Four Heroes of Faith Series

Pastor Larry Roland, First Baptist Church of Wayne

Abraham -> Faith

David -> Honesty

John the Baptist -> Humility

Simon Peter -> Failure did not defeat him

Abraham – Genesis 17:1-14

1. Abraham learned to not let his emotions direct the course of his life

vv.15-19 Emothions as the immediate response

He must choose his direction in life; not be lead by his emotions

2. Abraham learned the importance of obedience

vv.23-27 “on that very day”

God gives command -> command is sketchy (no details why) -> choice 1) obey 2) not obey because it’s not clear

Genesis 12:1-3 Initial call to Abraham

“Go to a land that I am going to show you – I’ll show you on the way”

- We often look for specifics and rationale

- God does not want us to weigh the pros/cons before decision

History shows that between Ur and Palestine, Ur was greater, but it declined

3. Abraham learned how to be a compassionate person

Genesis 18 Sodom and Gomorrah

Saul - I Samuel 15 vv.1-11 Saul does not fully obey God’s command to destroy everything vv.12-21 Samuel confronts Saul Saul blames the error on the people, and says that the spoils were for sacrifice to God vv.22-23 Samuel tells Saul that God has rejected him from being king vv.24-25 Saul repents of his sin because he did not want to lose his reign vv.26-35 Samuel refuses to see Saul again

David – II Samuel 11-12 Ch.11 David commits adultery with Uriah’s wife, then set up Uriah to be killed in battle 12:1-12 Nathan confronts David of his sin v.13 David immediately repents of his sin vv.14-23 David suffers the consequences of sin Conclusion Be honest with God, since He knows everything already