Faith as Receiving: Abraham's Example of Righteousness

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Trust, Not Performance

Faith is not a work or performance but an act of receiving God's gift of righteousness. It involves trusting in God's promises, even when they seem impossible, as Abraham did. Abraham's story in Galatians 3:6-9 illustrates this profound truth. He believed God, and this belief was counted to him as righteousness. This concept is pivotal because it underscores the nature of faith as a means of receiving God's righteousness, not as a work or performance. Abraham's faith was not about earning righteousness through deeds but about trusting in God's promises, even when they seemed impossible. God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars, despite his and Sarah's old age and barrenness. This promise required a miracle, and Abraham's faith was in God's ability to fulfill it. [02:29]

Hebrews 11:11-12 (ESV): "By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."

Reflection: What is one promise from God that seems impossible in your life right now? How can you actively choose to trust Him with it today?

Day 2: Righteousness as a Gift, Not Earned

The righteousness that comes from God is not earned through our deeds but is a gift received through faith. This is a fundamental distinction that separates faith from works. In Romans 4:4-5, Paul contrasts works, which earn wages, with faith, which receives a gift. Faith is the unique act of the soul that stops striving and instead receives God's grace. It is a receiving grace, not a performing one. This is evident in the way faith is described as receiving Christ and all that God is for us in Him. Believing in Christ is synonymous with receiving Him, as John states, and this reception grants us the right to become children of God. [05:43]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you trying to earn God's favor? How can you shift your mindset to receive His grace as a gift today?

Day 3: Receiving Christ as Belief

Believing in Christ is synonymous with receiving Him, and this reception grants us the right to become children of God. Faith is a receiving grace, not a performing one. This is further clarified in Romans 4:4-5, where Paul contrasts works, which earn wages, with faith, which receives a gift. Faith is the unique act of the soul that stops striving and instead receives God's grace. It is a receiving grace, not a performing one. This is evident in the way faith is described as receiving Christ and all that God is for us in Him. [07:44]

John 1:12-13 (ESV): "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

Reflection: How can you actively receive Christ in your daily life, beyond just believing in Him? What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him today?

Day 4: Union with Christ Through Faith

Union with Christ through faith leads to a righteousness that is not our own but comes from God. This righteousness is received, not achieved, and is central to our justification. Paul further elaborates in Philippians, where he speaks of gaining Christ and being found in Him, not through his own righteousness but through the righteousness that comes from God by faith. This righteousness is not earned but received through union with Christ. Romans 10 reinforces this by highlighting that righteousness is a gift from God, received by faith, not by establishing one's own righteousness through the law. [09:21]

Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to be united with Christ in your daily life? How can you live out this union in practical ways today?

Day 5: Faith as Receiving God's Promise

Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness because it was an act of receiving God's promise, not a work of righteousness. This principle of faith as receiving is crucial for understanding justification. It is not about our performance but about trusting in God's provision, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Abraham's story in Galatians 3:6-9 is a profound illustration of faith and righteousness. Abraham believed God, and this belief was counted to him as righteousness. This concept is pivotal because it underscores the nature of faith as a means of receiving God's righteousness, not as a work or performance. [12:26]

Galatians 3:6-9 (ESV): "Just as Abraham 'believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed.' So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Reflection: How can you practice receiving God's promises in your life today, rather than trying to earn them? What steps can you take to cultivate a heart of trust and receptivity?

Sermon Summary

Abraham's story in Galatians 3:6-9 is a profound illustration of faith and righteousness. Abraham believed God, and this belief was counted to him as righteousness. This concept is pivotal because it underscores the nature of faith as a means of receiving God's righteousness, not as a work or performance. Abraham's faith was not about earning righteousness through deeds but about trusting in God's promises, even when they seemed impossible. God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars, despite his and Sarah's old age and barrenness. This promise required a miracle, and Abraham's faith was in God's ability to fulfill it.

The essence of faith, as Paul explains, is not about performing acts to earn God's favor but about receiving the gift of righteousness through belief. This is further clarified in Romans 4:4-5, where Paul contrasts works, which earn wages, with faith, which receives a gift. Faith is the unique act of the soul that stops striving and instead receives God's grace. It is a receiving grace, not a performing one. This is evident in the way faith is described as receiving Christ and all that God is for us in Him. Believing in Christ is synonymous with receiving Him, as John states, and this reception grants us the right to become children of God.

Paul further elaborates in Philippians, where he speaks of gaining Christ and being found in Him, not through his own righteousness but through the righteousness that comes from God by faith. This righteousness is not earned but received through union with Christ. Romans 10 reinforces this by highlighting that righteousness is a gift from God, received by faith, not by establishing one's own righteousness through the law.

In summary, Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness because it was an act of receiving God's promise, not a work of righteousness. This principle of faith as receiving is central to understanding how we are justified before God. It is not about our performance but about trusting in God's provision, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is not a work or performance but an act of receiving God's gift of righteousness. It involves trusting in God's promises, even when they seem impossible, as Abraham did. [02:29]
2. The righteousness that comes from God is not earned through our deeds but is a gift received through faith. This is a fundamental distinction that separates faith from works. [05:43]
3. Believing in Christ is synonymous with receiving Him, and this reception grants us the right to become children of God. Faith is a receiving grace, not a performing one. [07:44]
4. Union with Christ through faith leads to a righteousness that is not our own but comes from God. This righteousness is received, not achieved, and is central to our justification. [09:21]
5. Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness because it was an act of receiving God's promise, not a work of righteousness. This principle of faith as receiving is crucial for understanding justification. [12:26]
** [12:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to Abraham's Faith
[01:02] - The Promise to Abraham
[01:43] - The Miracle of the Promise
[02:29] - Faith Counted as Righteousness
[03:22] - Two Interpretations of Faith
[04:09] - Romans 4:4-5 Explanation
[05:21] - Faith as Receiving, Not Performing
[06:40] - Receiving the Spirit by Faith
[07:23] - Believing and Receiving Christ
[08:28] - Gaining Christ Through Faith
[09:40] - Righteousness from God
[10:59] - Abraham's Faith and Christ
[11:53] - The Meaning of Faith as Receiving
[12:52] - Conclusion and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 3:6-9
- Romans 4:4-5
- Philippians 3:8-9

---

Observation Questions:

What does it mean when the sermon states that "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"? How does this relate to the concept of faith? [00:18]
According to the sermon, what is the difference between faith being counted as righteousness and faith being an act of righteousness? [02:49]
How does Romans 4:4-5 help clarify the distinction between faith and works as discussed in the sermon? [04:09]
In the sermon, how is the concept of receiving Christ linked to becoming children of God? [07:44]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon explain the role of faith in receiving God's righteousness, and why is this significant for understanding justification? [05:43]
What implications does the sermon suggest about the nature of faith as a "receiving grace" rather than a "performing one"? How does this affect one's relationship with God? [06:02]
How does the sermon use the story of Abraham to illustrate the principle of faith as receiving God's promise? What does this teach about trusting in God's provision? [12:26]
How does the sermon interpret the relationship between faith and union with Christ, and what does this mean for believers today? [09:21]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on a promise from God that seems impossible in your life. How can you exercise faith like Abraham to trust in God's ability to fulfill it? [01:58]
The sermon emphasizes that faith is about receiving rather than performing. In what areas of your life are you tempted to earn God's favor through works, and how can you shift towards a posture of receiving? [05:43]
Consider the idea that believing in Christ is synonymous with receiving Him. How can you actively receive Christ in your daily life, and what changes might this bring? [07:44]
The sermon discusses the righteousness that comes from God through faith. How can you remind yourself daily that your righteousness is received, not achieved? [09:21]
Think about a time when you relied on your own efforts to establish righteousness. How can you practice letting go of self-reliance and embracing the gift of righteousness through faith? [10:00]
How can the principle of faith as receiving God's promise influence the way you approach challenges and uncertainties in your life? [12:26]
Identify one specific way you can deepen your union with Christ this week. What practical steps will you take to nurture this relationship? [09:21]

Sermon Clips

"Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. What does that mean? What does it mean that his faith, it would be referring to his faith, his believing, it was counted to him as righteousness? Father, few things are more important than that we be counted, treated as righteous, acceptable, pure in your sight." [00:06:04]

"Faith is the unique act of the soul by which the soul receives a gift. Faith, as the old theologians used to say, is a receiving grace. Work performs, offers the performance to God, expects some due from it. Faith does not perform; it stops performing, recognizes the hopelessness of ungodliness, and looks away from itself to receive the gift of righteousness." [00:351:72]

"Faith is counted as right in the sense that faith is an act of receiving, receiving the gift of righteousness. That's the one Paul intends. Let me show you how we can know that. The most decisive and important set of verses on this issue of righteousness in relation to faith is Romans 4:4-5." [00:205:599]

"Believing in Christ is synonymous with receiving Christ. John makes it very clear: believing is a receiving grace. We look away from ourselves to the Savior, to the Lord, to the treasure, Jesus Christ, and we welcome him into our lives. We trust him, we receive him in a trusting, treasuring way, and that means we receive righteousness." [00:469:599]

"Faith is a receiving grace, and the fundamental thing that we receive, not a thing, a person, is Christ and all that God is for us in him as he comes to us in his Spirit. John put it like this in John: Jesus came to his own, and his own did not receive him, but to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." [00:430:72]

"Abraham believed God. That's a quote from Genesis 15. Behold, the word of the Lord came to him: 'This man, Ishmael, your son by Hagar, that is by the flesh, shall not be your heir. Your very own son shall be your heir, even though you're too old to have children and your wife is barren and aged.'" [00:86:24]

"Faith as the old theologians used to say is a receiving grace. Work performs, offers the performance to God, expects some due from it. Faith does not perform; it stops performing, recognizes the hopelessness of ungodliness, and looks away from itself to receive the gift of righteousness." [00:362:72]

"Faith is the instrument by which we receive the Spirit or we receive Christ, who comes and dwells in us by his Spirit. Faith is a receiving grace, and the fundamental thing that we receive, not a thing, a person, is Christ and all that God is for us in him as he comes to us in his Spirit." [00:422:00]

"Abraham believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. What does that mean? Two possibilities. Let me just mention one, I mean, two. Faith is the same as an act of rightdoing or righteousness. He counted it, he counted his faith as righteousness because it was an act of righteousness." [00:145:72]

"Faith in Christ leads to union with Christ, which leads to a righteousness not my own but that righteousness which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God. So it's God's righteousness, but it's in him, so we speak of it as Christ's righteousness as well, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." [00:561:959]

"Abraham believed God. Now the focus in this text is not on Christ explicitly; he's not mentioned in this text, but we know from all that's gone before, just a few verses to show it, that Christ is the focus. A person is not justified by works of the law but by faith in Christ." [00:646:04]

"Faith is the unique act of the soul by which the soul receives a gift. Faith, as the old theologians used to say, is a receiving grace. Work performs, offers the performance to God, expects some due from it. Faith does not perform; it stops performing, recognizes the hopelessness of ungodliness, and looks away from itself to receive the gift of righteousness." [00:351:72]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Faith as Receiving: Abraham's Example of Righteousness

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Trust, Not Performance

Day 2: Righteousness as a Gift, Not Earned

Day 3: Receiving Christ as Belief

Day 4: Union with Christ Through Faith

Day 5: Faith as Receiving God's Promise

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Faith as Receiving: Abraham's Example of Righteousness

Share