, 1923-04-05

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 12:1-5. He
brews 1880. 1919.
GOLDEN TEXT-Abraham believed
God and II vas counted unto him for
rishteousness.-Romans 4:3.
REFERENCE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
4:l-25; Galatians 1853: James 2:21-24.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Abraham obeying
God.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Abraham. the Man
Who Trusted God.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
lC-Abraham. the Friend OF God.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
lC-Abraham, the Pioneer OF Faith.
|. His Call Genesis 2:1-5). 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 n nation
through whom redemption was to
come.
l. His Separation ". ~. He was
called to go out of his own country;
to separate from his kindred and go
TO an unknown land. These were all
very dear to his heart but they we're
~ ~ bi'Nh VIZ AAah Ablu d IllBhl
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). "a ~ will make of thee a
great nation" This was fulfilled in
a natural way in n great posterlty
wv. 1916 and in a spiritual seed. See
John $3.50. Galatians 3:16-17. (2) 81
will bless thee" God has wonderfully
blessed Abraham in a natural and
spiritual way and still greater realiza-
ton of this promise is to come to
A%braham's seed. (3) make thy name
great" Abraham was called the
friend of God. James 2:23. Abraham
is a universal name. (4) Thou shalt
be a blessing" Untold blessings have
come to the world through Abraham
and still a greater blessing will be
purpose concerning that nation shall
be realized. (5) 81 will bless them
that bless thee" (6) 81 will curse
him that curseth thee Abraham's
seed is Gods very tombstone. Ma
lions and individuals who have used
well Abraham's descendants have been
blessed and those who have cursed
them have in turn been cursed. %
"In thee shall all the families of the
earth be blessed" This is the all
comprehensive promise of God because
II 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.
3. His Obedience wv. 4-5). With
out question or delay Abraham took his
departure to the unknown land.
Though he did not know whittier he
was going he knew that God had
spoken. To have Gods command and
promise is enough for the child Of
faith.
II. Abraham's Faith (Hebrews
IL $40.
1. Its Source Was the Word of God.
He had heard Gods call. Because God
had spoken TO him he went forward.
Faith takes God at his word.
2. Its Practice wv. 9-10). He never
settled down anywhere even in
the land of promise. He was Il true
pilgrim. He was content to pass
through the land because his eyes were
fixed on a city which had foundations,
whose builder and maker was God
The Christian does not settle down in
this world as though he was going to
make his home. He lives in the world
but is not Of 1t. His citizenship is In
Heaven.
NJ. Abrahsm's Testing III HID.
l. At the Command of God lie offered
Up Isaac, His Only Son. ". ~. Going
out into an unknown country wns sim
Pile in comparison to laying his son on
the. altar Of sacrifice. But he who
had obeyed God in going out from his
country and kindred was now to pass
through the supreme test.
2. The Promise of Blessing Was
Wrapped Up in Isaac. wv. 49,. 1t was
not n promise which might take any
descendant of Abraham but this par
ticular child. The way seemed dark
and the command conflicting with the
promise, but faith does not consider
difficulties.
3. The Supreme Venture (v. 100
Abraham 50 completely trusted God
that he was willing to go all the way
with Him, being assured that God
would even raise him as from the dead,
IN order to make good his promise.
LAaa |