The Faith of Abraham 

Scripture Reading: Romans 10:12-21.

Memory Verse: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Introduction: There is an interesting illustration in the Romans Volume IV commentary by Donald Barnhouse . . . . :
  "Some time ago we went to Atlantic City to preach in one of the churches there for several days. It was off season and one of the great hotels gave the church one of its loveliest suites for us to enjoy. We looked out across the Atlantic with its ever-changing moods and enjoyed its beauty to the full. Suppose that a young friend who lived in Iowa and who had never had the privilege of journeying to the coast should have asked us to write him about the ocean. What would you think if we wrote as follows: 'We have a beautiful room with a picture window that gives us a sweeping view of the ocean. The window is twelve feet two inches long and four feet eight inches high. It is divided into three sections. We have taken a scraping of the glass and have had it analyzed and can tell you the chemical formula of the glass. We have had an expert from one of the great glass companies tell us all about the glass and we are giving you herewith a history of the invention and development glass. The glass is set in steel frames that are painted black. We have had the steel and the paint analyzed and you can read the analysis in our second and third studies affixed to this letter. We have discovered that the panes of glass are kept in the frames by a putty composition. We have scraped down some of this putty and are giving you a long addendum on its chemical composition. Finally, we have inquired of the hotel management and found out their method of keeping the windows clean. You will be delighted to know from the subjoined study the whole process of the window-cleaning and the formula of the special detergent needed to cope with the salt spray from the ocean. In closing, let us say that we hope you have enjoyed our study of the ocean.'
  "We smile at such a farcical parable . . . How many people have been turned away from the road that leads to the Lord Jesus Christ by the inept way in which some, who count themselves among His most zealous followers, point not to the Lord Jesus Christ but to the mechanics by which God has brought Him to us?"--Paul Achtemeier, Romans Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, p. 175.

Lesson Questions:

1. Is there any distinction between men in God's eyes? Romans 10:12; Acts 10:34,35; Job 34:18,19; Ephesians 6:8; James 2:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27-29.

2. Who can be saved from sin's bondage? Romans 10:13; 1 Timothy 2:3,4; Isaiah 45:22; 55:1; John 7:37; Revelation 3:20.

3. Discuss the simple necessity of preaching the gospel. Romans 10:14; Isaiah 52:7; Mark 13:10; 1 Corinthians 1:23,24; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6.

4. How important is it that we are involved with the great commission? Romans 10:15; Matthew 28:18-20; 9:37,38; Mark 16:15; Isaiah 60:5; Acts 1:8; Luke 24:47; 11:23.

5. What is the source of faith? Romans 10:17; 1:17; Proverbs 8:34; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Luke 8:15; James 1:18,19; Ephesians 2:8,9.

6. Did Israel have any valid excuse for their lack of faith? Romans 10:16,18.
This second part of our section has made clear that if preachers bear the burden of responsible preaching, hearers bear the burden of responsible listening! If the only way one can learn how to respond appropriately to God's grace is by listening, one had better listen carefully! One's relationship to God may depend on how carefully one listens and understands what is being said! Our passage therefore clearly implies a warning against careless hearing, since hearing is the key to trust in God.--Donald Grey Barnhouse, God's Covenants, p. 107.

7. Since Israel rejected God's salvation plan, to whom was God revealed? Romans 10:19,20; Isaiah 9:2; 49:6; Isaiah 60:3; Daniel 7:14; Hosea 2:23; Ephesians 3:6; Acts 15:7.

8. How patient was the Lord with Israel's rebellion? Romans 10:21; Jeremiah 35:15; 2 Peter 3:9.