Our Redemption In God’s Promises Series

Alpha and Omega, Part 19

Our Redemption in God’s Promises

Genesis 15:1-21

Introduction

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! BE THANKFUL FOR GOD’S GIFT!

- 2023 has been led with “one purpose”: To know there is a God!

-- Continuing our series, “Alpha and Omega”; examining the beginning to the end

- Last week we saw an example of what drifting away from God can cause

-- RE: God has called us to is a life of obedience, yet even in Abram we saw:

-- The plotting to sin, the self-justification, the judgment of God, and repentance

- Abram gives us great insight into human nature and how sin causes us to stray

-- What we must take note of, especially today, is that we all miss the mark

-- We all stray away from God’s calling, but we don’t have to stay there

- FACT: We can return to Him, because there are no sins He cannot forgive

-- However, the first step is one of choice – choosing to repent of our sins

- This morning we see a visual covenant of God’s promise to Abram

-- It’s critical that we spend a little time on this to see how encouraging God is

-- Encouragement in the struggles of life is something we all need … see that today

- Let’s dive in … Read Genesis 15:1-21 / Pray

- TR: Alternate title for this message: How to overcome fear and disappointment

Point 1 – God’s constant encouragement is: Do Not Fear!

- I want us to see that God is the believer’s protection and giver of rewards

-- God knew Abram’s heart, knew his challenges, and knew his disappointments

-- Look at how tenderly God encourages His servant (v1)

• He speaks to Him and gives him a vision (this brings clarity)

• He promises protection and a reward (this gives hope/purpose)

• He calls His servant by name (shows intimacy, He’s personally invested)

-- Israel received this also, Isaiah 43:1, “But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”

- Interesting: This is the first time we see God telling His creation, “To not fear”

-- Hebrew: “al” meaning not; “yare” meaning to fear

- In promising to be his protector, God promises Abram to not feel alone

-- It’s also an encouragement to not give up; to not rely on our own strength!

- Then, Abram gets the best news ever: God is the giver of great rewards!

-- FACT: His provision, His supply, His abundance is what we need more of

-- TJ Para: “Rest your heart Abram, don’t worry about things, I am with you!”

- Abram was to be rewarded by God alone & only from God’s provisions

-- Know this: Jesus spoke this also in Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

- Consider, the great Abram needed strengthening … how about you?

-- Do you not also need to hold firm to God’s promise? To lean into Him?

- APP: Abram is rewarded with God Himself, rewarded with all that God is

-- How? Abram would be conformed to God’s image – incredible comfort

- TR: So, how does this help us overcome fear and life’s challenges?

Point 2 – We must hear and believe God’s Word

- We get some real insight into Abram’s mindset (v2-3) (spoiler: he’s regular guy)

-- He is extremely disappointed because he has no children, thus has no heirs

-- Consider: If Abram died with no children, no one would inherit (re: covenant)

-- So, he declares that a servant of his house will inherit everything … but …

- Bigger: With no heirs, how can God’s promise be true (refer to Gen 12:2)?

-- How can his descendants become a great nation without any children?

-- He’s been in Canaan for about 10 years now with nothing to show for it!

- Truly, I feel that he has reached a state of utter despair … and God knew it!

-- This conversation really shows the intimacy of God and His children

- Thankfully, God speaks to confirm His promises (v4)

-- APP: God’s correction is loving here, it is gentle and tender, but it is firm

-- He says, “Your servant will not be your heir; you will have a son …”

-- Then God takes him outside to challenge him to count the stars (ref Gen 1)

-- Why? There are so many they are without measure! Even we can only guess!

-- What a privileged moment this must have been … to hear God’s assurance