Back to the Future: Part 5

Abraham, the Father of Faith.

Galatians 3:7-8

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. [8] And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

A. The blessing of Abraham comes through faith.

Galatians 3:6 … Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

1. Blessed with Abraham, or cursed by the law.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." 2. The Law was given to curb the sinful appetite of a rebellious people.

Deut. 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live:

3. God gave the law, to reveal the need for a savior!

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

B. Faith brings on a whole new dimension to obedience.

2 Cor. 3:3 …we are the epistle of Christ, written not with “Ink” but by the Spirit of the Living God, “not in tablets of stone - but in the fleshly tablets of the heart”

1. Living by Faith allows God to change your style.

2 Peter 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Faith has made us free.

Galatians 3:13-14 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

C. Abraham is our example of “Living by Faith”

1. You have to be willing to move forward.

Genesis 12:1-4 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you… 4 So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him…

2. Real Faith, means I don’t always have to have my way.

Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left." 3. Real faith understands who my provider is.

Genesis 14:23 …I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich'

4. Real faith is always concerned about the lives of others.

Genesis 18:23-26 …Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Will you spare the city for 50 righteous? Shall not the judge of the earth do right?

God said I will spare the city for 50 righteous,

*Cop an attitude for Christ

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