Father of Sin

 John 8:44 (ESV)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies

The Pharisees were the religious sector of the Jewish culture. They were charged with knowing the law and teaching it to the people. The problem with the Pharisees is that they were a bunch of hypocrites. They demanded that everyone else keep the law, but they were somehow immune or above having to keep it themselves. They finally came face to face with someone who would tell it like it is. They looked good on the outside, but inside they were full of sin and unrighteousness. Jesus did not mince words with them. He spoke the truth, and they were convicted and became defensive. They prided themselves on their lineage was traced back to the Patriarch, Abraham. The truth of the matter was they were not living the faith of Abraham. Claiming Abraham was their Father, Jesus denied that claim and revealed to them who their real Father was. Their spiritual lineage was rooted in sin, and their hearts were full of it. They were children of the devil, because sin still lived in their hearts. If they were to believe in the Son, then they could claim to be children of Abraham’s seed. By creation, we all are children of God, but the fall of Adam and Eve brought sin into the human race, and Satan is the Father of sin. Therefore, if we allow sin to abide in our hearts, then the devil is our Father. Jesus tells it like it is, but does not leave us without hope. Believe in the Son, believe in Jesus, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. We can be adopted into the family of God, and we can come boldly to the throne of grace, and call Him Abba Father!

Obedience at any Cost

Gen 22:2 Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom you love, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

I will never understand the mind of God and the task he ask Abraham to do. I understand the application of total surrender and giving everything to God, even those whom you love and are close to your heart. I also understand the symbolic type given here that God gave His only son to die. We teach that God would not require us to do anything that is contrary to His law. The conflict that must have gone through the mind and heart of Abraham. To do something so contrary to God’s moral law. This will always be a mystery to me. I will probably never understand the account given to us here in scripture. But this I know, that God is good and does all things right. He is sovereign and knows the beginning to the end. Who am I to question God? His word declares it and I must believe it. It is a lesson of obedience at any cost. This is the truth I choose to apply to my life.

The Test of Abraham's Faith

Gen.22: 1-14

The account given to us here in Genesis 22 has been a matter of great controversy. The offering Abraham was required to make is not consistent with the teaching of the Bible. The sacrificing of humans is a known practice among the heathen religions throughout history. There seems to be various explanations to this event, but it is not the nature of this study to explore for possible answers. It is sufficient to say that the final decree of God to Abraham was, “Lay not thine hand upon the lad” The more important aspect of this Biblical account is the spiritual application that is implied. Test and trails will come to every believer in Christ. God does require of us our most precious treasure. All those who walk with God will come to a crossroads in their lives. Are we willing to give it all to Him? A complete and full consecration, letting go, and let God have His way.

Talking with God- “God said unto him”
• Abraham knew the voice of God
• Do we pray enough to comprehend His voice?
Testing of Abraham- “God did “tempt” Abraham”
• God does not tempt with the intent to see us fall
• To show forth God’s glory
• Will our character remain steadfast? Proving the heart.
Total Obedience- “Take now thy son”
• Taking what we love and giving it all to God
• Trust and obey there is no other way
Traveling the Road -“rose up and went”
• Our spiritual journey often takes us to a “place”
• Getting there is half the battle- We must not be detoured
Top of the Mount -”I and the lad will go yonder”
• Isaac’s wiliness to be sacrificed
• Pointing to “The Lamb of God” - God Provided
Temptation and Deliverance “The angel of the Lord called”
• No temptation given to man- He will provide a way of escape
• Obedience is better than sacrifice
• His purpose is accomplished
Trial of our Faith-“I know that thou fearest God”
• Those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution
• Faith is shown by works- Not enough to say “I believe”
Testimony of the Lord – “It shall be seen”
• He is our provider-Jehovah-jireh
• He is all we need

God's Promise to Abram

Genesis 15:5-18

God has committed Himself to keep His Word. He has declared and assured those that put their trust in Him that He will do what He says He will do. Abram, a man who believed that God had called him to leave the land of his fathers, now entreats his God to give him some assurance that God’s promises are still true. God is not slack concerning His promises as some men count slackness. He rewards them that diligently seek Him. God had promised Abram that his seed would be as the stars in the heavens. The fulfillment of such a promise, in the eyes of Abram began to grow deem as his life began to set in the western skies. But, God keeps His promises, once again makes Himself real to Abram and assures him that He has not been forgotten.

Renewing of the Promise-(look now toward the heavens)
• The Faithfulness of God
• When God speaks, so shall it be
• Heaven and earth shall pass away, but God’s Word …
Righteousness of Abram (counted it to him for righteousness)
• He Believed in the Lord
• He knew whom he served
• He was considered righteous because his faith was steadfast
Request by Abram (whereby shall I know)
• The human element to faith
• Discouraged, but not defeated
• A sign from God often will help seal a promise
Required Worship (he took unto him all these..)
• Gathering of the sacrifice
• Go to the place of worship- truth is often reveal in worship
• Divine-appointment, simple- ritual and sacrificial-substance
• Believing-spirit, patient-waiting, and expectant-attitude
Revelation of the Promise (know of surety..)
• Horror of darkness- feeling of uncertainty- The unknown
• The enemies intimation- The hindrances to see God
• The prophecies of a great nation
• The promise of return
Reassurance Given (unto thy seed have I given..)
• The promise of God giving Abram’s seed
• The promise of the land
• It is God that makes this promise
• God said it, I believe it, that settles it for me.

The Call of Abram- God's Leadership

Genesis 12:1-9

Abram, is know as the father of the Arabic people and the father of faith to all believers in Christ. In the Land of the Ur of the Chaldees, The call to Abram was given to leave his land and people. Abram’s faith and complete obedience to the leadership of God resulted in a nation that is known today as the dwelling place of God. Abram left a legacy that has survived for thousands of years. His example of following God, has inspired millions to step out in faith and begin to trust God to lead their lives. Despite the circumstances and the unknown future, God desires His children to trust and obey and leave the results and outcomes to him.

Plan of God-Get thee out
• Listening to the voice of God
• He has a plan for our lives
• Are we willing to follow His Plan?
• Giving up to gain.
• It is God that shows the way and not others
Promise of God-I will make thee
• The promise of a great nation
• Abram’s name will be known through out the whole world
• I will give you and your seed land
• The Promises of God are true
• The rewards for obeying and following Him
Protection of God- I will bless thee
• Part of His promise is to keep us in the hollow of His hand
• We our the “apple of His eye”
• He is a jealous God- He cares for His own
Pilgrimage of Abram- Pass through the land-journeyed
• Abram had his eyes on the promise land
• We cannot get caught up in earthly treasures
• We must always be ready to follow where he leads
Practice of Abram- He built an altar
• Take time to worship God
• Finding out the next move.
• God’s leadership always leads praise and thanksgiving
• I will follow where He leads, and live each day in obedience to Him.

Faith and Works

James 2:14-23

Review: Real and pure religion must go deeper than the rituals that one may observe. To have a head-knowledge of truth, is not sufficient. The truth must not only be put to action, but it must come from a heart that desires to live and please God. Christianity is a heart religion. Believers are to be doer of God’s commands by showing mercy and living holy.

The Profits of Life
• What is the purpose? In everything you do
• What gain will you have? If you lose your soul
• What have you gained in life if your religion is empty of fruit
The Practical life of Faith
• Do we 1st see the needs.
• Are you too busy to stop.
• Does your religion get in the way of helping others- Good Samaratin
• Is it the thought that counts!!
• Serving the needs must go beyond words of comfort
The Proof of Faith
• Can faith be proven without demonstration?
• Show me- Demonstrate your love for God
• Words are very powerful, but it is only a token of good gestures
Precepts must be right
• You theology might be right, but…
• Consent of mind is not salvation-must have consent of heart
• Living and doing must come from the heart not to be in vain.
Patriarch Abraham
• The father of faith
• His faith was tested by doing the will of God
• He proved his faith by demonstrating willingness to obey
• Faith was completed and made perfect
• Righteousness before God- Demonstration leads relationship
Paradox of Scripture
• Paul said: Faith and faith alone
• James said: Faith alone is not good enough
• We are not saved by our works, but works is essential to show and demonstrate our faith in God