The Life of Abraham

Lupé Lopez

The Patriarchs • Sermon • Submitted 2 months ago • Presented 2 months ago

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Abraham, a central figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, is revered as the patriarch of the Hebrew people. Born in Ur of the Chaldeans, he embarked on a journey of faith when called by God to leave his homeland and settle in Canaan. Despite facing numerous trials, including the challenge of childlessness with his wife Sarah, Abraham remained steadfast in his belief in God's promises. His willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, as a test of faith, is a pivotal moment illustrating his profound devotion to God.

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- Abrahamic Religions

Abraham, This man is called the father of the faith.

He is the first called out from among his peoples to be separated for the Lord.

In three of the five largest religions of the world,

The five being,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, & Buddhism

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all basically converge up to this point.

At this point in Biblical history we have come to the beginning of what many call, the

Abrahamic Religions.

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam

All Abrahamic Religions have the same common denominator, Abraham is the father of their faith.

It all started with this man, and his unusual relationship with God the creator.

They all have these tenants in common,

There is only one God, (Monotheism),

God is all powerful

God is Love

God is Judge

God Punishes &

God Forgives

But it is also here where a true parting of the ways so-to-speak, begins.

For example, Monotheism of course is the belief of one God,

Christianity believes in the divine nature of three characteristics in three persons making one, call the Trinity

Islam and Judaism rejects this belief, and views Christianity as polytheistic.

So, although we believe Abraham is the father of the faith, we have severe differences that separate us

I mention this to address the idea creeping into our culture especially among the youth and the uninformed

That all religions believe in the same God, is simply not true.

If anyone wishes to believe this lie, just hasn’t done their Bible homework.

We do not all believe in the same God, although certain attributes may be share superficially across all three

Abrahamic religions, our faiths are mutually exclusive.

Meaning, all three believe their belief in God is the only true belief.

- Called Out

So, lets dive right into the life of this fascinating and pivotal character, Abraham, whom is called the Father of the Faith in Christianity

In the first eleven chapters of Genesis, the word of God lays out in detail the beginning of everything.

We call those chapters pre-history.

At the beginning of the twelfth chapter we are told God chose one man out of all of those nations that had been dispersed by the confusion of languages, and the scattering of people after they tried build their own

Religious system, on their own terms, the tower of Babel.

Everyone on the earth had a distorted or incorrect view of God.

God called Abram out from among his people.

Asking him to Him as the only true God Yaweh, Creator God.

- Separation

Abram left all that he knew as God had commanded, but he still had his wife, and his nephew Lot.

They both went to Egypt with him to escape the terrible famine.

Yet we saw separation creeping into his life.

we read that he was forced or even willingly forced to separate from his wife Sarai in Egypt in order that he and the rest of them would have food.

Remember, his nephew lot went with him to Egypt, but only Sarai was taken away.

Pharoah wasn’t interested in Lot.

And, after they were kicked out of Egypt by Pharaoh himself,

He had become filthy rich, Yet, God wasn’t done with Abram yet.

Many times we fall into the trap of believing material wealth can solve all of our problems in life.

If I only have this much, or Only if I were rich, I could… etc.

Here we read that becoming filthy rich didn’t solve his problems at all, only caused more heart ache.

He had his nephew Lot with him since they left Ur of the Chaldeans.

They traveled together, they were family. He obviously looked out for his nephew and loved him very much.

But all his material wealth did for him was be the cause of his nephew having to move away, and separate.

All the money in the world couldn’t prevent him from becoming who God planned for him to be

He had to lose Lot too.

So, Abram made the decision to separate.

It doesn’t appear that Lot was as upset about the separation from his uncle as Abram was.

- A decision of the Eyes

Abram was going after his heart, but when he gave Lot the option to choose which way he wanted to go, Lot chose with his eyes, not his heart.

Genesis 13:10–13 (CSB)

10 Lot looked out and saw that the entire plain of the Jordan as far as Zoar was well watered everywhere like the Lord’s garden and the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose the entire plain of the Jordan for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other. 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot lived in the cities on the plain and set up his tent near Sodom. 13 (Now the men of Sodom were evil, sinning immensely against the Lord.)

Sodom and Gomorrah for those of you who don’t know were vile and wicked cities in Abram’s time.

Their wickedness is mention several times as a witness against the depravity of man towards the things of God.

From sodom we get the word Sodomy and all that encompasses it.

It was a very wicked place, not only wha went on there, but also for the hearts of the people who lived there.

In the case of Lot, he was so worldly, even wasn’t interested in the calling of Abram, he was only interested in what was best for himself.

Many times in life, we miss our blessings because we have our eyes fixed on what we think we want, instead of allowing God to choose for us.

We see Lot set up his tent near Sodom.

I’m sure, in their surroundings, Sodom was the talk of the town,

Im mean in that city, anything goes,

- What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas

It’s like Las Vegas, What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas or so the slogan goes.

We have to assume that because Lot pitched his tents near Sodom, he also enjoyed that environment.

That was exactly what God had called Abram from, it appears Lot missed so much, he fit right in.

How about you all here today or watching?

Do you find yourself missing the place from where God called you out from?

You may say you don’t but where some of us have pitched our tents, its hard to tell where your tents starts and our modern day sodom, IE: the world, ends.

If you do, it means you have never really left there in the first place. You are still there.

If you are, then I have a message from God for you today.

2 Corinthians 6:17 (CSB)

17 Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you.

Because what happens to you when the cities get plundered?

You get taken along with them.

Like what happened to Lot.

The bible tells us in chapter 14, that five kings came out and captured Sodom and Gomorrah along with other towns in the plains of Jordan where Lot lived.

To which uncle Abe came to the rescue.

Genesis 14:14–16 (CSB)

14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken prisoner, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and they went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he and his servants deployed against them by night, defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah to the north of Damascus. 16 He brought back all the goods and also his relative Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the other people.

When your heart is right, God will be with you.

God knew how precious Lot was to Abram, that not only did He allow Abram to rescue Lot, his nephew, but God went with him.

How else can we explain that this Sheep herder, living in a tent in open country, together with just 318 trained men, of men born in his house in the field, were able to vanquish the armies of five kings And complete the mission of returning with all they had?

God was with him.

Brothers and Sisters, Hebrews chapter eleven tells us that this Titan of the faith, Abraham believed in the face of insurmountable odds against him.

And James tells us it was accounted to him because of this unwavering faith.

But what happens to him after defeating those five kings introduces one the most if not the most, elusive personages in all of scripture.

Melchizedek.

Genesis 14:17–20 (CSB)

17 After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 20 and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

- Who is Melchizedek.

Melchizedek.

Who in the world is Melchizedek?

This is a strange character that is held in similar esteem as the Lord Jesus.

Well, first Melchizedek is a title, and not a name.

Melch = King and Zedek = Righteousness

So King of Righteousness

He was the King of Salem = which means peace. that later became Jerusalem

King of Jerusalem

Jeru = from the Jewish - Yire = Meaning the abiding place where Abram offered Issac, (later to come)

Shalom= Peace

Verse 8 says

8 Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High

So he was the king of Peace.

Who else do we know as the King of Peace? = Jesus correct.

We are told he brought out bread and wine. =Who else brought bread and wine? = Jesus at the last supper,

We are also told he was a King and a Priest. = Who else do we know of as a King and Priest? = Jesus correct.

But for several reasons many reject the idea that this Melchizedek was an incarnation of Jesus.

For instance, there are only three people labeled a King and a Priest.

Melchizedek

Jesus (Heb 3.1 & Rev 17.14)

You and me. )

1 Peter 2:9 (CSB)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Revelation 1:6 (CSB)

6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

We aren’t told who this mysterious Melchizedek is and we may never know until Christ comes in Glory and we ask Him.

Some scholars hold the position that Melchizedek was Shem, the son of Noah, who was still living in the time of Abraham.

As a matter of fact, according to Biblical timelines, Shem outlived Abram by 35 years.

(https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/abraham-lived-during-the-life-of-shem/)

So, in the end, we just don’t know for sure who he was.

But what we do know, introduced a new paradigm into the story of Faith as you and I know it.

19 He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 20 and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Here we read that he confirms God was with him in battle and then out of nowhere;

- One Tenth

Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

This is the where we are introduced to the practice of Tithing!

Giving!

It is very clear here in scripture how much he gave, 1/10

Jesus said in

Matthew 6:21 (CSB)

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

From this text, can you guess where Abrams treasure was?

Was it in his material wealth, his things? Or was it in the will of the Lord?

Which brings us to this brief lesson on tithing.

If we can rightly judge by scripture that Abram gave a tenth of all he had to the Lord,

And the bible tells us that is was accounted to righteousness the faith of a man that gave a tenth of all he had,

Can we say the same about you?

Can You say the same about you?

No doubt right about now you justifying your level of giving in your mind.

And you probably think to yourself,

“I don’t have enough to give.”

Jesus disqualifies that when he mentions the lady who gave all that she had, being of more value than what the rich people gave.

Many probably think to themselves,

“Well I would give more if I had more.”

Do you know the best test to prove that is by judging against how much you give now with what you do have?

Luke 16:10 (CSB)

10 Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.

Tell the story about the man who made more and was conflicted about giving more. so the pastor prayed to return him to his lower in come to remove the conflict of giving more.

You see, when we think like this, we are blind to the fact that we are just as guilty of trying to buy the blessings of the Lord, just like Simon the sorcerer trying to buy the gifts of the apostles.

Give me more Lord, and then Ill give more so I can be in your good graces.

You have confused the purpose and blessings of giving, if you think like this.

Now lastly, what about giving of your time and talents?

I remember not long ago organizing a community outreach.

This outreach was volunteer only, and we had many people come out to take part in this event.

Well we had a musician scheduled to perform, but days before the outreach, wanted to be paid.

To which I refused explaining that this was an outreach, all volunteer.

On the day of the event, I saw this person setting up microphones for the musicians that volunteered to sing.

When I saw it, I commented on how he was arranging the stand for himself,

To which he proudly proclaimed, “Oh, I’m not singing.”

I guess because he wasn’t being paid, he refused to bless us with his talent.

huh, thats funny because, Jesus said that to those who try to save their lives would lose them.

Luke 17:33 (CSB)

33 Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

If he would have just realized this truth from Jesus, his blessing us with his talent may have produced fruit for his career.

But instead, he lost his opportunity trying to save his talent.

What Jesus said about your life should cause you to re-think the time you think you are preserving and for what cause are preserving it for when your time or talent could be of use to the Kingdom of God