The Source of Abraham's Faith

The Source of Abraham’s Faith
Romans 4:17
Reading, Rom 4:9-17

Introductory Thoughts

v Consider the Faith of Abraham—going off to nowhere to answer a call from a God Abraham did not know.

v Consider the faith that Abraham showed in God many times in his earthly journey: Heb 11:8-19

v Yes, Abraham was a man of faith—but what was the source of Abraham’s faith?

1. God Is the Author of The Promise—Rom 4:17"(as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations")

a. The promise given to Abraham was sure—“it is written…”

b. It was beyond Abraham’s natural abilities to complete any part of the promise—he and his wife were too old to have children.

c. The promise was even greater in scope than Abraham could imagine at the time, because it included all of his Spiritual lineage too—Rom 4:16

d. The Promise to Abraham was part of a greater promise made in eternity—Titus 1:1-3

e. The promise was sure, definite, guaranteed— I have made you a father of many nations

f. The Promise to Abraham was authored by God Himself— I have made you a father of many nations")—Jonah 2:9 "… Salvation is of the LORD.""

g. 2 Pet 1:2-3 "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,"


2. Abraham Had Faith In God—“…in the presence of Him whom he believed…” ..Gen 17:1-8

a. Abraham in God’s presence

(1) The promise of a People
(2) The promise of a land
(3) The promise of an everlasting covenant.

b. Abraham’s perception of God—One Abraham could believe in and depend upon IN ANY SITUATION—

c. The God of Abraham’s Faith—“…God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…”

d. The 20th Century has little knowledge of the Absolute God of the Bible--Acts 17: 24-27

e. The "god" of the 21st century—Psa 50:21…… “…You thought that I was altogether like you…”..

(1) The average modern American thinks "god" is just like him or her.

(2) Some thing of God as an errand boy, a cosmic, doddering doting old Grandpa, a gentleman who wouldn't hurt a flea.

(a) Does your "god" dismiss sin?

(b) Is your "god" at the mercy of Man or Nature?

(c) Is your "god" too small?

(d) Is your "god" "Itsy-bitsy, teensy-weensy?"

(e) OR è DO YOU WORSHIP THE GOD OF THE BIBLE?

(f) Is your God the god of Joseph, Who turns the evil intent of wicked men to His own use? (Gen 50:20)

(g) Do you worship the God of Job, Whose greatness caused that patriarch to abhor himself and be silent? (Job 42:1-6)

(h) Do you fall down in worship of the Holy, Holy, Holy, God of Isaiah? (Is 6:1-5)

(i) Do you realize that your life is ruled by the Sovereign Ruler and Omniscient God of Daniel? (Dan. 2:20-23, 27-28; 4:34-35)

(j) Do you trust in the God of the Psalms, who does as He pleases? (Ps 115:3, 135:6)

(k) Have you met the God of Paul, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords? ( 1 Tim 6:14-16).

f. Not only are the attributes of the Absolute God ignored in this era, they are hated and despised by many because of the selfish independence and self-worship of modern man.

3. Refresher course on God—

a. God is Creator "God, who made the world and everything in it,

b. God is Sovereign-- since He is Lord of heaven and earth. Basic Meaning of Sovereignty:

(1) God is THE BOSS, period

(2) God is subject to no one, and He is subject to no set of standards except His own.

(a) No one can tell God what to do or judge His actions. (Rom 9:1-25)

(b) Rom 9:20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?

(c) Psa 115:3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases
.
(d) Psa 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places.

(3) Divine Providence—God Rules The Forces of Nature and the fate of nations— 25 "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

c. God providentially guides the Rise and Fall of nations and the events of human history –

(1) "...every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings..." Acts 17:24-26

(2) Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness…”.

(3) Rom 8:28 “…And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose…” Many of the people who love that verse probably fail to see the real significance of its meaning.

(4) God has a purpose for each of His people, and that purpose involves "all things" that touch our lives!

(5) God’s plan for us is detailed—Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

d. One of the most profound statements in the Bible is from a man who knew the reality of divine providence all too well. Joseph, one of the greatest men of all time, was faced with his brothers' fears that he would take revenge upon them for their cruel treatment of him many years before. What he said expresses the deepest understanding of how God runs the universe.....

(1) . Gen 50:19 ‘…Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…”

(2) Joseph did not see his trial as pleasant--he had no fond memories to express about being beaten, enslaved, falsely accused, and imprisoned. Joseph did not excuse his brothers for their evil intent and actions--but he knew that God had taken their evil intent and actions and turned it to the good.

(3) 1 Cor 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

(4) Psa 37:23 “…The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand….”

4. The Source of Abraham’s Faith—Knowing God – “…God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…”

a. Life Giver— God, who gives life to the dead

(1) God is the I AM, the self-existent One, the One who needs nothing.

(2) John 1:1-4 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

b. God is the only source of Life—

(1) God can raise the Dead (and has, and will again).

(2) Don’t forget, this includes spiritual life.

c. God the Creative Speaker— “…and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…”

(1) Gen 1:1-3 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light."

(2) Heb 11:3 "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."


(3) 1 Pet 1:18-21 "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."

Applications

1. If we are children of faithful Abraham, we need to practice his faith, and the source of excellence in that pursuit is for us to know God better than we do.

2. Knowing God is the essence of eternal life—John 17:2-3 ""as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

3. If you are a believer going through trials and tribulations in this life, realize that the same God in which Abraham believed is your God.
If you are lost and in need of Christ, realize that the only source of life and the only source of comfort in the universe is to be found in the Source of