Father’s Day – Abraham

-Introduction

-Happy Father’s Day – With our thoughts on fathers, let’s consider some information

 regarding Abraham.

-We know that the Jews held Abraham in high regard and rightfully so. 

            -John 8:31-41 – You can just imagine the great pride that these Jews were exhibiting

             in this conversation with Jesus in regards to their association with Abraham. 

                        -Yet, Jesus tells them that they were not children of Abraham (spiritually) (vs 39).

                         Instead, they were children of the devil (vs 44) because they were rejecting the

                         truth and seeking to kill Him.

            -Jesus was speaking against the Jewish leaders but not against Abraham.

                        -John 8:39, 47

-Yes, it was appropriate for the Jews to hold Abraham in high regard.  Unfortunately,

 they were not following his good example.

-It Was Counted to Him as Righteousness

-Romans 3:27-4:3

            -Paul is showing that righteousness was not a result of the works of the Law of Moses

             but the result of faith.  Who did he select to prove that point? – Abraham

            -Romans 4:9-12 – continues his point

                        -vs 9 – “faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness”

-Galatians 3:5-7

-Unfortunately, some have misunderstood these passages.  And, rather than seeing the

 contrast between works of the Law and faith, they have developed the idea that these

 passages support the idea of salvation by faith only.

            -James 2:19-24 – Abraham’s faith (belief) was carried out in his works (obedience).

              Here we find Biblical faith – active, obedient faith.

-Romans 4:13

            -Here is a reference to the promise made to Abraham.  Let’s notice what God said to

             Abraham’s son, Isaac, regarding that promise.

            -Gen. 26:3-5

-Point #1 – A good father is – first and foremost – obedient to God.

-“Abraham Obeyed My Voice”

-Abraham was obviously a man of faith!

-Heb. 11:8-10 - He left his home when called by God, journeyed to a far away (undisclosed)

 land and dwelt within it as a sojourner.

-Heb. 11:17

            -Gen. 22:1-3, 9-12

            -I cannot imagine being in Abraham’s place!  As a Father, could you imagine being

             asked (commanded) to sacrifice your own child?  Yet, this passage shows his great

             faith…his fear (awe, reverence) toward God.

-Heb. 11:17-19 – Abraham had already received promises regarding Isaac.  Therefore,

 because of His great faith, reverence and trust in God, Abraham was confident that if he

 sacrificed Isaac God would raise him from the dead.

-Point #2 - That’s the type of trust that fathers need to place in God.

-The Leader of the Family

-In Genesis 18 and 19 we read about Sodom and Gomorrah.  Prior to destroying those

 sinful cities, God informed Abraham regarding what was about to happen.

            -This is when Abraham interceded – (18:22-33 – 50?  45?  40?  30?  20?  10?)

-Notice why God informed Abraham of His intentions – Gen. 18:17-19

-God knew that Abraham would be a spiritual leader for His family.

-Point #3 – We need fathers today to be the spiritual leader of the family.

            -Deut. 4:9-10, 6:6-7; 1 Chron. 28:9; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4

-Summary and Invitation

-Yes, it was appropriate for the Jews to hold Abraham in high regard.

            -Jesus spoke favorably of Abraham.  The scriptures uphold him as a man of faith – a

             man who feared God – a man who obeyed God – a man who taught his family to do

             the same.

-That’s what we need in fathers today.

-Yet, even though Abraham is held in so high regard, we are more fortunate than him.

            -Heb. 11:39-12:3

-We have received the Gospel of Christ.  We have Jesus as our High Priest, Lord and Christ –

 the One Who served as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

            -How blessed we are!

            -Have you responded to the Gospel?  Are you a faithful child of God?  Remember what

             Jesus asked the Jews in John 8:39 – “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be

             doing what Abraham did.”  Have you responded in obedient faith? – Believe (John 3:16,

             8:24), Confess (Matt. 10:32, Rom. 10:9-10), Repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be

             Baptized for forgiveness (Mark 16:16, Gal. 3:26-29), Walk in Newness of Life (Rom.

             6:4, Eph. 4:22-24)

            -If you’ve obeyed the Gospel, have you remained faithful?  If not, confess your

             shortcomings, repent and pray for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24)