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 04

Our goal is to prove the will of God in our life (Rom 12:1-2). In union with Christ 2Co 5:14-17 we are a new creature and are to live for Him.  We are uniquely gifted. Every Christian has a ministry to fulfill His plan and purpose (1Co 12:5-7). Danger in planning our lives without taking into account the brevity of it and the plan of God (Jam 4:13-17). We must seek to do His will with a sense of urgency (Joh 7:17). We need to be daily seeking God's will by prayer and develop a sense of urgency (Joh 9:4). Believer dedicated to God's will (i.e., walking in the light) proves to himself, to the world, and to the fallen realm it is perfect (Joh 8:12, 1Jo 1:7). Man is by his nature after the fall arrogant (Jam 4:16). Biggest battle in history is the battle of wills starting with Satan (Isa 14:12-13). Arrogance is self-centered rather than Christ-centered, and disregards the will of God.



10 rules for time management: recognize and act on the knowledge that: (1) root cause of using time wisely is bad habit; (2) control your own time or someone else will; (3) you can only spend time, not save it; you can invest your time in eternity; (4) it necessary to learn to say "No" (Rom 12:2); (5) if you don't have time to plan you can't be efficient with time; you need to take God's will into account; (6) you must organize your time or lose it; (7) recognize the dollar value of time -- "lay up treasures in heaven"; (8) time is the greatest resource we have; (9) continual courage is needed to overcome time wasters -- to wring out the value of a day; (10) the key to successful management is to build good habits. The Ephesian Agora -- market -- was available to anyone. The wise person in the marketplace of life chooses to keep on purchasing, redeeming time (Eph 5:16 - exagoroazo - a habit which forms your character). We were once in darkness, but are now transferred into light (Eph 5:8-15, Col 1:13, 1Co 15:22). He has transferred us out of the realm of darkness into the light by faith. In Adam all die; in Christ all are made alive. Believers are "dead" if unfruitful (Eph 5:9-13). Jesus refused to cast His pearls before swine (Mat 7:6); He searched for good soil (Mar 1:35-38). The "sleeper" is the believer out of fellowship and "unfruitful" from eternal perspective (Eph 5:14). We need to be vigilant, and wise to redeem the time because the days are evil (Eph 5:15). We are "wise" and "acceptable" to the Lord if we redeem the time (Eph 5:16-18). (1) Believers are commanded to redeem time (Eph 5:16); (2) Redeeming time is necessary because days are evil (Eph 5:16) and time is short (1Co 7:29); and opportunity is passing (Col 4:5). (3) 7 ways to redeem time: by filling of the spirit (Eph 5:18); study God's word (Rom 12:2); applying the word of God (1Pe 2:15); endurance suffering through faith rest (Rom 8:18); prayer (Jam 5:15-18, Eph 6:18, Heb 13:15); submission to authority (Eph 6:1-2, 1Co 11:3); function your spiritual gift  (1Ti 1:6, 1Ti 4:14). 5 reasons to have a sense of urgency: (1) time is short; (2) failure possibility is real; (3) loss is greatest in eternity; (4) loss at the judgement seat is shame; (5) redeemed time is all you can take with you.



Scripture References: Ephesians 5:15, John 9:4, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:16, Ephesians 5:14, John 7:17, Ephesians 5:18, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 6:1-2, Mark 1:35-38, James 4:13-17, Colossians 4:5, Isaiah 14:12-13, Hebrews 13:15, Matthew 7:6, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 5:16, James 4:16, Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 5:9-13, Ephesians 5:16, John 1:7, James 5:15-18, Colossians 1:13, Ephesians 5:16-18, John 8:12, Romans 8:18, Ephesians 5:8-15

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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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