What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 1 / No. 31”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. I - No. 31 / June, 2019
This Is Your Invitation To Attend
A SERIES OF
BIBLE LESSONS
To Be Presented At The
EAST ALBERTVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST
June 9-14
7:00 Week Nights
Speaker:
Derek Long
"THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM"
Abraham is spoken of as the father of the faithful (Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:7, 29). The Bible spends more time talking about Abraham than Abel, Enoch, or Noah (the previous three individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11). Abraham’s faith led him to be referred to as the friend of God (James 2:23; 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8). Hebrews 11:8-19 gives us a description of the faith of Abraham. It says, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God ... Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude - innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.” Two major events in the life of Abraham are referenced by the writer of Hebrews which demonstrate the faith of Abraham. What lessons can we learn from these two events in the life of Abraham?
Bible faith is one which obeys God. Many people want to speak about being people of faith but fail to see the importance of obeying God. Obedience is an essential part of a saving faith. James 2 makes the point a faith without works of obedience is dead and will not save anyone. James uses the example of Abraham as an example of someone who demonstrated his faith by obeying God. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:21-24). Works of obedience are necessary if we are going to be justified in the sight of God. Just as Abraham’s faith led him to obey the command of God to leave his homeland and to offer Isaac upon the altar, our faith must obey God today.
Faith does not need all the answers to every question. Abraham did not know specifically where he was going when God called him to leave his homeland but he went. Abraham trusted God to fulfill His promises through Isaac even if Isaac was slain on the altar because of his faith in God. Are we willing to obey God even if we have questions about the command we might not have an answer to? Are we willing to trust God’s promises even if we do not see exactly how the promise is going to be fulfilled?
Faith looks to eternal things and not to earthly things. Abraham was truly looking for a heavenly city or country to dwell in not an earthly land of promise. Does our faith cause us to lay up treasures in heaven instead of treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19-21)? Does our faith cause us to think more about things above than things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-2)? Does our faith cause us to long for a heavenly home more than a home upon this earth?
Abraham did not live a sinless life. His righteousness was not due to the fact he flawlessly kept God’s commandments. Genesis 12 and 20 record for us times in Abraham’s life where he engaged in deception regarding Sarah being his wife. Abraham was not sinlessly perfect and thus he did not earn his justification on the basis of his works as Romans 4:1-4 points out, “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.” Abraham’s obedient faith led him to be justified in God’s sight. If we are going to be justified, we must have an obedient faith as well (Romans 1:16-17).
—Derek Long
via Oak Grove Church Of Christ Bulletin
May 19, 2019
"NO PROBLEM!"
When a person is eager to learn the way of salvation and is willing to accept the word of God as the final authority, there is no problem in teaching him what to do to be saved.
When differences arise among brethren and all have a humble attitude, and there is a sincere desire for peace and unity, and all parties want to follow God's word, the settlement is no problem.
When a person genuinely believes that Jesus is the Son of God and wants to yield in submission to Christ, once he is shown the Lord commands baptism for the remission of sins, because he is honest and longs to go to heaven, there is no problem getting him to be baptized.
When a worshiper comes into the assembly with the right attitude of heart, there is no problem if the song leader misses the pitch on one of the hymns or if the building is too warm, or if the janitor has missed some cobwebs over the pulpit.
Many of the problems that arise are the bitter fruit of improper thinking!
—Irvin Himmel
Thoughts lead on to purposes;
purposes go forth in action;
actions form habits;
habits decide character;
and character fixes our destiny.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. eastalbertville.org
