Living Faith: Under Pressure (II)

(To download an MP3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This message is the second sermon in a series of messages on the New Testament book of James. We continued our discussion about trials, tests and temptations by learning the process of temptations to evil. Such temptations do not come from God, but from our own desires and passions. God, on the other hand is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Written Excerpts:

James 1:13 ^(NKJV) Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

Introduction:

(Wayne Stiles, Insight for Living) More than [forty] years ago Flip Wilson kept America in stitches with his television characters “Reverend Leroy,” the friendly, pompous pastor of the “Church of What’s Happening Now,” and “Geraldine Jones,” the sassy African-American woman in a miniskirt. Whenever Geraldine would impulsively buy a dress—or do anything she shouldn’t—she excused her urge by uttering the line she made famous, “The Devil made me do it!”

America laughed at Geraldine for her obviously lame excuse. In fact, to say, “The Devil made me do it,” became the rage all over the country…. (https://insight.org/resources/article-library/individual/the-devil-made-me-do-it)

Well, it might have become very popular to lay the blame for sinful choices on the devil, but apparently there is someone else who has often been blamed as well. The passage of Scripture we are going to talk about today starts out with the statement, “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God.”

We’re going through the book of James and I mentioned last Sunday that we are naming this series of messages: “Living Faith.” James talks in chapter 2 about faith that is dead. So, I believe it is appropriate to look at his letter as a series of admonitions defining what living faith really looks like. Living faith is more than merely giving intellectual assent to certain facts or propositions, but it is letting those truths impact daily choices and actions in a way that conforms with the character of God.

Last Sunday we discussed verses 1-12 to learn several truths James offers about living with daily tests and trials. Now, in v.13, he continues his discussion about test and trials or temptations, but he seems to be writing more specifically about the temptation to do evil.

I.    Living Faith: Under Pressure (1:1-1:18)

A.    Living Under the Pressure of Daily Trials (1:1-12)

A week ago, we considered six truths that James provided about daily trials. With the help of the Holy Spirit I want to speak to you today about living under the pressure of evil temptations, and I want to discuss three important truths that James provides about evil temptations.

B.     Living Under the Pressure of Evil Temptations (1:13-18)

1. God is not the source of evil temptations. (v.13)

“let no man say” – Imperative verb. Do not accuse God.

Those who stress the sovereignty of God so that the free will of man is obscured may actually conclude God decrees everything that happens, even the temptations to do evil.

It has always been the tactic of men to blame someone else for their failures. Adam/Eve…

“God cannot be tempted with evil” – There is absolutely nothing in the nature and character of God that is enticed with evil. Even though Jesus was tempted by the devil after fasting 40 days in the wilderness. The age-old question among theologians is: “Could Jesus (God) sin?” 

“neither tempts he any man” – Satan, is the source of evil temptations. 1 Peter 5:8 ^(KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

God may give him liberty to tempt a person within defined boundaries. (e.g. Job) But God allows it for the purpose of strengthening us, while Satan does it for the purpose of destroying us.

God “tempted” Abraham to see if he would give up his son. God tested the Israelites by allowing some Canaanites to remain in the land. These and other cases indicate God putting people to the test to reveal their level of commitment to Him. They were not temptations to commit evil.

Someone has pointed out that these qualities, can’t be tempted and doesn’t tempt anyone, are in stark contrast to the pagan deities. In all probability the recipients of this letter lived among unbelievers who would naturally assume that the gods caused them to do evil.

2. The process of temptation is explained. (vv.14-15)

“drawn away” – lit. to draw/drag out; carried away; means that attention is caught. Something appealing to fleshly desires catches your attention.

“own lusts” – That is, human passions and desires. They are God-given desires, but the self-centered human heart seeks to satisfy those desires in a way that is contrary to God’s Word or will.

“enticed” – trapped or hooked. When we are in the middle of a temptation it can feel an awful lot like there is no escape from it. It can feel overwhelming.

The only way to avoid that is to learn to detect and recognize the slightest beginning of the “drawing away” and immediately focus thoughts and attention on something else.

“lust has conceived” – having conceived; lit. take with, clasp together, conceive

“brings forth” – gives birth; produces; 

“finished” – lit. a compound word meaning “from” and “finish, fulfill, accomplish,” thus to complete entirely; consummate.

“brings forth” – gives birth; begets; breed forth; generate

A.T. Robertson – the first word translated “brings forth” (KJV), is a literary term, while the second word that is translated the same is a medical term. Both words depict the act of giving birth.

James has painted a clear picture here concerning the process of sin. No sin is God’s fault. Sin is purely the result of our own passions and desires consummating with our willful choice to satisfy them illicitly. Emphasize the fact that, according to James, there is no sin until the will becomes involved and gives consent for the desire.

As Jesus explained, the consent of the will with the desire is still sin even though it may not progress to full-blown action. 

Matthew 5:28 ^(KJV) But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

When we are tempted, we make a willful choice whether we will reject the thought and temptation, or dwell on it and imagine how it can be experienced/enjoyed.

3. God is the source of everything good. (vv.16-18)

“do not err” – imperative verb, “stop being deceived!” “Stop being misled / going astray!”

Do not “swallow” the lies about God’s participation in your sin, which implies an evil component of His nature.

“gift… gift” – (Robertson, Word Pictures…) Dosis [the first word for gift] is the act of giving (ending -sis), but sometimes [used] for the thing given …. But dōrēma [the second word for gift] … only means a gift, a benefaction (Romans 5:16). 

“good…perfect” – first word: (Thayer) “useful, wholesome.” Second word: “complete, lacking nothing.”

“from above” – heavenly realm

“Father of lights” – Creator of heavenly luminaries.

“no variableness” – changeableness; fickleness

“shadow of turning” – perhaps a reference to the shadow on the sundial caused by the moving of heavenly light.

God is completely reliable. He is not fickle. We do not have to worry about what kind of mood He is in. He provides every good and wholesome gift and every perfect/complete gift that we need.

v. 18 – proof of this earlier statement in v. 16. 

Rather than tempting us to sin or do evil, God has brought about our own re-birth by the Word of truth.

“begat he us” (KJV) – (NKJV) “brought us forth;” (NIV) “Give us birth.”

It is the same word used in v.15 “sin…brings forth death.”

Seems to be a deliberate contrast to the devastation sin produces in us. Rather than “giving birth to death” God has “birthed us to life by the word of truth.” (Tyndale) It is a birth to spiritual life rather than spiritual death.

It is a spiritual rebirth, just like Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3. It happens when we receive and accept the word of truth. Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

Sometimes truth is difficult to hear, but when we hear it and accept it, it becomes liberating and transforming. 

“be firstfruits of his creatures” – (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) … first fruits (aparchē) is a customary New Testament designation of Christians …. And the idea of Christians as the first fruits of a redeemed creation is paralleled in Romans 8. 

Romans 8:22-23 ^(NKJV) For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Conclusion:

Living under the pressure of evil temptations must include a correct understanding of its cause. Sin is the result when we willfully choose to satisfy some fleshly, self-centered desire by attitudes and actions that are not consistent with the nature of God.

The consequence of sin is spiritual death, and ultimately eternal death.

But God, who is the giver of every good and perfect gift and blessing we could ever have, has provided the means for us to be born again spiritually by the word of truth.

Truth about our sin; truth about its consequences; truth about His forgiveness and grace; and truth about living according to His will. Truth is both disturbing and liberating. It is both condemning and consoling. 

The song I have chosen to use for our closing hymn today is all about God’s gracious gifts that He lovingly provides for His children.

God of Grace and God of Glory

Living Faith: Under Pressure

(To download an MP3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon is the first in a series of messages on the Epistle of James. It is based on James 1:1-12 and presents six different truths that James provides regarding daily tests and trials.

Written Excerpts:

James 1:1 ^(NKJV) James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 

Introduction:

For some time now I have been thinking of doing a series of messages through another book of the Bible. It was not easy trying to decide which Book of the Bible to do next. Lately I have been strongly feeling like God would have me preach through the book of James. Nearly 8 years ago I led a Bible study on the book of James for our Wednesday night meetings, and I remember thinking at the time that I would like to cover the material someday with our Sunday morning congregation. So, today we’re going to begin, and we’ll continue through the book each Sunday until we finish all 5 chapters. 

I have decided to call the series: “Living Faith” for a couple of reasons. First of all, in chapter two, the author clearly states that faith without works is “dead.” So, it is apparent that James is concerned about his readers having a faith that is living. Secondly, the book of James is clearly about how our faith is meant to be lived in practical, everyday life. He covers several topics that bring faith to bear on issues that people face. He is definitely concerned that the believers hearing his letter read would apply a living faith to everyday life.

As we go through the book, talking about Living Faith we will be discussing how faith responds to various situations and problems in life. The first situation or problem we will be talking about in chapter one has to do with our faith and its response to trials and temptations. So, I’ve titled today’s sermon, “Living Faith: Under Pressure.”

Before we look at the verses about trials and temptations, I want to take a little time to provide some background information about this short letter.

I.     Background Information

Author:  James, the brother of Jude & half-brother of Jesus.

He is not so identified, but much about his character is revealed that is in keeping with what is known about him. This choice is also in keeping with tradition which tells us that he remained in Jerusalem and that Peter, James, & John chose James, the brother of Jesus to be the pastor of the Jerusalem church after the ascension of Christ (cf. Clement of Alexandria). 

The fact that he does not so identify himself (as our Lord’s brother) may be an indication of his humility, but it also reveals the standing and personal authority he had in the opinion of his readers. He was a man well known and highly esteemed in the new Christian community. “James, a servant of Jesus and of Jesus Christ” was an entirely sufficient identification to them. 

James, along with other half-brothers of Jesus, did not initially believe in Jesus. 

John 7:5 ^(NKJV) For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

Apparently sometime after the resurrection, James was won over and became a dedicated follower; so much so that he was the prominent leader of the Christian believers in Jerusalem.

Recipients:  The letter is addressed "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (James 1:1b). "Twelve tribes," obviously, identifies the readers as Jewish, and 

"scattered abroad" (diaspora) further identifies them as those Jews living outside of Palestine. We read in the book of Acts that the believers were scattered 

Acts 8:1 ^(NKJV) Now Saul was consenting to his [Stephen’s] death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 

(Zaspel) It is the most Jewish writing of the NT. The meeting place is the synagogue (2:1), Abraham is their father (2:21), God is called The Lord of Sabbaoth (5:4, only time in NT), His illustrations are often from the OT, and the whole approach is that of an OT prophet.

Characteristics of the Letter

Lots of illustrations from natural world

Use of rhetorical questions to get point across

Use of imperative verbs (54 in 108 total verses) Very often the writers of Scripture use imperative verbs (commands) to convey the meaning that God requires our obedience to conform to His standards of right living. Doesn’t usually “sit well” with autonomous, self-willed individuals who think “you don’t have a right to tell me how to live.”

Faith vs. Works

(Zaspel) Some have… assumed that James and Paul contradict each other regarding faith and works. This misunderstanding stems from a failure to recognize the issues in focus in James and Paul — they are not standing face to face fighting each other but back to back fighting different enemies. 

Paul attacks the idea that a man can be saved by works and so emphasizes faith. James attacks the idea that a man's faith may be dead (unproductive) yet real, and so James emphasizes works….

The "works" Paul attacks are those which pretend to save; the "works" James demands are those which demonstrate salvation.

(D.E. Hiebert) Perhaps as an extreme reaction to the legalism to which they had been subjected before their acceptance of Christ, many of them acted as though knowledge of the truth was sufficient… James recognized that his readers seriously needed to test themselves to see if their faith was a living faith or a mere lifeless profession.

(The Student Bible – NIV) In contrast to the Apostle Paul, James is not explaining the kind of faith it takes to become a Christian, but rather the kind of faith it takes to act like one or live like one. 

II.    Living under the pressure of daily trials.

Something these believers had no doubt experienced was trials and tests. They were scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution and perhaps had continued to experience it to varying degrees since. There are six different truths that James shares regarding daily trials.

A. Joy is commanded (v. 2)

The very first thing James addresses is the matter of trials and temptations. And the first thing he says is a command to cultivate an attitude of joy in the midst of trials. This is one of the many imperative verbs that James uses in the letter. It is an “order” or necessary action needed.

“All joy” – i.e. only joy; unmixed with other emotions; or real, supreme joy.

Joy is not the normal human attitude one has in the middle of trials and testing. Our normal human response is to complain; question; etc. But we are urged to cultivate that very attitude because of the greater good that God can bring out of it. 

Joy is not something that we can just turn on and off. It is a disposition and an attitude that must be trained and cultivated through experience and practice, but it also requires a deeper cause for it than our outward circumstances.

B. Trials are diverse (v. 2)

“divers temptations” (KJV) – various (NKJV); many kinds (NIV). The word carries the idea of many-colored; motley; etc. 

Tests and trials come in all shapes, sizes and strengths. They can seem as though they are not only all different kinds but coming from all different directions/sources.

“temptations” / “trials” – (D.E. Hiebert) The word denotes a testing being directed toward an end, to discover the nature or quality of the object or person tested.

C. Trials have a purpose (v. 3-4)

The real reason we are commanded to cultivate the attitude of joy is because God is going to use it for our own good. The testing of our faith produces patience (endurance). Trials and tests have been permitted by God to build up our endurance and make us strong/stalwart Christians. 

What does faith have to do with it? Faith is the ability to trust that God is still in control and has the desire and the ability to bring positive good out of it all. It is really disheartening to see people that so easily give up trusting in God and trying to live a righteous life because of difficult trials that may come their way.

1 Peter 1:6-7 ^{(NKJV) 6} In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

According to verse 4, God is able to produce a “finished product” or “complete/perfect” product with us if we can understand what He is ultimately trying to do with us and let it work.

“let patience have…” – This is another imperative verb. Believers are urged/commanded to let endurance work the way it is intended – not in an instant, but over time.

Romans 5:3 ^(NKJV) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

Many Christians do not seem to be interested in becoming mature / “perfect” in their faith. But apparently James felt it was necessary, and apparently God does too.

D. Wisdom is needed & available (v. 5-8)

The most difficult part of enduring trials and temptations is knowing how. What can I do? What should I do? How should I react? James tells us in verse 5 that if anyone lacks wisdom, he/she can ask of God and receive wisdom. Wisdom for what? If we understand it in the context, it primarily refers to wisdom on how to get through the trial or test.

God will respond to that kind of prayer. 

“liberally/generously” – word that can carry two meanings: generously, or with “singleness of purpose,” i.e. undivided or unwavering intent.

Doesn’t “upbraid/reproach” – (Tyndale New Testament Comm.) he does not reprimand us for past failures or remind us endlessly of the value of the gifts he gives. 

God doesn’t shame us or embarrass us when we pray.

The asking must be done in confidence that it will happen. How do we know it will? Because God said it will.

“Wavering” carries the same meaning as “double-minded” in v. 8.  It implies a person who constantly changes his/her mind about God’s willingness and/or ability to grant wisdom and victory thro’ temptations.

E. Trials affect everyone regardless of economic status.

Possession of wealth or lack of it does not prevent difficult trials and adversity. It comes to everyone.

“low degree/lowly” – one who is poor and powerless.

“exalted” – same word used to refer to the heavenly realm to which Jesus ascended. (Tyndale Comm.)

Both poor and rich need to remember that this world and its blessings (or lack of them) is not our final or permanent home.

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – James, then, exhorts both the poor and the rich Christian to remember that the sole basis for their confidence is their identification with Jesus Christ. The poor believer, insignificant and of no account in the eyes of the world, is to rejoice in his relationship with the Lord who has been exalted to the highest position in the universe. The rich believer, well-off and secure in his possessions, with great status in the eyes of the world, is to remember that his only lasting security comes through his relationship with the ‘man of sorrows’, ‘despised and rejected by men’. Both Christians, in other words, must look at their lives from a heavenly, not an earthly, perspective.

F. Endurance produces victor’s reward.

“crown of life” – probably a reference to the laurel wreath placed on the head of victorious athletes at Olympic games. Figuratively represents glory and honor – heavenly reward.

Revelation 2:10 ^(NKJV) … Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

III.     Living under the pressure of evil temptations.

(Pick up here next Sunday.)

Conclusion:

When our faith is genuine, it is a living faith that keep functioning even in the midst of daily trials.

Our closing hymn was written by the author in the midst of very severe trials.

It Is Well with My Soul

A Prayer from Prison

(To download an MP3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon based on Ephesians 1:17-19, which is a prayer that the Apostle Paul had prayed for the believers in Ephesus. This letter was written while Paul was in prison, thus it is a "prayer from prison." The message takes the different aspects of Paul's petitions and applies them to believers living today. 

Written Excerpts:

Ephesians 1:17-19 ^{(NKJV) 17} that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Introduction:

I do not have proof for this statement, but I imagine that there are two things that occur very frequently in prison – prayers and writing letters. For example: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison. Many others have used the time of incarceration to spend hours in prayer and if permitted, they also commit hours to writing.

The Bible has samples of both letters and prayers. In the OT, the prophet Jeremiah comes to mind. We don’t know for sure if any of his prophecy was written while in captivity, but he did write about it. He obviously spent time praying while there. In the NT, the most obvious example is the Apostle Paul. There are at least 5 books (letters) in the NT written by Paul while he was in prison. 

Many Bible scholars believe that there were two different times that Paul was in prison. Four of the letters were written during the 1^st imprisonment – Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; and Philemon. One more letter was probably written during his 2^nd imprisonment – 2^nd Timothy.

In at least 3 of the letters Paul describes specific requests that he is praying for them. In the other two letters he merely mentions that he has been praying for them but doesn’t go into detail about the content of his prayers.

According to my records, I preached a couple of sermons back in the Spring of 2010 based on a prayer recorded in Ephesians 3. Today, I want to draw your attention to another prayer that is recorded in the first chapter of Ephesians. Remember that Ephesians is one of the letters Paul wrote during his first imprisonment.

In the book of Acts, we learn that Paul went on three different missionary journeys preaching and teaching the gospel in many cities in the areas we now know as Turkey and Greece. Ephesus is a city that Paul initially visited on his 2^nd missionary journey then returned for an extended visit on his 3^rd missionary journey.

In the second half of chapter one Paul mentions that he is praying for the Christians in Ephesus. He first states in general terms (v. 17) that he is praying for God to grant them wisdom, knowledge and understanding concerning the things that God has revealed and desires for them. He then proceeds to tell them that he is praying for them to know three specific things. 

During the rest of our time this morning I want to speak to you about those three specific things that Paul prays for them to know. He prays for them to know: the hope of His calling; the riches of the glory of His inheritance; and the greatness of His power.

I.                   He prays for them to know the hope of His calling.

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – “This calling can be spoken of as having taken place in the past—God has called men and women to himself (2 Tim. 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,); or as continuing in the present (1 Thess. 2:12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.) and so involving a life-long vocation of service and sanctification (Eph. 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called). But also, because it is the call of the eternal God, it brings to those without hope (2:12) the expectation of an eternal destiny.”

It is a hope founded in the very character and promises of God; not simply wishful thinking.

It is a hope for both a life that is pleasing to God now and assured of a future with Him.

II.                He prays for them to know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. (or, His glorious inheritance…)

“riches” – abundance of wealth

“his’ inheritance – that is the inheritance coming from God.

Ephesians 1:13b-14 ^(NKJV) … you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

“glory/glorious” – essential quality of life in God (Tyndale).

“in the saints” – (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) “The fellowship of Christians is the sphere in which the inheritance of God is found, just as it is true also that it is in and through his church that the truth of God’s purpose becomes known and declared.”

Acts 20:32 ^(NKJV) So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Acts 26:18 ^(NKJV) to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' 

III.       He prays for them to know the exceeding greatness of His power.

Nearly every time Paul speaks about God’s power, he utilizes superlative language. It is a constant reminder that God is able to take care of us and to enable us to weather every storm and, not only survive, but to thrive.

He reminds them in verse 20 that this power is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. He says the same thing in Romans 8:11. 

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) “The four words are distinguished more clearly as they are translated in RV as ‘power’, ‘working’, ‘strength’ and ‘might’. One is lost in RSV by the substitution of the adjective great. The power (dynamis) of God he would stress in particular is not just an abstract quality, but it is known according to its working which can be seen and realized. The Greek word here is energeia from which our word ‘energy’ comes… Moreover it is his great ‘strength’ (kratos), that distinctive attribute of the divine nature that is praised in the New Testament doxologies (1 Tim. 6:16; 1 Pet. 4:11; 5:11; Jude 25; Rev. 1:6; 5:13); and it is his might (ischys) which he possesses and is also able to make available to us (cf. 6:10; 1 Pet. 4:11).”

Conclusion:

Paul is confined to prison (although he apparently had some limited freedoms during this first imprisonment). 

He’s writing to Christians to whom he had preached and taught the Word of Christ.

One of the main concerns in the mind of every missionary, every pastor or preacher of the gospel is the spiritual welfare of those whom they have nurtured in the faith. If Paul was aware of the possibility of falling away from Christ after he had preached the truth to others, then certainly any of us may drift away or turn away also. We need to be on alert and constantly seeking more of God’s maturing grace in our lives.

As we close with a hymn about God’s guidance and leadership in our lives, let us purpose in our hearts to appropriate God’s grace and experience the hope, riches and power God has available for us.

God Leads Us Along

Father Abraham

(To download an MP3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a message that was given on Father's Day using comments about Abraham in Genesis 18:19. The sermon uses the four facts stated about Abraham in this verse to encourage present day fathers in their awesome role.

Written Excerpts:

Romans 4:11 ^(NLT) Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised….

Introduction:

In the month of May we have a day that we celebrate as Mother’s Day. And, in the month of June there is a day that we celebrate as Father’s Day. Those are days that have been declared as times to give special attention and affection to those important people in our lives we call our parents.

As I often say on both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, I recognize the fact that this day does not bring happy memories for some people. It might be grief over the death of your father, the horrible memories of an abusive father, or any number of other causes for sadness when the word father comes up. I truly feel sadness for everyone who has those feelings to cope with today.

I too feel a sense of sorrow and sadness because both my father and my wife’s father have died, but my sadness is mixed with many, many pleasant and fond memories of my dad. He loved Jesus and he cared deeply for his family. He was a great role model in many ways.

In the Scripture that was read earlier in the service, there is a verse that gives a brief description of Abraham and his influence with his family. I want to use this passage to point out some key qualities in Abraham’s role as a father in order to provide insights for fathers today.

Genesis 18:19 (NKJV) ¹⁹  For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."

Perhaps you have noticed the title I chose for today’s message. I was really tempted to have us sing the kid’s chorus by the same title! “Father Abraham had many sons. Many sons had father Abraham…”

This verse reveals four different facts about Abraham and his role as a father. Before we get into those four points, lets briefly talk about the context of this verse.

In the earlier verses of the chapter we read about an encounter between the Lord, a couple of “angels” and Abraham & Sarah. Abraham extends hospitality that would have been normal for the culture. During their visit, the Lord reveals that Sarah is going to have a child at the age of 90. A little later in the chapter, the verse 18 says that God does not want to hide from Abraham the coming judgment He is going to bring against Sodom and Gomorrah. The reason for this desire to inform is due to the fact that Abraham is going to be a man of great influence for coming generations. It is also implied by these comments and by the overall context that God wants to give Abraham an opportunity to intercede on behalf of Lot and the people of those cities.

Okay, let’s now turn our attention to the four truths that are revealed in this passage.

1.            He was intimately known by His God.

v. 19a – (KJV)I know him; (NKJV)I have known him.

The word know is the most common Hebrew word that is usually translated “know” in the OT. It carries a wide range of meanings, describing man’s knowledge of people & things; learning; simple acquaintance with something or someone; or the most intimate kind of knowledge including sexual relations.

Because of the word “that” (in order that), which follows the word “know,” some Hebrew scholars translate it differently than simply with the word “know(n).” 

For example, the NIV reads, “I have chosen him.” The NLT reads, “I have singled him out.” Then, one OT commentary (K&D), renders it like this: “acknowledged him, (i.e. chosen him in anticipative love).”

The intended meaning of this phrase seems to be that God intimately knows Abraham (just like He knows everyone), and He affirms that Abraham will be the kind of person He can bless and use in a mighty way.

When the context is taken into consideration, it seems that God is not only saying I know how Abraham will lead his family, and how he will be a blessing to the whole world, but I also know he will intercede for the people that are facing judgment.

Obviously, God knows me, and He knows you. What would God’s evaluation of us be? How would God describe our influence on our families and on our world?

2.            He was a leader for his household.

v. 19b – “he will command his children after him…”

“command” – used in various OT passages to describe the instruction of a father to his sons, a farmer to his laborers, or a king to his servants. 

The word is used not only in the sense of authority (i.e. “demand”), but in the sense of teaching and instructing. When used at times of God, it included the idea of providing the knowledge, wisdom and means of accomplishing what He commands.

“after him” – probably a reference not only to his children, but to all his descendants.

God knows Abraham IN ORDER THAT he will provide the right kind of leadership for his posterity. He will inform them of what is expected, and then he will provide guidance and instruction on how to accomplish it.

Father Abraham was a leader of his family. What about us?

3.            He provided holy objectives for his descendants.

v. 19c – “they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment…”

God declares that Abraham is the kind of leader for his family who will teach them and point them in the way of the Lord. Abraham will use his influence and his authority to lead his family and his descendants to follow God’s will for them. 

What does the way of the Lord include? Justice and Judgment or, righteousness and justice.

“Justice” (KJV) – a word that is translated 15 times as “justice” but it is translated 128 times as “righteousness.” It is a word that includes the idea of conforming to a right moral/ethical standard. It is founded in the moral character of God.

“Judgment” (KJV) – This is a word that has a much broader meaning originally than what is generally given to it today. While we tend to think of judgment primarily in the sense of judicial government (courts, rulings), the Hebrew word included much more. It is a word that would include the judicial, as well as the executive and legislative aspects of government. So, it not only speaks about judging the rightness/wrongness of a matter, but also about promoting the right through laws, and enforcing the right by its sovereign authority.

God is proclaiming His knowledge of Abraham as a man who will influence and lead his household and following generations to keep the way of the Lord by personally living lives of moral integrity as well as promoting a society that upholds God’s view of right and wrong.

Adam Clarke – “… not only to preserve the truth in their creed, but to maintain it in their practice.”

Yes, Abraham would have needed to teach his children how to care for the animals, grow and harvest crops, fight against enemies, etc. But God is saying that he would also be a man who would teach his household the ways of righteousness and justice.

Fathers have a serious responsibility to lead their families to follow God’s will and God’s way. We can teach our kids everything they need to know to survive and thrive in the world, but we also need to teach them to follow Jesus. Men, our first responsibility for discipling other people in the faith lies with our families.

4.            He would reap the promises from God.

v. 19d – “that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He has spoken of him.”

Genesis 18:18 (NKJV) ¹⁸  since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

Verse 18 summarizes what God had spoken about Abraham in previous chapters of Genesis. God called him out of his former country and away from his ancestors to become a distinct people who follow the ways of the Lord. As Abraham obeyed and continued to follow the Lord, he was shown in greater and greater detail what all God had planned for him and his descendants. He would not only receive all the blessings that God had promised, but he would be a channel of blessing to the whole world.

In addition to these prophecies and predictions in the OT, we find in the NT that the spiritual benefits of Abraham’s faith are available to all of us.

Romans 4:11 ^(NLT) Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised….

Genesis 15:6 (KJV) ⁶  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Cornerstone Biblical Commentary – In 15:6 righteousness was imparted to him because of his faith. “Righteous” then became a description of those who were members of the covenant by faith and who were seeking to please the Lord.

Paul reminds his readers that Abraham was counted righteous because of his faith before he ever received the sign of the covenant – circumcision. To the Jews, the sign was most important, but Paul wants them to see that faith preceded the sign, so faith is the most important. And, if faith is most important, then it is possible for those who were considered outsiders to become “insiders” if they possess the same kind of faith in God.

Just like Abraham would reap all the promised blessings from God, so we too will reap the promises God has made to those who believe. Fathers, we can follow Abraham’s example by leading and influencing our families in the way of the Lord, but everyone can follow his example of faith and become “children of Abraham” by virtue of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Father Abraham does have many sons! I am one of them and so are you, so let’s just praise the Lord!

Closing song: Faith of our Fathers