"Unwavering Covenant: Lessons from Abram's Journey of Faith" -November 5th, 2023

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Introduction

Question 1:

"Can anyone tell me what a promise is?

Have you ever made a promise to someone?

"Follow-up: "What do you think it means when God makes a promise?"

It's fascinating to consider the Abraham maybe one of the most important characters in genesis and yet his life was nothing but crisis after crisis after crisis.

So if you've ever wanted to do something important with your life consider this. If you've ever wondered if you're in the center of God's will consider this. If you've ever wondered that God is keeping his promises to you consider this. You may be doing something extraordinarily important, in the center of god's will, and god may be keeping his promises to you right now but your life may be one crisis after another.

And for you kids out there that means if you're having problems in your life God is still there. If you're getting sick God is still there. If you're traveling at school God is still there God loves you.

So, how many of you have had someone not keep their promise?

We are going to read how God keeps his promises today.

I. God keeps His promises(Genesis 14:1–24; 15:1–6)

A. God helps Abraham rescue Lot (Genesis 14:1–17)

Genesis 14:1–17 ESV

1 In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar. 8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. 11 So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. 12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. 13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people. 17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

In this section we see an invaded land we see lot in Sodom and Gomorrah and yet we see lots in crisis. People have invaded the land people have taken abraham's cousins away and Abraham moves to rescue a lot in this story.

You see Abraham has 318 trained men born in his household. We often understand that Abraham was a wealthy man but until we read passages like this we don't appreciate what that truly meant. But we have to remember he wasn't just doing this on his own as an independent country at the time he was also allied with people around him. Abraham defeated the invaders rescued his cousin and we are then introduced to one of the most mysterious and interesting characters in the Old Testament.

B. God blesses Abraham through a mysterious person. (Genesis 14:18–24)

Genesis 14:18–24 ESV

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”

So first and most simply Melchizedek was king of Jerusalem or abbreviated Salem. This name means king of righteousness and that's really peculiar that a cane and a king could be priest of God most high period of course he's mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 7 quite extensively.

What's fascinating is that some people think that Melchizedek was Jesus appearing on earth ahead of time.

And we see in the text that Melchizedek blesses Abraham with the blessing that comes from the creator. Pointing that the victory that Abraham had just won truly came from God.

What's really fascinating in this encounter is that Abraham responds to Melchizedek by giving him a 10th of everything

Hebrews 7:4 ESV

4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!

So, what’s special about this is people only give a percentage of their money to something important.

In the old testament when an army won a war, the king was given a tenth.

We give to the government because they make us.

We give to our church because God tells us to.

Abraham gave a tenth of the money captured to Melchizedek recognizing that Melchizedek was special

But did you also see that Abraham made a choice between the two rulers who came out to meet him?

Genesis 14:21–24 ESV

21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”

Abraham wanted it crystal clear that he depended on God.

So after this God appears to Abraham and reminds him of His promises

C. God reminds Abraham of his promises (Genesis 15:1–6)

Genesis 15:1–6 ESV

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Question 2:

"Abram was promised many children, as many as the stars in the sky! How many stars do you think are in the sky?"

Question 3:

"If you were Abram and you were told you’d have a huge family, what would you think? Would you believe it right away?"

I. God's Assurance in Vision (Genesis 15:1)

Genesis 15:1 ESV

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

A. Vision as a Divine Communication Tool

Point: Explain how God uses visions to establish and affirm His promises.

Application: Encourage listeners to seek God's guidance in their moments of uncertainty.

II. Abram's Plea and God's Response (Genesis 15:2-5)

Genesis 15:2–5 ESV

2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

A. Abram was honest with God

Point: Discuss Abram's open dialogue with God about his doubts and desires.

Illustration: Share a personal story or a historical account of someone's honest plea to God.

Application: Urge the congregation to bring their concerns to God in prayer, trusting His promise.

B. God reassured Abraham

Point: Highlight how God responds to Abram's concerns with a promise that exceeds expectations.

Illustration: Use an example of a time when a response provided more than what was initially asked for.

I remember going through Leukemia with Isabelle, God not only paid our bills but provided above and beyond what we needed.

Application: Encourage faith in God's promises, which often go beyond our own plans and desires.

III. The Seal of Righteousness by Faith (Genesis 15:6)

Genesis 15:6 ESV

6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

A. Faith Credited as Righteousness

Point: Elaborate on the concept of righteousness by faith as exemplified by Abram.

Illustration: Contrast legalistic righteousness with the righteousness that comes from faith.

Application: Invite the congregation to embrace faith as the means of being right with God.

II. A powerful covenant (Genesis 15:7–21)

A. The Covenant Ritual (Genesis 15:7–11)

Genesis 15:7–11 ESV

7 And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

Illustration: Explain a modern-day contract signing to make the idea of a covenant more relatable.

Point: God's covenant with Abram is formalized, demonstrating God's seriousness about His promises.

B. The Geographical and Eternal Promise (Genesis 15:12–21)

Genesis 15:12–21 ESV

12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” 17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.”

Illustration: Use a legal land deed as an analogy for the land promise to Abram.

Point: Despite delays and uncertainties, God's promises have both immediate and eternal dimensions.

III. Lessons from Abram's Encounters

A. Pilgrim Versus Pagan

Point: Like Abram, we are called to stand firm in faith amidst a world of conflicting ideologies.

B. Principles for Today's Pilgrims

Practical Points:

Dependence on God is key in spiritual warfare.Faith living is rewarded when we focus on God's promises.Generosity triumphs over selfishness when aligned with God's will.

C. Living Out the Covenant (Applications)

Actionable Steps:

Trust God's protection and provision in all circumstances.

Identify and appreciate the Melchizedeks God has placed in your life.

Prioritize spiritual riches over worldly gains.

IV. The Power of Faith in Action (Romans 4:1–3; James 2:23)

A. Faith Credited as Righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:1–3)

Genesis 15:6 ESV

6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:1–3 ESV

1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Illustration: Narrate a story of a figure from history whose faith changed their life course.

Point: Just as Abram's faith was credited to him as righteousness, our faith in Christ is our justification.

B. The Active Nature of Faith (James 2:23)

James 2:23 ESV

23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

Illustration: Present a real-life example of faith inspiring action.Point: Genuine faith is not passive; it manifests in our works and lifestyle.

Conclusion

Encouragement: Encourage the congregation to emulate Abram's faith and trust in God's promises.

Prayer: A closing prayer asking for faith to persevere and trust in God's covenant promises as Abram did.