INTRODUCTION:
     1. Take an imaginary trip to Chaldees.
     2. Walk down the street and pick up the "Stone Tableaux."
     3. Headlines shows robberies, murders, intrigues, etc.
     4. We stop at a house marked:  "Noah, Ship Builder."
     5. As we talk with him we see "The Faith of  a Builder."
     6. Genesis 6:9--" These are the generations of  Noah:  Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." 
     7. Observe:

I. THE BASIS OF  HIS FAITH
     A. God's Grace
          1. Genesis 6:8--"But Noah found grace in the eyes of  the LORD."
          2. "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed." (Worship and
               Service Hymnal.  Chicago:  Hope Publishing Company, 1967; 227, stanza 2)
          3. Ephesians 2:8--"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of  yourselves: it is the gift of  God:"
     B. God's Word
          1. The Scriptures
               a. Genesis 6:13--"And God said unto Noah, The end of  all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will
                    destroy them with the earth." 
               b. Hebrews 11:7a--"By faith Noah, being warned of  God of  things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of  his house;"
               c. Romans 10:17--"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of  God."
          2. All that the man of  God needs--"All that the man of  faith needs, is to know that God has spoken; this imparts perfect certainty to his soul." (Mackintosh,
               C. H., Notes on the book of  Genesis.  New York:  Loizeaux Brothers, 1961; 90)
          3. What sustained Noah through years of  building

TRANSITION: Having seen the basis of  Noah's faith, we can then observe:
 
II. THE ACTION OF  HIS FAITH
     A. Obedience
          1. He obeyed God.
               a. Genesis 6:22--"Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he."
               b. Hebrews 11:7a (Quoted above)
          2. Obedience is necessary.
               a. To God's Word
               b. To those in authority in so far as they are obedient to God's Word
          3. The example of  Christ--Hebrews 5:8. . . ."Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered;"
     B. Witnessing
          1. The result of  his obedience
               a. Genesis 6:22 (Quoted above); though not directly stated, he witnessed by his obedience.
               b. Cf. Acts 1:8--"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all
                    Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of  the earth."
          2. Concerning
               a. Sin--Genesis 6:9 (Quoted above)
               b. Righteousness--2 Peter 2:5. . . ."And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of  righteousness, bringing in the flood
                    upon the world of  the ungodly;"
               c. Judgment--evident from the text (Genesis 6:9)
          3. To God's grace
     C. Building
          1. The result of  obedience
          2. 1 Corinthians 3:10--"According to the grace of  God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth
               thereon.  But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."

TRANSITION:  Knowing the basis of  his faith, we saw that it led to action; but we can also see:

III. THE RESULT OF  HIS FAITH
     A. Salvation
          1. For his family--Genesis 7:7. . . ."And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of  the waters of  the
               flood."
               a. For himself
               b. For his wife
               c. For his three sons
               d. For his sons' wives
          2. For the animal kingdom--Genesis 7:8. . . ."Of  clean beasts, and of  beasts that are not clean, and of  fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the
               earth,"
          3. For the soul
               a. Ephesians 2:8 (Quoted above)
               b. "Naught have I gotten but what I received; Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed; Boasting excluded, pride I abase; I'm only a sinner saved by
                    grace!" (Worship and Service Hymnal, 271, stanza 1)
     B. Judgment
          1. Upon all flesh--Genesis 7:21-23. . . ."And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of  fowl, and of  cattle, and of  beast, and of  every creeping thing
               that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:  [22] All in whose nostrils was the breath of  life, of  all that was in the dry land, died.  [23] And every living
               substance was destroyed which was upon the face of  the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of  the heaven; and they
               were destroyed from the earth:  and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark."
          2. Upon all unbelievers
               a. John 3:18, 36--"He that believeth on Him is not condemned:  but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name
                    of  the only begotten Son of  God.  [36] He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:  and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the
                    wrath of  God abideth on him."
               b. 2 Peter 2:9--"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of  temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of  judgment to be punished:"

CONCLUSION:
     1. Do you have faith?
     2. What is its basis?
          a. God's grace?
          b. God's Word?
     3. What is the action of  your faith?
          a. Obedience?
          b. Witnessing?
          c. Building?
     4. If  your faith is true then the results will be
          a. Salvation for your soul
          b. Judgment upon unbelievers
     5. "My faith has found a resting place, Not in device nor creed; I trust the Everliving One, His wounds for me shall plead." (Worship and Service Hymnal, 254,
          stanza 1)
     6. You have no other plea but Christ; are you trusting Him?

Abraham's Reward
Genesis 15:1

INTRODUCTION:
     1. You may have seen posters reading "$2500 reward for information leading to the capture of  'The Bad One.'"
     2. We would like to consider a very different kind of  reward-- "Abraham's Reward."
     3. Our text is Genesis 15:1--"After these things the word of  the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy
          exceeding great reward."
     4. Think first of :

I. THE PERSON OF  THE REWARD
     A. God
          1. His shield
               a. In the light of  the tremendous temptation that Abraham overcame.
               b. The temptation of  being enriched by the world.
               c. The Lord became his shield.
               d. Psalm 33:20--"Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield."
               e. "Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation; O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!"  All ye who hear, Now to His temple
                    draw near; Join me in glad adoration!" (Worship and Service Hymnal.  Chicago:  Hope Publishing Company, 1967; 10, stanza 1)
          2. His reward
               a. Genesis 15:1 (Quoted above)
               b. Hebrews 11:6--"But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of  them
                    that diligently seek Him." 
     B. Christ
          1. More our reward than Abraham's
          2. In a real sense Abraham's also.
               a. Because Christ is God
               b. Cf. John 8:56--"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad."
          3. "The position into which Abraham is put, in the opening verse of our chapter, is beautifully expressive of  the position into which every soul is introduced by
               the faith of Christ. Jehovah was his 'shield' that he might rest in Him; Jehovah was his 'reward,' that he might wait for Him. So with the believer now; he
               finds his present rest, his present peace, his present security in Christ." (Mackintosh, C. H., Notes on the book of  Genesis.  New York:  Loizeaux
               Brothers, 1951; 160)

TRANSITION: God was to Abraham a shield and his reward. He can be our shield and reward also.  In a moment we will see how, but consider first:

II. THE NATURE OF  THE REWARD
     A. The Promise of  Sonship
          1. To Abraham
               a. Recall God's earlier promise to him--Genesis 13:15. . . ."For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever."
               b. Sonship as far as Abraham is concerned was the proper basis for fulfillment of  God's promises.
          2. To believers
               a. We, too, are promised sonship upon believing.
                    (I) John 1:12 (Quoted below)
                    (II) Romans 8:14--"For as many as are led by the Spirit of  God, they are the sons of  God."
               b. Sonship is important to us as believers.
                    (I) It is by the new birth--John 1:12, 13--"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:  [13] Which were born, not of  blood, nor of  the will of  the flesh, nor of  the will of  man, but of  God."
                    (II) It is the basis of  heirship--Galatians 4:7. . . ."Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if  a son, then an heir of  God through Christ."
     B. The Promise of  Heirship
         1. Sonship and heirship connected
              a. For the believer--just mentioned
              b. For Abraham--v. 4
              c. "Sonship and heirship are inseparably connected in the thoughts of  God." (Mackintosh, 161)
              d. Romans 8:16, 17--"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of  God:  [17] And if  children, then heirs; heirs of  God, and
                   joint-heirs with Christ; if  so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
         2. Heirship and Sonship a result
              a. "Moreover, it is the result of God's sovereign counsel and operation." (Ibid.)
              b. Of  justification--Titus 3:7. . . ."That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of  eternal life."

TRANSITION: God promises to Abraham, as well as to all believers, sonship and heirship.  But like any promise, there must be:

III. THE RECEIVING OF  THE REWARD
     A. Through Jesus Christ
          1. His death on the Cross--Galatians 3;13, 14. . . ."Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of  the law, being made a curse for us:  for it is written, Cursed is
               every one that hangeth on a tree:  [14] That the blessing of  Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise
               of  the Spirit through faith."
          2. By His resurrection
               a. It had to be.
               b. "When the God of  resurrection fills the vision, there is no limit to the soul's blessing; for He who can quicken the dead, can do anything." (Mackintosh,
                    162)
     B. By Faith
          1. Hebrews 11:6--"But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of  them
               that diligently seek Him."
          2. Galatians 3:9--"So then they which be of  faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."
          3. Ephesians 2:8, 9--"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of  yourselves: it is the gift of  God:  [9] Not of  works, lest any man should
               boast."
 
CONCLUSION:
     1. Abraham's reward was God Himself.
     2. The reward involved sonship and heirship.
     3. Abraham believed--Genesis 15:6. . . ."And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness."
     4. You too can receive the reward by trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior.
     5. Romans 4:23-25--"Now it was not written for his [Abraham's] sake alone, that it was imputed to him; [24] But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if  we
          believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; [25] Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."
     6. Only trust Him now.

The Life of  Abraham, Part 1
Genesis 12:1

INTRODUCTION:
     1. We are beginning a study of  the life of  Abraham.
     2. We know little of  his birth and nothing of  his early life.
     3. We know his father's name was Terah and was at least 70 years old when Abraham was born.--Genesis 11:26. . . ."And Terah lived seventy years, and
          begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran."
     4. We also know that he was a descendent of  Shem--Genesis 11:10ff. (Be sure to read this passage.)
     5. Thus, we begin with:

I. THE CALL OF  ABRAHAM--Genesis 12:1-5
     A. His Call
          1. A call to separation
               a. His
                    (I) From kindred--v. 1a
                    (II) Unto land--v. 1b
               b. Ours
                    (I) At Salvation
                         (A) 1 Peter 2:9b--". . . that ye should show forth the praises of  Him Who hath called you out of  darkness into His marvelous light:"
                         (B) Colossians 1:13--"Who hath delivered us from the power of  darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of  His dear Son:"
                         (C) From darkness to light (to His kingdom)
                    (II) From the world
                         (A) 2 Corinthians 6:14-17--"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
                              what communion hath light with darkness?  [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
                              [16] And what agreement hath the temple of  God with idols? for ye are the temple of  the living God; as God hath said, 'I will dwell in them,
                              and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,' saith
                              the Lord, 'and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.'"
                         (B) Ephesians 5:11a--"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of  darkness,. . . ."
                         (C) Romans 12:2a--"And be not conformed to this world:. . . ."
                    (III) Unto God
          2. A call to sojourning
               a. In a strange land (v. 1b)
               b. In a God-given land
                    (I) For Abraham
                         (A) Canaan (Palestine)
                         (B) The so-called Palestinians have no God-given claim on Palestine.  They are usurpers.
                    (II) For us who believe
                         (A) During the Millennium--earth
                         (B) Ultimately heaven
          3. A call to blessing
               a. For Abraham--vv. 2, 3
                    (I) An unconditional promise
                    (II) A threefold promise
                         (A) Personal--Genesis 12:2, 3a. . . ."And I will make of  thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a
                              blessing:  [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:"
                         (B) National--Genesis 12:7. . . ."And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, 'Unto thy seed will I give this land:' and there built he an altar
                              unto the LORD, Who appeared unto him."
                         (C) Universal--Genesis 12:3b. . . ."and in thee shall all families of  the earth be blessed." (in Jesus mainly)
               b. For us who believe
                    (I) Psalm 68:19--"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of  our salvation.  Selah."
                    (II) Ephesians 1:3--"Blessed be the God and Father of  our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
                         Christ:"
     B. His Obedience
          1. Obedience was temporarily hindered
               a. His
                    (I) Compare
                         (A) Genesis 12:1--"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, 'Get thee out of  thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a
                              land that I will show thee:'"
                         (B) Acts 7:2-4--"And he said, 'Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of  glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in
                              Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, [3] "And said unto him, 'Get thee out of  thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land
                              which I shall show thee'" [4] Then came he out of  the land of  the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Haran:  and from thence, when his father was
                              dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.'"
                         (C) Genesis 11:31 (Quoted below)
                    (II) Abraham's obedience was incomplete, or was it? (stopped at Haran on the way)
               b. Ours
                    (I) Cf.
                         (A) Romans 6:11-12, 16--"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  [12]
                              Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  [16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves
                              servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of  sin unto death, or of  obedience unto righteousness?"
                         (B) Romans 12:1, 2--"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of  God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
                              unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of  your mind, that
                              ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of  God."
                    (II) In the light of  these passages is our obedience incomplete?
          2. Obedience completed by death
               a. His (Compare Genesis 11:31 with 12:4, 5--"And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of  Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his
                    son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of  the Chaldees, to go into the land of  Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
                    [12:4] So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him:  and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed
                    out of  Haran.  [12:5] And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they
                    had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of  Canaan; and into the land of  Canaan they came.")
               b. Our obedience completed in death
                    (I) Romans 6:6--sin. . . ."Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of  sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
                         serve sin."
                    (II) Galatians 2:20--self . . . ."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."
                    (III) Galatians 6:14--world. . . ."But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of  our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto
                         me, and I unto the world."

II. THE FAILURE  OF  ABRAHAM--Genesis 12:12 (Quoted below)
     A. The Cause of  His Failure
          1. The immediate cause
               a. His
                    (I) Verse 10--famine. . . ."And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the
                         land."
                    (II) Verses 12, 13--fear of  man ("[12]  Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, 'This is his wife': and
                         they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.[13] Say, I pray thee, 'thou art my sister':  that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall
                         live because of  thee."
               b. Ours
                    (I) Finances
                    (II) Sickness
                    (III) Fear of  man
                    (IV) Etc.
           2. The real cause
               a. Worldliness
                    (I) Egypt is a type of  the world.
                    (II) Matthew 13:22--"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of  this world, and the deceitfulness of 
                         riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."
                    (III) James 4:4--"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of  the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a
                         friend of  the world is the enemy of  God."
               b. Becoming occupied with circumstances rather than with God (Cf. Peter--Matthew 14:27-32)
          3. The result
               a. Lying to man (He lied and got Sarah to lie)--verses 13, 19. . . ."Say, I pray thee, 'thou art my sister':  that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my
                    soul shall live because of  thee.  [19] Why saidst thou, 'She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife:  now therefore behold thy wife, take
                    her, and go thy way.'"
               b. Loss of  communion with God (No altar in Egypt)
               c. Rebuke and reproof by the world--vv. 18, 19 (Quoted below)
     B. The Cure of  Failure
          1. Recognizing your sin
               a. Sometimes by being rebuked by the world (vv. 18, 19--"And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, 'What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst
                    thou not tell me that she was thy wife? [19] Why saidst thou, "She is my sister"? so I might have taken her to me to wife:  now therefore behold thy
                    wife, take her, and go thy way.'"). Note that three times Pharaoh rebuked Abram about his wife.
               b. Sometimes by loss of  God's peace
               c. Sometimes by circumstances
               d. Cf.
                    (I) Romans 3:23--"For all have sinned, and come short of  the glory of  God;"
                    (II) 1 John 1:7-10--"But if  we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of  Jesus Christ His Son
                         cleanseth us from all sin.  [8] If  we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  [9] If  we confess our sins, He is
                         faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  [10] If  we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and
                         His word is not in us."
          2. Revealing your sin
               a. Confession to God, not to other people
                    (I) Psalm 32:5 --"I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid.  I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and
                         Thou forgavest the iniquity of  my sin. Selah."
                    (II) Psalm 51:3 --"For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."
               b. Sometimes talking with a godly pastor will reveal the sin to yourself so you can confess it.
          3. Returning to the place of  worship
               a. As soon as Abraham came out of  Egypt, he returned to the place of  altar--Genesis 13:4. . . ."Unto the place of  the altar, which he had made there at
                    the first: and there Abram called on the name of  the LORD."
               b. Upon confession of  sin and forsaking the world, we too return to the place of  fellowship with God.
                    (I) The quiet time
                    (II) The house of  worship (The church)

CONCLUSION:
     1. Like Abraham we have been called: to separation.
          a. At salvation
          b.. From the world
          c. Unto God
     2. :Like Abraham we have been called to sojourn.
          a. In a strange land--"This world is not our home!"    
          b. In a a God-given land--heaven
     3.Like Abraham we have a call to blessing.
     4. Like Abraham we need to obey the Lord.
     5. Unfortunately, like Abraham, we fail
     6. We need to recognize our sin and confess it and get back to right fellowship with God.
     7. Will you consider your call to separation, sojourning, to blessing?
     8. Will you recognize your failure, confess it, and return to God?

The Life of  Abraham, Part 2
Genesis 12:1

INTRODUCTION:
     1. We are considering The Life of  Abraham.
     2. We have pondered:
          a. The Call of  Abraham
          b. The Failure of  Abraham
     3. Proceeding with this study, we now think about:

III. THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM--Genesis 14:22, 23. . . ."And Abram said to the king of  Sodom, 'I have lifted up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God,
     the Possessor of  heaven and earth, [23] That I will not take from a thread even to to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou
     shouldest say, 'I have made Abram rich:'"
     A. Purified His Heart
          1. From the pollution of  Sodom
               a. Evident from Abraham's choice at the strife of  Lot--Genesis 12:8, 9. . . ."And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of  Bethel, and
                    pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east:  and there he built an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of  the LORD.
                    [9] And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south." 
               b. Seen in his refusal to be enriched by Sodom--Genesis 14:22, 23 (Quoted above)
               c. Was separated from the world
                    (I) Ephesians 5:11--"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of  darkness, but rather reprove them."
                    (II) 1 John 2:15--"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If  any man love the world, the love of  the Father is not in him."
          2. Unto
               a. God
                    (I) Genesis 14:22, 23 (Quoted above)
                    (II) Matthew 5:8--"Blessed are the pure in heart:  for they shall see God."
               b. Love of  his brother (Cf. 1 Peter 1:22--"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of  the brethren,
                    see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:")
     B. Worked in Love
          1. For God
               a. Commanded--Deuteronomy 6:5. . . ."And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
               b. Because He loves us--1 John 4:19. . . ."We love Him, because He first loved us.:
               c. For it is tied up with our salvation--1 Peter 1:8, 9. . . ."Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
                    with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  [9] Receiving the end of  your faith, even the salvation of  your souls."
                    (I) Not about Abraham as such
                    (II) Illus. in his life
                    (III) Cf. Hebrews 11:6--"But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a
                         rewarder of  them that diligently seek Him."
          2. For the brethren
               a. Seen in Abraham not only recovering Lot, but also the others who were unsaved
               b. 1 John 4:7--"Beloved, let us love one another:  for love is of  God; and every one that loveth is born of  God, and knoweth God."
               c. Cf. 1 John 3:17, 18--"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how
                    dwelleth the love of  God in him?  [18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." 
          3. For the lost
               a. Seen in Abraham not only recovering Lot, but also the others who were unsaved
               b. 2 Corinthians 5:14--"For the love of  Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if  One died for all, then were all dead:"
     C. Overcame the world
          1. Victorious in battle
               a. Immediately evident from the context
               b. Because of  his
                    (I) Separation
                    (II) Love for God, his brethren, and the lost
          2. Victorious over temptation
               a. Seen in his refusal to accept gifts from Sodom
               b. Cf.
                    (I) 1 John 5:4, 5--"For whatsoever is born of  God overcometh the world:  and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  [5] Who
                         is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of  God?"
                    (II) John 16:33--"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of  good cheer; I
                         have overcome the world."

 IV. THE REWARD OF ABRAHAM--GENESIS 15:1. . . ."After these things the word of  the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, 'Fear not, Abram:  I
     am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."
     A. The Person of  the Reward
          1. God
               a. His shield
                    (I) In the light of  the tremendous temptation that Abraham overcame
                    (II) The temptation of  being enriched by the world
                    (III) The Lord became his shield.
                    (IV) Psalm 33:20--"Our soul waiteth for the LORD:  He is our help and our shield."
               b. His reward
                   (I) Genesis 15:1 (Quoted above)
                   (II) Hebrews 11:6--"But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder
                         of  them that diligently seek Him."
          2. Christ
               a. More our reward than Abraham's
               b. In a real sense Abraham's also
                    (I) Because Christ is God
                    (II) Cf. John 8:56--"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day:  and he saw it, and was glad."
     B. The Nature of  the Reward
          1. The promise of  sonship
               a. To Abraham
                    (I) Recall God's earlier promise to him
                         (A) Genesis 13:15--"For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever."
                         (B) Here leads to his posterity
                    (II) Sonship as far as Abraham is concerned was the proper basis for fulfillment of  God's promises.
               b. To believers
                    (I) We, too, are promised sonship upon believing
                         (A) John 1:12, 13--"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:
                              [13] Which were born, not of  blood, nor of  the will of  the flesh, nor of  the will of  man, but of  God."
                         (B) Romans 8:14--"For as many as are led by the Spirit of  God, they are the sons of  God."
                    (II) Sonship is important to us as believers
                    (III) It is the basis of  heirship--Galatians 4:7. . . ."Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son;  and if  a son, then an heir of  God through Christ."
          2. The promise of heirship
               a. Sonship and heirship connected
                   (I) Cf. Genesis 15:4--"And, behold, the word of  the LORD came unto him, saying, 'This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of  thine
                        own bowels shall be thine heir."
                   (II) Romans 8:16, 17--"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of  God:  [17] And if  children, then heirs; heirs of  God,
                        and joint-heirs with Christ; if  so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
               b. Heirship and sonship as a result (Mainly of  justification--Titus 3:7. . . ."That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the
                    hope of  eternal life.")
     C. The Receiving of  the Reward
          1. Through Jesus Christ
               a. His death on the cross
                    (I) Galatians 3:13, 14--"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of  the law, being made a curse for us:  for it is written, 'Cursed is every one that
                         hangeth on a tree':  [14] That the blessing of  Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of  the
                         Spirit through faith."
                    (II) To Abraham by promise
               b. By His resurrection--Cf. Romans 8:11. . . ."But if  the Spirit of  Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the
                    dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (context to Romans 8:16, 17--quoted above)
          2. By faith
               a. Hebrews 11:6--"But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of  them
                    that diligently seek Him."
               b. Galatians 3:9--"So then they which be of  faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."
               c. Ephesians 2:8, 9--"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of  yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  [9] Not of  works, lest any man should
                    boast." 

CONCLUSION:
     1. We have observed
          a. The faith of  Abraham
               (I) Purified his heart
                    (A) From the pollution of  Sodom
                    (B) Unto God and love of  his brother
               (II) Worked in love
                    (A) For God
                    (B) For the brethren
                    (C) For the lost
               (III) Overcame the world
                    (A) Victory in battle
                    (B) Victory over temptation
          b. The reward of  Abraham
               (I) The Person of  the reward is God, even Jesus Christ
               (II) The nature of  the reward
                    (A) The promise of  sonship
                    (B) The promise of  heirship
               (III) The receiving of  the reward
                    (A) Through Jesus Christ
                    (B) By faith
     2. Our faith is found in these same factors.
          a. Purified hearts by reception of  Jesus Christ as Savior
          b. Worked out in love for God, the brethren, and the lost
          c. Overcame the world
               (I) 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5--"(For the weapons of  our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of  strongholds;) [5] Casting
                    down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of  God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
                    Christ;"
               (II) 1 John 5:4, 5--"For whatsoever is born of  God overcometh the world:  and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  [5] Who is
                    he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of  God?"
     3. Our reward is similar to Abraham's.
          a. We have sonship, not just the promise.
          b. We have heirship, not just the promise.
          c. We, too, receive the reward through Jesus Christ by faith in Him who died for us.
     4. Let us learn from Abraham the faith and reward of  trusting Christ who is God.

The Life of  Abraham, Part 3
Genesis 12:1

INTRODUCTION:
     1. We have been study the life of  Abraham.
     2. We have considered:
          a. The call of  Abraham--Genesis 12:1-5
          b. The failure of  Abraham--Genesis 12:12
          c. The faith of  Abraham--Genesis 14:22, 23
          d. The reward of  Abraham--Genesis 15:1
     3. As we continue these studies we ponder:

V. THE IMPATIENCE OF  ABRAHAM--Genesis 16:1, 2. . . ."Now Sarai Abram's wife bore him no children:  and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose
     name was Hagar.  [2] And Sarai said unto Abram, 'Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing:  I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I|
     may obtain children by her.'  And Abram hearkened to the voice of  Sarai."
     A. The Impatience
          1. The immediate cause
               a. Waiting
                    (I) Our text (Quoted above)
                    (II) How often we have to wait.
               b. The waiting leads to impatience.
                    (I) Again our text (Quoted above)
                    (II) Example of Job's wife--Job 2:9. . . ."Then said his wife unto him, 'Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die."
          2. The real cause--unbelief
               a. Faith leads to patience--2 Peter 1:1, 5, 6. . . ."Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of  Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with
                    us through the righteousness of  God and our Savior Jesus Christ:  [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue
                    knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;"
               b. Therefore, unbelief leads to impatience.
               c. Naaman, the leper, as example--2 Kings 5:11, 12. . . ." But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said,  'Behold, I thought, He will surely come out
                    to me, and stand, and call on the name of  the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.  [12] Are not Abana and
                    Pharpar, rivers of  Damascus, better than all the waters of  Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean?'  So he turned and went away in a rage."
     B. The Results
         1. Sorrow multiplied
              a. Sarah despised Hagar.
              b. Abraham had sorrow.
                   (I) Because of  the presence of  Hagar and Ishmael
                   (II) At the future lose of  Ishmael--cf. Genesis 21:9-11. . . ."And Sarah saw the son of  Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham,
                        mocking.  [10] Wherefore she said unto Abraham, 'Cast out this bondwoman  and her son:  for the son of  this bondwoman shall not be heir with
                        my son, even with Isaac.'  [11] And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of  his son."
              c. Hagar had sorrow.
                   (I) By being ill treated by Sarah
                   (II) By her being cast forth later with her son--cf. Genesis 21:14. . . ."And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of 
                        water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of
                        Beer-sheba."
                   (III) By her nearly losing her son--cf. Genesis 21:16. . . ."And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot:  for
                        she said, 'Let me not see the death of  the child.'  And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept."
          2. Others blamed
               a. Sarah blamed Abraham--cf. Genesis 16:5a. . . ."And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee:  I have given my maid into thy bosom;"
               b. Cf. Adam and Eve--cf. Genesis 3:12, 13. . . ."And the man said, 'The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of  the tree, and I did eat.'
                    [13] And the LORD God said unto the woman, 'What is this that thou hast done?'  And the woman said, 'The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.'"
          3. Self-deliverance tried
               a. Abraham tried to extricate himself by allowing Sarah to do as she pleased--Genesis 16:6. . . ."But Abram said unto Sarai, 'Behold, thy maid is in thy
                    hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee.'  And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face."
               b. Sarah tried to get rid of  her sin in her own way.
          4. Sin reaped--Galatians 6:7, 8. . . ."Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  [8] For he that soweth to
               his flesh shall of  the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of  the Spirit reap life everlasting."
     C. The Cure
          1. Confessing sin
               a. The sin of  unbelief--1 John 1:9. . . ."If  we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
               b. The sin of  impatience
          2. Trusting God
               a. By faith
                    (I) Saved by faith--Ephesians 2:8, 9. . . ."For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of  yourselves:  it is the gift of  God:  [9] Not of  works,
                         lest any man should boast."
                    (II) Should walk by faith
                         (A) Colossians 2:6. . . ."As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:" 
                         (B) 2 Corinthians 5:7. . . ."(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"
               b. By patiently waiting for the Lord to work
                    (I) Psalm 37:7--"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him:  fret not thyself because of  him who prospereth in his way, because of  the man who 
                         bringeth wicked devices to pass."
                    (II) Because if  we are impatient due to unbelief
                         (A) God will chastise us.
                         (B) Upon repentance we will still be required to wait God's timing.

VI. THE PRIVILEGE OF  FAITH--Genesis 18:10, 11, 17, 20, 21, 23-32 (Quoted below)
     A. To Know God's Will Concerning Ourselves--vv. 10, 11. . . ."And he said, 'I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of  life;  and, lo, Sarah thy
          wife shall have a son.'  And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.  [11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it
          ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of  women."
          1. Abraham's case
               a. God's will was give him soon a son of  Sarah--v. 10
               b. God's will to be given in spite of  circumstances--v. 11
               c. God's will to be in spite of  past failure--cf. Genesis 16 (Be sure to read that chapter.)
               d. God's will accepted by faith--cf. Hebrews 11:11, 12. . . ."Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of  a
                    child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful Who had promised.  [12] Therefore sprang there even of  one, and him as good as
                    dead, so many as the stars of  the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable."
          2. Our situation
               a. As a church
                    (I) God's will is to give us a building to exalt His name.
                    (II) God's will is to be in spite of  circumstances (Present financial needs; possible opposition of  situation)
                    (III) God's will is to be accomplished by faith in that will.
               b. As an individual
                    (I) God will make clear His will for our lives as we live in obedience--Romans 12:1, 2. . . ."I beseech you  therefore, brethren, by the mercies of  God,
                         that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  [2] And be not conformed to this
                         world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of  your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of  God."
                    (II) God will make clear His will for our lives in spite of  circumstances--cf. Romans 8:28. . . ."And we know that all things work together for good to
                         them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
     B. To Know God's Will Concerning Others--vv. 17, 20, 21. . . ."And the LORD said, 'Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do'; [20] And the LORD
          said, 'Because the cry of  Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; [21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done
          altogether according to the cry of  it, which is come unto Me; and if  not, I will know."
          1. God desires to reveal
               a. Text--v. 17 (Quoted above)
               b. Cf. Daniel 2:19-23. . . ."Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision.  Then Daniel blessed the God of  heaven.  [20] Daniel answered
                    and said, 'Blessed be the name of  God forever and ever:  for wisdom and might are His:  [21] And He changeth the times and the seasons:  He
                    removeth kings, and setteth up kings:  He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:  [22] He revealeth the deep
                    and secret things:  He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.  [23] I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O Thou God of  my
                    fathers, Who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of  Thee:  for Thou hast now made known unto
                    us the king's matter.'"
          2. God reveals concerning judgment.
               a. Text--vv. 20, 21 (Quoted above)
               b. John 3:18b--"but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of  the only begotten Son of  God."
               c. Romans 2:16--"In the day when God shall judge the secrets of  men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."
          3. God reveals concerning salvation.
               a. Not evident in the text as such
               b. John 3:18a--"He that believeth on Him is not condemned:"
               c. Romans 3:23, 24--"For all have sinned, and come short of  the glory of  God; [24] Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in
                    Christ Jesus:"
     C. To Intercede for Others--vv. 23-32. . . ."And Abraham drew near, and said, 'Wilt Thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?  [24] Peradventure there
          be fifty righteous within the city:  wilt Thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?  [25] That be far from Thee to do after
          this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked:  and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from Thee:  Shall not the Judge of  all the earth
          do right?'  [26] And the LORD said, 'If  I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.'  [27] And Abraham
          answered and said, 'Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:  [28] Peradventure there shall lack five of  the
          fifty righteous: wilt Thou destroy all the city for lack of  five?' And He said, 'If  I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.'  [29] And he spoke unto Him
          yet again, and said, 'Peradventure there shall be forty found there.'  And he said, 'I will not do it for forty's sake.'  [30] And he said
          unto Him, 'Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak:  Peradventure there shall thirty be found there.'  And He said, I will not do it, if  I find thirty there.'
          [31] And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord:  'Peradventure there shall be twenty found there.'  And He said, 'I will not
          destroy it for twenty's sake.'  [32] And he said, 'Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once:  Peradventure ten shall be found there.' 
          And He said, 'I will not destroy it for ten's sake.'"
          1. For those needing salvation
               a. Not evident in this passage except for those to be saved from Sodom's destruction
               b. Example of--Matthew 8:6. . . ."And saying, 'Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of  the palsy, grievously tormented.'"
               c. Cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-4. . . ."I exhort therefore, that, first of  all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of  thanks, be made for all men;  [2] For
                    kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  [3] For this is good and acceptable in
                    the sight of  God our Savior; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of  the truth."
          2. For believers who are entangled in the world (Sodom)
               a. Text (Quoted above)
               b. Paul repeatedly prayed for the churches.
          3. In persistency
               a. Abraham was persistent.
               b. Abraham was not persistent enough (He stopped with ten).
               c. Cf. Acts. 12:5--" Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of  the church unto God for him."
               d. Cf. Luke 11:8--"I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of  his importunity [persistency] he will rise
                    and give him as many as he needeth."

CONCLUSION:
     1. We have considered:
          a. The impatience of  Abraham--Genesis 16:1. . . ."Now Sarai Abram's wife bore him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was
               Hagar."
                (I) The impatience
                (II) The results
                (III) The cure
           b. The privilege of  faith--Genesis 18:1ff. (Be sure to read several verses of  this chapter.)
                (I) Knowing God's will for ourselves--Genesis 18:10, 11 (Quoted above)
                (II) Knowing God's will for others--Genesis 18:17, 20, 21 (Quoted above)
                (III) Interceding for others--Genesis 18:23-32 (Quoted above)
     2. Impatience leads to trouble.
     3. For this reason we need to exercise our privilege of  faith.
     4. Proverbs 3:5, 6--"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  [6] In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
          thy paths."