The Certainty of God’s Promise
May 1, 2005
Center Point Baptist Church
Introduction
Present the following illustration on promises:
We live in an era of unkept promises. Nations sign important treaties and then break them at will. And many couples show little regard for their wedding vows. In this kind of society, we who are God’s people should be known for keeping our promises.
The brilliant Christian scholar and writer C. S. Lewis took that truth seriously. He was determined to pay what he had vowed. His biography tells of the suffering he endured because he kept a promise he had made to a buddy during World War I. This friend was worried about the care of his wife and small daughter if he should be killed in battle, so Lewis assured him that if that were to happen he would look after them. As the war dragged on, the man was killed. True to his word, Lewis took care of his friend’s family. Yet no matter how helpful he tried to be, the woman was ungrateful, rude, arrogant, and domineering. Through it all, Lewis kept forgiving her. He refused to let her actions become an excuse to renege on his promise.
*This was a wonderful example of a promise kept – regardless of the excuses he might have put up.
God’s promises are like that – and they are unfailing!
• God’s presence— “I will never leave thee” (Heb. 13:5)
• God’s protection—”I am thy shield” (Gen. 15:1)
• God’s power—”I will strengthen thee” (Isa. 41:10)
• God’s provision—”I will help thee” (Isa. 41:10)
• God’s leading—”And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them” (John 10:4)
• God’s purposes— “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil” (Jer. 20:11)
• God’s rest—”Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)
• God’s cleansing— “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
• God’s goodness— “No good thing will He withhold from them that work uprightly” (Psalm 84:11)
• God’s faithfulness—”The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake” (1 Sam. 12:22)
• God’s guidance—”The meek will He guide” (Psalm 25:9)
• God’s wise plan—”All things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28)
*Tonight’s passage gives us Paul’s explanation of the unchangeable nature of God in the matter of His promises – as well as His absolute reliability.
Read Hebrews 6:13-19.
1.) Promises Fulfilled
*We note that there is no other name that is greater than the name of God – so God’s Word was the highest possible verification of a promise.
What other name would God use to “name-drop” that would be as impressive and confidence-building as His own name?
1. These were promises that could be counted on – as it was for Abraham.
• God would bless and multiply the peoples through Abraham.
• He used His own name and reputation, for there is no higher name by which He would make an appeal.
• The promise was made good in due time:
a. Many times, there is an interval between the promise given and its fulfillment – this is the time to have faith in God.
b. This is a trying time for believers to wait upon God’s timing – this is a time to exercise patience.
2. The promises that God has made are based upon his eternal counsel and wisdom – many times beyond our understanding.
3. These promises – as it was in Abraham’s time – can be relied upon!
*Because of this, we can rely on one of Jesus’ greatest promises:
John 14:1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
2.) The Word of God – A Believer’s Object of Confidence
*The sureness of God’s Word – when He speaks, it is enough, and you can be sure of what He has said, because His Word is powerful –
Psalm 33:6-9 – By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.
*We take part in these promises – the Word of God – right here with us!
• When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way!
• We are on safe ground, solid and sure, when we are standing on the promises of God!
*God’s promises – their fulfillment – are certainties, and they can be relied upon.
• A characteristic of God – faithfulness – prized above all things.
• His covenants have never been broken.
• His promises will never be broken.
Mark the whole course of providence, and you will find that God is very tender of His word; He value it above all His works. – T. Manton
Luke 21:33 – Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
3.) Take Comfort in God’s Promises
*There were specific reasons that Paul gave this instruction about God’s promises to the Hebrews – to show us our certainty of our privileges in Christ:
• forgiveness of sins
• salvation of our souls
• a place for us in eternity
What greater security – and what greater assurance – can we have than in the absolute promise of God?
"Consider the sacredness of an oath in general. Perjured persons are the scorn of men, and they have forfeited the privilege of humanity. Well, then, if the oath of man be so sacred and valuable, how much more is the oath of God?
It is impossible for God to lie. He can do all things which argue power, but nothing which makes a case for His helplessness and weakness, for these things would deny His very nature."
What differences should these promises make to our lives?
1. We can see a greatness and mighty power in the mercy and grace of God.
2. We cannot help but bind ourselves to God – becoming a part of His “new covenant.”
1 John 5:5-12 – Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about His Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
