Faith Placed First by Brother Curtis Hansen

         Good morning. This morning's message is linked to what we spoke about last Sunday regarding traps and threats to righteousness. Our scripture reading will still be in the book of Romans, but, we will move to chapter 4. The subject today will be about Abraham and our focus is faith being placed first. Now the pharisees often stated in scripture that because they held to the Jewish law they were sons of Abraham. Quick question for you this morning; who came first in the Bible? Abraham or the law? It's Abraham. Jesus would tell the pharisees that as well. He said Abraham had faith before the law. Let's read in verse 1.

        What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

        2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

        3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

        4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

        5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

        6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

        7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

        8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

        Let's look up at verse 4. This verse explains how faith and not fear are rewarded. In the religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity they all have Abraham as an example of faith to look upon. Turn over to the book of Genesis chapter 15. We will read verse 6.

        6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. 

        Abraham's faith brought him to righteousness before the law was even established. Faith is an internal conviction that enables eternal action. There is two sides of faith. Paul was explaining in Romans 4 that faith needs to begin inside. In the book of James, James says that faith bottled up inside with no results is dead.

        Abraham was a friend of God and had a relationship with him. There are examples in scriptures to explain why fathers need to lead their homes in faith as well as lead your families. In the absence of fathers wishing the family plan, those openings are present for the government to step in. Father must fill that gap because there is a lot of work and responsibilities you are called to.

        Look when there were conflicts in the story of Abraham, he would separate himself from it. We have more information today than anyone did back when these books were written, but do we have more faith? Sometimes you need to do like Abraham and step out in faith. There are moments of time where we can stand in faith still today.

        Jesus needs to come to earth is the larger point of Abraham's story. Faith comes first in your relationship. You cannot hold onto the law without the faith. We should be the conduit and not an end piece.

        Genesis 12 is Abraham's calling and the lands and borders are established. In chapter 15, God tells him of the descendants who will inhabit the land. In chapter 17 Abraham is told of how his descendants would lead to the messiah. Abraham was 75 years old when he stepped out. When he was 99 he was told to circumcise himself as an example of separation from the world. That act is not why God loves you. Pointing out all the acts without any relationship with Jesus is no better than being a Pharisee. Abraham's son Issac was a son of promise much like Jesus would be later.

        Was Abraham justified by faith or the law? It was by his faith. His descendants point to following 600+ laws as a statement of their faith. If there is any point where your hand meddles in your path, God will to continue to lead or guide you. God speaks to you all the time, but do you have the faith to listen and follow him?

        Faith and obedience. Did Abraham commit any sins in his life? He did. The land he was given, he gave it away twice. He passed his wife off as his sister twice. Abraham wasn't judged by his obedience but by his faith.

        If fathers make mistakes and errors it has a ripple effect down to generations below. If you have no relationship with God, the law or even obedience is pointless.

        Look at King David. He killed a bear, a lion, and a giant while he was a boy. He was known for that. The same measure of faith killed a bear as well as the giant. David was passionate for God and for women. It's the relationship which matters. Salvation isn't always through obedience. Let's go back to Romans chapter 4 and start with verse 9.

        9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

        10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

        11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had set being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

        12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

        Paul was asking about the law and obedience to the law rather than the faith. A sign and a relationship. Look at a wedding ring. It's a sign. When you obtain the 3 steps of being saved, baptized, and Holy Spirit filled without a relationship is completely foolish. Rushing to obtain righteousness without a relationship is like the Pharisees with the law. Don't be so entrenched in your dogma to have a better relationship with that than with God. There's a point for self reflection. When you build a relationship, obedience doesn't make you saved, your relationship and your faith do. God's timing and will look different in life than in our head. The relationship you have with Jesus should be the cornerstone of your life.