Abraham's Seed

Intro:

TS: We have chased the family tree of Jesus from Eve down to Mary and Joseph. However, we have one last thing to note. That tree is still growing! You and I are part of that same lineage today.

First, lets look at

Abraham’s Physical Seed

It began with a promise to Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars and that through him the world would be blessed.

That happened just as God declared!

We have traced his family as they grew to be a nation and then 2 Kingdoms. Sadly, there were many dark days of disobedience and rebellion. There were also great times of revival.

Let’s look at Paul’s summary in Romans

Romans 4:18–22 ESV

In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”

Abraham was righteous because of faith!

Abraham had an unwavering faith.

The promise

Romans 4:18 ESV

In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”

God made

He took God at His word even though physically it was impossible to have a child.

God came through

Isaac was born and through him, the line continued.

The Problem

Romans 4:19 ESV

He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.

Abraham and Sarah were past chid bearing age

IN fact, it says here that Abraham was as good as dead!

What was a problem in human terms was nothing for God

God came through and did exactly what He promised

The Perseverance

Romans 4:20–22 ESV

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”

Abraham kept trusting God in spite of having only 1 son of promise.

He trusted GOD to give Isaac

He trusted God throughout Isaac’s lie

Abraham even believed God could raise Isaac from the dead even if he sacrificed Isaac when God commanded him.

God came through each and every time!

No unbelief made him waiver

doubt never had a chance with him

We must not allow the things and ideas of the world lead to wavering faith

Though they mock us

Though they attack the word of God as outdated

Though they call us haters and scream

NO WAVERING!

Grew strong in his faith

Life, and God tested his faith

He grew strong

We should as well

We will be tested

trials, troubles, etc.

We must grow strong

hold on to God

exercise faith....

get stronger and stronger in your faith

Gave God the glory

He continued to glorify God

Romans 5:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The more we know God, the stronger our faith grows

This glories Him!

God chose a mighty man of faith and began a lineage that continues from Abraham’s physical seed to....

Abraham’s Spiritual Seed

Romans 4:16–17 ESV

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

All people of faith are also Abraham’s offspring!

We are offspring by grace!

Abraham is the father of “many” nations

All who have been born again are Abraham’s spiritual descendants.

Galatians 3:26–29 ESV

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

We are made one in and through Jesus Christ

All the divisions we could imagine are here in this text

ethnicity: Jew and Gentile

economic: slave nor free

gender: male nor female

All need Jesus

All are saved by grace through faith

All are one family in Jesus

we are Abraham’s offspring through Jesus!

Romans 4:23–25 ESV

But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Faith is in the Savior, not some power we have.

Some today teach that faith is a tangible thing, like the force in Star Wars

They emphasize the human part

This misses the WHOLE point!

It is the person in whom we trust that makes all the difference

You can REALLY believe in me

You can obsess about your faith in me

And you will be sadly disappointed since I am just a man

All men and women have limitations

HOWEVER: When you have faith in God you will See Him do mighty things!

Praise God there is no limit on what He can do!

Conclusion:

As we conclude looking at the family tree of Jesus, I rejoice that He included us!

Romans 10:10–14 ESV

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?