The Glenwood post., 1923-04-05
LESSON FOR APRIL 8
ABRAHAM THE HERO OF FAITH


LESSON TExT-aenesis 1915. He
brews 1870, 1913.
GOLDEN TEXT-Abraham believed
God and 1t was counted unto him for
hteousness.=Romans 4:3.
REFERENCE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
4:1-26; Galatians $3.50; James 2:21-24
PRIMARY TOPIC-Abraham Obeying
God.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Abraham. the Man
Who Trusted God.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-Abraham. the Friend of God.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Abraham, the Pioneer Of Faith.
!. His Call Genesis H:1-5). The
human race, as such, had failed, and
now we see Gods purpose as to the re-
demption of the race taking shape.
Therefore he singles out this lonely
man to make him the head Of nation
through whom redemption was to
come.
l. His Separation ". ~. He was
to separate from his kindred and go
to an unknown land. These were all
very dear to his heart but they were
to be given up that Abraham might
have God and be the father Of all the
faithful. Abraham was living among
idolaters; therefore, he must separate
from them. Even his kindred must be
left behind for they were idolaters.
Following God costs much that is dear
and precious to US today. To attain
unto the highest and best in the spirit
ual life many things which are pleas
ant to the carnal nature must be sacri-
feed.
2. Gods Gracious Promise to Him
wv. 2-3).- ~ II will make of thee a
great nation" This was fulfilled In
a natural way in great posterity
wv. 13-16) and in spiritual seed. See
John 80, Galatians 3:16-17. (2) II
will bless thee" sGod has wonderfully
blessed Abraham in natural and
spiritual way and still greater realiza-
ton of this promise is to come to
Abraham's seed. (3) make thy name
great" Abraham was called the
friend of God. James 2:23. Abraham
is universal name. (4) Thou shalt
be blessing" Untold blessings have
COME " tllC NOlli lhLouSh
and still greater blessing will be
realized when the fullness of Gods
purpose concerning that nation shall
be realized. (5) " will bless them
that bless thee" (6) II will curse
him that curseth thee" Abraham's
seed is Gods very touchstone. Ma
tions and individuals who have used
well Abraham's descendants have been
blessed and those who have cursed
them have in turn been cursed. G)
"In thee shall all the families Of the
earth be blessed This is the all.
comprehensive promise Of God because
It shall come to the world through the
Messiah. Galatians 3:16. While
Abraham had to give up much he
gained infinitely more than he lost.
8. His Obedience wv. 4-5). With
out question or delay Abraham took hi
departure to the unknown land
Though he did not know whittier hi
was going he knew that God hat
spoken. To have Gods command ant
promise Is enough for the child O
faith.
n. Abrahan's Faith (Hebrews
11:s-1O).
1. Its Source Was the Word Of God
He had heard Gods call. Because Co
had spoken to him he went forward
Faith takes God at his word.
2. Its Practice wv. 9-10). He neve
settled down anywhere even Il
the land of promise. he was a tru'
pilgrim. He was content to pas
through the land because his eyes wer
fixed on q city which had foundation,
whose builder and maker was God
The Christian does not settle down Il
this world as though he was going t
make his home He lives in the worl
but is not Of it. His citizenship Is Il
Heaven.
III. Abraham's Testing I'll :17-19)
1. At the Command Of God He Offere
Up Isaac, His Only Son. ". 17). Coin
out into an unknown country was sin
pie in comparison to laying his son o
the altar Of sacrifice. But he VIII
had obeyed God In going out from hi
country and kindred was now to pas
through the supreme test.
2. The Promise Of Blessing Wa
Wrapped UP in Isaac. wv. 1S). 1t wa
not a promise which might take an
descendant Of Abraham but this pal
ticular child. The way seemed dar
and the command conflicting with tn
promise. but faith does not conslde
difficulties.
3. The Supreme Venture ". 10.
Abraham so completely trusted Go
that he was Willing to go all the wa
with Him, being assured that Go
would even raise him as from the deaf
in order to make good his promise.