Understanding the Substance of the Promise of God

Last week we talked about UNDERSTANDING THE SUBSTANCE OF THE PROMISES OF GOD.

We first see the promise mentioned in Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV) 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 22:15-18 (KJV) 15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which isupon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Repeated to Isaac:

Genesis 26:1-5 (KJV) 1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. 2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Repeated to Jacob ...

Genesis 28:13-14 (KJV) 13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I amthe LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

We explained that the substance/essence of the promise was

... everlasting inheritance in the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [the promised seed]

We took you through an exegetical journey to reach that conclusion.

Step one:

the word promises, and the word promiseare used interchangeably in certain passages. Galatians 3:16 and Galatians 3:29 are good examples...

Gal 3:16, now unto Abraham and his seed were the promises made.

Same chapter just a few verses later:

Galatians 3:29 if you belong to Christ, then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Promises are folded into the promise in the same dialog.

Step Two:

Those receiving the promise are considered the seed of Abraham. They are called heirs who receive an inheritance. Discovering what the inheritance is leads us to understanding the essence or essential element of the promise.

It begs the question:

what is it that the spiritual seed of Abraham inherit because of the promise that God made to him?

First of all, the seed that God was referring to in whom all nations/ families of the earth would be blessed is Christ. ( ). That is why Gal 3:29 says ... if you are Christ’s[in other words belong to Christ] then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

So, whatever the inheritance is it is only available to those who belong to Christ. whatever the blessing is it belongs to those who belong to Christ.

Well, who are they that belong to Christ?

according to this passage they are the ones who:

a. Have put their faith in Christ Jesus. this not only made them His own possession but simultaneously made them children of God.

b. Galatians 3:26-29 (KJV) 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

c. you remember Jesus said, I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except he come by me.

d. This process of becoming an heir is wrapped up in becoming a child of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

e. If you have put your faith in Jesus and if you have been baptized into Christ, you have become an heir according to the promise that God made to Abraham.

f. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Under Judaism, when the law was originally given, females were not allowed to be heirs in the estate of their fathers. Only males could become heirs. This was amended later on by God Himself.

Numbers 27:1-11 (NIV) 1 The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. They approached 2 the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly, and said, 3 "Our father died in the desert. He was not among Korah's followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. 4 Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father's relatives." 5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD 6 and the LORD said to him, 7 "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives and turn their father's inheritance over to them. 8 "Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father's brothers. 11 If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to be a legal requirement for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.'"

So, females were included as being heirs of their fathers but only if there were no sons in the family.

Under the New Covenant, females are entitled to become heirs of the promise that God made to Abraham and his seed right alongside of their brothers in Christ.

So, what exactly is it that we inherit?

The inheritance that God had in view when he made the promise to Abraham was the blessing of everlasting life in the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 19:28-29 (KJV) 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, [watch this now...] and shall inherit everlasting life.

How is it that families of the earth can be blessed in Christ, the seed of Abraham? By inheriting everlasting life.

The process of inheriting something carries the understanding that you don’t earn what you are getting. You didn’t generate the wealth that you inherit you are rather a recipient of someone else’s labor and generosity.

Everlasting life is given to usby the Father who gave us His only begotten Son. [John 3:16]. He was motivated to do so by love.not by anything of worth/value that we brought to the equation aside from our faith.

God so loved the world that He gave ... etc. that whosoever believes in him... should not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE. For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.

Peter states the case in a precise way:

2 Peter 1:10-11 (KJV) 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The entrance into the kingdom is ministered unto you... which means it will be provided for you... you don’t gain it, it will be given to you.

Look at 2 Peter 1:11 in different versions:

2 Peter 1:11 (HCSB) 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.

2 Peter 1:11 (NASB) 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

2 Peter 1:11 (NRSV) 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

Everlasting life is not deserved by us and cannot be earned like wages on a job. As sinful creatures the only thing we deserve is punishment. The only wages we have earned is death. The bible is clear... in Romans 6:23, ... the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The fact that we will inherit an everlasting kingdom means it is something we look forward to in the future. Some benefits and blessings are enjoyed in the present, but some blessings are reserved for a future date.

The bible says we have already been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.

Colossians 1:12-18 (KJV) 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [these are blessing that we enjoy in the present] 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The kingdom of God’s dear Son into which we have been translated is the church over which Christ is head. the church is the current manifestation of God’s kingdom on this earth. It does not represent all that the kingdom is and shall be, but it is the earthly manifestation of the kingdom in the present.

Notice 2 Peter 1:11 says, Entrance into the everlasting kingdom “...will be provided for you.” that is a future aspect of life in the kingdom...

Matthew 16:18, 19... Jesus uses the terms church and kingdom interchangeably... I will build my church ... I will give thee the keys to the kingdom of heaven... Peter used those keys on the day of Pentecost [Acts 2] when he presented Christ as Lord and Savior and as heir to the throne of David ... He used those keys when he told those who asked the question ...men and brethren what must we do?He told them to repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The bible says [Acts 2: 47] praising God ...etc... and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. The church which is the present manifestation of the kingdom is spoken of as being in existence when the adding was done. Before that Jesus said “I will build my church.” I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

Here is another way that we know the church and the kingdom are synonymous: that which prepares you to be added to the church prepares you to be translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son...

Peter told ... repent and be baptized every one of you ... etc. for the remission of sins... they did that and the record shows that they were then added to the church of Christ.

Colossians 1:13 says, those whom the Father ... 13 hath delivered ... from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 ... have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

So you see the same thing that prepares one to be added to the church is the same thing that prepares you to be translated into the kingdom of God’s dear son. It is the remission or forgiveness of sins.

Again There are some kingdom benefits and blessings that are enjoyed in the present, but some kingdom blessings are reserved for a future date.

So, I’m still standing on what the bible teaches that...

· the church is the kingdom of God’s dear Son in this world today.

· I’m still standing on the pronouncement that God has made us fit to receive the inheritance of the saints in light...

· and that the essence of the promise that God made to Abraham is the blessing of everlasting life in the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ our Lord.

· I’m still standing on that promise and the future glory that comes with that promise.

I have already received the forgiveness of my sins. I have already received redemption through faith in the blood of Jesus. But I’m still waiting on something else. What is that? The redemption of my body from the corruption that it has been subjected to because of the sin of Adam...

Romans 8:22-25 (KJV) 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

We are not waiting for the redemption of our souls ... but of our bodies...

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

You remember Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 (KJV)

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

So the redemption of our body from the corruption of decay, disease and death will occur at the resurrection ...

Those of us who have gone past our prime have to adjust to the reality of diminishing strength and vitality... we have to learn to live with some aches and pains that come with advancing age. Some of us, our get up and go has got up and gone... we have to face the fact that most of what we have lost ... we aint’ getting it back...

We have to wait with patience for the promise of what is to come...

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 (KJV) For we know that If the earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved [and it will] ... we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [house means body.] 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

[that means we can stand on the promise of a new house because God has already made a deposit... He has given us the earnest money of the Spirit. It is assurance of the promise that he will close the deal and give us our new house] ...

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Our confidence holds firm in the future glory that we will experience.

Joy that will never end ...

No pain or sorrow ...

Free from the harassment of evil doers

What have we learned?

1. “Promises of God” and “The promise” are used interchangeably to speak of an inheritance that God promised to Abraham and his seed.

2. The seed that God refers to is Christ. Our access to the inheritance is based upon our relationship with Christ. If we are in a relationship with Christ, we are considered Abraham’s seed and heirs of the promised inheritance.

3. Being baptized into Christ puts us into Christ and makes us children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

4. The inheritance that we receive by being in Christ is the blessing of everlasting life in the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.