WEBVTT

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 Good evening everyone. It's good to be back here with you.

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 If you've got a Bible, will you turn to Genesis 17?

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 Or if you're following on your phone, I'm trusting with, I never know in church these days,

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 people claim they're looking at their reading on their phone.

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 I'm never absolutely sure that's the case. I hope it is for you anyway, but yeah.

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 Good. Genesis 17.

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 We're going to be following our reading this evening, but let me begin by asking you a question

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 to think about at the beginning.

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 Does God watch the news at 10?

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 When you see national and world events, I just watch the news at lunchtime,

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 on television screens, yet another mass shooting in an American school,

00:00:52.259 --> 00:00:58.280
 seemingly unending, horrendous conflict in Syria,

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 sexual misconduct in aid organizations in Hollywood,

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 even in football,

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 and in terminable Brexit negotiations.

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 Do you wonder,

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 if God sees

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 and cares,

00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:22.200
 does God watch the news at 10?

00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:26.060
 Now, maybe you don't believe in God.

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 You believe that life has no

00:01:29.520 --> 00:01:30.859
 ultimate meaning.

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 History has no

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 real purpose.

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 But if you do believe in God,

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 if you believe in the God of this book,

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 and the God of the Bible,

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 you know that life has a meaning,

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 that there is a story behind it all,

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 with a plot line,

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 and that the author

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 is God.

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 Even on that most dreadful of days,

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 when our first parents

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 rebelled against God,

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 with disastrous consequences

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 for them,

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 and for our world,

00:02:03.479 --> 00:02:05.840
 God already had a plan in place

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 to put things right.

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 And that plan centered

00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:11.379
 on a 75-year-old man

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 whom God called

00:02:12.900 --> 00:02:13.919
 to leave his home

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 in the urban center of his day

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 in the Middle East

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 some 4,000 years ago,

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 and to set out on a journey

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 to a promised land.

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 The name of the man was Abraham.

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 And God promised

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 to bless him,

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 and through him,

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 his plan was blessing

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 God's intention,

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 his good intention,

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 for all peoples on earth.

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 Now,

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 the highlights

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 and lowlights

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 of Abraham's life

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 are described

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 in the first book

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 of the Bible,

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 the book of Genesis.

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 And you've been following them

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 in your series

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 on Sunday evenings

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 with this wonderful picture

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 you can see,

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 Father of the Faithful,

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 which I took off your website.

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 Now,

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 today we come to a particular point

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 in the narrative.

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 Almost a quarter of a century

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 has passed

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 since Abraham embarked

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 on his journey.

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 And we wonder,

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 as maybe Abraham himself did,

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 whether God is watching the news

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 in Canaan,

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 in Egypt,

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 in the surrounding nation.

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 Today we discover,

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 and this is our theme,

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 today we discover

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 that God's plan

00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:31.060
 is still in place.

00:03:31.620 --> 00:03:32.519
 God's plan

00:03:32.519 --> 00:03:35.300
 is still in place.

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 So,

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 let's follow this through.

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 We've got quite a big chunk

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 of the Bible.

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 I was looking at my records

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 when Graham asked me

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 to speak on this.

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 I discovered to my horror

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 I preached two 45-minute sermons

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 in Charlotte Chapel

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 on this section.

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 So,

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 hold tight

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 and do the maths.

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 But,

00:03:49.740 --> 00:03:52.140
 it won't be that long

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 so don't worry about it.

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 Okay?

00:03:54.260 --> 00:03:54.600
 So,

00:03:54.640 --> 00:03:55.360
 we're going to follow it.

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 And what I want to look at,

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 I'm trying to group together

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 so we can focus on this passage

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 and I hope it's helpful.

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 Three reminders

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 to Abraham

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 that God's plan

00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:07.900
 is still in place.

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 And,

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 we will find similar reminders

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 in our own lives

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 as we follow this through.

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 So,

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 here's reminder number one

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 that God's plan

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 is still in place.

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 The reassuring presence

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 of the Lord.

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 Genesis 17

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 verses 1 to 2

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 or verse 1 in particular.

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 If you've got your Bible open

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 you'll see at the end

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 of chapter 16

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 the last verse

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 it says,

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 So,

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 Hagar bore Abraham a son.

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 I'm not going to go over the story.

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 You already followed it last week

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 or maybe you already know it.

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 Abraham gave him

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 the name Ishmael

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 to the sons he had borne.

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 Abraham was 86 years old

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 when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

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 Now you turn to chapter 17

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 and the opening verse says,

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 When Abraham was 99 years old

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 the Lord appeared to him.

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 In his daily reading book

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 which I commend to you,

00:05:03.900 --> 00:05:05.200
 my wife and I read it together

00:05:05.200 --> 00:05:06.100
 for our devotions,

00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:07.400
 Don Carson,

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 great New Testament scholar,

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 has written two volumes

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 called For the Love of God

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 which follows through

00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:13.879
 Robert Murray McShane's

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 daily reading plan

00:05:14.780 --> 00:05:16.120
 and he comments on one every day

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 and a few weeks ago

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 he commented on this passage

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 Genesis 17

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 and this is what he says.

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 I've got the two things

00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:25.639
 I get behind on my PowerPoint here.

00:05:26.220 --> 00:05:27.160
 We are not to think

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 that God disclosed himself

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 to Abraham every day.

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 The decisive moments

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 take place over considerable time.

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 Now he is 99

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 and Ishmael

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 is already 13.

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 So we ask ourselves

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 what has happened

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 in the intervening 13 years

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 between the end of chapter 16

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 and the beginning of chapter 17.

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 And I tell you

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 with some confidence

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 what has happened

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 in those 13 years

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 is nothing decisive.

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 No decisive moments,

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 just the daily routine of life

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 and work

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 and family.

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 And I ask myself

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 does Abraham think

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 God has forgotten

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 after 13 years

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 is a long time,

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 isn't it?

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 What about this prospect

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 of future descendants

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 more numerous than stars

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 in the night sky?

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 What future prospects

00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:25.600
 for a childless marriage

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 of a man who is 99

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 and a woman who is 89?

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 But despite the passage of time,

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 God's plan remains in place.

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 For the one who made the plan

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 has a different idea of time

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 and concept of time.

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 The eternal God

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 stands outside of time

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 but is involved in time

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 but he sees things

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 differently to us.

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 If you've been following the series,

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 God has already said to Abraham,

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 you and your descendants

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 will inherit this land

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 in 400 years.

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 And once again,

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 as we come to chapter 17,

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 God takes the initiative.

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 He's the one

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 who starts the conversation,

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 who breaks the long silence.

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 Rarely do we seek God

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 and when we do it

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 it's only because

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 he has put that desire

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 within our hearts.

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 Most of the time,

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 let's be honest,

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 we are too consumed

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 with the daily routine

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 of living,

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 the concerns and cares

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 of daily life.

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 So God appears

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 to 99-year-old Abraham

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 to reassure him

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 that his plan is still in place.

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 When Abraham was 99 years old,

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 the Lord appeared to him

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 and said,

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 I am God Almighty,

00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:33.800
 walk before me faithfully

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 and be blameless.

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 And the Lord's words

00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:37.959
 revealed to Abraham

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 a new dimension

00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:40.180
 of God's character,

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 who he is.

00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:42.060
 Now you don't see this

00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:42.920
 in the text here

00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:44.860
 but there's a new name

00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:45.899
 that is introduced here,

00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:46.879
 the name for God

00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.560
 used here in the original Hebrew,

00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:49.939
 the Old Testament

00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:51.139
 was written mostly in Hebrew.

00:07:51.139 --> 00:07:53.800
 The word that's used,

00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:54.919
 El means God,

00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:56.019
 El Shaddai.

00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:57.719
 There's a lot of dispute

00:07:57.719 --> 00:07:59.599
 exactly what Shaddai means

00:07:59.599 --> 00:08:01.439
 but it's the idea

00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:02.479
 it's connected actually

00:08:02.479 --> 00:08:03.579
 to a word for mountain,

00:08:04.039 --> 00:08:07.120
 it's a word of immovability.

00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:09.199
 If you're interested,

00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:10.279
 the Greek translation

00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:11.300
 is Pantokrita

00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:13.899
 which means omnipotent God

00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:15.319
 and so our English translations

00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:16.360
 have translated it

00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:18.319
 by God Almighty.

00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:19.719
 It's quite a good translation,

00:08:19.720 --> 00:08:21.560
 it conveys the right sense.

00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:23.240
 When the title is used

00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:24.520
 later on in scripture

00:08:24.520 --> 00:08:25.640
 in the story

00:08:25.640 --> 00:08:26.440
 of the Old Testament,

00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:28.920
 it is usually the time

00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:29.860
 of great crisis

00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:31.260
 in the life of God's people,

00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:33.399
 a time when they need reassurance

00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:35.139
 that God can and will

00:08:35.139 --> 00:08:36.259
 fulfill his promises

00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:38.720
 despite outward appearances.

00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:40.480
 And so as we see

00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:42.040
 the breadth of the promises

00:08:42.040 --> 00:08:43.340
 that the Lord reaffirms

00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:43.960
 to Abraham

00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:46.200
 and their impossibility

00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:47.500
 from a human standpoint,

00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:50.159
 it is especially appropriate

00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:52.340
 title and revelation

00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:53.539
 of the Lord's character

00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:56.000
 which Abraham needs

00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:58.200
 at this particular time.

00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:00.879
 Let me pause and say,

00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:02.059
 perhaps it's a reminder

00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:03.820
 that some of us need

00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:04.879
 this evening

00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:07.580
 for God is the unchanging God.

00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:09.220
 David Jackman,

00:09:09.700 --> 00:09:11.100
 pastor, Bible teacher,

00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:11.620
 says,

00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:13.899
 when we're at the end

00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:14.639
 of our tether,

00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:16.259
 we need to remember

00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:17.220
 that at the other end

00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:18.039
 is El Shaddai.

00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.659
 When we're at the end

00:09:20.659 --> 00:09:21.279
 of our tether,

00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:22.919
 we need to remember

00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:25.340
 at the other end

00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:26.759
 is El Shaddai.

00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:28.679
 So what does El Shaddai

00:09:28.679 --> 00:09:29.560
 require of Abraham?

00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:31.139
 What he requires

00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:33.360
 is faithful commitment.

00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:35.639
 You see,

00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:36.220
 in the days,

00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:36.659
 the months,

00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:37.899
 the years of his pilgrimage

00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:38.460
 on earth,

00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:39.440
 when nothing dramatic

00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:40.500
 seems to happen,

00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:42.560
 Abraham is to faithfully

00:09:42.560 --> 00:09:44.300
 walk before the God

00:09:44.300 --> 00:09:45.020
 who sees,

00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:46.440
 enjoying fellowship

00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:47.020
 with him

00:09:47.020 --> 00:09:48.620
 as Adam and Eve did

00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.480
 before the fall.

00:09:49.640 --> 00:09:50.840
 We're told in those days

00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:51.640
 that God walked

00:09:51.640 --> 00:09:52.580
 with Adam and Eve.

00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:54.280
 And God still walks

00:09:54.280 --> 00:09:54.880
 with people.

00:09:55.020 --> 00:09:55.600
 He still,

00:09:56.400 --> 00:09:57.780
 in the day-to-day walk

00:09:57.780 --> 00:09:58.480
 of life,

00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:00.880
 shows his presence

00:10:00.880 --> 00:10:01.480
 to us.

00:10:02.540 --> 00:10:03.600
 And Abraham is to be

00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:04.000
 blameless.

00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:04.680
 It's not a word

00:10:04.680 --> 00:10:05.520
 that means perfect,

00:10:05.640 --> 00:10:06.600
 for no one is perfect.

00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:07.980
 Behind that word

00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:08.440
 is the idea

00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:09.139
 of wholehearted

00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:09.720
 commitment

00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:11.460
 to a relationship.

00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:12.460
 Now,

00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:13.360
 what God required

00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:13.899
 of Abraham,

00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:14.940
 he requires

00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:15.940
 of all of those

00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:17.100
 who believe in his word

00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:18.340
 and trust in his promises.

00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:20.240
 Those of you

00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:21.220
 who are older like me,

00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.519
 you can look back

00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:23.340
 over your life.

00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.180
 I'm over 70 now.

00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:26.980
 You all gasped

00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:27.300
 and said,

00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:28.120
 I would never have guessed,

00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:28.600
 but anyway,

00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.340
 as you look back over,

00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:32.080
 as I look back

00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:32.620
 over my life,

00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:33.560
 there are significant

00:10:33.560 --> 00:10:34.960
 moments in my life,

00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:37.180
 significant occasions

00:10:37.179 --> 00:10:38.339
 when God met with me

00:10:38.339 --> 00:10:39.299
 in a particular way.

00:10:40.439 --> 00:10:41.219
 And some of you

00:10:41.219 --> 00:10:42.079
 can look back on that.

00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:44.079
 But for most of the time,

00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:45.339
 it's just been a daily,

00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.919
 hopefully consistent,

00:10:48.079 --> 00:10:48.939
 not as consistent

00:10:48.939 --> 00:10:50.279
 as I would have wished

00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:50.839
 sometimes.

00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:52.519
 It's a daily,

00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:54.439
 consistent walk with God

00:10:54.439 --> 00:10:56.219
 day by day.

00:10:57.219 --> 00:10:58.519
 Walking by faith,

00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:00.539
 living by faith,

00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.139
 and eventually,

00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:02.859
 for most,

00:11:02.959 --> 00:11:03.740
 if not all of us,

00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:04.779
 unless Christ returns,

00:11:04.779 --> 00:11:06.679
 we will die in faith.

00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:09.519
 Significant,

00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:09.899
 isn't it?

00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:10.360
 Billy Graham,

00:11:10.459 --> 00:11:11.480
 99 years old,

00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:12.319
 died this week.

00:11:13.319 --> 00:11:14.939
 What a consistent life

00:11:14.939 --> 00:11:16.959
 over 99 years.

00:11:17.199 --> 00:11:17.759
 Faithful,

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:18.980
 consistent

00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:20.120
 walk with God.

00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:20.839
 So,

00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:21.959
 the New Testament book

00:11:21.959 --> 00:11:22.419
 of Hebrews

00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:23.100
 comments

00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:23.959
 on

00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:26.379
 the life of Abraham

00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:27.419
 quite extensively,

00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:28.779
 encourages Christians

00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:29.519
 to walk

00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:30.539
 by faith

00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:31.279
 like Abraham.

00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:32.220
 This is what he says,

00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:32.960
 by faith

00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:34.279
 he made his home

00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:35.120
 in the promised land

00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:35.899
 like a stranger

00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:36.940
 in a foreign country.

00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:38.340
 Notice the phrase,

00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:39.480
 he lived in tents,

00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:42.279
 as did Isaac and Jacob

00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:43.160
 who were heirs with him

00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:44.040
 of the same promise,

00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:45.940
 for he was looking forward

00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:48.639
 to the city with foundations

00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.040
 whose architect and builder

00:11:50.040 --> 00:11:51.120
 is God.

00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:52.820
 So,

00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:53.740
 here's the first reminder.

00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.279
 Abraham is reminded,

00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:57.200
 encouraged that God's plan

00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:57.980
 is still in place

00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.639
 because of his reassuring presence.

00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:01.340
 For his part,

00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.240
 God then makes

00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:03.799
 a promise to Abraham,

00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:05.059
 a second reminder

00:12:05.059 --> 00:12:06.279
 that his plan

00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:07.519
 is still in place.

00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:10.019
 Look what he says.

00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:16.899
 Then I will make a covenant,

00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.779
 my covenant,

00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:20.580
 between you and me

00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.939
 and I will greatly

00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:23.279
 increase your numbers.

00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.139
 Now,

00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:25.080
 if you've been following

00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:25.939
 the story of Abraham,

00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.100
 you ask yourself,

00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:27.980
 what's this about?

00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:29.700
 Back in chapter 15,

00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:30.920
 all those years before,

00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:32.300
 God made a covenant

00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:33.120
 with Abraham.

00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:35.080
 On that day,

00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:35.800
 God made a covenant

00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:36.180
 with Abraham.

00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:37.159
 Genesis 15,

00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:37.800
 verse 18.

00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:38.820
 But now,

00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:41.340
 God graciously reaffirms

00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.019
 the covenant

00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:44.759
 he made with Abraham.

00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:46.360
 Just occasionally,

00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:46.759
 I don't know whether

00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.920
 any of you have done this,

00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:49.279
 and I certainly haven't yet.

00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:51.700
 Sometimes couples

00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:53.039
 decide after

00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.240
 a significant period,

00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:55.080
 maybe a golden

00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:56.200
 or diamond wedding,

00:12:56.200 --> 00:12:58.020
 to reaffirm publicly

00:12:58.020 --> 00:12:59.040
 the vows that they made

00:12:59.040 --> 00:12:59.560
 to each other

00:12:59.560 --> 00:13:00.740
 in the covenant of marriage.

00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.800
 It's not a bad idea.

00:13:03.420 --> 00:13:04.040
 My wife and I

00:13:04.040 --> 00:13:05.440
 just passed 40 years,

00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:07.300
 so if God preserves

00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:08.140
 us to 50 minutes,

00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:09.020
 it's a good thing to do.

00:13:09.900 --> 00:13:10.940
 But it reaffirms

00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:11.480
 that commitment.

00:13:11.660 --> 00:13:11.759
 Now,

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.540
 here God,

00:13:13.060 --> 00:13:13.900
 the almighty God,

00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:14.500
 El Shaddai,

00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.879
 is renewing his covenant

00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.720
 with Abraham.

00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:18.600
 So let's read on.

00:13:18.660 --> 00:13:19.360
 We're going to keep reading

00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.180
 as we go through.

00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:21.680
 Verse 2,

00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.839
 Then I will make my covenant

00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:23.679
 between me and you,

00:13:23.739 --> 00:13:24.959
 and I'll greatly increase

00:13:24.959 --> 00:13:25.459
 your numbers.

00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:26.219
 Verse 3,

00:13:26.739 --> 00:13:28.079
 Abraham fell face down,

00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.099
 and God said to him,

00:13:29.439 --> 00:13:30.059
 As for me,

00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:31.699
 this is my covenant with you.

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:32.859
 You will be the father

00:13:32.859 --> 00:13:33.699
 of many nations.

00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.039
 No longer will you be called

00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.579
 Abraham.

00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:37.259
 Your name will be Abraham,

00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:38.959
 for I've made you a father

00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:39.899
 of many nations.

00:13:40.099 --> 00:13:41.719
 I will make you very fruitful.

00:13:42.239 --> 00:13:44.459
 I will make nations of you,

00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:46.019
 and kings will come from you.

00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.979
 And I will establish my covenant

00:13:47.979 --> 00:13:49.299
 as an everlasting covenant

00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:50.379
 between me and you,

00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:52.120
 and your descendants after you

00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:53.519
 for the generations to come

00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.659
 to be your God

00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:55.799
 and the God of your descendants

00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:56.399
 after you.

00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:57.899
 The whole land of Canaan,

00:13:58.960 --> 00:13:59.840
 where you now reside

00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:00.419
 as a foreigner,

00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:02.139
 I will give as an everlasting

00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.200
 possession to you

00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:04.019
 and your descendants

00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.080
 after you,

00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:07.259
 and I will be their God.

00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:09.460
 Then God said to Abraham,

00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:10.259
 As for you,

00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.659
 you must keep my covenant,

00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:12.600
 you and your descendants

00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.299
 after you,

00:14:13.419 --> 00:14:15.080
 for the generations to come.

00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:16.840
 This is my covenant with you

00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:18.220
 and your descendants after you,

00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:19.700
 the covenant you are to keep.

00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:20.980
 Every male among you

00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:22.620
 shall be circumcised.

00:14:22.900 --> 00:14:24.840
 You are to undergo circumcision.

00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:25.980
 It will be the sign

00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.940
 of the covenant

00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:28.000
 between me and you

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.660
 for the generations to come.

00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.900
 Every male among you

00:14:30.900 --> 00:14:32.160
 who is eight days old

00:14:32.160 --> 00:14:33.460
 must be circumcised,

00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:35.000
 including those born

00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:36.340
 in your household

00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:38.040
 or bought with money

00:14:38.040 --> 00:14:38.720
 from a foreigner,

00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:40.140
 those who are not your offspring.

00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:42.600
 Whether born in your household

00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:43.740
 or bought with your money,

00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:45.340
 they must be circumcised.

00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.620
 My covenant in your flesh

00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:49.039
 is to be an everlasting covenant.

00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:51.139
 Any uncircumcised male

00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:52.440
 who has not been circumcised

00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:53.139
 in the flesh

00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.340
 will be cut off

00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.080
 from his people.

00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:57.960
 He has broken my covenant.

00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.960
 Now, I just wonder again,

00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:00.940
 we can only speculate,

00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:02.679
 maybe after all these years,

00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:05.600
 after the covenant

00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.539
 was first made,

00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.019
 maybe,

00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:09.679
 maybe,

00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:11.340
 maybe Aram looks at Ishmael

00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:11.799
 and wonders,

00:15:12.319 --> 00:15:13.639
 have I made a mistake here?

00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:17.699
 Whether after 13 years of silence,

00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:19.159
 God's plan is still in place,

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:21.139
 but God leaves him in no doubt

00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.579
 as he renews the covenant

00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:24.779
 and Abraham falls on his face

00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:26.759
 in worship before El Shaddai,

00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:29.019
 who responds by giving him

00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.600
 two things,

00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:30.340
 a new name

00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.919
 and a new sign.

00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.679
 The new name is given

00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:38.299
 his name is changed

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.379
 from Abraham,

00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.739
 a bit of Hebrew here,

00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:41.879
 to Abraham.

00:15:43.219 --> 00:15:44.479
 It's actually an anagram,

00:15:44.719 --> 00:15:45.599
 if you like anagrams,

00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:46.979
 in the original language,

00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:48.179
 it's switching around

00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:48.779
 to the letters.

00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.319
 All right?

00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:50.639
 Abraham means

00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:52.459
 a high, exalted father.

00:15:52.979 --> 00:15:54.479
 Abraham means

00:15:54.479 --> 00:15:55.519
 father of many

00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.379
 or a multitude.

00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:03.099
 It's a play in Hebrew

00:16:03.099 --> 00:16:03.519
 on the words,

00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.659
 I will greatly increase.

00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:05.699
 notice how this is

00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:06.459
 to come about.

00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:07.959
 God says to him,

00:16:08.219 --> 00:16:09.120
 I will make you

00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.259
 very fruitful.

00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.859
 Right back in the beginning,

00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:14.620
 God's command to Adam

00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.439
 was to be fruitful

00:16:15.439 --> 00:16:16.079
 and multiply,

00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.559
 Genesis 1.28.

00:16:17.979 --> 00:16:19.439
 He disobeyed God's word

00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.120
 and his descendants

00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.259
 were almost wiped off

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:23.099
 the map of the earth,

00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:25.079
 nor emerged from the ark

00:16:25.079 --> 00:16:25.939
 and God says to him,

00:16:25.979 --> 00:16:27.179
 be fruitful and multiply,

00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:28.439
 Genesis 9.1.

00:16:29.219 --> 00:16:29.899
 And now,

00:16:30.439 --> 00:16:31.219
 the command is

00:16:31.219 --> 00:16:32.299
 a promise,

00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.299
 I will make you

00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.199
 very fruitful.

00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.799
 God Almighty

00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.839
 is at work through Abraham

00:16:36.839 --> 00:16:38.120
 to fulfill his promise.

00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:39.659
 The covenant,

00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.139
 which before was private

00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:41.839
 and personal,

00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.539
 is now corporate

00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.359
 and public.

00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:45.179
 It's promised

00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:46.079
 not just to Abraham,

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.019
 but to his descendants,

00:16:47.459 --> 00:16:48.339
 who will include

00:16:48.339 --> 00:16:49.319
 nations and kings

00:16:49.319 --> 00:16:50.699
 for generations to come,

00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:51.919
 people who inherit

00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.859
 the land of Canaan

00:16:52.859 --> 00:16:53.719
 as an everlasting

00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:54.719
 possession.

00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.720
 Now notice,

00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.019
 at this particular point,

00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:59.740
 nothing has yet changed.

00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.399
 But it is so sure

00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.519
 that the words are actually,

00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.799
 in what's called

00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.740
 the prophetic perfect,

00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.539
 they're written

00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.600
 as though it's already happened.

00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.539
 He does not say,

00:17:09.620 --> 00:17:09.720
 well,

00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.519
 I'll make you a father

00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.259
 of many nations.

00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.360
 Literally,

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.880
 the literal translation says,

00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:14.980
 I have made you

00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:17.019
 a father of many nations.

00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:17.559
 Now,

00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.200
 to other people,

00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.019
 this must have seemed

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.920
 rather ludicrous.

00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:20.960
 I kind of imagine,

00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.279
 you know,

00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:22.240
 Abraham meeting up

00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.019
 with some of the locals

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.680
 later,

00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:24.720
 and one of them says,

00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:25.480
 good morning,

00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:25.920
 Abraham,

00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.279
 how are you?

00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:27.720
 And he says,

00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.299
 I'm fine,

00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:28.619
 thank you.

00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.220
 By the way,

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.579
 I've got a new name.

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.660
 What is it?

00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:33.740
 Abraham,

00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.839
 father of a multitude.

00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:37.859
 Kind of,

00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:38.539
 you can imagine,

00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.099
 I'm smiling.

00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:40.619
 Yeah,

00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.460
 a multitude.

00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:42.599
 How many kids have you got?

00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:45.000
 One by a servant girl?

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.519
 Hmm.

00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:48.680
 Yet it is as sure

00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.299
 as the promise

00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.500
 of the one who has made it,

00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.420
 El Shaddai,

00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.359
 the Lord Almighty.

00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.539
 And along with this

00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:55.479
 is a new covenant sign,

00:17:55.959 --> 00:17:57.119
 that of circumcision.

00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:59.619
 The sign of his obedience

00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.659
 is circumcision

00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:02.039
 of every male member

00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.639
 of the covenant.

00:18:03.939 --> 00:18:04.979
 Circumcision was practiced

00:18:04.979 --> 00:18:05.779
 by other nations,

00:18:05.959 --> 00:18:07.019
 and we know from

00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.439
 contemporary documents

00:18:08.439 --> 00:18:09.299
 at the same time,

00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.039
 but normally it was

00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.419
 practiced when

00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:12.799
 a young man came

00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.599
 of a certain age

00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.299
 of maturity,

00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:15.519
 around the age

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.299
 that Ishmael had been

00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:17.199
 13 or 14,

00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.000
 something like that.

00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.059
 But here it is

00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.839
 from birth,

00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.480
 and it marks them out

00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.039
 as belonging

00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:23.139
 to God's people.

00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.339
 This is my covenant

00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:24.779
 with you

00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.419
 and your descendants

00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:25.959
 after you,

00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.099
 the covenant you are to keep.

00:18:27.459 --> 00:18:28.720
 Every male among you

00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:30.379
 shall be circumcised.

00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:31.519
 Notice,

00:18:31.659 --> 00:18:32.379
 very importantly,

00:18:33.659 --> 00:18:34.720
 it is not a means

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.459
 of salvation,

00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.839
 but a sign of obedience

00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.699
 which follows it.

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.539
 If you know the Bible,

00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:39.740
 the Apostle Paul

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.679
 in Romans 4

00:18:40.679 --> 00:18:41.459
 points out

00:18:41.459 --> 00:18:42.679
 that circumcision

00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:43.299
 was given

00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.419
 long after Abraham

00:18:44.419 --> 00:18:45.579
 trusted with God

00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.679
 and was declared

00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:47.599
 to be righteous.

00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.480
 However,

00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:49.720
 although circumcision

00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.799
 does not put a person

00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.639
 right with God,

00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.819
 it does not mean

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.659
 it's unimportant

00:18:53.659 --> 00:18:54.759
 and can be ignored.

00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.399
 It's essential

00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:57.079
 that Abraham

00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.059
 is obedient

00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.859
 to the Lord.

00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.119
 And so,

00:19:01.199 --> 00:19:01.740
 at the conclusion

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.779
 of Genesis 17,

00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.539
 we can kind of

00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:05.240
 just skip over a little

00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.419
 to verse 23,

00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.039
 and we'll come back

00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.879
 to the second section

00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:08.319
 in the middle.

00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.359
 Verse 23 says,

00:19:10.439 --> 00:19:11.220
 On that very day

00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.819
 Abraham took his son Ishmael

00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.720
 and those born with

00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.619
 in his household

00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.979
 or bought with his money

00:19:15.979 --> 00:19:17.579
 every male in his household

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.959
 circumcised him

00:19:18.959 --> 00:19:19.819
 as God told him.

00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.679
 Abraham was 99 years old

00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:22.839
 when he was circumcised.

00:19:23.159 --> 00:19:23.859
 His son Ishmael

00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:24.539
 was 13.

00:19:24.959 --> 00:19:26.159
 Abraham and his son Ishmael

00:19:26.159 --> 00:19:27.199
 were both circumcised

00:19:27.199 --> 00:19:28.059
 on that very day

00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:29.099
 and every male

00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:30.159
 in Abraham's household

00:19:30.159 --> 00:19:31.339
 including those born

00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.179
 in his household

00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:34.079
 or bought from a foreigner

00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:36.239
 was circumcised with him.

00:19:36.699 --> 00:19:36.899
 See,

00:19:37.219 --> 00:19:38.819
 circumcision was an outward sign

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.379
 of an inner consecration

00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:41.000
 to God

00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.179
 and it marked out

00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:42.959
 that you belong

00:19:42.959 --> 00:19:44.419
 to God's people.

00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.099
 Now,

00:19:45.199 --> 00:19:45.579
 of course,

00:19:46.419 --> 00:19:47.139
 both the prophets

00:19:47.139 --> 00:19:48.019
 and the New Testament

00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.259
 tell us that it can just

00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:50.439
 be an external thing.

00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.259
 They talk about

00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.439
 the circumcision of the heart

00:19:53.439 --> 00:19:54.479
 and it needs to reflect

00:19:54.479 --> 00:19:55.759
 an inner obedience

00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.339
 to God.

00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:57.759
 But it had great value

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.539
 as a permanent

00:19:58.539 --> 00:20:00.839
 and tangible reminder

00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:02.219
 that an Israelite

00:20:02.219 --> 00:20:03.219
 belonged to the Lord

00:20:03.219 --> 00:20:04.319
 and his people.

00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.299
 Now,

00:20:05.659 --> 00:20:07.399
 jump over where we are.

00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.359
 We are not part

00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.299
 of that old covenant.

00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:11.119
 We are part

00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:11.839
 of the new covenant

00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.960
 and

00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:15.039
 notice the new covenant,

00:20:15.159 --> 00:20:16.339
 the new covenant sign

00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.440
 is baptism.

00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.779
 The apostle Peter

00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.619
 on the day of Pentecost,

00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.299
 the Holy Spirit

00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.039
 has been poured out

00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.759
 on God's people.

00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.659
 The crowd are horrified

00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.599
 to hear they've murdered

00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.279
 their Messiah

00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.980
 and they cry out,

00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:28.859
 what should we do?

00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:31.139
 And Peter says to them,

00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.299
 repent and be baptized

00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.279
 every one of you

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.659
 in the name of Jesus

00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:35.960
 for the forgiveness

00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.700
 of your sins.

00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.819
 You'll receive the gift

00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.680
 of the Holy Spirit,

00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:40.160
 the promises for you

00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:41.059
 and for your children,

00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.460
 for all who are near,

00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.720
 for all who are far off,

00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.900
 for all whom the Lord

00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:47.080
 our God will call.

00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.819
 We often think of baptism.

00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.779
 Let me say a few words

00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.519
 about baptism.

00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:53.259
 I think I'm a good Baptist.

00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:56.640
 We often think it's some kind

00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:57.660
 of personal decision

00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.400
 that we make,

00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.700
 which it is.

00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.380
 Each one of us

00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:01.779
 needs to personally choose

00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:03.620
 by God's grace

00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:04.900
 to put our faith in Christ

00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:06.019
 and as an activist

00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.680
 to be obedient in baptism.

00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.960
 But there is a corporate sense

00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.599
 to baptism.

00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.200
 It's the sign that marks out

00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.639
 you're declaring publicly

00:21:14.639 --> 00:21:15.960
 in baptism

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:17.879
 that I now identify

00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:18.759
 with the Lord

00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.139
 and with the Lord's people.

00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:23.059
 Now, in many parts of the world,

00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:24.460
 this is far more significant

00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.700
 than it is in our culture.

00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:29.319
 I think many years ago

00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.200
 of a young woman

00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.139
 that I had the privilege

00:21:31.139 --> 00:21:32.059
 of baptizing.

00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:35.440
 She was from a very wealthy family,

00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:37.240
 I won't even tell you

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.700
 the country,

00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:39.900
 probably anyone will pick this up,

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.400
 but in North Africa,

00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:43.200
 her father was a government minister.

00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.940
 And she started to show

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:47.240
 an interest in the Christian faith

00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:48.100
 and by God's grace

00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:49.380
 put her faith in Christ.

00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.559
 So far, so good,

00:21:53.600 --> 00:21:54.500
 even with her family.

00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:58.860
 The day I baptized her,

00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.440
 we baptized her in the church.

00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:03.259
 After that day,

00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:04.980
 her father then told

00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:06.380
 all his friends and family,

00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:08.600
 my daughter is dead.

00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:12.220
 See, there's a tremendous cost.

00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:12.860
 You'll find,

00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.680
 having worked in Pakistan,

00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.299
 for example,

00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.799
 for several years,

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.740
 that the mark of belonging

00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.600
 to God's people

00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:20.440
 is baptism.

00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:23.400
 I simply ask you,

00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:25.580
 have you taken

00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.920
 that decisive step

00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:28.360
 of baptism

00:22:28.360 --> 00:22:30.080
 at far less cost,

00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:30.920
 let's face it,

00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.820
 in our culture?

00:22:32.820 --> 00:22:34.000
 It's very important.

00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:36.980
 It's a covenant sign.

00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.480
 So, Abraham is a reminder

00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.220
 that God's plan

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.080
 is still in place.

00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:40.779
 First of all,

00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:42.340
 God's reassuring presence.

00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:43.680
 Then secondly,

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.519
 his renewed covenant.

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.720
 Thirdly and finally,

00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.820
 the third reminder

00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:51.039
 is the repeated promises

00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:52.119
 of God.

00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:54.639
 As I said before,

00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.819
 I wonder if Abraham realized

00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:57.000
 he'd made this mistake

00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.779
 by trying to fulfill.

00:22:58.919 --> 00:22:59.980
 God had made this promise,

00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.779
 you'll be fruitful,

00:23:00.939 --> 00:23:02.139
 many people will come from you.

00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:04.019
 As his wife got older and older,

00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.799
 he began to think,

00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.859
 this is never going to happen.

00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.819
 We need to help God out here.

00:23:08.659 --> 00:23:09.419
 And his wife said,

00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.359
 I've got this servant girl,

00:23:10.439 --> 00:23:11.299
 why don't you take her

00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.639
 and we can have a family

00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:13.279
 through her.

00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.259
 Studying it and you realize

00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.639
 what a disaster that was.

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.639
 Still with us today.

00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.279
 Had it not taken that step,

00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:23.519
 you wouldn't be talking about

00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:25.159
 ISIS and Al-Qaeda

00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:28.639
 and Islam, frankly.

00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.220
 But anyway,

00:23:31.179 --> 00:23:32.299
 it seemed successful

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.240
 with the birth of a son,

00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:35.480
 but now 13 years have gone

00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.720
 and it seems even more

00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.659
 unlikely that anything

00:23:37.659 --> 00:23:38.339
 is going to happen

00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.079
 as far as Abraham

00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:40.039
 and Sarah are concerned.

00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.559
 Certainly had no more

00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.439
 expectations

00:23:42.439 --> 00:23:44.579
 of a son and an heir

00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:46.799
 through Sarah.

00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:48.419
 But now God surprises him

00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:49.339
 by what he promises.

00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:51.480
 Let's just read on a bit

00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:52.960
 in verse 19.

00:23:54.659 --> 00:23:55.859
 Sorry, verse 15.

00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.720
 God also said to Abraham,

00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:59.099
 as for Sarah, your wife,

00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:00.700
 you're no longer to call her Sarah.

00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:02.200
 Her name will be Sarah.

00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.299
 The two names actually

00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:04.680
 both mean princess.

00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.899
 It's not quite clear

00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:07.099
 why the change of name

00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.539
 with her.

00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.759
 I will bless her

00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:10.299
 and I will surely

00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.279
 give you a son

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.220
 by her.

00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.279
 I will bless her

00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.039
 so that she'll be

00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.079
 the mother of nations,

00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.599
 kings and peoples

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:18.440
 will come from her.

00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.519
 Now here's Abraham.

00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.200
 We're studying him.

00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.460
 Abraham, the man of faith.

00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:24.339
 When Abraham hears this,

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.119
 Abraham lifted his voice

00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:26.519
 to heaven

00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.299
 and praised God

00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:27.720
 and said,

00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:29.079
 marvelous, fantastic.

00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.879
 No, Abraham fell face down

00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.539
 and laughed

00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:33.759
 and said to himself,

00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:34.819
 will a son be born

00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:36.779
 to a man a hundred years old?

00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:38.759
 Will Sarah bear a child

00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.659
 at the age of 90?

00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:41.139
 And Abraham said to God,

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.980
 if only Ishmael

00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:43.019
 might live in your blessing,

00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.240
 surely Lord,

00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:45.099
 he's the one.

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.200
 Then God said,

00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:47.359
 yes, but your wife Sarah

00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.259
 will bear you a son.

00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.399
 You will call him Isaac,

00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.939
 which means he laughs.

00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:55.619
 Every time they shouted at Isaac,

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.419
 it's time for dinner,

00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.799
 they would remind themselves

00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:59.079
 of their laughter,

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:01.019
 of joy as well,

00:25:01.179 --> 00:25:01.960
 of unbelief.

00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:05.039
 As for Ishmael,

00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:05.660
 I've heard you,

00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.299
 I'll bless him,

00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:07.160
 I'll make him fruitful,

00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:08.720
 greatly increase him in numbers,

00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.660
 he'll be the father

00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.360
 of 12 rulers,

00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.700
 I'll make him into a great nation,

00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.960
 but my covenant

00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.880
 I will establish

00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:15.500
 with Isaac,

00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.779
 whom Sarah will bear to you

00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.819
 by this time next year.

00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:19.100
 When he'd finished speaking

00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:19.740
 with Abraham,

00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.940
 God went up from him.

00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:23.840
 It's hardly the response

00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:24.779
 of faith, is it?

00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.920
 Abraham fell face down

00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:28.019
 and laughed.

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.720
 He fell face down

00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.980
 and laughed.

00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:34.960
 But God graciously assures him,

00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:36.279
 there is no mistake,

00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.640
 it will happen.

00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.980
 Abraham is not rebuked

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.220
 for his laughter and unbelief,

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.539
 rather the Lord reaffirms

00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.779
 what he said about Sarah,

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.360
 gives her a new name,

00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:47.100
 and the promise of this child,

00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.600
 Isaac,

00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.200
 he laughs.

00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.799
 And this is reaffirmed

00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.740
 in the next chapter,

00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.640
 so let's just look,

00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:53.019
 we'll all look in detail,

00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.840
 we won't get another 45 minutes

00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:56.279
 on chapter 18,

00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.779
 if you were dreading

00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.759
 or anticipating it,

00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.579
 but let's read on

00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.799
 in chapter 18

00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.200
 because we see

00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.960
 the repeated promise

00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:05.140
 of a son

00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:06.279
 through Sarah.

00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.980
 It's this wonderful story.

00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.619
 Shortly afterwards,

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.819
 the Lord appeared to Abraham

00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:12.119
 near the great trees

00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:12.900
 of Mamre

00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:14.960
 while he was sitting

00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.119
 at the entrance to his tent

00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:17.019
 in the heat of the day.

00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:17.879
 Abraham looked up

00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.879
 and saw three men

00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:19.759
 standing nearby.

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.200
 When he saw them,

00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.240
 he hurried from the entrance

00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.799
 of his tent

00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.519
 to meet them

00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.680
 and bowed low

00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.379
 to the ground.

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:25.940
 He said,

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.220
 if I've found favor

00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.859
 in your eyes,

00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.400
 my Lord,

00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:31.079
 do not pass your servant by,

00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.900
 let a little water

00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.359
 be brought,

00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.180
 then you may all

00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.900
 wash your feet,

00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:35.240
 rest under this tree,

00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:35.900
 let me get you

00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.579
 something to eat

00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:38.059
 so that you can be refreshed

00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.119
 and then go on your way

00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:40.460
 now that you've come

00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.079
 to your servant.

00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.000
 He obviously senses

00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.359
 these are important people

00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.240
 and this is

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.480
 Eastern hospitality.

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.579
 Very well,

00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:46.980
 they answered,

00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:47.799
 do as you say.

00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.319
 Rather than a little bit

00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.720
 of water,

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.660
 we get a full meal.

00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.660
 So Abraham hurried

00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.779
 into the tent to Sarah.

00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.519
 Quick, he said,

00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.660
 get three sears

00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.639
 of the finest flour,

00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.039
 knead it,

00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:56.779
 bake some bread.

00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.160
 He ran to the herd,

00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.759
 selected a choice tender calf,

00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.660
 gave it to a servant

00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.940
 who hurried to prepare it.

00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.339
 This is no instant

00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.160
 McDonald's meal,

00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.460
 is it?

00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.240
 This is pretty,

00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:09.039
 pretty serious stuff.

00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.559
 He then brought

00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.460
 some curds and milk

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.019
 and the calves

00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.740
 that had been prepared

00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.859
 and set these before them

00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.480
 while they ate.

00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.579
 He stood near them

00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.279
 under a tree.

00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:16.779
 Where is your wife,

00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.220
 Sarah,

00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.960
 they asked him.

00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.960
 They're in the tent,

00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.359
 he said.

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.319
 Then one of them said,

00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:21.899
 I will surely return

00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:22.619
 to you about

00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.739
 this time next year

00:27:23.739 --> 00:27:24.739
 and Sarah,

00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.339
 your wife,

00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:25.959
 will have a son.

00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.599
 It turns out

00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:27.619
 this one,

00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.119
 two of them

00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:29.179
 are angelic beings.

00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.739
 One is the Lord himself

00:27:30.739 --> 00:27:31.279
 as you'll see

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:31.959
 as you read on.

00:27:32.439 --> 00:27:33.559
 Now Sarah was listening

00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.179
 at the entrance

00:27:34.179 --> 00:27:34.759
 to the tent

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.839
 which was behind him.

00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:37.119
 Abraham and Sarah

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:38.359
 were already very old

00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.479
 and Sarah was past

00:27:39.479 --> 00:27:40.719
 the age of childbearing.

00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:42.179
 So Sarah laughed

00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:42.739
 to herself

00:27:42.739 --> 00:27:43.479
 as she thought,

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.019
 am I worn out

00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.839
 and my Lord is,

00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:47.339
 after I am worn out,

00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.199
 my Lord is old,

00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:49.039
 will I now have

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.679
 this pleasure?

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.900
 Then the Lord,

00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.840
 it seems it's the Lord

00:27:51.840 --> 00:27:52.320
 himself,

00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.460
 said to Abraham,

00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:54.580
 why did Sarah laugh

00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:54.940
 and say,

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.259
 will I really have a child

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.539
 now that I'm old?

00:27:57.580 --> 00:27:58.640
 Is anything too hard

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.220
 for the Lord?

00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.680
 I will return to you

00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.640
 at the appointed time

00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.200
 next year

00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.960
 and Sarah will have a son.

00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.460
 Sarah was afraid

00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.299
 so she lied

00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:06.880
 and said,

00:28:07.340 --> 00:28:08.600
 I did not laugh

00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:09.580
 but he said,

00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:09.980
 yes,

00:28:10.340 --> 00:28:11.279
 you did laugh.

00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:15.879
 Here's the promise

00:28:15.879 --> 00:28:16.740
 reaffirmed.

00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.660
 I will surely

00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.759
 return to you

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.680
 about this time

00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:21.079
 next year

00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.500
 and Sarah,

00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:21.940
 your wife,

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.519
 will have a son.

00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.519
 And the response

00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:23.960
 of Sarah

00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:25.139
 is like that of Abraham.

00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:27.299
 So Sarah laughed

00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:27.879
 to herself

00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:28.559
 as she thought,

00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:29.839
 after I am worn out

00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.879
 and my Lord is old,

00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:31.960
 will I now have

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.599
 this pleasure?

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.700
 And notice the Lord's

00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:36.079
 response to Sarah's

00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:36.799
 unbelief.

00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:38.440
 Why did Sarah laugh

00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:38.799
 and say,

00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:40.000
 will I really have a child

00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.940
 now that I'm old?

00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.860
 Is anything,

00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:42.680
 here's the key verse,

00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.259
 is anything too hard

00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:44.880
 for the Lord?

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.180
 I'll return to you

00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.120
 at the appointed time

00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:47.720
 next year

00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.720
 and Sarah

00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:50.440
 will have a son.

00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.860
 Sarah is afraid,

00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.600
 she denies,

00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.059
 she laughed

00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.000
 but the Lord says,

00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:54.660
 yes,

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.500
 you did laugh

00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:57.039
 but here's the important point.

00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.080
 Nonetheless,

00:28:59.400 --> 00:28:59.860
 the laughter,

00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.759
 the unbelief

00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.880
 of Sarah and Abraham

00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:03.279
 does not negate

00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.539
 the promises of God

00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:06.039
 or frustrate his plans.

00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:07.759
 David Pryor,

00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:09.100
 commentator in his book

00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:09.559
 on Abraham

00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.620
 living by faith

00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.059
 says,

00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.759
 God had brought

00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:14.079
 their unbelief

00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:15.079
 to the surface

00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.359
 and forced them

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.459
 to face up to it.

00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.500
 He had spoken

00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.500
 his definite word

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.159
 of promise

00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:22.079
 into their unbelief.

00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:25.299
 So Abraham and Sarah

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:26.399
 are reassured

00:29:26.399 --> 00:29:28.119
 that despite

00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:29.159
 all the seeming

00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:29.919
 impossibility,

00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.299
 God's plan

00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:32.979
 is still in place.

00:29:33.419 --> 00:29:34.359
 David Pryor comments

00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:35.259
 again very helpfully,

00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.699
 I think.

00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:37.880
 The last 25 years

00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.600
 had not been

00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.299
 haphazard

00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.140
 or pointless.

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:42.019
 Abraham and Sarah

00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:43.480
 had not destroyed

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.580
 or even damaged

00:29:44.580 --> 00:29:45.740
 God's purposes

00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.740
 by their doubts,

00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.220
 fears,

00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:48.059
 and unbelief.

00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:48.960
 God had been

00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.840
 weaving everything

00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:50.759
 into his

00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:52.080
 predetermined pattern.

00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.559
 Living by faith

00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.559
 means such a ready

00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.799
 but not irresponsible

00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.580
 acceptance

00:29:56.580 --> 00:29:58.400
 of God's sovereignty.

00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.840
 You see,

00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.400
 the challenge

00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.300
 to us is

00:30:01.300 --> 00:30:03.019
 not how big

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.740
 is your faith

00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.000
 but how big

00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.540
 is your God.

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.580
 Jesus said

00:30:08.580 --> 00:30:09.120
 you want to need

00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:10.060
 faith the size

00:30:10.060 --> 00:30:10.900
 of a mustard seed,

00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.640
 the tiniest

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.620
 possible seed,

00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:15.000
 providing that faith

00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.780
 is focused

00:30:15.780 --> 00:30:18.300
 on the great God,

00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.080
 El Shaddai,

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.620
 the God

00:30:19.620 --> 00:30:20.500
 for whom

00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.720
 nothing is impossible.

00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.100
 So again

00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:24.600
 in Hebrews 11

00:30:24.600 --> 00:30:26.240
 we get the record.

00:30:27.600 --> 00:30:28.140
 By faith

00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:28.500
 Abraham,

00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.079
 even though

00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.940
 his past age

00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.620
 and Sarah

00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.700
 herself was barren,

00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:32.799
 was unable

00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.720
 to become a father

00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.299
 because he,

00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:35.259
 here's the key bit,

00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.700
 because he considered

00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.559
 him faithful

00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.600
 who had made

00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.299
 the promise.

00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.420
 And so from

00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:41.160
 this one man

00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:41.779
 and he as good

00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.200
 as dead

00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.220
 came descendants

00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:43.819
 as numerous

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.559
 as the stars

00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.279
 in the sky

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.960
 and as countless

00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.799
 as the sand

00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:49.200
 on the seashore.

00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:51.720
 So we look back

00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.220
 and see

00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:53.400
 a year later,

00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.880
 less than a year later,

00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:56.360
 a month later,

00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.620
 little laughter,

00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:59.140
 Isaac is born.

00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:01.080
 And we look back

00:31:01.080 --> 00:31:01.720
 on the history,

00:31:01.840 --> 00:31:02.360
 on the story

00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:02.880
 for the Bible

00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.539
 as a narrative

00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:05.120
 that traces God's plan

00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:06.700
 through the generations.

00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.620
 All that God promised

00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:09.319
 came true.

00:31:10.080 --> 00:31:10.900
 From Isaac

00:31:10.900 --> 00:31:12.319
 came all his descendants,

00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.700
 numerous descendants.

00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:15.759
 And finally,

00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:17.019
 through this line,

00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.980
 the Lord comes again

00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:19.759
 to earth,

00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:20.900
 again,

00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:22.720
 this time in human form,

00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:24.579
 as a tiny baby,

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.539
 as a promise

00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.019
 is made

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.940
 to a young girl,

00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.319
 a promise made

00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.920
 by a prophet

00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:31.519
 700 years before,

00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:34.160
 that a virgin

00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:35.140
 will give birth

00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:36.299
 to a son.

00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:38.460
 Impossible.

00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.599
 How will this be,

00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.120
 she asks.

00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.480
 The answer

00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.759
 of the angelic messenger

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.700
 promises

00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.779
 a greater miracle.

00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:49.599
 The angel answered,

00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.460
 the Holy Spirit

00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.440
 will come upon you.

00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.399
 The power of the Most High

00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:54.420
 will overshadow you.

00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.839
 So the Holy One

00:31:55.839 --> 00:31:56.399
 to be born

00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:57.019
 will be called

00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.779
 the Son of God.

00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:58.539
 Even Elizabeth,

00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.220
 your relative,

00:31:59.639 --> 00:32:00.359
 is going to have

00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:01.599
 a child in her old age

00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:02.480
 and she who was said

00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.200
 to be barren

00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.639
 is in her six month.

00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.980
 Very interesting parallels.

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.559
 Elizabeth and Zechariah

00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.619
 with Abraham,

00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:09.460
 Sarah,

00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.099
 we don't have time

00:32:10.099 --> 00:32:10.680
 to look at it.

00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.920
 But nothing

00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:13.120
 is impossible

00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:14.220
 with God.

00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:16.000
 When God

00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.940
 makes a promise,

00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:18.140
 he keeps it.

00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:20.060
 But notice

00:32:20.060 --> 00:32:20.720
 the response

00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.160
 of Mary,

00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:21.880
 not like that

00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:22.360
 of Sarah.

00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:23.259
 She doesn't laugh.

00:32:24.100 --> 00:32:24.620
 She doesn't say

00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:25.200
 ridiculous.

00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:26.860
 She exhibits

00:32:26.860 --> 00:32:27.900
 a greater faith.

00:32:28.560 --> 00:32:29.740
 I am the Lord's servant,

00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:31.060
 Mary answered.

00:32:31.560 --> 00:32:32.600
 May it be to me

00:32:32.600 --> 00:32:33.799
 as you have said

00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:35.120
 according to your word.

00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.400
 So we know

00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:37.019
 the story.

00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.259
 Her baby,

00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:40.180
 Jesus by name.

00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:41.720
 is born.

00:32:42.360 --> 00:32:43.720
 He fulfills

00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.320
 perfectly

00:32:44.320 --> 00:32:45.259
 in every detail

00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:46.200
 all the promises

00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:46.940
 of God made

00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:48.220
 over hundreds of years

00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:50.140
 in his perfect life,

00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:52.160
 in his sacrificial death,

00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:53.519
 in his resurrection

00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.380
 from the dead,

00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:55.960
 and his ascension

00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:57.120
 into heaven.

00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.539
 The plan

00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.779
 is still in place.

00:33:00.840 --> 00:33:02.000
 Now we await

00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.860
 the final chapter

00:33:03.860 --> 00:33:05.640
 in the story.

00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:08.440
 Promised by angels

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.279
 again to those

00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.960
 who saw him

00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.960
 ascend into heaven.

00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.480
 Here's the end

00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.140
 of the story.

00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:15.180
 This same Jesus

00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:17.059
 who has been taken

00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:18.360
 from you

00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:19.100
 into heaven

00:33:19.100 --> 00:33:20.759
 will come back

00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:22.019
 in the same way

00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.799
 you've seen him

00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:24.420
 go into heaven.

00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.880
 That's the end

00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:27.579
 of the story.

00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.700
 All of human history

00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.819
 is working towards

00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.799
 that ultimate goal.

00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.559
 In ways that we

00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:35.440
 cannot understand

00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.440
 through all the details

00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.100
 of the news

00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:38.399
 and all the things

00:33:38.399 --> 00:33:38.939
 that are happening

00:33:38.939 --> 00:33:39.500
 in our world,

00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.879
 God is working out

00:33:40.879 --> 00:33:41.980
 his sovereign purposes

00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:43.599
 towards that ultimate goal

00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:45.419
 when Christ will return

00:33:45.419 --> 00:33:47.019
 in power and great glory.

00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:49.419
 We may look back

00:33:49.419 --> 00:33:50.259
 and say it seems

00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.939
 a long time,

00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.939
 2,000 years.

00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.779
 Right back in the New Testament,

00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:56.139
 one of the last books

00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:57.059
 were in the New Testament.

00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:59.220
 The Apostle Peter says

00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.579
 people are still saying that

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.779
 and what is his answer?

00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.679
 One day with the Lord

00:34:04.679 --> 00:34:05.700
 is a thousand years.

00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.619
 A thousand years

00:34:06.619 --> 00:34:07.319
 is one day.

00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.159
 Like one day.

00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.440
 God is giving people

00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.039
 an opportunity

00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:10.880
 to repent

00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:12.960
 and as an opportunity

00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.699
 for mission

00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.480
 to fulfill

00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.360
 God's plans

00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.539
 and purposes.

00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:18.259
 God is still

00:34:18.259 --> 00:34:19.159
 working out

00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:19.900
 his purposes.

00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:20.500
 Now,

00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:21.880
 let me finish.

00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.739
 I've almost finished.

00:34:23.299 --> 00:34:23.980
 Are you ready

00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.880
 for his return?

00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.480
 Are you looking

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.340
 for his return?

00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:28.440
 Are you longing

00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.300
 for his return?

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:31.219
 Are you part of the plan?

00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:33.240
 Are you ready

00:34:33.240 --> 00:34:33.940
 when he returns?

00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:35.139
 Because when he returns,

00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:36.199
 he will return

00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:37.179
 either as your judge

00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.079
 or as your saviour.

00:34:41.240 --> 00:34:42.420
 We need to be ready

00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:42.840
 for that.

00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:44.099
 We need to anticipate

00:34:44.099 --> 00:34:46.000
 this greatest event

00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:46.579
 that is happening.

00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.280
 If you said this

00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:48.099
 on BBC News,

00:34:48.179 --> 00:34:48.659
 they would say

00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.219
 you're stupid.

00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.699
 What a ridiculous claim.

00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:53.800
 But nothing is impossible

00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.240
 with God.

00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:55.780
 If God has kept

00:34:55.780 --> 00:34:56.860
 all of his promises

00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:58.539
 right back to Abraham

00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.440
 as we've seen today,

00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.960
 through the generations,

00:35:01.220 --> 00:35:02.260
 through the centuries,

00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:04.019
 surely he will fulfill

00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:05.420
 his ultimate purpose

00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:07.240
 at the end of time

00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:09.120
 when Christ returns

00:35:09.120 --> 00:35:10.640
 and we live

00:35:10.640 --> 00:35:12.440
 by faith,

00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:14.140
 we walk by faith,

00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:16.180
 we die in faith

00:35:16.180 --> 00:35:18.240
 in this great hope

00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:19.860
 that God's plan

00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:21.200
 is still

00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:22.840
 in place.

00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:24.440
 I hope that's

00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:25.120
 your assurance.

00:35:26.240 --> 00:35:27.240
 Let's pray together.

00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:33.800
 Gracious God,

00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:36.220
 we thank you

00:35:36.220 --> 00:35:36.660
 that you are

00:35:36.660 --> 00:35:37.539
 the sovereign Lord

00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.340
 who works out

00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:38.900
 all things

00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.620
 according to your

00:35:39.620 --> 00:35:40.380
 great purposes.

00:35:42.340 --> 00:35:43.300
 And when you make

00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:43.880
 a promise,

00:35:44.240 --> 00:35:45.380
 it will be fulfilled.

00:35:46.300 --> 00:35:47.200
 We look back

00:35:47.200 --> 00:35:47.900
 over history

00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:48.700
 even briefly

00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:49.360
 this evening

00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:50.780
 and see that

00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:51.620
 all your promises

00:35:51.620 --> 00:35:52.440
 have been kept.

00:35:53.579 --> 00:35:54.160
 But your word

00:35:54.160 --> 00:35:54.860
 says all of them

00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:55.720
 are yes and amen

00:35:55.720 --> 00:35:56.519
 in Christ.

00:35:59.340 --> 00:36:00.280
 We look back

00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:00.740
 and affirm

00:36:00.740 --> 00:36:01.200
 that nothing

00:36:01.200 --> 00:36:01.900
 is impossible

00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:02.539
 for you,

00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.740
 that you delight

00:36:04.740 --> 00:36:05.960
 to work in situations

00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:07.000
 that seem humanly

00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:07.400
 impossible,

00:36:07.800 --> 00:36:08.620
 to show your

00:36:08.620 --> 00:36:09.280
 great power

00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:09.780
 and to show

00:36:09.780 --> 00:36:10.500
 that it is you

00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.380
 who is at work

00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:12.320
 and that you

00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:12.920
 have done it.

00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:15.519
 Lord,

00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.119
 we pray this

00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:16.760
 evening as we

00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:17.300
 bow in your

00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:17.820
 presence,

00:36:18.900 --> 00:36:19.740
 that if we're

00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:20.360
 not ready for

00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:20.599
 this,

00:36:20.700 --> 00:36:21.200
 that we might

00:36:21.200 --> 00:36:21.900
 repent while

00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:22.460
 there is still

00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:23.119
 opportunity

00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:24.480
 and put our

00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:25.200
 faith in him

00:36:25.200 --> 00:36:25.780
 who is the

00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:26.079
 savior,

00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.680
 who died for

00:36:27.680 --> 00:36:28.220
 our sins.

00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:30.440
 And for those

00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:31.019
 of us who have

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.480
 that hope,

00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:32.840
 reaffirm it in us

00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:34.220
 again this evening.

00:36:35.220 --> 00:36:36.099
 Maybe for some

00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:36.400
 of us,

00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:37.179
 it seems a long

00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:37.960
 time since we

00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:38.659
 first put our

00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.380
 trust in you.

00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.759
 We look back

00:36:40.759 --> 00:36:41.579
 over the years,

00:36:42.179 --> 00:36:42.880
 but we thank you

00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:43.679
 as we sang right

00:36:43.679 --> 00:36:44.239
 at the beginning.

00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:45.699
 You are the

00:36:45.699 --> 00:36:46.559
 faithful God.

00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:48.539
 Your promises

00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.339
 are unchanging.

00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:50.839
 So fill us

00:36:50.839 --> 00:36:51.639
 with great and

00:36:51.639 --> 00:36:52.480
 renewed hope

00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:53.099
 in believing.

00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:54.599
 Reassure us

00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.539
 by your presence.

00:36:57.679 --> 00:36:58.460
 Renew that hope

00:36:58.460 --> 00:36:59.279
 within us in that

00:36:59.279 --> 00:36:59.920
 new covenant

00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:00.739
 in Christ.

00:37:04.839 --> 00:37:05.920
 And remind us

00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:06.380
 of all your

00:37:06.380 --> 00:37:06.840
 promises,

00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:08.280
 which will be

00:37:08.280 --> 00:37:08.780
 fulfilled.

00:37:11.340 --> 00:37:12.079
 And we look

00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:12.619
 forward to that

00:37:12.619 --> 00:37:13.280
 great day when

00:37:13.280 --> 00:37:14.159
 Christ himself

00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:14.840
 shall return.

00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:18.059
 Help us and

00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:18.559
 encourage us,

00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:19.059
 we pray.

00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.860
 In Jesus' name.

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.320
 Amen.