Sunday Service

Genesis chapter 17. Hopefully you are there by. Now, if you're in the church Bibles is on page twelve. If you, if you've been with us, you know, that at this point of chapter 17, we are 30 years later, 13 years of past, we can only speculate what has happened. There's probably been a lot of heartache and a household of Abraham. Not yet Abraham and Abram that he's taken. Sarai's maidservant, he's got a child. Now, that daily sting is she looks at Ishmael being reminded that she is the one that cannot bear the child for Abraham. If Mel has been born, he's most likely 13 years old or close enough to it. And it seems to be as we read this passage at Abram has resigned himself to be content with Ishmael being the son of the promise. He's accepted. It seems the fact that this is the one that God has given to me. And you may be asking how you know that we're going to look at a particular statement that Abraham makes in this chapter. We know that God has other plans. He read the word. We know that with the New Testament States. We've already got inside of you. The contact for this chapter chapter 17 is set up by chapter 15 and 16. So if you're with us, you're ready, if you weren't with us, well. Just want, let you know in chapter 15, The the Covenant that was made in chapter 12 is confirmed and elaborated upon The God himself walks between the sacrifice pieces of animal. Genesis telling Abraham in that Vision that I'm calling this curse down upon me. You're not the one to take on the Covenant responsibility. I am, if I do not uphold when I promise me these curses fall upon me, Genesis chapter 16 and and we see that the faith of Abraham is beginning to waver somewhat Sarah suggested Abram that pay. I can't have a child. God has withheld this from me and I've got an answer for that. I got a maidservant this servant for the gym. Remember when you sold me off is your sister. I'm going to give her to you and maybe she can bear a child for you. Gabriel has a child by Hagar that child is not the one appointed by God to be this on the promise. He is not the heir of the Covenant promises. These two recent events that we have looked upon sets the events for our passage today. And for the next two weeks, as we're going to be here in chapter 17 for these three weeks to read with me. Chapter 17 verses one through eight. Yes, one through eight and believe in me, I still did not have time. Or the patience to delve into it as deeply as he probably needs, to be dealt into, but bear with me as we cross reference and see the New Testament realities. So let's read vs 7 on 1, through 8 of chapter 17, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. This is the word of our God to us and it reads when Abraham was 99 years old, I'm saying I am God Almighty live in my presence. Be blameless. I will set up my Covenant between me and you and I will multiply you greatly did I even fell face-down and got spoke with him? Ask for me. Here is my Covenant with you. You will become the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be a room. Your name will be Abraham. I will make you the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful and will make Nations and Kings come from you. I will confirm my Covenant that is between me and you and your future Offspring. Throughout their Generations is permitted Covenant to be your God, the god of your Offspring after you. And to you and your future Offspring. I will give the land where you are residing all the land of gaining as a permanent position and I will be their God. It seems that in the wake of this. Hagar Ishmael drama. We find this man. The man of God Abraham himself. Thirteen years later. Most likely wavering in his face. Almost ceasing to look for the grand fulfillment of the promises content with this 13 year, old boy. And what this passage tells us in many other things. At this, pastor tells us that one of the things is that God what it is, it God is doing for April. In his moment of weakness, this passage is broken into two parts that we see verses 1 and 2. I want you to notice there are versus 22. We have a picture of God, coming to Abram and Reviving, his faith by showing a remote GHIN who he is. He's revealing to Abram again. Who I am? I am God Almighty. El Shaddai.

And he also comes at a bro. Many remind Abram that he has entered into a covenant with him. We see that in verses 3 through 18, God renaming Abram repeating to him, expanding for him, the promises of this, that's why I want us to look at these two portions. The first being verses 1 and 2 /. See that God revise Abram by his word. Is Abram buys word. We see here, God appearing again to Abram, and as we've seen a couple other times before. And so again, here in this, passage the way that God revives, our faith is, by revealing himself to us by his word. We might look for the miraculous but God reveals himself by his word and God's words are spoken here to his servant. My wife reminder for many years now, Abram has had this name Abram. He was born. He was given to it. This has been named all his life up to this point, and if you don't know what that means, it means exalted. Father. Abraham's been walking around for these many years with a name, that means exhausted. Father. That has significance for most guys. Anyways, Before Abraham or Abraham at this point, considered the embarrassment. Consider this shame that would come with bearing that name. I want you to picture for just a few moments that abramsky live in society. That exalted something called Hospitality. We don't know what that means. We have a scene that practice for many years, we we think we do but at that time you open the door for anyone. And Abram lived in a society where if you had a traveler coming through, you would open the tent and bite them in and break bread. You would cows them for the evening or to evening or, or however, long, it needs to be. So there's no doubt Abraham, had many people traveling through, many people who come in contact with and he would break bread with them. Is the way of life for them. They can you imagine Abram and Sarai sitting there hosting The Travelers coming through and someone just mentioned in game room. I think interesting name. Doesn't that mean exhausted? Father. Yes. And how many kids do you have? Mister, exalted, father. None. Play, Imagine That. Not how many times did Abram have to answer that question in his adult life? He was almost a joke of sorts for 70-odd years. Almost his entire adult life until he was 86 years old. He would always answer none.

His name's had me at this time.

At the age of 86. He finally finally has a child by his wife's maidservant Hagar It somehow Abram becomes comfortable with the idea that maybe Ishmael, maybe Ishmael is going to be the one through whom God, fulfills his promises. So finally, when this poor man, Abraham missed his ask the question. How many children do you have? He can at least say I have. But one son, but he's my son.

I can imagine how if you people are saying the day or people back then, or the same as they are today, as soon as they went to their own tents and probably laugh behind the closed tent. Thinking this man only has one son. What kind of exalted father is that he needs to have seven sons and daughters?

I want you to look at Verse 18. I know, we're not covering it today but it gives us contact what's going on here. A 18 after God renews his Covenant with Abram he renews all the Covenant promises with Abrams. We get down to verse 18 and Abraham's first response to God after being told I still have all these promises to you. Abraham's concern is if only Ishmael were acceptable to you. I just renewed my promises to you. He is not the boy but if only Ishmael Work septuple to you. If act a literal rendering of this Hebrew is oh, that Ishmael might live before you. If Ishmael might be the one to walk before you in your ways, and in the promises. The sound like that Abram has been become content. And accepted the fact that this is probably it.

After 13 years. Abram.

Seems to have accepted the mirrors of blessings. Almost ceasing to look for further favor at 99 years of age. Seems that he has accepted Ishmael as the son of promise. So here we are in Genesis 17, with Abram, the exalted, father, and his one son Ishmael. And whose hopes he is now found a resting place. If that contacts. That context at the visitation of God Appears to him. And God says to him Abram, God Almighty, let me set the context for you Abram. Let me set the standard for you Abram. It just like Abraham God reveals to us even the day to his people today. If there's going to be spiritual renewal in our allies, it always begins with a revelation of God in his word. When we come face-to-face with God's character when we see who he really is. As he reveals himself in his word and by his word spiritual renewal then begins. Lord comes to Abraham when he says, I am El Shaddai. I am the god, the God of all power, that term, it's emphasizes throughout, the Old Testament, the all sufficiency of God, the self-sufficiency of God. I am the one who has the power

I can do anything because I'm Elsa die.

Immediately He commands Abram. He says, I am God Almighty. What does he command? Abraham live in my presents. Be blameless. This should remind us that with all covenants. There are mutual responsibilities. We talked about this, their Mutual responsibilities of covenants and hear our mutual responsibilities on Abraham's part. I want you to live in my presents and walk blameless. Be blameless Abram was to walk before the Lord. Walk with the Lord. The ones that mean to be blameless. What does it mean to be in the presence of a walk with the Lord remains? At Abram was the walk-in to live under the conscious gaze of God. Knowing that God is always watching. He's always viewing my life.

He is walking to live in such a way that the holy heavenly father who is watching can look upon him and see blamelessness Holiness that does not mean that he has to be perfect. In the sense that we call Perfection today It means that he has to be blameless a man of integrity. The man who is whole-hearted in his commitment to God. He's truly love God to trust God and to worship God from the inside out.

Is walk before the Lord and the blameless. You know, you can't walk before God was A whole heart if you're not trusting him and believing him. The only people who can ever walk before God and be blameless before God, or those who believe. Those who Trust? I like what Matthew Henry said about this passage in about this term blamelessness? He says, quote to be a Christian is to walk before God in our integrity it is to set God always before and you think and speak and act and everything. As those who are always under God, why it is to have a constant regard to his word as our rule into his glory, as our end, in all our actions. And to be continually in his fear, it is to be in Word with him and all the duties of worship for in them particularly, we walk before the Lord and quote. This is what God is getting at. As he tells Abraham to live in my present, be blameless that we have another individual earlier in Book of Genesis, who this was said of Noah was blameless in his generation. This is the same term being used here in vote on. Abril be blameless, be a man of integrity. Be separated. Is it a law against Abram, two good reasons to do this, two, good reasons why he ought to live in the presence of God. Walk in the presence of God and the be blameless, he says I'm got the reasonable. I am El Shaddai. I'm in control. I have all power. You need any more other reason. I'm going to give you a second one just case. That's not a good enough motivator. He says I will establish my Covenant. I will stablish my cabinet. He gives Abram his nature, his character, his word. And he gives his promises back to him. This company promises to good reasons that you all to walk in my presents. And be blameless. Trust me live before me because I am, who I say, I am I am the Almighty I could do anyting. I'm not dependent on anyone. But I have everything that you need apron. I have everything that you desire April. So, trust in me walk before me in integrity. So God, Ross, Abrams attention to his very nature, is any draws attention to his Covenant. Look what he says. In verse to, I will set up my Covenant between me and you

God by saying Abram, I will set up my Covenant with you is saying, trust me. A live before me because of what? I promised you, I haven't forgot about my promises. I'm here to remind you of those promises. The Covenant that I entered into with you, I entered of my own accord. I wasn't forced to do it. And I'm going to uphold it. And I'm here to restate it. I wanted to do that. So God says, before Abram is nature in his cabin and he says, respond to me with wholehearted, living with wholehearted, trust and integrity. You know, God still calls his children. Those who have called out of sin called out of his reserve wrath into salvation that he still calls his children to a wholehearted face by encouraging us to look to him. Look at him and be reminded of his promises to us. I've said this many times before we talked about some of the promises of God but I think we're ignorant of many of the promises that God has made you his children and we don't remind ourselves enough of the promises that God has made. We look for promises that aren't there. We hold their promises that aren't there. We Overlook the ones that we need and our Surety each and every day.

Is there such thing as this passage actually informs us about the study of God's word. Cuz they're saying that the god comes to Abraham, he reveals the truth of who he is he speaks to him audibly. He hears God. He's got the work. We've got the recorded word here. But it's interesting that when we tend to study God's word and there's nothing wrong in this, but we have a tendency to study God's word to look for those things in God's word.

That were relevant to us. How does it impact my life? What is it saying to me? When the first and foremost thing, we should always look for in the study of God's word. Is, what does it say about God? Before what it says to me. Who is God In this passage? Because the word is about God and His acts on behalf of us? and we should always be seeking out who God is in his word, first and foremost over and above the relevancy that it has for us in that particular Passage

The relevancy of a pastor shouldn't be depended upon his application to us in our daily lives each. And every time, the Bible is no doubt relevant to all believers. The more than simply looking to see how the scriptures apply to us. In our particular situations, we ought to First. Go asking what does this passage say about your greatness. The severity of your Justice.

Seeing Our God and who he is. And the Covenant that he has made with us, is what strengthens our faith to walk.

In his presence. To be found blameless. God, revise, our faith by revealing himself to us by his word. Revealing himself to us by his word. That's the first thing that we see in this passage y'all revive Abraham's faith, that wavering faith that contentment that he has found himself in by reminding him of who he is coming to him with his word but I want to know exactly God revised Abram by his promises.

Lincoln Vs, 3 through 8. It's here that God renames Abram. Ghana calls him Abraham in the prospect of the Fulfillment of his promises and then and then what God does as he foresees to repeat the procedure to elaborate these promises to Abraham. He goes in a little more detail Dino's in chapter 12 at the ferry brief, generalization chapter 15 more detail.

What are a few things here? A lot of more details involved here. We see the, the repetition in the specification of God's covenant promises. We first saw that God revise our faith by sitting before us his character his word and here we see that a revised our faith by setting before us his promises. The promises of God are reiterated and expanded here. I want you to look at these promises. First of all look back and forth to actually started their verse to where God promises that he will established that he's going to set up that he's going to make firm his Covenant and he will multiply Abram exceedingly. God is repeating this because Abram things that Ishmael is going to be the one through whom God does this. He's content. So God has reiterated the promises so that Abram will know that God's plan is a bit more Grand than Abrams contentment. I want, you know, the second he says that he will make Abram the father of multitude of nation. Not only do I have a child for you but it's not be going to be just one child. If you're going to be the grandfather of a multitude of Nations. Look at verse five. Again, your name will no longer be Abram. Your name will be Abraham for I will make you the father of many nations. God promises that he will make Abraham a father of Nations. There's one, change your name, you're not just an exalted father, you're a father Nations multitude.

For 6. See the third promise. I will make you extremely fruitful will make Nations and Kings come from you. He's going to make Abram the father of Kings. He promised him that he will be the father of Nations. Not only is he the father of Nations? You going to be father Kings, in fact, the Book of Genesis will tell us that the midianites, the ishmaelites, the edomites, and Israelites, all have Kings, or descendant of April. I think there's more to this than just those physical Kings. Which brings us to the fourth promise and verse 7. He says, I will confirm my Covenant that is between me and you and your future Offspring throughout their Generations. In other words, he will include Abraham's descendants into this, this coming. It isn't only for you Abram.

Your offspring are going to benefit from this. This is for your descendants. This. Look at verse 8 and to you and your future Offspring. I will give the land where you were residing all the land of Canaan. He's going to give land to Abraham and his descendants. We see here the revisitation of the promise of land. That confirmation to Abraham.

we see God say and I will be there, God I'm only going to be a God to you Abram. Are you going ham? Finally, I could say Abraham. I can change Abraham. I'm not going to be a God to you, Abraham. I'm going to be a God to your seed to your descendants. No, just repeating what you just said. Abraham a seven looking for 7. This is a permanent Covenant to be your God and the god of your Offspring after you and Everlasting Covenant.

Now what you understand the terminology is being used here, is that of a marriage ceremony? A marriage, covenant of Swords reversed 8. God says, it's going to be an everlasting, a permanent Covenant, an everlasting. He says, I will, he says be your God. I will be there. God It's almost like a marriage pledge I as the groom cake you on and I will not cheat on you. I will not forsake you I promise. Everlasting. Dogs pronounce Adidas going to be Abraham's God. And the god of his spiritual descendants. So god holds up these promises and he says, April. This is what I'm going to do for you. Behold these promises. Remember these promises believe these promises?

And we read through this list are like yep. Yep. I agree. I agree, I agree.

I have to remind you again that there are places in the Old Testament that we have to go to New Testament, to get clarification to get fulfillment in understanding. And this is one of those places.

Well, praise God that his servant the Apostle Paul actually. Elaborate Solis. It's especially here in chapter 17.

Any specific promises and Paul answers some of those questions that we may still have as it pertains. To the Fulfillment of these promises, the ultimate fulfillment, not just the immediate, the temporary fulfillment but the ultimate fulfillment. Being said, I want you to go ahead and turn to Galatians chapter 3. We're going to be in Galatians, chapter 3 in Romans chapter 4. Be using that Bible the Pew in front of you as homepage 1032. So you can get there quicker. Play 1032 Galatians chapter 3.

So we read that the covenant made with Abraham was with Abraham and with his seed. So logically we ask who is the co always talked about just physical descendants, we told my spiritual descendants, and naturally, we should be able to say Did those who follow in the faith of Abraham is what he talked about, what? Yes he is. Talk about that. We're not in correct. The believe that.

What is this mean? That the Apostle Paul actually

Draws us to a berry.

Sharp. Theological Point here that he wants to drive home on the significance of this promised. I want you to look in Galatians 3:16.

Paul Wright. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and his seal, it's not there. The promises are given to Abraham and his seed, his seed is going to receive the same Promises of Abraham receive. He does not say and two seeds as though referring to many. But referring to one. Into your seed, who is Christ? So, who is the ultimate seed that the Fulfillment of This Promise is made? Jesus Christ. And who is the seed is going to receive all the promises? Jesus Christ. Do you realize what Paul is telling us hear all the promises that God made to Abraham and to his CR found and summed up and and possessed by fulfilled in Christ. Jesus, Jesus alone, he alone is the inheritor of the promises of Abraham. He alone is the only one who could walk in the presence of God and be blameless. Absolutely.

brothers sisters, if you want to be included in those promises, you must trust in Christ.

You must be United with him, you must be identified with him. You must have placed your trust in Christ alone.

Because all these promises that we have just announced. He hated belong to Christ. All these promises all the blessings of these promises are found only in Christ. They're only enjoyed by those who trust in Christ. That's the first theological point that the main point, because we need to know who the seed is, is not a whole bunch of people by way of the obedient one Christ. Jesus, the ultimate seed. Do we find the blessing on our included in that Covenant promise? But there's another one, if you look back in in Romans chapter 4, what we may pose. The question will, who is Abraham's? He will. Paul tells us unequivocally that Christ is the seed. Ultimately, he is the Fulfillment the April. Are we going to hear from Abel on now here, just a minute. That leads us to ask another question. Okay. If Christ is the seed, And I wish I wouldn't back that up and say since we shouldn't use the word conditional tense, Christ is the seed.

Who are the nation's? who are these nations that God, has promised Abraham to be the father of August, is that answer to look and Romans chapter 4? You looking in the Pew? Bible is paid 1000. 32 Pages back.

Romans chapter 4 beginning of her 14.

If those who are of the law are heirs, faith has made empty in the promise. Notified. Because the law produces rap. And where there is no law. There is no transgression, this is why the promise is by faith. So that it may be according to Grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants not only to the one who is above the law. But also to the one who is of Abraham's faith. He is the father of us all as it is written. I have made you the father of many nations in the presence of the god in whom. He believed the one who gives life to the dad and calls things into existence that do not exist. He believed hoping against hope so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken. So will your descendants be

Paul is making it clear here that this the father of many nations is fulfilled in both Jews and Gentiles who have placed their trust in Christ. The seed. The mediator of the Covenant of Grace. The Jews and Gentiles would be the many nations and out of all the nations of the earth men. Women boys girls will be brought and drawn to the Lord. Jesus Christ for the Nations are the spiritual offspring.

Not the physical offspring. Abraham. That is not to say that there are physical Nations that have been blessed by Jewish Israelite Nation. But the fact is that is the spiritual descendants who are blessed for Everlasting. This world is temporary. It is coming to the end Everlasting must have an extension somewhere.

And are we the spiritual Offspring? The Descendants, the nation's along with our brothers in Christ. Those Jewish Brothers, Gentile, Brothers, Greek Brothers, whoever they may be Chinese Brothers.

It's only because of Christ that we can call each other brother and sister. And be included. Who were the Nations and nations of the spiritual family of all those who believe from every tribe. Every tongue, Every Nation, This leads us to the last question that Paul answers from Genesis chapter 17. What about the land? What about the land? What is this land? That has promised to Abram? Because April never possess the land himself personally. All he had was a burial plot. In the land of Canaan, did God forfeit his promise to Abram Israelite Nation after they were taking a Babylonian captivity, did God forfeit his promises ultimately to Abraham. What about what about the Jewish nation that was carried off into the disc for are, they were scattered to all the nations. By the Romans has God forfeited. His promise to Abraham.

Apostle Paul tells us just a few verses the 4th anniversary 13. I want you to look 4:13. For the promise to Abraham. Or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness, that comes by faith.

This Promise of God, Abraham for the land of Canaan, which is a physical land, it's a real land. And if you doubt that, that is the case you need to revisit God's work. We find out that in the New Covenant. The promise of that land is actually transcended by the promise of all the land.

This is actually attended by some of the prophets in the Old Testament, we're lost in Exile that they preach, and they begin to wonder what God is going to do in this new covenant that they're preaching about the new people. The hearts that are beating for God. Where his word is written on our hearts in the new land with that's going to look like the promised land. How's guy going to bring that to fulfillment? Nepal's answer. Is that the promise is the world? The new Heavens in the new Earth. Jesus actually literally said in the Beatitudes, The Humble shall inherit the earth? Not just one plot of land the entire thing. Brother sister is what I just getting to parcel, two mules and a couple left acres of land, we're getting the whole thing.

All those who trust in the god of Abraham will become the possessors of new Heaven and a new Earth in Christ. Jesus. Not because of your works, not because of anything. You can do will do not because you you have gathered up a bunch of this world and you somehow God's going to give it back to you and tell you. Hey, and that was a nice. John Deere tractor. You had. I'm going to give it to you. The next one, that ain't how it works.

To God, renamed Abram to Abraham, which means father of many nations.

And the question is the question that we should be asking? What did Abraham think about this? He's live with the name Abram all his life, exalted father and it really hasn't lived up to this. Now God is taking us to the farther. We are not just an exalted father, you're going to be the father of many nations multitude of Nations.

Do you think he imagined the saying that is given to us and revelation? 7:9. Play read that to you. Do you think Abraham saw this seed? Imagine this scene that explain to us a revelation 7:9 after this, I look, John is looking the Revelator and there was a vast multitude from every nation tribe people in language, which no one could number standing Before the Throne and before the lamb and they were closed and white rose with palm branches in their hands. Is that the multitude of Nations surrounding the Throne of the Lord Jesus Christ. The same that Abraham saw as he was called the father of many nations.

I think so.

Or you get that brother Jason. Jesus tells us that Abraham actually saw him and that day and rejoiced. And John the Gospel of John chapter 8. Jesus is talking to a bunch of Jews that are having a Heyday with Jesus. There they're upset, Jesus is turning their whole world upside down cuz Jesus is giving them Old Testament law correctly. It ain't havin. That ain't how we interpreted it, I wrote it. Don't tell me how to interpret what I've already written. I spoke it in there arguing with Jesus in and they pose a question about 50 Cent. I'm supposed to question right before it sets up the whole things that are you greater than our Father, Abraham who is dead, and the prophets are dead. Who do you claim to be?

56. Jesus answered among other things. Your father, Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad. And then Jesus goes on to say in verse 58. Truly, truly, I tell you before Abraham, was I am,

There's a lot of hair pulling at day. There's a lot of p*** up. Nice, togas and outfits. He just called himself. Can you believe that? You are not even over 50 years old. Who Do You Think You Are?

And your father that you keep evoken. you keep bringing up to me, he saw my day and he rejoiced He saw this. Can you imagine Abram? Walking back to the tent that evening.

70 something years. He's had to bore the name Abram. It couldn't fulfill.

Only brought reproach most likely on his life. For 13 years, he's had some form of relief most likely contentment. He's got the one son, and now he goes back to his tent. He gathers his family, he gathers his servants, he gathers his friend and he informs everyone. God has changed my name.

Play. Imagine the reaction of the family when he says he's changed it to Abraham. Father of nation, uniting, father of exalted, father, only father.

Nations.

That guy who spoke to him that day. El Shaddai, brothers and sisters. God, Almighty is the same El Shaddai. That is here before us today. The god of the father of many nations. Your spiritual Father Abraham? Yes, he is our spiritual father. We following the footsteps of his faith.

His God is here today.

To give him the glory because he is here today. If you are his child, he's with you every single day.

My question is, will you be spiritually revived by the truth of his word every single day and by the promises of his Covenant to his people every single day? Do you believe, like, Abraham can it be said of you that you rejoiced to see the day of the Lord? And not only do you rejoice, but you see it and you're glad you look forward to it. Can I be scared of you? Is Jesus you may not trust. Paul's riding you better trust with Jesus as You join me in prayer. Little we humbly come before you again, and we thank you for the word that