Justification by Faith Genesis 15 May 12, 2013 A. Introduction Describe the victory won by Abram and the following temptation. 1. Gen. 14:1-16 Abram defeated a confederation of four kings with his own security force of 318 men. 2. Gen. 14:17-24 The King of Sodom offered to Abram all the goods captured in battle but he refused. B. Questioning How did God speak to Abram in His fourth communication? 15:1a What promises did God include in His message? 15:1b 1. There was no need to fear since God would be a shield to him. 2. God would be His very great reward. What was Abram s question to God in light of the promise he had been given? 15:2 How did God answer Abram s question? 1. 15:4 Abram s own child would be the heir, not Eliezer of Damascus, Abram s steward. 2. 15:5 His descendants would be as numerous as the stars of the sky. What did Abram do in order to be counted righteous by God? 15:6 How does Abram s answer support the doctrine of justification by faith? Gal. 3:6, Rom. 4:3, Jam. 2:23 What was the subject of Abram s further questioning of God? 15:8 How would he know for certain that he would possess the land? C. Offering What did God tell Abram to do in answer to his question about possessing the land? 15:9 After Abram had prepared his sacrificial offering to God, what happened to him? 15:12 God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Abram, and terror and great darkness came upon him. What prediction did God then make concerning Abram s descendants? 15:13-16 What would happen to Abram personally? 15:15 He would die in peace and be buried at a good old age. D. Reassuring How did God reassure Abram in his concern regarding the future? 15:17 What did God specifically promise to Abram regarding land? 15:18 That He would give to Abram s descendants the land from the Nile to the Euphrates.
Justification by Faith May 12, 2013
A. Introduction B. Questioning C. Offering D. Reassuring
A. Introduction
How does a person make peace with God?
Romans 5:1 - Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
B. Questioning
Genesis 15:1 - After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward."
Matthew 6:8 - Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Genesis 15:2 - But Abram said, "Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
Genesis 15:4-5 - And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir." Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Colossians 2:6-7 - As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Genesis 15:6 - And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.
How was Abram saved? Not by keeping the Law, for the Law had not yet been given, Not by circumcision, for that was not established until he was ninety-nine years old, He was saved through faith in God's Word.
How do we know we know that Abram was justified by faith? 1. The word used for righteousness Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. 2. Paul s argument in the New Testament
Romans 3:28-4:5 - For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?...
... For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Galatians 3:5-14 - Does He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written,...
Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree" so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
James 2:24 - You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
The difference is: Infused righteousness (poured in) vs. Imputed righteousness (credited to)
Romans 3:10-12 - "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
(James) James 2:24 - You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (Paul) Romans 3:28 - For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
The difference between infused and imputed righteousness 1. Examine the context of each statement. Paul is talking about works done in obedience to the Law of Moses before any heed is given to the faith of the Gospel. The Before faith in the Gospel. James is talking about works done in obedience to the Gospel and as the fruit and results of the work of the Gospel in one s heart. The After faith in the Gospel. Paul argues by showing the insufficiency of any works done before faith. James aruges by presenting the essential and indisputable effects of genuine faith.
The difference between infused and imputed righteousness 1. Examine the context of each statement. 2. Paul is addressing those who sought to depend on their works to earn merit in the sight of God. James is preaching to those whose faith has no fruit. 3. Paul is speaking of justification referring to right legal standing before God. James is addressing the matter of our faith being justified in the sight of men.
James 2:18 -... show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
The difference between infused and imputed righteousness 4. Paul is looking on the front end of justification and how it happens. James is talking about the completed process. Through faith we move into the justified state and then come the good works.
James 2:21-23 - Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God.
The just shall live by faith. And the faith of the just shall live by food and exercise, the food of God s Word and the exercise of application.
What if you believe God but you still have some questions? Is that bad? Is that showing a lack of faith? It depends on what you do with the answers to those questions.
Genesis 15:8 - And he said, "Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it (the land)?"
C. Offering
Here is God s answer to Abram s question about possessing the land. Genesis 15:9-10 - So He said to him, "Bring Me a threeyear-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a threeyear-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. Genesis 15:16 - But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
D. Reassuring
Genesis 15:17-18 - And it came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,
Romans 5:1 - Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,