Faith in the Promises of GodJust what is it that causes an individual to be listed with one of the two groups which divide all of humanity: the Saved or the Lost? What is the “Means” by which a person can be “Saved” from the wrath and judgment of Almighty God? Are the “Jews” the only “Chosen People of God” ? Listen as Paul addresses these and other thought provoking lessons in the ninth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, as our Pastor Teacher Landis Fisher begins this portion of the study with a message he has called: “Faith in the Promises of God”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Genesis 18:9 – 15 (KJV)
Gen 18:9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
Gen 18:10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
Gen 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Gen 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
Gen 18:13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
Gen 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Gen 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Romans 9:1 – 9 (KJV)
Rom 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Rom 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Rom 9:9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) Understanding God’s relationship to Israel, is essential to understanding the extent that God went through to secure salvation for ALL the FAMILIES of the EARTH according to the promises He made to provide it.
2) Romans, chapters 9 – 11, reveal the heart of Paul, (the reluctant Jewish Convert) who is now under serious anguish as he realizes that Jews who reject Christ are spiritually blinded by the devil and therefore, are not saved in like manner as we ought to be over others today in the same condition, whether Jew or Gentile.
3) Believers in Jesus Christ, are saved by beliveing God’s promises, through “Faith in His promises, just as it was with the Patriarch Abraham, who believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (Gen 15:6)
