A Pilgrim’s Faith (07/03/2022)

A Pilgrim’s Faith (07/03/2022)

July 3, 2022

OPENING STATEMENT:  Happy 4th of July!

Pilgrim Definition: A pilgrim is a person who embarks on a faith journey with the sole purpose of having an encounter with God. (Pastor’s definition)

We can all be called pilgrims, because we are all on this journey called life where we desire an encounter with God.

In 1620, 102 pilgrims, boarded a small fleet of ships by the name of The Mayflower and set sail from Plymouth England to America. WHY? Religious freedom.

  • The Pilgrims gave us the Biblical foundation of self-rule that would shape our Constitution and our entire government system.
  • Today we celebrate 402 years of those pilgrims’ journey and 246 years of independence as a free nation.
  • What kept those pilgrims going? It was FAITH.

Now faith is CONFIDENCE in what we hope for and ASSURANCE about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

  • The pilgrims had no assurance of success in this unknown world.
  • Their CONFIDENCE was IN GOD.

A pilgrim by the name of Abram

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed. (Genesis 12:1-4 NLT)

  • Faith is not simply believing. Faith is doing.
  • Faith is also tested.

For you know that when your FAITH IS TESTED, your ENDURANCE has a chance to GROW. (James 1:3 NLT)

  • Faith Tested = Endurance = GROWTH.
  • God test your faith to point you to Him.

Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.

“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” (Genesis 22:1-2 NLT)

Faith requires that same level of Response: Ready for anything

The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. (Genesis 22:3 NLT)

Faith starts with obedience but then leads to action.

On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. (Genesis 22:4 NLT)

  • What kept Abraham going? FAITH.

STAY HERE with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “THE BOY AND I will travel a little farther. WE will worship there, and then WE will come right back.”

  • Faith pilgrimage: Not everyone can come along.
  • Abraham lined up his faith with the tone of his voice.
  • Your faith and your words must line up!

Let’s play the devil’s advocate here for a minute:

  • What if the story ended with Abraham sacrificing his son on the altar?
  • How would we remember Abraham today? Not as a man of faith. But as a man who failed the test of faith.
  • God tests your faith to show you how faithful He is.

The purpose of Abraham’s pilgrimage was not to sacrifice his son.

The purpose of his pilgrimage was to have an encounter with God: Jehovah Jireh, The lord provides.

  • Jehovah Jireh provided a lamb as a sacrifice instead of Isaac.
  • 2000 years ago, another sacrificial lamb for you and me: Jesus.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20 NLT)

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?

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