The Gospel Conference Series


The Gospel According to Abraham

Arizona Bible Conference

September 2–4, 2016

“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the
gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’
So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” Gal 3:8–9
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’
as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ.” Gal 3:16
Gene taught “The Gospel According to Abraham” over Labor Day weekend in Prescott, Arizona.
We have recently completed studies in “The Gospel According to Isaiah” (No. Virginia April 2016) and “The Gospel According to David” (Colorado May 2016). The purpose of these studies is to show that the Gospel message—pointing men to Jesus Christ in faith—is declared throughout Scripture. In fact, this is the central message of the Bible. Certainly, in the Old Testament, the nature of the Gospel message is necessarily prophetic as His coming and redemption are spoken of as future events. Job’s statement regarding his “Redeemer” reveals that, in ancient times, the message of the coming Savior was clearly stated and understood.

In the future, we will also study “The Gospel According to Noah” (Uniontown October 2016) and then “The Gospel According to Moses” (No. Virginia Spring 2017). The combined weight of these studies should greatly strengthen our faith in the unity and harmony of the Scriptures and, at the same time, motivate us to “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises,” Heb 6:12.

Paul states that the Gospel was “preached … beforehand [in advance] … to Abraham.” The content of that message was that “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” Let’s look at the repetition of the message first, then we will consider its implications. There are five passages in which this promise is made to Abraham. Each is significant in the life and history of Abraham.
By gaining an understanding of the unity and harmony of the biblical message, we come to see that, indeed, Jesus Christ is the focus from Genesis to Revelation; and faith in Him as Savior is the only way to enter into eternal life. This is just as true for Old Testament people as for those living after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

Gene Cunningham - April 8, 2000

Simplicity in Christ #10

2018 AYC Ladies Classes

Simplicity from Prayer



Prayer is a major part of simplifying life. Genuine prayer cannot be separated from the Word of God (Eph 1:15-23, Eph 3:14-20, Eph 6:18). The Lord was compelled to go out and pray (Mar 1:35-38, Isa 50:4, Psa 90:15). God calls us to pray and we don't (Jam 4:2).  Prayer is the most often recorded discipline of the Lord in scripture. Jesus exemplified that pray is a necessity for spiritual power and dynamics. The disciples asked why their exorcism wasn't effective; Jesus told them they needed to pray and fast (Mar 9:29). 



Jesus and others in scripture set a chosen time in the morning (Mar 1:35, Psa 5:3, Dan 6:10, Lam 3:23). It was a matter of self discipline to the Lord. Jesus found a suitable place. Why did Jesus have to pray? He put a tremendous emphasis on it. The discipline of the Master became the desire of the disciples. Luke 11:1-13 shows the disciples were impressed that prayer was important to Jesus. He taught them to pray by praying after they asked about it.



His prayer had these characteristics: 





  • Relationship: "Our Father" gives us the right to address Him.


  • Fellowship: "Your will be done" acknowledges His rightful role in our lives. God's name is only "hallowed" if we allow His will to be done in our lives.


  • Surrender: "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Obedience is necessary, even when we don't like what is happening.


  • Dependence: "Give us day by day or daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us." We depend on Him for food, but also forgiveness and grace to forgive others (Mat 6:14-15).


  • Deliverence: "And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one". Only being led by the Lord can we be delivered (Rom 8:14).


  • Unity: True prayer is not self-centered, but communal.


  • Boldness: "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves'" (Luk 11:5-8, Heb 4:16).


  • Expectency: Prayer is determined to get answers (Luk 11:9-13). Jesus says all prayers are answered. It is God's nature to give (Psa 103:13, Jam 1:17).


  • Biblical Priorities: "...how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luk 11:13, Eze 36:27, Joe 2:28, Joh 9:37-39). Holy Spirit gave gifts to men (Eph 4:8, 1Co 12:11, Isa 53:12, Eph 1:3). Holy Spirit translates our prayers into what is good for us (Rom 8:26-27).




What kind of impact did the Lord's teaching have on the disciples? "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers" (Mar 1:35, Act 1:14). We are all in equal standing with the Lord (e.g. women and men).  Their prayers were focused (Luk 11:13, Act 1:5-8). The early church was effective in sharing and giving (Act 2:42-47). They devoted themselves to prayer and study (Act 6:1-7). God will not move in a mighty way among unbelievers until we give Him the freedom to move in a mighty way among us believers. 



How can prayer make life more simple?





  1. Prayer fosters harmony among believers;


  2. Prayer facilitates giving and receiving forgiveness;


  3. Prayer lifts worry and anxiety off our souls;


  4. In prayer we find the sustaining power for greater fellowship, guidance from His Spirit, and supply from His Grace.




Life gets complex when we stop living it according to the owner's manual. 



Scripture References: Psalms 5:3, Mark 1:35, Luke 11:5-8, Ephesians 6:18, Ezekiel 36:27, Mark 1:35, Romans 8:26-27, Romans 8:14, Acts 6:1-7, Ephesians 3:14-20, Luke 11:13, Mark 9:29, Ephesians 1:3, Matthew 6:14-15, Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 1:15-23, James 1:17, James 4:2, Isaiah 53:12, Luke 11:1-13, Acts 1:5-8, Psalms 103:13, Psalms 90:15, Ephesians 4:8, Lamentations 3:23, Luke 11:13, Luke 11:9-13, Isaiah 50:4, John 9:37-39, Daniel 6:10, Acts 1:14, Hebrews 4:16, Mark 1:35-38, Joel 2:28

More Messages from Gene Cunningham | Download Audio

From Series: "2018 AYC Ladies Classes"

Nan Cunningham spoke to the ladies at the 2018 AYC Camp.

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