The Certainty Of God's Promises Series

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.