|
|
Father Abraham Pt. 1 Introduction:
The children’s song “Father Abraham” has the following lyrics; Father
Abraham had many sons, Many sons had Father Abraham, I am one of them, and so
are you, So let’s all praise the Lord!” In Romans 4 we read of Abraham being
our father. Let us take some time to understand the problem that Paul was
addressing in this chapter and some facts about our father Abraham. I)
He is Our Father In the Faith A)
Problem of the Jews 1.
They placed their emphasis on the blood lineage of Abraham. All Jews were
descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Romans
4.1 2.
They misunderstood the purpose and importance of circumcision.
a. Romans 4.11 says it was a sign.
See Genesis 17.10-11 it was
not what made the covenant binding for the covenant was expressed in Genesis
15.5.
b. Abraham was accounted as righteous in Genesis
15.6. From
Genesis 15 to chapter
17 were at least 13 and may be 29 years later. Romans
4.3 B)
Father – of like character, ancestor 1.
The lineage of Abraham was not according to blood but faith, Romans 4.1
a. Paul is writing to Christians and not all of them were of Jewish
descent.
b. Paul is calling Abraham our father based upon character. 2.
True children of Abraham are those that have the same degree of faith and
obedience as Abraham, John 8
a. Consider the references made by the Jews in John
8. “You are not yet fifty years old,
and have you seen Abraham” v. 57;
“Are You greater than our father
Abraham, who is dead?” v. 53;
“They answered
and said to Him, ‘Abraham is our father.” V,
39a
b. Jesus tells them they were not really children of Abraham, v.
39b but of the devil, 44. 3.
Those of like faith are children of Abraham and faith is a work that man must
do. True faith requires obedience, John
6.28-29. II)
Facts About Father Abraham A)
Interesting “things” 1.
He was wealthy, Genesis 13.2
a. He possessed servants, livestock, silver, and gold.
b. Although he never possessed the 2.
He was a military man, Genesis 14.14-16.
a. Think of going to war after you are 75 years of age.
b. While he was a man of peace, he understood the need to fight. 3.
He had a second wife and additional children, Genesis
25.1-4 B)
Some bad things in his life 1.
Twice Abraham lied about his relationship with Sarah, Genesis
12.10-20; 20. 2.
He had a son by Hagar, named Ishmael, Genesis
16 3.
Abraham had concubines, Genesis 25.6 C)
Abraham’s faith 1.
He believe God (faith), Genesis 15.6
It is one thing to believe that God exist; it is another to actually believe
God. 2.
He left home to wander in the 3.
He built altars to the one true God, Genesis
12.7-8 4.
He was a peacemaker, Genesis 13.8 5.
He had a son by Sarah at the age of 100 years old, Genesis
15.2-5; 21.1-2 6.
He offered up Isaac on the altar, Genesis
22.7-14 D)
God’s covenant with Abraham 1.
“A father of many nations” Genesis
17.4-5 2.
“All the
a. After Abraham’s death, 3.
In your seed, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have
obeyed My voice, Genesis 22.18; John 8.56 Conclusion:
do you have the faith of Abraham? If so then you are like him and one of his
children. How do we know? Abraham rejoiced to see the fulfillment of the
promises. He would have obeyed Jesus. The same goes for us if we are like
Abraham. |