The Source of the Gospel

Exeter Temple Message notes:  24th January 2016

Bible Reading:        Galatians 3:14

God’s plan to redeem fallen humankind was formed before the world began and was put into operation through Abraham.

-        He is the ancestor of the Jews (Hebrews) through his son Isaac

-        Muslims regard him (Ibrahim) as the ancestor of the Arabs through his son Ishmael

-        Christians also regard him as their spiritual father through Christ. 

“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  Genesis 12:2-3

 “Your name will be Abraham for I have made you the father of many nations.”  Genesis 17:5

1. The Blessing of Abraham

These 2 promises are known as The Blessing of Abraham.  The scope of this promise is wider than physical ancestry and its content touches the whole of human need.

a)       Purpose and plan

God would lead him to the place where that would be fulfilled.

 “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”

b)       Family

 “And I will make you into a great nation.” 

Nation-hood is about belonging and connecting with other people. 

This was especially important to him at that moment as he was leaving his home and tribe in Ur and the only people going with him were his wife who was barren and his nephew Lot. 

c)       Provision

“and I will bless you.” Blessing infers that Abraham’s needs would be met and that God would not leave him without help in the new life to which he was called.   

a)    Significance

“I will make your name great.”

Abraham is significant in history.  Jews, Moslem’s and Christians all refer to him as important to the roots of their faith. Abraham’s name is also always associated with his great faith in God.

b)   Channel of blessing

 “You will be a blessing, I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

God picked out one man but there was still scope to touch the wider world as Abraham is used as a channel of blessing.  

2. Receiving the Blessing of Abraham

 The blessing of God to Abraham was initially passed down the genetic line but although God never changed His mind about blessing the descendants of Abraham, their ability to live under that blessing was hampered by their refusal to co-operate with God.  

God gave them instruction through the law but although it showed them what they should do, they failed to do it.

All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law.” Galatians 3:10

Neither ancestry nor the Law was effective in receiving the Blessing of Abraham because of the stronghold of sin.  Jesus was the only person who was without sin and was therefore able to fully receive the Blessing of Abraham. As the Blessed One, he became the channel of blessing by taking our sin himself, removing the obstacles in the way of our receiving the Blessing of Abraham.  

“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Galatians 3v14

It is now the condition of our heart which determines who we are related to. In church we call people brother and sister because we are all in the same spiritual lineage. Through Jesus and by faith we are connected to Abraham and every promise made to his descendants is ours. 

 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”  

(Galatians 3:28-29)

The Promise given to Abraham deals with the crucial, fundamental needs of all human beings.

a.    Plan and purpose - Satisfaction

given to God’s people in the Old Testament is therefore a promise given to you and me.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:6

Every human beings wants to know the satisfaction fulfilling their purpose and matching what they do to their gifts and motivations.

b.   Belonging – Acceptance

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation a people belong to God.” (1 Peter 2:9)

If we are trying to be God we are always going to be striving to reach an impossible goal, which leaves us feeling unacceptable and failing. The Blessing of Abraham gives acceptance into a family where we are welcomed and belong based not upon performance but God’s promises.

c.    Provision- Security

 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Phil 4:19

The rebellion against God, which says I want to be Lord of my own life, is accompanied by the anxiety that I need to provide for myself.

d.   Significance

Human beings need to feel that their lives matter, that they count for something. Although we may never be famous here on earth, God’s word tells us that those who trust in Christ have their names written down in the Lambs book of life.  You miss the Blessing of Abraham – you miss what makes life work.

3. Blessed to be a blessing.

Society always falls apart when people are consumed with meeting our basic human needs and the world is tense with people seeking blessing rather than being blessings to one another. God doesn’t bless us just to make us happy; He blesses us to make us a blessing.

Abraham was told that the entire world would be blessed through him. The Jews were not chosen by God for special privilege, but for special service. It is the same for Christians and for anybody else who receives God’s blessing. 

The gut instinct of Zacchaeus when he was changed by Jesus was to announce that he would give back to all those he had defrauded.  He didn’t take the blessing of salvation and pay Jesus, he used his blessing to bless others.

When Jesus testified to his anointing by the Spirit he also declared the blessings which would flow out of that to others.  "preaching the gospel to the poor, healing the broken-hearted, delivering the oppressed, announcing freedom for the captives, sight for the blind and the blessings of God, to one and all" (Luke Chap 4:18-19).

The command of Jesus to His disciples before He ascended to heaven was focussed outward. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Every gift of the Spirit mentioned in the New Testament epistles is meant to bless others

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up….”  (Ephesians 4:11-12)

We need to stop looking at everything as consumers. 

We are blessed to be a blessing.

Carol 

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