1. Examining the Faith of Abraham

2. Galatians 3:15-18 (NKJV) “Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” 1. His faith is one that predates the OT law by 430 years Examining the Faith of Abraham

3. Hebrews 7:4-10 (NKJV) “Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.” 1. His faith is one that predates the OT law by 430 years Examining the Faith of Abraham

4. Genesis 12:1-5 (NKJV) “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. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan.” 2. His faith was based on something not seen Examining the Faith of Abraham

5. Hebrews 11:8-10 (NKJV) “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” 2. His faith was based on something not seen Examining the Faith of Abraham

6. Genesis 12:8 (NKJV) “And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. Genesis 13:18 (NKJV) “Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD.” Genesis 18:1 (NKJV) “Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. “ 3. His faith and life was one of sacrifice for the Lord Examining the Faith of Abraham

7. Hebrews 11:9-10 (NKJV) “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” 3. His faith and life was one of sacrifice for the Lord Examining the Faith of Abraham

8. Romans 4:1-4 (NKJV) “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 4. His faith did not earn his salvation Examining the Faith of Abraham

9. Romans 4:1-4 (NKJV) “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 4. His faith did not earn his salvation Examining the Faith of Abraham

10. Romans 4:3-4 (ESV) For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to him who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. Romans 4:3-4 (HCS) For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed. Romans 4:3-4 (NIV) What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. Examining the Faith of Abraham

11. Titus 3:4-7 (NKJV) “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” 4. His faith did not earn his salvation Examining the Faith of Abraham

12. James 2:21-24 (NKJV) “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted (credited, counted) to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 4. His faith did not earn his salvation Examining the Faith of Abraham

13. James 2:21-24 (NKJV) “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted (credited, counted) to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 5. His faith was a Bible faith of works of righteousness Examining the Faith of Abraham

14. Hebrews 11:17-19 (NKJV) By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. 5. His faith was a Bible faith of works of righteousness Examining the Faith of Abraham

15. Acts 10:34-35 (NKJV) Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 5. His faith was a Bible faith of works of righteousness Examining the Faith of Abraham

16. Titus 2:11-14 (NKJV) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous (eager) for good works. 5. His faith was a Bible faith of works of righteousness Examining the Faith of Abraham

17. Romans 4:9-12 (NKJV) Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed (ESV counted, NIV credited) to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. 6. Abraham is the father of all (Jew & Gentile) the faithful Examining the Faith of Abraham

18. Romans 4:9-12 (NKJV) Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed (ESV counted, NIV credited) to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. 6. Abraham is the father of all (Jew & Gentile) the faithful Examining the Faith of Abraham

19. Galatians 3:7-9 (NKJV) Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. 6. Abraham is the father of all (Jew & Gentile) the faithful Examining the Faith of Abraham

20. Galatians 3:26-29 (NKJV) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 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 neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Have you put on Jesus in baptism?

21. Examining the Faith of Abraham Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. If you are a Christian this morning, are you living a life of faith like Abraham?

22. Examining the Faith of Abraham Romans 15:18 (NKJV) For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient-- Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 1 John 3:18 (NKJV) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. There is a difference between going to church and living your life each day for the Lord. I think we know which type of person Abraham would be.

23. Examining the Faith of Abraham How about you?