Faith in a Promise-Keeping God
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
The nature of faith is not blind belief in what probably doesn’t exist, but trust in one who has proven himself worthy to trust in for his future work and grace for us.
The Promise
The Promise
Context
Context
Our text begins in the scene of Abraham, the man of faith. Abraham believed God and was counted to him as righteousness (Gen 15:3) and this is reflected in how Abraham relates to God in our text.
First Abraham identifies God by his Name and position. He is YHWH, the God of heaven. While other gods had their domains separated throughout creation, YHWH is God over all and this title given by Abraham is a way to imply that God is God over heaven and all that exists in creation, heaven being the royal seat over creation. After decades, Abraham has kept his faith strong even though the results seem somewhat lacking. But Abraham had kept his trust in the LORD since he left Syria and that faith, a true faith, continues into the present moment.
“who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred.” With every promise of God is a severing from all else. Even at the beginning, God’s blessings were to be taken on faith as opposed to the benefits of this world which are tangible to the human senses. In order to receive the promises of God, he needed to leave his fathers house and journey by faith to the land of promise. Even the his eyes would not see the fulfilling of all of God’s promises to him until the resurrection, so in this relation to God Abraham is essentially identifying Him as the God whom he has believed with all his heart. He put himself out on a limb, he trusted God, and he’s not about to stop now.
“and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give his land.’” But Abraham’s focus is not what he has lost, but what he stands to gain. It is true that God had taken him from his father’s house, just as it is true that God takes all of his people away from the society and loves of this world, but what is gained is counted to be of much more value than what is lost.
“To your offspring I will give this land.” Abraham’s hope is in future realities that relate to present actions.
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Abraham believes that what God said is true, therefore his actions are influenced by the assumption that these things will take place.
This promise is the foundation for the other promises God has for his people, for in it is much more of a promise than may first appear.
The Faith
The Faith
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
“He will send his angel before you.” Abraham’s faith that God would use his heavenly servants to make true what God has sworn in his promise. Isaac must have offspring, therefore he must also have a wife prepared by the LORD for that purpose.
To marry the Canaanites or to bring Isaac back with the servant would be a breach of Faith.
And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Abraham’s ultimate hope was not in a large piece of real estate, nor was it in a dynasty which comes and goes. God’s promise was eternal, and Abraham expected something beyond this world.
For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Abraham is unwilling to see his son taken back to his homeland, and he is also unwilling that Isaac should marry a Canaanite. Abraham’s faith is put into action in this episode in our text. He learned his lesson with Hagar and Ishmael. He will not act out in sin when God is taking his time. Strong faith does not believe God is a passive or suspicious way, but leans fully and dependently on God to keep his Word. Therefore, Abraham will cast out his line and wait for God’s good timing.
If we are to be counted among those faithful to God, we must learn to lean on him in such a way. Through Isaac would come Christ, and God was sure to keep his steadfast promise to bring about his glorious designs. This trust says to God, “if I fall, you will catch me. If you do not catch me, I will fall. But I know you will catch me.” It is expressed by three young Israelites in Dan 3:17-18
If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Faith takes away the safety nets of this world and allows us to fall into strong arms of grace.
The Keeping
The Keeping
The offspring did not refer simply to Isaac, nor to the physical nation of Israel, but to Christ.
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
So the promise was made through Abraham concerning Jesus Christ, the coming King of God’s people. Today we do not possess the land of the Canaanites, but we possess a better country whose King is Jesus Christ. In him we see the promises of God made to Abraham fulfilled.
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
Christ has come, God with us, and proved that all of God’s promises are legitimate. Our faith is realized in him. God is a promise keeping God.
Promises made to you: eternal life in Christ both now and much more in the age to come.
An eternal inheritance.
Joy and peace despite the hardships of this world.
His eternal presence.
Being sons and daughters of God through the only begotten Son of God.
Deliverance from Sin and guilt.
Condemnation and vengeance against those who harden their hearts against the Gospel.