Untitled Sermon

Word Studies in the New Testament Chapter 4

He considered all these unfavorable circumstances without a weakening of faith

Faith has no value, if promises are received on the basis of law.

Romans B. Abraham: The Father of All Who Have Faith (4:9–17)

What God said to Abraham was not ‘Obey this law and I will bless you’, but ‘I will bless you; believe my promise’ ” (Stott, p. 131)

The only way God could guarantee that Abraham’s name would be great, that he would make him into many nations, is for it to be based on grace alone - God’s word alone - God’s work alone! Man is faulty, finicky, and fickle. God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac - the son of promise, the very thing God gave Abraham to fulfill the promise so that once again God would be seen as all powerful, all sovereign, all providing.

Abraham laughed at the promise - because it was ridiculous! But he believe it. Abraham came up with Ishmael as his help to God. Be he still believed the promise.

[Jhn 5:21 ESV] 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

[2Co 1:9 ESV] 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

[Jhn 5:19-24 ESV] 19 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Romans B. Abraham: The Father of All Who Have Faith (4:9–17)

ex nihilo (out of nothing)

Jews viewed Abraham’s merit as so excessive that by proxy they could benefit from it. A few quotes from Apocrypha - other ancient writings. “And we find that Abraham our ancestor had performed the whole law before it was given,” Mishnah, Qiddushin 4:14. “The faith with which their ancestor Abraham believed in me merits that I should divide the sea for them” Mekilta on Exodus 14:15 “For Abraham was perfect in all of his actions with the Lord and was pleasing through righteousness all the days of his life” Jubilees 23:10.

The Point is this - believe God, even when He makes what sounds like a ridiculous, unbelievable promise. You know what promise is absolutely ridiculous and incredible? That if you believe in Jesus Christ, your sins will be forgiven and you will be saved.