WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.720 I trust God. 00:00:02.339 --> 00:00:11.419 If we were to ask most Christians here, most Christians, most people in this room today, they would say, I trust God. 00:00:12.040 --> 00:00:12.700 ! I trust God. 00:00:12.939 --> 00:00:18.219 That's what it means to be Christian, to have faith in Christ, that he died for our sins, that he rose from the dead. 00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:20.400 That's what we confess. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:21.240 We're people of faith. 00:00:21.240 --> 00:00:22.140 We trust God. 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:23.460 Of course we do. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:29.980 But often we continue on and add a few more words afterwards. 00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:34.000 I trust God, but what if? 00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:38.060 I trust God, but what about university? 00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:40.759 I haven't heard back from that school yet. 00:00:41.140 --> 00:00:42.960 I trust God, but what about my job? 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:45.340 I can't find a job, or I hate my job. 00:00:45.700 --> 00:00:47.700 I trust God, but what about my family? 00:00:47.820 --> 00:00:49.439 What if they get sick and they don't recover? 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:51.600 What if my children don't believe in Jesus? 00:00:52.379 --> 00:00:55.620 We say we trust God, and we do. 00:00:56.280 --> 00:00:57.480 But there's a gap. 00:00:57.760 --> 00:00:58.320 There's a gap. 00:00:58.420 --> 00:00:59.039 There's distance. 00:00:59.039 --> 00:01:03.200 There's a gap between the train and the platform. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:05.079 Do you feel that gap? 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:18.239 The gap between what we know and believe about God and how our hearts feel when we confront our daily circumstances, when we go out on Monday and are faced with the situation in our lives. 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:19.159 Is there that gap? 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:19.159 00:01:19.899 --> 00:01:24.939 In my head, I know, I know, and I fully trust God that he is sovereign. 00:01:25.099 --> 00:01:26.039 He is for me. 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:29.459 And if those things are true, then I should not have to worry. 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:30.859 That's the logical truth. 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:31.859 I should not have to worry. 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:32.859 I should not be anxious. 00:01:32.859 --> 00:01:33.260 I should not be anxious. 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:38.659 If I fully trust in God, that's the logical implication. 00:01:39.459 --> 00:01:42.039 But for me, that's not the actual reality. 00:01:42.579 --> 00:01:53.799 There's often a disconnect between our faith in the promises of God and our fears when we see what's right before our eyes in our lives. 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:55.319 I trust God. 00:01:55.640 --> 00:01:56.539 But what about this? 00:01:57.099 --> 00:01:58.340 What if that happens? 00:01:58.340 --> 00:02:06.820 And if you've ever found yourself in that gap, if you see distance between your faith and your feelings, then you're in good company. 00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:10.060 Because today, we're continuing in the book of Genesis. 00:02:10.060 --> 00:02:17.840 We're opening up to Genesis chapter 15, reading on about the story of Abram, who's later his name. 00:02:17.920 --> 00:02:19.319 God gives him a new name, Abraham. 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:21.560 That's the later name for Abram. 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:24.360 Abram is known as the father of the faith. 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:25.400 He's a giant of faith. 00:02:26.039 --> 00:02:26.900 Abram trusts God. 00:02:26.900 --> 00:02:28.020 He also trusts God. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:31.580 But we know that Abram has his ups and downs. 00:02:32.140 --> 00:02:40.099 He has enough faith in God in Genesis chapter 12 to go, to leave his father's house when God calls him, to go to the land that the Lord has promised him. 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:43.780 But second half of that chapter, there's a famine. 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:49.819 And then Abram, he flees to Egypt and sells out his wife to Pharaoh to save his life. 00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:51.039 That's Abram. 00:02:51.860 --> 00:02:53.039 Yet Abram believed God. 00:02:53.039 --> 00:03:04.799 He has enough faith in chapter 13 later to not fight with Lot over the land, to let Lot have his pick, trusting that God would give him what was promised, would give him the land. 00:03:04.799 --> 00:03:15.799 Abram also gives glory to God in chapter 14 after the wars with the kings, choosing to honor Melchizedek, king of peace, the most high God, and to pass up taking wealth from Sodom. 00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:19.120 So Abram, Sodom, the wealth of Sodom, the wealth of wicked Sodom. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:20.680 So Abram has faith. 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:28.080 But we see through Abram's stories and in a passage today in chapter 15, that Abram, he also feels this gap and disconnect. 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:31.120 On one hand, he remembers and trusts the promises of God. 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:35.740 But on the other hand, he faces uncertain circumstances. 00:03:36.860 --> 00:03:41.719 Abram has faith, but he also has questions, anxieties, fears. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:44.680 And that is where God meets him. 00:03:44.680 --> 00:03:51.939 In the uncertainty, in the questions, in the waiting, in the confusion, God says to him, fear not, I am your shield. 00:03:52.219 --> 00:03:54.520 I am the one who hung all the stars in the sky. 00:03:54.719 --> 00:04:02.139 I am the Lord who is with you, and I am the Lord who makes my covenant with you so that you may have certainty in my promises. 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:04.259 That's what the Lord does. 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:10.599 Even when we have faith, there can be a gap between what we know and what we feel. 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:13.879 When our circumstances give us reasons to fear. 00:04:14.239 --> 00:04:16.459 But God, he steps into that gap. 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:18.139 He made a covenant with Abram. 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:19.959 And he makes a covenant with us. 00:04:20.019 --> 00:04:21.139 He made a covenant with us. 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:25.920 To show us that he can be trusted in all our circumstances. 00:04:26.420 --> 00:04:28.259 That's what we'll see in Genesis 15 today. 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:30.159 So let's stand out as we read the word of God. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:32.360 I'm going to invite Trevor to come up and read for us. 00:04:32.360 --> 00:04:34.379 We'll be reading from Genesis chapter 15. 00:04:34.580 --> 00:04:38.400 And we stand as a sign of respect and reverence for the word of God. 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:43.199 Genesis chapter 15. 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:47.420 After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:48.720 Fear not, Abram. 00:04:48.819 --> 00:04:49.660 I am your shield. 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:51.939 Your reward shall be very great. 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:56.420 But Abram said, Oh Lord God, what will you give me? 00:04:56.420 --> 00:05:01.520 For I continue childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus. 00:05:01.519 --> 00:05:07.479 And Abram said, behold, you have given me no offspring and a member of my household will be my heir. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:10.180 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him. 00:05:10.599 --> 00:05:12.539 This man shall not be your heir. 00:05:13.019 --> 00:05:15.019 Your very own son shall be your heir. 00:05:15.659 --> 00:05:20.259 And he brought him outside and said, look toward heaven and number the stars. 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:22.799 If you are able to number them. 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:26.100 Then he said to him, so shall your offspring be. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:30.360 And he believed the Lord and he counted it to him as righteousness. 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:37.100 And he said to him, I'm the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess. 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:41.280 But he said, Oh Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it? 00:05:41.819 --> 00:05:48.199 He said to him, bring me a heifer, three years old, a female goat, three years old, a ram, three years old, a turtle dove and a young pigeon. 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:54.819 And he brought him all these, cut them in half and laid each half over it against the other. 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:57.439 But he did not cut the birds in half. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:03.259 And when the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:06.659 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:10.060 And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:17.399 Then the Lord said to Abram, know for certain that your offspring shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there. 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:20.300 And they will be afflicted for 400 years. 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:23.579 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve. 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:26.480 And afterward, they shall come out with great possessions. 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:30.379 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace. 00:06:30.660 --> 00:06:32.660 You shall be buried in a good old age. 00:06:32.660 --> 00:06:39.860 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:47.620 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:07:05.180 On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram saying to your offspring, I give this land from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenites, the Kenites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Kenanites, the Gergashites and the Jebusites. 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:07.600 Thank you. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:08.399 This is the word of the Lord. 00:07:08.519 --> 00:07:09.180 Please take a seat. 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:15.579 So again, we're focusing on the theme of faith today. 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:20.519 As people of faith, we say, I trust God, but we often add a little more. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:21.300 I believe. 00:07:21.400 --> 00:07:21.980 What about this? 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:22.579 What about that? 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:25.319 There's a gap between our faith and our feelings sometimes. 00:07:25.840 --> 00:07:30.319 Distance between what we know about God's promises and our present reality. 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:33.199 And in the same way, Abram also had faith. 00:07:33.340 --> 00:07:36.480 Abram believed God, but he also had reasons to worry. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:40.140 Abram trusted, but he had a few what ifs and what abouts. 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:44.340 First, he says, I trust God, but what about my security? 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:50.600 We read in verse one, after these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:51.120 Fear not. 00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:51.980 After these things. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:56.259 Now, why does the Lord come to Abram and tell him to fear not? 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:59.460 Remember, we read chapter 14 last week. 00:07:59.580 --> 00:08:00.520 There was a war. 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:03.060 The first war recorded in the Bible. 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:08.660 The four kings in the east, led by Ketolaomer, defeated the kings of the Jordan Valley. 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:11.939 They conquered the area, including the city of Sodom. 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:15.100 And Abram's nephew, Lot, was living in Sodom. 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:16.939 Lot was taken captive. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:18.459 And so Abram got involved. 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:23.680 He took 318 men, fought against the eastern kings, won, and freed Lot. 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:26.819 And that's the background when we read in verse one, after these things. 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:29.899 Abram is living in the aftermath of this war. 00:08:29.899 --> 00:08:31.099 He did win the battle. 00:08:31.359 --> 00:08:32.159 Abram won. 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.179 He rescued Lot. 00:08:34.199 --> 00:08:34.879 He won. 00:08:34.959 --> 00:08:36.019 He's successful now. 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:38.699 But he also kicked the hornet's nest. 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:41.319 He's made an enemy of four kings. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:42.779 It's all good now. 00:08:42.939 --> 00:08:43.720 Abram's fine now. 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:49.500 But what if in one year's time, in five years' time, ten years' time, they regroup and they want to take vengeance? 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:51.019 Will I have to flee? 00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:52.139 What will happen to my family? 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:53.620 Will they get captured? 00:08:53.620 --> 00:09:01.179 Can you relate to that feeling of having concerns or having these lingering threats against you? 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:03.159 Life could be good now, but what if things change? 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:06.820 What if gas prices keep rising? 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:09.500 What if they cut my position at work? 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:12.860 What if I have a bad experience in university? 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:15.039 What if rent goes up? 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:16.139 I need to leave Hong Kong. 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:18.680 What if my children turn away from Christ? 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:20.419 What if that friend turns against me? 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:28.279 Are there these lingering threats, these concerns against you, even if life is okay now? 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:34.219 And another thought we might have is, I trust God, but what about that fear of missing out? 00:09:34.419 --> 00:09:36.699 What if by obeying God, I'm missing out? 00:09:37.539 --> 00:09:39.240 Remember again, Abram, he won the war. 00:09:39.439 --> 00:09:40.139 He won the battle. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.819 He had all the spoils of war. 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:45.779 He could have taken everything for himself, all the food, the animals, all the riches. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:47.559 But Abram turned it down. 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:54.199 He turned down all the possessions he could have taken because he didn't want to take anything from Sodom. 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:57.899 He didn't want to associate himself with evil. 00:09:58.739 --> 00:10:02.579 So that the king of Sodom couldn't say, I have made Abram rich. 00:10:03.199 --> 00:10:06.379 So Abram turned down what he could have had for himself. 00:10:07.219 --> 00:10:09.639 And the thought is, I want to glorify God. 00:10:09.739 --> 00:10:10.799 I trust God. 00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:11.299 What? 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:13.740 What if I made a mistake? 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:15.979 What if I gave up too much? 00:10:17.719 --> 00:10:19.299 I want to follow Jesus. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:23.299 But what about the money I turned down? 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:25.419 All the crazy things I see my friends doing. 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:26.979 Did I make a mistake? 00:10:27.839 --> 00:10:30.519 Following Jesus meant losing that job, that opportunity. 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:31.439 It cost me. 00:10:31.699 --> 00:10:33.039 Did it cost me too much? 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:36.639 Abram's circumstances gave him reason to fear. 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:39.019 But God steps in and he says this. 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:39.959 Look at me. 00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:41.240 This is in verse 2. 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:43.980 Or sorry, it's in verse 1 still. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:44.779 Look at me. 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:45.679 Fear not, Abram. 00:10:45.839 --> 00:10:46.620 I am your shield. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:48.839 Your reward will be very great. 00:10:49.579 --> 00:10:51.379 God says, I am your shield. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:52.919 I am your shield. 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:54.019 Nobody can touch you. 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:56.740 I'm the one who will step in and protect you. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:11:00.919 And also, your reward will be very great. 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:05.299 Your reward is far greater than anything you passed up. 00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:15.039 Notice, God's comfort to Abram, it doesn't come in reassuring him about his exact circumstances. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:19.700 He doesn't give him details about his exact circumstances here. 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:24.500 The reassurance comes by reminding him about who God is. 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:27.340 God says, fear not because of who I am. 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:31.539 Fear not because your reward is found in me and I am your shield. 00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:44.279 Our peace comes not as we dwell as much on our situation, but when we think about and we are reminded about the almighty, sovereign, compassionate God who is on our side. 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:47.220 Amidst the threats, God is our shield. 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:48.659 Our reward is great. 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:52.820 And so God promises Abram a great reward. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:12:04.020 And Abram believes, but then Abram, he looks around inside his tent and realizes, what good is a massive reward if I don't have a son to inherit it? 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:07.140 That's Abram's thought in verses two and three. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:09.820 It says, but Abram said, oh Lord God, what will you give me? 00:12:09.900 --> 00:12:14.480 For I continue childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:19.820 And Abram said, behold, you have given me no offspring and a member of my household will be my heir. 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:23.240 Abram's thinking, okay, God, you'll give me a reward. 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:27.360 But what good is it if I don't have a child to pass it on to? 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:31.399 You promised to make me a great nation, but I don't even have an heir right now. 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:33.639 I have nobody to continue my name. 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:36.300 Even if I get the promised land, I get everything I want. 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:38.039 I don't have anybody to give it to. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:42.659 If I die tomorrow, my servant Eliezer, this foreign servant will get everything. 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:48.019 And remember at this point, Abram is, he's 75 to 85 years old. 00:12:48.699 --> 00:12:50.579 And yes, in Genesis, people lived longer. 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:56.219 But we see in the genealogies in chapter 11 that lifespans are getting shorter and shorter. 00:12:56.579 --> 00:13:01.159 And everybody in chapter 11 had their first child by the time they were in their 30s. 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:04.539 Abram now is at least in his 70s. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:06.539 And there's still no child. 00:13:07.579 --> 00:13:09.519 Abram thinks, I trust you, God. 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:12.039 But what about this weight? 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:15.480 What about the fact that I'm getting older and older? 00:13:15.579 --> 00:13:17.500 What if I never have a child? 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:20.699 What if at my age, having a kid is simply impossible? 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:24.019 Can you relate to Abram's weight? 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:27.639 Thinking, this can never happen. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:29.959 This, I've waited so long. 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:31.539 This is totally impossible. 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:32.980 It can't be. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:38.340 Maybe, like Abram, it's a desire for a family, for a child. 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:38.980 That's a real challenge. 00:13:40.060 --> 00:13:42.620 Maybe you've been praying for change in your life. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.240 Wishing for something to change. 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.779 Your circumstances to change. 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.820 You've been praying for someone for years. 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:50.500 But they still seem so far from God. 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:52.420 It's been so long. 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:55.000 At this point, it seems like there's no chance. 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:55.560 It's impossible. 00:13:56.560 --> 00:13:57.639 I trust you, God. 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:02.580 But what about all these years of seeing absolutely nothing come to pass? 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:07.200 This is how God responds to Abram in verse four. 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:10.300 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him. 00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:11.980 This man shall not be your heir. 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:14.080 Your very own son shall be your heir. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.580 God reassures Abram. 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:18.320 Your heir won't be Eliezer. 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:19.920 Your very own son. 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:22.860 You will have your very own son born from your flesh. 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.360 That son will be your heir. 00:14:25.299 --> 00:14:28.139 And next in verse five, the Lord brought Abram outside and said to him, 00:14:28.579 --> 00:14:32.899 Look toward heaven and number the stars if you are able to number them. 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:36.059 Then he said to him, so shall your offspring be. 00:14:36.059 --> 00:14:41.779 We know now more than ever that there's too many stars in the skies to count. 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.459 We can't count them with our eyes. 00:14:43.839 --> 00:14:44.379 There's too many. 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:51.019 And God is telling Abram, you will have more offspring than he can count through a son from your own flesh. 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:55.359 And also, that's the promise God makes to Abram here. 00:14:55.779 --> 00:15:01.559 But also in pointing Abram to the stars, God reminds Abram of his power in creation. 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:06.199 He's saying, you can't even begin to count all the stars in the sky. 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:07.639 But you know what? 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.239 I made them all. 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:12.279 God spoke and they came into being. 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:13.779 And you can't even count them. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.259 Does that sound impossible to you? 00:15:15.739 --> 00:15:17.799 I say, let there be light and there was light. 00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:18.679 Is that possible? 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.699 Sounds impossible, but not for God. 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:25.500 And if God could do that, then what is it to give Abram a child? 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:29.559 If God is our creator, then what can't he do? 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:33.799 He can do the easier thing of taking care of all our needs. 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:37.079 That's what God is saying and pointing Abram to the stars of the sky. 00:15:37.239 --> 00:15:38.959 More stars than he can even count. 00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:42.419 Is our situation impossible? 00:15:43.859 --> 00:15:45.019 God can still do it. 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:48.039 And that takes us to verse six. 00:15:49.119 --> 00:15:53.099 Abram believed the Lord and he counted it to him as righteousness. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:57.980 As we read that, we see the gap open up again. 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:05.460 Having faith doesn't always mean we instantly feel full certainty all the time. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:10.460 Because just one verse later, God reminds Abram of the promised land. 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:17.680 And Abram responds in verse eight saying, oh Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it? 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:22.699 Abram believed God, verse six, verse eight, how can I know for sure? 00:16:23.859 --> 00:16:33.139 And part of the reason for this gap is God gives us his promises, but sometimes he holds back all the details. 00:16:33.859 --> 00:16:38.639 Back in chapter 12, God promised to make Abram a great nation. 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:43.419 We read that a few weeks ago to make Abram a great nation and give him offspring. 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:47.500 But God didn't specify how this would happen. 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:55.460 And the promised offspring actually in their context could have been a legal heir like Eliezer. 00:16:55.679 --> 00:17:01.699 It could have been through Eliezer, God's promise in chapter 12, that God would make Abram a great nation. 00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:09.100 And it's only now, probably years later, that God reveals that Abram will have a son from his own flesh and blood. 00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:16.759 And for us also, we know God's promises that he is for us, that all things work together for the good of those who love him. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:22.100 But like Abram, we don't always know how these promises will play out. 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.519 We don't have all the details. 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:25.940 We don't know whether we'll get that job we want. 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:27.700 Will I find a partner? 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:29.240 Will my family be okay? 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:32.140 We don't know all the details. 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:40.720 Living by faith means saying, I trust your promises, even when I don't know how all these details will work out. 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:43.140 And here's the comfort in this. 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:48.120 God doesn't rebuke Abram for his uncertainty. 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:51.099 When Abram asked, how will I know for sure? 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:53.559 God doesn't criticize him. 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:56.599 He gently addresses Abram's questions. 00:17:56.599 --> 00:18:05.839 Even as Abram faced unknowns and battled fears, God still says, he declares Abram's faith was counted to him as righteousness. 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:14.699 To have faith doesn't mean that we know the whole Bible back to front and know every answer to theology and apologetics. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.959 Have every question answered. 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:23.599 To have faith doesn't mean that we never think about the difficult circumstances in front of us and wonder, will we be okay? 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:25.759 It's natural. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.939 It's okay to have questions. 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:30.000 Now there's a way to ask questions in unbelief. 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:32.699 If God is so good, how can there be evil? 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:33.959 I don't understand it. 00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:36.599 And therefore, there must be no God. 00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:39.659 We can ask questions in unbelief. 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.439 But we can also ask questions in faith. 00:18:42.199 --> 00:18:43.339 I trust you, God. 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:45.219 But I don't understand. 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:46.240 I trust you, God. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.599 But I still feel uncertainty. 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.439 Uncertainty. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.959 Why do you allow illnesses in the world? 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.659 What is your plan for my life? 00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:54.819 I can't see how it's possible. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.959 I don't get it. 00:18:56.199 --> 00:18:58.839 But you are God and I will put my faith in you. 00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:07.579 Even when there's a gap between what we know and the fears and our feelings, God welcomes our questions. 00:19:07.679 --> 00:19:09.039 He is gentle with our questions. 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:15.359 Like Abram, when we look to him, believe in him, our faith is counted as righteousness. 00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:19.659 And so how does God answer Abram's question? 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:24.019 Abram asks in verse eight, how am I to know that I shall possess it? 00:19:24.639 --> 00:19:27.079 Abram believes God, but he's looking for certainty. 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.159 He wants a guarantee. 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:30.259 He wants full certainty. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:37.140 But God's response is possibly not the certainty Abram was hoping for. 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:43.759 God does give him certainty and he will eventually seal it with this covenant ceremony. 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:48.819 But before they seal this covenant, before they make this covenant, they ratify this covenant, 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:53.200 God answers Abram's desire for certainty in an unexpected way. 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.859 Look at verse 13. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.680 We'll skip forward a bit. 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.900 Abram wants certainty. 00:19:57.900 --> 00:20:03.660 And God says, know for certain that your offspring will be strangers and slaved and oppressed 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:05.820 in a foreign land for 400 years. 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.519 You can know that for certain. 00:20:08.060 --> 00:20:09.860 Abram says, give me certainty about this blessing. 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:13.160 And God replies, know for certain your offspring will suffer. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:13.960 They'll be slaves. 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:16.660 This doesn't sound like the perfect blessing. 00:20:17.800 --> 00:20:22.580 Sometimes in the process of fulfilling his promises, God takes us through a painful journey. 00:20:22.800 --> 00:20:26.280 He makes us wait 400 years and brings us through trials. 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:28.940 We read earlier, Abram, he faced a famine. 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:31.500 Abram had to fight kings to save his nephew. 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:36.460 And now God promises him, your offspring will be slaves in Egypt. 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:39.480 We know later it is Egypt for about 400 years. 00:20:40.639 --> 00:20:44.759 When we follow Jesus, God doesn't promise us health, wealth, prosperity. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.359 That's not what he promises. 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.420 But don't we want that? 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:52.000 And sometimes don't we expect that? 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:56.000 And maybe that's where some of these what ifs, what about questions come from. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:21:00.640 I trust God, but why isn't life going as I want it to go? 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:03.680 As I expect it to go when I put my faith in God? 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:07.039 Well, God doesn't promise that life will be smooth sailing. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:12.079 I bet some Israelites in Egypt also asked, why did God allow Egypt to enslave us? 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:14.099 When they were going through that. 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:16.500 God doesn't promise us an easy life. 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.859 Instead, he does promise us. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:20.000 I will never leave you or forsake you. 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:26.099 Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. 00:21:27.399 --> 00:21:29.139 That's what we can say when we trust in God. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:31.399 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:39.180 God doesn't always spare us from suffering, but he promises to be with us and deliver us through our trials. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:43.120 And we hold onto that by faith in our lowest even. 00:21:44.320 --> 00:21:46.960 God promises slavery to Abram. 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:50.140 Yet he also promises salvation in verse 14. 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:53.100 He says, but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve. 00:21:53.320 --> 00:21:56.120 And afterwards they shall come out with great possessions. 00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:57.580 God will bring justice. 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.860 He will deliver his people. 00:21:59.080 --> 00:22:00.400 He will bring them out of slavery. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:04.060 He will bring salvation and give them the land that he promised after all. 00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:06.800 And through it all, God will be with them. 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:10.980 In verse 17, we see the smoking fire pot and flaming torch. 00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:11.759 Smoke and fire. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:16.560 Kind of like that pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:21.860 That represented God's presence with his people, the people of Israel. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:26.120 When God led them out of Egypt, God will be with them. 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:30.500 Suffering is part of God's covenant with Abram. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:36.819 But in that suffering, God promises that he will be with them and will deliver them, will bring them salvation. 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:42.079 Now at this point, we should also go back and talk about this covenant. 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:44.259 Abram wanted assurance. 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:46.980 God makes a covenant with him. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:47.799 What is a covenant? 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:54.460 Covenant is an agreement that binds two parties together in a relationship. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:57.180 And today we talk about marriage covenants. 00:22:57.180 --> 00:23:04.059 We just announced we're celebrating that Nathan is going to make a wedding covenant, marriage covenant with Kelly in times to come. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:10.819 And in marriage, the husband and wife, on that wedding day, the husband and wife, they make vows to one another. 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:23.740 There's promises you make to one another, conditions you promise to meet, that to be faithful to one another, richer or poorer, better for worse, sickness and health, as long as we both shall live. 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:28.259 This agreement binds you together in relationship and marriage. 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.839 You make your vows. 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.980 You sign the wedding certificate. 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.480 And that seals the covenant. 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:39.740 In Abram's time, they had a different custom, different way of making covenants. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:50.400 In the ancient Near East, to make serious and formal agreements, treaties, their practice was to take animals and cut them in half. 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.720 That's what they would do. 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:58.559 Instead of signing with a pen, take animals and cut them in half to ratify a covenant. 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:06.720 Cutting the animal, it symbolized a curse upon anyone who would break the terms of the covenant. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:19.400 We have some evidence from one treaty saying, it says this, as this calf is cut in two, so may Mateo be cut in two and may his nobles be cut in two if they break the terms of the covenant. 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:22.819 May they be cut in two just like this animal that sealed the covenant. 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:29.660 Today, if I sign a lease, but I stop paying rent, then I've broken the contract and you can go to court. 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:32.720 You can find a lawyer, go to court and sue me to collect your money. 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:37.380 But in the ancient Near East, their covenants promised something more extreme. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:43.500 If I break my end of the promise, may I be torn apart and killed just like these animals. 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.980 That's what they're promising. 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:49.920 We also have an example in Jeremiah 34 verse 18, where God said, it says this, 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:59.960 And the men who transgressed my covenant and did not keep the terms of the covenant that they made before me, I will make them like the calf that they cut into and pass between its parts. 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:04.400 All the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf. 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:12.140 Custom there was to cut the animals, arrange them in two lines as Abram did, and pass through between the halves. 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:19.600 And by doing that, by passing through, that would mean to be agreeing to this curse, to be torn apart if they broke the covenant. 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:22.160 And so that's what Abram prepares. 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.360 It's a weird ceremony. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.060 It's weird. 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:26.620 It's foreign to our culture, but that's the context they're in. 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:28.140 That's what he's preparing in verse nine. 00:25:28.300 --> 00:25:32.259 He takes a heifer, that's a cow, a goat, a ram, and cuts them in half. 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:36.520 And he lays each half across the other, opposite the other. 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:41.599 He's creating two lines and a gap between the pieces, a gap for them to walk through. 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:51.680 And what we expect following tradition is for him and God to both walk together through that gap, walk together in between. 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:57.720 To step between the carcasses and say, if I break my end of the deal, let me be torn into pieces. 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.779 But look at verse 12. 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:04.119 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram. 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:05.980 A deep sleep fell upon Abram. 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.099 Why did Abram fall asleep? 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.880 It's no accident. 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.200 He wasn't bored. 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:12.640 God immobilizes him so that Abram couldn't move. 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.720 God put him to sleep. 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.039 Why? 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:22.240 Because God knows that if Abram walks into that gap between the animals, he's going to die. 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:25.539 He is going to take the curse. 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:32.380 God knows that Abram and his descendants, you and I, will constantly fail to trust him. 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:38.900 We will constantly fall into the gap between our unbelief, the gap of our unbelief and sin. 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:45.580 And if we had to, if we weren't forced to walk through those animals, we'd end up torn in pieces just like them. 00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:49.000 And look what happens in verse 17. 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:57.139 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 00:26:57.500 --> 00:27:02.359 On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram saying, to your offspring, I give this land. 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.539 Smoke and fire represent God. 00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:07.579 He steps into the gap between the animals alone. 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:11.679 He puts Abram to sleep and walks through alone. 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:19.179 And by passing through alone, God took full responsibility upon himself to fulfill the covenant. 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:23.079 He made a promise unilaterally without other conditions. 00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:30.240 By passing through the gap alone, God was saying, as surely as I live and I will continue to live forever, 00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:32.839 I will keep my promise to you. 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:35.720 I will certainly keep my end of the bargain. 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:39.799 And if you fail to keep yours, the curse will not fall on you. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:42.839 We learned the curse will fall on him. 00:27:43.919 --> 00:27:48.980 Imagine if Abram passed through, he was bound to obey God perfectly or be killed. 00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:51.139 And that's in fact what we deserve. 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:53.480 That's what we would, we should deserve. 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:56.319 But God gives Abram grace. 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.339 Grace. 00:27:58.339 --> 00:28:02.220 That's why verse six we read earlier is so beautiful. 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:08.319 Abram believed the Lord and he counted it to him as righteousness. 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:12.679 God counted Abram's faith to him as righteousness. 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.099 Not because he deserved it. 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:19.559 Not because he earned righteousness by fulfilling everything that God told him to do. 00:28:19.679 --> 00:28:22.399 Because he ticked off every box of the covenant. 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:25.639 Abram, he didn't work for acceptance from God. 00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:37.540 Abram, he simply believed God and God took on his punishment for disobedience and credited Abram with his righteousness. 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:42.400 And verse six is beautiful because it applies to us also. 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:47.340 When we believe God, our faith is counted to us as righteousness. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.140 That's what Romans four says. 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:52.900 Abram was fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:56.280 That's why his faith was counted to him as righteousness. 00:28:56.940 --> 00:29:01.700 But the words, it was counted to him were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:11.600 It will be counted to us who believe in him, who raised from the dead, Jesus, our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:16.259 And that's why this verse, this covenant is so beautiful for us. 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:18.759 Points us straight to the cross of Christ. 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:26.399 Just as God promised Abram, God sent his son, Jesus, to take the curse upon himself. 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:30.079 Jesus died under the cross to take the penalty for our sins. 00:29:30.719 --> 00:29:35.299 Galatians three said, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:45.419 For it is written, cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree so that in Christ Jesus, the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so that we might receive the promised spirit through faith. 00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:47.919 Jesus stepped into that gap. 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:52.059 He stood between God's perfect holiness and our sin, our failures. 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:55.680 He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:59.039 Upon him was a chastisement that brought us peace. 00:29:59.220 --> 00:30:01.039 And with his wounds, we are healed. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:07.079 God knew that Abram and his descendants, that we all will constantly fail. 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:10.000 We will never hold up our end of the bargain. 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:16.819 There will always be that gap between our faith and our fears, between what we believe and how we live it up and how we obey. 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:22.200 We say, I trust God, but why do I keep on worrying? 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:24.879 I believe God, but why do I keep on sinning? 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:28.700 I put my faith in Christ, but why do I still doubt him? 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:36.500 And this is, that's why Abram's faith could be counted to him as righteousness because of what Jesus did. 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:48.000 And that's why when our faith is weak, when we're confronting this gap between what God has promised and the terrifying circumstances in front of our eyes, we can still trust him. 00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:52.759 Because God doesn't ask us to obey him, follow him perfectly. 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:59.460 He does ask us, but he credits Christ's righteousness to us by faith. 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:00.900 We are saved by faith. 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:03.660 He doesn't require us to bridge that gap alone. 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:05.980 He sent Jesus to bridge it for us. 00:31:06.560 --> 00:31:16.400 And it's not the strength of our faith, the degree of confidence in him that saves us, but the strength of the savior, the Christ that we put our faith in. 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:19.140 It's his strength that saves us, not our own. 00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:23.700 Several months ago, my in-laws were in town. 00:31:24.080 --> 00:31:30.720 And with Jojo, we went to take a walk around North Point, that new boardwalk by the harbor. 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:37.839 And when we got there, we found that they found that they built a new walkway in glass. 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:41.279 There was this glass walkway that they built, this observation glass floor. 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:44.299 It's quite a long section, maybe 20 or 30 meters. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.700 And you can step on it. 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:48.279 You can walk over it. 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:52.200 Look down through the glass and see the water in Victoria Harbor below you. 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:53.000 Okay. 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:59.759 And there's two very different types of people who cross across the glass. 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:02.819 The first is what Jojo, my father-in-law, and I did. 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:07.000 I really don't care about these types of things. 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:12.860 I'm the type to just run across, jump on the glass, and try to get other people to be scared and laugh at them when they are. 00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:16.879 We have 100% faith in this glass. 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:18.000 This is Hong Kong. 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:20.179 The architects, the engineers, they designed it. 00:32:20.199 --> 00:32:20.879 We should be safe. 00:32:21.179 --> 00:32:24.740 We step on it, jump around, take a selfie without any second thought. 00:32:25.179 --> 00:32:26.919 We have faith in this glass. 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:33.420 And there's a second type of people, such as my mother-in-law. 00:32:34.080 --> 00:32:35.240 We're calling over to her. 00:32:35.320 --> 00:32:36.340 Come over, take a picture. 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.200 It's going to be fun. 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:38.039 Get on the glass. 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:38.880 Let's take a selfie. 00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:44.700 And she's like, I really don't want to. 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:47.539 She's terrified, anxious, uncertain. 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.840 She's got questions. 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:51.660 Is this glass really thick enough to support my weight? 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.640 Her knees are shaking. 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.720 Her heart is pounding. 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:55.080 She's holding her breath. 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.640 She's filled with fear. 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:59.420 And only has a little ounce of faith. 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:02.620 When we call her, come on this glass. 00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:03.340 Let's take a picture. 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.220 She's afraid. 00:33:04.800 --> 00:33:08.380 But yet, she trusts enough and takes a step on the glass. 00:33:09.060 --> 00:33:10.340 Now, what do you think happens? 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:14.500 Did my mother-in-law fall through into the water? 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:20.820 Did she step on the grass and fall through, take a swim, just because she was afraid? 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:22.840 She only had a little bit of faith. 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.900 Of course not. 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:26.240 She didn't fall into the gap. 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:28.460 She stepped on the glass. 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:30.700 And it was strong enough to hold her. 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:32.240 It was strong enough to support her. 00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:33.900 We all made it to the other side. 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:39.960 Did we make it across because I was so confident and I ran across and I was just laughing, hopping around? 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.340 No. 00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:46.079 Did she fall through because she was crawling on all the floors on the glass, all scared? 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:47.799 Of course not. 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:52.599 All of us, we had faith, stepped on the glass. 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.319 We survived for the same reason. 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:57.259 It was strong enough to hold us. 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:59.579 That glass was strong enough to hold us. 00:33:59.579 --> 00:34:02.240 And it's not about the strength of our faith. 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:05.579 That's not what saves us, but the strength of the one we have faith in. 00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:11.039 Abram believed God and it was counted to him, not earned. 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:14.039 It was counted to him, reckoned to him as righteousness. 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:20.539 And we're saved simply by believing in Jesus and giving him all the glory. 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:26.719 God gets all the glory for our salvation, not because we just had perfect faith and we deserved it, 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:30.779 but because we trusted him and he was strong enough. 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:32.199 He is the one who is worthy. 00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:34.259 He's the one who gets the worship for saving us. 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:35.960 We don't need. 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:38.880 We are simply saved by believing in him. 00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:41.579 That cross takes away all our boasting. 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:46.360 We can't boast because I was so confident that I jumped on the glass and I made it across. 00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:48.260 And also, we're not ashamed. 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:50.900 We're not put to shame when we fear. 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:53.400 That's the call for us today. 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:58.139 We don't need perfect, unwavering confidence to follow Jesus. 00:34:58.340 --> 00:35:01.760 We don't need to overcome all our doubts, all our fears to take a step. 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:11.460 We just need faith enough to step onto the grace of Christ, into him, and trust him for our salvation. 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:17.940 Even if we're overwhelmed by our circumstances, even when we ask all our what ifs, what abouts, 00:35:18.120 --> 00:35:24.820 even with all our questions, when we put our faith in Christ, God says to us, same thing he says to Abram, 00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:26.240 I am your shield. 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:28.380 Your reward shall be very great. 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:32.940 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:39.680 There's no more punishment for our sins because Jesus, the son of God, took the curse for us. 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:44.059 That is what it means to be saved by grace through faith apart from works. 00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:46.940 So let's put our faith in Jesus. 00:35:47.640 --> 00:35:52.119 Let's keep taking steps of faith, not turning back so that we make it to the other side. 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:56.460 And to do that this week, let's do what God said to Abram. 00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:57.480 Look up. 00:35:58.019 --> 00:36:03.339 When Abram was caught up in his whatabouts, God took him outside and said, look toward heaven. 00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:05.339 Look up and number the stars. 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:07.239 We're so prone to forget. 00:36:07.799 --> 00:36:10.619 As soon as we leave these rooms, our anxieties will come back. 00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:13.319 The circumstances of our life will face them again. 00:36:13.839 --> 00:36:15.599 The whatabouts will come straight back into view. 00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:20.739 And to fight the fight of faith, God gives us reminders of his goodness. 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.420 He gave Noah a rainbow. 00:36:22.819 --> 00:36:23.619 Abram, the stars. 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:26.079 Tell us, look at the birds, the grass of the field. 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:33.440 And most of all, Jesus, God, he gave us the cross of Christ to show that if God did not spare his own son, 00:36:34.259 --> 00:36:37.699 how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:44.179 God reminds us through his word in prayer or weekly Sunday worship, life groups. 00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:48.539 When our faith is weak, where can we find reminders of God's faithfulness? 00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:49.199 We need them. 00:36:49.839 --> 00:36:55.099 So let's look towards God, not our circumstances, but look to him. 00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:59.379 Remember the God who created us, loves us, gave his son for us. 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:01.039 And fight the fight of faith. 00:37:02.339 --> 00:37:03.239 Let's pray together. 00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.759 Invite the worship team to come up. 00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:12.819 Lord, we believe. 00:37:13.779 --> 00:37:14.939 Help our unbelief. 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:17.159 We believe you. 00:37:17.239 --> 00:37:17.859 We trust you. 00:37:17.919 --> 00:37:18.980 But we also confess. 00:37:19.819 --> 00:37:24.059 We also have doubts, uncertainties, fears, anxieties. 00:37:26.319 --> 00:37:27.899 We put our trust in you. 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:30.339 We want to put our trust in you. 00:37:31.739 --> 00:37:34.099 Trust that Christ died to save sinners. 00:37:34.500 --> 00:37:37.159 And he is our only hope in life and death. 00:37:38.219 --> 00:37:39.059 Thank you, God. 00:37:39.259 --> 00:37:40.739 You sent your son for us. 00:37:41.399 --> 00:37:42.759 Help us to believe in you. 00:37:42.879 --> 00:37:43.579 Give us faith. 00:37:44.799 --> 00:37:48.259 For those of us who are here and have questions, doubts about God, 00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:51.539 pray that you gently answer those questions. 00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:52.819 Draw us to you. 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:55.279 We want to see more of you. 00:37:55.399 --> 00:37:57.679 Open our eyes that we can see your glory. 00:37:57.679 --> 00:38:02.739 You deserve the worship. 00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:03.919 You deserve the praise. 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:09.199 Save us so that we can praise your name. 00:38:10.339 --> 00:38:11.339 Pray in Jesus' name. 00:38:11.859 --> 00:38:12.059 Amen. 00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:12.159 Amen. 00:38:12.219 --> 00:38:12.319 Amen. 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.319 00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:21.100 as great is your faithfulness 00:38:21.100 --> 00:38:23.559 and when we're faithless 00:38:23.559 --> 00:38:24.700 you are faithful 00:38:24.700 --> 00:38:27.460 we trust not in our own instinct 00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:28.100 or emotion 00:38:28.100 --> 00:38:29.720 but trust in the truth 00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:31.860 that God you are faithful 00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:34.180 and so Father 00:38:34.180 --> 00:38:36.559 help our unbelief 00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:38.320 help our doubts 00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:40.400 when we're in the midst of doubting 00:38:40.400 --> 00:38:42.360 and so Father 00:38:42.360 --> 00:38:44.400 as we depart in our ways God 00:38:44.400 --> 00:38:46.500 may we as a community 00:38:46.500 --> 00:38:47.599 with each other 00:38:47.599 --> 00:38:49.400 may we remind each other 00:38:49.400 --> 00:38:50.519 of your faithfulness 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:51.519 when we're faithless 00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:53.220 may we see 00:38:53.220 --> 00:38:54.639 open our eyes to see 00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:56.180 brothers and sisters 00:38:56.180 --> 00:38:57.099 who are doubting 00:38:57.099 --> 00:38:58.960 may we be the voice of truth 00:38:58.960 --> 00:39:01.019 may you speak through us 00:39:01.019 --> 00:39:03.539 to encourage each other 00:39:03.539 --> 00:39:06.059 and Jesus may you 00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:08.960 may your faithfulness 00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:09.780 carry us through 00:39:09.780 --> 00:39:10.360 and not 00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:12.240 not by our own strength 00:39:12.240 --> 00:39:15.019 but by your spirit Lord 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:16.540 and so God 00:39:16.540 --> 00:39:19.240 where we lift up today to you 00:39:19.240 --> 00:39:20.300 we lift up our worship 00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:21.900 to you Lord 00:39:21.900 --> 00:39:24.040 and we continue to worship 00:39:24.040 --> 00:39:25.180 throughout our week 00:39:25.180 --> 00:39:28.700 because we worship your faithfulness 00:39:28.700 --> 00:39:30.920 so in Jesus name we pray 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:32.040 Amen 00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:32.239 Amen