Children of Abraham

Luke 19:1-10           Story of Zacchaeus

Luke 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

What did Jesus mean by this statement?

·

Collecting tax for Rome, and abusing this power to extot more for himself!!!

Wasn’t He surrounded by a nation of descendents of Abraham?

·                    Did salvation come because He repented of anti-Israelite ways?

·                    What then happened to cause salvation to come to his house?

Apparently, the genetic claim is invalid:

Matthew 3:9 and Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Jesus had a discussion with unbelieving Jews:

·                    John 8:33 We be Abraham’s seed,

·                    John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me,

·                    John 8:39 Abraham is our father.

·                    Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.  John 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

·                    John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

·                    John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.

Luke 13:11-17        Woman with Spirit of Infirmity

Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

What is the pattern?

·                    Zacchaeus and this woman were both called children of Abraham.

·                    Repentance is ruled out, since this woman had no criminal record.

·                    What is the end result?  This woman was healed, and not saved!!!

Luke 13:28-29

28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

Diaspora: Jews were scattered all over the Roman Empire

Whoa!  Blasphemous words to a genetically-focussed people of faith!!!

 

·                    This would violate their monopoly on salvation!

·                    Fulfilling this would require Gentiles, or perhaps returning Jews?

·                    Is it be possible that non-Law-abiding people could be saved?

Romans 4:8-16

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

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was 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 yet 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.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Galatians 3:13-14, 29

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,

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.

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Faith is also required to remain among the faithful:

Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Romans 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Romans 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Galatians 3:6-9

6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Requirements for Biblical faith:

·                    Must have knowledge of Biblical truth.

·                    Must have confidence in God who revealed truth.

·                    Must exercise these truths despite external situations.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is not the denial of reality, but the recognition of spiritual principles.

·                    God did create the universe. (thus, we have purpose)

·                    God will take care of my financial needs. (thus, I can afford to tithe)

·                    God will forgive my sins. (thus, I can deny myself in this life)

Galatians 3:11 …The just shall live by faith.

Do you believe?

Do your actions say that you believe?

Can you think of some more things you can exercise faith in?

Are you a child of Abraham today?