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I wrote this introduction while waiting for my doctor to call me back for a checkup.
The news was playing on a television in the doctor’s waiting room.
I’ve concluded that the new media attempts to capture the attention of watches by making them scared or angry.
I think we are overdue for some news that makes us happy.
Today I want you to know that God tells you that everyone, regardless of race, class, or nationality, can share in Abraham’s blessing.
That’s right, ethnicity, age, personal history, stupid choices, or credit don’t matter.
God wants you to know that you, regardless of all else, can share in Abraham’s blessing.
Check out this verse from our passage this morning:
This is better than finding a big check in the mailbox.
It’s better than winning a new car.
It beats anything this world can offer.
For some, Abraham’s blessing might not mean too much.
He is, after all, a bit mysterious.
You might only know about him from Sunday School songs like the one that went “Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had father Abraham...”
For those not raised in church, Abraham’s blessing probably has no meaning whatsoever.
It would, for them, mean more to win the lottery.
The Jesus followers of Galatian were interested in this blessing.
As a mater of fact, Abraham’s blessing was the topic of many intense conversations.
Paul comes across like a lion in this book in order to give perspective about the recipients of Abraham’s blessing.
There was lots of interest in the topic of Abraham’s blessing.
The topic, however, is not simply one of antiquity.
Abraham’s blessing is important today.
Three of the world’s great religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—trace their origin back to God’s promise of blessing to Abraham.
Let’s put this into perspective.
More than half of the world’s population have an interest in this topic.
TRANS - Let’s dive in to discover just how relevant Abraham’s blessing is to us today, how we can share in it, and hear how wonderful is this good news.
First our text for today:
PRAY
The Blessing that Solves the World’s Problems
Paul is saying that Abraham’s blessing in the cure to all the word’s problems.
What are the problems of the world?
Simple, the evil in every person’s heart.
The drudgery and violence we have between one another, between groups, and between countries.
All through history humankind is plagued with domestic troubles, racist attitudes, elimination of entire people groups, and on and on.
This includes both people and all of creation.
We see earthquakes and destructive storms that bury and drown people.
We hear of people dying with cancer and miscarriages taking the unborn.
Hearts are troubled and people saddened but so many tragedies.
But get this.
Abraham’s blessing is how God turns back the results of the curse.
God called Abraham and promised him blessing in the 12th chapter of Genesis.
That’s just following the fall and its effects.
Chapter 12 is God’s response to what we read prior to that.
Chapters 3-11 of Genesis describe how every part of life had drifted from God’s purpose.
Because of that humanity and the world are cursed by God; its due to the sin of humankind.
Generations come and go and humankind add to the list of evils plaguing the world.
Jealousy, viciousness, vengeance, violence, corruption, sexual crimes, addictions, and arrogance....
Women know the joy of childbirth, but must endure it with great pain.
Men enjoy subduing the earth, but only with great effort and frustration.
Men and women enjoy intimacy while also knowing lust and domination.
Every aspect of the human heart is run through with evil.
Science and technology advance, but so often the skills we attain lead to new weapons forged to bring about violent death.
Nations know the wonder of diversity and growth along with confusion and strife.
Abraham’s blessing is God’s solution to all of these problems.
This is why the blessing is relevant to every person.
This blessing from God is His way of Solving the World’s Problems.
Consider the images of Hurricane Dorian as it pounded the Bahamas for days.
Recall the 9/11 tragedy.
Look closely at the arguments among our political leaders.
Recall the images of war.
Now, think of Abraham’s blessing as turning all that back.
Imagine God undoing all devastation and destruction.
What might it be like to see God restoring the world to his original purpose?
What might be the sound of God’s peace restored to the world and all through creation?
That is what the Bible teaches is Abraham’s blessing.
That is way God blessed Abraham and said he’ be a blessing to the nations.
Imaging a world free from sickness, sin, and death.
This is the Solution to the Worlds Problems.
This is the answer to all our questions, the prescription to all sickness, the end to every conflict.
This is what each of us needs, wants, truly desires with all we are.
This is the blessing God promised Abraham and to all who are blessed with him.
TRANS - One day all will be well with the world.
But what part of the blessing might we see at this day and age?
The Blessing of one Big Happy Family
How do we get to be part of Abraham’s blessing?
Well, we share in the blessing by joining his family.
If you were to ask what the big idea of this passage is, this is it.
You share in the blessing by joining the family.
Paul quotes from Genesis 12:3c
See that last phrase “in you all the families of the earth”?
The blessings to us comes through Abraham.
It does not come from Oprah, Buddha, your savings account, your pastor, or your church.
You share in the blessing of God by being in Abraham.
Joining the family means becoming children of Abraham.
We get the idea of inheritance.
A relative dies and passes on something (blessings) to the relatives they leave behind.
They don’t usually bless strangers, but leave the inheritance to family members.
If you are Abraham’s family, you are an heir to his blessing.
So how do we get into Abraham’s family?
This is where things get a bit unruly for Paul.
The Jews assume you have to be circumcised; be a Jew.
Consider the covenant God gave Abraham:
Paul knows this Scripture, but also knows God said He’d bless the nations that were not Jews.
This is why Paul can say:
All along God planned to justify sinners by faith.
This is why God told Abraham, way before Jesus, that through him God’s blessing is for all nations.
Catch this, circumcision was never the requirement for being in Abraham’s family.
It was always about faith:
It was God’s plan from the beginning to include the Gentiles into Abraham’s family.
God’s plan was always about family of faith and not one of works of the Law.
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