ABF 19.24 LN

June 18, 2023

True obedience to God is rooted in faith, but it is a rational and well supported faith
Abraham was capable of amazing feats thru faith, based on what he already knew about God
Hebrew 11:17-19
Abraham recognized that their was greater value in trusting in the Lord even over trusting the thoughts he undoubtedly had regarding the offering of his son Isaac
John 4: 19-24
Even before Isaac was born Abraham was declared righteous because of that trust he had in God
Despite being an old man, and his questions of how, Abraham believed that through God he was able to have children with Sarah
Genesis 18: 1-15
Sarah doubted God’s promise and even lied about her doubt. She went beyond wondering “how” like her husband and essentially said “not possible”
Romans 4
We are adopted into God’s household through the same faith of Abraham
He never wavered in believing the promises God gave him and he is counted as righteous because of his faith
Genesis 16
Of course, Abraham wasn’t without his faults and mistakes, His relations with Hagar is a good example and the influence of Sarah’s doubt made those waters muddy
The birth of Ishmael was the outcome of losing focus on God’s promise to he and Sarah
We should be careful in our own lives that we don’t allow our doubts or the doubts of others to influence our faithful obedience to God
Galatians 3: 1-13
James 2: 13-24
We need to be discerning which of our actions demonstrate a real faith in a sovereign God and which of our actions demonstrate doubt and unbelief
Relationship with God requires a full commitment. Not just sometimes, not just when times are good or easy, but all the time
Abraham is the father of faith because though he made mistakes and didn’t make wise choices all the time, he still believed God is who He is, and can do what He says
QUESTIONS:
DO YOU LET YOUR MISTAKES SHUT YOU AWAY FROM YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IN SHAME AND GUILT?
WHAT PREVENTS YOU FROM GETTING THROUGH THEM BY CONFESSING AND REPENTANCE?
WHAT SORT OF FAITH DO YOU HAVE? IS IT BLIND FAITH OR ONE THAT IS IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH?
WHAT SORT OF FRUIT HAS YOUR FAITH PRODUCED WHAT SORT OF FRUIT HAS YOUR FAITH PRODUCED?