WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.500 Well, we're continuing our series through the book of Genesis this morning, and we've come to Genesis chapter 21. 00:00:07.259 --> 00:00:11.419 And so if you would, please take your Bibles, open them up to Genesis chapter 21. 00:00:11.419 --> 00:00:14.720 If you don't have a copy of God's Word with you, that's okay. 00:00:14.859 --> 00:00:17.800 We have them nearby in a seat back in front of you somewhere nearby. 00:00:17.939 --> 00:00:19.160 You should be able to find a Bible. 00:00:19.620 --> 00:00:26.400 And I would encourage you to actually have a copy of God's Word open as we walk through this together this morning. 00:00:26.519 --> 00:00:31.300 So Genesis chapter 21, and when you've found it, let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word. 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:45.920 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:51.939 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. 00:00:52.859 --> 00:00:57.719 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 00:00:58.420 --> 00:01:03.700 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 00:01:03.700 --> 00:01:07.700 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 00:01:08.320 --> 00:01:11.040 And Sarah said, God has made laughter for me. 00:01:11.540 --> 00:01:13.340 Everyone who hears will laugh over me. 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:17.680 And she said, Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:20.140 Yet I have borne him a son in his old age. 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:25.939 And the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 00:01:26.340 --> 00:01:31.700 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 00:01:31.700 --> 00:01:36.680 So she said to Abraham, Cast out this slave woman with her son. 00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:40.820 For the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac. 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:45.159 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 00:01:46.020 --> 00:01:51.300 But God said to Abraham, Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. 00:01:51.859 --> 00:01:54.820 Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you. 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:57.920 For through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:02.640 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring. 00:02:03.579 --> 00:02:08.379 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:11.879 putting it on her shoulder along with the child, and sent her away. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:15.060 And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:19.520 When the water and the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:24.840 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bow shot, 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:28.140 where she said, Let me not look on the death of the child. 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:32.039 And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:34.719 And God heard the voice of the boy. 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:38.199 And the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 00:02:38.580 --> 00:02:39.640 What troubles you, Hagar? 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:43.599 Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:49.280 Up! Lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation. 00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:52.799 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. 00:02:53.299 --> 00:02:56.939 And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:02:59.680 And God was with the boy and he grew up. 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:02.900 He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. 00:03:03.479 --> 00:03:08.299 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. 00:03:09.299 --> 00:03:13.439 At that time Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:15.620 God is with you in all that you do. 00:03:16.299 --> 00:03:23.659 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:29.079 But as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned. 00:03:29.639 --> 00:03:31.439 And Abraham said, I will swear. 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:38.680 When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized, Abimelech said, 00:03:39.139 --> 00:03:40.859 I do not know who has done this thing. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:43.879 You did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today. 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:49.879 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 00:03:50.819 --> 00:03:53.479 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. 00:03:53.479 --> 00:03:58.599 And Abimelech said to Abraham, what is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart? 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:06.000 He said, these seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well. 00:04:06.839 --> 00:04:11.599 Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath. 00:04:12.259 --> 00:04:14.060 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:20.660 Then Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:27.579 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:32.759 And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines. 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:38.680 Grass withers, flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:43.420 Father, we pray once more, Lord, that you would bless the preaching of your word. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:45.480 Give us ears to hear and to receive the truth. 00:04:45.720 --> 00:04:46.600 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:47.699 Amen. 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:49.420 You may be seated. 00:04:52.340 --> 00:04:58.240 One thing I've noticed is when moms get together, especially new moms, 00:04:59.100 --> 00:05:01.800 they love to swap birth stories. 00:05:02.700 --> 00:05:07.860 All the details of the birth stories, good and bad, what went right, what went wrong, 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:12.720 how long it took, when the water broke, had you made it there, had you not. 00:05:12.720 --> 00:05:14.480 Did you get the epidural? 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:16.180 Did you go all natural? 00:05:16.420 --> 00:05:17.380 Was the baby early? 00:05:17.520 --> 00:05:18.540 Was the baby late? 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:21.620 They like to talk about this, and for good reason, right? 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:25.180 Having a child is a major milestone in anyone's life. 00:05:25.940 --> 00:05:29.620 They have waited at a minimum nine months for this child to arrive, 00:05:29.700 --> 00:05:35.840 although for most mothers they've waited and longed for and prayed for this child much longer than that. 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:41.679 And on top of that, it is just a miracle of God that God forms a life, 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:46.179 prepares it when mother and father come together, forms a life, 00:05:46.259 --> 00:05:50.419 and then at long last eventually brings that life out into the world. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:51.060 It's a miracle. 00:05:51.060 --> 00:06:01.379 Our passage this morning here in Genesis chapter 21 is the story of a long-awaited, miraculous birth. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:05.199 And we get to hear the story here of the birth of Isaac. 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:09.319 And we get to see the kind of messy family that he's born into. 00:06:09.459 --> 00:06:12.340 All of this family drama just kind of happens right away. 00:06:12.339 --> 00:06:17.299 And we've been waiting and waiting a long time for this promise to be kept. 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:23.439 And finally, at long last, the child of promise has come. 00:06:23.539 --> 00:06:27.179 But, you know, as I read this story this week, it was interesting to me. 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:30.219 I wonder if you noticed the emphasis in this chapter. 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:36.519 What was emphasized here in this birth story is not us. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:38.859 It's not Abraham. 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:43.900 And it's not even Isaac, this long-awaited child of promise. 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:46.660 You would think that he would get a little bit more page time, wouldn't you? 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:49.280 But he's not getting the attention you might think. 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:52.879 We finally get this long-awaited birth of this promised child. 00:06:53.080 --> 00:06:55.180 And then we're off to a story about Ishmael. 00:06:55.660 --> 00:06:58.860 And then we're off to this story about Abraham and Abimelech. 00:06:58.920 --> 00:06:59.900 I mean, what do we do with that? 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:01.580 How does that fit in with this chapter? 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:07.759 Here's what I want us to see and what I think ties this whole thing together this morning. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:13.180 But the emphasis here in this passage is on the Lord. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:19.379 And the main character here in this story is God. 00:07:19.379 --> 00:07:23.939 His power in the birth of this promised child. 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:27.899 His provision and his protection of Ishmael. 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:34.180 His plan and his purposes for redemption as we zoom out to the big picture behind this passage. 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:38.920 And then his continued faithfulness to all of his promises. 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:41.300 God is the hero of the story. 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:44.079 So let's take a look here. 00:07:44.139 --> 00:07:46.100 And we'll see this in four ways this morning. 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:47.980 This will be our outline if you're taking notes. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:52.560 The four ways God is emphasized here in Genesis chapter 1. 00:07:52.680 --> 00:07:57.840 First, we see God's power here in the birth of Isaac. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:00.900 God's power here in verses 1 through 7. 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:02.019 Look there with me to verse 1. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:05.560 And don't lose sight of the buildup to this moment, okay? 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:13.720 Abraham has been waiting over 25 years now since God first promised him the birth of a child. 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:16.620 Over 25 years of delay. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:20.019 And now finally, at long last, the child has come. 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:24.120 You remember God called this pagan man out of his hometown. 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:26.399 He made promises to him. 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:27.819 Promises of land. 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:28.819 The land of Canaan. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:30.980 The promises of offspring. 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:33.720 This old, barren man. 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:39.399 God told him it would be the father of a multitude more numerous than the stars of the sky. 00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:45.340 And we've been waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for this moment when this promise would finally come to pass. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:49.000 And now, at long last, here it is. 00:08:50.420 --> 00:08:51.120 Verse 1 says, 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:54.039 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said. 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:56.240 The Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 00:08:56.440 --> 00:08:59.560 Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age. 00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:03.759 At the time of which God had spoken to him. 00:09:03.859 --> 00:09:04.699 This is a miracle. 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:11.500 And you just think about all the obstacles that God has had to overcome in order to bring this child into the world. 00:09:11.579 --> 00:09:14.319 You remember there were threats of famine in the land. 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:17.379 And there were threats of war all around. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:20.899 There were threats of family strife there with Abraham and Lot. 00:09:21.739 --> 00:09:24.519 Not to mention the threats of Abraham's own foolishness. 00:09:24.699 --> 00:09:26.519 And Abraham's own faithlessness. 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:30.720 Giving away his wife not once but twice into the hands of other men. 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:33.919 Not to mention the natural obstacles. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:35.480 Abraham's age. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:36.779 Sarah's old age. 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:38.000 Sarah's barrenness. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:44.139 And you remember how many times Abraham tried to work around the promises of God. 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:47.539 How he tried to take matters into his own hands. 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:49.319 Take Eleazar of Damascus. 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:50.840 He said, let him be my heir. 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:52.500 And God said, no. 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:55.379 You will have a son. 00:09:56.500 --> 00:10:00.440 How Sarah gave Abraham Hagar and said, have a child with her. 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:01.560 He'll be your heir. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:03.280 And God said, no. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:06.600 Your wife Sarah will bear you a son. 00:10:06.700 --> 00:10:08.240 I know this looks impossible. 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:09.920 And it is. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:11.879 Abraham, that's exactly the point. 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:18.100 This whole thing is about God's power. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:20.879 This whole thing. 00:10:21.019 --> 00:10:29.779 God has so orchestrated this birth that it cannot be explained any other way than by a miracle of the power of God. 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:32.360 There is no denying it. 00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:35.439 God has accomplished this. 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:40.020 This birth was not just unlikely from a human perspective. 00:10:40.380 --> 00:10:43.540 It was impossible from a human perspective. 00:10:44.020 --> 00:10:46.420 I mean, you see the emphasis here on God's activity, don't you? 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:51.800 Here in verse 1, it doesn't say Abraham and Sarah conceived a child. 00:10:51.920 --> 00:10:52.520 What does it say? 00:10:53.540 --> 00:10:56.940 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said. 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:00.560 And the Lord did to Sarah as he promised. 00:11:00.780 --> 00:11:02.480 Why does Moses tell the story this way? 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:13.080 Moses tells this story like this to make certain that you and I understand that we see this is not Abraham and Sarah's doing. 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:19.120 This is the work of the power of the Lord. 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:24.519 God Almighty has done what he promised by his power alone. 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:31.279 Church, you know, we ought to tell our story like this. 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:40.379 God's people ought to know more than anybody else in the world that the main actor, the main character in your life, 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:48.100 the main actor in your story, it's not us and what you do and what you can accomplish by your own efforts. 00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:48.820 Who is it? 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:50.759 It's the Lord. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:54.840 Who gets the center stage in your story? 00:11:55.639 --> 00:12:02.259 As you talk about your life and your accomplishments, your job, your family, your dreams, your hopes, your past, your future, 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:03.840 who gets center stage? 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:04.340 Is it you? 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:15.120 The Lord Almighty ought to take center stage in your life and in the way you talk about your life. 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:18.120 Here we see Abraham and Sarah. 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:21.200 They've both failed over and over and over again. 00:12:21.280 --> 00:12:23.139 They've tried to take matters into their own hands. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:26.240 But here it seems like they get it, doesn't it? 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:29.680 Isaac is born and what does Abraham do? 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:32.460 Immediately he obeys the word of the Lord. 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.460 Verse 3, it says, 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:41.779 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac, as God had commanded. 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:46.659 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.019 Why? 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:49.480 As God had commanded. 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:55.139 Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:57.039 And Sarah gets it too, doesn't she? 00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:58.480 She understands. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.960 She knows how incredible this birth is. 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.639 There's no denying it. 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:05.300 And she says, everybody's going to laugh when I tell this story. 00:13:06.300 --> 00:13:08.360 God has given me laughter. 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:12.680 An old woman like me bearing at that. 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:15.279 And there's no way I can possibly get pregnant. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:19.139 But here am I and here's my son, God. 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:23.800 God has done it by his power alone. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:27.800 So we see God's power is emphasized here. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:34.399 Second, we see God's protection and provision here in verses 8 through 21. 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:38.379 And it's interesting how the focus here shifts, isn't it? 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:41.060 Isaac is the child of promise. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:46.320 Isaac is the one through whom the Savior, Jesus, eventually will come. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:48.519 Sarah is the chosen mother. 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:51.159 She's the one who bears the seed of promise. 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:59.259 But almost immediately, we shift our attention away from these main characters here to Ishmael and Hagar. 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:00.799 Look there to verse 8. 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:04.379 It says, the child grew and was weaned. 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:10.000 This was usually around age 2, sometimes age 3, but even up to age 5 in this culture. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.759 And they throw a celebration. 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:14.299 A baby boy's growing up. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.639 Abraham's 100. 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:19.639 Maybe he doesn't know how many more celebration milestones he'll get to be around for. 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:21.440 So they throw a celebration here. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.779 Come celebrate with us. 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:25.059 Abraham makes a great feast. 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:26.480 And everybody's eating. 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.399 And they're happy. 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:28.580 And they're celebrating. 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:31.220 And then all of a sudden, it's like the record scratches. 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:33.100 And there's a problem here. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:35.879 Sarah looks over. 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:39.320 And she sees Ishmael. 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:41.660 Except she doesn't even call him Ishmael, does she? 00:14:41.660 --> 00:14:42.080 Look at that. 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:45.040 She says, she sees that son of Hagar. 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:48.339 Hagar the Egyptian. 00:14:50.079 --> 00:14:55.219 Hagar the Egyptian who had a child with my husband, Abraham. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:15:00.759 She looks over and she sees Ishmael laughing. 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:02.719 Now, it's a play on words here. 00:15:03.699 --> 00:15:06.360 Isaac means he laughs. 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:10.120 Sarah said God made laughter for her. 00:15:10.219 --> 00:15:13.480 You remember how Sarah responded when God promised a child? 00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:14.899 She laughed. 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:19.699 But now, the son of the slave woman is laughing. 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:21.980 And Sarah does not think it's funny. 00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:25.059 It's clear, I think. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:29.019 He's not just having a good time and joining in and laughing and enjoying the party. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:31.319 He is picking at his little brother. 00:15:31.459 --> 00:15:32.959 He's mocking him. 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:36.079 This is a laughing at, not a laughing with. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:38.339 He's laughing at Isaac. 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:43.360 Paul, in the passage that was read earlier this morning in Galatians chapter 4, 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:45.899 He calls this persecution. 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:48.580 He's picking on his little brother. 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:52.779 And Sarah, we see she goes into mama bear mode, doesn't she? 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:56.879 She goes, she skips right past time out, right past no cake for you. 00:15:57.339 --> 00:15:59.579 And she says, she just goes right for the neck. 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:03.019 Cast out this slave woman. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.399 Doesn't even call her by her name. 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:09.459 Cast out this slave woman with her son. 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:14.580 For the son of that slave woman will not be heir with my son Isaac. 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:16.900 You can almost feel the tension through the page, can't you? 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:22.780 I imagine everybody at the party kind of just puts down their forks and they perk up. 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:25.079 There's a problem going on here. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:27.500 There's some drama happening here at the party. 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.779 And here's Abraham caught in the middle. 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:31.579 There's mama and baby over here. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:34.100 They're mad at mama and baby over here. 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.819 And Abraham's like, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:38.459 I just want to throw a party here. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.019 Verse 11 says, 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:44.600 It was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:48.439 Isaac is the son of promise, yes. 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:51.480 But Ishmael still is Abraham's child. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:55.399 But, verse 12, God said to Abraham, 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:59.039 Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:02.639 Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you. 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:07.480 For through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:09.779 This is election. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:19.799 This is God's choosing of one son, Isaac, over one son, Ishmael. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:23.420 Ishmael is not in the line of promise. 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:25.720 Isaac is the line of promise. 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:29.359 It's through Isaac that Abraham's offspring will come. 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:33.639 So the blessing of the world will come not through Ishmael, 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:36.359 the product of Abraham's physical effort, 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:39.359 but the blessing of the world will come through Isaac, 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:42.139 Isaac, the work of God alone. 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:46.079 Both are descendants of Abraham physically, 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:50.019 but only one is the true son of Abraham spiritually, 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:53.359 and the heir of the promises made to Abraham. 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:56.759 Paul picks this up in Romans chapter 9 00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:02.579 to explain why not all who are physically Jews are truly Jews. 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.220 He says, 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:07.180 Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:12.079 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring. 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.200 But, he quotes, 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:16.920 Through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:22.240 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:27.259 but the children of promise are counted as offspring. 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:28.279 We'll come back there. 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:31.080 But even so, 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:36.120 would you just look and notice how God cares for Ishmael? 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:40.359 Our natural thought might be, 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.579 Well, if Isaac is the elect one, 00:18:42.659 --> 00:18:45.339 then God doesn't really care for Ishmael, right? 00:18:46.439 --> 00:18:47.000 Wrong! 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.759 Look there to verse 13. 00:18:49.979 --> 00:18:53.239 God says he has purposes for Ishmael. 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:55.819 I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman. 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:57.919 Jump forward to chapter 25, 00:18:58.219 --> 00:19:01.379 and you see how God blesses Ishmael with many descendants. 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:03.859 He multiplies him and his offspring. 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:05.819 And not only this, 00:19:05.919 --> 00:19:08.819 God also protects and provides for Ishmael. 00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:12.019 You see this story of this dangerous journey into the desert. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:16.699 Abraham sends Hagar off with some bread and some water, 00:19:16.979 --> 00:19:19.240 and they go to the wilderness of Beersheba, 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:21.579 which if you know anything about this area, 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:24.859 you should know that it is hot and it is dry. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.879 This isn't like forest wilderness. 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:29.240 This is desert wilderness. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.419 And this area of the world, 00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:33.459 they're in the desert of Palestine. 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:38.339 And it only gets maybe about 6 to 12 inches of rainwater per year. 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:41.879 And pretty quickly, verse 15, 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:44.959 says they run out of water. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:49.500 So Hagar puts her child, 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:51.879 who is about 15 years old at this point, 00:19:51.979 --> 00:19:53.519 Ishmael is now a teenager, 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:56.399 puts her son under a bush 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:58.699 and goes off about the distance of a bow shot. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.140 Why? 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:03.539 So that she won't have to be there and see her son die. 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:08.140 And as she sits there opposite him, 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:11.799 she just lifts up her voice and she weeps, she cries. 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:14.299 But what happens there? 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.920 Verse 17, what happens? 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.900 God hears the voice of the boy. 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:22.200 And the angel of the Lord, 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:24.060 he calls to Hagar from heaven and says, 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.660 What troubles you, Hagar? 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:29.560 Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 00:20:29.620 --> 00:20:29.920 Up! 00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:31.420 Lift up the boy. 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.880 Hold him fast with your hand. 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.700 I will make him into a great nation. 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.660 And God opens their eyes 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:38.440 and she sees a well of water 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:40.880 and she goes and she fills up the water 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:43.620 and she gives Ishmael a drink of the water. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:46.680 God cares for Hagar. 00:20:48.040 --> 00:20:50.800 God provides for her and for Ishmael. 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:53.860 And once again, just as he did before in chapter 16, 00:20:54.060 --> 00:20:57.200 God comes and appears as the angel of the Lord. 00:20:57.580 --> 00:20:58.880 He comes to her rescue. 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:02.300 He comes and he cares for this outcast, 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:06.160 rejected, castaway nobody. 00:21:07.340 --> 00:21:09.540 And it's just an incredible reversal, isn't it? 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.880 And within just a few verses, 00:21:12.080 --> 00:21:14.880 Ishmael goes from being near the point of death, 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:17.060 they're dying of thirst under a bush, 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:20.000 to now verse 20, he's grown up. 00:21:20.060 --> 00:21:21.660 He's got a home there in the wilderness. 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:23.400 He's got some skills with a bow. 00:21:23.560 --> 00:21:26.360 He has a wife now from Egypt. 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:29.759 You see this grand reversal in the life of Ishmael. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:31.240 He's truly blessed. 00:21:32.300 --> 00:21:34.259 But church, we ought to zoom out and ask, 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:37.180 well, how in the world did this happen for Ishmael? 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:40.119 God did that. 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:43.319 God pursued him. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:45.680 God pursued his mother. 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.980 God heard their cries. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:50.680 God provided water to drink. 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:53.359 God had a plan for his future. 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:56.579 But once again, who's the main character of the scene? 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.460 It's the Lord. 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:05.899 You know, so often we talk about the work of God for his people, 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.339 and that is primary. 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:11.139 Those who have by his grace been included 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:13.939 and brought into this line of promise and blessing, 00:22:14.199 --> 00:22:15.439 not by their own doing, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.939 but by Christ's doing, 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:17.759 by grace, 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.960 through faith. 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:22.880 But have you ever thought about how much God blesses those 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:25.720 who are outside of the people of God? 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:31.900 Have you ever noticed that Christians aren't the only ones in the world 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:33.100 with food on their plate, 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:35.259 or with families, 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.539 or with jobs, 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:39.319 or with houses, 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.340 or with vehicles, 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.759 or with joy, 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:43.340 and with happiness in their life? 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:45.400 No, the sun shines on the righteous 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:47.640 and on the unrighteous alike. 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:51.360 This is what we call common grace. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.640 God, in his kindness, 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:58.960 he pours out all sorts of blessings 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:00.920 on all people, 00:23:01.040 --> 00:23:03.080 even on those who are outside 00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:06.140 of his special saving grace. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.580 If you're not a believer, 00:23:11.300 --> 00:23:14.360 do you realize that it is God who gives you life? 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:19.339 And do you realize that it is God who gives you breath? 00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:25.699 Do you realize that it is God who provides every single blessing in your life? 00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:30.740 Do you realize that it is God who gives you a mind to think, 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:32.159 and a voice to speak, 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:35.279 and hands and feet to go and do the work that you do? 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:39.279 Do you realize that it is God who gives you food to eat, 00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:41.000 and water to drink? 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:43.980 Do you realize that it is God who sustains your life? 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:45.900 You know, if you're not a believer, 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.799 you know the right response to these things? 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:51.079 It is to turn to the Lord 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:54.460 and give him praise for all that he's done for you. 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:58.339 God provides for, 00:23:59.099 --> 00:24:00.079 he protects, 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.680 and he has purposes 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:04.160 for the believer and the non-believer 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.359 alike. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:08.919 But this raises an important question, 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.399 doesn't it? 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.319 Which one are you? 00:24:14.719 --> 00:24:17.740 Are you like Ishmael, 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:20.240 the product of the flesh, 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:23.319 enjoying God's common grace, 00:24:23.479 --> 00:24:23.959 blessings, 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:26.079 receiving good things from the Lord, 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:27.599 but only in this life? 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:31.659 Or are you like Isaac, 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:34.620 a child of promise, 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:39.660 the product of God's work and power alone? 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.120 Which one are you? 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:41.700 In other words, 00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:43.920 what is your birth story? 00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:47.180 And we need to zoom out here for a minute 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:47.660 and see third, 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.920 third point this morning, 00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:51.900 we need to see God's purpose 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:53.220 behind all of this. 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.560 Third, 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.700 God's purpose 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.100 for all of this. 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.600 And here, 00:24:57.759 --> 00:25:00.460 I want us to turn to the book of Galatians. 00:25:00.540 --> 00:25:01.560 Go ahead and just flip there. 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.220 Real quick, 00:25:02.340 --> 00:25:04.080 I don't usually make you do this, 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:06.779 but I want you to lay eyes on Galatians chapter 4 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:07.820 this morning 00:25:07.820 --> 00:25:11.200 because the point that Paul is making here 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.480 in Galatians chapter 4 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:15.240 is that these two children, 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:17.120 Isaac on one hand, 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.420 Ishmael on the other, 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:22.940 they represent two very different birth stories, 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:26.000 two very different identities, 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:29.200 with two very different destinations, 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:32.240 and everyone in this room 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:35.160 is represented by one or the other. 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.180 While you find it, 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:39.120 Galatians chapter 4, 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.420 I'll just recap quickly 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:42.200 what's going on here in Galatians. 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:45.299 There's a big problem in Galatia. 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.200 You remember what it is? 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:49.059 They have embraced what Paul calls 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:50.980 a false gospel. 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.700 What did we just say? 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:57.080 There is one gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.819 One gospel. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:00.460 It's the good news that sinners, 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.460 Jew and Gentile alike, 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.920 can be justified, 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.519 declared righteous, 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:08.380 by the grace of God, 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:10.519 through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:12.480 It is a simple gospel. 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:15.279 And it sounds almost too good to be true. 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.940 It is so simple. 00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:21.660 Jesus has done everything needed. 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:25.240 All you must do is repent and believe. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:26.740 You put your faith in Christ. 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:29.160 It doesn't matter what your track record is 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:29.940 up to this point. 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:33.259 It doesn't matter your birth origin to this point. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:35.619 It doesn't matter if you're Jew or Gentile, 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.859 slave or free. 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:40.479 If you are united to Christ Jesus by faith, 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:43.939 you are received, adopted, justified 00:26:43.939 --> 00:26:45.179 before the sight of God. 00:26:46.419 --> 00:26:48.240 There is one gospel message, 00:26:48.439 --> 00:26:50.339 one way of salvation 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:52.919 for the one people of God, 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:55.839 believing Jew and believing Gentile alike. 00:26:55.899 --> 00:26:57.219 There's not two peoples of God. 00:26:57.939 --> 00:27:00.079 There's not two ways of salvation. 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:03.419 There are not two ways to be His children. 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:05.699 There is one. 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:08.580 This is the message of Galatians. 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:10.680 Over and over and over and over again, 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:12.019 he just hammers this home. 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:13.860 Chapter 2, verse 16, he says, 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:17.740 a person is not justified by works of the law, 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:20.920 but through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:24.220 Know then, chapter 3, verse 7, 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:27.440 know then that it is those of faith 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:29.480 who are the sons of Abraham. 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:33.339 So, chapter 3, verse 29, 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:35.420 being Jewish physically, 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:37.319 only physically, 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:40.140 does not make you an heir 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:42.680 of any of the promises of God 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:44.059 that He made to Abraham. 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:45.079 Not a single one. 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:48.120 If you are Christ, He says, 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:50.779 then you are Abraham's offspring, 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:53.920 heirs according to promise. 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:57.120 He just so desperately wants them to get this, 00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:59.039 that there's one gospel. 00:27:59.199 --> 00:28:00.979 Don't turn back to slavery, 00:28:00.979 --> 00:28:01.779 to the law. 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:06.519 Don't go back to trying to earn your way to God 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.479 by your own effort. 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:10.699 Don't turn back to the flesh. 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:14.500 Just receive God's grace and power 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:16.719 for you in Christ through faith. 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:20.140 So now look to chapter 4. 00:28:21.600 --> 00:28:24.079 To help them get this, 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:26.640 He reminds them of the story 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:29.759 of Abraham and Sarah and Hagar 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:32.620 and their two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.559 Look there to verse 21. 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:35.279 Galatians chapter 4, verse 21. 00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:36.500 He says, 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:40.500 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:42.240 do you not listen to the law? 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:46.240 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:48.440 one by a slave woman, 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:50.640 one by a free woman. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:53.620 But the son of the slave was born 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:55.400 according to the flesh, 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:57.640 while the son of the free woman 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:59.720 was born through promise. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:02.799 Now this may be interpreted allegorically. 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:06.000 These women are two covenants. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:08.140 One is from Mount Sinai, 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.720 bearing children for slavery. 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.680 She is Hagar. 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:13.960 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia. 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:17.080 She corresponds to the present Jerusalem, 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:19.660 for she is in slavery with her children. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:22.220 But the Jerusalem above is free, 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:24.519 and she is our mother. 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.640 Verse 28. 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:29.259 You brothers, like Isaac, 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:32.120 are children of promise. 00:29:33.820 --> 00:29:35.180 But just as at that time 00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:36.799 he who was born according to the flesh 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:38.420 persecuted him who was born 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.539 according to the Spirit, 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:41.599 so also it is now. 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.980 But what does the Scripture say? 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:47.000 Cast out the slave woman and her son, 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.599 for the son of the slave woman 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:51.059 shall not inherit 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:52.799 with the son of the free woman. 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.500 So brothers, 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:55.539 we are not children of the slave, 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:57.500 but of the free woman. 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:58.379 Praise God. 00:29:58.380 --> 00:30:02.600 These two children, 00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:06.260 two birth stories, 00:30:07.260 --> 00:30:11.160 are two paths of salvation. 00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:15.760 One theoretical and false, 00:30:16.300 --> 00:30:19.560 and one real and glorious. 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:22.879 One is by the flesh, 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.839 by works, 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:27.399 by the effort of Abraham. 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:30.759 One is by the sheer grace 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:32.279 and power of God. 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:35.099 One is by the law. 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.240 One is in slavery. 00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:39.440 One is by the Spirit 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.899 and in freedom. 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:43.200 One is by works 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:45.399 and the other is by faith. 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:47.440 Which one are you? 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:51.420 Are you born naturally 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:53.320 of the flesh, 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.960 as all of us are, 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.759 and are therefore still 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:58.860 under the curse of the law? 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.640 Or have you, 00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:02.140 by the grace of God, 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.360 through faith in Christ, 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.840 been born again 00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:06.440 of the Spirit? 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:09.340 Are you still under 00:31:09.340 --> 00:31:10.960 the old covenant of the law? 00:31:11.580 --> 00:31:13.220 Or by His grace, 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.259 have you been brought 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.420 into the new covenant 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:17.220 of God's grace in Christ? 00:31:17.340 --> 00:31:17.860 Which one? 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:22.620 That answer, church, 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.759 depends entirely 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:25.120 on your response 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:26.720 to the person and work 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.940 of Jesus Christ. 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:32.460 God sent His Son, Jesus, 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:34.160 into the world 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:38.039 to be the all-sufficient Savior 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.340 of His people. 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:39.960 You know what I mean 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.800 by all-sufficient? 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:44.599 That means He is enough. 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:48.359 You can't add to all-sufficient. 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:51.119 All-sufficient doesn't need 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:51.599 your help. 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:54.779 You can't work towards it. 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.980 You can't work your way 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.839 into it. 00:31:56.919 --> 00:31:58.039 You can't earn it. 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:59.899 You can't improve upon it. 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.819 Nothing in your flesh 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:02.599 can bring about 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:04.440 one promise of God 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.399 for you in Christ. 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:08.379 It simply must be received 00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:10.200 by faith, church. 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:12.600 Have you responded 00:32:12.600 --> 00:32:14.540 to Christ by saying, 00:32:15.300 --> 00:32:17.260 thank you for giving me 00:32:17.260 --> 00:32:17.960 a road map 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.920 to be a better person? 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:23.160 Thank you for teaching me 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.900 how to improve upon myself 00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:26.140 and be a better man. 00:32:27.260 --> 00:32:28.300 Thank you for teaching me 00:32:28.300 --> 00:32:29.280 how to be a better woman. 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:33.740 That is law. 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:37.339 And it cannot save you. 00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:42.220 Or have you responded 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:43.359 by the grace of God 00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:44.839 to say, thank you, Christ. 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:46.120 You have done it 00:32:46.120 --> 00:32:47.400 by your power, 00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:48.579 your work, 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.680 your life, 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.660 your death, 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.539 your resurrection alone. 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:55.319 That is my only hope 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.420 and I praise you 00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:57.460 that you have done it. 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.539 And it's so simple. 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:02.259 It's so simple. 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:05.920 John tells us 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.859 in John chapter 1 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.799 that Jesus, 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:08.779 he, Jesus, 00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:10.359 came to his own 00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:11.500 and his own people 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:13.420 did not receive him. 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:16.200 But to all who did receive him, 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:18.319 who believed in his name, 00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:20.920 he gave the right 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:24.039 to become children of God 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:25.700 who were born 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:27.920 not of the will of the flesh 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:29.880 nor of the will of man, 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:33.160 but of God. 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:39.380 Ian DeGuid says 00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:40.440 on this passage 00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:42.140 that Hagar stands 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:43.200 for those who depend 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.299 on their own efforts 00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:45.680 to be accepted by God. 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:47.059 They are in bondage 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:47.720 to the law 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:49.500 and their standing 00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.240 before God 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:51.779 is therefore inevitably 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.519 temporary 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.920 and precarious. 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.579 Sarah, 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:56.579 on the other hand, 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.940 stands for those 00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:59.740 who are living by faith 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.559 on the basis 00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.640 of the gospel. 00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:03.240 such people 00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:04.280 are not trusting 00:34:04.280 --> 00:34:05.480 in their own righteousness, 00:34:06.280 --> 00:34:07.460 but in the righteousness 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:09.240 of Jesus Christ 00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:10.980 credited by God 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:12.220 to their account. 00:34:12.640 --> 00:34:14.019 They are the children 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.960 of promise. 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:16.579 Theirs is a liberty 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.180 that Hagar 00:34:17.180 --> 00:34:18.760 could never know. 00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:20.600 which one are you? 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:23.760 You know, 00:34:23.800 --> 00:34:24.300 it may be that 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.420 this is all new information 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.400 to you, right? 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:28.000 Maybe you hear this 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.440 and you thought 00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.420 that to be a Christian 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:29.940 just meant 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:31.360 I just gotta do better, 00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:32.420 clean myself up, 00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:34.200 try a little harder, 00:34:34.300 --> 00:34:35.560 make God happy with me, 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.960 perform a little bit better, 00:34:38.040 --> 00:34:38.520 and maybe, 00:34:38.620 --> 00:34:40.200 maybe by the grace of God, 00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:41.360 this is the first time 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:42.020 that you're seeing 00:34:42.020 --> 00:34:43.180 that this whole thing 00:34:43.180 --> 00:34:44.220 from beginning to end 00:34:44.219 --> 00:34:45.639 is not dependent 00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:47.039 on your power. 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:49.859 It is God's power. 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:52.219 It is God's doing. 00:34:53.839 --> 00:34:54.439 If that's you, 00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:54.879 just let me, 00:34:54.959 --> 00:34:55.980 let me just encourage you 00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:56.939 before we move on, 00:34:57.339 --> 00:34:58.980 respond this morning 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:00.739 by putting your faith 00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:01.619 in Christ. 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:04.099 Please come talk with me 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:04.919 or any other member 00:35:04.919 --> 00:35:05.759 of this church 00:35:05.759 --> 00:35:07.699 about what that means, 00:35:07.779 --> 00:35:08.619 what that looks like. 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:09.419 If you have questions, 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:10.199 please come. 00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:14.059 So we see the divine plan 00:35:14.059 --> 00:35:15.039 behind all of this, 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.739 but we still, 00:35:15.839 --> 00:35:17.039 we still have this little story 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.759 here at the end 00:35:17.759 --> 00:35:18.460 to deal with, 00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:19.019 don't we? 00:35:19.279 --> 00:35:20.619 So let's turn our attention there 00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:21.719 to our final point here, 00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:23.719 verses 22 through 34, 00:35:23.939 --> 00:35:24.359 and here, 00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:24.939 fourth, 00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:26.559 we see once again, 00:35:27.299 --> 00:35:28.019 once again, 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:28.519 fourth, 00:35:28.939 --> 00:35:30.879 God's promises. 00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.719 God's promises. 00:35:33.919 --> 00:35:34.219 Look there, 00:35:34.439 --> 00:35:35.460 starting in verse 22, 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:37.039 and you may be wondering, 00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:38.279 like I was this week, 00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:40.000 how in the world 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.920 does this story 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:41.820 fit in with everything 00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:42.620 we just talked about? 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.740 And we go straight 00:35:44.740 --> 00:35:46.000 from this birth story 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:47.800 and this family drama 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:49.560 and now to another interaction 00:35:49.560 --> 00:35:51.800 with Abraham and Abimelech 00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:52.860 and what's going on here? 00:35:53.740 --> 00:35:54.720 We just dealt with this 00:35:54.720 --> 00:35:56.019 last week in chapter 20, 00:35:56.900 --> 00:35:59.080 and I won't spend much time here, 00:35:59.160 --> 00:36:00.000 but I just want you 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:02.200 to remember the big picture here, 00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:02.500 okay? 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:02.880 Remember? 00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:05.580 The big picture here, 00:36:05.720 --> 00:36:07.300 it's not about Abraham. 00:36:07.300 --> 00:36:09.640 It is not about Isaac. 00:36:10.100 --> 00:36:12.180 It is not about Ishmael. 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.560 It's not about me. 00:36:13.700 --> 00:36:14.680 It's not about you. 00:36:14.840 --> 00:36:16.080 The big picture here, 00:36:16.160 --> 00:36:18.600 it is all about God 00:36:18.600 --> 00:36:20.220 and His faithfulness 00:36:20.220 --> 00:36:21.100 to His promises, 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:21.539 okay? 00:36:21.720 --> 00:36:22.460 You see that? 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:25.120 Remember the promises 00:36:25.120 --> 00:36:26.320 God made to Abraham, 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:29.039 a child and land. 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:32.300 Offspring and the promised land. 00:36:33.120 --> 00:36:34.560 Well, we got the offspring now, 00:36:34.660 --> 00:36:35.039 finally, 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:36.360 25 years later. 00:36:37.279 --> 00:36:39.179 Despite Abraham's faithlessness, 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:40.900 God remained faithful, 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:42.320 and now we're left wondering, 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:44.719 well, what about the land? 00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.759 You remember how Abraham 00:36:47.759 --> 00:36:48.820 tried to mess that up too, 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:49.199 don't you, 00:36:49.279 --> 00:36:49.840 last week? 00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:53.340 He made some pretty powerful enemies 00:36:53.340 --> 00:36:54.340 last week, 00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:55.000 chapter 20. 00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:56.259 He almost got a king 00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:57.719 and his whole family killed, 00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:59.799 but now, 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:01.299 now, 00:37:01.399 --> 00:37:02.299 what we see here 00:37:02.299 --> 00:37:05.019 is a divine reversal 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:06.419 of circumstance 00:37:06.419 --> 00:37:09.079 in Abraham's favor. 00:37:09.259 --> 00:37:10.359 Everything that went wrong 00:37:10.359 --> 00:37:11.159 in chapter 20 00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:12.179 now is going 00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:13.759 for Abraham 00:37:13.759 --> 00:37:14.959 here in chapter 21. 00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:15.480 Look there, 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:16.859 look there to verse 22. 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:19.000 We see, 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:19.859 you see Abimelech 00:37:19.859 --> 00:37:20.859 comes to Abraham, 00:37:20.859 --> 00:37:21.679 now he's bringing 00:37:21.679 --> 00:37:22.359 Phicol, 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.719 the commander of his army, 00:37:24.519 --> 00:37:25.119 and he says, 00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:26.439 God is with you 00:37:26.439 --> 00:37:28.039 in all that you do. 00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:29.199 He has seen this, 00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:29.639 hasn't he? 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:31.839 He's experienced this 00:37:31.839 --> 00:37:32.619 firsthand. 00:37:32.939 --> 00:37:33.159 You remember, 00:37:33.259 --> 00:37:34.359 God spoke to Abimelech 00:37:34.359 --> 00:37:34.839 in the dream 00:37:34.839 --> 00:37:35.879 because of Abraham. 00:37:36.159 --> 00:37:37.359 He's seen enough 00:37:37.359 --> 00:37:38.359 to know the power 00:37:38.359 --> 00:37:39.679 of Abraham's God, 00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:41.099 but he's also seen enough 00:37:41.099 --> 00:37:41.799 of Abraham 00:37:41.799 --> 00:37:43.759 to know his potential 00:37:43.759 --> 00:37:44.739 for deception. 00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:46.819 So he makes him promise, 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:48.059 swear to me, Abraham, 00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:49.959 that you won't deal 00:37:49.959 --> 00:37:51.059 falsely with me. 00:37:51.059 --> 00:37:53.400 You better start 00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.380 being honest with me. 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:54.880 I need to know 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:55.579 I can trust you. 00:37:55.639 --> 00:37:56.759 Don't lie again. 00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:57.900 I've been kind to you. 00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:59.059 You be kind to me. 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:01.299 And Abraham says, 00:38:01.400 --> 00:38:02.679 okay, I swear. 00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:04.119 Now, this is where 00:38:04.119 --> 00:38:05.719 this gets really interesting 00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:06.340 to me, 00:38:06.759 --> 00:38:07.799 and if I can just have 00:38:07.799 --> 00:38:08.259 your permission 00:38:08.259 --> 00:38:09.159 to nerd out 00:38:09.159 --> 00:38:09.920 for just a minute 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:11.340 on the rest of this passage, 00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:14.159 because the rest 00:38:14.159 --> 00:38:14.900 of this chapter, 00:38:15.719 --> 00:38:16.940 I still haven't figured it out. 00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.559 But it serves 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.980 as a sort of mirror 00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:22.960 image of chapter 20. 00:38:23.179 --> 00:38:25.380 Just notice this, okay? 00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:27.940 Abraham came to Abimelech 00:38:27.940 --> 00:38:28.780 in chapter 20. 00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:30.179 Now, Abimelech comes 00:38:30.179 --> 00:38:31.719 to Abraham in chapter 21. 00:38:33.380 --> 00:38:35.780 Abimelech reproved Abraham 00:38:35.780 --> 00:38:37.780 for his sin in chapter 20. 00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:38.960 But here now, 00:38:39.099 --> 00:38:40.980 Abraham is reproving Abimelech 00:38:40.980 --> 00:38:42.619 for his sin in 21. 00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:45.800 Abraham gave three excuses 00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:46.820 for his behavior. 00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:48.000 You remember chapter 20? 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:49.079 You don't fear God. 00:38:49.779 --> 00:38:50.159 Technically, 00:38:50.279 --> 00:38:51.219 she is my sister. 00:38:52.019 --> 00:38:53.139 God made me do it. 00:38:53.219 --> 00:38:54.440 Now, chapter 21, 00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:55.679 we get to hear 00:38:55.679 --> 00:38:57.539 Abimelech's three excuses. 00:38:57.699 --> 00:38:58.599 I don't know who did it. 00:38:59.159 --> 00:39:00.099 You didn't tell me. 00:39:00.679 --> 00:39:01.500 I'm just now hearing 00:39:01.500 --> 00:39:02.159 about this. 00:39:03.659 --> 00:39:05.039 Abimelech sent Abraham away 00:39:05.039 --> 00:39:06.279 with material blessings, 00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:07.719 cleared his name 00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:08.539 in chapter 20. 00:39:08.799 --> 00:39:09.799 Now, in 21, 00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:10.719 here's Abraham 00:39:10.719 --> 00:39:11.619 sending sheep 00:39:11.619 --> 00:39:13.460 and oxen to Abimelech 00:39:13.460 --> 00:39:13.920 and making sure 00:39:13.920 --> 00:39:14.579 everybody knows, 00:39:14.679 --> 00:39:15.519 hey, that's my well. 00:39:15.519 --> 00:39:18.639 what's going on here? 00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:21.480 To tell you the truth, 00:39:21.559 --> 00:39:23.019 I don't exactly know. 00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:26.440 I tossed this around 00:39:26.440 --> 00:39:27.719 and around and around 00:39:27.719 --> 00:39:28.920 in my mind this week. 00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:30.059 I was laying there 00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:30.559 in the tent 00:39:30.559 --> 00:39:31.539 just thinking about it 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:32.199 as we went camping 00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:33.259 as a church 00:39:33.259 --> 00:39:33.940 the other night. 00:39:34.880 --> 00:39:36.400 I even went so far 00:39:36.400 --> 00:39:37.139 as to reach out 00:39:37.139 --> 00:39:38.519 to one of my former professors 00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:39.480 who is a, 00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:41.639 just a brilliant 00:39:41.639 --> 00:39:42.780 Old Testament scholar. 00:39:42.780 --> 00:39:43.780 I laid out everything 00:39:43.780 --> 00:39:44.940 to him 00:39:44.940 --> 00:39:46.140 that I just said to you 00:39:46.140 --> 00:39:46.500 that, 00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:47.180 Professor, 00:39:47.320 --> 00:39:48.240 this looks like 00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:49.180 a mirror image 00:39:49.180 --> 00:39:50.120 of chapter 20. 00:39:50.680 --> 00:39:51.240 Can you help me 00:39:51.240 --> 00:39:52.060 think through this, please? 00:39:53.340 --> 00:39:54.300 He got back to me 00:39:54.300 --> 00:39:55.420 yesterday 00:39:55.420 --> 00:39:57.840 and he said, 00:39:58.240 --> 00:39:58.540 Jonathan, 00:39:58.640 --> 00:39:59.519 I think that you are 00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:00.580 on to something here. 00:40:01.240 --> 00:40:02.100 That's encouraging. 00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:05.440 Perhaps 20 is a mirror 00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:06.040 of 21. 00:40:06.760 --> 00:40:07.720 Makes sense. 00:40:08.560 --> 00:40:09.920 The question then 00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:11.720 is for what purpose? 00:40:11.719 --> 00:40:12.579 And I'm reading this 00:40:12.579 --> 00:40:12.759 like, 00:40:12.879 --> 00:40:13.500 yes, exactly. 00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:14.119 That's what I want you 00:40:14.119 --> 00:40:14.939 to tell me, please. 00:40:15.419 --> 00:40:16.159 Help me out. 00:40:16.239 --> 00:40:17.039 Tell me what it is. 00:40:17.099 --> 00:40:19.059 And then he said, 00:40:19.139 --> 00:40:20.480 let me know where you land. 00:40:22.399 --> 00:40:23.219 End of email. 00:40:24.579 --> 00:40:25.799 Sent from my iPhone. 00:40:28.899 --> 00:40:29.519 So church, 00:40:29.599 --> 00:40:31.119 I have to keep digging, 00:40:31.439 --> 00:40:33.359 but here's my best guess, 00:40:33.439 --> 00:40:33.639 okay? 00:40:34.679 --> 00:40:35.699 Here's my best guess. 00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:39.259 How do you explain 00:40:39.259 --> 00:40:41.279 such an incredible reversal? 00:40:41.719 --> 00:40:44.119 Did you notice 00:40:44.119 --> 00:40:45.159 how Abraham comes out 00:40:45.159 --> 00:40:46.419 after this whole exchange? 00:40:47.559 --> 00:40:48.819 He leaves now 00:40:48.819 --> 00:40:50.359 having made a covenant 00:40:50.359 --> 00:40:51.199 with this man 00:40:51.199 --> 00:40:52.339 who was once his enemy. 00:40:52.679 --> 00:40:53.699 He leaves now 00:40:53.699 --> 00:40:55.219 with an ally 00:40:55.219 --> 00:40:56.500 in the place of an enemy. 00:40:57.379 --> 00:40:58.119 Not only this, 00:40:58.179 --> 00:40:59.379 he now has a well 00:40:59.379 --> 00:41:00.519 here in the desert. 00:41:00.699 --> 00:41:01.359 Not only this, 00:41:01.419 --> 00:41:03.399 Abraham now plants a tree. 00:41:03.739 --> 00:41:03.859 I mean, 00:41:03.879 --> 00:41:04.579 it looks like Abraham 00:41:04.579 --> 00:41:05.759 is going to be around here 00:41:05.759 --> 00:41:06.339 for a while, 00:41:06.419 --> 00:41:06.759 doesn't it? 00:41:06.760 --> 00:41:07.800 How do you explain 00:41:07.800 --> 00:41:09.160 this great reversal 00:41:09.720 --> 00:41:10.600 of circumstance? 00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:12.280 The secular explanation 00:41:12.280 --> 00:41:13.400 for this would be 00:41:13.400 --> 00:41:14.440 good fortune. 00:41:16.040 --> 00:41:16.380 Man, 00:41:16.500 --> 00:41:17.520 things just turned out 00:41:17.520 --> 00:41:18.100 for Abraham, 00:41:18.300 --> 00:41:18.740 didn't they? 00:41:19.940 --> 00:41:21.060 Abraham really had 00:41:21.060 --> 00:41:22.480 some good luck here. 00:41:22.580 --> 00:41:23.440 Just look how things 00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:25.000 just rolled in his favor. 00:41:25.000 --> 00:41:30.679 But we know 00:41:30.679 --> 00:41:34.900 this can only be explained 00:41:34.900 --> 00:41:36.280 as a work 00:41:36.280 --> 00:41:37.500 of a good 00:41:37.500 --> 00:41:38.900 and sovereign 00:41:38.900 --> 00:41:40.500 and powerful 00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:44.300 and covenant-keeping God. 00:41:45.739 --> 00:41:46.820 God 00:41:46.820 --> 00:41:48.619 has turned 00:41:48.619 --> 00:41:51.000 this whole thing around 00:41:51.000 --> 00:41:53.340 in Abraham's favor. 00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:54.539 But why? 00:41:54.539 --> 00:41:56.920 For what purpose? 00:42:00.099 --> 00:42:01.139 I think Moses 00:42:01.139 --> 00:42:02.099 wants us to see 00:42:02.099 --> 00:42:02.380 that 00:42:02.380 --> 00:42:04.980 our covenant-keeping 00:42:04.980 --> 00:42:05.940 God 00:42:05.940 --> 00:42:09.599 despite our foolishness 00:42:09.599 --> 00:42:11.900 will be faithful 00:42:11.900 --> 00:42:12.719 to his promises. 00:42:15.699 --> 00:42:17.239 God promised Abraham 00:42:17.239 --> 00:42:17.920 offspring 00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:19.960 despite his foolishness. 00:42:20.079 --> 00:42:20.719 He did it. 00:42:20.860 --> 00:42:21.900 Isaac is here 00:42:21.900 --> 00:42:22.739 and now 00:42:22.739 --> 00:42:23.659 likewise 00:42:23.659 --> 00:42:25.199 God promised Abraham 00:42:25.199 --> 00:42:26.379 this land 00:42:26.379 --> 00:42:29.000 and despite Abraham's foolishness 00:42:29.000 --> 00:42:29.519 God 00:42:29.519 --> 00:42:30.199 will 00:42:30.199 --> 00:42:31.339 make a way 00:42:31.339 --> 00:42:32.099 to turn 00:42:32.099 --> 00:42:33.139 all things 00:42:33.139 --> 00:42:34.259 in his favor 00:42:34.259 --> 00:42:35.519 for his good 00:42:35.519 --> 00:42:36.500 to fulfill 00:42:36.500 --> 00:42:37.199 all 00:42:37.199 --> 00:42:38.440 his promises. 00:42:38.699 --> 00:42:39.000 Believer, 00:42:39.659 --> 00:42:42.519 do you realize 00:42:42.519 --> 00:42:43.379 that this same 00:42:43.379 --> 00:42:44.379 covenant-keeping 00:42:44.379 --> 00:42:44.980 God 00:42:44.980 --> 00:42:48.519 is working for you 00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:52.519 and in you 00:42:52.519 --> 00:42:54.940 with all 00:42:54.940 --> 00:42:56.139 his power 00:42:56.139 --> 00:42:57.740 to bring to pass 00:42:57.740 --> 00:42:59.800 every word 00:42:59.800 --> 00:43:01.500 of every promise 00:43:01.500 --> 00:43:02.480 made to you 00:43:02.480 --> 00:43:03.320 in Christ Jesus 00:43:03.320 --> 00:43:04.000 our Lord. 00:43:04.000 --> 00:43:05.539 God 00:43:05.539 --> 00:43:06.639 do you believe 00:43:06.639 --> 00:43:08.800 that his word 00:43:08.800 --> 00:43:09.340 will 00:43:09.340 --> 00:43:10.440 not fail 00:43:10.440 --> 00:43:13.699 that no obstacle 00:43:13.699 --> 00:43:16.139 whether from the outside 00:43:16.139 --> 00:43:17.340 or from the inside 00:43:17.340 --> 00:43:18.699 whether from the world 00:43:18.699 --> 00:43:20.539 or from your own foolishness 00:43:20.539 --> 00:43:21.940 no obstacle 00:43:21.940 --> 00:43:22.519 will stand 00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:23.179 in his way 00:43:23.179 --> 00:43:24.639 all things 00:43:24.639 --> 00:43:25.179 work together 00:43:25.179 --> 00:43:25.699 for good 00:43:25.699 --> 00:43:26.219 for those 00:43:26.219 --> 00:43:26.879 who love him 00:43:26.879 --> 00:43:27.480 and are called 00:43:27.480 --> 00:43:28.859 according to his purpose 00:43:28.859 --> 00:43:32.579 all of this 00:43:32.579 --> 00:43:34.899 from beginning to end 00:43:34.899 --> 00:43:35.919 all of this 00:43:35.919 --> 00:43:36.279 church 00:43:36.279 --> 00:43:36.719 is God's 00:43:36.719 --> 00:43:37.940 work 00:43:37.940 --> 00:43:38.719 for God's 00:43:38.719 --> 00:43:39.719 glory 00:43:39.719 --> 00:43:41.019 it is about 00:43:41.019 --> 00:43:41.719 God 00:43:41.719 --> 00:43:43.619 he is the main 00:43:43.619 --> 00:43:44.759 character of the story 00:43:44.759 --> 00:43:47.219 God is the main 00:43:47.219 --> 00:43:47.619 character 00:43:47.619 --> 00:43:48.480 of your 00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:48.719 life 00:43:48.719 --> 00:43:49.319 life 00:43:49.319 --> 00:43:52.559 God is the main reason 00:43:52.559 --> 00:43:53.399 his glory 00:43:53.399 --> 00:43:54.299 is the aim 00:43:54.299 --> 00:43:55.559 of all human history 00:43:55.559 --> 00:43:57.199 it is all about him 00:43:57.199 --> 00:43:58.959 do you see the world 00:43:58.959 --> 00:43:59.559 this way 00:43:59.559 --> 00:44:02.839 believer 00:44:02.839 --> 00:44:03.639 do you realize 00:44:03.639 --> 00:44:04.359 that your 00:44:04.359 --> 00:44:05.699 new birth 00:44:05.699 --> 00:44:08.239 is the story 00:44:08.239 --> 00:44:08.919 of God 00:44:08.919 --> 00:44:09.919 doing not just 00:44:09.919 --> 00:44:10.639 the unlikely 00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:11.919 but the impossible 00:44:11.919 --> 00:44:12.719 in you 00:44:12.719 --> 00:44:15.379 that God 00:44:15.379 --> 00:44:15.980 has so 00:44:15.980 --> 00:44:17.000 orchestrated 00:44:17.000 --> 00:44:18.319 your new birth 00:44:18.320 --> 00:44:19.320 that it cannot 00:44:19.320 --> 00:44:20.240 be explained 00:44:20.240 --> 00:44:21.380 any other way 00:44:21.380 --> 00:44:22.200 than by a miracle 00:44:22.200 --> 00:44:23.260 of his power 00:44:23.260 --> 00:44:24.420 he alone 00:44:24.420 --> 00:44:25.300 has done it 00:44:25.300 --> 00:44:28.140 he has caused us 00:44:28.140 --> 00:44:28.800 to be born 00:44:28.800 --> 00:44:29.360 again 00:44:29.360 --> 00:44:30.059 and not just 00:44:30.059 --> 00:44:30.440 that 00:44:30.440 --> 00:44:31.580 but to be born 00:44:31.580 --> 00:44:31.920 again 00:44:31.920 --> 00:44:32.780 to a living 00:44:32.780 --> 00:44:33.440 hope 00:44:33.440 --> 00:44:34.300 an inheritance 00:44:34.300 --> 00:44:34.960 we are 00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:36.440 heirs of God 00:44:36.440 --> 00:44:37.380 and fellow 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:38.580 heirs with Christ 00:44:38.580 --> 00:44:40.380 heirs of all 00:44:40.380 --> 00:44:41.260 the world 00:44:41.260 --> 00:44:42.920 the true 00:44:42.920 --> 00:44:43.960 promised land 00:44:43.960 --> 00:44:45.519 in the age 00:44:45.519 --> 00:44:46.080 to come 00:44:46.079 --> 00:44:49.259 non-believer 00:44:49.259 --> 00:44:50.019 do you realize 00:44:50.019 --> 00:44:50.659 that the blessings 00:44:50.659 --> 00:44:51.619 that you receive 00:44:51.619 --> 00:44:52.279 in this life 00:44:52.279 --> 00:44:53.279 are meant to 00:44:53.279 --> 00:44:54.039 draw you 00:44:54.039 --> 00:44:55.000 to give glory 00:44:55.000 --> 00:44:55.699 to God 00:44:55.699 --> 00:44:56.559 to repent 00:44:56.559 --> 00:44:57.719 of your sin 00:44:57.719 --> 00:44:58.559 to put your faith 00:44:58.559 --> 00:44:59.139 in him 00:44:59.139 --> 00:45:00.079 to honor him 00:45:00.079 --> 00:45:01.059 and give thanks 00:45:01.059 --> 00:45:01.480 to him 00:45:01.480 --> 00:45:02.699 and to glorify him 00:45:02.699 --> 00:45:03.279 as you were made 00:45:03.279 --> 00:45:03.799 to do 00:45:03.799 --> 00:45:06.819 and Christian 00:45:06.819 --> 00:45:07.579 do you realize 00:45:07.579 --> 00:45:08.139 that our 00:45:08.139 --> 00:45:09.059 confidence 00:45:09.059 --> 00:45:09.799 and our 00:45:09.799 --> 00:45:10.440 hope 00:45:10.440 --> 00:45:10.940 of a certain 00:45:10.940 --> 00:45:11.460 future 00:45:11.460 --> 00:45:11.980 in the true 00:45:11.980 --> 00:45:12.799 promised land 00:45:12.800 --> 00:45:14.400 is not 00:45:14.400 --> 00:45:15.200 in our 00:45:15.200 --> 00:45:15.800 work 00:45:15.800 --> 00:45:18.100 is not 00:45:18.100 --> 00:45:18.519 in our 00:45:18.519 --> 00:45:19.160 performance 00:45:19.160 --> 00:45:21.100 is not 00:45:21.100 --> 00:45:21.820 in our 00:45:21.820 --> 00:45:22.740 faithfulness 00:45:22.740 --> 00:45:23.320 to him 00:45:23.320 --> 00:45:23.920 it is in 00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:24.960 his faithfulness 00:45:24.960 --> 00:45:25.860 to himself 00:45:25.860 --> 00:45:28.200 and thereby 00:45:28.200 --> 00:45:29.260 his faithfulness 00:45:29.260 --> 00:45:31.300 to us 00:45:31.300 --> 00:45:33.060 in Christ 00:45:33.060 --> 00:45:35.580 from beginning 00:45:35.580 --> 00:45:36.060 to end 00:45:36.060 --> 00:45:36.680 it is about 00:45:36.680 --> 00:45:37.480 him 00:45:37.480 --> 00:45:38.620 his power 00:45:38.620 --> 00:45:40.200 his faithfulness 00:45:40.200 --> 00:45:41.140 his goodness 00:45:41.139 --> 00:45:42.400 his glory 00:45:42.400 --> 00:45:43.440 now and forever 00:45:43.440 --> 00:45:43.960 amen 00:45:43.960 --> 00:45:45.859 father god 00:45:45.859 --> 00:45:46.619 we praise 00:45:46.619 --> 00:45:46.859 you 00:45:46.859 --> 00:45:49.179 for your 00:45:49.179 --> 00:45:49.819 faithfulness 00:45:49.819 --> 00:45:50.199 to your 00:45:50.199 --> 00:45:50.639 promises 00:45:50.639 --> 00:45:51.400 in Christ 00:45:51.400 --> 00:45:51.980 and lord 00:45:51.980 --> 00:45:52.539 we praise 00:45:52.539 --> 00:45:52.879 you for 00:45:52.879 --> 00:45:53.500 the grace 00:45:53.500 --> 00:45:53.879 that has 00:45:53.879 --> 00:45:54.259 brought 00:45:54.259 --> 00:45:54.739 sinners 00:45:54.739 --> 00:45:55.539 like us 00:45:55.539 --> 00:45:56.119 in 00:45:56.119 --> 00:45:57.259 to this 00:45:57.259 --> 00:45:57.679 line of 00:45:57.679 --> 00:45:58.159 promise 00:45:58.159 --> 00:45:58.679 not by 00:45:58.679 --> 00:45:59.239 our effort 00:45:59.239 --> 00:46:00.199 not by 00:46:00.199 --> 00:46:00.759 our goodness 00:46:00.759 --> 00:46:01.339 but by 00:46:01.339 --> 00:46:01.719 your 00:46:01.719 --> 00:46:02.159 sheer 00:46:02.159 --> 00:46:02.579 grace 00:46:02.579 --> 00:46:03.039 and mercy 00:46:03.039 --> 00:46:03.440 alone 00:46:03.440 --> 00:46:04.539 we praise 00:46:04.539 --> 00:46:05.279 you lord 00:46:05.279 --> 00:46:06.299 for the new 00:46:06.299 --> 00:46:06.859 life you've 00:46:06.859 --> 00:46:07.239 given us 00:46:07.239 --> 00:46:07.819 in christ 00:46:07.819 --> 00:46:08.359 if there 00:46:08.359 --> 00:46:08.799 are any 00:46:08.799 --> 00:46:09.079 who have 00:46:09.079 --> 00:46:09.420 yet to 00:46:09.420 --> 00:46:10.019 receive it 00:46:10.019 --> 00:46:10.279 lord 00:46:10.279 --> 00:46:10.599 would you 00:46:10.599 --> 00:46:11.159 work that 00:46:11.159 --> 00:46:11.679 in them 00:46:11.679 --> 00:46:12.460 this moment 00:46:12.460 --> 00:46:12.960 we pray 00:46:12.960 --> 00:46:14.639 in jesus name 00:46:14.639 --> 00:46:15.699 amen