A Confirming Faith

Introduction

Well, good morning!

If you have your Bible and I hope that you do…open ‘em up with me Genesis chapter 17. We’re gonna be looking at the whole chapter this morning.

Listen, if you haven’t been with us over the past several weeks, we’ve been walking through the story of Abram…the second half of our Genesis series. And listen, we’ve covered a lot of ground…five chapters so far…And there’s a lot that’s happened.

From chapter 12 to chapter 17…its been a crazy ride for Abram. He was called out of his homeland…called to leave his family, everything he knew, to follow God. Of course, we saw, as we dug into those passages, Abram was obedient…not without mistakes or mishaps…but ultimately, he was submissive to Lord. He believed everything God promised.

But listen, chapters 15 through 17, its in this section of Genesis where we see a turning point…a hinge moment so to speak. Of course, if you remember, in chapter 15, Abram received the covenant promise of God…and it says there that Abram believes, right? And his belief, its counted to him as what? Righteousness! But guys, the gap between the time of God’s promise and God’s fulfillment of the promise…it causes Abram and Sarai to begin doubting…it causes them to lose hope and become impatient. That’s what we saw in chapter 16. And while God had continuously reminded them of this promise, what He’d accomplish through them by His own power…even though He did that, their impatience caused them to take matters into their own hands. I mean, they just wanted to help God along, right? Of course, that decision, it led to strife and tension and anger and hurt. And listen, if you know the story of the Bible, that tension, it would last for centuries within that family…which should remind us that our efforts to create or fulfill God’s promises on our own, through our own power, its never successful.

But listen, as we come to chapter 17 this morning…the promises we’ve seen made to Abram and Sarai over and over again…it gives us this picture of what faith in the waiting really looks like. I mean hopefully you can see just how much Abram and Sarai really want this promised child, right?…In the same ways, we should equally long for God’s promise to us…for Jesus’s return. The need to wait and trust in God, it was just as much a struggle for Abram as it is for us today. If Genesis 15 revealed a God who speaks…and if Genesis 16 revealed a God who sees…then Genesis 17, it reveals a God who seals.

This section that we’re gonna read this morning…it seems like its just a repeat of everything else we’ve seen…but listen, it’s more…God’s showing us what it looks like when He makes a covenant with us…and He’s showing us just how much greater His will and His timing really is. Guys, at the heart of Abram’s story here, it reveals the heart of God for his people in that God speaks to ‘em…God sees them in their affliction…and that God seals them. If we can truly grasp the significance of this sealing with Abram here, I think it’ll transform how we see and pursue Jesus in our own lives today.

And so, if you’re there with me this morning, let’s stand and read this passage together. We’re gonna read all 27 verses. It says this:

Genesis 17:1–27 (ESV)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. Then Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

Thank you, you can be seated.

[Prayer]

Our three points this morning…number 1, the making of a covenant…number 2, the sign of a covenant…and then number 3, the culmination of a covenant.

And so, let’s dive into our first point this morning.

I. The Making of a Covenant (vv. 1-8)

The making of a covenant.

Listen, I know we’ve seen God’s promise to Abram a lot at this point in our study…probably so much so that you can repeat it to yourself even in your sleep, right? But guys, listen to me…don’t fall asleep on me this morning…even though this is the third time we see this covenantal moment between God and Abram…Genesis chapter 17, it gives us the clearest account of God’s promise to him. In fact, this particular chapter, its mentioned about a dozen times in the New Testament for that very reason.

And so, pay attention to verses 1 through 8…Notice it says Abram, he’s 99 at this point. Meaning, its been 13 or so years since the events of the last chapter. And yet, remember…Abram and Sarai…they still have no child. Now, if you do the math from chapter 12 until now, its been 24 years since God first promised this, right? The only child he has, he’s the result of his own failure and I’m sure every time he sees him at this point, its just a reminder of that failure and a reminder to trust in God’s timing.

And listen, after reading chapter 16, I think we would expect God to resist Abram…or turn his back on Abram…or something, right? But listen, as we come to this chapter…we actually see it start with God pursuing Abram…and He does it not by rebuking him…not by lashing out in anger…God didn’t need to do those things…I think in those 13 years, Abram got the point…God pursued Abram in love. He renewed His covenant with him.

This chapter, it begins by God announcing Himself, “I am God Almighty.” Now, we’re gonna see a lot of name changes here…with God…with Abram…with Sarai…but this new proclamation of God, its a proclamation, an announcement about His nature (El Shaddai ‘EL-SHY-DIE’), that’s the Hebrew term. It’s the very first time the Bible uses that name for God. And listen, its a name used to emphasize God’s infinite power.

And listen, while in the past, God required very little of Abram…other than him leaving Ur…here in verse 1, we see there’s now an expectation for Abram to live in a way that reflects God’s promise…which means, Abram’s now not only hearing a word from the Lord, he’s now being set apart, he’s being sealed by God as His. And listen, with that, just as it is with believers, we’re to live lives worthy of the gospel…in Abram’s case, he’s to live in such a way that shows He’s been changed by God…he’s to live blamelessly.

And then, we see verse 2…God repeats His promise to Abram about multiplying him greatly. It’s actually presenting Abram as a new Adam who’ll be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth…just as they were originally commanded to do in Genesis 2. Abram responds by falling to his face in an act of worship. There’s gratitude there, right?

And then in verse 5, we see God further set Abram apart. We see Him change Abram’s name to Abraham…which simply means “high father” or “exalted father.” God was setting him apart and elevating his status. Listen, isn’t that what God does to believers today? He sets us apart…makes us holy…through the blood of Jesus, so that we can live a life that’s blameless and worthy of the gospel. Like, He doesn’t just tell us to do it…He actually gives us the means to living righteously…by giving us Jesus’s righteousness…and by giving us His Spirit. Our identity changes from being with the world to now being in Christ. And we know, we just went through Revelation…we know, God elevates us as believers. We see the same thing happening here with Abram.

And then, if you’re paying attention…God lays out several aspects of this new covenant with Abraham. Again, he has a new purpose…not only is God promising Abraham a son…but He’s saying to be fruitful and multiply. You’re gonna be the father a great nation. Not only was he the father of Ishmael and Isaac, both of which would lead to great nations…but also spiritually, Abraham, he’s the father of all those who would put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. That’s what Paul says in Romans 4:16…Abraham knew what God was promising here…that it was gonna lead to the promised Messiah. And listen, if you can’t see it…Abraham’s name change here, it intimately connected him to his new purpose.

We also see here with this new covenant, a new commitment…I love this. God tells Abraham in verse 7, “I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.”

God’s making a “permanent covenant” here with Abraham and with all of his offspring. Listen to this…a permanent covenant…one that’s dictated by “God Almighty.” Remember God’s name change. If Abraham’s name change is tied to his new purpose…then God’s name change has to be tied to His purpose which is to make a covenant with Abraham. It’s not something that’s conditional…He doesn’t say, “Abraham, I’ll only do this if you live blamelessly.” It’s everlasting for him and for all his people. God’s not ashamed to be their God.

But listen, I love this new covenant here…it’s one that gives Abraham so much more detail…he gets a new hope. Not only is he getting a new land…but look at verse 8 again. God says that Abraham’s offspring, they’re gonna possess this land forever…and “I’ll always be their God”, He says. Now, we’ve talked about this before so I won’t go into detail here…you can take that physically, spiritually…but regardless, it doesn’t change. God’s giving him a new hope here.

Listen, take all this and apply it to us. When God makes a covenant with us…He approaches us and He declares who He is, right? And ultimately who we are…that we’re dead in our sins. And as His Spirit allows us to hear the gospel message, that Jesus has done something about our state…as His Spirit gives us the faith we need to believe that message, He gives us a new identity…the Bible says we’re reborn…we become children of God. And at that conversion, we receive a new purpose…to make disciples or really, be fruitful and multiply, right? And He empowers us to live in such a way that shows we’ve been changed by God. And listen, He gives us a new hope…a promise of a future with Him… And guys, He seals us with His Spirit so that we’ll never doubt that or forget that.

Which moves us into our second point.

II. The Sign of a Covenant (vv. 9-14)

The sign of a covenant.

Anytime we see God make a covenant in Scripture, its always followed by a sign.

If you remember, after God made a covenant with Adam, Adam was given Eve. When God made a covenant with Noah, Noah was given a rainbow. And now, when God makes a covenant with Abraham, he’s given circumcision.

Circumcision, its the cutting away of the foreskin on the male genitalia. In today’s world, its actually a common medical practice for newborn infants. But listen, just a side note…men, can you imagine being 99 years old and being circumcised? I’m just saying.

But look at verse 9. God says to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations” And how were they to keep this covenant? Verse 10, “10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.”

And so listen, as we read this…I mean we understand God seals things with a sign, right? But like why circumcision?…Well, I think first, it goes all the back to Genesis chapter 3 where God promised that the “seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent,” right? The very sign of the covenant with Abraham here, it involves the seed-generating organ of man. And so, this sign, firstly, it revealed the nature of what God was really promising Abraham here…that through him, the Seed would come!

But listen, Paul, in his letter to the Romans, he actually shows us that this sign, it went much deeper. It wasn’t just about the nature of the promise…it was also about the nature of faith.

When talking about Abraham, Paul wrote in Romans 4:11:

Romans 4:11 (ESV)

He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,

And so, the physical marking of circumcision, it was intended to serve as a daily reminder of the spiritual marking of faith, according to what Paul says. This faith, it wasn’t just for Abraham, it was for all those who trust in Christ.

But listen, just read verse 11. I think the process of circumcision, I think it signals the most the purpose of circumcision. And so what was the process? Verse 11, “11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins.” Verse 12, “12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

The process, it literally involved the cutting away of the “foreskin”. It was to happen on a male’s 8th day of life as a sign of new creation and as a sign of his participation in this new covenant. And read the passage here…it wasn’t just for Abraham and his line…it was for anyone brought into the “household” of God’s covenant people. And those who followed the sign, God would be their God…and those that failed to follow the sign, they’d be “cut off” from the covenant through their sin. Being “cut off” that’s the point of the process here that I think’s most important. They “cut off” the foreskin as a sign of something being removed, otherwise, they’d be removed.

And so, what’s all this mean? What’s the purpose here?

Listen, what God’s commanding Abraham to do here…its all pointing to what God would do in Christ through the cross. It’s all pointing to Jesus. When Jesus was circumcised as a Jew on the eighth day (Luke 2:21), it was an indication that new creation was dawning. The death of Jesus, it was the fulfillment of this covenant sign. On the cross, He’s crucified naked in a public display of one who’s been “cut off” from His people. He’s carried outside the gate of the city and separated from God, right? He’s literally bearing the weight of God’s wrath for you and for me. Jesus took the punishment of the covenant, He was “cut off” so that we can receive the promise of the covenant.

You see, the physical marking of the flesh here in Genesis 17, it points ahead to the need for a spiritual marking…which Moses lays out in Deuteronomy 30:6:

Deuteronomy 30:6 (ESV)

And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

That’s why Paul says that for new believers, “true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh” but instead “circumcision is of the heart” (Romans 2:28-29).

For those under the new covenant, a covenant established at the death and resurrection of Jesus, it’s not a physical circumcision but rather one of the heart. Physical circumcision, its disgusting, its messy, its intimate. But guys, understand that it was necessary in the old covenant in order for us to see our sin nature…it shows us that in the same ways, our sin, its disgusting and messy and intimate. Only a circumcision of our hearts, a cutting away of sin, can actually set us free. And listen, when we’re united to Christ by faith, his circumcision, it becomes our circumcision, both the physical circumcision and the spiritual circumcision.

For the church today, baptism, it actually replaces circumcision. Its a visible, outward sign of one’s participation in the new covenant. When a new believer goes to the water to be baptized, they’re acknowledging having been cut off from the covenant because of their sin…and as they’re raised up, out of the water…they’re giving us a symbol of being raised up to walk in the newness of life offered to those who believe Jesus conquered the grave. You see, baptism, it might not determine our place in the family of God…it might not save us…but listen, it does allows us to display what God’s done in circumcising our hearts. It’s why we make it a criteria in joining the church. As believers, we should have a desire to outwardly proclaim what Jesus has done in us…we should wanna display our sign to all humanity.

Listen, if you wanna really gauge your walk…where’s your heart at? Your heart, its the telltale sign of who you are. When you become a Christian…when you place your faith in Jesus Christ…He’s gonna circumcise your heart…and as a result, you’re gonna be different. You’re gonna care about your brothers and sisters so much more than you do yourself…you’re gonna care about the body of Christ because you share the heart of Christ…and listen, you’re gonna care about the mission of Christ…you’re gonna see those separated from this covenant due to man’s depravity and you’re gonna do everything to proclaim the message of Christ. You’re gonna lose your selfish tendencies,…you’re thinking, its not gonna be about my freedoms or my rights…you’re gonna willingly pick up your cross and sacrifice all for those God’s brought you to and all for proclaiming what God’s given you.

Is that your heart? Because if its not…if you only care about you…about what you want or what you need…if its only about you and not your brothers and sisters. Then, dear friend, you don’t share the heart of Christ.

God will always give a sign when He establishes a covenant. Are you different today as a result of that sign?

III. The Culmination of a Covenant (vv. 15-27)

And then finally, point number 3…the culmination of a covenant.

For many chapters now…God’s been telling Abraham that He was gonna have offspring and that he was gonna be the father of a great nation and that he’d possess land, right? Listen, the covenant that we see here, that God’s making with Abraham…it culminates with the first ever gender reveal party.

Now, before that happens…to keep things consistent…Sarai’s given a new name…she goes from being called Sarai, to being called Sarah…which simply means “princess.” And listen, I don’t know about you…but from what we can tell about Sarah from the previous chapter…she’s far from a princess, right? I mean she’s probably who God had in mind when He inspired certain verses about nagging wives…but listen, He names her Sarah…princess.

Regardless of who Sarah was…regardless of what mistakes she made, previously…God was gonna use her to bring about a royal line. He gonna use her to bring about kings and nations…to bring about the King of kings. In fact, just as we see over and over…this name change here…its just a repeated theme we see through Scripture…its about promises of the future…promises of nobility and royalty. God sets His own above everything else. Again, in spite of who we are…and all because of who God is.

As you continue on in the text…Sarah’s promised a blessing. She’s promised a son and a legacy. I mean, God, He’s basically reminding them here of His promise from Genesis 3:15…and He’s showing Sarah here, that promise, its gonna happen through her.

And so, how’s Abraham respond to the news that God’s gonna give him and Sarah a son? I love this because so many of us can relate. Verse 17, “17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

Listen, we all have stories like this. God calls us to do something and we’re left standing there in shock. I know when I felt called to ministry…I can literally remember saying audibly in prayer to God, that He’s crazy! How’s he gonna take this introverted guy and use him to pastor and preach? Guys, I know you don’t believe it…because today I really don’t need a mic. I’m a pretty loud person…but listen, there was a day, even while I was pastoring…not too long along, when I was so quiet the sound team would have to turn my mic all the way up and my wife would still make signs to me from the audience to speak louder.

God can take the weak…the unqualified…the ungifted, and listen, He can use those people to do incredible, God like things. People stop me and tell me, “I just love your preaching…you’re so gifted, you’re so passionate.” Guys, let me as clear as I possibly can…I’m able to do what I’m doing, only because of God’s will and God’s empowerment! I know who I am…I know my weaknesses. And trust me…public speaking, its a weakness of mine. Remove me from my pastoral role…remove me from this preaching atmosphere…and I stink at public speaking…I mean it’s a complete 180. God takes the weak and the impossible and He changes it all with the purposes of bringing Him glory.

Abraham knew who he was…he knew he was 100 years old…that it was nearly impossible for those things to happen. Abraham knew who Sarah was…he knew that she was too old to carry a child and to give birth. He’s listening to God, and he’s just in shock here. And listen, its not that he didn’t believe…again the Scripture’s speak about Abraham’s faith…he trusted God. It’s just that God’s promise, it was putting Abraham in a place of awe.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just bless me through Ishmael?”

“Sure!” “But my promise, its that I’m gonna make you into a great nation through Sarah…through your wife. I’m gonna establish my covenant with Isaac!” Which, if you’re paying attention to verse 21, that’s the first time there’s this very tangible detail with his offspring. Not only are you gonna have offspring…but its gonna be a son and his name, its gonna be Isaac…which means “he laughs.” And so, every time you call on your son…you’re gonna remember this moment where God did the impossible. Of course, we’ll see next next week Sarah respond in the same way…Isaac would be a constant reminder to them of what God did. And God follows that promise up by promising to establish His covenant with Isaac forever.

Here’s the point…when it comes to covenants…things that God cements…things that God commits to…not only does He make them…not only does He give us signs to show we’re apart of that covenant…but guys, He culminates that covenant with reminders of the impossible.

For us, we were dead in our sins…we were heading to hell. There was nothing we could do about it…there was no desire in our hearts to turn…there was no desire in our thoughts to seek or to honor God…there was no gratitude for life or for breath in our lungs…we did what was right in each of our own hearts. We made a mess of our lives…we made poor decisions…mistakes…we put ourselves in terrible situations…we hurt those we love. We were entirely and completely hopeless.

Understanding the gospel and what God did in redeeming us…its understanding just how impossible our salvation really was…even more so than a 100 year old having a child.

You see, when you understand the gospel…when you understand your need for the gospel…that you’re hopeless…that you’re selfish…that you’re wicked at the core…you hear the gospel, and you respond like Abraham…you almost wanna laugh! “God, you can’t save me! I’m too far gone…I’ve done too much! I don’t wanna be saved!”…He responds, through the Spirit, “Sit back and enjoy the ride…I’m about to take what’s ugly…and through the blood of my son, Jesus…I’m gonna make it beautiful.”

Closing

Listen, in closing…as believers here this morning, are you still left in awe with what God’s done in your life? Can you believe it? Can you see what the Spirit’s done? How He’s matured you and sanctified you? Can you see the impossible work of the Lord in your life?

Maybe this morning, where you’re at…maybe at the altar…maybe you just need to go to the Lord and just thank Him for what He’s done in your life? Amen? Show Him you still remember…and give Him all the praise and glory for what He’s accomplished in you.

But listen, if you’re here and you’ve not turned to Jesus. Maybe the Spirits drawing you now…repent (turn from the world and turn to Him) and believe that Jesus is Lord…that He raised from the dead. Believe that He wore the weight of our sins. That He took on our sins and that He freely gave us His righteousness. Believe that through Jesus, He can take what’s ugly and that He can make it all beautiful!

Would you bow your head and close your eyes with me?

Listen, our praise team, they’re gonna come…they’re gonna lead us in worship this morning…and all I want you to do, its either to thank God for the work He’s done in your life…maybe that means you need to repent from some things…or, listen, if you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior and you feel the Spirit drawing you now…I just want you to repent and believe.

And so listen, they’re gonna play…and that’s all I want you to do. If you need me, I’m be down front. You take this time!

[Prayer]