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 - May 23, 2000

Living Sacrifice 03

Passover (Exo 12:5) using an unblemished male lamb a year old is a picture of our Lord (Joh 1:29). Blood on the door (Exo 12:7) had to be applied to provide deliverence. In the roasting and eating of the flesh(Exo 12:8), it's a picture of believing in Christ (Joh 6:53-58). Unleavened bread symobolically is the sinless saviour. We need to remember (2Pe 1:9). Passover now looks back as a memorial; deliverence by blood and power. Lord's Table supercedes the passover and it will be at the initiation of the kingdom of the Father (Luk 22:16).



"I urge you" (Rom 12:1) presents redeeming time having a sense of urgency (Ecc 3:1-8) not haste. Man is primarily arrogant; affliction drives us to humility. David being pursued in dessert is good example. Time is a rare commodity. Haste violates time and pays the highest price. What God does is at His own pace. Spiritual maturity takes time and dedication. Serenity and tranquility belongs to those with wisdom who understand God's pace for them.  God cannot be rushed; Jesus illustrates this. Job 5:23-27 illustrates the pace of wisdom: "you will be in league with the stones of the field". Hebrew idiom for being in sync with the Creator and creation. Stones can be a great blessing or great obstacle at different times. Pharisees stumbled over the Cornerstone. Christ is "the Rock of our Salvation" but also "a Rock of offense" or "Cornerstone" or "stumbling stone". In nature there can be no hurray. Farmers have to wait. It takes patience. In our plans we work toward a goal and expect results in time, but must be subject to faith; God has alloted that time period specifically for a purpose (Ecc 3:2) -- realizing that means redeeming the time. God's harvest (taking a loved one home) should a time of rejoicing (Job 5:26). Anxiety is the "partner" of haste. Our expectations must align with God's. "The time is short" (1Co 7:29); we should not be distracted in devotion to the Lord (Mat 6:33-34). God has given to us sufficient Grace to handle today (2Co 12:9). We need to know how to manage time (Jam 4:13, Rom 9:4-5). Jews wasted 2000 years with the convenants and law and priesthood and ended in destruction (Luk 21:32). Realize God has a Will for time, place, duration, and motive - prove God's Will by being in sync (Jam 4:13-15, 2Pe 1:9). We cannot ignore the brevity of life, and God's purpose for us. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart" (Psa 37:4). We must delight ourselves in Him -- submerge our plans, goals, and objectives in Him. 



Scripture References: Job 5:26, Psalms 37:4, Exodus 12:8, Ecclesiastes 3:2, James 4:13-15, Exodus 12:7, Job 5:23-27, Luke 21:32, John 1:29, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Romans 9:4-5, Exodus 12:5, Romans 12:1, James 4:13, Luke 22:16, Matthew 6:33-34, John 6:53-58

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From Series: "Living Sacrifice (1995)"

Romans 12 and specifically Rom 12:1-2 is a pivot point between the doctrinal section and application of the book. This series methodically uses this passage to outline aspects or doctrines of the christian life -- God's provision and our prospect. Our lives can be acceptable to God if we progress on the path He intends. Living Sacrifice presents 12 doctrines: (1) redeeming time; (2) standing (positional truth); (3) self-presentation - availability; (4) approval; (5) service; (6) provision; (7) spiritual warfare; (8) conformity; (9) spiritual advance; (10) renewal; (11) divine guidance; (12) abundant life.

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