Discovering Genesis, Part 14
Genesis 15:1-6
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Introduction
- Last week, we examined the rebellion in the people of Babel
- This rebellion was led by their opinion that they were equal with God
-- It was their attitude that revealed this; making a name for “themselves”
- Christians are commanded to make much of Jesus; not ourselves
- Also, we looked at the calling of Abram and his response to God
- Abram took all he had and left; it is the same call we get from Jesus
-- Matthew 4:19, “Come, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
- Just as Abram is challenged to enlarge his tent stakes, so are we:
-- Isaiah 54:2, “"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
- This morning … we are going to set up the transformation of Abram
- But, we are also going to examine THE greatest moment in life
- It is better than the moment that you get the new job, or the promotion
- It is better than finding out on the local news that you’ve won the lottery
- It is better than the moment when you find the love of your life
- It is better than seeing your children born, grow up, and marry others
- What we are going to examine this morning is better than all of those combined
- It is the moment that God forgives your sin; and you become His … forever
- Go with me to Genesis, Chapter 15
- Stand and Read Genesis 15:1-6
- Pray
Point 1 – Trusting in God (1-3)
- “After this” – part of the story that we didn’t examine; reader’s digest version:
- Ch 13: Abram returns out of Egypt with great riches. (1-4)
-- Strife between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. Abram gives Lot his choice of the country. (5-9)
-- Lot chooses to dwell at Sodom. (10-13)
-- God renews his promise to Abram, who removes to Hebron. (14-18)
- Ch 14: The battle of the kings, Lot is taken prisoner. (1-12)
-- Abram rescues Lot. (13-16)
-- Melchizedek blesses Abram. (17-20)
-- Abram restores the spoil. (21-24)
- So, after all of this had happened, Abram is having a dream and God appears
-- Note the first thing God does – He comforts; speaks of not being afraid
-- For you and I, this is critical … if Abram can receive this news, can’t we?
-- I am here to tell you that God appears and brings no fear to the righteous
- “Do not be afraid” is repeated throughout the Bible as God appears to others
- Even Mary was given this encouragement before conception
- It is comfort that the Lord brings in tough times; it is who He is
- God assured Abram of safety and happiness; that he’ll be safe forever
- But, God brings Abram news that is about to test his faithfulness to Him
- VERY IMP: Understanding the covenant here that God reveals is critical
- But, Abram has some serious doubts and questions God about them
-- Abram's complaint is, that he had no child; that he was never likely to have any; -- His desire to have a son was a great trouble for him; but he had none
-- Because he didn’t have a son he had no comfort; his doubt level was high
- It is a legitimate complaint here; but it reveals a lack of faith
-- Abram is not whining here; but he is stuck in a two dimensional view
-- God promises that he will have heirs; he has no kids; so the math is off …
- What Abram does not see is the possibilities of God; He is without limits
- This is the situation we often get ourselves into as well; we lack the vision
- Sometimes it is the larger picture we miss because of the situation
- EX: Think of a troubling situation that you may be having right now
-- Sometimes it feels like there is no way out; no possible way you can see
-- And something changes where solutions become visible; and relief happens
- IMP: Let me tell you though, that this is not a hocus pocus time of thing
-- The comfort that God brings can only be found in those who earnestly seek Him
-- If you will earnestly seek Him esp. for salvation and forgiveness; He’ll rescue
- This is where the rubber meets the road for us; do we seek Him first?
- Do we turn to the Lord with our complaints, our grief’s, and our needs?
- TRANS: When Abram let’s God know his heart issues; God answers=
Point 2 – God’s Promises are Forever (4-6)
- Re-read v4-5
- God gave Abram an express promise of a son; through the Word
- IMP: when God’s Word is given as a promise, it shall NEVER return void
- Many times we get so wrapped up in the issue we MISS God’s power
- We get focused on the situation and miss that God is over the situation
- IMP: There is something we need to resolve: Either God is all and all; or not
- Christians may believe in God with respect to the common concerns of this life
-- But when it comes to their personal issues they cannot see God’s ability
- Many want to come and tell me right now, “Bro TJ, you don’t understand …”
- I’m here to tell you that your issues are NOT too big for a God who created you
- God had to take Abram outside and give him a perspective of His authority
- Look up, and imagine the expense of the stars: This is God’s promise here
- The danger here could be to get into the nonsense of the prosperity Gospel
- But the gospel of Christ, the word of God, is not a tool for us to misuse
- It is a life changing force that can remove us from the troubles of life
- However … there is a catch … WE must believe and turn fully to Christ
- (v6) The Bible tells us 1) Abram believed then, 2) God credited righteousness
- It is something that we have to see: God is already all there ever needs to be
- Abram had to come to the realization of this and THEN God rewarded Him
-- Paul writes about this glorious moment of conversion for us to see
- Romans 4:19-25, “Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
Conclusion
- BIG APP: Through faith, ONLY, you and I obtain forgiveness of sins
-- Through faith you and I gain access to God; there is NO OTHER way to Him
- Through FAITH you and I are forgiven and find peace in who God is
- It is ONLY because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ
- We must be the ones who believe; else we will never be credited as righteous
- This is the message of application from Abram to you today
- The question is simple … do you believe as Abram did?
- Do you see the numbers of stars in the sky at night? Are you bigger than them?
- The answer is NO … and you and I can have the comfort Abram received
- IF (big word) … IF we will submit to Him as Lord and Savior
- Pray for Salvation
- Pray for Confession
- Pray for Restoration
