Old Testament Scripture Reading: Genesis 15:1 – 6 (KJV)
Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Gen 15:2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Gen 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
Gen 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Romans 4:1 – 5 (KJV)
Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) The reality of the sinfulness of mankind is ever-present at some level, and It becomes obvious in our lives at some point as we go about “business as usual”, and is easier to see in the lives of others, than it is in our own life, which sometimes makes us judgmental of others, but not of our own selves as Jesus said: Matthew 7:3 – 5 : Mat 7:3 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Mat 7:4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?
Mat 7:5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
2) Just as God “chose Abraham, {just as he was spiritually} He chooses each person to believe and receive His salvation trough faith alone, and God has provided His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ to pay the full debt owed by the sinner, so that no one can boast; and the reality is that without God’s intervention into our lives through the Gospel, we would never come to saving faith, nor continue to pursue a righteous life that pleases God.
3) The Apostle Paul, through the Holy Spirit makes many references to the life of Abraham as the model of saving faith, indicating the fact that from Genesis to Malachi, (the OT) each believer should be Rejoicing In The Simplicity Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ” Who is revealed in every book, as the only acceptable mediator between God and man, Who makes all who believe in Him able to enjoy the assurance of their salvation from day to day, through the study and application of the Holy Word of God!
