Legacy of the Faithful

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Introduction

What do you think of, when I say the name, “George Washington?”

You might think of the $1 bill, the cherry tree, crossing the Delaware or maybe Mt. Rushmore...

He was the commander of the first continental army, the first president, the father of our nation...

If you’re a critic, you might say...

He had slaves

Although he explained it would need to disappear and he freed his slaves after his death

He was a bad military tactician

Although he did defeat the world’s greatest superpower of the time

He had wooden teeth

Not true, he had dentures made from hippo ivory and human teeth mounted in lead

Hey, the man loved sugar and dentists were just local blacksmiths or hairdressers

My wife loves George Washington

If he were alive today, I might be a little jealous if he came around

The reason she loves him, isn’t because of his wealth, fame, power or his 6’3” stature...

My wife loves reading about his character

Rufus Griswold: “In moral qualities, the character of George Washington is the most truly dignified that was ever presented to the respect and admiration of mankind.”

There is no shortage of writing about his morality, conduct and wisdom

So you have a large collection of things to consider

Military achievements, national service, character, manners, leadership...

Go anywhere in our country, you see his name and face!

Stamps, money, statues, monuments, states, history books...

Some of us live in a town used to be called, “Holland’s Grove”

But in 1837, they changed it’s name to, “Washington”

Of course, named directly after George Washington himself...

So if we take all of those things together, what do we call that

Personally, I would use the word, “legacy”

legacy: the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.

There is probably no American legacy quite like the one that George Washington left behind

However, we’ve been learning all about another legacy since October of last year

We’ve been learning about Abraham

The father of a nation himself

Not the United States, but a much older nation

One that began 4,000 years ago and still exists today

But he also fathered more than a nation...

He fathered many nations

Also, many races, many religions, and even the hope of salvation for everyone through history

Today is last message of series

Next week we begin new series in 2 Peter called “Stand Firm”

Kind of a follow-up to our series in 1 Peter called “Redemption”

It’s an incredibly interesting book - Peter’s last words before he dies

He literally wrote it for future generations, like ours!

But today, Abraham comes to the end of his life

And we will look at what his legacy means for mankind

YouVersion: Legacy of the Faithful

Were in Genesis 25:1-11

Genesis 25:1–4 ESV

1 Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

It’s often forgotten that Abraham took another wife after Sarah

Nothing wrong with this, Sarah was gone

Married Keturah, gave him 6 more sons - for a total of 8

One for Sarah (Isaac), one for Hagar (Ishmael)

God used Isaac to start His chosen people - the Israelites

But through his other sons, he made even more nations!

You have the Ishmaelites from Ishmael

And the Midianites from Midian

They seemed to intermarry because they’re both mentioned as the ones who took Joseph

Then you have the Edomites, Amalekites, Kenizzites, Assyrians...

Remember when God changed Abraham’s name?

What did He say:

Genesis 17:5–6 ESV

5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.

Not just one nation, but many...

Abraham left a legacy of nations

If you take a trip around the world, Abraham’s DNA is everywhere!

If you’re Jewish, you’re part of Abraham’s legacy

If you’re Arabic, you’re part of Abraham’s legacy

If you’re from South America, there’s a 25% chance you have Abraham’s DNA

Actually, when you consider how little we know about Keturah’s sons, we can’t know

But think about actual nations...

How many have official or preferential religions?

42% of countries have official or preferred state religions

For official:

63% of official religions are Islam

13% is Christianity

2% is Jewish

For preferred

70% is Christianity

13% are mixed

8% is Islam

All of those are founded by Abraham

Then there are all the people who have faith without their nation interfering

Think of all the Christians, Muslims, Jews, Bahais, Yezidis, Rastafari...

There is no doubt that God’s promise was fulfilled to Abraham

With all these kids, what did Abraham do?

Genesis 25:5–6 ESV

5 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. 6 But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.

Abraham was kind

Of course, God had special plans for Isaac

He would make many nations of Abraham, but only one was called “God’s chosen”

But to the rest, he gave them all gifts - they weren’t forgotten

Then, they were sent to start those nations

Likely to Yemen, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Iraq

One might have gone to Sumatra (Indonesia) and the last probably mingled with the others

All that travel requires some stuff

Gold, animals, people, materials...

Abraham provided it so they could go

Why? Because the promised land was for Isaac

And Isaac turned into a group of God’s people as well:

Psalm 105:42–45 ESV

42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. 43 So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. 44 And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil, 45 that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the Lord!

I think the next part of Abraham’s legacy is pretty clear:

Abraham left a legacy of people

God promised Abraham would have some things

Land, people, faith...

I always say, I’m a white, Christian, American...

But Abraham started the Jewish, Jewish, Jews...

Because Judaism is about all three of those things

I can be your nationality, your religion, and your race...

And with those systems starting to spread, Abraham’s work was done:

Genesis 25:7–8 ESV

7 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life, 175 years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

175 years old!

Jim Newcomb turned 80 yesterday

Imagine if he had another 95 years still to go!

Honestly, he’s still out there pouring concrete everyday like he’s 25...

Anyway, Abraham spent 175 years serving God...

And after 175 years of travelling, fighting, leading, loving and serving… his time was finally done

And he died, surrounded by the people who were in it with him

No doubt, Abraham saw and did many things!

He travelled some 1,100 miles to get to the promised land

He faced severe famines

He lied to kings and gave up his wife - twice!

He fought armies to save his nephew

He witnessed the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

He saw his 90 year old wife give birth

And then was prevented from sacrificing him

When you look at that, you have to think, “Gosh dang, man! How did you do all that stuff?!”

Honestly, it’s simple but powerful - he was following God

Here’s was Hebrews says about him:

Hebrews 11:8–10 ESV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

There’s a simple formula in that passage

If you start with faith in God

You will do crazy things!

And in the end, you end up living in God’s city

That’s still the story of God’s chosen people today

That’s the story Jesus expected!

Watch this:

John 8:38–40 ESV

38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.

Abraham heard the truth of God, and obeyed!

Really, that’s what we should do!

Because if not, we end up on the other side

Later, Jesus says this:

John 8:44a (ESV)

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.

What does Satan desire?

Violence, sexual immorality, lying, stealing, laziness, selfishness, anger...

Abraham left a legacy of faith and obedience

This is something we should absolutely be trying to reflect in our walks

Jesus speaks fondly of Abraham

You claim to be of Abraham, but you don’t do what he did

It’s like He says, “I know Abraham! He would want good things! You guys don’t...”

You know what God says about Abraham?

Isaiah 41:8 ESV

8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend;

God calls Abraham His friend...

Do you realize that as believers, we are also friends of God?

John 15:13 ESV

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Not only are we friends of God...

But we are recipients of the greatest type of love a friend can show!

Are you a friend of God? A child of God?

I’m asking because friends of God are saved by His life...

And children of God do what God says...

Let’s look at this last chunk:

Genesis 25:9–11 ESV

9 Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, 10 the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.

Abraham was placed in that one cave

I mentioned when Sarah died it was just big enough for 6 people

Isaac was the first piece of God’s promise of people

That piece of land was the first piece of God’s promise of land

And then there’s one other piece of the promise I see here as well:

“After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son.”

That blessing was transferred to the next person

This would begin a chain of events that would go on for centuries!

God blesses Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob, on to Moses, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul...

For thousands of years that blessing has spread to billions of people!

And it’s still spreading today!

Abraham left a legacy of hope for future generations

Don’t forget one very important part of God’s promise:

Genesis 22:18 ESV

18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

How would Abraham’s offspring bless the whole earth?

Many ways for sure, but one way is clearly the most important!

If you look at Matthew 1, verse 2 begins talking about Abraham

And runs through a whole line of descendents ending in v.16 with what name? Jesus...

If you look at Luke 3, verse 23 begins talking about Jesus

Then it also runs through a whole line of descendents ending in v.38 with what name? Adam...

But if you back up to v. 34, it says, Abraham!

Jesus coming into this world from Abraham is the greatest blessing the world has ever seen

And this is a very intentional connection

Abraham had an opinion about Jesus, did you know that?

John 8:56–58 ESV

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

Wow, that’s amazing!

That means Abraham actually heard that Jesus was coming and he got excited about it!

Why? I believe Jesus came to Abraham as a Christophany

Definitely before Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed

It was likely the voice of Jesus that stopped the sacrifice of Isaac

There’s also a decent shot Jesus showed up as Melkizedek as well...

What am I saying?

Well, I’m saying that Abraham met Jesus in person...

Also one of the things Jesus said was that He was going to have His own day

A day when Jesus, the Angel of the Lord, the Son of God, would show up in human form

And whatever the details were that Jesus chose to give him, made Abraham rejoice

Let’s rewind a bit and look at what Hebrews says about Abraham sacrificing Isaac:

Hebrews 11:19 ESV

19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Abraham believed in resurrection

So he was willing to sacrifice his son

He believed in resurrection, because he met Jesus face to face

I think Abraham knew that if God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac...

It would be followed by resurrection - because that’s what Jesus told him

So Abraham, in obedience, trusted in Jesus to provide resurrection for others as well

That’s why Abraham was excited about Jesus’ day...

A day that would come, because God used Abraham

Let’s look at the last thing we know the Angel of the Lord said to Abraham:

Genesis 22:15–18 (ESV)

15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Think about that:

“...in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Church, humanity is naturally an ugly thing

We fight in wars, we squash our fellow man for our own benefit, we ruin God’s creation, our sin is a black mark in God’s story...

But because one man decided to listen to God

Not perfectly, but he did pretty good...

Because one man listened to God, his descendents made the way for Christ to come

Thank God for the faith, obedience and life of Abraham

What I’m saying about Abraham today, is the best thing you can say about anyone..

For Abraham, the best part of his legacy is this:

Abraham left a legacy of Christ

1,000%, and I think he would agree

My question for you, is what is your legacy going to be?

When Ronnie was little, he always wanted to know where he was going

We’d say, “We’re going to get gas, then to target, then the bank.”

Then we’d pull into the grocery store, and he’d freak out

You said gas, Target and bank! You didn’t say grocery store!

But as he grew older, more mature, he’d sit in the back quietly

He wasn’t worried about the plan anymore, he knew who was driving

And he knew I was doing the things necessary to take care of him

When it was time to get out, he got out

When it was time to grab something for me, he did

When it was time to eat, we pulled into a drive through

That sort of trust and cooperation is exactly what Christ asks of us

And Abraham lived that in a remarkable way!

Just like Abraham, God calls us to live a life where we say, “Okay God, what’s next?”

You want me to start a ministry? Great...

You want me to go to the far east? Let’s go...

You want me to take time everyday to share your hope with my kids? Where’s my bible…?

You want me to love my enemies? Where they at?

I don’t know what people are going to say about me when I die

But I hope people remember me as a man of God who loved people because God loved him