WEBVTT 00:00:00.740 --> 00:00:08.859 All right, yes, we are doing a series on the storyline of the Bible, as you may have heard 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:10.140 if you were here last week. 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:13.259 And I don't know what you think the whole Bible is about. 00:00:13.339 --> 00:00:14.439 Is it about good advice? 00:00:15.339 --> 00:00:19.359 I hope as we'll see, and as you maybe heard last week, it is in a way about hope. 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:21.859 Because people want hope, right? 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:25.839 We need to believe in something that it will get better. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:29.759 You know, all those soldiers still fighting in Ukraine after two years. 00:00:30.879 --> 00:00:32.159 Why do they keep fighting? 00:00:32.259 --> 00:00:33.980 They hope that one day they will win, right? 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:35.439 They look forward to that. 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:39.899 If they know they will never win, well, why would they keep fighting, right? 00:00:39.899 --> 00:00:40.539 There's no point. 00:00:41.159 --> 00:00:43.219 Maybe you're studying very hard for exams. 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:46.760 You have this hope, right, that you will pass and you will get a good job 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:49.600 and get the money you need to live here comfortably. 00:00:50.260 --> 00:00:53.400 If you know you would never get that, well, what's the point? 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:54.719 People need hope. 00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:56.320 It's what drives human history. 00:00:56.519 --> 00:00:57.539 It's what drives society. 00:00:58.100 --> 00:01:00.200 We plot on in hope. 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:02.840 But where do we find hope? 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:07.439 And what is the basis on which we can have hope? 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:12.039 Because so often we just basically put the hope in ourselves, right? 00:01:12.039 --> 00:01:14.519 In our efforts and in what we can do. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:18.500 If I just work harder, then there will be hope. 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:21.539 Then things will get better for society. 00:01:21.759 --> 00:01:23.620 If we can just get people better educated. 00:01:23.620 --> 00:01:25.820 If we can just get along more. 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:28.439 Maybe then society will be what it should be. 00:01:28.520 --> 00:01:29.820 The world will be what it should be. 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:31.700 Can we just overcome ignorance? 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:33.439 Can we overcome our differences? 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:37.620 Maybe there's people you feel, well, you know, these people are holding me back. 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:40.260 But if they weren't there, then things would be better. 00:01:40.360 --> 00:01:41.140 Then I'd have hope. 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:49.819 Well, as we look at the storyline of the Bible, the Bible would say there is no hope in ourselves. 00:01:50.599 --> 00:01:51.900 And it doesn't just say that. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:55.299 As we read the Bible, the Bible shows that. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:59.719 We've seen, if you were here last week, how the story starts, right? 00:01:59.759 --> 00:02:00.859 How does the world start? 00:02:01.179 --> 00:02:02.819 God makes this beautiful world. 00:02:03.259 --> 00:02:04.099 Garden of Eden. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:05.899 Adam and Eve living with God. 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:06.799 Perfectly happy. 00:02:07.579 --> 00:02:10.240 But then they sin and reject God. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:11.460 And everything goes wrong. 00:02:12.079 --> 00:02:16.139 And now there's a world of suffering and sin and death and brokenness. 00:02:16.139 --> 00:02:18.599 And our problem is just so big. 00:02:19.119 --> 00:02:21.279 And it gets worse and worse, right? 00:02:21.359 --> 00:02:23.079 Their sons, they murder each other. 00:02:23.399 --> 00:02:26.599 And then next chapter, everyone just dies. 00:02:26.739 --> 00:02:28.819 And then the world is so messed up. 00:02:29.699 --> 00:02:31.199 Now, what do you think we need? 00:02:31.279 --> 00:02:32.479 What does such a world need? 00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:36.839 Many of us think, well, can we have a fresh start? 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:39.199 And in a way, that's what God gives us. 00:02:39.299 --> 00:02:42.119 Because if you know your Bible, after that, we get Noah's Ark, right? 00:02:42.179 --> 00:02:43.419 Famous story, the flood. 00:02:44.099 --> 00:02:45.079 What is that about? 00:02:45.080 --> 00:02:47.240 I think it's about a fresh start, right? 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:48.620 The world was so messed up. 00:02:48.900 --> 00:02:50.160 And so God has a great plan. 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:54.220 You know, we take the most righteous person on earth, the best person and his family. 00:02:54.820 --> 00:02:58.360 And you wipe everything clean, everything beautiful again. 00:02:58.360 --> 00:02:59.360 And you put him there. 00:02:59.939 --> 00:03:01.540 And there's a new beginning, right? 00:03:01.580 --> 00:03:05.800 A new start, a beautiful, fresh beginning, a clean slate. 00:03:06.580 --> 00:03:11.500 I mean, you can see that if you've read, yeah, if you're reading, doing the Bible reading plan, 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:13.180 you remember chapter one, right? 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:16.480 God makes humanity and God blessed him. 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:19.420 And he said, be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:24.240 Well, after Noah and his sons come out of the ark, what does he say? 00:03:24.379 --> 00:03:28.860 And God blessed Noah and his sons and said, be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:30.879 I mean, you pick up on that, right? 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:34.579 Here is a new beginning, a new start, a clean slate. 00:03:35.079 --> 00:03:36.299 Everything is good again. 00:03:36.699 --> 00:03:37.960 The best person in the world. 00:03:38.819 --> 00:03:40.659 And now we're going to make things right. 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:42.859 Well, what's the result? 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:45.819 Noah gets off the ark and he gets drunk. 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:48.079 And then his sons get even worse. 00:03:49.219 --> 00:03:52.240 And well, that leads to the Tower of Babel, right? 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:55.280 All of humanity united in opposition against God. 00:03:56.280 --> 00:03:57.340 No hope, right? 00:03:57.939 --> 00:03:59.280 And what does that tell us? 00:03:59.659 --> 00:04:01.520 It tells us that this hasn't worked, right? 00:04:01.920 --> 00:04:06.480 Here is a fresh start for humanity and the result is unchanged. 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:07.860 There's nothing. 00:04:08.040 --> 00:04:10.480 It's like there's no hope in us, right? 00:04:10.540 --> 00:04:12.219 We humans can't make it better. 00:04:13.040 --> 00:04:15.640 Sometimes we think, you know, if we just had better circumstances. 00:04:16.280 --> 00:04:16.460 No. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:19.060 Noah had the best circumstances, right? 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:20.100 Beautiful, clean world. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:23.040 Maybe if we get rid of all the bad people, right? 00:04:23.060 --> 00:04:26.439 We put them in prison or we put them out of the country and then things will be better. 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:28.079 Many countries think that. 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:29.839 No, right? 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:32.899 Because they got rid of everyone except the most righteous person. 00:04:33.259 --> 00:04:34.300 And that didn't work. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:39.019 Now, the Bible says we will always mess up again. 00:04:39.019 --> 00:04:41.720 There is no hope in just being human. 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:44.800 But that sounds pretty hopeless, right? 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:47.500 If there's no hope in us, where is hope? 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:48.600 What can we do? 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:53.180 If the best person on earth couldn't do it, what can we do? 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:56.620 Well, that's why today's story come in. 00:04:56.680 --> 00:04:59.160 In this hopeless desperation, something happens. 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:05.759 Hundreds of years later, somewhere in Mesopotamia, some guy is there, Abraham. 00:05:06.439 --> 00:05:11.340 75 years old, probably an idolater, you know, worships the moon. 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:14.739 And then one day, God speaks to him. 00:05:15.459 --> 00:05:16.799 It sounds like such a small thing, right? 00:05:16.859 --> 00:05:20.759 Just God speaking to one old man in Mesopotamia. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:24.459 And yet, this is one of the most important moments in the Bible. 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:31.439 So, why don't we hear from Zoe, how, as she reads the scripture, what a goddess says. 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:43.439 Feel free to follow along in your own Bibles, or on the bulletin, or on the screen as well. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:46.920 Starting in chapter 12, in verse 1, we read, 00:05:46.920 --> 00:06:15.819 So, Abraham went as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:19.480 Abraham was 75 years old when he departed from Haran. 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:26.159 And Abraham took Sarai, his wife, and Lot, his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered. 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:31.699 And the people that had acquired in Haran, the people that they had acquired in Haran, 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:34.319 and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. 00:06:35.019 --> 00:06:40.139 When they came to the land of Canaan, Abraham passed through the land to the place at Shechem, 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:41.500 to the oak of Moreh. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:44.379 At that time, the Canaanites were in the land. 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:47.100 Then the Lord appeared to Abraham and said, 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:50.079 To your offspring I will give this land. 00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:54.180 So he built there an altar to the Lord who had appeared to him. 00:06:55.120 --> 00:07:00.759 We turn the page to Genesis chapter 15 for our second reading. 00:07:01.139 --> 00:07:02.980 Starting in verse 1, we read, 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:08.020 After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abraham in a vision. 00:07:08.580 --> 00:07:09.980 Fear not, Abraham. 00:07:10.280 --> 00:07:11.480 I am your shield. 00:07:11.840 --> 00:07:13.900 Your reward shall be very great. 00:07:14.460 --> 00:07:15.420 But Abraham said, 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:17.840 O Lord God, what will you give me? 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:23.240 For I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eleazar of Damascus. 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:24.740 And Abraham said, 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:30.819 Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir. 00:07:31.220 --> 00:07:34.120 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him. 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:37.100 This man shall not be your heir. 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:39.840 Your very own son shall be your heir. 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:43.979 And he brought him outside and said, 00:07:44.299 --> 00:07:49.339 Look toward heaven and the number of stars, if you are able to number them. 00:07:50.719 --> 00:07:52.120 Then he said to him, 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:54.379 So shall your offspring be. 00:07:54.739 --> 00:07:58.399 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 00:07:59.099 --> 00:08:00.379 And he said to him, 00:08:00.479 --> 00:08:06.339 I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess. 00:08:06.339 --> 00:08:07.599 But he said, 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:11.439 O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it? 00:08:11.859 --> 00:08:12.799 He said to him, 00:08:12.979 --> 00:08:15.639 Bring me a heifer three years old, 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:18.079 a female goat three years old, 00:08:18.479 --> 00:08:20.039 a ram three years old, 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.060 a turtle dove, 00:08:21.399 --> 00:08:22.399 and a young pigeon. 00:08:22.919 --> 00:08:24.399 And he brought him all these, 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:25.679 cut them in half, 00:08:25.799 --> 00:08:28.000 and laid each half over against the other. 00:08:28.359 --> 00:08:30.299 But he did not cut the birds in half. 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:33.319 And when the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:34.980 Abraham drove them away. 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:37.920 As the sun was going down, 00:08:38.160 --> 00:08:39.740 a deep sleep fell on Abraham. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:40.560 And behold, 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:43.800 dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:46.139 Then the Lord said to Abraham, 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:51.820 Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:53.360 and will be servants there. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:56.860 And they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 00:08:57.460 --> 00:09:00.400 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve. 00:09:00.400 --> 00:09:01.480 And afterward, 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:03.820 they shall come out with great possessions. 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:05.440 As for you, 00:09:05.760 --> 00:09:08.020 you shall go to your fathers in peace. 00:09:08.520 --> 00:09:10.980 You shall be buried in a good old age. 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:14.020 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, 00:09:14.400 --> 00:09:17.480 for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:19.800 When the sun had gone down, 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:20.540 it was dark. 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:21.320 Behold, 00:09:21.520 --> 00:09:22.940 a smoking fire pot 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:25.960 and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 00:09:26.680 --> 00:09:29.240 On the day that the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, 00:09:29.420 --> 00:09:29.800 saying, 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:31.160 To your offspring, 00:09:31.420 --> 00:09:32.480 I give this land, 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:35.100 from the river of Egypt to the great river, 00:09:35.380 --> 00:09:36.360 the river Euphrates. 00:09:36.760 --> 00:09:38.340 This is the word of God. 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:42.500 Thank you, 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:42.700 Zoe. 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:45.300 Yeah, 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:47.660 this is such an important passage, 00:09:47.780 --> 00:09:49.500 because what is God saying here? 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:51.740 God is making a promise. 00:09:52.180 --> 00:09:54.660 He's making a huge promise. 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:56.940 And not just for Abraham. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:57.720 It sounds like, 00:09:57.820 --> 00:09:57.920 hey, 00:09:57.960 --> 00:09:58.340 Abraham, 00:09:58.580 --> 00:09:59.460 I'm going to bless you. 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:00.460 Actually, 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:02.400 this is something much bigger. 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:04.500 It's a promise to make things right. 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:06.560 It's a promise to restore what went wrong. 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:08.819 If you heard last week, 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:10.719 this Bible story, 00:10:10.979 --> 00:10:13.639 you can explain it as the story of the kingdom of God. 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:14.739 What is the kingdom of God? 00:10:14.819 --> 00:10:18.279 It's like God's people living in God's place, 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:20.000 under God's rule and blessing. 00:10:20.119 --> 00:10:20.919 That's what God wants, 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:21.119 right? 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:22.839 He wants to live with people. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:24.299 They're with him. 00:10:24.359 --> 00:10:25.439 They're being blessed by him. 00:10:25.939 --> 00:10:26.919 That is the goal. 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:28.239 And that's what was lost. 00:10:28.859 --> 00:10:29.339 But actually, 00:10:29.459 --> 00:10:31.099 if you look at these verses, 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:33.159 that's exactly what we see, 00:10:33.239 --> 00:10:33.399 right? 00:10:34.119 --> 00:10:34.519 So, 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:35.659 God's people, 00:10:36.219 --> 00:10:36.419 right? 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:36.959 Uh, 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:39.399 it used to be Adam and Eve was lost, 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.939 but what does God now say? 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:41.239 Well, 00:10:41.619 --> 00:10:42.059 Abraham, 00:10:42.339 --> 00:10:44.099 I will make of you a great nation. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.239 A lot of people. 00:10:45.439 --> 00:10:46.579 And chapter 17, 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:47.099 he says, 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:47.439 uh, 00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:47.799 you know, 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:49.000 they're going to be my people. 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:50.119 I will be their God, 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:50.839 right? 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:54.379 God will have a new people and they're going to live somewhere, 00:10:54.459 --> 00:10:54.679 right? 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:55.099 Because, 00:10:55.099 --> 00:10:55.479 uh, 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:56.039 uh, 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:56.239 they, 00:10:56.559 --> 00:10:57.939 God's place where they're going to live. 00:10:58.039 --> 00:10:58.179 Well, 00:10:58.319 --> 00:11:00.539 go to the land that I will show you. 00:11:00.839 --> 00:11:01.239 Uh, 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:02.199 and then verse seven, 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:03.000 uh, 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:03.859 to your offspring, 00:11:03.859 --> 00:11:05.339 I will give this land. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.580 So we have, 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:06.940 uh, 00:11:06.940 --> 00:11:09.180 God's people living in God's land. 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:10.620 And of course, 00:11:10.680 --> 00:11:11.500 they're going to be blessed, 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:11.759 right? 00:11:11.800 --> 00:11:13.740 You couldn't miss it in the verse, 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.019 uh, 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:14.540 bless, 00:11:14.780 --> 00:11:15.220 blessing, 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:15.840 right? 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:16.899 I will bless you. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:18.000 And in you, 00:11:18.079 --> 00:11:20.259 all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:21.939 That repeated words. 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:23.240 So in a way, 00:11:23.319 --> 00:11:24.199 what is God saying? 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:24.659 You know, 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:27.980 I'm making things right again. 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:28.220 He, 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:29.579 I'm making the, 00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:30.620 bringing back the kingdom. 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:32.179 I'm going to have people again, 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:33.059 living with me, 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:34.360 being blessed by me. 00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:35.819 That's what I'm doing. 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:37.779 And, 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:38.959 and it's so strong, 00:11:38.959 --> 00:11:41.139 just strong sense that it is really reversing it. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:41.299 My, 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:42.559 what is the word blessed? 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:44.240 What is that the opposite of? 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.519 It's the opposite of curse, 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:45.820 right? 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:47.399 That's what we saw. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.379 Whenever in the past few chapters, 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:50.159 people sinned. 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:50.299 Well, 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:51.779 the result was cursed. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:52.399 Are you right? 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.480 And cursed is this. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:57.460 Blessing is only what you see in creation. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.379 We just saw that earlier. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:58.659 Well, 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.000 here is blessing. 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:01.299 Here is like a new beginning. 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.519 And you know, 00:12:03.080 --> 00:12:04.680 five times it says bless, 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:04.940 right? 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:05.240 Bless, 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:05.500 bless, 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:05.779 bless, 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:06.039 bless, 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:06.419 bless. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:08.700 What have we seen in the past 11 chapters? 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:10.279 Five times curse, 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:10.659 curse, 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:10.840 curse, 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:11.039 curse, 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:11.200 curse, 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:11.440 curse. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:13.320 It's like an exact match, 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:13.560 right? 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:16.279 Five times curse and now five times bless. 00:12:17.339 --> 00:12:18.259 This is really, 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:20.739 God is dealing with the past few chapters. 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:22.639 You know, 00:12:22.719 --> 00:12:24.459 what did we just saw in the previous chapter? 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:25.619 The tower of Babel, 00:12:26.079 --> 00:12:26.279 right? 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.519 Humanity, 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.219 you know, 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:30.579 united against God and being scattered. 00:12:31.219 --> 00:12:31.719 And now, 00:12:32.099 --> 00:12:32.299 well, 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:32.899 in you, 00:12:32.979 --> 00:12:35.500 all the families of the earth will be blessed, 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:36.119 right? 00:12:36.239 --> 00:12:36.419 It's, 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:38.839 it's dealing with what went wrong. 00:12:39.619 --> 00:12:41.099 And that is such good news, 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:41.379 right? 00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:43.139 God is reversing. 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:45.259 God is promising to make things better, 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:45.480 right? 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:47.100 It's a huge significance, 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:48.139 right? 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:50.100 Humanity, 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:51.659 they've messed up God's world. 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:52.340 And God says, 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:52.779 well, 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:54.240 I'm going to make it right again. 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:56.600 And you can see how important that is, 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:56.819 right? 00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:57.620 So far, 00:12:57.679 --> 00:13:00.279 it's just been negative and going wrong. 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.659 And God now promises, 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:01.980 no, 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.139 I'm going to make it right. 00:13:03.179 --> 00:13:04.939 It's like a change in direction, 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:05.240 right? 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:07.279 A 180 degree turn. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:09.000 And so early. 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.240 I mean, 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:12.000 I don't know if what you think of the old Testament, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.220 so much bad news. 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:13.620 And then, 00:13:13.959 --> 00:13:14.100 well, 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:15.179 Jesus is good news. 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:17.899 This is only the 12th chapter of the Bible. 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:19.740 And God already promises, 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:21.199 I'm going to make things right. 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:23.319 And, 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:23.459 and, 00:13:23.459 --> 00:13:24.259 and do you see the, 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:24.699 you know, 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:26.019 that's why the new Testament says, 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.620 God preached the gospel here. 00:13:28.059 --> 00:13:28.220 Yeah. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.220 Paul in Galatians, 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:31.879 the scripture preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:33.919 and you will all the nations be blessed. 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:36.919 Here is a promise to make things right. 00:13:37.319 --> 00:13:37.719 And, 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.019 and do you see the grace? 00:13:40.979 --> 00:13:41.539 I mean, 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.459 this hope is amazing, 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:43.639 right? 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:46.279 It's amazing that God's going to change the thing, 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.240 but the world, 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.159 but who is he doing that for? 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:52.299 Who are all the families of the earth who will be blessed? 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:53.579 Well, 00:13:53.599 --> 00:13:54.599 you see chapter 11, 00:13:54.599 --> 00:13:58.860 it's humanity that was so united against God, 00:13:58.939 --> 00:13:59.099 right? 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:00.839 Why did they bring a tower, 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:02.839 build a tower all the way up to heaven? 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:04.000 Why did they want to do that? 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:05.200 Well, 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.700 wanting to take God's place. 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:07.360 That's sin, 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:07.620 right? 00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:09.120 You want to take God's place. 00:14:09.280 --> 00:14:09.399 Well, 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:12.639 that's why you build a tower up to heaven because we don't need God. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.000 We can, 00:14:13.280 --> 00:14:13.440 right? 00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:15.560 And yet those people, 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.720 God says, 00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:19.920 all the families of the earth will be blessed, 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:20.519 right? 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:23.040 That is amazing. 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:25.080 That's not what we expect, 00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:25.360 right? 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:27.100 After the tower of Babel, 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.400 you'd expect more judgment, 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.660 another flood. 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:30.560 Well, 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:32.019 God said he wouldn't do another one, 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:32.879 but maybe fire, 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.279 whatever. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.759 You'd expect judgment. 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:36.399 Instead, 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:37.139 God says, 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:37.460 Hey, 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.960 I'm going to make things better. 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:40.879 I promise there'll be blessing. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.779 I promise it will be right. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:46.079 Isn't that especially when you need hope, 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:46.279 right? 00:14:46.299 --> 00:14:47.259 When you've messed up, 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:49.480 when you've sinned and God says, 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:50.579 I'm going to make it right. 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.539 You expect judgment to come. 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:52.939 And instead, 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:55.579 the grace of God appears incredible, 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:56.600 real grace, 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:58.980 real mercy for a broken world. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:02.000 Although you probably wonder, 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:02.180 yeah, 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:02.360 that's, 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.139 that sounds great, 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:04.180 but you know, 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:08.200 maybe you have had some promises that were broken to you, 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:08.460 right? 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.340 So many people, 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:12.200 they promise things and those promises aren't kept. 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:14.000 Can we rely on this grace? 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:14.220 I mean, 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.100 it sounds great, 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:15.340 right? 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.720 God will make things right, 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:17.899 but can we rely on it? 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:18.720 I mean, 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:20.220 Abraham had plenty of doubts, 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:20.639 right? 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.899 Chapter 15, 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:22.500 as we heard, 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:23.279 Hey, 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.699 God says, 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.339 don't worry. 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.899 I'll have fear not. 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:27.839 I'm your shield. 00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:29.120 But Abraham, 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:29.600 yeah, 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.019 he had his doubts. 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:31.699 Verse two, 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.860 Oh Lord God, 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.360 what will you give me? 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:36.039 For I continue childless. 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:39.159 The thing is for Abraham to be a great nation, 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.399 he needs to have lots of kids, 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:40.679 right? 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:43.100 The only thing is he was 75. 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:46.480 His wife was 65 and they never had kids. 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:49.079 They couldn't have them. 00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:52.980 Makes it very hard to believe that God will really do this, 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.179 right? 00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:53.939 And so, 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:54.299 so he, 00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:55.500 he has his doubts and, 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.100 you know, 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:56.459 God, 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.939 he reassures him. 00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:59.220 He takes him outside. 00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:00.179 Hey, 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:00.799 Abraham, 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:02.480 look at the stars. 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:03.299 Verse five, 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:05.819 look toward heaven and number the stars. 00:16:05.819 --> 00:16:07.179 If you're able to number them. 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:08.679 And he said to them, 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.259 so shall your offspring be. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.959 He's just repeating the promise. 00:16:12.079 --> 00:16:12.439 But then, 00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:17.740 as he voices more doubt about the land, 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.740 God does something special, 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.000 right? 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.879 So in verse eight, 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:21.919 Oh Lord God, 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:23.100 how am I to know that? 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:24.139 I shall possess it. 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.720 How do I know I'll get the land? 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:28.500 And God does something special, 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.480 this ritual. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.399 And, 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.620 and it's not just a promise. 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.560 What is God doing? 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:35.240 God is making a covenant, 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:35.379 covenant. 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.299 A covenant. 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:37.919 You know, 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:39.480 this sounds very strange, 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:39.700 right? 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.560 Very gruesome. 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.220 Verse nine, 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.960 God said to him, 00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:43.879 bring me a heifer, 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:44.899 three years old, 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.299 a female goat, 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.259 three years old, 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:47.720 a ram, 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.580 three years old, 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.419 a turtle dove, 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.159 and a young pigeon. 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:52.199 And he brought him all these, 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.399 cut them in half, 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:55.799 and laid each half over against the other. 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.980 But he did not cut the birds in half. 00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.159 Seems very weird, 00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.379 right? 00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:01.439 Abraham takes all these animals, 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:03.019 and cuts them in two, 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.779 and spreads out the pieces. 00:17:06.159 --> 00:17:07.079 Why is that? 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:07.680 Well, 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:09.799 I hope in verse 18, 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.680 you can see the meaning, 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:10.960 right? 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.380 On that day, 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.660 the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:16.320 saying to your offspring, 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.299 I give this land. 00:17:19.060 --> 00:17:19.700 A covenant. 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:23.600 This is how they made covenants back then. 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.060 Literally, 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.220 the Bible says, 00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:26.420 not making a covenant, 00:17:26.560 --> 00:17:27.539 but cutting a covenant, 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:29.299 because that's what you did. 00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:30.140 You cut animals. 00:17:32.080 --> 00:17:34.600 To promise to restore a kingdom is now a covenant. 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.640 But what is a covenant? 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.900 It's like a promise, 00:17:38.040 --> 00:17:38.660 but it's more, 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:38.940 right? 00:17:39.840 --> 00:17:40.840 If you're married, 00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:42.380 you make loads of promises. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.759 Can you buy some milk on the way home? 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.220 Yes, 00:17:45.340 --> 00:17:45.660 I will, 00:17:46.040 --> 00:17:46.240 right? 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.440 I'll be home by six. 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:51.400 You make loads of little promises. 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:55.000 But that's nothing compared to the big promise, 00:17:55.080 --> 00:17:55.259 right? 00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:56.580 That one day, 00:17:56.820 --> 00:17:57.759 when you got married, 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.720 and when you said, 00:17:58.840 --> 00:17:59.040 well, 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.420 I do, 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:00.920 right? 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:02.480 I will love you, 00:18:02.520 --> 00:18:02.980 for richer, 00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:03.540 for poorer, 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.020 in sickness, 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:04.680 or in health, 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:06.840 right? 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.560 That is the real promise. 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:10.420 That's the foundation of the marriage. 00:18:10.560 --> 00:18:12.380 It's your big commitment. 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:14.799 It's almost this one promise that, 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:15.460 you know, 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:17.840 that is why you make all these other little promises. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.940 That's why you buy milk, 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.860 and come home on time, 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:21.720 because you've committed to this person, 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:21.980 right? 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.380 That is a covenant. 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:26.040 Well, 00:18:27.520 --> 00:18:28.940 do covenants last? 00:18:30.260 --> 00:18:30.500 Right? 00:18:30.540 --> 00:18:31.600 It is formal commitment. 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:32.060 I mean, 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.600 so many marriages don't last, 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:33.840 right? 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:35.120 They end in divorce. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.740 But the covenant is so much more than a promise. 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.520 And you see that, 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:41.380 especially from this ritual. 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.300 So, 00:18:42.340 --> 00:18:42.700 so what, 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:42.880 what, 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.000 what, 00:18:43.060 --> 00:18:43.600 why is, 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:44.680 why this ritual, 00:18:44.800 --> 00:18:44.960 right? 00:18:45.020 --> 00:18:45.400 Abraham, 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:46.660 he puts out these animals, 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.160 and he, 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:48.460 he cuts them in two, 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:51.080 and then he kind of waits and falls asleep. 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:53.420 God gives him a vision and says, 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:53.860 you know, 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:54.600 Hey, 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.880 just so you know, 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:57.000 it's going to take a long time. 00:18:57.340 --> 00:18:57.580 You know, 00:18:57.600 --> 00:18:58.340 your offspring, 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:00.660 they're going to be slaves for a few hundred years. 00:19:01.580 --> 00:19:02.800 But then he wakes up, 00:19:02.820 --> 00:19:03.560 and what does he see? 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.380 Verse 17. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.500 When the sun had gone down, 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.400 and it was dark, 00:19:08.040 --> 00:19:08.460 behold, 00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:09.960 a smoking fire pot, 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.259 and a flaming torch, 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:13.200 passed between these pieces. 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.880 So here are all these animals, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.240 and yeah, 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:18.180 a torch, 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.319 and a fire pot, 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.360 passed between it. 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:20.860 It's like they're, 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:22.360 they're walking between these parts. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.059 We, 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:25.840 we know from other places in the Bible, 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.240 Jeremiah 34, 00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:30.120 it symbolizes something. 00:19:30.600 --> 00:19:30.980 Basically, 00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:31.860 what you're saying, 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.340 is that, 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:33.720 okay, 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:35.500 if I don't keep the covenant, 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:38.120 may I be like this animal? 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.799 It's like a curse. 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.920 If I don't do, 00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:43.180 what I promised, 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:44.960 then you can cut me in half. 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.860 You can cut me in two. 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.900 I don't know how you feel about it. 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.059 I mean, 00:19:49.080 --> 00:19:50.080 it seems so gruesome, 00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:50.279 right? 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.720 It's really, 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.380 if I don't do that, 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:54.700 maybe you're looking for a job, 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.360 your next job contract, 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.460 would you include this, 00:19:57.620 --> 00:19:57.799 right? 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.500 If I don't meet my targets, 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.519 you can cut me in two. 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:01.840 Right? 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:02.720 Or, 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:03.819 on your marriage day, 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:04.039 right? 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.779 If I don't keep my vows, 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:07.080 then you can cut me in half. 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:10.519 But the thing is, 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:13.080 that sounds so utterly serious. 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.360 Right? 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.620 If you make a promise, 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.140 and you say, 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.360 okay, 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.340 if I don't do this, 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:18.420 you can cut me in two. 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:20.200 You can cut me in half. 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:22.100 And that is what God is saying to Abraham. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.600 Abraham, 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:23.720 you know, 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.700 you're not sure. 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:25.460 Right? 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.440 You have your doubts. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.220 Let me tell you, 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.539 if I don't do this, 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:29.600 you can cut me in two. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:32.019 That's what God is saying, 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:33.620 by walking between these parts. 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.940 If I don't make things better, 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:36.600 if I don't make things right, 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.279 you can cut me in two. 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:41.779 Can you imagine God Almighty 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.779 just saying that, 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:44.180 committing himself like this? 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:45.259 I mean, 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.220 how does it even work, 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:46.399 right? 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.379 Because God is immortal. 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.639 How can he do that? 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:48.859 But, 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.579 you can feel it, 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:50.799 right? 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:53.000 If I don't do this, 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.500 you can cut me in two. 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:57.460 And the thing is, 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.399 it is God 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.839 who will do this as well, 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.119 right? 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:02.359 Because often marriages fail, 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.160 there's one person 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:04.039 who does their best, 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.500 but the other person 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.819 just doesn't really do it, 00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:07.039 right? 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.500 And you may wonder, 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.200 how about Abraham? 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:11.319 How about his commitment? 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:12.700 Well, 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.819 look again at this ritual. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.079 Who is passing 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:16.940 between the pieces? 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.519 Well, 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.539 it's the fire torch, 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:20.740 right? 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:22.180 It's a symbol of God, 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.079 like in the Exodus, 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.379 the cloud of fire, 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.440 right? 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.000 The pillar of cloud of fire. 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.940 Where's Abraham? 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.619 He's sleeping, 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:31.579 right? 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.720 He's just lying under a tree. 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:34.620 Which is really, 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:36.360 he has no part in the ceremony. 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.740 He has no part in the ritual. 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.700 It's only God. 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:39.880 God says, 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.059 I'm going to do this. 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:42.420 And Abraham does nothing. 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.600 Again, 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.900 imagine that at a wedding, 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:45.240 right? 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:46.720 Here is the groom 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.120 making all these promises, 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.420 you know, 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.420 in sickness and in health 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:50.839 for richer, 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.440 for poorer, 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.480 and the bride is just lying there 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.000 on the pew. 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:54.740 Right? 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.620 She had a late night 00:21:55.620 --> 00:21:57.720 and got up early for the makeup 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.440 and she's sleeping. 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:00.079 What kind of wedding, 00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:00.319 right? 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:01.860 Here comes the pastor. 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.180 Okay, 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:02.980 do you take him, 00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:03.720 will you love him 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.380 and comfort him 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.420 and honor and protect him? 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:10.880 What kind of wedding is that, 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.100 right? 00:22:12.060 --> 00:22:13.299 You think very highly 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:13.860 of the groom 00:22:13.860 --> 00:22:14.820 and not very well, 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.500 sorry ladies, 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.600 of the bride. 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:17.920 Well, 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.200 that is what God is doing. 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:21.279 The thing is, 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.900 Abraham's commitment 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:24.039 plays no part. 00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:27.460 God is taking full responsibility. 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.740 He alone, 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.279 he says, 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.299 I'm going to do it 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:33.240 and you're no part of it 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.799 and that's a good thing, 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.019 right? 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:37.160 Because Abraham would just mess up, 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.019 which he does, 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:39.220 right? 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.379 If you've read the reading plan, 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:40.799 Abraham, 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.099 he keeps messing up. 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:42.759 I mean, 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.859 he kind of trusts God 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.940 but then he goes to Egypt 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.940 and I'm not sure 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.899 if God will protect me, 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.099 right? 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:49.279 So let me lie about my wife 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:51.719 and guess what? 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:53.099 He doesn't get judged, 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.659 God just blesses him 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:57.199 and a few chapters later 00:22:57.199 --> 00:22:58.079 he does the same thing 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.980 and again, 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.759 God gets him out 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.459 and blesses him, 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.480 right? 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.019 Normally, 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:03.019 you'd expect judgment. 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.439 No, 00:23:04.439 --> 00:23:04.919 God says, 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.159 it doesn't depend on you. 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.679 I'm going to do this 00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:09.740 and you can just sleep, 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.599 you can just watch 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:12.339 while I make things better 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:14.759 and that's what we need, 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.039 right? 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:17.039 As we saw earlier, 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:19.119 we can't make a world right. 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.700 If we would take any part 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:22.039 in God's plans, 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:23.839 we would just mess it up 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:26.099 and God says, 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.240 that's why you're not part of it. 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.099 I'm going to do this. 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:29.420 It's like a unilateral, 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.420 I'm going to do this covenant 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:34.539 that God is 100% committed to 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:36.680 and that's the foundation 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:38.680 of the Bible story, 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:39.279 you know, 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.839 the gospel. 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:41.299 Already in chapter 12, 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.420 God promises 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:44.519 that he will reverse 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.799 the consequences 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.480 of the fall. 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.339 And we're going to see 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.500 three big covenants 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.359 over this series. 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.139 You know, 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.539 Abraham, 00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:51.420 what's the significance? 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:53.180 God will reverse 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.379 the consequences 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.019 of the fall. 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.319 He's completely committed 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:56.740 to it. 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.200 He is, 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.920 it doesn't depend on us, 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.119 right? 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.900 That's the thing. 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.240 It doesn't mean 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.240 everything's clear yet, 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:03.960 you know, 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.460 when is God going to do this? 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.559 How is he going to do it? 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.180 You know, 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:08.519 is this really a full reversal? 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.420 You know, 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.400 who is part of it? 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.019 You know, 00:24:11.300 --> 00:24:12.060 the Bible story 00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:12.840 isn't finished yet, 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.120 but, 00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:13.780 you know, 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:15.080 here is the foundation. 00:24:15.320 --> 00:24:17.040 God will make things better. 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:18.140 He will reverse it. 00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:18.340 And, 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.820 and you read the Bible 00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:20.880 and that is what people 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.080 keep coming back to. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.220 Israel is in the desert 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.540 and, 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.720 and they've sinned 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.680 and they're going to be 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.900 destroyed completely. 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.580 And, 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.640 and what does Moses pray? 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.220 Oh Lord, 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.440 remember your covenant 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.280 with Abraham, 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:32.680 right? 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.580 You promised. 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.040 There is hope 00:24:35.040 --> 00:24:36.019 and, 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:36.660 yeah, 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.640 God will do it. 00:24:38.280 --> 00:24:39.640 Or they're in exile, 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:40.140 right? 00:24:40.520 --> 00:24:41.640 City's been destroyed, 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.720 temple destroyed, 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:43.920 they're slaves again 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.460 in Babylon. 00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:46.120 What hope is there? 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.860 And they remember, 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.640 now God made a promise 00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:49.280 to Abraham 00:24:49.280 --> 00:24:50.640 and that promise 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.380 still stands. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.820 God will do it, 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:54.340 otherwise we can 00:24:54.340 --> 00:24:54.980 cut them in two. 00:24:56.120 --> 00:24:57.160 And so they have hope 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.920 and it means 00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.700 we have hope, 00:24:59.780 --> 00:24:59.920 right? 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.480 God will make it right. 00:25:02.300 --> 00:25:03.700 God will make things better. 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.480 Now maybe you're here 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.500 and you're visiting 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:06.860 and, 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:07.400 you know, 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.480 you're not a Christian. 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:09.320 I don't know 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.679 how you feel, 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.179 you know, 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:12.240 you see your life. 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.200 Maybe things are great, 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.819 I hope so. 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:15.740 But maybe you can feel 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:15.919 that, 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.159 yeah, 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:17.639 life is a mess 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:19.899 and I can't make it better. 00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:20.839 Well, 00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.460 the Bible says 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:22.960 that's right. 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:24.159 We can't. 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.220 And if we can make 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.099 our life better, 00:25:26.179 --> 00:25:27.039 how about the whole world? 00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:28.119 How about climate change? 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.599 How about all the economy, 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.059 you know? 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.679 We can't make life better. 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.079 Have you ever thought 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:35.179 that there is someone greater? 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:37.080 Someone so powerful 00:25:37.080 --> 00:25:37.799 that he actually 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.980 can solve everything. 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.480 Someone who said 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.420 that he can do that 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.120 by himself 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.820 without you. 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.240 But someone who loves you 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.759 so much 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.840 that you can share in that. 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:48.420 Come and talk to me 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.519 if you want to know more. 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.660 Because this is great hope. 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:56.019 But we do need to respond. 00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:56.680 Right? 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:58.900 If you want to share in it, 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.460 that's great. 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.900 But you need to respond. 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.680 Because God makes 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.799 such an important promise. 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.620 What should we do? 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.719 Well, 00:26:04.739 --> 00:26:05.539 the Bible says, 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.159 well, 00:26:06.179 --> 00:26:07.000 be like Abraham. 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:07.879 Which means, 00:26:08.639 --> 00:26:09.339 have faith. 00:26:10.219 --> 00:26:11.739 Abraham has faith. 00:26:12.179 --> 00:26:14.079 He trusts God's promise. 00:26:14.219 --> 00:26:14.899 Not perfectly. 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:16.599 Far from perfect 00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:17.359 in many cases. 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:19.299 But there's a basic trust there. 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:19.519 Right? 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.679 Where God has made 00:26:20.679 --> 00:26:21.259 this promise 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:23.739 and so he believes it 00:26:23.739 --> 00:26:25.000 and builds his life on it. 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:25.219 Right? 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:27.519 It's emphasized in verse 6 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:29.239 of chapter 15. 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:29.519 Right? 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:31.559 And he believed the Lord 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:33.619 and he counted it to him 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.460 as righteousness. 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:37.039 And he was accepted by God 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.679 because of, 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:37.899 well, 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.740 his faith. 00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:40.819 And Noah was a righteous man. 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.059 Now Abraham, 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.079 he's accepted 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:45.079 by his faith, 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:45.819 his trust. 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.759 A trust that you can see 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.359 in his life. 00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:48.599 Right? 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.399 Because when God says, 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.179 go to this land, 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.819 what does he do? 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.079 Well, 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.960 he backs up everything 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.539 and he goes. 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:55.960 He obeys 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.819 out of faith. 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:59.099 He, 00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:00.559 chapter 22 especially, 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:00.879 right? 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:02.159 God testing him with Isaac. 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.159 Abraham obeys. 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.379 Which in a way 00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:06.559 is exactly the opposite 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.319 of last week, 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:07.539 right? 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:09.179 Remember Adam and Eve? 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.059 What did they do? 00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:10.899 They disobeyed. 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.539 And why did they disobey? 00:27:13.379 --> 00:27:13.559 Well, 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.119 they doubted, 00:27:14.179 --> 00:27:14.339 right? 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.819 They doubted God's word. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.939 They doubted his power. 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.960 They doubted his goodness. 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:19.599 And so they disobeyed. 00:27:19.679 --> 00:27:20.159 Abraham, 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:20.740 well, 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.659 he trusts God. 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.700 He trusts his goodness, 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.399 his power, 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.359 his promise. 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:26.039 And so he obeys. 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.980 And that is what God 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:28.379 wants us to do. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.480 We need to respond. 00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:32.220 God will fulfill this promise. 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.379 He guarantees it. 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.879 He will make things right. 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.599 But if we want to be part of it, 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:36.940 well, 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.960 will you share in it? 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.039 Do you trust the promise? 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:41.839 I mean, 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.500 if Abraham, 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.139 you know, 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.799 God appears, 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.720 go to the land 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.480 and I'll bless you. 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:45.980 And he said, 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.359 nah, 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.500 I'll stay here. 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:47.980 Of course, 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:48.740 right? 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.079 The story would have gone differently. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.379 We need to respond. 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.779 But if we respond, 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:56.039 there is real hope here. 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.960 You need to respond. 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.920 But if you're part of this, 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.180 it will certainly happen. 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:01.259 There's no doubt, 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.339 which is great, 00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:02.639 right? 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:05.059 So many things we take part in 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.059 and they won't happen. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.619 You know, 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.779 great project at work 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.619 and it gets canceled 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.720 or this gets canceled. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.039 Here is something 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.059 that will work 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:13.720 and that you can therefore 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.920 build your life on, 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:15.399 right? 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.819 Maybe tomorrow 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:18.259 you're at work 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.240 and things aren't great 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:20.339 because you live in the world 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.099 of Genesis 3, 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.359 right? 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.819 And colleagues fighting 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:24.000 unfair treatment, 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.000 you know, 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:26.119 the world's economy 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:27.899 affecting your company 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.719 and layoffs 00:28:28.719 --> 00:28:30.199 and then your computer 00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:30.939 breaks down 00:28:30.939 --> 00:28:31.279 and, 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:31.699 right? 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:33.279 That's the world we live in. 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:35.519 You can say to yourself, 00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.839 this won't last forever. 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.740 God will make it better. 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.099 He's fully, 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.819 completely committed to it. 00:28:42.479 --> 00:28:43.619 I can trust him. 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:44.559 Just keep going. 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.159 And even when you mess up, 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.339 when life isn't great 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.819 basically because it's your fault, 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:51.740 isn't it so good to know 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:51.939 that, 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:52.359 you know, 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.879 God will make it better 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.839 on his own, 00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:55.759 without you. 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.000 You know, 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:58.240 you may have messed up 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:58.899 your life now, 00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.200 but, 00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:00.839 you know, 00:29:00.919 --> 00:29:01.659 God won't let you 00:29:01.659 --> 00:29:02.439 mess up his plan. 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:04.299 That's why he's doing it himself. 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.399 And that is so reassuring, 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:06.679 right? 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.079 Any situation, 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:08.619 illness, 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.139 poverty, 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:09.720 everything, 00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:10.519 one day, 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.099 God will solve it 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:13.019 and we can trust him. 00:29:15.659 --> 00:29:16.879 And if we are not sure 00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:17.659 but have doubts 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:18.639 like Abraham, 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:21.500 I'll just let God 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.359 reassure you. 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.119 Right? 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.019 When we go on 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.980 in the wonderful work 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.460 of God, 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:27.740 actually, 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:29.899 why is it such a long story? 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.079 Why is it such a problem? 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:31.759 Well, 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.639 because of the problem 00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:33.319 of our sin, 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:33.579 right? 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.720 The biggest issue 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.220 is ultimately 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.460 that we need to be saved 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.500 from our wrongdoing. 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.659 But God has done that 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.259 in Christ. 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.439 In a moment, 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:42.960 we're going to take 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.679 the Lord's Supper. 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:45.179 Well, 00:29:45.179 --> 00:29:45.460 actually, 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.439 just like Abraham, 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:48.099 we have a covenant ritual 00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:49.200 to assure us. 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.759 Abraham had his doubts 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:52.480 and so God gave him 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.120 this ritual 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:54.080 to assure him. 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:54.880 Well, 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.360 actually, 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.559 that's what we'll be doing 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.380 in the Lord's Supper. 00:29:58.340 --> 00:29:59.299 Jesus gave this 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.400 to assure us 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.900 of his love for us. 00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:03.000 I mean, 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.840 if you think about it, 00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:05.100 it's actually so much deeper 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:06.539 than we often think. 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:07.880 I mean, 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.400 in Genesis, 00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:09.100 God said, 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.360 if I don't keep this, 00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:11.940 you can cut me in two, 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:12.319 right? 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:13.960 Well, 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:14.480 actually, 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.759 for God to keep his promise 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.380 to save us, 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.539 that actually had to happen. 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:19.379 Because, 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:21.059 what are we thinking of? 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.000 We're thinking of the body 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.879 and blood of Christ, 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.159 right? 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.319 And normally, 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.000 they are one, 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.379 right? 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:25.700 Normally, 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.039 a person's blood 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:28.200 is inside their body, 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.359 is one. 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:30.559 However, 00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:31.460 that's not what we do, 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:31.680 right? 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.980 We separate it between, 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:33.859 you know, 00:30:33.899 --> 00:30:34.859 the bread and the juice. 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:36.039 We separate it in two. 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:37.879 Well, 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:39.220 because that's what happens 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.819 when you die, 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.180 right? 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:43.460 When someone gets a violent death 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.339 and they get stabbed 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:44.879 or pierced, 00:30:44.919 --> 00:30:45.019 well, 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:46.079 your blood leaves your body, 00:30:46.159 --> 00:30:46.319 right? 00:30:47.419 --> 00:30:47.779 This, 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:49.179 the reason we take it 00:30:49.179 --> 00:30:49.799 in two things 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.699 is because it shows 00:30:50.699 --> 00:30:51.639 Jesus really died. 00:30:52.179 --> 00:30:53.779 He died a violent death. 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.720 That's why they poured out 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.879 the blood from sacrifices. 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:57.759 You know, 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:59.139 separating body and blood. 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:00.839 But it's like 00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:02.519 separating in two, 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:02.740 right? 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.419 Cutting in two. 00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:05.619 That is what Jesus did. 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.099 He said, 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.179 if I don't keep this, 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.179 you can cut me in two. 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:09.539 Well, 00:31:10.159 --> 00:31:11.399 in order to keep his promise, 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.539 he had to be cut in two. 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.859 To, 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:15.339 he had to be cut in two 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:18.159 to pay for your sins. 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:20.319 And that's what he did. 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.740 And if you see that here, 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:25.000 doesn't that assure you 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.659 of his love, 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.299 his commitment? 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.899 If he was willing 00:31:27.899 --> 00:31:28.920 to do this for you, 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.480 you can be sure, 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:30.700 right? 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:32.039 He will make things right. 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.339 He will not let you 00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:33.920 mess it up. 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:36.399 He will reverse 00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:37.099 what went wrong. 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:39.180 And we can trust that.