The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-04-14


1C-Making Life an Adventure.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-The Conquering Power of Faith.
]. His Separation ". y.
The new era inaugurated with Noah
as head ended in a colossal failure in
the impious attempt of man on the
plains of Shinar to set himself free
from Gods government. In view of
this failure, God turned aside from the
race as such and called Abram and
placed him at the head of a new ma
ton which he would train for himself.
This call involved
l. A great sacrifice. 1t meant the
severance of three ties:
a. His country in the widest range
of his affections.
b. His place Of birth and kindred
which comes still closer to his heart.
c. His fathers house as the inmost
circle Of all tender emotions. All these
must be cast off before the Lord could
get him into the place of blessing. This
is a call that is much needed today.
The Lord is continually saying, "Come
ye out from among them" I'll Cor. 6:
1919.
2. The performance of heroic tasks.
For Abram to go into strange land
and take possession of it, for God called
for heroism. The life of separation from
the world costs much, but it is the only
way to have Gods favor.
u. Gods Promise to Abram wv. 2-3).
The demand for separation was fol-
lowed by a seven-fold promise-a gra-
cious engagement on Gods part to COM
municate unmerited favors and confer
blessings upon him.
l. Il will make Of thee a great ma
ton" ". p. This was fulfilled in a
natural way in the Jewish nation and
in Ishmael (Gen. 1920; also in
spiritual seed embracing both Jews
and Gentiles (Gal. 81, 81.
2. Il will bless thee" ". p. This was
fulfilled.
a. Temporarily (Gen. 13:1417; "a:
35). Abram was enriched with lands,
cattle, silver and gold.
b. Spiritually (Gen. Is g; John s:
56). He vas freely justified on the
grounds Of his faith. The righteous
ness Of Christ was imputed unto him,
also he had the exalted privilege Of
talking face to face with the Lord.
4 8, "And make thy name great" ". p.
Going out from his fathers house, he
himself was to have great name. He
was to be the head Of a new house
which would be venerated far and
! wide. He is known as the friend Of
God" DANES 2:23).
4. "Thou shalt be blessing" ". p.
We now pass from the lower to the
higher phase Of the promise. 1t was
a great thing to be thus honored and
blessed by God, but to be the medium
Of blessing to others was greater still.
5. Il will bless them that bless thee"
". 49, Abram and the nation which
came forth from his loins became the
very tombstone Of God. Since he is
Gods friend. he regards acts per-
formed toward him as toward him
self. This has been strikingly exem-
plified in all ages since. The nations
that have used the Jews we'll have
been blessed.
6. "And curse him that curseth
thee" ". 81. The nations which have
turned against Abram and the nation
Of which he was head have never pros
pered. While God at times used the
surrounding nations as scourges for
his people, he in turn punished them
for it.
z. "And in thee shall all the families
Of the earth be blessed" ". -. This
has been fulfilled in
a. The Jewish nation being made
the repository Of the oracles Of God.
Through them the Bible has been
given to the world.
b. The bringing of the Redeemer
into the world. Thus they became the
channel through which Gods richest
Gift came into the world.
1t will be further fulfilled in
c. A future time when Jews shall be
Gods missionaries in carrying the
good tidings to the ends Of the earth.
III. Abrams Obedience to God tvv.
4-S).
Abram at once departed out of his
own land. He proved his faith by his
obedience He went out not knowing
whittier he went. He was typical be-
lever. He renowned indulgence and
idolatry. He separated himself for a
testimony by his affairs Of witness. He
entered into Canaan and accepted
pilgrim life.