God's Enduring Promise (Part 1) Series

God’s Enduring Promise

(Part I)

Galatians 3:15-25

Douglas E. Moore shares the following illustration: - Booker T. Washington describes meeting an ex-slave from Virginia in his book Up From Slavery : "I found that this man had made a contract with his master, two or three years previous to the Emancipation Proclamation, to the effect that the slave was to be permitted to buy himself, by paying so much per year for his body; and while he was paying for himself, he was to be permitted to labor where and for whom he pleased.

"Finding that he could secure better wages in Ohio, he went there. When freedom came, he was still in debt to his master some three hundred dollars. Notwithstanding that the Emancipation Proclamation freed him from any obligation to his master, this black man walked the greater portion of the distance back to where his old master lived in Virginia, and placed the last dollar, with interest, in his hands.

In talking to me about this, the man told me that he knew that he did not have to pay his debt, but that he had given his word to his master, and his word he had never broken. He felt that he could not enjoy his freedom till he had fulfilled his promise."

There was a time (not so long ago) when a man’s word and a handshake was as good as a written contract? Sadly in our day, some people will look you in the eye, make you a promise with no intentions of honoring their obligations. Even those who are honorable and possess integrity may still let you down. There have been times in my life (as a result of certain circumstances) where I have failed to follow through on promises that I have made.

Sometimes we let people down, maybe not on purpose, but we fail them nonetheless. But I am thankful as we read the Word of God that we find some promises that will endure! Not one time has God ever made a promise that He did not …or will not keep! When God promises you that He will answer you prayers…THEY WILL BE ANSWERED! When God promises that He will never leave you…HE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE! When God promises you Eternal life….HE IS NOT GOING TO TAKE IT AWAY! When God promises a home in Heaven… YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT IT WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU! ….GOD’S PROMISES WILL ENDURE!!

God made Abraham some promises, and each and every one of them has been or will be fulfilled. I would like to look at that fact today and preach on the subject “God’s Enduring Promise”

* Background:

In Galatians chapter 3, Paul has confronted the foolish actions of the Galatian believers. He has declared that they have been “bewitched” or deceived by the Judaizers. In verses 6-13 Paul revealed the fact that we are justified by faith alone. And that the “just shall live by faith” v11. - Then in verse 14 he states that “God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessings that He promised to Abraham”

Simply stated, because of our faith in Christ, we are heirs to the promises of God. And you can rest assured that those promises will endure! For us to fully comprehend the privilege of being “heirs to the promise” we must take some time and examine at those things that God promised Abraham so long ago. By doing this, we will see several things about this promise. In Part I of this sermon we will see “The Origination and the Illustration of God’s Promise”

* I invite you to go with me back to Genesis 12. It is here that we will see:

I. God’s Enduring Promise: The Origination - Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed……….. 7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land…

In these verses (as well as the following chapters of Genesis) we find that God made several promises to Abraham.

1) He promised him that he would become a great nation.

2) The Lord would make Abraham’s name great.

3) God would bless those that bless him.

4) God would curse those that curse him.

5) In Abraham ALL the nations of the world would be blessed.

6) God promised Abraham children.