Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Faith vs. Foolishness

While we thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Seattle, a big part of me longed to be in Hawai'i, instead...especially when I found out that we were in Seattle the exact same week that Ohana Baptist Church (OBC) was hosting a nightly revival, where Evangelist Rich Tozour was the guest speaker. OBC invites him every year for this event, and God had used him immensely in my life since 2001 to further my spiritual walk.

Last year, God gave me the privilege to serve him and his family; I hope that God will again provide an opportunity where He can use me to serve His faithful servants.

I absolutely miss the revivals at OBC (Pastor Wayne Surface typically arranges for such events 2-3 times per year). Thankfully, we now have the internet where we can listen to/download recorded sermons.

God's message for me today is about Abraham and how his faith may have seemed foolish to many others, hence the sermon title "The Foolishness of Faith". Click here to listen.

Sermon Outline:

Abraham believed and obeyed God concerning:

A Strange Country
  • Disrupted Routine
  • Departure from home
  • Departure from a luxurious life to living in tents
  • Destination Unknown
  • Discouraging Discovery

A Seed of Promise
  • Waiting on God
  • Witnessing the Impossible

A Seemingly Senseless Sacrifice
  • Perseverant Obedience
  • Persuaded Obedience (God will bring Isaac back)
  • Prepared Obedience (wood, fire, knife)
  • Plenary (Total/Complete) Obedience

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." George Mueller

Simply put:
We start worrying when we stop trusting.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7