Msg #1546 Abram, the Father of Faith

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

“Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” This call to Abram is a hallmark of God's plan for all of mankind. Through it the eternal LORD God would send his Only Begotten Son as the Messiah, the Christ. One dare not detract from that calling or its glorious result. But this call to Abram looks a lot like the call to salvation. Repentance is a turning away from, a letting loose of, a parting of the ways with,... Like God commanded Abram, “Get thee out of.” Acts 20:21 defines conversion very well. It is a two headed coin with repentance on one side and faith on the other. “I (Paul) kept back nothing that was profitable unto you.. Testifying both to Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts20:20-21) Recall that Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” So, Abram had to believe God, trust God and leave country, kindred, house, and land. The hall of fame of faith, Hebrews 11, says “(Abram) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” But wait there is more. Just like Abram's obedience brought the blessings of God, so to a believers obedience brings God's blessing. A blessing is when God does something for us that we cannot do for our self. And when it comes to salvation or spiritual matters, there is nothing one can do for themselves. Lastly, just like Abram could bring Messiah to the world, the believer's commission is to bring the Messiah to the world; like, to every creature.

An Essay for week #46 Nov 15, 2015

Published at www.theology.gsbaptistchurch.com

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