FAITH OR WORKS OR WHAT?
Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven
16 and said, “By myself I have sworn,” this is the LORD’s declaration: “Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son,
17 I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their enemies.
18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed my command.”
19 Abraham went back to his young men, and they got up and went together to Beer-sheba. And Abraham settled in Beer-sheba. —Genesis 22:15–19 (CSB)
The greatest promises of God are
But are they received through
A THORNY DILEMMA:
Before Gen 22 God’s covenant focused on Abraham’s
Later on, the focus seems to be on Abraham’s
(Gen 12:1-3; 13:16-17; 15:5-10; 17:1-14 vs Gen 22:16-18)
“We’re saved through
alone.
But saving faith never stays alone.” —(Eph 2:8-9, 10, Rom 4:1-5; Jam 2:21-24)For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. —Ephesians 2:8–10 (CSB)
What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
2 If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.
4 Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed.
5 But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness. —Romans 4:1–5 (CSB)
Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar?
22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete,
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. —James 2:21–24 (CSB)
Justification = Being in
“just as if I’d never sinned…”
Both Catholics & Protestants believe we’re justified by grace through faith.
Catholic View: works “add to” your
Protestant View: works “add to” your
But neither of these are “supplemented” by
SOLVING THE PROBLEM
Faith and Works are really two sides of the
Abraham wasn’t just justified “by faith.”
He was justified because his faith was properly
What does your
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why are covenants so central to God’s redemptive plan? Which covenants are you familiar with from the Scripture?
The sermon highlights the historical debate between Catholics and Protestants. Which view aligns more closely with your understanding, and why?
How would you explain the tension between Romans 4:1-5 and James 2:21-24? Can these perspectives be reconciled?
“We are saved through faith alone, but saving faith is never alone.” What does this mean, and do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your perspective.
How does the sermon define “faith”? How is this definition different from the common perception of faith as “believing something without evidence”?
Discuss the relationship between faith and works? How do our works reveal the object of our faith?
Discuss how the promises made to Abraham in Genesis 22 ultimately point to Jesus as the “offspring” in whom all nations will be blessed?
How does Jesus fulfill both the justification and sanctification aspects of God’s covenant promises?
How can we evaluate whether our faith is properly placed in Jesus or in something or someone else?
How can we encourage and support one another in living out a faith that is expressed through good works, while avoiding legalism or a works-based salvation?