Found Faithful
Abraham's life serves as a model of faithfulness, obedience, and trust in God's promises, demonstrating the importance of these qualities in our own lives.
Clement of Rome preaches about Abraham's faithfulness and obedience to God's call, highlighting how he left his country, kindred, and father's house to inherit God's promises. Despite challenges, Abraham believed God's words and was counted as righteous. Through faith and obedience, he received a son in his old age and was willing to offer him as a sacrifice to God.
Text
Abraham, called "the friend," was found faithful, inasmuch as he obeyed the words of God. He, in the exercise of obedience, went out from his own country, and from his kindred, and from his father's house, in order that, by forsaking a small territory, and a weak family, and an insignificant house, he might inherit the promises of God. For God said to him, "Leave your country, and your kindred, and your father's house, and go into the land which I shall show you. And I will make you a great nation, and will bless you, and make your name great, and you shall be blessed.
And I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you; and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed." And again, on his departing from Lot, God said to him.
"Lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you now are, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed for ever. And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth, [so that] if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be numbered." And again [the Scripture] says, "God brought forth Abram, and said to him, Look up now to heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them; so shall your seed be.
And Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." On account of his faith and hospitality, a son was given him in his old age; and in the exercise of obedience, he offered him as a sacrifice to God on one of the mountains which He showed him.
Sermon Outline
- Abraham's Faithfulness
- God's Promises to Abraham
- Abraham's Faith and Hospitality
- Abraham's Obedience Tested
- Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice to God
- Abraham's hospitality led to a son in old age
- Abraham to be a blessing to all nations
Key Quotes
“God said to him, 'Leave your country, and your kindred, and your father's house, and go into the land which I shall show you.'” — Clement of Rome
“And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth, [so that] if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be numbered.” — Clement of Rome
“And Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We should strive to be found faithful by obeying God's words and trusting in His promises.
- Our obedience to God can lead to the fulfillment of His promises in our lives.
- Faith is counted as righteousness, and we should trust in God's plan for our lives.