WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.339 Now we recognize that there are challenges in our lives that are universal. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:16.740 That being a Christian doesn't spare us from struggles with health, employment issues, 00:00:17.859 --> 00:00:20.539 issues to do with relationships or loss. 00:00:20.640 --> 00:00:24.179 There are things that we all experience as people. 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:30.300 But there is a unique Christian struggle that I want us to think about this evening. 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:31.679 And it's this. 00:00:31.859 --> 00:00:39.899 It's looking at our circumstances and wrestling with the reality that God is sovereign, 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:47.820 that he is in control, and trying sometimes to marry that up with our understanding of God's goodness. 00:00:49.620 --> 00:00:53.159 Perhaps we find ourselves wrestling in that spot. 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:59.879 I know God is good, and I know he's in control, but my life feels like a mess. 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:07.259 How long, O Lord, is one of the cries that we hear time and again in the Psalms. 00:01:08.399 --> 00:01:17.280 And so I want us to look at this part of Abraham's story as that of a man of faith living in the gap 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:27.980 between the great promises that God had given to him and the reality that he is experiencing at this time. 00:01:28.340 --> 00:01:34.140 And I want us to appreciate that here we find not a skeptic wrestling, 00:01:34.819 --> 00:01:42.060 but a man of faith wrestling and seeking assurance of the promises of God. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:49.219 One hope I have for tonight is that we'll be able to see that asking questions of God, 00:01:50.420 --> 00:01:53.740 singing or voicing lament to God, 00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:59.200 protesting even about our circumstances to God, 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:04.420 in the Christian life, reveal faith, not unbelief. 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:08.819 Because we understand that God has made covenant promises, 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:11.680 and so there will be times when we find ourselves asking, 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:15.319 well, why is it like this and not like that? 00:02:16.620 --> 00:02:22.000 And one of the things that we understand from the Bible is that it's good to be honest with God, 00:02:22.500 --> 00:02:27.080 to take our frustration and our tears to God, 00:02:27.080 --> 00:02:30.580 to speak to him about our confusion. 00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:34.980 Abraham, the father of faith, shows that to us. 00:02:36.160 --> 00:02:39.680 He had received these great promises from God. 00:02:39.980 --> 00:02:42.060 He knew God to be loving and faithful. 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:44.500 God had promised to be his rock and his shield. 00:02:44.920 --> 00:02:48.540 But still there's the question, where's my child and where's the land? 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:55.720 So lamenting, questioning reveals faith, not unbelief. 00:02:55.719 --> 00:03:01.020 But our main aim this evening is to see how, within this covenant, 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:05.599 God connects his word of promise with signs. 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:11.539 Word and signs going together in order to give us assurance of faith. 00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:13.620 It was a pattern that was true for Abraham then, 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:17.599 and it's a pattern that remains true for God's people today. 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:22.860 So let's look very briefly, first of all, at Genesis 12, 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:27.880 to think about the story of God's grace in Abraham's life, 00:03:27.920 --> 00:03:30.500 and then to see his response to that. 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:34.320 So the Lord, in verse 1, called Abraham. 00:03:34.600 --> 00:03:36.840 The last time we were thinking about the covenants, 00:03:36.900 --> 00:03:39.500 we were thinking about the Lord calling Noah. 00:03:39.660 --> 00:03:43.220 And again, here's another example of a pagan, 00:03:43.480 --> 00:03:49.980 unbelieving man being chosen and saved by the grace of God. 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:54.379 It's really important for us to remember that reality. 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:59.799 That's true of every story of a person coming to faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:03:59.959 --> 00:04:02.319 It begins with God's grace. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:08.219 I've been reading the Reformed documents known as the Canons of Dort, 00:04:08.739 --> 00:04:10.799 written in 1618, 1619. 00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:15.959 I want to read just one short paragraph that helps us think about this. 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:17.180 It says in there, 00:04:17.340 --> 00:04:23.900 the good pleasure of God is the sole cause of this gracious election. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:28.240 He was pleased out of the common mass of sinners 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:33.139 to adopt some as a special people to himself. 00:04:33.879 --> 00:04:36.019 That's the story of salvation. 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:37.960 It's God's grace. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:41.860 It's God's good pleasure to save some, 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:45.939 not because we're better, but because of his grace. 00:04:47.080 --> 00:04:48.620 And having called him, 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:56.040 we see then that Abraham receives three great promises from God. 00:04:57.500 --> 00:04:59.680 Go to the land I will show you. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:02.600 I will make you into a great nation. 00:05:03.100 --> 00:05:06.000 I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. 00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:10.920 And ultimately, all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. 00:05:10.920 --> 00:05:14.920 So he's promised a seed, a family, a great nation. 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:19.879 He's promised the lands that we know of as the promised lands, Canaan. 00:05:20.340 --> 00:05:25.040 And he's promised that all peoples on earth will be blessed. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:30.700 There'll be blessing to the nations through Abraham and his family line. 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:35.420 So Abraham has received grace and he's received wonderful promises. 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:39.300 And Abraham, we see in verse four, shows faith. 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:40.660 There is obedience. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:41.840 God says, go. 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:46.460 And Abraham left as the Lord had told him. 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:49.980 Now, at this point, 00:05:50.960 --> 00:05:57.900 John Piper talks about Abraham's call being a mustard seed sized action of God. 00:05:57.899 --> 00:06:01.560 When you think about how God could have worked, 00:06:01.959 --> 00:06:12.679 it is surprising in a sense that God chooses this elderly couple to be the vehicle for God's plan of salvation to continue. 00:06:13.219 --> 00:06:19.000 Not calling a nation immediately to himself, calling this elderly couple. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:22.560 Small, obscure beginnings. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:30.759 But as we look through the storyline of the Bible, it's used to bring that blessing to the nations. 00:06:30.899 --> 00:06:34.660 Ultimately bringing the blessing of the Lord Jesus himself. 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:37.819 A mustard seed sized action though. 00:06:38.660 --> 00:06:41.180 Boys and girls, I wonder, have you ever planted seeds? 00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:45.839 Maybe had a wee garden box in your kitchen. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:53.919 If you're anything like me, I'm always a little bit doubtful that those tiny seeds will become anything at all. 00:06:54.539 --> 00:06:56.619 Perhaps because I'm not very good at gardening. 00:06:56.739 --> 00:07:03.419 But it seems like something so small, how could that become a flower or a plant or a tree or something that could even give us food? 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:07.399 Now, so this is a mustard seed sized action of God. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:12.079 Seems small, but in God's hands proves huge. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:16.859 God often works this way for his own glory. 00:07:18.039 --> 00:07:23.899 I like the example in history of the conversion of Spurgeon. 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:26.060 Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher in London. 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:32.060 Well, in a winter snowstorm, way back in 1850, 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:38.120 Spurgeon, the teenager, decided to go to a different church, to his usual church. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:42.000 And the regular preacher wasn't able to get there because of the weather. 00:07:42.139 --> 00:07:43.100 So there was a substitute. 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:44.600 A lay preacher was there. 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:46.879 A man who didn't have any training. 00:07:47.340 --> 00:07:53.259 A man who largely spent the sermon repeating the words of Isaiah 45, 22. 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:59.360 Look to me and be saved, for I am God and there is no one else. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:04.939 Not a spectacular sermon, but used by God to save Spurgeon, 00:08:05.080 --> 00:08:09.680 who then went on to preach the gospel to tens of thousands of people who came to faith. 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:15.220 A mustard seed sized action used by God for his glory. 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:23.180 So as we begin, I just want to encourage all of us to recognize that our small acts of faith 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:28.579 in God's hands can be used to do great kingdom work. 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:35.139 When we pray for someone, when we seek to share the gospel, 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:37.560 even when we don't do it perfectly, perhaps, 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:42.180 in those acts of kindness that we seek to do in Jesus' name, 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:49.580 God can use that to bless, to encourage, to bring to faith other people. 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:52.580 Perhaps when we look back on our own stories, 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:55.480 we recognize that we became a Christian because 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:58.620 somebody invited us to a Bible study or to church. 00:08:59.180 --> 00:09:01.700 Somebody took the time to introduce us to Jesus. 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:06.200 Or perhaps a parent or a grandparent were praying for us. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:10.879 Small actions, big consequences in God's kingdom. 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:14.200 So that's God's grace to Abraham, 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:17.140 as seen in his call and in his promises. 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:20.059 Now turn with me to chapter 15. 00:09:21.059 --> 00:09:26.199 And I want us to recognize the tension and the struggle in Abraham's life. 00:09:26.299 --> 00:09:28.340 Abraham's struggle of faith. 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:30.019 So these huge promises have been made, 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:34.899 but time is passing and there is still no sign of fulfillment. 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:38.279 Ian Duggett, the Old Testament scholar, 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:40.799 wrote a book on the life of Abraham called 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:43.179 Living in the Gap Between Promise and Reality, 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:47.759 which I think really helpfully captures a lot of Abraham's experience. 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:50.459 So in chapter 15 in verse 1, 00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:54.099 the word of the Lord comes to Abraham in a vision. 00:09:54.239 --> 00:09:55.500 Do not be afraid, Abraham. 00:09:55.719 --> 00:09:58.120 I am your shield, your very great reward, 00:09:58.179 --> 00:10:00.179 or your reward will be very great. 00:10:01.599 --> 00:10:06.979 How does Abraham respond to that wonderful message from God? 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:11.940 Can we hear the sting in Abraham's voice? 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:13.960 What can you give me? 00:10:14.560 --> 00:10:17.560 Since I remain childless, 00:10:18.340 --> 00:10:21.980 you have given me no children. 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:29.220 In fact, he believes that he's going to have to adopt a slave to be his heir. 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:33.200 So we need to remember, 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:38.000 here is Abraham and he's struggling with the fact that he is childless, 00:10:38.040 --> 00:10:43.300 and that's a difficult situation for anybody to experience 00:10:43.300 --> 00:10:45.060 when they long to have children. 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:50.840 But even more intense for Abraham is the fact that all of God's promises 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:55.200 are tied up with God sending a child as he promised. 00:10:55.200 --> 00:11:01.180 And so there is this struggle of faith going on with Abraham. 00:11:01.400 --> 00:11:03.379 You said I would be a great nation, 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:06.240 but I don't have a son. 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:09.200 I have no child. 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:12.400 So there is struggle, 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:14.259 there is questioning, 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:15.220 there is wrestling. 00:11:15.900 --> 00:11:16.940 And we see that too, 00:11:17.020 --> 00:11:18.960 not just with the promise of family, 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:22.240 we see it too as God reminds him of his promise 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:24.080 to give him the land. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:24.840 Verse 7, 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:26.980 God also said to him, 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:30.379 I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:33.240 to give you this land to take possession of it. 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:35.200 Great promise from God. 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:36.379 But again, 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.560 how does Abraham respond? 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:38.420 Verse 8, 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.440 O sovereign Lord, 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.460 so he knows God's in charge, 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:44.900 how can I know 00:11:44.900 --> 00:11:47.340 that I shall gain possession of it? 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:49.700 Here is a man who is struggling. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:53.259 His faith needs reassurance. 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:55.439 Remember at this stage, 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:57.080 he owns nothing. 00:11:57.559 --> 00:11:59.879 He's a small tribe, 00:12:00.220 --> 00:12:01.200 if you would call it that, 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:02.200 him and his household. 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:04.460 There are nations all around. 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:06.879 Ultimately in Abraham's life, 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:08.720 all he will possess land-wise 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:10.340 is a family burial plot. 00:12:10.439 --> 00:12:10.899 So again, 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:12.019 there is this struggle of faith. 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:13.179 How can I know? 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:15.200 You've made this promise. 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:16.539 Time has passed. 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:18.360 I still don't have a child. 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.799 I still don't have the land. 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:21.860 How can I know? 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:24.799 I wonder, 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:25.879 can you identify 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:28.480 with Abraham's struggle of faith? 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.059 You know, 00:12:30.099 --> 00:12:31.599 our faith rests on 00:12:31.599 --> 00:12:33.379 the grace of God. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:36.139 It rests on the promises of God. 00:12:37.579 --> 00:12:39.480 But sometimes God feels distant. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:44.180 Sometimes God seems silent. 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:49.060 Sometimes life just really hurts. 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:51.920 And what do we do 00:12:51.920 --> 00:12:53.320 in that situation? 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:57.360 I have found a theologian 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:59.120 by the name of J. Todd Billings 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.340 to be extremely helpful 00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:02.139 on this subject. 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:05.259 He is a theologian in the States. 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:07.100 Same age as me, 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:09.460 but diagnosed three years ago, 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:09.740 I think, 00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:11.159 with terminal cancer. 00:13:12.040 --> 00:13:13.200 And he's written a book, 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:14.379 a really helpful book 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:17.220 called Rejoicing with Lament. 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.980 And he says that 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:20.500 as the people of God, 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:22.860 we need vocabulary 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:25.100 for our pain, 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:26.200 for our confusion, 00:13:26.420 --> 00:13:27.060 for our tears, 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:28.279 for our protest. 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:30.940 That for him, 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:32.940 he found that in the Psalms, 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:36.200 those Psalms of lament. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:38.259 And Billings says 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:39.980 that when we bring 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:42.060 our sorrows 00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:44.700 and our fears to God 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:45.620 as Christians, 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.840 that is an act of trust. 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.720 When we recognize 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.879 God is sovereign, 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:52.860 that we're wrestling 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:54.860 with our circumstances. 00:13:55.920 --> 00:13:58.100 And we need in the church 00:13:58.100 --> 00:14:00.800 to have the language of lament. 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:03.519 Because we all struggle, 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:04.679 lament, 00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:05.220 and there's no point 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:06.899 pretending that life 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:09.000 is all joy and happiness. 00:14:12.199 --> 00:14:12.720 Lament, 00:14:13.439 --> 00:14:14.579 Billings goes on to argue, 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.620 is a sign of faith 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:16.600 in a dark age. 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:18.139 We know the world 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.139 is not the way 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:19.840 it should be. 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:22.079 We know that the world 00:14:22.079 --> 00:14:24.120 is fallen and broken, 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:27.079 and we await its renewal. 00:14:28.319 --> 00:14:30.399 Yes, there is perfection coming, 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:32.000 but in the moment, 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.899 we're living in those last days, 00:14:33.959 --> 00:14:35.019 and they are dark days, 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:37.199 as we thought about this morning. 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:40.899 So groaning and waiting 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:43.139 is part of our experience 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:43.779 as Christians. 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.799 Actually, it's part of the gospel, 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:48.899 because we have been saved, 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:50.039 and we've got all these 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:51.720 rich promises to come, 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:54.279 but they haven't come yet. 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:57.220 And so here we find Abraham 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:58.460 in that space 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.279 where he's struggling. 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:01.340 He's got questions. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.399 Maybe you find yourself 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.920 in that position this evening. 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:07.180 How does God respond 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.960 to his questioning? 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:11.879 Well, God confirms 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:14.480 his promised grace. 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.800 When life hasn't worked out 00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:18.820 as Abraham planned, 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.960 when Abraham needs assurance, 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:22.460 God comes again 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.860 with his words 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.879 of covenant promises, 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:27.559 and he gives him signs 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:29.720 to confirm those promises. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.879 So look at verse 4. 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.960 After Abraham said, 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:34.320 you've given me no children, 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:37.080 here is the word of promise 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:40.259 from the sovereign Lord. 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:42.039 This man will not be your heir. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.879 Your servant will not be your heir, 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:46.539 but a son coming from your own body 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:48.340 will be your heir. 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:50.779 So there's the great word of promise. 00:15:51.820 --> 00:15:53.639 And then to assure him, 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:55.179 he gives him a sign. 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.679 He took him outside 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.139 and said, 00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:58.980 look up at the heavens 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:00.059 and count the stars. 00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:02.939 If indeed you can count them, 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:06.439 so shall your offspring be 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:08.199 to look up. 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.960 Without a telescope, 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.799 they reckon, 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:15.319 away from light pollution, 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:17.019 we can see perhaps 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.899 anywhere between 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:19.600 5,000 and 10,000 stars 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:21.059 on a clear night. 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:23.379 But imagine trying to count them. 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:25.219 Here is God saying, 00:16:25.459 --> 00:16:25.739 look up, 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.719 remember me, 00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:27.599 your creator. 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:30.299 Look at all of those stars 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:32.939 and recognize 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:35.419 my promise to you is great. 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:38.319 Your family is going to be great. 00:16:38.579 --> 00:16:40.379 And you have that wonderful response 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:42.219 of Abraham having received the word, 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:44.000 having received the sign, 00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:46.719 Abraham believed the Lord 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:49.279 and he credited it to him 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:51.180 as righteousness. 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:54.180 He is counted in this 00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:55.600 right covenant relationship 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.180 with God 00:16:56.180 --> 00:16:59.220 because of his faith. 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.800 So he has questions 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:03.100 about where is his family 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.899 going to come from 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:05.819 and God brings reassurance. 00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:08.720 But there's the second combination 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:10.079 of word and sign too. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:12.279 And this is truly staggering. 00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:14.259 There was the word of promise 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.059 in verse 7 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.700 that Abraham would be given 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:18.379 the land to take possession of it. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.619 And Abraham is struggling. 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.680 How can I know? 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:25.399 And in verse 13 to 16, 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:27.379 God gives him a timeline. 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:31.039 So he's told there will be a time 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.839 when his descendants 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.759 will be slaves. 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:35.339 But he promises 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:36.139 that that nation 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:37.160 that had them as slaves 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.720 would be punished 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.480 and they would come 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.460 and they would take possession 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.160 of the land. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:42.279 So he's saying, 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.580 yes, you're going to have to wait, 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.320 but you can wait 00:17:44.320 --> 00:17:45.019 with a certainty 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.320 that there is a time coming 00:17:46.320 --> 00:17:47.160 for your family 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:48.380 when that end will be over, 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:49.360 when you will enjoy 00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:50.300 glorious freedom 00:17:50.300 --> 00:17:51.340 in the promised land. 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.500 And he doesn't just 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.320 give him a word. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.600 He also gives him again 00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:57.740 a sign 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.480 to assure him 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.800 that his faith in God 00:18:00.800 --> 00:18:01.740 is well placed. 00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:03.820 This takes us 00:18:03.820 --> 00:18:05.400 to a covenant ceremony. 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:06.960 In verse 9, 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.700 we find the beginning 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:10.039 of the details. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:13.819 So here is a covenant ceremony 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:16.279 that the Lord enters into 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:16.840 with Abraham. 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:18.160 So the Lord said to Abraham, 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.120 bring me a heifer, 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.740 a goat and a ram, 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.920 each three years old, 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:23.319 along with a dove 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:25.100 and a young pigeon. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.160 Abraham brought all these 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:27.559 to him, 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.100 cut them in two 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:31.000 and arranged the halves 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.039 opposite each other. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.519 The birds, however, 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:36.299 he did not cut in half. 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:38.799 So in the ancient Near East, 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:40.319 there was this 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.299 covenant-making ceremony 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:46.680 where animals 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.579 would be slaughtered, 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.879 a path would be established 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:51.419 between these cut-up animals 00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:53.059 and the parties 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.279 entering into 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:56.079 an agreement together 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.659 would walk through 00:18:57.659 --> 00:19:00.960 declaring a self-curse 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.919 on themselves 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.919 if they were to break 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:06.019 the terms of the agreement. 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.580 I swear by my life 00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:08.759 if I break the terms 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.460 of the agreement, 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.860 let me become 00:19:10.860 --> 00:19:13.160 as these animals. 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:15.200 But in the ancient Near East, 00:19:15.580 --> 00:19:16.580 it was always 00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:18.279 an unequal covenant. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.220 There was always 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.980 a superpower 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.660 making a covenant 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:22.800 with a nation 00:19:22.800 --> 00:19:24.300 that they had conquered. 00:19:25.580 --> 00:19:26.680 And so the terms 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.380 always favored 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:27.920 the strong. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:29.380 Essentially, 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:29.920 it was a way 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.680 for the strong to say, 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.580 well, if you decide 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.319 that you're going 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.399 to enter into an alliance 00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:34.339 with this country 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:35.059 over here, 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.839 if you break faith, 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:37.559 we're going to come 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.819 and we're going 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.119 to crush you. 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:41.299 So it very much favored 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.720 the strong. 00:19:43.939 --> 00:19:44.859 But when we think 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:46.319 about this covenant 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:47.699 that God makes 00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:48.419 with Abraham, 00:19:49.199 --> 00:19:50.179 it's very, 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.000 very different indeed. 00:19:52.659 --> 00:19:53.960 Look at verse 17. 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.639 Here is how the covenant 00:19:56.639 --> 00:19:58.819 comes to be. 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:01.059 When the sun had set 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:03.200 and darkness had fallen, 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:05.399 a smoking brazier 00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:06.980 with a blazing torch 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:08.500 appeared and passed 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.379 between the pieces. 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.919 On that day, 00:20:11.419 --> 00:20:12.700 the Lord made a covenant 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.879 with Abraham, 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:16.119 promising him the land. 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.279 This brazier, 00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:19.879 this smoking torch, 00:20:20.179 --> 00:20:20.980 is a vision 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.079 of God himself. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.659 Here is God 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.799 entering into 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:27.059 a covenant agreement 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.539 with a person. 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.480 And notice, 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.919 only the Lord 00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:32.819 passes through 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.379 the pieces 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:35.119 of the animals. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.240 Here is the Lord God, 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:38.399 the sovereign Lord, 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.159 swearing 00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:42.240 to his servant. 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:44.539 And even more amazing 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.000 than that, 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.720 we know whenever 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.159 a covenant is entered into, 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.480 there's always two parties. 00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:51.500 So in a wedding covenant, 00:20:51.639 --> 00:20:52.159 there's a husband 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:52.899 and a wife. 00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:54.279 In a contract 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.139 of an employment, 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:57.119 there is a boss 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:58.359 and there is an employer. 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:00.699 There is always two parties 00:21:00.699 --> 00:21:01.899 in a covenant. 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.619 But here, 00:21:03.419 --> 00:21:04.559 there's just the torch 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.559 that passes through. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:08.599 What's that saying to us? 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:11.419 It's saying to us 00:21:11.419 --> 00:21:12.159 that the Lord 00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:14.139 is also 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:15.539 the servant. 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.039 The Lord 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.899 is becoming 00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:18.759 the servant 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.000 for the assurance 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.179 of his servant Abraham. 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:21.420 Abraham. 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.160 This is a message 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:24.960 of grace 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.000 to Abraham 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.620 and to the world. 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:29.080 That the penalty 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.600 for covenant breaking 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:31.759 will be carried 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.539 by the Lord 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.340 who is also 00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:33.940 the servant. 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:37.660 If we know 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.380 the Old Testament, 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.360 we perhaps think 00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:40.360 about the book 00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:41.000 of Isaiah, 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.680 the servant 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.420 of the Lord, 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:44.600 the one who comes 00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:45.620 to bear the curse 00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:46.220 of the covenant 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.480 for his people. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:49.200 This is promising 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.500 the coming 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.100 of Jesus. 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:51.860 Jesus, 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.680 who is the Lord, 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.799 who also becomes 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.400 our suffering 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.320 servant. 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:57.840 Jesus, 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.860 the one who secures 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.799 our promised 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.420 blessing 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:02.200 as he takes 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:03.200 the curse 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:03.820 of the covenant. 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.560 What we deserve 00:22:05.560 --> 00:22:06.220 because of our 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.740 law breaking, 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.759 Jesus takes it 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:09.279 and instead 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.259 we receive 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.460 all the rich 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.160 blessings 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.580 of life 00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:14.660 in covenant 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.279 relationship 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:15.920 with God. 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.779 Stories like this, 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:20.560 passages like this 00:22:20.560 --> 00:22:21.480 are so important 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:21.980 when we 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.279 wrestle, 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:24.900 when our life 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.500 is in a mess 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.180 and we wonder 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.420 what God 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.340 is doing. 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.960 We need 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.360 the word 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:30.960 of God. 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.559 We need 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.140 the promises 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:32.559 of God 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.299 to be our 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:33.700 guide 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.680 in those 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.579 moments. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.940 Just like 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:38.299 Abraham, 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:38.840 we need to 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.700 hear God's 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.559 word of 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.019 grace. 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.079 How do we 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:43.759 hear God's 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.140 word of 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.700 grace? 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.380 Well, 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:45.860 we hear it 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:46.360 in the message 00:22:46.360 --> 00:22:47.000 of the cross 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.960 where we see 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.779 so clearly 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.740 God's love, 00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.240 God's goodness, 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:54.380 God's faithfulness 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:55.759 to those 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.160 he has 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.140 established 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:57.779 a covenant 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.200 with. 00:22:58.200 --> 00:23:00.440 blessing 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.620 for us 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:03.299 comes through 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.059 the cursing 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:04.920 of his 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.319 one and 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.059 only son. 00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:08.500 Just like 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:08.819 Abraham, 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.380 we need to 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.440 hear the 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:10.920 word of 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.400 hope, 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.740 to remember 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.640 that God 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.019 said, 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.819 remember 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.299 Abraham, 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.580 from your 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:16.980 seed will 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.860 come blessing 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:18.400 to the 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:18.700 nations. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.120 The same 00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:19.660 blessing 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.220 that Abraham 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.759 enjoyed 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.940 is ours 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.720 by faith 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:22.980 in the 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.580 Lord Jesus. 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:25.659 Abraham 00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:27.039 was justified 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.980 because of 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.399 his faith, 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.179 so too, 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.220 by faith 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:30.639 in Jesus 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.059 we are 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.559 justified, 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:31.980 we are 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.480 declared 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.059 to be 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.480 in right 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:33.939 standing 00:23:33.939 --> 00:23:34.460 with God 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:34.799 when our 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.240 faith is 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.679 in him. 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.919 Just as 00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:37.299 Abraham 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:37.720 knew that 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.220 God is 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.879 for us, 00:23:38.939 --> 00:23:39.299 so by 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.960 faith God 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.759 is for 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.259 us. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.679 He will 00:23:42.679 --> 00:23:43.759 always be 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.500 God 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:45.500 to us. 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.379 He will 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:47.199 use his 00:23:47.199 --> 00:23:47.879 power 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:49.240 for us 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.720 to work 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.139 out his 00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:50.720 purposes 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.940 for his 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.700 people's 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.339 good. 00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:54.700 So we 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.039 need to 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.620 hear those 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.180 words of 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.120 grace and 00:23:57.120 --> 00:23:57.940 hope and 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.799 we also 00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.299 need to 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.980 receive for 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.100 our assurance 00:24:02.100 --> 00:24:03.940 the sign 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.700 of the 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.039 covenant. 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.740 What's the 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.380 sign of the 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:08.039 covenant for 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.440 us to 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:08.860 receive? 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.579 What's the 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.079 Lord's Supper 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:12.100 as we 00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:12.700 celebrated 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:14.100 last week? 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:15.779 Remember 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.480 Jesus 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:18.900 at the 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.420 Last Supper 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.420 established the 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.019 new covenant 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.700 he said in 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.420 his body 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:23.400 and his 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:23.840 blood. 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:24.920 Jesus' 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.860 blood is 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:26.680 poured out 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.880 for the 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:28.640 forgiveness of 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.340 our sins 00:24:29.340 --> 00:24:30.400 to remove 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:30.880 the curse 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.360 for us, 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:31.779 to bring 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.519 us into 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.900 a life of 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.380 blessing, 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.180 to invite 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.100 us into 00:24:36.100 --> 00:24:37.500 the covenant. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.980 And so we 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.840 have word 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.840 and sign 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.800 as the 00:24:42.800 --> 00:24:43.180 Christian 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:43.800 church to 00:24:43.800 --> 00:24:44.900 give us 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.700 assurance. 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.060 How can 00:24:48.060 --> 00:24:48.680 I trust 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:50.080 God when 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.679 my life 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:51.259 is in 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.639 a mess? 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:52.819 How can 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.279 I trust 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.699 God when 00:24:53.699 --> 00:24:54.279 I expected 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.619 it to 00:24:54.619 --> 00:24:55.039 look like 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.699 this, 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.099 when I 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.399 read in 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:56.779 the Bible 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.119 and I 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:57.679 hear this 00:24:57.679 --> 00:24:58.619 and actually 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.439 I'm 00:24:59.439 --> 00:24:59.939 struggling 00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:00.619 right now? 00:25:01.199 --> 00:25:01.980 Like Abraham, 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.039 our hope 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:04.519 comes in 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.079 God's covenant 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.799 promise to 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:06.179 us, 00:25:06.679 --> 00:25:07.460 comes in 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:07.819 that word 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.399 of grace 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:09.099 to us, 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:09.980 and we 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.419 can find 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:10.919 assurance 00:25:10.919 --> 00:25:12.179 in the 00:25:12.179 --> 00:25:12.419 covenant 00:25:12.419 --> 00:25:12.960 sign of 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.379 the Lord's 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:13.619 Supper 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.719 Edge 00:25:14.719 --> 00:25:15.079 in the 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.319 Ryan. 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.199 He gives 00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:17.599 to us. 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:18.339 He gives 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.259 to us. 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.859 He gives 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.599 us. 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:24.859 He gives 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:27.359 us. 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:29.199 He wears 00:25:29.199 --> 00:25:30.619 attention to 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:31.139 us. 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:31.719 He gives 00:25:31.719 --> 00:25:32.159 me 00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:32.259 towards 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.619 us. 00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:32.759 He � 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.159 over us. 00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:34.939 He gives 00:25:34.939 --> 00:25:35.279 other people 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:37.179 that He gives 00:25:37.179 --> 00:25:38.119 to us and 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:39.000 move.