| Introduction I can imagine what you might have thought as we were reading this passage. "Abraham, really? It's Easter for crying out loud! What has Abraham got to do with Easter? Did he at least own a bunny?" Well, Abraham had a lot to do with Easter if by Easter you mean the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ – the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. As a matter of fact, Abraham looked forward to Easter. What we are celebrating today, and celebrate every Sunday when we gather together for worship, is the coming back to life of the Savior of the world. Christ is risen from the dead. He has defeated the last enemy, death itself. He was vindicated. God accepted his sacrifice. Rom. 1:3-4 – concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. "Life conquered death. Jesus Christ has won it." Keith Green "The three sad days have quickly sped; he rises glorious from the dead: all glory to our risen Head! Allelulia! He closed the yawning gates of hell; the bars from heavn'n's high portals fell…. Alleluia!" Latin hymn Abraham believed in the promise of the Messiah (the Christ) that was going to delivering him from his sins through his death and resurrection. Thus, Abraham is the pattern for our faith. Let us learn from good, old Abe! I. The Faith of Abraham Described, 13-22. A. God promised to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations and that in him all the nations of the world would be blessed, 13-15. B. Since no one can do the things that God requires to receive the promise, God does it on their behalf, 16-17. C. Contrary to his circumstances (contrary to hope), in hope of receiving the promise of God, Abraham believed in whom God was and in what God was going to do, 18-19. D. Though Abraham did not waver in his faith, he did have his struggles, 20-21. E. So it was this belief that God was who he said he was and that he was going to do what he said he was going to do that caused Abraham to be accepted by God, 22. II. The Faith of Abraham Applied, 23-25 A. God saves his people. B. Why is this necessary? Why salvation? C. The result of all of this. Conclusion Don't leave today without making sure you understand these things. Don't leave without knowing the faith of Abraham and the God of Abraham. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/abraham-looked-forward-to-easter-rom.html | |||
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Friday, March 29, 2013
Abraham Looked forward to Easter - Rom. 4:13-25
