VERSE TO MEMORIZE: By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises

offered up his only begotten son. Hebrews 11:17

05 FEBRUARY 2012 Volume XXXVIII, No.04 A Weekly Publication of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church Containing Life-Changing Sunday School Lessons and BMAs Preaching Materials

THE BIBLICAL GIVERS

Lesson 04: ABRAHAM
Introduction Faith is a basic ingredient of cheerful giving. No amount of giving will ever be acceptable before God if such is not done in and by faith. God will not bless our giving and offerings if these are given by resorting to humans best instead of exercising faith in obedience to Gods mandate. Such is the case between Abel and Cain (Genesis 4). Abel offered a blood sacrifice in obedience to Gods design, while Cain offered the best of his labor and harvests. Abrahams life is replete with manifestations of Gods blessings because of his faith. Abraham was blessed of God because of his faith. The Bible says that And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness (Gen. 15:6; Gal. 3:6). Apostle Paul referred to him as faithful Abraham. Since the beginning of Abrahams calling (Gen. 12), he exhibited unwavering faith as evidenced by his obedience to God even when God tested him to sacrifice Isaac at Mount Moriah. Abrahams faith is an active faith, a faith that is constant obedience to Gods mandate. 3. Abraham was willing to give up his most prized possession, his son Isaac, when God commanded him to do so (Gen. 22:1-19; Heb. 11:17-19). God did not let Abraham take Isaacs life because God gave the command to test Abrahams faithfor him to know the exAbraham, the Biblical Giver: 1. At Gods command, Abraham willingly gave up all that he had (the comfort of his home, his friends and relatives) and went to a place never known to him, just holding on to tent of his faith and commitment to God. Instead of taking Abrahams son, God gave him a whole nation of descendants through Isaac. 2. Abraham trusted God wholeheartedly and counted on Gods covenant with him that many nations will be blessed through his obedience. God wanted to set apart a nation for Himself, a nation that would be His witness to this world. God began with a man of faith, who, though old and childless, believed Gods promise of innumerable descendants. We can trust God to do the impossible when we have faith (Hebrews 6:13,14). Gods promise of even greater things in the future. He obeyed without question.
STRAIGHT FROM THE PASTORS HEART DR. BENNY M. ABANTE, JR.

What he did was a giant step of faith (Gen. 12; Heb. 11:8)! Do not be surprised if God sometimes asks you to give up secure, familiar surroundings to carry out His will.

Message

The BMA ARCHIVES

Dr. Benny M. Abantes PREACHING MATERIALS
Contd. If you are afraid to trust God with your most prized possession, dream or person, pay attention to Abrahams example. Because Abraham was willing to give up everything for God, he received back more than he could have imagined. What we receive however, is not always immediate (Heb. 11:13-16), or in the form of material possessions. After all, material possessions should be among the least satisfying of rewards. The best and greatest rewards await us in eternity!

NOTHING SHALL OUR MOUTH SPEAK BUT THE BLESSING OF THE WORD AND THE GLORY OF GOD.
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
CHAPTERS TO READ THIS WEEK:
FEBRUARY 05 FEBRUARY 06 FEBRUARY 07 FEBRUARY 08 FEBRUARY 09 FEBRUARY 10 FEBRUARY 11 JOB 12:13 JOB 22:12 JOB 22:21, 22 JOB 23:10 JOB 28:28 JOB 34:21 PSALMS 1:1

To memorize one (1) verse in every chapter, tokens shall be awarded to those who can recite all memory verses after

Conclusion

Through the example of Abraham, God has shown us that what He desires from each of us is dependence, trust and faith in Himnot faith in our ability (and resources) to please Him. Observe that Abrahams blessings didnt end up with him. Through Abrahams obedience, nations have been are blessed. When we exercise faith and obey Gods command (even in the area of cheerful giving), God blesses us and such blessings are intended to bless others as well. After all, believers are channels of Gods blessings and we should only do so by faith! Life Application Study Bible/ BMAs Messages/Wilson P. Tan 02.05.12 -o0o-o0o-

The Worship of Abraham

Genesis 22:1-14 By: Dr. Benny M. Abante, Jr., Th.D. Worship could well be pronounced as worthship because we ascribe our worship to the ONE alone who is worthy of such. As believers of God, we are then admonished to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). What does the Bible say about worship? 1. Worship is based on revelation from God

Himself (vv 1-2) - ...and God said Abraham acted upon what God said. It is not what he thought for himself but in response to divine revelation. Today, divine revelation comes from the very Word of God the Bible (Romans 10:17). Faith presupposes a previous revelation. For one to act without divine authority is presumption in the worst degree. Take away faith from Abrahams act of offering Isaac, it becomes murder. True worship does not come from mans traditions nor human reasoning but from clear revelation of Gods Word. Other personal revelations do not have divine authority even if they were asserted as such; 2. Worship is conditioned by faith in and obedience to that divine revelation (v.3). Abrahams response was unquestioning, prompt and full (Heb. 11:17). It is never reluctant nor hesitantthus knowing and acting upon that revelation is a crystal clear faith (vv.7-8); 3. Worship involves a costly presentation to God (v.2). In Abrahams case, it meant offering up of his only and beloved son, Isaachis dearest possession, the one in whom all his hopes of future posterity was centered. Here we see that there is a premium in worshipa high one that will cost every believer of the Lord. One has to brace himself up with whatever God commands him to do, even if that would mean giving up of his most treasured possession; 4. Worship necessitates a deliberate separation unto God (v.7); 5. Worship predicates the absolute renunciation of self in all varied forms; 6. Worship glorifies God (vv.16-18; Ps. 50:23); and 7. Worship brings blessings to the worshiper. God gave Abraham back his son, Isaac.