Sermon -- 12th Sunday after Pentecost (September 1, 2019)

GENESIS 15:1-6

FAITH TAKES GOD AT HIS WORD.

In the name + of Jesus.

     The letter to the Hebrews defines faith this way:  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)  This description of faith leads people to conclude that Christians are delusional people, as if we believe in made up things.  Archie Bunker once described faith this way: “Faith is believing something so ridiculous that no one in his right mind would believe it's true!” (Quotation found in “Taking Truth Next Door,” by David Faust, p 140)  But faith is not merely wishful thinking.
     Ironically, people do often find solace in wishful thinking.  When someone is going through hard times, you might hear someone say, “Don't fret.  Things will get better.”   But how do you know things will get better?  On what do you base this assertion?  It is a nice idea, but these sentiments are wishful thinking.  The Christian faith is not wishful thinking.  We have an assurance of things hoped for because God promises them.  These promises were backed by Jesus.  Jesus declared the Scriptures to be the very word of God.  The sign he gave to claim his authority was that he would be crucified and then rise from the dead on the third day.  He did exactly that.  This is no fairy tale or myth.  It is a historical fact verified by the preaching, ink, and blood of the apostles.  Jesus gives us a promise which gives us our hope.  His death and resurrection make us sure of these things.  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)  Faith takes God at his word.
     Our Old Testament lesson focuses on the faith of Abraham.  It says: “(Abraham) believed the LORD.” (Genesis 15:6)  A little background helps us to understand why this is remarkable.  When Abraham was 75 years old and his wife Sarah was 65, God called Abraham to leave his home and his homeland and to go to a land God would show him.  Abraham took God at his word.  Abraham headed out in a direction, but did not know his destination.  A few years later, Abraham settled in Canaan.
     God spoke to Abraham again and swore that he would give to Abraham and his offspring the land of Canaan as his possession.  Abraham had no offspring.  He lived in tents, not in a city.  There was no evidence that Abraham would become a nation or possess all the land.  Still, Abraham took God at his word. 
     Abraham had a nephew, Lot, who had moved to Sodom.  Lot was taken captive with the citizens of Sodom, Gomorrah, and other towns.  Abraham rescued all the people from their captors.  When the King of Sodom gave Abraham permission to keep the booty he had rightfully won, Abraham refused.  He stated, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” (Genesis 14:22-23)  Abraham denied riches that were rightfully his, and he lived in the open fields without protection against future invaders.  It looked and felt like a hard life.  Nevertheless, Abraham believed the LORD. (Genesis 15:6)  Faith takes God at his word, even when the evidence says we should not.
     God appeared to Abraham again, right after the rescue of Lot and the meeting with the King of Sodom.  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Genesis 15:1)  God told Abraham not to worry about threats from enemies or lack of wealth from kings.  God would be his shield.  He would defend Abraham and protect his life.  For God had promised Abraham that he and his descendants would possess the land of Canaan.  More than that, God had promised to bring the Savior through Abraham's son.  God would defend and protect that promise.  Abraham could trust that, and he did.  In addition, the wealth of kings and kingdoms did not matter.  Kings die.  Kingdoms rise and fall.  But the Lord would be Abraham's reward.  He establishes a kingdom that endures forever.  Abraham believed the LORD.  It did not matter if the evidence suggested differently.  Faith takes God at his word.
      Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for.... (Hebrews 11:1)  We may hope that God will do a lot of different things for us.  Certainly we can pray for all of them.  But in order to have assurance of what we hope for, God actually has to promise it.  Sadly, many Christians have abandoned the Christian faith.  They claim that God failed them.  They were convinced that God would do what they hoped for—that he would resolve problems, that he would cure diseases, that he would eliminate debt, and that he would deliver a loved one from death.  And when it did not happen, they concluded that the Christian faith is a disappointing lie.  The problem is not that God failed on his promises; the problem is that people hold God to promises he did not make.  We have no assurance that God will do something he has not promised to do.  Our wishes are not the same as God's word, no matter how badly we want our wishes to come true.
     In order for us to be assured of the things hoped for, we need to know the things that are promised.  Abraham had a very specific promise from God.  (The LORD) brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5)  All the evidence told Abraham that this would not happen.  Nevertheless, Abraham believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)  Abraham believed the word of the Lord, because faith takes God at his word.  Our faith is not based on what we see.  Our assurance is not based on what we feel.  Our hope is based on the words and promises of God.  Faith takes God at his word.
     Why?  Because God has proved himself faithful.  God loves you.  Now, many will say that God loves us and even assume that God forgives our sins.  But if you don't know why God does this, this is wishful thinking too.  God does not overlook sins, which is what most people assume.  Others assume that their sins aren't sins or that their sins are not serious.  Again, that is wishful thinking.  It is based on nothing.
     To have hope, comfort, and peace, you have to be sure of what you hope for.  And your assurance is this: God demonstrated his love in sending his Son, Jesus, to redeem sinners.  Jesus does not overlook sins; he pays for them.  Jesus came to make himself a sin offering for you.  He told his disciples several times before the fact that he would go to Jerusalem, be put to death, and then rise from the dead on the third day.  And he did exactly that.  Jesus' sufferings and death are the payment for your sins.  Jesus' resurrection is the proof that his payment is both complete and acceptable to God.  Therefore, you are forgiven—not because you want to be.  That is wishful thinking.  That is faith based on nothing.  You are forgiven because Jesus has taken away your sin, conquered death, and lives and reigns to guarantee your salvation.  That is God's authoritative word, based in historic fact.
     Faith takes God at his word.  (Abraham) believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)  By faith, Abraham was saved.  That does not mean his life all of a sudden got easy.  He still faced challenges, and the evidence of his life still gave him reason to wonder if God was really going to keep his word.  But God's promises stood.  And they stand for you, too.  God's promises give you a hope you can be sure of.  The Lord has eliminated the debt of your sin; you are forgiven.  The Lord has overcome your enemies of sin, death, and the devil; they cannot harm you.  The Lord will eventually bring you perfect healing of every ailment; there is no pain or sickness in heavenly glory.  And you will finally be delivered from death; for we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting.  Meanwhile, even with the hardships you face in this life, you have this promise: We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.... (Romans 8:28)  It may not always be clear how things are for your good.  What God has in mind may not match your idea of what “good” looks like.  But God has made the promise.  You can be sure of it; for faith takes God at his word.
     These are not cross-your-fingers, make-a-wish dreams.  This is the Christian hope—proclaimed by God, backed by a crucified and risen Savior, and sealed in your baptism.  Faith takes God at his word, and holds him to it.  Such faith saves you and accounts you as righteous before God.  It is a hope you can be sure of, and whoever hopes in Jesus will never be put to shame.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.