Abraham's Revival Series

Abraham’s faith is a model for Christians, because we are his successors by faith (Galatians 3:29). Revival of our faith is modeled after his life (Genesis 12-25).

Traditional history tells us that Abram’s father Terah, was a high priest for Nimrod and made idols. History tells that Noah and Shem taught him God’s ways for about 39 years. Records say that Abram taught others about the one true God. Abram had a large following in Haran, including his faithful servant Eliezer. His life was about to change dramatically at age 75, when he was called by God to leave his country.

God promised Abram using the words “I will” six times. Speaking to Abram, God said, Go, "To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV). And Abram left a comfortable life in Harran because he had faith in God’s promise, “To your descendants I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:7 NKJV) Abram and Lot separated, letting Lot choose the best land (Genesis 13:9), revealing Abram’s selfless character. Obeyed by His friend, God blessed Abram even more saying, “count the stars… So shall your descendants be… And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6)

God changed Abram’s name from High Father (Abram) to Father of a Multitude (Abraham), and Sarai’s name from Princess (Sarai) to THE Princess (Sarah). Circumcising Abraham as a sign of the covenant God promised a son via Sarah. Abraham laughed that a hundred-year-old man would father a son. With a promise, God said, “Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac [Yitzhak means He Laughs].” (Genesis 17:19 NASB) Laughter filled the family astonished and joyful at the remarkable blessing and Isaac’s name was a constant reminder.

Circumcised already in his heart and ears (Deuteronomy 10:15–17; 30:5–8; Jeremiah 4:1–4; 6:10–11; 9:25–26; Ezekiel 44:7-9; Acts 7:51; Romans 2:27–29), Abraham was now circumcised in his flesh. Of many analogies of Christian baptism, circumcision is a defining one (Colossians 2:11–12). Heart is the important part of any sacrament, because the physical ceremony without the spiritual blessing is an empty ritual. Is baptism therefore for adults only? Pictured in the Exodus, adults and children of ancient Israel were baptized into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:2). In Acts 2:39 we are told that “the promise is for you and your children” (NASB). Baptism must be done “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 NASB), but nowhere in the entire Bible is a particular age or mode demanded.

Abraham was far from perfect but, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Hebrews 11:8 KJV) Was Abraham tested? “It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac” (Hebrews 11:17 NLT) Faithful, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.’ (James 2:23 NKJV)

Is Abraham alive or are the souls of the dead asleep? Abraham’s current status is attested to by Jesus, who taught, “But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” (Luke 20:37-38 NKJV) Faith is the key, because “Abraham had faith in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3 CEB) Is righteousness by faith in us, “for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.” (Romans 4:9 KJV) Key to a deep understanding of Apostolic or Abrahamic succession is, “that those who have faith are children of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7 NIV)

Rejoice, lovers of God, circumcise your hearts and ears, and laugh joyfully at God’s promises to revive your lives.