When He Was Called, He Obeyed

In one paragraph

Ray continued First B's walk through Hebrews 11, moving through the Hall of Faith section that names specific men and women who believed God and acted on that belief. He worked through seven examples, Abel through Joseph, noting what each one did, and what came of it. The recurring point was that none of them received the full promise in their lifetime, yet their faith was counted as righteousness...

Read together

1. Hebrews 11:1 definition of faith as assurance of things hoped for, conviction of things not seen
2. Hebrews 11:7 Noah, warned by God, prepared an ark for salvation of his household
3. Genesis 15:6 Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness
4. Genesis 11 Abraham told to leave his land and go to a place God would show him
5. Genesis 12 Abraham receives promise that the land shown him will be inheritance for his offspring
6. Romans 4:3 Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness
7. Galatians 3:6 Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness
8. James 2:23 Abraham believed God, reckoned as righteousness, and he was called a friend of God
9. Acts 7:2-3 Stephen's speech recounting God of glory appearing to Abraham in Mesopotamia, calling him to leave for a land God would show him
10. Hebrews 11:8-10 Abraham obeyed when called, lived as alien in land of promise, looking for city whose architect and builder is God
11. Hebrews 11:11 Sarah received ability to conceive because she considered God faithful who had promised
12. Genesis 21:12 God told Abraham not to be distressed, that his descendants would be named through Isaac
13. Hebrews 11:17-19 Abraham offered Isaac, considering God able to raise people from the dead
14. Hebrews 11:20 Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau regarding things to come
15. Hebrews 11:21 Jacob as he was dying blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped leaning on his staff
16. Hebrews 11:22 Joseph when dying made mention of the Exodus and gave orders concerning his bones
17. Genesis 50:24-25 Joseph told his brothers God would bring them up from Egypt and made them swear to carry his bones
18. Exodus 13:17-19 God led Israel by the wilderness way and Moses took the bones of Joseph with him
19. Joshua 24:15 choose this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord
20. Luke 2:8-11 Advent reading: angel appearing to shepherds announcing good news of great joy, a Savior born in the town of David

Talk about it

1. Ray said that when we think of the people listed in the Hall of Faith, what often comes to mind first is not their faith but their doubt, their confusion, or even their failures. Which of these figures do you most identify with in that way, and why?
2. The text says that by faith Abraham 'when he was called, obeyed' before he even knew where he was going. Ray said he would love for it to say 'by faith, Ray, when he was called, obeyed.' Is there an area in your own life right now where God seems to be calling you forward without showing you the destination first?
3. Ray pointed out that Sarah initially laughed at God's promise, but the text says she ultimately 'considered him faithful who had promised.' What does it look like in practice to move from doubt or even laughter to that kind of settled trust in God's faithfulness?
4. Ray drew attention to the outcome column for each person: some outcomes looked like blessing, others looked like murder or hardship. He said to the original readers, who were suffering persecution, the list was showing that Christ 'is worth it.' How do you hold onto that when the earthly outcome of following God does not look good from where you are standing?
5. Joseph died asking for his bones to be carried to the promised land, a place he never saw in his lifetime. Ray said all of these people 'died without having received the promise.' What does it mean for you personally to live by faith and not by sight when the reward you are trusting God for is not visible yet?