WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.179 He said, Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless, and the one who will inherit my estate is Eleazar of Damascus? 00:00:12.179 --> 00:00:19.539 And Abram said, You have given me no children, so a servant in my household will be my heir. 00:00:19.539 --> 00:00:30.280 Then the word of the Lord came to him, This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir. 00:00:31.259 --> 00:00:38.039 He took him outside and said, Look up at the sky and count the stars, if indeed you can count them. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:42.920 Then he said to him, So shall your offspring be. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:48.980 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 00:00:50.479 --> 00:00:59.659 He also said to him, I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it. 00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:07.659 But Abram said, Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I shall gain possession of it? 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:18.739 So the Lord said to him, Bring me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon. 00:01:19.540 --> 00:01:26.200 Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two, and arranged the halves opposite each other. 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:29.640 The birds, however, he did not cut in half. 00:01:30.660 --> 00:01:35.120 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:45.400 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 00:01:46.540 --> 00:01:55.740 Then the Lord said to him, Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, 00:01:55.739 --> 00:01:59.199 and they will be enslaved and ill-treated there. 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:06.019 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterwards they will come out with great possessions. 00:02:06.019 --> 00:02:14.840 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 00:02:15.780 --> 00:02:20.500 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:24.400 for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure. 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:28.960 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, 00:02:29.740 --> 00:02:34.360 a smoking brassiere with blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 00:02:35.460 --> 00:02:38.719 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:45.080 To your descendants I give this land from the wadi of Egypt to the great river of the Euphrates, 00:02:45.080 --> 00:02:52.300 the land of the Canaanites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:58.340 the Rephaites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. 00:03:00.640 --> 00:03:06.020 Well, let's pray and ask for God's help. 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:19.620 Father God, thank you for this account, this true account of Abraham. 00:03:20.980 --> 00:03:26.240 We pray that as we think about his encounter with you, 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:32.439 that we ourselves would encounter the living God. 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:37.719 that we would hear his words to us, 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:46.500 that we may go trusting a faithful and good God. 00:03:48.639 --> 00:03:53.079 Help us this morning by your Spirit's power we ask. 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:54.360 Amen. 00:03:54.360 --> 00:04:03.860 Well, over Covid I had a painting job to do in the house, 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:06.420 so a trip to B&Q was organised. 00:04:07.700 --> 00:04:08.960 But I had a dilemma. 00:04:10.200 --> 00:04:13.240 If you go to B&Q, you're not short of choice. 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:16.740 There was a whole aisle full of paint, 00:04:17.220 --> 00:04:21.139 each one claiming to be the best paint you could buy. 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:24.139 So what do I choose? 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:27.800 How do I know which is the right one? 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:30.180 Well, one stood out. 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:33.620 You might remember the catchphrase from the TV advert. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:35.699 Ron Seal. 00:04:36.460 --> 00:04:39.040 It does what it says on the tin. 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:41.960 In other words, 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:44.319 it promises to deliver. 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:47.439 It's not going to let you down. 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:53.620 Well, our text this morning is a bit of a Ron Seal promise. 00:04:54.420 --> 00:04:57.740 It does what it says on the tin. 00:04:57.740 --> 00:04:59.840 In other words, 00:05:00.280 --> 00:05:02.780 God promises to deliver. 00:05:02.780 --> 00:05:06.300 What God says he will do, he will do. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:09.000 He isn't going to let you down. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:15.019 But it isn't always as easy as that, is it? 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:17.279 We know the words. 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:18.860 We sing them. 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:19.779 We repeat them. 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:23.399 But there's still a wondering in our lives. 00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:25.839 Will God deliver? 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:30.459 Can I trust God with his promises? 00:05:31.119 --> 00:05:34.079 Will God do what he says he will do? 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:41.379 Will he forgive me of all my sins? 00:05:43.479 --> 00:05:48.680 Will he give me all that I need in my walk with him? 00:05:51.159 --> 00:05:54.279 Will he build his church here in Carragaleine? 00:05:54.279 --> 00:05:59.719 Will he keep me in the midst of all of my failures 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:02.819 until Jesus returns? 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:09.399 Well, Abram had been given some great big promises 00:06:09.399 --> 00:06:11.559 and he wanted to know, 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:13.719 is God going to deliver? 00:06:15.359 --> 00:06:17.059 Let's go back to chapter 12. 00:06:18.039 --> 00:06:20.919 God makes a great big promise. 00:06:20.919 --> 00:06:21.639 Verse 2. 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:24.579 He says to Abram chapter 12, 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:27.439 I will make you into a great nation 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:29.439 and I will bless you. 00:06:30.599 --> 00:06:31.839 And then in verse 7, 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:33.759 the Lord appeared to him and said, 00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:34.779 to your offspring, 00:06:35.479 --> 00:06:37.560 I will give this land. 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:40.680 When we get into chapter 13, 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:42.939 God repeats the same promise. 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:44.399 Verse 15. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:46.919 All the land you see, 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:49.300 I will give to you and your offspring forever. 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:53.740 And I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth. 00:06:55.400 --> 00:06:57.160 And in chapter 14, 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:59.660 God protects the promise. 00:07:00.520 --> 00:07:04.600 Abram has come up against some tribes who are after him 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:06.720 and, well, God intervenes. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:07.480 Verse 20. 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:09.780 Praise be to God most high 00:07:09.780 --> 00:07:14.040 who delivered your enemies into your hands. 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:18.660 Then we step into chapter 15. 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:23.939 But it seems God still hasn't delivered. 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:28.620 Well, God is gentle and gracious 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:31.860 and he gives us the assurance that we need. 00:07:32.200 --> 00:07:34.540 You see, when it comes to God's promises, 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:37.800 it does what it says on the tin. 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:40.800 Four things we're going to see. 00:07:40.900 --> 00:07:44.259 The promise or the surprise of God's promise, 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:47.540 the timing of God's promise, 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:50.819 the guarantee of God's promise, 00:07:51.160 --> 00:07:54.240 and then the response to God's promise. 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:55.480 So there's a surprise, 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:57.580 the timing, the guarantee, 00:07:58.080 --> 00:07:59.840 and the response. 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:05.099 So first, look at the surprise of God's promise. 00:08:06.539 --> 00:08:09.439 Despite all of God's words to Abraham, 00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:12.120 he still has no children. 00:08:12.539 --> 00:08:14.659 He doesn't have this great nation. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:18.059 So, as we would expect, 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:20.179 God gives him some reassurance. 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:20.879 Verse 1. 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:22.579 We're in chapter 15. 00:08:22.739 --> 00:08:23.419 After this, 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:26.059 the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. 00:08:26.799 --> 00:08:28.219 Don't be afraid, Abram. 00:08:28.219 --> 00:08:29.239 I'm your shield. 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:32.500 Your very great reward. 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:34.820 I'm with you. 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:39.060 Well, without being disrespectful, 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:43.039 it just sounds like more words, doesn't it? 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:44.560 Verse 2. 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:46.240 But Abram said, 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:47.620 Sovereign Lord, 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:51.600 what can you give me since I remain childless? 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:54.759 I've got everything I need, 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:57.360 but I haven't got the one thing 00:08:57.360 --> 00:08:59.840 that I desperately need. 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:01.860 Verse 3. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:03.480 And Abram said, 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:06.639 You've given me no children. 00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:11.460 Well, to strengthen Abram in his faith, 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:14.659 God takes him stargazing. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:15.680 Verse 5. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:18.339 He took him outside and said, 00:09:18.939 --> 00:09:21.439 Look up at the sky and count the stars, 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:23.199 if indeed you can count them. 00:09:24.099 --> 00:09:25.219 Then he said to him, 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:28.679 So shall your offspring be. 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:31.179 Now for us, 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:33.039 clear nights are hard to come by, 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:34.419 but when they do, 00:09:35.579 --> 00:09:38.120 and we gaze up into that night sky, 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:39.019 wow, 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:42.899 it's like somebody's opened up a container of glitter 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:47.899 and fired it over a blank or black canvas. 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:50.580 And we can count, can't we? 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:51.539 One, 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:52.720 two, 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:53.759 three, 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:55.240 keep going, 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:57.159 267, 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:58.580 268, 00:09:59.000 --> 00:09:59.659 a thousand. 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:00.799 I mean, 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:02.159 you could be there all night. 00:10:03.060 --> 00:10:04.799 Not just one child, 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:05.379 Abram. 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:07.779 Your children 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:10.639 will be like the stars of the sky, 00:10:10.860 --> 00:10:12.639 more than you can count. 00:10:13.939 --> 00:10:14.340 You see, 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.220 there's something of a surprise here. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:19.419 God's promise is bigger and greater 00:10:19.419 --> 00:10:22.220 and more than we could ever expect 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:23.480 or imagine. 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:28.439 But yet we shouldn't be surprised 00:10:28.439 --> 00:10:32.080 because this is the kind of God that we have 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:33.480 who's for us. 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:35.580 God doesn't dish out 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:37.080 small promises, 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:38.759 but great, 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:39.240 big, 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:40.580 history-shaping, 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:42.200 world-transforming, 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:44.580 people-saving promises. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:47.060 Promises to bless 00:10:47.060 --> 00:10:49.580 all the nations of the world. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:51.460 You see, 00:10:51.560 --> 00:10:52.759 God is determined 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:55.120 to have a people for himself 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:57.740 who will live in God's place. 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:00.180 Look up at the stars, 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:00.720 Abraham. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:02.620 How do you think 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:03.540 they got there? 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:05.620 I spoke 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:07.000 every one of them 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:07.940 into existence. 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:09.899 I placed them there 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:11.639 and I will deliver 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.500 on my promise 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:13.980 and I will give you 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:14.519 a people. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:18.200 He's determined 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.379 to bless us 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:20.820 with big, 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:22.320 surprising promises. 00:11:23.300 --> 00:11:25.139 And along the way, 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:26.820 he continues 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:28.240 to surprise us. 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:30.320 Here's two great, 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:31.100 big promises 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:33.019 for us to think about. 00:11:33.180 --> 00:11:34.159 Here's the first one. 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:38.060 He who did not spare his own son, 00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:40.519 but gave him up for us all, 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.240 how will he not also, 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:43.379 along with him, 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:45.419 graciously give us 00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:48.419 all things? 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:52.139 Here's another one. 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:55.299 Praise be to the God 00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:55.939 and Father 00:11:55.939 --> 00:11:57.659 of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:11:57.659 --> 00:11:59.439 who has blessed us 00:11:59.439 --> 00:12:00.740 in the heavenly realms 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:01.199 with 00:12:01.199 --> 00:12:04.799 every spiritual blessing 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:05.539 in Christ. 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:08.139 He graciously gives us 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:10.379 all things, 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:12.939 every spiritual blessing 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:13.699 in Christ. 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:15.720 So in our days 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:16.779 of wondering 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.740 and questioning, 00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:20.059 is God going to deliver? 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:20.139 Remember, 00:12:21.339 --> 00:12:22.339 when your head 00:12:22.339 --> 00:12:23.139 is down 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:24.659 in the dumps, 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:27.079 go out into the night, 00:12:27.479 --> 00:12:29.000 go stargazing, 00:12:29.599 --> 00:12:31.599 look up into the night sky 00:12:31.599 --> 00:12:32.539 and begin 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:33.959 to count 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:36.979 and be reminded 00:12:36.979 --> 00:12:37.779 of the God 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.439 who spoke those stars 00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:40.379 into existence, 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:41.879 who sustains them 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:42.659 and keeps them, 00:12:43.059 --> 00:12:44.759 is the surprising God 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:46.679 who graciously gives us 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:48.079 all things 00:12:48.079 --> 00:12:49.759 for our Christian life. 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:52.000 and fills us 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:53.279 with every 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:55.039 spiritual blessing. 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:58.339 God's promise 00:12:58.339 --> 00:12:59.039 does 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:00.519 what it says 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.639 on the tin. 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:04.579 So the surprising 00:13:04.579 --> 00:13:06.339 promises of God. 00:13:07.959 --> 00:13:08.679 Second, 00:13:08.939 --> 00:13:10.239 we have the timing 00:13:10.239 --> 00:13:12.219 of God's promise. 00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:13.839 The timing. 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.099 Abraham is not only 00:13:16.099 --> 00:13:16.599 without 00:13:16.599 --> 00:13:17.839 a nation, 00:13:17.979 --> 00:13:18.419 a people 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:19.319 at this stage, 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:19.979 he's also 00:13:19.979 --> 00:13:21.159 without a place, 00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:21.740 isn't he? 00:13:22.079 --> 00:13:23.579 He lives in the land, 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:26.279 but it's not his. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.360 It doesn't belong 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:27.839 to him. 00:13:28.599 --> 00:13:29.639 So once again, 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:30.500 God gives 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.240 the assurance 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:32.620 that we need. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.539 Verse 7, 00:13:33.959 --> 00:13:35.419 he also said to him, 00:13:36.079 --> 00:13:37.000 I am the Lord 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.819 who brought you 00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:38.620 out of Ur 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:39.659 of the Chaldeans 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:40.979 to give you 00:13:40.979 --> 00:13:41.879 this land 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:43.259 to take possession 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:43.879 of it. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:46.179 Well, 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.539 Abram's a trusting 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:48.620 kind of guy. 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:51.159 But let's just say 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:52.000 his confidence 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.100 is pretty low 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:53.779 right now. 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:55.840 He's heard 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:56.679 all the words. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.500 When's it going to happen? 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.399 Verse 8, 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.500 Abram said, 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:04.399 Sovereign Lord, 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:06.539 how can I know? 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:09.220 Give me something 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:11.199 so that I shall know 00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:12.179 that I will gain 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.360 possession of it. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.679 Well, 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.399 what follows 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.199 is a lesson 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:18.139 in butchering. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.759 A bunch of animals 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.840 are cut in half. 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:24.079 We're going to come back 00:14:24.079 --> 00:14:24.899 to them in a minute. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:26.579 For now, 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.360 God wants us 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.159 to understand 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:30.100 the timing 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.779 of his promises. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:33.220 You see, 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.180 God's promises 00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:35.519 are not always 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:36.320 fulfilled 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.960 as we expect 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:38.620 or imagine. 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:39.700 Surprising, 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.360 yes, 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:44.440 but when 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:45.240 will they happen? 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.399 Verse 12, 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:49.519 As the sun 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.180 was setting, 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:51.920 Abram fell 00:14:51.920 --> 00:14:53.220 into a deep sleep 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:54.940 and a thick 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:55.820 and dreadful 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:56.480 darkness 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.519 came over him. 00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:59.080 There's trouble 00:14:59.080 --> 00:14:59.620 ahead. 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:02.259 Well, 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.000 what's the trouble? 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:04.399 Verse 13, 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:06.320 Then the Lord 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.060 said to him, 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.560 Know for certain 00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:11.000 that for 400 years 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.620 your descendants 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.759 will be strangers 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.540 in a country 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.720 not their own 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:17.019 and they will be 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.600 enslaved 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.759 and ill-treated there. 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.360 But, 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:22.840 verse 16, 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:25.080 here's another promise. 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:27.480 In the fourth generation, 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:28.840 your descendants 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:30.820 will come back here 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:32.660 for the sin of the Amorites 00:15:32.660 --> 00:15:33.640 has not yet reached 00:15:33.640 --> 00:15:34.560 its full measure. 00:15:35.640 --> 00:15:36.500 The promise 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:38.140 is going to be fulfilled 00:15:38.140 --> 00:15:40.720 but not according 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:42.040 to Abram's timing. 00:15:43.400 --> 00:15:43.860 In fact, 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:44.900 it's going to involve 00:15:44.900 --> 00:15:45.720 a lot of waiting. 00:15:46.280 --> 00:15:47.920 400 years. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.700 In fact, 00:15:50.780 --> 00:15:51.320 the waiting 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:52.700 is also going 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.420 to involve 00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.360 suffering. 00:15:54.880 --> 00:15:55.580 Did you see it 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:55.980 at the end 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.780 of verse 13? 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:58.679 This nation 00:15:58.679 --> 00:15:59.439 that I've promised 00:15:59.439 --> 00:15:59.879 to you, 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:00.339 well, 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:00.720 they're going 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.879 to be enslaved 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.659 and ill-treated. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.559 Suffering first, 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:08.259 Abram, 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.639 and then glory. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:13.580 And before 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.480 any of this 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.120 happens, 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:17.259 God says to Abram 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.199 in verse 15, 00:16:18.699 --> 00:16:19.539 you, however, 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.379 well, 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:21.840 you're going 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.460 to go to your 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.580 ancestors in peace 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.179 and be buried 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:25.319 at a good old age. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:26.960 You're going 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:27.500 to die 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.720 before this 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.220 promise 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.340 happens. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.199 What? 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:33.759 I mean, 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.659 what about 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.480 the surprise 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:36.659 of God's 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:36.939 promise? 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:39.540 is God 00:16:39.540 --> 00:16:40.420 failing to 00:16:40.420 --> 00:16:41.020 deliver on 00:16:41.020 --> 00:16:41.480 what he says? 00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:42.020 Does he just 00:16:42.020 --> 00:16:42.720 say things 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.380 and then not 00:16:43.380 --> 00:16:43.800 deliver? 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:45.740 Well, 00:16:45.780 --> 00:16:45.920 no, 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.700 God didn't 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:47.060 fail. 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:48.880 The author 00:16:48.880 --> 00:16:49.560 of Hebrews 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.540 reminds us 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:50.780 this. 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.740 He gives us 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.480 the assurance 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.340 that we need. 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.380 Follow on screen. 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.500 All these 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:56.020 people, 00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:56.880 he's talking 00:16:56.880 --> 00:16:57.640 here of people 00:16:57.640 --> 00:16:58.600 like Abram, 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.260 all these 00:17:00.260 --> 00:17:00.940 people were 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:01.820 still living 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:02.660 by faith 00:17:02.660 --> 00:17:03.360 when they 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:03.720 died. 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.799 They did 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.600 not receive 00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:06.120 the things 00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:06.700 promised, 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.620 they only 00:17:07.620 --> 00:17:08.320 saw them 00:17:08.320 --> 00:17:08.880 and welcomed 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.320 them from 00:17:09.320 --> 00:17:09.960 a distance, 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.039 admitting that 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.380 they were 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:11.980 foreigners 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.900 and strangers 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:13.539 on earth. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:14.860 Instead, 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.340 they were 00:17:15.340 --> 00:17:16.000 longing for 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.480 a better 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.080 country, 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.080 a heavenly 00:17:18.080 --> 00:17:18.500 one. 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.460 Therefore, 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.360 God is not 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:21.000 ashamed to 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.500 be called 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.279 their God, 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.240 for he 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.279 has prepared 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:25.140 a city 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:26.059 for them. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:28.720 You see, 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.299 the land 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:29.900 promise 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:31.320 was only 00:17:31.320 --> 00:17:31.980 ever a 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.759 foretaste 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.880 of the 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:34.640 ultimate 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.320 land, 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:36.359 a better 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.240 country, 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.079 a heavenly 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.399 one. 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.379 And Abram 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:39.939 knew that. 00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:40.519 He had 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.139 his sights 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:41.879 fixed on 00:17:41.879 --> 00:17:42.359 something 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:43.339 better and 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:43.839 greater, 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:44.799 and like 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.159 us, 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:46.240 waiting for 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.980 the fulfillment 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.819 of the 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:49.240 glorious land 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:50.200 to come. 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:53.980 God does. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.140 God will 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:56.980 deliver on 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.680 his promise, 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.559 but it's 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.700 not according 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.360 to our 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:00.940 timing. 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.039 We need 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.720 to adjust 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.640 our clocks 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.860 to God's 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.319 clock. 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.220 We may 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.900 want things 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:09.460 to happen 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.059 now, 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.100 rather than 00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:11.480 later. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.000 We may 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.640 long for 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:14.519 justice to 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:14.980 be done 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.559 today. 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:16.340 We may 00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:17.259 want healing 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.140 now. 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:19.640 we may 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.460 want peace 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.400 and prosperity 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:22.440 now, 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:24.840 but we 00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:25.400 can't 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:26.280 fast forward 00:18:26.280 --> 00:18:26.860 God's 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:27.259 timing. 00:18:28.280 --> 00:18:28.900 We've 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.380 got to 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:29.820 adjust 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:30.120 our 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:30.640 clock. 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:32.520 Blessings 00:18:32.520 --> 00:18:33.220 we have 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:33.980 in abundance, 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:34.800 but the 00:18:34.800 --> 00:18:35.660 greater and 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:36.240 eternal 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.820 blessings 00:18:36.820 --> 00:18:37.920 are yet 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:38.580 to come. 00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.900 God's 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.780 timing is 00:18:41.780 --> 00:18:42.940 always right, 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.540 and we 00:18:44.540 --> 00:18:45.040 need to 00:18:45.040 --> 00:18:45.520 fit in 00:18:45.520 --> 00:18:46.120 with that. 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:47.879 God's 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.359 promise 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:49.059 does 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:50.319 what it 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:50.819 says on 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:51.239 the tin. 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.579 So there's 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.199 a surprise, 00:18:55.479 --> 00:18:55.839 there's a 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.239 timing. 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.500 And then 00:18:59.500 --> 00:18:59.839 we need 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:00.259 to think 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.659 about 00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:01.799 the 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.299 guarantee. 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:04.879 Let's 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:05.319 go back 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:05.699 to the 00:19:05.699 --> 00:19:06.159 animals 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:06.619 being 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:07.399 cut up. 00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:09.459 Verse 00:19:09.459 --> 00:19:09.839 8. 00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:13.500 Abram 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:13.839 said, 00:19:13.959 --> 00:19:14.339 Sovereign 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.639 Lord, 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:16.200 how can 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:16.960 I know 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.940 that I'll 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.160 gain 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.660 possession 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.060 of it? 00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:19.860 How do 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:20.560 I know 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:21.180 you're 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:21.620 going to 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.100 deliver 00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:22.900 on your 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.420 promise? 00:19:23.860 --> 00:19:24.120 Give 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:24.360 me 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:24.960 something. 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:27.340 Verse 00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:27.680 9. 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:28.140 So the 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:28.700 Lord said 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.200 to him, 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.320 bring me 00:19:30.320 --> 00:19:30.800 a heifer, 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.320 a goat, 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:31.620 and a 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:31.880 ram, 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.100 each three 00:19:33.100 --> 00:19:33.860 years old, 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:34.680 along with 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.040 a dove 00:19:35.040 --> 00:19:35.280 and a 00:19:35.280 --> 00:19:35.840 young pigeon. 00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:37.240 So Abram 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.780 brought all 00:19:37.780 --> 00:19:38.280 these things 00:19:38.280 --> 00:19:38.580 to him, 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:39.600 cut them 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.120 in two, 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.280 and arranged 00:19:41.280 --> 00:19:42.040 the halves 00:19:42.040 --> 00:19:43.040 opposite each 00:19:43.040 --> 00:19:43.300 other. 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.299 The birds, 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.180 he didn't 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:45.559 cut in 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:45.720 half. 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:46.319 Presumably, 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.079 they were 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:47.759 too small. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.399 It's a 00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:50.259 strange event, 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:50.879 isn't it? 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.799 It's as if 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.539 Abram is 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.379 arranging a 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:54.919 corridor 00:19:54.919 --> 00:19:56.659 of dead 00:19:56.659 --> 00:19:57.299 animals with 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.180 pieces of 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.619 meat this 00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.000 side and 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.940 pieces of 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.399 meat this 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:00.720 side. 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.519 What's going 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.000 on? 00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.359 Well, 00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:05.940 before we 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.379 call the 00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:07.279 animal welfare 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.859 rights, 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.279 let's 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.960 understand 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.700 something of 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.339 how people 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.159 made commitments 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:12.740 to each 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.019 other. 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.320 It was 00:20:14.320 --> 00:20:15.100 called a 00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:16.019 covenant, 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.920 a promise 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:19.200 of guarantee. 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.560 So say 00:20:21.560 --> 00:20:22.820 Jimmy enters 00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:23.279 into a 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.060 contract with 00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:25.060 Bob over 00:20:25.060 --> 00:20:25.900 some land. 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.560 To seal the 00:20:27.560 --> 00:20:28.040 deal, an 00:20:28.040 --> 00:20:28.580 animal would 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:29.259 be cut in 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.160 half, the 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.200 parts would 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.820 be placed 00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:32.680 opposite each 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:32.980 other. 00:20:34.060 --> 00:20:34.660 And then 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.340 Jimmy and 00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:35.920 Bob would 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.860 walk between 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.540 the cut-up 00:20:37.540 --> 00:20:38.620 animal, and 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.180 the symbolism 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:39.920 was very 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.320 clear. 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.279 if you 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.039 should break 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:42.980 your promise, 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.839 if you 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.519 should fail 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.059 to keep 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.779 your commitment, 00:20:47.439 --> 00:20:48.019 then what 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.659 happened to 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:49.339 this animal 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.159 should happen 00:20:50.159 --> 00:20:50.659 to me. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.460 You are 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.059 putting your 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:52.839 life on 00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:53.019 it. 00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:54.159 Your word 00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:55.439 was your 00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:56.200 life. 00:20:59.399 --> 00:21:00.139 So as 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.519 Abram 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.179 arranged the 00:21:01.179 --> 00:21:01.899 animal parts, 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.439 he knows 00:21:02.439 --> 00:21:03.099 what's coming. 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.939 He's going 00:21:04.939 --> 00:21:05.659 to walk 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.679 with God 00:21:06.679 --> 00:21:08.220 between the 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.619 animals. 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:08.799 animals. 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.139 And if 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:11.239 either party 00:21:11.239 --> 00:21:12.239 should break 00:21:12.239 --> 00:21:13.059 their commitment, 00:21:13.679 --> 00:21:14.139 if they 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.719 should break 00:21:14.719 --> 00:21:15.359 their word, 00:21:15.739 --> 00:21:16.199 then may 00:21:16.199 --> 00:21:16.799 what happened 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.219 to this 00:21:17.219 --> 00:21:17.959 animal happen 00:21:17.959 --> 00:21:18.559 to me. 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.639 Except for 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.059 that's not 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:24.759 what happened. 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.539 Look at 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.199 verse 12. 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.779 As the 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.259 sun was 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.719 setting, 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:32.759 Abram fell 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.319 into his 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.099 deep sleep, 00:21:34.739 --> 00:21:35.259 and he 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.959 has this 00:21:35.959 --> 00:21:36.619 vision, 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.399 this dream. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:39.300 verse 17. 00:21:39.800 --> 00:21:40.259 When the 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.840 sun had 00:21:40.840 --> 00:21:41.519 set and 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.019 darkness 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.740 had fallen, 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.200 a smoking 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.720 brassiere 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.240 with a 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:45.780 blazing 00:21:45.780 --> 00:21:46.259 torch 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.700 appeared 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:46.980 and 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:48.240 passed 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.780 between 00:21:48.780 --> 00:21:49.060 the 00:21:49.060 --> 00:21:49.440 pieces. 00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:51.240 Now, 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:52.560 we've got 00:21:52.560 --> 00:21:52.780 to get 00:21:52.780 --> 00:21:53.380 the symbolism 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:54.040 right here 00:21:54.040 --> 00:21:55.060 because smoke 00:21:55.060 --> 00:21:55.700 and fire 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.400 were common 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:57.220 signs of 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.180 God's 00:21:58.180 --> 00:21:59.000 presence. 00:21:59.240 --> 00:21:59.759 This is a 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.300 vision he 00:22:00.300 --> 00:22:00.600 has, 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.600 and in 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:02.280 his vision 00:22:02.280 --> 00:22:03.060 he sees 00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:03.800 this smoke 00:22:03.800 --> 00:22:04.860 and fire. 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:05.419 this is 00:22:05.419 --> 00:22:07.279 God who's 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:07.719 present. 00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:10.259 And what 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:10.819 happens? 00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.179 Well, 00:22:13.219 --> 00:22:13.919 instead of 00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:14.899 both Abraham 00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:15.619 and God 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.459 walking between 00:22:16.459 --> 00:22:17.059 the pieces, 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.439 God alone 00:22:19.439 --> 00:22:20.539 appears and 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:21.599 passed between 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.199 the pieces. 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.419 Verse 18. 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:24.919 On that 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.479 day the 00:22:25.479 --> 00:22:26.259 Lord made a 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.919 covenant with 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.539 Abraham and 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.399 said to 00:22:28.399 --> 00:22:29.179 your descendants, 00:22:29.479 --> 00:22:30.139 I'll give this 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:30.819 land from the 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.759 wadi of Egypt to 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.419 the great river 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.100 of Euphrates. 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:35.779 You want a 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.160 sign? 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.920 You want to 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.560 know that 00:22:38.560 --> 00:22:39.600 this is going 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:40.200 to happen? 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.019 Well, 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:42.640 have you seen 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.120 what I've 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.720 just done? 00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.640 God is 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.220 making it 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.840 abundantly 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:47.519 clear to 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:47.940 Abraham, 00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:49.200 if you 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.300 should break 00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:51.340 your promise, 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.220 if you, 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:53.740 Abraham, 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.460 should fail 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:54.980 to keep 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.580 your commitment, 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.620 then what 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.220 happened to 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.519 this animal 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:00.420 will happen 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:00.980 to me. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.700 I am 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.319 the God 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:03.980 who will 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.579 go to 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.740 death for 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.400 you so 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:06.779 that the 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.519 promises I 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.120 make to 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:08.960 you will 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.660 be guaranteed. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.740 I am 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.220 going to 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:12.720 take the 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.259 curse for 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.519 you, 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:13.960 Abraham, 00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:14.819 so that 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:16.039 you might 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.420 receive all 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.400 the blessings. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.960 That's 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.559 the commitment 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.299 of God 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.539 to us. 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:26.180 But you 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.380 say, 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:26.880 how? 00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:28.099 How could 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:29.599 God possibly 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.480 die for us? 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.279 how could 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:32.319 God possibly 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.039 take the 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.380 curse? 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.059 Well, 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:34.700 let this 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.980 truth penetrate 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:37.460 our disobedient 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.000 hearts. 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.539 Here's how 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:40.920 the New 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.799 Testament puts 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.039 it. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:42.880 Christ 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:44.240 redeemed us 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.700 from the 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.140 curse of 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.640 the law 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.640 by becoming 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.240 a curse 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.900 for us. 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:49.819 You see, 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.500 God was 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:50.860 the one 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.839 who never 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.920 ever failed 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.420 in his 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:53.819 commitment 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.559 to Abraham. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.059 Abraham 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.920 failed many 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.319 times. 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:57.779 We saw 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.180 that in 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:58.980 chapter 12. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:24:00.000 and we 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.460 will see 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:00.759 it in 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.319 the future. 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.380 So God 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:04.559 had to 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.200 die for 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.519 him. 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.559 And we 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:06.920 are no 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.400 different. 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.680 Either God 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.640 dies or 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.339 we die. 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.099 And on 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.759 the cross, 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.660 God in 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.180 the person 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.779 of Jesus 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.059 dies for 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.339 us. 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.180 Jesus, 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:16.839 as it 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:17.120 were, 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:17.660 was 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.519 slaughtered 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.000 for us. 00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:20.000 He takes 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.460 the curse 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.000 of God's 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.900 judgment so 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:22.599 that we 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.880 might receive 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:24.720 his 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.579 blessing. 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:28.740 you want 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.099 to know 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.859 that God's 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.619 promises are 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.559 guaranteed to 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.179 you today? 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.740 You want 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.019 to know 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.519 that God 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.139 is loyal 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:36.000 and steadfast 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.619 and committed 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.099 to you? 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.539 Look to 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.199 the cross. 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:41.000 Look at 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:41.399 Jesus. 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.259 He went 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.019 to death 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.159 for you. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.839 He took 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.579 your judgment 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.579 for you. 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.659 God is 00:24:49.659 --> 00:24:50.919 for you. 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.720 This is 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.460 the assurance 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.299 we have. 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.000 God's 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.500 promise 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.240 does 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.360 what it 00:24:59.360 --> 00:24:59.860 says 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.920 on the 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.240 tin. 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.759 So the 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.400 surprise, 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.180 the timing, 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:07.920 the guarantee 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:10.340 and the 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.059 response. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.100 We have 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.900 the guarantee 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:15.400 that God 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:15.900 will keep 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.360 his promise. 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.120 So how 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.440 do we 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.000 respond? 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.100 Well, 00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:21.640 Abram leads 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.140 the way 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:22.720 for us. 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.480 He may 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.079 fail, 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.779 but he 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:24.960 has 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.299 something 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.899 to teach 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:26.439 us about 00:25:26.439 --> 00:25:27.099 faith. 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.099 Look back 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.500 at verse 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.000 6. 00:25:35.439 --> 00:25:36.000 Abram 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.720 believed 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.399 the Lord 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:39.759 and God 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.379 credited 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:40.819 it to 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.179 him 00:25:41.179 --> 00:25:41.879 as 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:42.480 righteousness. 00:25:44.399 --> 00:25:44.839 Now 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.339 before we 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:45.779 get into 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.480 the detail, 00:25:46.679 --> 00:25:47.240 it's important 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.779 to note 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.199 that this 00:25:48.199 --> 00:25:48.539 is not 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.119 the first 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:49.699 time 00:25:49.699 --> 00:25:50.639 Abram 00:25:50.639 --> 00:25:51.159 has 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:51.799 expressed 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.519 belief. 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.559 Just 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:53.859 quickly 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:54.339 look back 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:54.759 at chapter 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.200 12, 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.859 verse 1. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.500 The 00:25:59.500 --> 00:25:59.980 Lord had 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.440 said to 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:00.839 Abram, 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.440 go from 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.039 your country, 00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:02.680 your people, 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.019 and your 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.480 father's 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.099 household to 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:04.460 the land 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:04.799 I will 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.339 show you. 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:06.559 Verse 4, 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.680 so Abram 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.759 went as 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.379 the Lord 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:11.240 had told 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.559 him. 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.220 You see, 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:14.339 obedience to 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.859 God is 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:16.079 always evidence 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.859 of faith 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.599 in God. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.399 So what 00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:18.859 we need 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.299 to see 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:19.559 here, 00:26:19.639 --> 00:26:19.980 what the 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.539 author is 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.119 telling us 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:22.119 is Abram 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.480 was a 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:22.899 man of 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.339 faith. 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.019 That's 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.339 what's 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:26.919 going on 00:26:26.919 --> 00:26:27.439 in all 00:26:27.439 --> 00:26:27.959 of chapter 00:26:27.959 --> 00:26:28.599 15. 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.079 Here's 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:30.759 a man 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.019 with 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.459 faith 00:26:31.459 --> 00:26:32.219 and we 00:26:32.219 --> 00:26:32.699 would do 00:26:32.699 --> 00:26:33.319 well to 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.879 follow in 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.539 his steps. 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:37.319 So what's 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.019 the details? 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.299 What is 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.980 this faith 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.719 all about? 00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:43.039 Well first 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.740 it's faith 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.119 in the 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.759 faithfulness 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.319 of God. 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:46.720 Let's 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.019 look at 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.779 chapter 15 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.379 verse 6. 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:48.819 It says 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.519 Abram 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.740 believed 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.980 the Lord. 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:53.859 Abram 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.700 has faith 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:56.179 in God. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.799 It's not 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.539 faith in 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.079 his own 00:26:59.079 --> 00:27:00.240 faithfulness, 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.240 it's faith 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.279 in his 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:03.200 faithful 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:04.119 God. 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:05.039 You see, 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.480 Abram 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.019 failed, 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.460 he disobeyed, 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.039 he got it 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.379 wrong, 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:09.980 but he 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.980 never trusted 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.799 in his 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.200 own 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.700 ability. 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:14.299 He is 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:14.960 trusting in 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.500 the God 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.100 who will 00:27:16.100 --> 00:27:16.740 be faithful 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.380 to him, 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.420 especially 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.740 in his 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.620 failure. 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.180 It's 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:22.559 faith 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.600 in the 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:24.259 faithfulness 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.819 of God. 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:27.259 And it's 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.779 faith 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:29.980 in the 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.440 declaration 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.380 of God. 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:32.539 Do you 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:32.880 see what 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:33.460 verse 6 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:33.740 says? 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.299 Abram 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:34.840 believed 00:27:34.840 --> 00:27:35.360 the Lord 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:36.259 and he 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.799 credited 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.220 it to 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.660 him as 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.240 righteousness. 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.700 God 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.299 saw 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.960 Abram's 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.240 faith, 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.140 he saw 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.700 where his 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.299 faith was 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:43.759 resting. 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.740 He 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:46.220 trusted 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:46.720 God, 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.379 so God 00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:48.079 credited 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:49.000 his 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.720 faith to 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.980 him as 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:52.039 righteousness. 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.579 Abram 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.379 didn't have a 00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:55.119 righteousness of 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.420 his own. 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.440 He didn't have a 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.279 right standing 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.240 before God, 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.379 but God 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.480 gave it to 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:00.759 him. 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:02.220 He credited 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.700 it to 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:02.940 him. 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.660 God 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.799 declared him 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.379 to be 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:05.819 righteous 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.920 because he 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.680 believed. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:09.799 God 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:12.080 is not 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:13.120 rewarding 00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:14.200 Abram's 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:14.600 faith. 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:15.360 He's not 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:15.940 looking at 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.380 Abram and 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:16.580 going, 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.140 oh, 00:28:17.320 --> 00:28:18.200 what amazing 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.960 faith this 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.680 guy has. 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.500 I must 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.259 declare him 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.700 righteous. 00:28:22.600 --> 00:28:23.259 Or he's not 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.840 looking at him 00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:24.039 going, 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:24.600 oh, 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.100 what little 00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:25.600 faith he 00:28:25.600 --> 00:28:25.880 has. 00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:26.539 He must 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.160 do better. 00:28:28.580 --> 00:28:28.860 Now, 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.460 it's never 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.060 about the 00:28:30.060 --> 00:28:31.220 quality or 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.000 the quantity 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.680 of faith. 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.660 It's what 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.120 God 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:34.860 declares. 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:36.819 Abram 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.299 mightn't 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.039 ever feel 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.500 righteous. 00:28:38.979 --> 00:28:39.099 He 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:39.519 mightn't 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.339 even live 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.139 as righteous. 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.099 But he 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:43.059 believes what 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.019 God declares 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.699 about him. 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.199 And God 00:28:45.199 --> 00:28:45.619 says, 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.539 you are 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.019 righteous. 00:28:50.219 --> 00:28:51.179 You see, 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.679 it's never 00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.539 about us. 00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:54.919 It's always 00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:57.119 faith in 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:57.899 the promise 00:28:57.899 --> 00:28:59.439 of God. 00:29:01.219 --> 00:29:02.099 This is 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:02.539 how we 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:02.799 should 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.359 respond. 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:05.299 We don't 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:06.299 follow Abram 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.619 example of 00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.079 failure, 00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:09.359 but we 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:10.419 follow this 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.619 failure's 00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:12.479 faith. 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.439 You see, 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:14.939 the way of 00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:15.559 Abram is 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:15.859 the way 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:16.519 for us. 00:29:17.699 --> 00:29:18.359 Listen again 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:18.819 to what 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:19.619 scripture says. 00:29:19.719 --> 00:29:19.939 You can 00:29:19.939 --> 00:29:20.500 follow it 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:20.919 here on 00:29:20.919 --> 00:29:21.399 screen. 00:29:22.199 --> 00:29:22.319 The 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:22.699 apostle 00:29:22.699 --> 00:29:23.279 Paul, 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.859 I don't 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.259 have it. 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.000 You just 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.339 have to 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:27.659 listen. 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.199 It comes 00:29:29.199 --> 00:29:29.740 from Romans 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.119 4, 00:29:30.199 --> 00:29:30.939 23 to 00:29:30.939 --> 00:29:31.500 24. 00:29:33.139 --> 00:29:33.819 This is 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.299 what Paul 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.659 says, 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.440 the words 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.139 it was 00:29:36.139 --> 00:29:36.680 credited 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:37.419 to him 00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:38.919 were written 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:39.700 not for 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.200 Abram 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:40.700 alone, 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.240 but also 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:43.059 for us, 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.859 to whom 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.700 God will 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.159 credit 00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:45.919 righteousness, 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.379 for us 00:29:47.379 --> 00:29:48.019 who believe 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.500 in him, 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.480 who raised 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.220 Jesus our 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.299 Lord from 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:51.899 the dead. 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:53.519 You see, 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.200 what God 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.680 is saying 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.500 to Abram, 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.599 God is 00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:57.799 saying to 00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.240 you and 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:58.480 I. 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:58.539 me. 00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.779 Here's 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.799 the response 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.240 that is 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.960 required of 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.319 us. 00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:05.839 Simple, 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.140 failing 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:09.120 faith in 00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:09.940 our great 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:11.019 faithful 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.920 God. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:13.920 It's 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.900 faith in 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:15.120 the 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:15.720 promiser. 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.259 It's 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:17.759 faith in 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.160 the one 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.839 who is 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:20.019 loyal and 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.460 committed 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.120 to us 00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:21.799 and will 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.740 never ever 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.480 give up 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.140 on us. 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.440 He will 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.759 hold us 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.460 fast. 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:29.960 You see, 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:30.380 as we 00:30:30.380 --> 00:30:30.880 look at 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.400 Abram, 00:30:31.580 --> 00:30:32.180 we need 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.620 to see 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.039 through 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.640 Abram 00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.279 and we 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:34.720 need to 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.160 see 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:36.360 faithful 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:36.880 God. 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.960 We need 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.380 to hear 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:39.880 God's 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.380 promise. 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:42.240 He always 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.840 does 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.840 what it 00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:44.299 says 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.180 on the 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.460 tin. 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.160 Let's 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.420 pray. 00:30:55.440 --> 00:31:07.900 Lord God, 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.299 would you 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:09.080 help us 00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:11.180 to hear 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.480 your 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.000 promises, 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:14.660 to 00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.080 meditate 00:31:15.080 --> 00:31:15.759 and to 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.360 reflect 00:31:16.360 --> 00:31:18.500 on the 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.440 surprising 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.620 awesomeness 00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:21.380 and greatness 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:22.740 of your 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.259 promise. 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:26.160 would you 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.980 help us 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:29.220 to adjust 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.420 our clock 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:32.279 to your 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:32.819 timing, 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:34.379 to your 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:35.119 perfect 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:35.640 way 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.539 and will? 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.180 And would 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.680 you help 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.220 us to 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:42.660 marvel 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:44.799 at your 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.440 guaranteed 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:46.500 commitment 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:48.859 demonstrated 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.420 by 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:50.559 Christ's 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:50.859 death 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.660 for us 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:53.460 taking 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.040 the curse 00:31:54.040 --> 00:31:54.440 that we 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:54.920 deserve 00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.400 so that 00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:55.880 we might 00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:56.420 receive 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.420 all of 00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:57.560 your 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:58.040 blessings 00:31:58.040 --> 00:31:58.620 now 00:31:58.620 --> 00:32:00.500 and for 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:00.820 all 00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:01.400 eternity. 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.560 And would 00:32:05.560 --> 00:32:05.920 you 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:07.640 help us 00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:09.380 strengthen 00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:10.720 our faith 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:12.640 that we 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.340 may look 00:32:13.340 --> 00:32:13.779 to the 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.340 promiser, 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:16.040 the one 00:32:16.040 --> 00:32:16.500 who never 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.120 fails, 00:32:18.080 --> 00:32:18.860 the faithful 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:19.340 God 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:21.720 who has 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.220 declared 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.859 us to 00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:23.059 be 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.519 righteous 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.899 because 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.159 of 00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:25.519 Jesus. 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.859 Thank you 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.259 for who 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:29.759 you are. 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:31.379 Amen. 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.679 We're going 00:32:40.679 --> 00:32:41.619 to sing 00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:42.259 together. 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.740 The song 00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.299 helps us 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.099 reflect where 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:52.679 our hope 00:32:52.679 --> 00:32:53.220 should be 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.779 built and 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.379 therefore the 00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.859 song helps 00:32:56.859 --> 00:32:57.279 us to 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.399 declare afresh 00:32:58.399 --> 00:32:59.720 that we 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.359 dare not 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:00.959 trust in 00:33:00.959 --> 00:33:01.799 anyone else 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:03.279 but in 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.220 the faithfulness 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:05.179 of the 00:33:05.179 --> 00:33:05.799 Lord Jesus. 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.619 Let's stand 00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:07.259 together if 00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:07.579 we're able 00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:08.059 and we can 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.339 sing. 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:08.459 Amen.