Sermon on Abraham – Great Lessons From the Life of Abraham
Categories: Biographical Sermon Outlines, Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on Abraham
INTRODUCTION:
A. In Genesis 12:1-5 we have the significance of the narration of the life of Abraham.
1. God’s plan was to bless and redeem the world through a chosen people
a. When God said, “And in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed,” He had in mind the coming of Christ, the seed of Abraham as concerning the flesh.
b. Galatians 3:16
2. Of Abraham came the Jews, and through the Jews came the Law and the prophets, and through them and after them came Christ and His church.
3. Jesus said to the Jews of His day, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (John 8:56)
a. Abraham understood that he was the progenitor of the Messiah and the father of a great multitude of believers.
b. Galatians 3:8
c. I believe that Abraham knew, that at best, the land of Canaan was only a type, a figure, of the heavenly land – the true Canaan where he and his innumerable family of believers, the “heirs according to the promise,” would dwell forever.
d. Galatians 3:29 … But Abraham means more to us than simply the father of the redeemed.
B. The great life of Abraham occupies more space in the Old Testament record than any other personal narrative.
1. Abraham was a great man of God
2. It would do us good to study seriously and emulate the life of Abraham
C. Let us now journey through the life of Abraham and dwell on some of the great lessons we learn from his life.
DISCUSSION: (Discussion of this sermon on Abraham.)
A. ABRAHAM POSSESSED GREAT FAITH IN GOD
1. Because of the wide misunderstanding of faith in our world today we must ask the question, “What is faith?”
a. Hebrews 11:1
b. Therefore, faith is the ability to see the unseen
c. This great truth is set forth in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
1) Faith allows us to do this
2) We have never personally seen God, yet we know He exists
2. Faith is based on evidence or testimony
a. Romans 10:17
b. Faith is not a blind leap in the dark
3. The Bible tells us that we should Abrahamic faith – “…walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham” (Romans 4:12)
4. It took great faith for Abraham to believe that he and Sarah would have a son
a. Abraham looked beyond human circumstances
b. If God said it, Abraham believed it
5. It took great faith to obey God concerning the offering of his son Isaac (Genesis 22)
a. Hebrew 11:17-19
b. Abraham’s faith stood the test
1) How must could our faith stand?
2) Too many allow their faith to fail over the least of things
6. We need to possess the great faith Abraham
B. ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED BY WORKS
1. James 2:21-22
a. Faith and obedience go together
b. You cannot have one without the other
2. The belief that salvation comes by faith alone is an erroneous doctrine … note carefully James 2:24
3. It was not just Abraham’s belief in God that made him acceptable, but it was his obedience that made him justified inthe sight of God
4. Abraham obeyed regardless of the cost
a. For example … the offering of Isaac
b. Many times there is a cost to be paid with obedience
C. ABRAHAM WAS A FRIEND OF GOD
1. Three times he called this in scripture
a. 2 Chronicles 20:7
b. Isaiah 41:8
c. James 2:23
2. To be a friend of God one must do His will
a. John 14:15
b. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
3. Surely no one would want to be an enemy of God
a. James 4:4
b. Hebrews 10:31
D. ABRAHAM WAS IN PROPER CONTROL OF HIS FAMILY
1. Abraham was highly complemented by God in Genesis 18:19
2. Abraham commanded his children to keep the law of God
a. This pleased God!!!
b. We should not give our children a choice – obedience must be demanded
c. Do we not command our children to go to school … doctor
3. Abraham wonderfully reinforced his commands to his family by his exemplary life
4. Deuteronomy 11:18-21
a. Religion must be a way of life
b. It is not something that we just do on Sunday
E. ABRAHAM WAS VERY GENEROUS
1. Genesis 13:8-9
a. Abraham, by right, should have had the first choice
b. He was called of God … He was older
c. But, he gave up his rights for the sake of peace
2. This same attitude needs to prevail in the church today
a. Paul had this attitude
b. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
3. We must remember never to compromise the truth for the sake of peace
a. We should compromise only in the areas of opinion
b. Romans 14:15-21
F. ABRAHAM REFUSED TO BECOME ENTANGLED IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD
1. When Lot was captures from his new home in Sodom. Abraham went to the rescue.
a. Abraham and his company defeated them
b. he was not interested in the spoils, he was interested in one thing – Lot
2. Abraham was determined not to be under obligation to the enemies of God
a. He knew that this would give cause for stumbling
b. He would not be allies with those who he should be separated from
3. We need to remember today to stay away from worldly and sinful affairs
a. 2 John 9-11
b. 2 Timothy 2:4
c. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
d. 1 John 2:15-16
4. We must not be entangled in the cares of the world
Finally, in this sermon on Abraham…
G. FROM ABRAHAM WE LEARN THAT IN A MOMENT OF WEAKNESS EVEN A GREAT AND GOOD MAN CAN LIE
1. Abraham was one of the greatest men that ever lived, and yet we have two accounts of him lying (Pharaoh – Genesis 12; Abimelech – Genesis 20)
a. The Bible paints the pictures of its characters warts and all
b. Even the faithful will stumble … Romans 3:23
2. Abraham stumbled, but was forgiven … he was the friend of God
3. This should be of great encouragement to us
4. Being a Christian does not mean that we are perfect – just forgiven
CONCLUSION: (End of this sermon on Abraham.)
A. We need to emulate and gain encouragement from Abraham
B. Invitation