Podcast-Feed18th April 2010 - Neal Garratt - Abraham, Sarah and Creator God
18th April 2010 – Neal Garratt – Abraham, Sarah and Creator God
Neal looked at the story of Abraham and Sarah and how God promised them that they would have offspring as numerous as the stars or sand on the seashore. The story is from Genesis 15, 16, 17,18 and 21. We also looked at Romans 4 vs 16-25 as Paul discusses Abraham’s story.
The Key verse is from Genesis 15 vs 6 “He believed in the Lord and it was reckoned unto him as righteousness” and Romans 4 vs 20 says” He did not waiver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform, therefore it was reckoned to him as righteousness”
We looked at the promise God made and how often we have to wait before that promise is fulfilled – something we find very hard to do – something Sarah found hard to do and so she, being practically minded let Abraham sleep with her maidservant Hagar thus starting a family that way – not relying on God – but instead relying on her own ideas. There are consequences when we do that but God is gracious and his promise remains unchanged!
We looked at the Messianic line and how Abraham is key to that and that he is directly related to Jesus and we are part of his family – remembering Ephesians 1 – adopted into his family and our position in Christ. We are part of God’s great plan throughout eternity – History Makers – and the wonder of this revelation.
We looked at how for us our faith can be reckoned unto us a righteousness – this is as true today as it was in Abraham’s day – Paul spends Romans 4 telling us that salvation is not by works, by circumcision, by the law but is grace received through faith.
What can we learn from this faith of Abraham’s that did not look at the circumstances – but rather the God behind the circumstances – Is anything too hard for the Lord God asks?
Faith enables us to believe Gods promises/ Gods word – even if they are impossible!
Faith enables you to believe God for a miracle – outside the natural, the realm of nature – because he is creator God – “God calls into being that which does not exist” Romans 4 vs 17
Faith enables you to have an assurance that what God says – he will do – assurance of salvation being like an anchor for the soul – Abraham was fully persuaded that what God promised he was able to perform – Romans 4 vs 21
Faith enables you to act on what God has told you – because you are assured. Exercising your faith and finding God to be true -enables you to grow in faith and worship
Faith enables you to grow in your understanding and knowledge of God which is key for our spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.
Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones ” The measure of the strength of a mans faith, always, is ultimately the measure of his knowledge of God. There is no more important principal than that”
Let us all grow in our knowledge and understanding of God and as we do increase our faith and trust in him in all circumstances – no matter how impossible they may look! Nothing is impossible with God!
Questions:
1. The key verse here is Genesis 15 vs 6 ” He believed in the Lord and he reckoned it to him as righteousness.” Do we fully understand what this means and the ramifications for us today in 2010 – what relevance does this have today?
2. Sarah decided to help God along with the process but introducing Hagar to Abraham – Helpful or not? What were the consequences? Do you feel sympathy for her – aren’t we like this a lot of the time? Isn’t the hardest thing to wait on God? Is God’s promise affected by Sarah’s actions?
3. Do we understand the big picture and the relevance of Matthew 1 – The messianic line – We are part of God’s amazing plan – why don’t we always feel like that? How special does this truth make you feel?
4. We looked at Romans 4 and noted that Paul argues that salvation is not gained by works, by circumcision, by the law but by grace through faith – do we begin to see how important faith is for us today?
5. In life we tend to look at the circumstances surrounding us and get overwhelmed by them – what can we do to stop this and how does looking at Abraham help in that regard?
6. Faith enables us to grow in God in so many ways, we discussed some on Sunday morning – this is a real key in trusting God in the future and increasing our faith – How can we do this?
7. Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones says “The measure of the strength of a man’s faith, always, is ultimately the measure of his knowledge of God. There is no more important principal and vital principal then that” What do we think about that?
Listen now! (0:41min / 11MB)