Morning Manna - Jan 31, 2025 - Faith Friday - The Faith of Abraham

On this edition of Faith Friday, Rick and Doc will continue their teaching on “Two Kinds of Faith,” contrasting Thomas's (“doubting faith”) faith with Abraham's (“perfect faith”). They'll focus on Abraham as the model of genuine, active faith rooted in obedience, trust, and faithfulness. They'll also address how Abraham’s life exemplifies salvation by faith (rather than by works), culminating in a discussion of his “perfect faith” when asked to sacrifice Isaac.

Topics Covered

Review of Thomas’s faith vs. Abraham’s faith

Thomas required physical evidence to believe in the resurrection.
Abraham believed God’s promises even without evidence.
Abraham as the model of faith

Justification by faith rather than by works.
Abraham’s faith is characterized by obedience, trust, and faithfulness.
How Abraham grew from weak faith to great faith and finally to “perfect faith.”
Leaving the old and stepping into God’s promises

Abraham left his home, not knowing where God would lead.
Faith often involves following God without full explanation.
Faith and justification

Central question: How can one be justified before God?
Scripture teaches salvation through faith in Christ rather than reliance on good works.
Abraham was justified before the institution of circumcision, underscoring that faith precedes the Law.
Weak, great, and perfect faith

Weak faith: Abraham (and Sarah) laughed initially at God’s promise.
Great faith: They believed and received Isaac in their old age.
Perfect faith: Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, trusting God to raise him up again.
Communion by faith

The Lord’s Supper is an act of faith in Christ’s sacrifice.
Believers examine their hearts and trust Christ’s promises in partaking of bread and wine.

Scriptures Mentioned

Romans 4:15–25 – “...calleth those things which be not as though they were...”
John 8:56 – “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day...”
John 8:58 – “Before Abraham was, I am.”
Genesis 15:6 – “he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Habakkuk 2:4 – “the just shall live by his faith.”
Romans 1:17 – “The just shall live by faith.”
Hebrews 10:38 – “Now the just shall live by faith...”
Genesis 17:16–17 – “she shall be a mother of nations... Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed...”
Genesis 21:1–2 – “And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said...”
Genesis 18:12 – “Therefore Sarah laughed within herself...”
Hebrews 11:17–19 – “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac...”
Genesis 22:1–2 – “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac... and offer him there...”
Hebrews 11:9–10 – “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise...”
John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life...”
Hebrews 11:1– “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”