Abraham: Man of Faith
A Sermon on John 1:12-13
Originally preached June 30, 1963
Scripture
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Sermon Description
In this sermon from his series on John 1:12–13, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses the richness of assurance of salvation. He highlights the beautiful truth that Christians are not only forgiven of sins when we come to believe in Christ, but they are also born again. They are born not of flesh, but of God and adopted in as His children. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also brings in the illustration of faith and assurance in the life and person of Abraham. He encourages us from Abraham’s example found in Genesis 15, Hebrews 11:8–12, and other Scripture references. The listener hears of Abraham’s deep faith in God, his faith in action, and God’s plan. Despite the fact that God’s promises to Abraham were not immediately fulfilled, and the way of fulfillment was unknown, Abraham still “went out not knowing where he was going” because he believed God and His promises. Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges the listener to consider their faith: do they believe God and His promises? Do they not only intellectually believe, but also live out faith in obedience? Do they live in the blessed joy of assurance?
Sermon Breakdown
- Abraham believed God and his promises. This was the secret of Abraham's faith.
- Abraham believed God's purpose and plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Abraham rejoiced in Christ's coming.
- Abraham obeyed God. He left his home and went to the land God showed him. Obedience demonstrates true faith.
- Pleasing God and being blessed by God was most important to Abraham. He refused rewards from the King of Sodom because God was his reward.
- Knowing God's character is a blessing of assurance. Abraham knew God as the righteous and just God of all the earth.
- Complete trust in God is a blessing of assurance. Abraham went out not knowing where he was going but knowing who he was going with.
- Abraham trusted God even when God's promises were not immediately fulfilled. He lived as a sojourner in the promised land, waiting for God's timing.
- The Christian life means knowing you are a child of God, knowing the Father, and trusting Him no matter what.
- God reveals Himself to those who have assurance in Him.
- The church needs assurance and joy in the Lord to function powerfully.
- Assurance is given by the Holy Spirit testifying with our spirit that we are God's children.
- Justification by faith alone gives assurance, not by works. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.
- Abraham is the father of all who believe, showing that salvation is by faith alone.
- Faith is believing what God has said and revealed, not just hoping in the dark. It is the substance of things hoped for.
- God spoke to Abraham through visions, dreams, theophanies (appearances of God/Jesus), and impressions on Abraham's mind.
Sermon Q&A
What Were the Key Characteristics of Abraham's Faith According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explores Abraham's faith as an example of Christian assurance. Here are insights from his sermon:
What was Abraham's primary secret to living a life of faith?
According to Lloyd-Jones, Abraham's primary secret was "absolute certainty about his relationship to God and God's purpose with respect to him." This certainty enabled Abraham to do extraordinary things. God gave Abraham direct assurance before he left his homeland, saying, "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great."
Why does Lloyd-Jones call Abraham "the friend of God"?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Abraham was called "the friend of God," which represents the highest level of relationship. He explains: "A friend is one to whom you give your intimacies... the one you take, as it were, into your bosom, to whom you open your heart, the one you can trust, the one to whom you give your secrets." God treated Abraham as a friend by sharing His plans and purposes with him.
How did God give assurance to Old Testament saints like Abraham?
Lloyd-Jones identifies several ways God communicated assurance in Old Testament times: - Through visions (Genesis 15:1) - Through dreams - Through theophanies (appearances of God, especially Christ pre-incarnate) - Through impressions upon the mind
What were the main characteristics that made Abraham the father of faith?
Lloyd-Jones identifies three key characteristics:
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Abraham believed God: "Faith, in the end, simply means that a man believes God. He believes everything God has said, everything that God has prophesied, everything that God has been pleased to reveal."
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Abraham obeyed God: "God said, come out. Abram went out." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes this obedience as proof of genuine faith, noting that "faith without works is dead."
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Abraham's highest priority was pleasing God: Abraham consistently put God first above wealth, comfort, and worldly rewards. Lloyd-Jones points to Abraham's willingness to let Lot choose the better land and his refusal of rewards from the king of Sodom as examples.
What blessings does assurance of salvation bring according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones identifies two primary blessings of assurance:
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Knowing God's character: "There's all the difference in the world believing things about God than really knowing him." Assurance leads to intimate knowledge of God's nature.
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Complete trust in God despite uncertainties: Abraham "went out not knowing whether he went. But he knew with whom he was going." This trust enables believers to follow God even when His promises aren't immediately fulfilled or His ways aren't understood.
Why does Lloyd-Jones emphasize Abraham's "sojourning" in the land of promise?
Lloyd-Jones points out that Abraham never fully possessed the land God promised him during his lifetime. He lived in tents as a sojourner, yet never doubted God's promise. This demonstrates Abraham's extraordinary faith - he trusted God's promises would be fulfilled in God's timing, even if not during his own lifetime.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.