God's Promises are Good

except: reconcile my relationship with ____ / help my kids make better decisions / relieve my depression, grief, loneliness, heartbreak, rejection / fix racism / fix evil and injustice in the world…other than that...

The problem that can develop is

We may form a view that God is distant, not personal or close (that is a false view)

We may decide that God will never act and everything in life is up to me (that is a false view)

We may end up believing that God can’t act, doesn’t have the power and is simply a human or angel, not eternal

Truth: God's promises are good and God can fulfill all he promises. God is good on his word.

God blesses through Creation

God has made promises that He will keep. God is good on his word

God is Good

God is not distant. God is close and personal. Genesis 18:1-2.

Heat of the day, visitors arrive

Let's have better manners just in case the queen drops by…

Abe knew he had special guests - rolled out red carpet

Heb "As good as dead" - Abe is running around, hosting, standing by to make things right for the guests

There is something significant about our own hearts when we are hospitable - we pay attention better

In what ways can you be more hospitable to God’s presence?

Who is visiting?

Adonai = Lord.

The Lord is Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17. And yet the Lord appears

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Nathan Stone: "Lordship [means] complete possession…and complete submission…" [names of God, 63]

Abe demonstrates this submission through hospitality

Will God ever act? God will act on His timeline. Genesis 18:9-10.

God blesses Creation on a regular, on going basis - you’be been blessed today - did you say thanks to God yet?

God is Good on His word

Quality of God’s promises = good

Worth believing & morally right - why? In character with our Creator God. God created because God is good

"The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good toward men. He is tenderhearted and of quick sympathy, and His unfailing attitude toward all moral beings is open, frank, and friendly. By His nature He is inclined to bestow blessedness and He takes holy pleasure in the happiness of His people…The goodness of God is the drive behind all the blessings he daily bestows upon us. God created us because he felt good in His heart and He redeemed us for the same reason." Tozer, Holiness, 89

Where was Sarah?

Probably a subdivision where she was separate but able to listen

She laughs. God is able to bless and promise, but to provide a child to a couple well past child bearing age…that's another thing

She doubts. And let's face it, we all doubt at some point. It is a natural cycle of belief in a broken world.

Can God do it? God is able to do what He says. Genesis 18:13-14.

Omnipotence. What God wills, God will accomplish.

For Abe & Sarah God’s good promise is to faithfully fulfill his Covenant - there will be a child, descendents, and redemption through those descendents for his broken world —> Through Jesus: God will become the most personal, most timely, and most able to save all who call on His name.

Geriatric pregnancy = advanced maternal age = what did you say?

For Sarah, she doubts because having a child

Remember though...God created Sarah. He didn't bring the hurt when she doubted & tried to cover it up. (Genesis 18:15)

Both Abe and Sarah demonstrated a heart that was open to God's work of blessing and promise - there were moments of doubt, but b/c God had worked in their lives before, they could walk with God through those doubts

God is not fooled or foiled by human doubts

God is merciful when we can’t see how his promises will be fulfilled

Glenn. Out of order life, lots of rejection. Eventually able to be free of vices, get on better career path - fine a wife (skepticism) but as he turned self over to God’s goodness, God began to show up in surprising ways. God is good on his word.

What doubts do you need to hand over to God? Where have you limited God's power in your own mind?

"[Is anything too hard for the Lord?] If God can create the cosmos…he can certainly cause an old couple to have a child." Tremper Longman III, Genesis, 235

God's promises are good and God can fulfill all he promises. God is good on his word.