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Sovereign Grace Doctrines
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
CHRIST THE SEED OF ABRAHAM (2)
GENESIS 12:3
GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER
DANIEL E. PARKS, PASTOR
MARCH 27, 1999 - RADIO MESSAGE #260
Genesis 11:27-12:4 is one of most important passages in the Bible. As we observed in the preceding message, it introduces Abraham, the foremost patriarch; it commences the Patriarchal Era, the second great era in the history of mankind; it cites the first stated appearance of the preincarnate Christ; it records the Abrahamic Covenant, one of the most important covenants in Holy Scriptures; it contains a foremost example of paying the cost of Christian discipleship. We here continue.
This passage contains the foremost Biblical illustration of justification by faith alone. To be justified is to be "declared righteous," to be forgiven of sins and to receive the imputed righteousness of God. To be justified by faith alone is to receive this forgiveness and imputation solely through believing God and trusting in Him, totally apart from any and all works of self-righteousness (Romans 3:21-26). Abraham here did so (12:4): "So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him" -- totally trusting in God alone, relying in no way upon what he was or upon any thing he had done. His example of justification by faith alone is so singular that it is repeatedly cited by Paul the apostle in his explanations of this doctrine: "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (e.g. Romans 4:1-3; Galatians 3:6). Likewise, you and I must be justified by faith alone in Christ alone: not by circumcision, law-observance, sabbath-keeping, moral reformation, baptism, church membership, nor any other work.
This passage prophesies of blessings to all who are in Christ (12:3): "and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." God amplified this promise on subsequent occasions: "in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" (22:18; 26:4); "all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in [Abraham]" (18:18). Three truths are here set forth.
1. Christ is the Seed of Abraham here prophesied. The seed of Abraham is of three types. i. The national seed of Abraham includes all the various peoples and nations which have physically descended from him: the Jews, or Israelites, through Isaac and Jacob (1 Chronicles 1:34 & 2:1f); the Arabs, through Ishmael (Genesis 25:12-16); the Edomites, through his grandson Esau (1 Chronicles 1:34-37; cp. Genesis 36:1-19); the Midianite-kindred tribes, through his second wife Keturah (Genesis 25:1-4). ii. The spiritual seed of Abraham includes all who, like himself, are justified before God by faith alone in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:7,29). iii. The Messianic Seed of Abraham is Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, who in the record of His genealogy is expressly identified as "the Son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1ff).
The Seed of Abraham through which God promised to bless all the nations is his Messianic Seed, not his national or spiritual seeds. This point is stressed by Paul the apostle in Galatians 3:16: "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. [God] does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ." God therefore, in Genesis 12:3 (also 22:18; 26:4; 18:18), promised to bless the nations through Christ.
2. All who are in Christ are indeed blessed. This point is stressed by Paul the apostle in Ephesians 1:3-14. He declares that "every spiritual blessing" is to be received by those whom "[God] chose in Christ" for salvation (vv.3f). Among the blessings they receive are adoption into God's family (v.5), acceptance before God (v.6), redemption from sin (v.7), forgiveness of sins (v.7), knowledge of God's will (v.9), an eternal inheritance (v.11), the seal of the Holy Spirit (vv.13f). To be "in Christ" is indeed to be blessed!
3. Those who are blessed in Christ are from all the nations. This point is stressed by John the apostle in Revelation 7:9. He declares that the blessed are "of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues." God does not withhold from anyone His Christ nor the blessings which are found in Him. Whoever and wherever you are, you can through faith in Jesus Christ receive the blessings of God (see Isaiah 45:22). All glory to Christ the Seed of Abraham!
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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