WEBVTT 00:00:00.900 --> 00:00:05.759 Please take your Bibles and let's open them up to the book of Genesis. 00:00:06.280 --> 00:00:10.580 Book of Genesis. If you don't have a copy of God's Word with you, that's okay. 00:00:10.900 --> 00:00:19.179 We have them in seat backs nearby, but I do encourage you to have a copy of God's Word open in front of you as we walk through the passage together. 00:00:19.740 --> 00:00:27.500 It's been a little bit since we've been in the book of Genesis, and we're picking up at an absolutely crucial point of the story here 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:37.920 at the end of chapter 11 going into the beginning of chapter 12 with God's call to Abram and the promises that God makes to Abram. 00:00:37.980 --> 00:00:47.200 So our passage is Genesis 11 verse 27, and we'll go through chapter 12 verse 9, and we will stand in just a moment. 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:53.760 But keep your seats for now because I want to jog your memory a little bit of where we've been so far. 00:00:53.759 --> 00:01:04.239 You may remember that the book of Genesis is structured around 10 sections, and we've kind of planned our breaks and our stops around these 10 sections. 00:01:04.819 --> 00:01:09.179 And they each begin with, these are the generations of. 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:17.799 And so when you see that as you read through the book of Genesis, that's a pretty good indicator that the narrator is shifting you to a new section of the book. 00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:24.359 And so we've seen the generations of the heavens and the earth in chapter 1 as God created all things. 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:32.939 We saw the generations of Noah, the righteous man, as God flooded all the earth, one righteous man, Noah. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:38.719 And we saw briefly the generations of the sons of Noah with Shem and Ham and Japheth. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:42.780 And then specifically we focused in on the generations of Shem in chapter 11. 00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:47.120 And now we're coming to the generations of Terah. 00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:58.560 And from the end of chapter 11 all the way through about chapter 25, Genesis zooms in on one of Terah's children, Abraham. 00:01:59.659 --> 00:02:02.640 And it's pretty staggering when you think about the scope of the book of Genesis, 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:08.240 how it begins this universal, broad perspective of all the earth. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:14.659 But very quickly now we are zoomed in on one family, one line. 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:19.620 And really we're focusing in, we're following, we're tracing one promise. 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:27.159 Remember God made this promise to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.15 that he will send a snake crusher, 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:30.939 the seed of the woman who will crush the head of the serpent. 00:02:30.939 --> 00:02:38.500 And this morning that promise gets clarified that we see he will be one of Abram's offspring. 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:44.859 So, and now that we're all caught up, let's stand, if you're able, in honor of the reading of God's word. 00:02:44.979 --> 00:02:51.139 And I'll read from Genesis chapter 11 verse 27 through chapter 12 verse 9. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:57.159 Now these are the generations of Terah. 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:01.919 Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran, and Haran fathered Lot. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:07.859 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his kindred in Ur of the Chaldeans. 00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:10.439 And Abram and Nahor took wives. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:15.579 The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife Milcah, 00:03:16.079 --> 00:03:18.659 the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah. 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:20.740 Now Sarai was barren. 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:22.079 She had no child. 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:26.320 Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, 00:03:27.040 --> 00:03:30.140 and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife. 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:35.000 And they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan. 00:03:35.340 --> 00:03:37.500 But when they came to Haran, they settled there. 00:03:38.220 --> 00:03:42.260 The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran. 00:03:42.259 --> 00:03:44.780 Now the Lord said to Abram, 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:50.819 Go from your country, and your kindred, and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:56.179 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, 00:03:56.379 --> 00:03:57.739 so that you will be a blessing. 00:03:58.519 --> 00:04:02.759 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse. 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:07.099 And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:12.299 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. 00:04:13.099 --> 00:04:15.900 Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:19.719 And Abram took Sarai, his wife, and Lot, his brother's son, 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:21.879 and all their possessions that they had gathered, 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:24.139 and the people that they had acquired in Haran, 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:26.659 and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:28.680 When they came to the land of Canaan, 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:33.319 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. 00:04:33.800 --> 00:04:36.259 At that time, the Canaanites were in the land. 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:38.879 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:42.200 To your offspring I will give this land. 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:46.040 So he built there an altar to the Lord who had appeared to him. 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:50.080 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel 00:04:50.080 --> 00:04:53.840 and pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:04:57.879 And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:02.680 And Abram journeyed on, still going, toward the Negev. 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:09.000 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:05:09.560 --> 00:05:09.980 Let's pray. 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:16.300 Father, we pray that you would speak now through the preaching of your word. 00:05:17.639 --> 00:05:20.840 And we pray that you would help us to see how great are the promises 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:23.079 that you've made to us in Christ. 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:25.199 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:26.160 Amen. 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:26.240 Amen. 00:05:27.140 --> 00:05:27.980 You may be seated. 00:05:34.580 --> 00:05:38.960 There's an old song, and I'm sure you know it, that deals with our passage this morning. 00:05:39.200 --> 00:05:41.520 And it goes something like this. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:46.140 Father Abraham had many sons. 00:05:47.140 --> 00:05:49.480 Many sons had Father Abraham. 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:53.080 I am one of them, and so are you. 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:55.819 So let's all praise the Lord. 00:05:56.020 --> 00:05:56.500 Right arm. 00:05:56.900 --> 00:05:57.439 Left arm. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:05:58.520 Right foot. 00:05:58.879 --> 00:05:59.379 Left foot. 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:10.120 My aim for us this morning is to help you to see and rejoice in the truth 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:18.319 that if you are in Christ Jesus by faith, then you are a son of Abraham. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:22.899 And you can sing that song and praise the Lord. 00:06:23.079 --> 00:06:29.540 That's the aim this morning, is that we would see that if you are in Christ Jesus by faith, 00:06:29.540 --> 00:06:39.520 then regardless of whether you are ethnically Jewish or Palestinian or Russian or American, 00:06:39.760 --> 00:06:44.080 whether you are white or black or rich or poor, young or old, 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:50.280 if you are in Christ by faith, then you are a son of Abraham 00:06:50.280 --> 00:06:55.939 and an heir of the promises God makes to Abraham here in Genesis chapter 12. 00:06:55.939 --> 00:07:02.199 I want us to see how good this is because sometimes we have this tendency 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:05.779 where we tend to read promises like this in the Old Testament 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:11.139 as if we were some uninvolved third party reading off somebody else's will. 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:16.500 And so we read the promises in a disinterested sort of way, 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:18.540 thinking that these are for somebody else. 00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:19.819 They have nothing to do with me. 00:07:19.819 --> 00:07:27.599 I want you to see this morning that this is yours in Christ. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:33.459 That these promises are yours in Christ. 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:40.319 And so we ought to read passages like this with expectation and excitement 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:44.439 that, praise God, these promises are coming to us 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:48.060 if we are united to Christ by faith. 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:50.259 So let's look at our text this morning. 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:53.459 I want to ask three questions of our text this morning. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:54.220 Three questions. 00:07:54.379 --> 00:07:55.920 This will be our outline if you're taking notes. 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:59.839 Question number one is what is promised here? 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:01.899 What are the promises? 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:03.120 What's being promised? 00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:08.680 At the end of chapter 11 here, it transitions us to the story of Abram. 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:12.060 Terah took his family and settled in the land of Haran. 00:08:12.840 --> 00:08:15.340 That would be somewhere kind of modern day Turkey. 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:19.659 And you remember earlier in chapter 11, if you were here for this, 00:08:19.739 --> 00:08:21.119 the Tower of Babel. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:24.579 All the peoples of the earth are spread abroad. 00:08:24.899 --> 00:08:27.339 God scattered them to the ends of the earth. 00:08:27.479 --> 00:08:31.099 But here in chapter 12, we see something extraordinary happens. 00:08:31.479 --> 00:08:36.139 Out of all the peoples of the earth, God speaks to Abram. 00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:42.659 Out of all the peoples of the earth, the word of the Lord comes to this one man, Abram. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:44.279 That is unusual. 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:49.860 We should recognize that this is unprompted and unusual. 00:08:50.319 --> 00:08:55.259 And even how unlikely Abram is to be a candidate for the word of the Lord to come to him. 00:08:56.299 --> 00:08:59.139 Who is Abram that God should speak to him? 00:09:00.219 --> 00:09:01.120 Who is Abram? 00:09:01.159 --> 00:09:04.719 What's so special about him that God would reveal himself to him? 00:09:04.839 --> 00:09:06.620 He's old for one. 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:09.299 He's childless for another. 00:09:09.980 --> 00:09:13.019 And Moses makes sure that we know that his wife Sarai is barren. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:16.899 And more than that, Abram at this point in his life, he's a pagan. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:19.659 Abram does not worship the Lord. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:23.659 His hometown Ur of the Chaldeans is known for paganism. 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:26.539 There is nothing special about Abram. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:28.299 He does not know the Lord. 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:30.159 Why does God speak to him? 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:37.360 This call is sheerly by the grace and sovereign will of God. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:42.219 That's how it is anytime God calls anybody. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.059 We see it all throughout the scriptures. 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:45.219 God chooses. 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:46.659 God reveals. 00:09:46.959 --> 00:09:50.819 God speaks of his own will, of his own initiative. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:58.800 And often he speaks and often he calls what from the outside perspective looks like unlikely candidates. 00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:06.860 So Paul, later on as he writes to the church in Corinth, as he looks around at them, at these unlikely converts, 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:11.200 he reminds them how unimpressive they are from a worldly perspective. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:14.220 He says, consider your calling, brothers. 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:17.660 Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:19.279 Not many were powerful. 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:21.059 Not many were of noble birth. 00:10:22.219 --> 00:10:25.360 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. 00:10:26.219 --> 00:10:30.019 God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 00:10:30.959 --> 00:10:37.259 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:37.679 Why? 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:42.919 So that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:43.000 God. 00:10:44.199 --> 00:10:47.479 We're here at the onset of the life of Abram. 00:10:47.719 --> 00:10:53.299 And we need to be reminded that everything we're about to see from chapter 11 to chapter 25, 00:10:53.620 --> 00:11:00.059 everything that we read about this great man of faith, this great father of the faith, this great hero of the faith, 00:11:00.199 --> 00:11:04.240 all of it from beginning to end is God's work. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:07.399 God speaks. 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:10.539 God calls Abram. 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:11.200 And what does he say? 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:13.279 Verse 1, chapter 12. 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:14.519 He says, 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:43.079 It's a little harder to see it in our translation, but there's actually two commands given here. 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:44.680 Two commands. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:47.080 The first one is the obvious one. 00:11:47.160 --> 00:11:47.740 It's go. 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:49.500 God says, 00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:50.180 Go. 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:52.500 Go leave this pagan place. 00:11:53.400 --> 00:11:54.800 Go leave everything that you know. 00:11:54.920 --> 00:11:56.200 Go leave your father's house. 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.620 Go leave what's familiar. 00:11:57.900 --> 00:11:58.720 Leave what's comfortable. 00:11:59.180 --> 00:12:00.400 And as you go, 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:01.540 command number two, 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:02.800 Be a blessing. 00:12:04.280 --> 00:12:05.420 These two commands. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:07.600 Go and bless. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:12.500 Each command comes with its own set of promises. 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:14.360 Three promises for each command. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:14.800 He says, 00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:18.159 Go and I will make you into a great nation. 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:19.000 Promise number one. 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:21.480 Go and I will bless you. 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:24.840 Go and I will make your name great. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:26.200 And as you go, 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:26.960 Bless. 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:29.139 Bless and I will bless those who curse you. 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:32.600 Bless and I will curse those who curse you. 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:34.639 Bless and in you, 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:38.759 All the nations of the earth will be blessed. 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:41.659 And as we hear that promise of blessing, 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:42.360 Blessing, 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:42.860 Blessing, 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:46.639 Blessing to Abraham and through Abraham to the ends of the earth, 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:52.580 We ought to stop and realize how out of place that is in the book of Genesis up to this point. 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:54.580 Do you realize, 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:57.740 Do you remember the problem that we're encountering here in Genesis? 00:12:58.800 --> 00:13:00.379 Remember where we are. 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:05.299 Sin has wrecked the relationship between God and man. 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:10.159 Adam and Eve once enjoyed the blessing of God. 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:11.240 And Adam and Eve, 00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:13.419 They were meant to bless the world. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:16.159 But instead of obeying the command of God, 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:16.740 What happened? 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:19.000 They disobeyed. 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:20.679 They rebelled. 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:22.700 They sinned against Him. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:27.200 They brought curse rather than blessing into God's world. 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:33.100 And so everything from that point of sin in the garden up until now, 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:35.420 It's all been pretty depressing, hasn't it? 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:39.520 This is not a positive story up to this point. 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:43.259 Curse has been the theme so far. 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:47.080 Adam and Eve are kicked out of the garden paradise. 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:49.160 Cain, their son, murders Abel. 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:52.040 Lamech murders a man for striking him. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.980 He boasts of it. 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:56.420 All the earth is wicked in the sight of God. 00:13:56.500 --> 00:14:00.480 And so all the earth is wiped away in a global flood of His wrath. 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:04.019 All the peoples of the earth are filled with pride. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:08.420 And so the Lord scatters them to the ends of the earth at the Tower of Babel. 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:16.039 But right in the midst of this darkness is a ray of hope. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:23.719 A ray of light in the midst of this curse God has promised to bless. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:27.539 And we see now how He's going to do it. 00:14:27.579 --> 00:14:29.939 He's doing it through Abram. 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:35.000 Now, I realize that we're reading history here. 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:38.620 We're a long way removed from the text and what we're reading this morning. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:44.380 But we should remember, church, that you and I live in the same world as the world of Genesis. 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:56.960 The same curse of sin that explains all of the rebellion, all of the evil, all of the hardship, all of the thorns and the thistles of the world of Genesis, 00:14:57.480 --> 00:15:02.360 also explains all of the horrible things that happen in our world today. 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:07.080 The curse of sin has not yet gone away. 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:11.480 In fact, it seems like everywhere we look, all we see is the effect of sin. 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:13.920 We watch the news. 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:16.879 We see nation warring against nation. 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:22.540 We see families torn apart by addictions. 00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:31.840 We see marriages falling apart because of selfishness and pride and lust and covetousness. 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:35.120 We see sickness and death everywhere we look. 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:42.860 And we might be prone to wonder, where in the world can we look to find blessing rather than curse? 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:49.560 God tells us we look to the promise of God. 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:53.820 He's already promised all the way back in Genesis 3.15. 00:15:53.820 --> 00:16:07.300 His plan, his eternal plan, is to send an offspring of the woman to crush the head of the serpent and undo all the effects of the fall. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:10.620 And now that promise gets clarified. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:14.220 Here with this promise to Abram, it gets a little bit more focused. 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:20.460 He tells us here his plan is to bless the world through Abram. 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:31.759 In the midst of this darkness and hopelessness and the curse of sin, God promises blessing in place of cursing. 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:38.840 Where there are thorns and thistles, he now promises a new place, a new promised land. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:41.879 Where all the enemies are all around in the land. 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:44.980 Now those enemies, they become God's mission field. 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.840 They too can be blessed in Abram. 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:52.980 The snake crusher we see here will be an offspring of Abram. 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:55.779 And we know on this side of the cross who that is, don't we? 00:16:55.779 --> 00:17:01.399 The offspring of Abram is Christ Jesus. 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:08.480 And it is in him, through him, that we find blessing rather than cursing. 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:15.539 It's in him, and in him only, that all the nations of the earth can be blessed. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:17.759 Do you see God's plan of redemption here? 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:23.519 This is incredible hope that God gives to Abram. 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:28.440 But of course, from a fleshly perspective, there's some problems to work through, aren't there? 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.500 Abram is old. 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.720 He's childless. 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:34.339 Sarai is barren. 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:37.599 The land where God calls him to go, that's enemy territory. 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:39.920 It's occupied by the seed of the serpent. 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:43.680 How in the world will God do what he promised? 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:47.180 Naturally, if this were me, I would have a ton of questions. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:51.220 I would want to see the whole picture laid out before I took a step. 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:57.500 But for Abram, God speaks, and that seems like it was enough, doesn't it? 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.660 Look at how he responds here. 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.759 This is our second question. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:06.019 Second, how does Abram respond to the promises? 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:10.819 How does Abram respond to the promises? 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:19.179 To put it in a word, Abram responds to God's command and to God's promise with faith. 00:18:21.179 --> 00:18:21.819 Faith. 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:26.960 He believed the word of the Lord. 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:31.039 He trusted in his promises. 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:32.500 That's what faith is. 00:18:32.679 --> 00:18:36.200 Faith is trust in the promises of God. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:40.700 Paul says in Romans chapter 4 about Abram, he says, 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:44.779 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God. 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:49.340 But he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:52.779 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:59.019 He trusted that God was able to do exactly what God promised. 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.460 That's what faith is. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:09.440 And he shows that faith, he demonstrates it in two tangible, visible ways. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:12.840 Because the thing is, faith is invisible, isn't it? 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:16.200 We cannot see faith. 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:20.620 Faith is an internal thing, is an invisible thing. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:22.299 It's not a tangible thing. 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:29.440 Faith, trust, is not seen until it is manifested in some sort of action. 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:34.100 You might imagine a little kid standing at the edge of a pool. 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.600 And dad is in the deep end. 00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:39.080 His arms stretched out and he says, 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.519 Trust me, I'll catch you. 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.840 Come on, jump, trust me. 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.880 I'll catch you. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:45.519 You just run, you come on, I'll get you. 00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:47.160 I promise I will catch you. 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:50.480 That child's trust, it's invisible. 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:54.580 It's not seen until the moment when he runs off the edge, 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:58.080 jumps out over the water, and lands in his father's arms. 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:59.160 That's faith in action. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:01.920 So look here with me. 00:20:02.140 --> 00:20:06.820 Abram's faith is seen in two visible ways here in our passage. 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:09.180 Obedience and worship. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:13.279 Obedience and worship. 00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:14.120 Look there to verse 4. 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:18.100 And here we see Abram's response of obedience. 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:19.779 Verse 4 says, 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:21.180 So Abram went. 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:23.720 As the Lord had told him. 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.859 And Lot went with him. 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:29.119 Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran. 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:33.399 And Abram took Sarai, his wife, and Lot, his brother's son, 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:35.379 and all their possessions that they had gathered, 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:37.859 and the people that they had acquired in Haran. 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:40.959 And they set out to go to the land of Canaan. 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:42.719 The Lord commands Abram to go. 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.459 And what does he do? 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.079 He goes. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:49.659 And God doesn't even tell him where he's supposed to go on the front end. 00:20:49.719 --> 00:20:51.119 God just says, get up and go. 00:20:51.179 --> 00:20:52.559 And I'll show you once you get moving. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:57.240 And so in faith, Abram goes. 00:20:58.159 --> 00:21:01.000 His faith is demonstrated, manifested. 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:04.799 It's shown forth in obedience. 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:07.419 Hebrews 11 verse 9 says, 00:21:07.679 --> 00:21:11.779 By faith, Abram went to live in the land of promise. 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:13.579 That's one way we see his faith. 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:17.879 The second here is his response of worship. 00:21:18.179 --> 00:21:19.039 Look there to verse 5. 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:21.859 Abram's faith is demonstrated. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:24.259 In worship, verse 5 says, 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:26.279 When they came to the land of Canaan, 00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:30.159 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.399 to the oak of Moreh. 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:36.279 And Moses adds this ominous note that at that time, 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:38.299 the Canaanites were in the land. 00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:39.419 Now that's a problem. 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:42.919 But when we read that, those are the enemies of God's people. 00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:46.299 We ought to kind of hear the Jaws theme playing in the back of our head, right? 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:47.740 That's a problem. 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:52.839 Now, these are the ones that Noah cursed. 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:56.759 And they're the seed of the serpent here in the promised land. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:59.420 And on top of that, the oak of Moreh. 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.900 That's the Canaanite shrine. 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:03.480 That's a place of pagan worship. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:05.259 This is enemy territory. 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:08.599 But no sooner does that threat appear, 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.759 than God again speaks. 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:13.519 And he gives Abram a little reassurance here, doesn't he? 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.700 He promises to your offspring, 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:19.120 I will give this land. 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.920 So what does Abram do in response? 00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:24.480 He builds an altar. 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.220 Verse 8. 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:29.500 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:32.779 and pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and I on the east. 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.640 And what does he do there? 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:37.200 Again, he builds an altar to the Lord 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:39.340 and called upon the name of the Lord. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.600 He worships. 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.220 Verse 9. 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:44.160 Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negev. 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:45.920 And if we look ahead to chapter 13, 00:22:46.040 --> 00:22:48.180 we see in chapter 13, what does he do there? 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:52.540 He builds an altar by the oaks of Mamre. 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:55.140 Why is he doing this? 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.840 What's going on? 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:58.920 Why is Abram just going all over the place, 00:22:59.019 --> 00:23:00.040 setting up altars? 00:23:00.040 --> 00:23:01.380 What is he doing? 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:09.960 Abram is reclaiming pagan land for the kingdom of God. 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:16.120 Abram is planting a flag in the ground 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:20.180 and taking back enemy ground from the enemy. 00:23:20.340 --> 00:23:23.700 He is chopping back the thorns and the thistles 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:25.860 that have come because of Adam's sin. 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:29.180 And he is clearing out the land to make it a new Eden. 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.539 A new place of worship. 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:34.480 A new meeting place for God and man. 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:38.700 He looks around at all the enemies of God all around him. 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:41.400 He looks around at all of their pagan shrines. 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.559 And he says, you know what? 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:45.660 This looks like a good place to plant a flag here for the Lord. 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:49.620 This looks like a perfect place for me to worship the Lord. 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.720 I think I'll set up shop. 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:52.660 I think I'll worship right here. 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:56.960 Right beside a Canaan pagan shrine. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:01.299 Abram raises up a place of worship for the Lord. 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:08.639 Church, do you realize that that's exactly what we're doing here at Seaweed Bay? 00:24:12.919 --> 00:24:18.960 Do you realize that we, like Abram, have been called out of darkness 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:23.519 and into a special relationship with the Lord, 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:27.779 sheerly by his own choosing, nothing of our own volition, 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:30.180 nothing of our own worth, not by our doing, 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:32.380 sheerly by the sovereign grace of God, 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:35.500 we have been plucked out of belonging to this world 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.860 and called to belong to him. 00:24:39.560 --> 00:24:41.480 Do you realize that we, like Abram, 00:24:41.560 --> 00:24:44.480 have been given a commission to obey? 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:49.600 Christ Jesus has commanded us to go into all the world. 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:53.920 And as we go, we are called to bless the world 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:56.660 by making disciples of all nations, 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:58.380 by preaching the gospel, 00:24:58.380 --> 00:25:01.240 the good news that the snake crusher has come 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:04.220 and he has lived and died and risen. 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:06.960 He's done everything needed to peel back the curse of sin. 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:11.960 The promised blessing for the world has come in Christ 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:14.180 and you can receive it by faith in him. 00:25:16.100 --> 00:25:21.800 Like Abram, do you realize we are called to go and reclaim enemy territory 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:26.579 for the kingdom of God by preaching the gospel and making disciples? 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:29.799 And as disciples are made, what happens? 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:32.399 The church is built. 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:35.940 And all over this fallen world, 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:38.899 all over this formerly enemy territory, 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:42.180 churches are raised up and established. 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:45.740 Now you think of some of the most unlikely places 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:48.139 where you can think of a church being there. 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:51.180 The unlikeliest places in the world to find a group of Christians. 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:54.600 They are either there now or they one day will be. 00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:58.820 There are churches in communist China, 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:01.700 churches in North Korea, 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:03.759 there are churches in Somalia, 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.539 churches in Iraq, 00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:07.740 you have churches meeting in schools, 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:10.000 you have churches meeting in bars, 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:12.279 you have churches meeting in walking distance 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:14.700 from mosques and abortion clinics 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.980 and kingdom halls. 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:22.480 We are an outpost of God's kingdom here in enemy territory. 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:27.960 And we are called by God to go and bless the world 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.759 by preaching the gospel. 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:35.579 As we do, we see this grip of the enemy 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:37.079 peeled back, 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:39.779 the effects of the curse undone. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:42.879 We are reclaiming enemy territory for the king. 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.859 I'm getting ahead of myself. 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:51.139 Because we need to ask another question, 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:51.660 don't we? 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.539 Question number three. 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:56.220 How do we get in on these promises? 00:26:56.220 --> 00:27:00.600 How do these promises made to Abram 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:03.299 come to us so long ago, 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:05.000 such a foreign territory, 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:08.519 such a distant promise in an Old Testament? 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.539 What does this have to do? 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:11.380 How do we get in on this? 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:13.160 Because I don't know if you realize it or not, 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.559 but looking around, 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:17.779 I don't think any of us are Jewish. 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:22.299 None of us are physically, 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:24.400 by lineage, by descent, 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:26.840 Jewish descendants of Abraham, 00:27:26.840 --> 00:27:28.300 according to the flesh. 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:31.920 And so how can any of us sing our song? 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.700 You remember our song? 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:35.500 Father Abraham had many sons. 00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:37.340 I am one of them. 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:37.980 Are you really? 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:40.240 And so are you. 00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:43.800 How do these promises come to us? 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:48.400 Church, they come to us by faith in Christ, 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:52.320 who is the promised seed of Abraham. 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:59.059 The promises come to us by faith in Jesus, 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:04.799 who is the fulfillment of all the promises of God, 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:08.200 who is the promised offspring of Abram, 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.759 who will bless the world. 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:14.579 This is where I'm so thankful for a completed Bible, 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:17.559 where we can turn to the pages of the New Testament 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:21.779 and see how the New Testament authors understood these promises. 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:25.419 Because there's layers here to this promise made to Abram. 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.899 There's always layers. 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:34.279 What we need to understand is that God's one eternal plan of redemption 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:38.179 for his one redeemed people 00:28:38.179 --> 00:28:42.659 unfolds progressively through covenants. 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:46.240 And of course, yes, we know that Abram's children, 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.840 by physical descent, the Jews, 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:52.019 they were given the physical land of Canaan. 00:28:52.120 --> 00:28:53.120 They were brought out of Egypt. 00:28:53.320 --> 00:28:55.540 They were brought into the promised land. 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:58.360 That promise was fulfilled in the Old Covenant. 00:28:58.500 --> 00:29:00.420 That's one layer of fulfillment 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:02.440 in a physical place, Canaan, 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:05.220 for the physical descendants, the Jews, 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.680 in the Old Covenant. 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:12.880 But the New Testament broadens our understanding, 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:16.720 teaches us to see another greater fulfillment. 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:19.140 It teaches us to look to Christ 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:23.360 and see all of the promises of God fulfilled in Him. 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:26.039 And then through Him, 00:29:26.620 --> 00:29:29.720 given freely to all His people 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:31.660 who are united to Him by faith. 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:35.840 Let me take you to a couple passages 00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:36.980 to help us understand. 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.640 Now you can turn there with me if you like 00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:40.720 or just mark it down for later, 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:43.740 but two key passages here that I want us to see. 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:45.960 The first is Galatians chapter 3. 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.980 The second is Romans chapter 4. 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:50.440 Galatians chapter 3 first. 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:53.759 Cindy read some of this for us already this morning. 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:55.120 Let me read it to you again. 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:59.320 Paul says in verse 7 of Galatians chapter 3, 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:04.799 Know then that it is those of faith 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:07.559 who are the sons of Abraham. 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.839 In the scripture, 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:13.879 foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:17.779 preach the gospel beforehand to Abraham, 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:18.639 saying, 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:21.799 In you shall all the nations be blessed. 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:24.799 So then those who are of faith 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:26.980 are blessed along with Abraham, 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:28.099 the man of faith. 00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:28.779 Did you hear that? 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:33.460 God preached the gospel to Abraham 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:35.899 in this promise here in Genesis chapter 12. 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.639 The gospel, 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:39.579 the blessing that comes to the world 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:41.720 is the gospel of Christ. 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:43.980 It's the removal of sin's curse. 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:45.379 And how will that happen? 00:30:46.679 --> 00:30:48.599 Back to Galatians verse 13. 00:30:49.899 --> 00:30:53.059 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:55.879 by becoming a curse for us. 00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:57.740 For it is written, 00:30:57.940 --> 00:31:00.460 Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:03.240 so that in Christ Jesus, 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:06.920 the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:10.700 so that we might receive the promised spirit through faith. 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:12.920 How does blessing come to the world? 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:14.480 It's through Christ, 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.500 the son of Abraham. 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:19.100 Christ becomes a curse for us. 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:23.779 He takes our curse and gives us his blessing. 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:29.919 He takes our sinner's death and gives us his resurrection life. 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:30.440 How? 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:33.660 It's received by faith in him. 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.279 Keep going. 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.000 Verse 16. 00:31:36.580 --> 00:31:39.700 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:40.860 What's the question? 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:42.000 Who's his offspring, right? 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:44.920 It does not say to his offsprings, 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.560 meaning many, 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.920 but referring to one. 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:50.259 And to your offspring, 00:31:51.060 --> 00:31:52.860 who is Christ. 00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:55.019 And here's the point down in verse 29. 00:31:56.439 --> 00:31:57.939 If you are Christ's, 00:31:58.839 --> 00:32:01.839 then you are Abraham's offspring. 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:07.339 Heirs according to promise. 00:32:10.459 --> 00:32:11.399 Romans 4. 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:15.219 This promise rests on grace 00:32:15.219 --> 00:32:18.359 and is guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring, 00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:20.559 not only to the adherents of the law, 00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:21.399 that's the Jews, 00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:25.560 but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, 00:32:25.840 --> 00:32:27.320 who is the father of us all. 00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:28.120 That is it is written. 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:32.120 I have made you the father of many nations. 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:38.100 John Piper says it like this. 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.720 From the very beginning, 00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:44.019 God had in view that Jesus Christ 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.720 would be the descendant of Abraham 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:49.440 and that everyone who trusts in Christ 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:54.019 would become an heir of Abraham's promise. 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.620 He goes on. 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:59.019 Faith in God's promises, 00:32:59.320 --> 00:33:00.820 or as we would say today, 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:02.220 on this side of the cross, 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.920 faith in Christ, 00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:06.680 who is the confirmation of God's promises, 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:10.740 is the way to become a child of Abraham. 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:18.000 Do you hear the good news, church? 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:23.279 If you are in Christ by faith, 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.859 friend, you are blessed 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:26.500 and you will be blessed 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:28.819 beyond your wildest imagination, 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:30.940 both now and into eternity. 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:33.180 Think of all the blessings 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:34.420 that come to you in Christ. 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:37.859 Think of how blessed you are to know Jesus. 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:42.279 It is in Christ Jesus 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:45.639 that the great blessing of the gospel 00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:47.259 comes to us by faith. 00:33:47.419 --> 00:33:49.419 Blessings like justification. 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:52.159 How can a sinner be declared righteous 00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:53.500 in the sight of God? 00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:56.359 How can any of us stand before a holy God 00:33:56.359 --> 00:33:57.439 and hear the words, 00:33:57.679 --> 00:33:58.439 you are innocent? 00:33:58.759 --> 00:34:00.659 None of us can claim that in our own self. 00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:04.219 We are justified by faith in Jesus. 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:07.059 We are declared righteous 00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:08.820 sheerly by His effort, 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.780 not by our own. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:14.860 The blessing of adoption as sons. 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:18.760 Adoption as children of God 00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:21.599 that comes to us through faith in Jesus. 00:34:23.240 --> 00:34:25.519 Blessings like sanctification, 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:27.860 to be made more holy, 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:30.320 to grow in Christlikeness throughout our life, 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:32.099 to reflect the holiness of God 00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:34.679 that comes to us by faith in Jesus. 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:39.219 Blessings like glorification, 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.739 the blessed day 00:34:40.739 --> 00:34:44.059 when you and I will finally be made perfect, 00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:45.599 body and soul. 00:34:45.759 --> 00:34:47.400 We will be made like Christ. 00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.380 How does that happen? 00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:51.980 It comes to us by faith in Jesus. 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:56.039 Blessings like peace, 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:58.280 joy, 00:34:58.760 --> 00:35:00.019 and righteousness, 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.659 and love, 00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:02.980 and assurance. 00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:05.940 These blessings come to us 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:08.000 by faith in Christ, 00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:09.240 and Christ alone. 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:14.659 Blessings like the certain hope 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:18.440 of a true promised land to come 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:20.480 where there's no sin, 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:22.700 no curse, 00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:23.860 no pain, 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:24.900 no trials, 00:35:25.179 --> 00:35:25.940 no death, 00:35:26.220 --> 00:35:27.139 no guilt, 00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:28.460 no sorrow, 00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:29.240 no tears, 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:30.519 where all the earth 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.519 is better than Eden, 00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.380 the new heavens, 00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.400 and the new earth. 00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:35.119 How will we inherit this? 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:38.400 It is by faith in Jesus. 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:40.800 God gives you all of this in Christ. 00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:40.920 Christ. 00:35:43.740 --> 00:35:45.200 These aren't just blessings 00:35:45.200 --> 00:35:46.220 to us, 00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:46.840 church. 00:35:47.120 --> 00:35:49.460 It is also through us 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:51.200 that these blessings come 00:35:51.200 --> 00:35:52.240 to the world 00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:55.960 as we go about sharing 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:58.340 the good news of the gospel. 00:35:58.860 --> 00:36:00.019 Through us, 00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:01.900 these blessings come 00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:02.880 to the world. 00:36:03.180 --> 00:36:03.800 And through us, 00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.519 as we share about 00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.680 the good news of Christ, 00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:08.380 enemies of God 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:10.180 are adopted into the kingdom. 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:13.539 And ground is claimed 00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:15.680 for the kingdom of God. 00:36:18.680 --> 00:36:19.519 Friend, 00:36:19.560 --> 00:36:20.120 the application 00:36:20.120 --> 00:36:22.539 here this morning 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:23.080 is obvious, 00:36:23.180 --> 00:36:23.580 isn't it? 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:27.019 Put your faith 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:27.900 in Jesus. 00:36:30.140 --> 00:36:32.039 Put your faith 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:33.200 in Christ 00:36:33.200 --> 00:36:34.240 and receive 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:37.039 all of God's promises 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:38.200 in Him. 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:40.859 put your faith 00:36:40.859 --> 00:36:41.659 in Christ, 00:36:41.819 --> 00:36:42.379 faith that 00:36:42.379 --> 00:36:44.179 demonstrates itself 00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:44.879 outwardly 00:36:44.879 --> 00:36:45.519 in obedience 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.199 and a life 00:36:46.199 --> 00:36:47.219 of worship. 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.379 Put your faith 00:36:49.379 --> 00:36:50.139 in Jesus 00:36:50.139 --> 00:36:50.839 and rejoice 00:36:50.839 --> 00:36:51.599 that in Him 00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:52.439 you are blessed 00:36:52.439 --> 00:36:54.079 beyond your wildest dreams. 00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:55.219 Put your faith 00:36:55.219 --> 00:36:56.039 in Jesus 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:57.079 and put your hope 00:36:57.079 --> 00:36:58.219 in the city to come. 00:36:59.359 --> 00:37:00.339 Put your faith 00:37:00.339 --> 00:37:01.359 in Jesus 00:37:01.359 --> 00:37:02.000 and rejoice 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.859 that you're not 00:37:02.859 --> 00:37:03.980 just a son of Abraham. 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.059 By God's grace, 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:05.980 you are a son 00:37:05.980 --> 00:37:06.860 of God 00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:07.579 adopted 00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:09.500 by His grace. 00:37:09.719 --> 00:37:10.320 Put your faith 00:37:10.320 --> 00:37:10.960 in Christ 00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:13.380 and read all 00:37:13.380 --> 00:37:13.980 the promises 00:37:13.980 --> 00:37:14.500 of God 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.139 with eager 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:16.279 expectation 00:37:16.279 --> 00:37:17.279 that they are 00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:18.179 yours 00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:19.420 in Christ Jesus. 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:23.139 God has made 00:37:23.139 --> 00:37:23.659 incredible 00:37:23.659 --> 00:37:24.680 promises 00:37:24.680 --> 00:37:25.440 to us 00:37:25.440 --> 00:37:27.079 in Christ 00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:29.559 to be received 00:37:29.559 --> 00:37:30.920 by faith. 00:37:31.059 --> 00:37:31.200 Friend, 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:31.800 are you 00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:32.920 living 00:37:32.920 --> 00:37:34.000 in light 00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:34.619 of these glorious 00:37:34.619 --> 00:37:35.099 promises? 00:37:37.680 --> 00:37:38.519 Are you 00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:39.400 walking 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:40.360 in the obedience 00:37:40.360 --> 00:37:41.720 of faith? 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:42.200 Are you 00:37:42.200 --> 00:37:43.700 responding 00:37:43.700 --> 00:37:44.680 in worship 00:37:44.680 --> 00:37:45.360 for all that 00:37:45.360 --> 00:37:45.760 He's done 00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:46.059 for you 00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:46.659 in Christ? 00:37:46.659 --> 00:37:48.759 are you 00:37:48.759 --> 00:37:49.319 a child 00:37:49.319 --> 00:37:49.899 of Abraham? 00:37:54.259 --> 00:37:54.940 I want 00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:55.279 to propose 00:37:55.279 --> 00:37:55.679 a second 00:37:55.679 --> 00:37:56.000 verse 00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:56.359 for our 00:37:56.359 --> 00:37:56.639 song 00:37:56.639 --> 00:37:57.440 as we 00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:57.739 close. 00:37:59.339 --> 00:38:00.039 It goes 00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:00.559 like this, 00:38:00.659 --> 00:38:01.379 Father Abraham 00:38:01.379 --> 00:38:02.599 has many 00:38:02.599 --> 00:38:03.219 sons. 00:38:04.599 --> 00:38:05.319 Many sons 00:38:05.319 --> 00:38:06.139 has Father 00:38:06.139 --> 00:38:06.619 Abraham. 00:38:06.879 --> 00:38:07.559 I am one 00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:07.980 of them 00:38:07.980 --> 00:38:08.359 and so 00:38:08.359 --> 00:38:08.839 are you. 00:38:09.639 --> 00:38:10.179 So let's 00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:11.159 all praise 00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:12.219 the Lord. 00:38:13.779 --> 00:38:14.739 Father Abraham 00:38:14.739 --> 00:38:15.420 had one 00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:15.819 son. 00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:17.940 one 00:38:17.940 --> 00:38:18.599 promised 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.279 son 00:38:19.279 --> 00:38:20.119 had 00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:20.420 Father 00:38:20.420 --> 00:38:20.899 Abraham. 00:38:22.359 --> 00:38:22.859 All 00:38:22.859 --> 00:38:23.619 God's 00:38:23.619 --> 00:38:24.279 promises 00:38:24.279 --> 00:38:25.819 are yours 00:38:25.819 --> 00:38:26.699 in Him. 00:38:27.879 --> 00:38:28.739 So let's 00:38:28.739 --> 00:38:29.480 all praise 00:38:29.480 --> 00:38:30.319 the Lord. 00:38:31.779 --> 00:38:32.440 Father, 00:38:32.539 --> 00:38:32.699 we 00:38:32.699 --> 00:38:34.239 rejoice 00:38:34.239 --> 00:38:34.940 that all 00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:35.519 the promises 00:38:35.519 --> 00:38:36.000 of God 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:36.480 find their 00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:37.019 yes and 00:38:37.019 --> 00:38:37.339 amen 00:38:37.339 --> 00:38:38.139 in Christ. 00:38:39.379 --> 00:38:39.980 All the 00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:40.539 blessings 00:38:40.539 --> 00:38:41.399 of the 00:38:41.399 --> 00:38:41.759 gospel 00:38:41.759 --> 00:38:42.639 are ours 00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:43.899 if we 00:38:43.899 --> 00:38:44.460 are united 00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:45.039 to Christ 00:38:45.039 --> 00:38:45.779 by faith. 00:38:45.780 --> 00:38:46.060 And so 00:38:46.060 --> 00:38:46.620 we pray 00:38:46.620 --> 00:38:47.019 Lord 00:38:47.019 --> 00:38:47.480 for those 00:38:47.480 --> 00:38:47.980 that don't 00:38:47.980 --> 00:38:48.500 know you 00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:48.860 would you 00:38:48.860 --> 00:38:49.480 grant them 00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:49.840 the gift 00:38:49.840 --> 00:38:50.340 of faith 00:38:50.340 --> 00:38:50.960 right now. 00:38:52.300 --> 00:38:52.840 And for 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:53.200 those that 00:38:53.200 --> 00:38:53.760 do Lord 00:38:53.760 --> 00:38:54.140 lead us 00:38:54.140 --> 00:38:54.880 to rejoice 00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:55.780 in the 00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:56.260 blessing 00:38:56.260 --> 00:38:56.840 of knowing 00:38:56.840 --> 00:38:57.160 you, 00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:57.720 the blessings 00:38:57.720 --> 00:38:58.060 of the 00:38:58.060 --> 00:38:58.500 gospel, 00:38:59.440 --> 00:38:59.580 this 00:38:59.580 --> 00:39:00.400 unearned, 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.000 unmerited, 00:39:01.140 --> 00:39:01.720 unfavored. 00:39:02.240 --> 00:39:02.420 Lord, 00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:03.040 we have 00:39:03.040 --> 00:39:03.640 nothing to 00:39:03.640 --> 00:39:04.060 claim in 00:39:04.060 --> 00:39:04.300 and of 00:39:04.300 --> 00:39:04.700 ourselves 00:39:04.700 --> 00:39:05.060 to say 00:39:05.060 --> 00:39:05.280 we're 00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:05.620 worthy 00:39:05.620 --> 00:39:05.980 of these 00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:06.420 promises 00:39:06.420 --> 00:39:07.040 but surely 00:39:07.040 --> 00:39:07.440 by your 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:07.760 goodness 00:39:07.760 --> 00:39:08.140 and your 00:39:08.140 --> 00:39:08.519 grace 00:39:08.519 --> 00:39:10.240 you have 00:39:10.240 --> 00:39:10.700 chosen to 00:39:10.700 --> 00:39:11.160 give them 00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:11.579 to us 00:39:11.579 --> 00:39:12.139 in Christ. 00:39:13.599 --> 00:39:14.199 We love 00:39:14.199 --> 00:39:14.559 you Father 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:14.920 we pray 00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.179 this in 00:39:15.179 --> 00:39:15.719 Jesus name. 00:39:16.719 --> 00:39:16.940 Amen. 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:17.159 Amen.