Trouble in the Middle East

Galatians 4:22-31

     Judaism                        Christianity

• Bondwoman (Hagar)...Freewoman (Sarah)

• Ishmael..........................Isaac

• Natural birth.................Supernatural, of promise

• Mt. Sinai, "the Law"......Mt. Zion, "the Christ"

• Earthly Jerusalem..........Heavenly Jerusalem

• Enslaved, bondage........Free

• Persecuting....................the persecuted

• Expelled..........................Heir, inheritance

Romans 4:2-5

“If in fact, Abraham was justified by  works, he had something to boast about—but not before God." Vs. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham  believed God, and it was credited to him as  righteousness.” Vs. 4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. Vs. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited  as righteousness.  

Vs. 2 Abraham had nothing to boast about. 

Vs. 4  “one that works” = one that thinks his  work earns something.

Vs. 5 “He that does not work” = one who trusts God who does the work of salvation.

Romans 4:6-8, 7

“Blessed are those whose  transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.   Vs. 8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” [Ps. 32:1,2]

Romans 4:9-15

“…..Vs. 10 Under what circumstances was  it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It  was not after, but before!.......so then, he is the father of  all who believe but have not been circumcised, in  order that righteousness might be credited to them… Vs. 13 It  was not through the law that Abraham and his  offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the  world, but through the righteousness that comes by  faith. Vs. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs,  faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,…”

Romans 4:16-17

“Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that  it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s  offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those  who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.  Vs. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who  gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.” 

The qualities of Abraham’s faith should be ours:

Romans 4:18-25

“...believing God gives life from the dead….contrary to hope,  in hope believed……. consider his own body already dead….. not being weak in faith……. did not  did not waver at the  promise….. was strengthened in faith….. fully convinced that  what He had promised, He was able to perform…”

1. My faith is imperfect!

2. My faith does not save, rather, it is in the one whose  perfect faith accomplished my salvation.

3. Christ’s faith is perfect and accomplished our  salvation.

Hebrews 5:7-10 The faith of Jesus became the  “author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”

Galatians 3:22  (KJV / Youngs literal) “…that the  promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to  those that believe.”

Romans 3:22 “the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus  Christ…”

Galatians 2:16 “…a man is not justified by the works of the law, but  by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that  we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the  law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not  I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I  live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for  me.”

Ephesians 3:12 “In whom we have boldness and access with  confidence by the faith of him.”

Philippians 3:9 “And be found in him, not having mine own  righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of  Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

Our salvation is akin to the champion athlete who performs on the field, wins the victory, and we celebrate his victory.  We did not run, nor catch, nor  kick, nor in any way obtain the victory.

The champion athlete did all that! 

Our study of Abraham is a great time to realize the role  of faith and obedience in the Christian life.  Faith,  repentance, and baptism are all important in receiving salvation, but they earn nothing.

The finished work of Christ earned our  salvation!!

Keturah’s Story, Genesis 25:1-8

1. Keturah, another “concubine” of Abraham.

2. Keturah’s sons also make up the origins of the Arab peoples.

3. “Midian,” most notable.  (Gen. 37; Ex. 2:15;  Judges 6-8)

Genesis 25:9-11

Isaac & Ishmael join together in  burying Abraham.

Genesis 25:12-18

Ishmael’s sons “12 princes”  over their nations.

Coffman, quoting  “Henry Morris,” p. 322

“Through millennia of migrations and  intermarriages, it seems likely that all of these peoples, the descendants of  Keturah, together with the descendants of Ishmael and Esau, along with earlier  descendants of Shem, and in some cases Ham, have gradually merged and become the modern-day Arabic peoples.