Cloud of Witnesses // Faith of Abraham

Series Text: Hebrews 12:1-2

The Biblical Character Text: Genesis 12-25


Brief History Before Abraham's Time:

1. God created Adam and Eve

2. Adam and Eve sinned

3. Adam and Eve had children

4. Humanity grew in wisdom and population

5. By the time of Noah mankind had become wicked and violent

6. God destroyed the world- but spared Noah, his wife, and three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth) along with their wives.

7. From the linage of Shem Abraham was born in the land of Ur (Modern day Iraq, ancient Babylon).

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Major Highlights of Abraham's Life:

1. God called him away from his family to be the father of a new nation, Genesis 12:1-3.

2. God promised him as a 75 year old man he would have a child that would be the beginning of this nation, Genesis 12:7.

3. He defeated four kings to defend his nephew Lot and was the first to tithe, Genesis 14.

4. God foretold him that his descendants would be slaves for four hundred years, yet they still would be a great nation, Genesis 15:13.

5. Abraham fell into doubt and had relations with Sarah's servant Hagar and brought forth Ishmael as a child, Genesis 16.

6. Abraham was given his name Abraham, "Father of Multitudes," by God personally. Before his name was Abram, which meant, "Exalted Father," Genesis 17:5.

7. He was the first person given the covenant of circumcision at 99 years old, Genesis 17:11.

8. God (Jesus) personal visited Abraham in Genesis 18:1-15 and gave him the promise of a child with Sarah, which means "Princess of a Multitude," within a year, Genesis 18.

9. Abraham interceded with God face-to-face for Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 18:16-33.

10. God gave him Isaac (name means, "Laughter") when he was 100 years old- the child of promise, Genesis 21:3.

11. Abraham passed God's test to sacrifice Isaac- God stopped him and revealed the promise of God Himself providing the sacrifice for sins (Jehovah Jireh), Genesis 22:14.

12. Abraham sent a servant to get a wife for Isaac, Rebekah, before he died, Genesis 24.

13. Abraham died with only two sons- Isaac and Ishmael, Genesis 25.

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The Major Mistakes of Abraham's Life:

1. Fear of Man: In both Genesis 12:10 & 20:1, Abraham lied to a leader about Sarah his wife being his sister.

2. Fear of Being Alone: In Genesis 12:1 God tells Abraham to leave his family, however, in Genesis 12:5 we see he took with him his nephew Lot, who eventually caused trouble with his herds.

3. Fear of Disappointment: By Abraham not trusting God he had relations with Hagar and give birth to Ishmael, Genesis 16.

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How Abraham is Viewed in the New Testament:

1. Father of the Jewish People and Ancestor to Jesus, Matthew 1:2.

2. The greatest example for the biblical truth, "Faith in God, above the law and good works, equals righteousness and justification," Galatians 3.

3. He is foremost example of waiting patiently for multiple promises to come to pass, Hebrews 11:8-19.

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Today's Focus on Abraham's Faith, "Faith in Christ for Justification"

Sermon Text: Galatians 3:1-14

1. Christians can be tricked (bewitched) into believing a different Gospel of works, rather than the Gospel of faith, Galatians 3:1-5.

2. Abraham is the Christian's example of faith because before the Law of Moses or the Jewish nation, he as a pagan placed his full trust in God by believing the Gospel, Galatians 3:8.

3. All those who have the same kind of faith as Abraham are blessed with Abraham and are given the promise of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 3:14 & Genesis 12:1-3.  

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