Friday, May 12, 2006

By Faith... Abraham - Part I, Part 39 of 56

TEXT: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8).

IDEA: Having one universal God affects our ethical behavior.

PURPOSE: To help people realize how our belief in one God touches our lives.

What is more important—what you think, or what you do?

How does what you do relate to what you think?

I. Does it matter much in our behavior whether we believe in one God or in many Gods?

Abraham is often credited as being the instigator of monotheism.

What do we mean by “monotheism”? What is the contrast to monotheism?

Did Abraham’s belief in one God have any effect on his life?

II. When you believe there is only one God, that is the basis of your moral behavior.

Jews and Christians believe that God’s moral will is universally binding. Why?

If God alone is their Creator, and He is holy and just, then what He wills becomes the rule of what we should do.

When you believe in one God, it’s important to ask, Who is He? What is His character? He is the one who rules the entire world.