Children of Promise

Prayer

In Jesus name, amen.

Welcome

Main Passage

John 8:31-59.

Title:

Children of Promise

Introduction

Story:

Illustration:

Application: God has not failed on His promises.

Context:

Paul ends Romans 8 with this wonderful crescendo about all the promises we have in Jesus Christ.

From Romans 1-8, Paul writes elaborately about the salvation that’s available for all people — Jew and Gentile; resulting in praise and worship from the recipient.

Romans 9-11 may appear disconnected from the previous chapters but it’s all one thought for Paul.

Historically, the Roman church began as a Jewish church, but as time passed, many gentiles in Rome also became christians by believing in Jesus as savior and receiving the Holy Spirit. In A.D 49 AD, Roman emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome because of the “strife” over Christ (Acts 18:2).

After they were expelled from Rome, the gentile churches would have developed and grown for a number of years. When the Jews came back to Rome after their expulsion, there was tension and division between both groups over observing certain Jewish laws.

So Paul writes Romans so that they would unite in the Gospel Paul preached.

In addition, as the Gentiles we’re receiving Christ in the masses, there were Jews that were rejecting Christ as the Messiah (Savior).

If God had chosen the Jewish people to receive the promise of salvation through Jesus, then why are Jews rejecting Christ. The question in Romans 9-11 is:

(1) Has God failed to fulfill his promises for the jews?

(2) And if it appears that he has failed his own people: Should the gentiles have confidence to receive all that Paul talks about in Romans 1-8?

The major theme and concern here is: The promise and fulfillment of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Bible:

Romans 9:6–8 NLT

Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people! Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too. This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children.

Transitional Sentence:

Today, I want to share three thoughts around how we know we are true children of Abraham.

Thought 1: A sick slave in need of a Savior.

Romans 9:6 NLT

Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people!

Explnation

In other words just because someone is ethnically jewish or born into the nation of Israel, it doesn’’t make them part of God’s family. Ethnicity is not the qualifier of being a christian or being saved.

Illustration

John 8:31–34 NLT

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

Luke 4:18–19 NLT

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

Luke 5:31–32 NLT

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Application

Thought 2: You believe in Christ

Romans 9:7–8 NLT

Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too. This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children.

Explanation

In other words, those who believe in Christ are considered Abraham’s children. Abraham placed his faith in God to fulfill the promise—the birth of Isaac—something only God could accomplish.

In the same way, we place our faith in God for salvation through Jesus Christ alone, not through our own human effort. Isaac was the miraculous child given by God, while Ishmael was born through human effort.

Salvation is found in Christ alone. He is the fulfillment of the promise—the only qualification for becoming children of God.

Illustration

Galatians 3:7–9 NLT

The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

John 8:38–39 ESV

I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 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,

John 6:28–29 NLT

They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

Application

Thought 3: Obey the Words of Christ

John 8:42 NLT

Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.

Explanation

Illustration

John 14:15 NLT

“If you love me, obey my commandments.

Application

To love Christ is to obey Christ.

So what

Now what:

Prayer:

In Jesus name, amen!