Justification by faith

(Gen. 15:1-11)

Introduction: Two weeks ago I preached with the title of ‘Melchizedek’ based on Gen. 14:13-24. Melchizedek appeared once in Genesis 14:17 as the priest of God Most High. He blessed Abram and took the tithe from him when Abram came from the war with Kedorlaomer. Then, in Psalm 110:4, King David said, the Christ would be the eternal priest following the order of Melchizedek. Finally, the author of Hebrews (ch. 7) explained the relationship between Melchizedek and Jesus in detail. We are not saved by observing the Law given through Moses; we are forgiven forever through faith in the eternal priest Jesus Christ following the order of Melchizedek who appeared in the time of Abram, well before Moses. Jesus gives eternal redemption, eternal life, and the privilege of becoming children of God to those who believe in him. Our salvation was given to us not because we did good work but because we received Jesus in our heart. Today’s passage is Gen. 15:1-11. God appeared to Abram after Abram met Melchizedek. But Abram had an attitude against God. It would be somehow understandable considering that Abram spent about 10 years in Canaan, but God did not give him the son He promised. However, Abram believed in God when God said He would make Abram’s descendants like the stars in the heavens, and God credited Abram’s faith as righteousness. We can see that the principle of the gospel is present in the OT, and Gen. 15:6 has been cited in many places in the NT.

2) By faith (4-7): God overlooked Abram’s complaints and reassured His promise. God never breaks His promise; He always keeps His promise. God took Abram outside and showed him the stars in the sky. Then God said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars. So shall your offspring be.” Strangely enough, Abram, in spite of his doubt and complaints, believed the Lord, and God credited it to him as righteousness. It is important to remember that doubt is not the opposite of believing; unbelieving is the opposite of believing. When we say we believe in God, it does not mean we don’t have any doubts about God. We make a decision to believe in God although we have some doubt. Abram believed in God although he had some doubt and complaints against God. Still, because of Abram’s imperfect faith, God called him as a righteous man.

3) Worship (8-11): While Abram had doubt, God told him to offer sacrifices with a cow, a goat, a ram, all 3-years old, along with a dove and a pigeon. Again, offering sacrifices in the OT is related to worship services in the NT. Through worshipping God Abram’s faith grew, and Abram became the father of faith. We need to remember that through worshipping God we listen to God’s words for us, and God’s words bring us faith. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). This is the lesson from today’s sermon. Thank you and God bless you.