness Through Faith
Through faith, we receive the righteousness of Jesus, placing us in right standing with God. This gift is not earned but given through our trust in Jesus. Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, illustrating that our faith places us in right standing with God. As we reflect on Abraham's story, we are invited to place our trust in Jesus, to rely on Him, and to entrust our future to Him. This Christmas season, let us walk in faith, trusting in God's promises and allowing Him to refine us for His glory and our good. [56:20]
"For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.' Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." (Romans 4:3-5, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding that righteousness is a gift through faith change your perspective on your relationship with God? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Jesus today?
Quotes
"Jesus puts them in front of us as a testimony to tell us that he, God, being God, uses broken, dysfunctional, messed up people, and he doesn't try to hide them. And so I hope that this series is encouraging to you because you and I are going to be able to see that. And so I hope that this series is encouraging to you because you and I are just as broken." [00:42:14] (20 seconds)
"It's ultimately because God is not trying to get Abraham to understand the plan. He is trying to get Abraham to trust. And that's what he does with us. He's like, he's like, I, I am not seeking for you to understand. Why and how I am doing what I am doing. I am just seeking faith from you. I'm seeking you to trust me. We seek understanding. God seeks faith. That's the difference." [00:49:04] (28 seconds)
"And what I'm learning through Abraham's story is that hardship and suffering. Abraham's wife, Sarai, not being able to have kids or a bad diagnosis or unexpected death of a loved one or struggling to make ends meet or family conflict or kids going awry. These things are not only meant for our education. They are not simply meant to inform us so that we can face the next better because we have knowledge. No, they are meant to sanctify us." [00:50:25] (29 seconds)
"They are for our good, but they are also for God's glory. They are ultimately to increase our faith. This is why God speaks through the prophet Isaiah years before this would have ever come about. And he speaks to the Israelites as they are coming out of exile. And he tells them, he's like, I have refined you, but not as silver is refined." [00:51:56] (21 seconds)
"It is waiting on God to make good on his promises. It is trusting that God will come through. Because he said he would even back in the passage in Isaiah, God literally writes. He's like, my word will not fail. What I speak will accomplish its task. It cannot, and it will not fail. And that's what faith is willing to do. Faith is willing to wait. It is willing to wait on God to make good on his promises." [00:53:00] (25 seconds)
"To believe means that Abram placed his trust in the Lord. To believe means that he became reliant on the Lord. To believe means that he became dependent on the Lord. To believe means that he entrusted his future to the Lord. So I would ask this morning, do you believe?" [00:54:19] (19 seconds)
"When Jesus went to the cross, he took on our unrighteousness. He took on our sin upon himself, and he nailed our sin, our unrighteousness to the cross. And when we believe, he gives us, Jesus gives us his righteousness. For we have a value that we have not earned. We have received it. How? By faith." [00:56:20] (27 seconds)
"I pray, Jesus, that we would be willing to wait that we would trust, that you are a God that fulfills his promises, that your word will never return void, but it will accomplish everything that it set out to do." [01:01:04] (16 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 01, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?