THE MARKS OF GENUINE FAITH---Hebrews 11:8-10

I.  v. 8a             THE MARK OF FAITH’S EXPERIENCE

A.  Involves An Irresistible Call – Abraham was a lost pagan living in a place called Ur of the Chaldees, Gen. 11:28.  He was raised in a society of people that worshiped a moon god. Somehow, God spoke to Abraham’s heart and told him to leave the land he was living in and go to a new place.  God moved on his heart and called him out.

·         This is how faith comes to every person that has it!  No one wakes up one morning thinking “You know, I think I’ll get right with God today.”  The lost sinner cannot think that way.  Why?  He is dead in trespasses and sins, Eph. 2:1-3.  He is blinded by the god of this world, 2 Cor. 4:4. 

·         One day, God begins to move in the lost sinner’s heart.  God quickens that dead spirit and causes the sinner to become aware of his sins, Rom. 3:23. He shows that sinner that he is headed to Hell and that he has only one hope of salvation. This call is called conviction and without it no one will ever be saved, John 6:44-45.

B.  Involves An Individual Choice – We are told that when Abraham heard the call of the Lord, he “obeyed.”  He did what God told him to do!  This faith in God is what brought salvation to Abraham, Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3.

II.  v. 8b-9          THE MARK OF FAITH’S EXPRESSION

A.  v. 8b  Faith Lived In God’s Path – “He went out, not knowing whither he went.”  That is a statement of faith!  He did not know where he would end up, but he trusted the Lord to lead him along the right path! And, that is exactly what the Lord did!

·         God is not looking for people who have everything figured out.  He is looking for people who will trust Him to direct their path! 

·         Sometimes His paths are hard, but they are always the best, Psa. 37:23; Job 23:10; Rom. 8:28.)

B.  v. 9a  Faith Looked For God’s Promise – When Abraham arrived in the land of Canaan, he found it occupied by wicked, heathen nations.  Yet, God promised him that one day all this land would belong to him and to his offspring, Gen. 13:14-18.

C.  v. 9b  Faith Leaned On God’s Providence – As Abraham journey from place to place, his life was not always easy. He lived as a pilgrim in a strange land and he leaned on the Lord for every need. 

III.  v. 10             THE MARK OF FAITH’S EXPECTATION

A.  Faith Expects A Heavenly Hope – Even as he journeyed from place to place in Canaan, pitching his tent and following the leadership of the Lord, Abraham was looking for another country.  Even as he looked to God to give him and his offspring the Promised Land; he had his eye on another land that would be his someday.  He lived with this hope and it sustained him through many hard miles and many harsh trials.

B.  Faith Expects A Heavenly Home – As Abraham journeyed, he longed for the day when he could settle down and put away his traveling shoes.  He was not looking for a city on this earth, but he was looking for a heavenly city, built by God, where he could live forever in the presence of the Lord.

1.  Faith Looks For A Prepared Home – “builder and maker” We look for a home prepared for us by the Lord Himself. Faith will not be disappointed!

2.  Faith Looks For A Perfect Home – “God” – This home will be built by God and God does not make junk! In that land, none of the things that blemish this land will ever be found there, Rev. 21:4; Rev. 21:27. 

3.  Faith Looks For A Permanent Home – “foundations” –

Conc:  Let’s go back to Simon Peter for just a moment.  He had successes and failures, but did he possess the marks of genuine faith?  Let’s find out:

1.  He had the Experience of Faith – John 1:40; Luke 5:1-10

2.  He had the Expression of Faith – Luke 5:11

3.  He had the Expectation of Faith – 1 Pet. 1:3-5