Profitless Pedigree

Just because you are “somebody” doesn’t mean you are guaranteed

special treatment.

AbrahamA special man

• Commissioned by God, Ge. 12

• The first patriarch

• God communicated with him 9 times via Revelations, Promises, Manifestations– Ge. 12 – Ge. 22

AbrahamA faithful man

• Ge. 13: Abram defers to Lot

• Ge. 14:20: Tribute to Melchizedek, Priest of God

• Ge. 12:7; 13:18; 22:19, etc.: Altars

• Ge. 15:6; 17:19: Able to bear children in spite of age

• Ge. 22:1…16: Sacrifice of Isaac

AbrahamSpecial to God

• Ge. 20:7: Abimelech takes Sarah

“…for he is a prophet”

• Isa. 41:8: Cyrus is coming, but you do not fear“descendant of Abraham, My friend”

(Ja. 2:23)

The Jewish view of AbrahamName recognition

• Moses’ commission…..Ex. 3:13-15

• Matthew’s genealogy…..Mt. 1:1

• Peter’s 2nd sermon…..Acts 3:12-13…

The Jewish view of Abraham Figurative imagery of afterlife

• Care and comfort provider for departed faithful…..Lk. 16:23

• A king at his table…..Mt. 8:11

The Jewish view of AbrahamChosen nation

• “Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth, O seed of Abraham, His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.” (Ps. 105:5-6)

NT Teaching about AbrahamAccording to John the Baptist

• Mt. 3:7-9

– Motivation wasn’t concern for their souls; rather it was popularity

“Nevertheless, many even of the rulers believed in Him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.” (Jn. 12:42-43)

NT Teaching about Abraham According to John the Baptist

• Mt. 3:7-9

– God doesn’t need them to fulfill His promise

“…for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.” (Mt. 3:9b)

NT Teaching about AbrahamAccording to Jesus

• Jn. 8:34-41, 44

• “Abraham’s descendants” (vs. 37)

• “your father the devil” (vs. 44)

NT Teaching about AbrahamAccording to Paul

• Circumcision is of no value – Rm. 2:25 – 3:1

• We have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ– Rm. 5:1

• The love of God is in Christ Jesus our Lord– Rm. 8:39

NT Teaching about Abraham According to Paul

• “It only seems natural, only right, that they would accept Christ, but I know they will not.”

Rm. 9:1-5

– N.B.: Paul’s allegiance to the patriarchs, the Law, the covenants, etc.

– Honor to whom honor is due (Rm. 13:7)

NT Teaching about Abraham According to Paul

• Anticipating: “But we are Abraham’s descendants, we are supposed to receive the kingdom. What has God done?!” Rm. 9:6-13

– Salvation not based on fleshly relations (6-8):• Ishmael’s children, Ge. 25:12f• Children by second wife, Ge. 25:1-6• Esau’s children, Ge. 36:4• Er and Onan, Judah’s children, Ge. 38:7

NT Teaching about Abraham According to Paul

• Anticipating: “But we are Abraham’s descendants, we are supposed to receive the kingdom. What has God done?!” Rm. 9:6-13

• The promises were fulfilled (9-13)

–Primary point: God’s word is sure–Secondary point: Salvation by faith

NT Teaching about Abraham According to Paul

• Anticipating: “We’ve been misled!” Rm. 9:14-18

– God revealed this long ago: Mercy, not will• As God demonstrated it through bringing

them out of Egypt –Not able to escape, Ex. 1:8-22–Didn’t deserve it, cf. Ezek. 20:7-8--

idolatry

NT Teaching about Abraham According to Paul

• Anticipating: “But…” Rm. 9:19-21

• Don’t ever question God’s wisdom! “Woe to the one who quarrels with his maker…” Isa. 45:9

• When a child is given an assignment by a parent, the only question they had better ask is, “How can we do better?”

NT Teaching about Abraham According to Paul

• God’s actions explained, Rm. 9:22-29

– Primarily a continuation of vss. 14-18

– 1st application of V.O.M: Jews (cf. vs. 14-18)

– Extended application: Christians, both Jew and Gentile (faith, not flesh)

NT Teaching about Abraham According to Paul

• Hosea, “…not My people, My people”

• Isa. “Though the number of of (fleshly) sons…, it is the remnant that will be saved”

• Vss. 30-33, Righteousness by faith

• 10:1 = 9:1-5

Lessons

1. Pedigree is profitless; performance is what matters

2. Neither a faithful church nor years of attendance accumulated can secure your salvation.

– Ananias and Sapphira

3. Have a faith like Abraham’s, not Abraham’s descendants, Gal. 6:1-4