WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.219 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to the book of Genesis. 00:00:04.219 --> 00:00:08.660 And our passage this morning is Genesis chapter 15. 00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:13.839 This is a absolutely key passage in the storyline of Scripture. 00:00:14.039 --> 00:00:19.559 If you were to just select a few important key passages that everyone ought to know 00:00:19.559 --> 00:00:23.439 as we follow God's plan of redemption throughout the story of Scripture, 00:00:24.219 --> 00:00:29.780 Genesis 15 would be one that I would tell you to emphasize, highlight, read over, over, over again. 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:33.280 So I'm excited for the opportunity to open it up with you this morning. 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:38.980 So when you found it, Genesis 15, let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word. 00:00:39.120 --> 00:00:40.340 Genesis chapter 15. 00:00:51.100 --> 00:00:54.540 After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. 00:00:55.480 --> 00:00:59.719 Fear not, Abram, I am your shield. Your reward shall be very great. 00:00:59.719 --> 00:01:03.259 But Abram said, O Lord God, what will you give me? 00:01:03.339 --> 00:01:07.340 For I continue childless in the air of my house as Eleazar of Damascus. 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:13.760 And Abram said, Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:16.939 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him. 00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:19.379 This man shall not be your heir. 00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:21.539 Your very own son shall be your heir. 00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:28.580 And he brought him outside and said, Look toward heaven and number the stars, if you are able to number them. 00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:32.240 And then he said to him, So shall your offspring be. 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:37.980 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 00:01:37.980 --> 00:01:45.320 And he said to him, I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess. 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:50.060 But he said, O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it? 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:59.560 He said to him, Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle dove, and a young pigeon. 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:04.820 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:06.700 But he did not cut the birds in half. 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:11.140 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:15.520 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. 00:02:15.980 --> 00:02:19.480 And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:21.580 Then the Lord said to Abram, 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:27.080 Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, 00:02:27.080 --> 00:02:31.120 and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 00:02:31.660 --> 00:02:36.439 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:39.880 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace. 00:02:40.420 --> 00:02:42.240 You shall be buried in a good old age. 00:02:42.640 --> 00:02:45.160 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:48.320 for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete. 00:02:48.320 --> 00:02:51.780 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, 00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:55.820 behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch 00:02:55.819 --> 00:02:57.659 passed between these pieces. 00:02:58.239 --> 00:03:02.060 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:04.759 To your offspring I give this land, 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:08.099 from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:12.000 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 00:03:12.519 --> 00:03:14.799 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 00:03:14.959 --> 00:03:16.579 the Amorites, the Canaanites, 00:03:17.079 --> 00:03:19.859 the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. 00:03:19.860 --> 00:03:25.620 The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:03:25.820 --> 00:03:29.060 Father, we praise you for your word, 00:03:29.140 --> 00:03:31.640 and we praise you for your faithfulness to your word, 00:03:32.640 --> 00:03:34.820 that we see demonstrated here in this passage. 00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:38.620 And we pray, God, as we look to your dealings with Abraham, 00:03:38.920 --> 00:03:41.140 the promises, the covenant that you've made with him, 00:03:41.200 --> 00:03:44.660 would you assure us once again of your faithfulness in Christ. 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:46.400 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:47.319 Amen. 00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:49.140 You may be seated. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:04.020 The most recent statistics on marriage will tell you that the average engagement length 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:09.980 in the United States for couples is now approximately 12 to 18 months long, 00:04:09.980 --> 00:04:12.700 somewhere right there in the 15 to 16 month window, 00:04:12.920 --> 00:04:15.819 seems to be the sweet spot for most engaged couples. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:21.000 But the interesting thing that I saw this week as I read up on these numbers 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:25.019 was how that number has steadily increased over time. 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:33.279 It was 14 months in 2019, 15 months in 2020, 16 months in 2021. 00:04:34.359 --> 00:04:37.579 And if you go backwards in time, all the way back to the 1950s, 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:40.159 you can imagine how much things have changed since then. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:45.220 The average engagement length in the 1950s was just about six months long. 00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:48.420 The delay is increasing. 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:53.580 And on top of that, the average age of marriage, age of engagement, 00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:55.060 has been steadily climbing as well. 00:04:55.180 --> 00:05:01.280 And in 2023, the median age was about 30 for men and 28 for women. 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:05.379 Whereas again, if you go back to the 1950s, that was a different time. 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:10.259 They were about 22 for men and 20 for women. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:12.779 Although Miss Martha had all of them beat this morning. 00:05:13.139 --> 00:05:15.479 She said that she was married at age 16. 00:05:17.359 --> 00:05:21.139 Now we can take some guesses as to why things have shifted in that way, 00:05:21.219 --> 00:05:23.059 why things have delayed so long. 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:27.280 But what we can say with confidence is that there is an increasing delay 00:05:27.280 --> 00:05:32.079 between verbal promises made and actual commitment. 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:35.720 Between promises made and promises kept. 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:40.519 And I can only imagine that as that delay gets longer, 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:44.560 at some point, people start asking questions, right? 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:48.199 Questions like, is this actually happening? 00:05:49.340 --> 00:05:51.420 When is this going to happen? 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:54.860 How will I know that this is going to happen? 00:05:54.960 --> 00:05:56.160 Can we set a date? 00:05:56.280 --> 00:05:57.400 Can we book a venue? 00:05:57.780 --> 00:05:59.860 Can you give me some sort of assurance 00:05:59.860 --> 00:06:03.540 that you're going to actually make good on the promises that you made to me? 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:10.920 In a way, it's a little bit like what Abram is feeling in our passage this morning. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:17.420 God has made promises to Abram, but there has been a delay. 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:21.740 None of the promises God has made have actually happened yet. 00:06:22.540 --> 00:06:27.680 And in this delay, Abram feels the way that you and I often feel. 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:33.259 Okay, God, I hear what you're saying, but when is this going to happen? 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:35.460 Okay, God, I believe you. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:37.780 I take you at your word, but when? 00:06:37.960 --> 00:06:39.259 How is it going to happen? 00:06:39.379 --> 00:06:42.800 Did you actually mean what you said when you made these promises to me? 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:45.360 Can you give me any sort of assurances? 00:06:45.780 --> 00:06:47.699 How can I know for sure? 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:52.400 For Abram, the issue is, for Abram and for us, 00:06:52.660 --> 00:06:55.520 delay often leads to doubt. 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:59.800 But the good news of our passage this morning here in Genesis 15 00:06:59.800 --> 00:07:04.080 is that God assures us of his faithfulness. 00:07:04.780 --> 00:07:08.180 God assures us of his faithfulness. 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:12.500 Here in our chapter this morning, God moves from the stage of engagement 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:15.259 to the stage of marriage. 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:20.300 He moves from this phase of simply making promises to Abram now 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:23.939 to entering into a covenant with Abram. 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:26.199 So let's take a look. 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:31.540 And what we'll see this morning are two ways God relieves the believer's doubt. 00:07:32.199 --> 00:07:34.360 This will be our outline this morning if you're taking notes, 00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:35.980 try to make it easy for you to follow along. 00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:40.660 It's two ways God relieves the believer's doubt. 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:47.180 First, we see God reminds us of his word. 00:07:48.020 --> 00:07:51.040 God reminds us of his word. 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:52.660 Look there with me starting in verse 1. 00:07:53.640 --> 00:07:57.340 So last week, you remember Abram, he made a couple of risky decisions. 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:59.340 He went to war. 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:03.620 He jumped right into this battle with kings and nations at war 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:05.520 in order to rescue his nephew Lot. 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:06.979 That's one risky decision. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:12.039 And then afterwards, the king of Sodom came promising him all these blessings 00:08:12.039 --> 00:08:13.159 and he turned them down. 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:16.819 He refused to receive any blessing from the king of Sodom. 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:21.500 So now, on the other side of this, you might imagine how he might be feeling. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:23.579 On one hand, probably a little bit vulnerable. 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:25.919 What if these kings come back? 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:27.719 What if these kings want revenge? 00:08:28.599 --> 00:08:31.219 What if they want to get some payback and snuff me out? 00:08:31.220 --> 00:08:36.240 And then on the other hand, well, I just put my full faith in God to bless me. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.620 When will he do it? 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:41.180 So after these things, we're told, verse 1, 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:45.019 the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. 00:08:45.139 --> 00:08:45.800 And what does he say? 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:47.879 Fear not, Abram. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:50.700 I am your shield. 00:08:50.800 --> 00:08:52.840 In other words, I will protect you. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:55.060 Don't worry about those kings. 00:08:55.059 --> 00:08:59.239 And your reward shall be very great. 00:08:59.359 --> 00:09:01.319 In other words, I will bless you. 00:09:01.959 --> 00:09:04.559 Don't worry about receiving blessing from the king of Sodom. 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:06.639 I am committed to bless you. 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:10.179 The word of the Lord, again, it reassures Abram. 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:13.079 God will protect and God will bless. 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:15.199 But Abram is clear. 00:09:15.299 --> 00:09:18.279 He has his mind set on one particular blessing, doesn't he? 00:09:19.059 --> 00:09:23.719 He is narrowly focused, one-track mind on one particular blessing. 00:09:23.719 --> 00:09:24.239 What is it? 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:24.739 Verse 2. 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:27.839 Abram said, Lord God, what will you give me? 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:29.059 For I have no child. 00:09:30.239 --> 00:09:34.199 I continue childless in the heir of my house, Eliezer of Damascus. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:35.579 He's going to be my heir. 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:41.679 You've given me no offspring yet, so the member of my household is going to be my heir. 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:46.099 Abram has his heart set on God's promise of an offspring. 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:49.239 That's what he really wants God to give him. 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:52.439 You remember the promises God made to Abram? 00:09:52.440 --> 00:10:02.700 God promised Abram to multiply him, to give him offspring, to make him an agent of blessing for the world, to give him the promised land. 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:07.320 And yet, none of this has actually happened yet. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:12.420 There's this delay between promise and fulfillment. 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:16.979 And you know, this is one of the main reasons why you and I struggle with doubt, isn't it? 00:10:18.099 --> 00:10:23.579 It's not necessarily that we don't believe God's word, but it's this delay. 00:10:23.580 --> 00:10:26.120 There's a delay between promise and fulfillment. 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:32.000 God has promised us eternal life, but none of us have experienced that in full yet, have we? 00:10:32.900 --> 00:10:42.300 God has promised us resurrected, glorified, invincible bodies, yet here we are in weakness and frailty. 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:46.500 We struggle with sickness and injury and ultimately death. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:55.759 God has promised us an imperishable kingdom, that all the earth will be filled with the glory of God, that Jesus Christ will reign over all the earth. 00:10:55.860 --> 00:11:02.600 And yet, here we are and the nations continue to rage against the Lord and his anointed. 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:06.580 The delay is hard and it often leads to doubt. 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:12.639 Where do we turn when delay leads to doubt? 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:21.680 Well, in the same way, God has promised Abram a child, but time's gone on, time's gone on, and still he is childless, still Sarai is barren. 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:28.940 So naturally, the longer the delay, the more Abram wonders, well, maybe God's going to do this a different way. 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:33.580 And maybe the heir of my house will be Eliezer of Damascus. 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:39.480 In Abram's time, there was a provision made for childless and barren parents. 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:46.180 They could essentially adopt a member of their household, a household servant, and he would then become the heir. 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:48.780 And so Abram wonders, is this how God's going to do it? 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:55.080 Well, the Lord speaks and immediately, he sets him straight. 00:11:56.360 --> 00:12:02.280 This man shall not be your heir, your very own son shall be your heir. 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:06.620 And the Lord brings him out and he says, look up toward heaven. 00:12:07.540 --> 00:12:10.360 Abram, number the stars, if you're able to number them. 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:14.379 And then he said, so shall your offspring be. 00:12:14.800 --> 00:12:19.259 It is his word that eases Abram's doubt. 00:12:21.160 --> 00:12:26.220 God confronts our doubts with his word. 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:28.620 And what did you notice here? 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:32.240 God doesn't really add anything new to the conversation, does he? 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:33.379 This isn't new information. 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:36.139 He's not making any new promises here. 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:40.740 He's not adding anything extra, anything additional, anything new to the conversation. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:45.759 God is simply reiterating the promises that he's already made. 00:12:46.419 --> 00:12:51.100 As Abram struggles with doubt over whether or not God's going to do what he's promised, 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.200 how does God handle it? 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:54.340 He just doubles down on his word. 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:58.399 This is instructive for us. 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:04.399 In light of Abram's doubt, God gives him again his word. 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:10.320 You see, when you and I make a promise and then time goes by and nothing happens, 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:14.580 other people are right to doubt and to say, well, do you remember what you said? 00:13:15.280 --> 00:13:17.360 You remember that commitment that you made to me? 00:13:18.040 --> 00:13:19.160 What are you going to do about it? 00:13:19.180 --> 00:13:21.220 I'm starting to doubt whether or not that's going to come true. 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:25.740 When a contractor comes by and says they're going to finish the job and then they leave 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:30.060 and they don't finish it, we are right to wonder if they're ever going to come back, right? 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.519 That's just how people work. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:34.940 But God doesn't work that way. 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:37.860 Not so with the Lord. 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:40.580 God is not like us. 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:43.279 If God has said it, he will do it. 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:45.080 God's word is true. 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:47.860 His word is effective. 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:54.659 His word alone is enough to assure us and to comfort us when we wrestle with doubt. 00:13:56.120 --> 00:14:00.379 Numbers chapter 23 tells us God is not a man that he should lie 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:04.039 or a son of man that he should ever change his mind. 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:07.440 Has he spoken and he will not do it? 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.519 Has he spoken and he will not fulfill it? 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:15.620 The delay between promise and fulfillment is a challenge, no doubt. 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:19.039 But if God has promised, we can take it to the bank, church. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.720 He will bring it to pass. 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:23.439 His word is sufficient. 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:27.199 And by the grace of God, we see here, it was enough for Abram. 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.100 Look there to verse 6. 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:32.139 What's Abram's response to the word of the Lord? 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:33.059 No new information. 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:35.639 No new development here. 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:37.580 No extra details given. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:39.120 Just the promise. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:40.939 Just the word of the Lord. 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.299 How does Abram respond? 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.559 He believed the Lord. 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:50.679 And he counted it to him as righteousness. 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:58.700 Now, this is one of the most stunning verses in the Bible. 00:14:58.700 --> 00:15:02.280 I just want to camp out here for a little bit because we need to understand this. 00:15:03.640 --> 00:15:06.200 Abram believed the Lord. 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:10.580 Yes, he wrestled with doubt, but he knew God said, I will do this. 00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:12.000 I will give you offspring. 00:15:12.280 --> 00:15:13.640 I will multiply you. 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:15.640 I will give you this land. 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:18.420 I'll multiply your offspring as the stars in the sky. 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:24.220 And so Abram, not knowing how, not having any details, not knowing when, 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:29.820 just simply knowing God said it, believed the Lord. 00:15:31.660 --> 00:15:33.040 That's faith. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.440 That's faith. 00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:42.600 Hebrews chapter 11 tells us faith is the assurance of things hoped for. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.460 Abram believed the Lord. 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:45.200 And what happened? 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:50.240 The Lord counted it to him as righteousness. 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:50.720 Righteousness. 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:58.899 Abram is counted righteous by faith. 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:02.500 Abram received a credit. 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:04.940 This is an accounting term, isn't it? 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.940 He's credited with righteousness. 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.820 He is a counted righteous. 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:10.980 It is counted to him. 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:13.580 The Lord counted it to him as righteousness. 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:19.399 This is a crediting to Abram's account of something that was not there before. 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:22.120 This was foreign to Abram. 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:27.159 It came from the outside and it's now credited into him on his behalf. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.779 This is a wire transfer. 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:33.279 You know why they used to call it, they call it a wire transfer because there actually used 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:34.259 to be a wire, right? 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.199 We don't have that anymore. 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:37.639 Digital banking, right? 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.919 But that used to not be a thing. 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.340 There was a wire. 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:46.040 And if you wanted to transfer money from one account to another, you telegraphed it and 00:16:46.040 --> 00:16:49.040 it went from one account to the other through a wire. 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:52.420 The funds go through the wire and they're credited to the account. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:57.000 Here, Abram's faith is the wire. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:07.960 And because his faith is wired up to the promise of God, righteousness is now transferred, credited 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:10.119 into Abram's account. 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.559 This is incredible, church. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:14.279 Because Abram is not righteous. 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:17.940 Abram is not a righteous man. 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.480 You turn back two chapters. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:23.259 If you were here a couple weeks ago, you know he's not righteous. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:25.460 He tried to give away his wife so that he could be blessed. 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.960 You stick around next week. 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:30.139 We'll see he is not righteous as he deals with Hagar. 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:34.620 He is a sinner just like I am a sinner. 00:17:35.580 --> 00:17:38.280 He is a sinner just like you are a sinner. 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:40.040 He is like all of us. 00:17:40.280 --> 00:17:43.240 Abram is born into this curse of sin. 00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:45.100 He is not righteous. 00:17:45.520 --> 00:17:48.840 But here, he is counted as righteous. 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:58.500 God shows us here that it is possible even all the way here on the outside of Eden. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:07.880 It is possible there is a way for sinners like us to be counted as righteous. 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:08.720 What is it? 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.160 How? 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.720 One way. 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:18.079 By faith in the promises of God. 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:23.539 This is what we call justification by faith. 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:27.599 Justification by faith. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.459 What is justification? 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:30.240 We just read it aloud. 00:18:30.399 --> 00:18:31.240 What is justification? 00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:35.099 It is being declared righteous. 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:38.539 Being counted righteous. 00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:44.559 Being seen by the eyes of God, in the sight of God, as righteous. 00:18:44.919 --> 00:18:47.139 And it is the answer to our greatest problem. 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:51.599 Our greatest problem. 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:55.240 I don't know everybody in the room, what you are dealing with in your life. 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:57.039 What issues you came through this week. 00:18:57.119 --> 00:19:00.000 I don't know all of you and your ins and outs personally what is going on. 00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:01.039 But I can tell you this. 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.759 I know what your greatest problem is. 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:10.140 Your greatest problem is that none of us can stand before a holy God. 00:19:11.379 --> 00:19:13.000 Not on our own two feet. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:16.819 Because none of us are righteous. 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:21.940 Our sin has earned us his wrath. 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.599 We are under the curse. 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:25.700 We are hell bound by nature. 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:29.940 We are dead in the trespasses and sins in which we once walked. 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:31.220 That is a problem. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.359 Our greatest problem. 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:37.899 And so the question that every single religion in the world seeks to answer is this. 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:40.019 How can man be made right with God? 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:45.240 How can you and I be acceptable in the sight of God? 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:48.240 You realize that is what every single religion tries to figure out. 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:52.439 And every other religion beyond Christianity. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:57.299 Every other religion gives some version of the answer that sounds like this. 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.919 Just try hard. 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:02.620 Just try harder to be righteous. 00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:04.480 However we define that. 00:20:05.320 --> 00:20:06.100 Do better. 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.340 Be better. 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.779 Work harder. 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:09.840 Try harder. 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:14.800 Find your way somewhere on the line that's more acceptable to God than everybody else. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.580 The Muslims think this way. 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:20.160 The Jehovah's Witnesses think this way. 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.660 The Catholics think this way. 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:23.080 The Jews think this way. 00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:26.080 This is right at the heart of the Protestant Reformation, you realize. 00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:28.420 These are all faults. 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.440 Gospels. 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:31.160 And if you think this way. 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:35.160 That I just need to more righteous myself into eternal life. 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:38.300 You will not inherit eternal life. 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:41.100 Because at the end of the day. 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:43.480 The very best behaved sinner that you know. 00:20:44.580 --> 00:20:45.680 Is just that. 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:50.120 Polished up religious sinner. 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:52.480 In church that is not good enough. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:56.160 We must be righteous in the sight of God. 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.700 So how do we do it? 00:20:57.700 --> 00:21:00.039 How do we get there? 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:05.200 How do we be declared righteous in the sight of God? 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.440 Abram shows us. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.460 There is one way. 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.740 Not by works. 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:12.160 But by faith alone. 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:13.160 In the promises of God. 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.120 In the promises of God. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.140 Abram believed. 00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:21.100 And it was counted to him. 00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.500 As righteousness. 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.140 You know. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.920 If you're stuck in this way of thinking. 00:21:25.060 --> 00:21:26.480 That's so natural by the way. 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:28.040 That I just have to do better. 00:21:28.820 --> 00:21:29.580 Work harder. 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.340 Try harder. 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:30.980 Be better. 00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:32.640 Find some level of morality. 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:34.279 To make it into God's good graces. 00:21:34.540 --> 00:21:35.620 Let me just say this again. 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.959 As clearly as I can. 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:39.239 God says to you sinner. 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:41.859 Simply put your faith in me. 00:21:42.959 --> 00:21:44.359 You can't do it. 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.039 God says. 00:21:45.219 --> 00:21:47.139 I will do it on your behalf. 00:21:47.939 --> 00:21:49.659 You can't become righteous. 00:21:49.959 --> 00:21:51.699 I will count you as righteous. 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:54.179 You simply must put your faith in me. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:57.259 It sounds too good to be true. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.860 On this side of the cross. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:01.980 We can say it like this. 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:04.299 Put your faith in Christ. 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:07.340 And you will be saved. 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.880 This is what Paul. 00:22:10.820 --> 00:22:12.140 Says in Romans chapter 4. 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.100 The passage that we had. 00:22:13.340 --> 00:22:14.400 Read to us this morning. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:16.039 I just want to read a portion of it again. 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:18.060 He's talking about this passage. 00:22:18.060 --> 00:22:19.279 Here in Genesis 15. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.220 And he says. 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:21.880 Abram. 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:22.840 Of Abram. 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:23.880 No unbelief. 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.880 Made him waver. 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:26.580 Concerning the promise of God. 00:22:26.780 --> 00:22:28.840 But he grew strong in his faith. 00:22:28.860 --> 00:22:30.380 As he gave glory to God. 00:22:30.600 --> 00:22:31.720 Fully convinced. 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:33.040 That God was able to do. 00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:33.860 What he had promised. 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.260 That is why. 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:37.880 His faith was counted to him. 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.040 As righteousness. 00:22:39.580 --> 00:22:39.820 But. 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.500 Listen to this. 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:43.320 The words it was counted to him. 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:46.080 Were not written for his sake alone. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:49.180 But for ours also. 00:22:50.320 --> 00:22:52.080 It will be counted to us. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.720 Us. 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:54.539 Who believe in him. 00:22:54.639 --> 00:22:56.139 Who raised from the dead. 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.339 Jesus our Lord. 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:59.639 Who was delivered up for our trespasses. 00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:02.240 And raised for our justification. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:05.579 This is good news. 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:09.400 We are saved. 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:11.180 By grace. 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.440 Through faith. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.599 In Jesus Christ alone. 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:15.699 God. 00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:19.079 If you should wrestle with doubt. 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.379 Then the best place for you to turn. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.619 Is back again. 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.539 And again. 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.500 And again. 00:23:24.719 --> 00:23:25.319 And again. 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:27.379 To the promises of God. 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.039 Namely. 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:29.599 The promises of God. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.839 For you in Christ. 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:33.559 But what has he said? 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.919 What has he promised? 00:23:35.719 --> 00:23:36.679 And then to pray. 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.019 God. 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.339 Would you. 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:38.740 Would you grant me faith. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.740 To believe what you've said in your word. 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:40.819 Lord. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.019 And then. 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:43.579 Friend. 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.319 To rest. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.539 And rejoice. 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:48.640 That if you are in Christ Jesus by faith. 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:50.859 Then even you of little faith. 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:51.900 With all your weakness. 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.980 With all your doubt. 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:56.000 With all your wrestlings with sin. 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.880 If you are in Christ by faith. 00:23:58.920 --> 00:24:00.519 You are counted righteous. 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.299 In the sight of God. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.599 Here we see. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.620 In our second point. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.359 Of our passage this morning. 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.680 God doesn't just leave it there. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:13.240 God provides an even greater assurance. 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.140 To Abram. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.740 And to us. 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.480 Of his promises. 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:15.980 Look there. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.180 Starting with me. 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.039 In verse 7. 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:18.500 Here. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.700 In second. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.960 Second point. 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:21.460 We see. 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:23.440 God assures us. 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.960 Of his faithfulness. 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:27.980 God assures us. 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:30.019 Of his faithfulness. 00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:30.840 Look there to verse 7. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.799 God reminds Abram. 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.240 Once again. 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.000 Of his calling. 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:35.980 I am the Lord. 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:37.840 Who brought you out of Ur. 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.820 Of the Chaldeans. 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:40.559 To give you this land. 00:24:40.679 --> 00:24:41.079 To possess. 00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:43.179 But Abram said. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.059 Lord God. 00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:45.559 How am I to know. 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:47.079 That I shall possess it. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.399 How will I know. 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.119 You know. 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:53.319 That's a valid question. 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.879 He has believed. 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:56.899 The promise of God. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.500 But now. 00:24:57.659 --> 00:24:59.319 He's seeking confirmation. 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:01.119 He's seeking assurance. 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:03.079 He's looking for a grounds. 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.980 For his faith. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.259 You know. 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:07.079 We need to disentangle. 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:08.480 That word faith. 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.559 From the way our culture. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.960 Has just watered it down. 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:12.500 To where it means absolutely nothing. 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.799 This is one of those words. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.680 That people say all the time. 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.759 Whether believer or not. 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.819 Well just have faith. 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.380 Right. 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.559 Have faith. 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.400 Things will work out. 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.400 I'm a person of faith. 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.279 You're a person of faith. 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.360 If you just have faith. 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.460 Everything's going to be okay. 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:26.539 Okay. 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.440 Biblical faith. 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:33.140 Is tied up to something. 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:33.600 It is. 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.840 It is tethered. 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.140 Faith. 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.940 Faith is a. 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.799 A rope. 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:39.420 It is anchored onto something. 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.220 Or someone. 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:40.960 It's never just. 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:42.160 Empty faith. 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.319 That has no object. 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:45.019 If you are. 00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:46.600 Are down in a pit. 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:48.319 It's good for you to have a rope. 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:50.039 But only if it's tied to something. 00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:51.620 Right. 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:55.120 That rope needs to be tied up to something sturdy. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.000 And reliable. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.740 And trustworthy. 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:58.180 At the top of the pit. 00:25:58.640 --> 00:26:00.319 It's no good for you to just have faith. 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:03.299 Unless it's tied up to something. 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.660 Someone reliable. 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:09.000 It has to be connected to a faithful God. 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:09.519 Here. 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:13.980 Abram is seeking something to tie that rope of faith to. 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.279 God. 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:15.119 How will I know? 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:17.000 Would you confirm your promises to me? 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:20.940 Would you show me again that you are faithful to do what you've said? 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:23.519 Look what God does here in verse 9. 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:28.759 God assures Abram of his faithfulness. 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.379 Look there. 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:33.440 Bring me a heifer three years old. 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:35.579 A female goat three years old. 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:37.059 A ram three years old. 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:37.900 A turtle dove. 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:38.740 And a young pigeon. 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:40.299 He brought him all these. 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:41.539 He cuts them in half. 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:44.839 He lays them each half over against the other. 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.960 On either side. 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:47.519 Sort of makes an aisle here. 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.740 On the left and on the right. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.420 He didn't cut the birds in half. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.539 But he kills them. 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:54.500 And when the birds of prey come down on the carcasses. 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.880 Abram's driving them away. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.640 Get out of here. 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.579 What in the world is going on here? 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:01.759 Because this is strange for us. 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.140 Isn't it? 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:05.660 This is foreign for our context. 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:09.539 Abram would have known exactly what was happening here. 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:14.159 This is a covenant making ceremony. 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:20.519 God is assuring Abram of all of his promises. 00:27:21.139 --> 00:27:24.599 By moving from the stage of verbal promise. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:28.339 Now to actual formal commitment to him. 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:33.740 He is entering into a formal covenant with Abram. 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:35.839 And would you just notice how bloody this whole thing is? 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:40.240 I mean this is a promise sealed in blood. 00:27:41.199 --> 00:27:43.039 This is a blood oath. 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:44.359 Abram takes these animals. 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.119 The heifer. 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:45.639 The goat. 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.139 The ram. 00:27:46.199 --> 00:27:47.619 He cuts them in half. 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:49.259 He lays them on either side. 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:50.559 He kills the birds. 00:27:50.659 --> 00:27:51.500 He lays them down. 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.939 This is a bloody mess. 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.339 There's vultures circling. 00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:57.139 And then. 00:27:58.619 --> 00:28:02.859 God causes Abram to go into a sort of slumber. 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:04.619 And he speaks again. 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:09.539 And he broadens Abram's perspective a little bit here. 00:28:09.679 --> 00:28:11.659 He fills him in on the master plan. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:15.480 You know Abram's just thinking maybe 5, 10, 20 years down the road. 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:17.139 Maybe having a kid before he dies. 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.980 God shows him. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:21.599 Abram I'm thinking a little bit more big picture here. 00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:23.639 Let me fill you in on the next 400 years or so. 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:26.300 Know for certain. 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:28.600 That your offspring. 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:32.759 Will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs. 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:34.640 Will be servants there. 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:36.900 They will be afflicted for 400 years. 00:28:37.080 --> 00:28:37.340 But. 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.080 Verse 14. 00:28:38.280 --> 00:28:40.980 I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve. 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:41.700 And afterward. 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:44.200 They shall come out with great possessions. 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.020 And you. 00:28:45.520 --> 00:28:45.920 Abram. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:47.700 You shall go to your fathers in peace. 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:49.500 Be buried in a good old age. 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:52.579 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation. 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.980 God promises. 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:55.319 He prophesies here. 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:58.920 About the events that we know happened in the exodus. 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:02.279 400 years of delay. 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.599 For your offspring. 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:06.259 But then I will fulfill my promise to you. 00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:08.819 And I will bring them back into the land. 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.359 But Abram. 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.819 This delay is even bigger than you thought. 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:13.440 400 years. 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:15.220 And by the way. 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.600 You're not going to be around for it. 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:19.900 You're not going to see this come to pass. 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.299 Abram. 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:23.000 But God assures him. 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.680 I promise you. 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:26.700 I will do it. 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:29.820 I will be faithful. 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.759 To my promises. 00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:32.600 Look at this. 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.420 Verse 17. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:37.320 He assures Abram of his faithfulness. 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:38.320 In the most incredible way. 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:41.299 When the sun has gone down. 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.039 And it was dark. 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:44.500 Behold a smoking fire pod. 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.639 And a flaming torch. 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:47.420 Passed between the pieces. 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.440 It says on that day. 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:51.079 The Lord made a covenant. 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.519 With Abram. 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:52.839 This. 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:55.000 This smoking fire pod. 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.180 And the flaming torch. 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:57.619 That can only be understood. 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:59.960 As a visible manifestation. 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:02.079 Of the presence of God. 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.519 This is. 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.539 The Lord. 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.819 Who went before his people. 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.960 As a pillar of cloud. 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:09.680 By day. 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.680 And a pillar of. 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.579 Fire. 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.819 By night. 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.819 It's the Lord. 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.899 Who appeared to Moses. 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:17.779 In a burning bush. 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.559 And who. 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:19.599 Gave commandments. 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.619 From Mount Sinai. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:20.960 As the. 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.799 The whole mountain. 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:23.440 Was engulfed in flame. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.680 The Lord himself. 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.680 In this fiery. 00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:27.859 Manifestation. 00:30:28.379 --> 00:30:28.859 Passes. 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:30.220 Through the aisle. 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:31.740 He walks down the aisle. 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:33.000 Of this slaughtered. 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.339 Mess of animals. 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.279 On either side. 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.159 So what? 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:37.119 What's going on here? 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:40.279 O. 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.179 Palmer Robertson. 00:30:41.179 --> 00:30:42.099 Explains it like this. 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:42.619 He says. 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:45.459 By dividing the animals. 00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:49.019 And then passing between the pieces. 00:30:50.679 --> 00:30:52.079 Participants in a covenant. 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.579 Pledged themselves. 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.359 To life. 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.339 And death. 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.339 These actions. 00:30:56.899 --> 00:30:57.639 Established. 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.420 An oath. 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:59.340 Of self. 00:30:59.340 --> 00:31:00.259 Malediction. 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:02.520 If they should break. 00:31:02.520 --> 00:31:03.220 The commitment. 00:31:03.840 --> 00:31:04.920 Involved in the covenant. 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.980 And they were asking. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:08.280 That their own bodies. 00:31:08.280 --> 00:31:09.560 Be torn into pieces. 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:11.460 Just as the animals. 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.900 Have been torn into pieces. 00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:13.780 And divided up. 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:14.560 Ceremonially. 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:16.359 Do you see why this is so incredible? 00:31:18.919 --> 00:31:20.440 Who walked the aisle? 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:24.519 Who committed themselves. 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:26.779 This oath of self. 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.779 Malediction. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.399 Who walked through the animals? 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.440 It wasn't Abram. 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:33.500 Abram doesn't walk through. 00:31:33.899 --> 00:31:35.279 God himself. 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.759 Walks through. 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.119 As if to say. 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:38.879 Abram. 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:40.720 If I don't do what I've promised. 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:44.440 May I be as these animals. 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:44.759 Abram. 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:47.720 If I am unfaithful. 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.460 To my word. 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:48.919 To you. 00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:50.839 May I. 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.960 Be slaughtered. 00:31:52.919 --> 00:31:53.839 If I. 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.940 Do not make good. 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:56.000 On my promises. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.599 To you. 00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:58.220 May I. 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.220 Be destroyed. 00:31:59.399 --> 00:31:59.919 May I. 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.759 Bear the curse. 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:02.299 God puts his own. 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:02.819 Neck. 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.740 On the line. 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.819 May I be destroyed. 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:06.059 If I don't keep my promise. 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.480 To you. 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:08.220 How is that for assurance? 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.440 God himself. 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.839 Walks through. 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.579 The valley. 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.419 Of the shadow. 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.019 Of death. 00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:15.940 To confirm. 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.740 His promises. 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.420 To Abram. 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.240 God. 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:18.880 Himself. 00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:20.140 Will do it. 00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:21.380 And if he doesn't. 00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.700 God be destroyed. 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.860 Do you think Abram. 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:26.380 Was assured. 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.400 Of God's faithfulness? 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:30.980 I would imagine so. 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.960 But church. 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:34.900 The incredible truth. 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.380 Is. 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.539 We. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:39.120 Have. 00:32:39.320 --> 00:32:39.680 Even. 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.340 Greater. 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.120 Assurance. 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:42.439 Of God's faithfulness. 00:32:42.439 --> 00:32:43.119 Than this. 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:46.819 Where do we look. 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:49.299 When we need to be assured. 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:50.439 Of God's faithfulness. 00:32:51.159 --> 00:32:51.659 To us. 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.359 Where do we need to look. 00:32:54.439 --> 00:32:55.719 When we need to be assured. 00:32:55.939 --> 00:32:57.559 Of God's faithfulness. 00:32:57.639 --> 00:32:57.739 To. 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.640 To bring about. 00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:58.640 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.240 The promises. 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.319 He's made to us. 00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:00.640 Church. 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.299 We look. 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.319 To Christ. 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.099 Jesus. 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.000 By faith. 00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:07.620 We've seen time and time again. 00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:08.480 As we've walked through. 00:33:08.620 --> 00:33:09.759 This section of scripture. 00:33:10.120 --> 00:33:10.460 That these. 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.460 These promises. 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.759 In one sense. 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.900 Have been fulfilled. 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.660 To Abram. 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.600 God did exactly. 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.259 What he said. 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.819 He would do. 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.779 He brought Israel. 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:19.059 Out of Egypt. 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:19.960 Brought them into. 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:21.100 The promised land. 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:22.019 But on a much. 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:22.880 Greater. 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:24.299 Grander scale. 00:33:24.620 --> 00:33:25.680 These promises. 00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:27.380 Find their way. 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.500 To us. 00:33:28.620 --> 00:33:29.559 By faith. 00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:30.559 In Christ. 00:33:32.360 --> 00:33:33.819 God has promised us. 00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:35.160 Such incredible blessings. 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.779 In Christ. 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.100 Church. 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:36.460 Do you. 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.779 Do you realize this? 00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:40.819 God has promised us. 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.740 Adoption. 00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.740 As sons. 00:33:42.939 --> 00:33:43.700 In Christ. 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:45.839 Forgiveness. 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.759 Of sins. 00:33:47.179 --> 00:33:47.859 In Christ. 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.980 Eternal life. 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:50.079 In Christ. 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.259 Peace. 00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.059 With God. 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.859 In Christ. 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.799 He has promised us. 00:33:53.939 --> 00:33:55.139 All the world. 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:56.019 Renewed. 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:57.619 Freed from sin. 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:59.279 Freed from the curse. 00:33:59.379 --> 00:34:00.039 The new heavens. 00:34:00.139 --> 00:34:00.759 And the new earth. 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.639 In Christ. 00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:02.659 Blessings. 00:34:02.939 --> 00:34:03.579 And joy. 00:34:03.939 --> 00:34:05.279 And eternal satisfaction. 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:05.759 In him. 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.539 Without sin. 00:34:06.659 --> 00:34:07.339 Without shame. 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.219 Without suffering. 00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:08.980 Without pain. 00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.819 Without death. 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:11.920 These promises. 00:34:12.100 --> 00:34:12.900 Come to us. 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.080 The same way. 00:34:14.180 --> 00:34:15.420 They came to Abram. 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.460 By faith. 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.620 In the promise of God. 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.860 Faith. 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:20.340 In all the promises of God. 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:20.860 Or as. 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.620 We can say. 00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:23.320 On this side of the cross. 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.059 Faith. 00:34:24.180 --> 00:34:25.059 In Christ. 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.260 Who is. 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:26.900 The fulfillment. 00:34:27.080 --> 00:34:28.460 Of all the promises of God. 00:34:31.080 --> 00:34:32.039 These promises. 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:33.100 Come to us. 00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:33.860 By grace. 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.900 Through faith. 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.720 In Christ. 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.160 But. 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:36.960 Man. 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:38.160 How slow are they to come. 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:42.980 We have not received. 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:44.659 The fullness of these promises yet. 00:34:48.359 --> 00:34:49.420 Two thousand years. 00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:50.219 Since Christ came. 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:53.719 And we cry out. 00:34:53.799 --> 00:34:54.179 How long. 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:54.599 Oh Lord. 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:55.319 Will we live. 00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:56.079 In this land. 00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:57.159 That's cursed by sin. 00:34:59.859 --> 00:35:00.319 God. 00:35:00.359 --> 00:35:00.980 How long. 00:35:01.639 --> 00:35:03.000 Will I live in this body. 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:04.000 That's so weak. 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.920 And frail. 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.039 God. 00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:07.840 God. 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.360 How long. 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:08.940 Will sin. 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.200 Just wreak havoc. 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:11.619 On our marriages. 00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:13.960 And our families. 00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:16.460 And our churches. 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.800 And our nation. 00:35:19.579 --> 00:35:20.559 How long. 00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:21.400 Oh Lord. 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:22.760 Until your promises. 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:23.780 Are kept. 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.680 And we wonder. 00:35:24.800 --> 00:35:25.320 Will God. 00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:26.380 Really come through. 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.320 And do what he promised. 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:30.019 Will he really. 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:31.700 Make all things right. 00:35:31.800 --> 00:35:32.139 And come. 00:35:32.200 --> 00:35:33.619 And make us whole again. 00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.940 That's what he's promised to do. 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.839 What assurance. 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.880 Do we have. 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.359 Church. 00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:40.420 God assures us. 00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:41.779 Of his faithfulness. 00:35:42.199 --> 00:35:43.799 At the cross of Christ. 00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:47.659 At the cross of Christ. 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.099 God. 00:35:48.759 --> 00:35:49.339 Vindicates. 00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:50.759 His faithfulness. 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:52.559 To all his promises. 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:54.759 Because at the cross of Christ. 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.579 Christ. 00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:56.259 Jesus. 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.159 Becomes. 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.099 A curse. 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.239 For us. 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.880 Think about this. 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:04.180 At the cross of Christ. 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:04.820 What happened. 00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:07.460 Jesus Christ. 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.260 Bears. 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:09.200 The penalty. 00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:10.360 Of a covenant. 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.300 Breaker. 00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:14.160 He offers up. 00:36:14.240 --> 00:36:15.280 His own body. 00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:16.780 And is slaughtered. 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:18.000 Not for his sin. 00:36:18.079 --> 00:36:18.960 For our sin. 00:36:20.340 --> 00:36:20.960 Christ. 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:21.860 Walks. 00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:23.140 Through the valley. 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:24.039 Of the shadow. 00:36:24.180 --> 00:36:24.680 Of death. 00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:26.059 For us. 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:27.539 So that by faith. 00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:28.079 In him. 00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:29.779 All of the promises. 00:36:29.779 --> 00:36:30.500 Of God. 00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:32.059 May come to us. 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.799 Christ didn't break covenant. 00:36:34.799 --> 00:36:35.340 With God. 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:35.940 We did. 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:38.360 And yet. 00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:40.219 He bears our shame. 00:36:41.299 --> 00:36:41.819 Bears. 00:36:42.139 --> 00:36:42.840 Our penalty. 00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:45.079 Bears our curse. 00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:49.179 Ray Vanderland. 00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:50.779 Says it like this. 00:36:50.819 --> 00:36:51.619 This is a long quote. 00:36:51.739 --> 00:36:52.119 But I had to. 00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:53.500 I had to include it. 00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:54.799 He said. 00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:55.599 Picturing God. 00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:56.659 Passing through that. 00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:57.500 Gory path. 00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:58.339 Between the carcasses. 00:36:58.339 --> 00:36:58.980 Of animals. 00:37:00.279 --> 00:37:01.339 Imagining the blood. 00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:02.019 Splashing. 00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:02.859 As he walked. 00:37:03.279 --> 00:37:03.839 Helps us. 00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:04.579 To recognize. 00:37:04.699 --> 00:37:05.599 The faithfulness. 00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:06.739 Of God's commitment. 00:37:07.839 --> 00:37:08.759 He was willing. 00:37:08.759 --> 00:37:09.559 To express. 00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:10.659 In terms. 00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:11.579 His chosen people. 00:37:11.579 --> 00:37:12.359 Could understand. 00:37:13.279 --> 00:37:14.279 That he would never. 00:37:14.539 --> 00:37:15.319 Fail to do. 00:37:15.399 --> 00:37:16.339 What he promised. 00:37:17.559 --> 00:37:18.599 And he ultimately. 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:20.460 Fulfilled his promise. 00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:22.759 By giving his own life. 00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:24.359 His own blood. 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.779 On the cross. 00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:26.260 Because. 00:37:27.100 --> 00:37:27.960 Because we look at. 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.600 God's dealings. 00:37:28.600 --> 00:37:29.120 With Abraham. 00:37:29.120 --> 00:37:30.260 As some remote. 00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:31.440 Piece of history. 00:37:31.440 --> 00:37:32.760 In a far off land. 00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:33.780 We often fail. 00:37:33.780 --> 00:37:34.280 To realize. 00:37:34.280 --> 00:37:35.760 That we too. 00:37:35.760 --> 00:37:37.380 Are part of the long. 00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:38.360 Line of people. 00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:39.460 With whom God. 00:37:39.500 --> 00:37:40.180 Made a covenant. 00:37:40.180 --> 00:37:41.480 On that rocky plain. 00:37:41.640 --> 00:37:42.140 Near Hebron. 00:37:42.960 --> 00:37:43.660 And like those. 00:37:43.660 --> 00:37:44.860 Who came before us. 00:37:45.060 --> 00:37:46.120 We have broken. 00:37:46.120 --> 00:37:46.960 That covenant. 00:37:48.620 --> 00:37:49.640 When he walked. 00:37:50.240 --> 00:37:50.940 Into the dust. 00:37:50.940 --> 00:37:51.540 Of the desert. 00:37:52.060 --> 00:37:52.980 And through. 00:37:52.980 --> 00:37:53.660 The blood. 00:37:53.700 --> 00:37:54.320 Of the animals. 00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:55.400 Abram had slaughtered. 00:37:55.400 --> 00:37:56.960 God was making. 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:57.760 A promise. 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:59.500 To all the descendants. 00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:00.300 Of Abraham. 00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:01.420 To everyone. 00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:02.160 In the household. 00:38:02.160 --> 00:38:02.920 Of faith. 00:38:03.880 --> 00:38:04.440 When God. 00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:05.660 Splashed through the blood. 00:38:05.780 --> 00:38:06.460 He did it. 00:38:06.680 --> 00:38:07.000 For. 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:08.099 Us. 00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:13.539 What greater assurance. 00:38:13.660 --> 00:38:14.200 Do we need? 00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:17.760 Friend. 00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:18.300 When you struggle. 00:38:18.300 --> 00:38:18.880 With doubt. 00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:18.980 God. 00:38:20.780 --> 00:38:21.780 When you need assurance. 00:38:22.440 --> 00:38:23.539 Of God's faithfulness. 00:38:23.619 --> 00:38:24.360 When the delay. 00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.740 Between promise. 00:38:25.740 --> 00:38:26.760 And fulfillment. 00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:27.920 Is long. 00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:29.539 And you are discouraged. 00:38:29.760 --> 00:38:30.920 Would you look to the cross. 00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:31.539 Of Christ. 00:38:33.300 --> 00:38:34.920 Would you look to the cross. 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:35.660 Of Christ. 00:38:35.720 --> 00:38:36.420 Where the son. 00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:37.200 Of God. 00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:38.539 Took the penalty. 00:38:38.539 --> 00:38:39.220 Of death. 00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:40.400 Upon himself. 00:38:40.660 --> 00:38:41.780 How will we know. 00:38:41.900 --> 00:38:42.559 That God will do. 00:38:42.619 --> 00:38:43.619 What he promised us. 00:38:43.619 --> 00:38:47.440 He has sent his own son. 00:38:48.719 --> 00:38:49.940 To pay our penalty. 00:38:51.059 --> 00:38:52.359 To assure us. 00:38:53.099 --> 00:38:54.119 Of his faithfulness. 00:38:54.179 --> 00:38:55.019 If you need to be. 00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:56.019 Counted righteous. 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:56.539 Sinner. 00:38:56.839 --> 00:38:57.920 In the sight of God. 00:38:58.759 --> 00:38:59.659 Put your faith. 00:38:59.719 --> 00:39:00.500 In Christ Jesus. 00:39:03.299 --> 00:39:03.940 Christ's death. 00:39:03.940 --> 00:39:04.440 At the cross. 00:39:04.440 --> 00:39:05.199 Removes. 00:39:05.420 --> 00:39:05.980 The curse. 00:39:06.179 --> 00:39:07.279 Of the old covenant. 00:39:07.960 --> 00:39:09.519 And at the same time. 00:39:09.679 --> 00:39:10.279 Fulfills. 00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:11.139 The blessings. 00:39:11.359 --> 00:39:12.000 And promises. 00:39:12.259 --> 00:39:13.279 Of the new covenant. 00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:14.180 In his blood. 00:39:14.540 --> 00:39:15.460 For all. 00:39:15.660 --> 00:39:16.260 Who look. 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:17.040 To him. 00:39:17.300 --> 00:39:18.300 By faith. 00:39:20.120 --> 00:39:20.880 So look. 00:39:20.940 --> 00:39:21.360 To Christ. 00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:22.040 By faith. 00:39:23.560 --> 00:39:24.280 And see. 00:39:24.360 --> 00:39:25.440 The great faithfulness. 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.500 Of our great God. 00:39:26.580 --> 00:39:27.060 And know. 00:39:27.220 --> 00:39:28.000 For certain. 00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:29.300 He will do. 00:39:29.540 --> 00:39:29.920 All. 00:39:30.519 --> 00:39:31.400 That he promised. 00:39:32.820 --> 00:39:33.320 Father. 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:33.600 We. 00:39:34.560 --> 00:39:35.240 Praise you. 00:39:35.300 --> 00:39:36.300 For your faithfulness. 00:39:37.940 --> 00:39:39.140 And we praise you. 00:39:39.200 --> 00:39:39.800 For the gospel. 00:39:39.920 --> 00:39:40.600 Of Christ. 00:39:41.900 --> 00:39:42.400 And Lord. 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:43.180 We confess. 00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:43.680 Father. 00:39:43.680 --> 00:39:44.240 That we do. 00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:44.960 Often wrestle. 00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:45.600 With doubt. 00:39:45.780 --> 00:39:46.580 We often wrestle. 00:39:46.580 --> 00:39:47.560 With discouragement. 00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:49.780 Would you remind us again. 00:39:49.780 --> 00:39:50.460 Of your word. 00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:53.240 Would you remind us again. 00:39:53.560 --> 00:39:54.460 Of the plan. 00:39:54.700 --> 00:39:55.260 Of redemption. 00:39:55.260 --> 00:39:56.019 In Christ. 00:39:56.260 --> 00:39:57.040 Your faithfulness. 00:39:57.420 --> 00:39:57.900 Displayed. 00:39:58.140 --> 00:39:58.900 At the cross. 00:39:59.760 --> 00:40:00.540 Your victory. 00:40:00.700 --> 00:40:01.700 Shown at the resurrection. 00:40:02.620 --> 00:40:03.340 We love you Lord. 00:40:03.400 --> 00:40:04.000 We pray this all. 00:40:04.080 --> 00:40:04.700 In Jesus name. 00:40:05.600 --> 00:40:05.900 Amen. 00:40:05.900 --> 00:40:06.040 Amen. 00:40:06.040 --> 00:40:06.040 00:40:06.040 --> 00:40:06.100 Amen. 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:06.100 00:40:06.100 --> 00:40:08.100 Amen. 00:40:08.100 --> 00:40:08.100 00:40:08.100 --> 00:40:10.100 Amen. 00:40:10.100 --> 00:40:10.100 00:40:10.100 --> 00:40:10.100 00:40:10.100 --> 00:40:10.100 00:40:10.100 --> 00:40:10.100 00:40:10.100 --> 00:40:10.100