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 38

Rom 12:1-2 summarizes the book of Romans:


Romans1-3 Condemnation: "All have sinned (Rom 3:23)


Romans 4-5 Justification: How can be be right with God? (2Co 5:21, Rom 4:3)


Romans 6-8 Sanctification: what does it take to be sanctification?


Romans 9-11 Dispensation: how is Israel dealt with? How are they restored?


Romans 12-16 Application: how do we apply these things?


Rom 12:1-2 Outline.


(1) Call to urgency -- redeem the time; time is short; we don't have time to waste


(2) assurance of our standing - "brethren" refers to our standing in Christ; we are beloved members of God's family; we have a Father;


(3) provision - "by the mercies of God" everything we need to accomplish the plan -- Mercy is "Grace in action" - Eph 2:8-9 - Grace is "a gift of God, not of works; God's Riches At Christ's Expense


(4) call to be available - "present your bodies a living holy sacrifice"; God doesn't want our ability, but availability;


(5) approval - "acceptable to God"; our standard is to glorify God;


(6) genuine service - "spiritual service of worship"; it's reasonable to offer our life back;


(7) "be not conformed to this world"; spiritual non-conformity; we don't fit in this world;


(8) transformation to the character of Christ; "be transformed";


(9) the arena is this world;


(10) "renewing of our mind - spiritual growth;


(11) proving of God's will (Isa 57:10) - dokimazo tests refine (like heated metal) our faith to prove that His plan is perfect for frail people have to have (1Co 11:28 "examine yourself", Gal 6:4 "examine your own work", 2Ti 3:16, Eph 5:10 "Trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord", Jam 1:3 "the testing of you faith produces endurance", 1Pe 1:7 "...proof of your faith may be to the honor of Jesus Christ"). When we trust we prove the will of God; what glorifies God is bearing fruit (Joh 15:1-8); the secret is staying connected to the source - Jesus Christ (Gal 2:20). What are we supposed to prove? "What is good, acceptable, and perfect" (Rom 12:2)? What is good and acceptable? FAITH. God works out everything to good (Rom 2:10) if you follow the Shepard (Rom 8:28, Rom 12:21). God is pleased - we are acceptable when we're close to him, the Shepherd.


(12) abundant life - "perfect" (Joh 10:10) - "Perfect" does not mean sinless - telion; it means "lacking nothing" (Mat 5:48 - "...be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect"). The only way to "lack nothing" is to receive everything from the Shepard to be complete (Eph 4:13, Col 1:28, Joh 10:2-9). "... so that we may present every man perfect [complete] in Christ Jesus". God wants to prove His will by becoming a "living sacrifice" in all cricumstances . If you grope for God you'll find Him, but He's not far (Act 17:27); Where do you have to go to find God's will? Will to do His will (Joh 7:17-18). In your job; in any cirsumstance we prove that "Jesus Christ is life". If we prove that we will please God.

Scripture References: John 15:1-8, John 10:10, Romans 4:3, John 7:17-18, James 1:3, Romans 12:21, Romans 3:23, Acts 17:27, Ephesians 5:10, Romans 8:28, Romans 12:1-2, John 10:2-9, Galatians 6:4, Romans 2:10, Colossians 1:28, Isaiah 57:10, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:13, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:20, Matthew 5:48, Romans 12:1-2

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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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