Ordinary to Outstanding: Becoming God’s Bless-able Partners

Introduction

Imagine you're at a world-class symphony orchestra concert. The conductor steps up to the podium, raises his baton, and the music begins. It's Franz Schubert's famous "Unfinished Symphony." The melody swells, filling the concert hall with its haunting beauty.

But then, unexpectedly, in the middle of the second movement, the orchestra stops. The conductor turns to the audience and says, "Schubert never finished this symphony. He left it with just two movements instead of the usual four. But tonight, we're going to do something different. We're inviting you, the audience, to help us finish it."

Suddenly, volunteers from the audience are being handed instruments. Some have played before, others have never touched an instrument in their lives. The conductor starts guiding them, showing them simple parts to play. Professional musicians mentor the newcomers, helping them find their place in the music.

It's messy at first. There are wrong notes, missed cues. But slowly, something beautiful starts to emerge. The professionals and amateurs together create a unique, never-before-heard conclusion to Schubert's unfinished work.

This, friends, is a picture of our partnership with God. He's the master composer and conductor. He's written the most beautiful symphony of redemption and love the world has ever known. And here's the incredible part - He invites us, ordinary people, to join in and help complete His work.

Some of us might feel like skilled musicians, ready to play our part. Others might feel completely out of our depth, unsure of how we fit into God's grand composition. But God takes our willingness to show up, our ordinary efforts, and transforms them into something extraordinary.

There are times when we need to actively play our part - that's our obedience. Other times, we need to pause and listen carefully to the Conductor's instructions - that's our rest and stillness. Sometimes, we might even feel like we're playing through tears, carrying heavy burdens. But even then, God can use our imperfect notes to create beauty.

As we dive into Genesis 17 today, we're going to see how God invited Abraham into this divine symphony. We'll explore what it means for us to be God's partners in His ongoing work of redemption, and how He can take the ordinary instruments of our lives and use them to create something truly extraordinary.

If you have your Bibles or on your devices, you can turn to Genesis 17. If you are willing and able would you stand with me as I read God’s word this morning… this is the word of the Lord… let us pray… amen… you may be seated.

Covenant Call: An Invitation

Our call and the invitation is to be in relationship with the living God.

Many world religions and attempts at spirituality is about being good enough. In a very simplistic way its humanity trying to attain god-status… reaching up.

God from the very beginning came down and walked with humanity. He molded and crafted humans in His image. He enters into our experience. He even puts on flesh and redeems all that it is human.

Often times in our time and day, a relationship with God can be a passive endeavor. It’s an addition to other views or thoughts we hold. It’s secondary. It’s actually why people get upset when cultural, political, or social issues come up in the pulpit. We compartmentalize. “Don’t talk about marginalization, homosexuality, politics, the homeless, or orphan care from the pulpit!” “Teach the Bible!” As if those could be separated… we do try, but God encompasses all and is in all. A person who is in a covenantal relationship with God has all pieces of our lives informed by our relationship with God.

This is the invitation given to Abram. This is our invitation.

The first two verses caught my eye:

Depending on your translation, you could read this differently.

We can see walking with God as an act to attempt blamelessness and then he’ll bless… “If you walk before me faithfully and be blameless, THEN/SO THAT I will make my covenant with you” (NIV,ESV, NASB, NET)

Or we see that in relationship with Him, we are blameless. (CSB, MSSG, NLT, NKJV)

“Granted that Abram’s relationship with God is based on God’s grace (Gen 15:6 and see Paul in Rom 4:3 and Gal 3:6), he nonetheless must be obedient (see Jas 2:22, based on Gen 22:15–18). The logic of verse 2 is that, in some sense, the fulfillment of the promises does depend on his obedience. Initially, the promises depended on Abram leaving Ur and heading to the promised land. No wonder Abram is both the model of salvation by faith as well as covenant obedience (Gen 26:6). Abram’s life is a journey, and he is to undergo his life journey with obedience.” Longman, T., III. (2016). Genesis (T. Longman III, Ed.; p. 219). Zondervan.

The call simply was to choose Him. Be faithful to him. I particularly think it’s more helpful to put the phrase “with integrity”.

The call is to have a lifestyle that is in partnership with God. God establishes what He will do… and then what Abraham must do.

It’s a partnership that God is inviting Him into.

What will God do? “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham,  for I have made you a father of many nations.  I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” (Ge 17:4–8)

Also this:

“As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” (Ge 17:15–16)

If this is a partnership, what is Abraham’s responsibility?

“… the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.  Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” (Ge 17:10–14)

Our invitation is a gift, but it is a costly gift.

Consecrated Common: Ordinary to Extraordinary

They were to be set apart.

God makes it clear that Abram and his descendants have responsibilities in response to God's covenant promises. This covenant isn't just about thoughts or feelings - it requires action and obedience. God introduces circumcision as the "sign of the covenant" between Him and Abram (v. 11).

Remember that the Noahic covenant had a sign too - the rainbow (9:13-16). These covenant signs are like a special mark, reminding God's people of their unique relationship with Him. Each sign relates to the specific nature of its covenant.

For Abraham's covenant, God's promise focuses on descendants or "seed" (zera in Hebrew). So, the sign of this covenant relates to this promise of future generations. It's a deeply personal commitment that each man would carry with him always.

Circumcision was not a new practice invented by God. It was already widely practiced in the ancient Near East, typically as a rite of passage for puberty or marriage.

God took this existing cultural practice and gave it a new, unique theological meaning for His covenant with Abraham.

In other cultures, circumcision often marked a man's entrance into a new family through marriage, symbolizing protection from his new in-laws.

The timing of this covenant (when Ishmael was 13) might have been significant, as this was typically when boys would be circumcised in other cultures as a rite of passage into puberty.

What made the Israelite practice unique was its theological significance - it marked entrance into the covenant community rather than just adulthood or a new family group.

The practice of circumcising on the eighth day may have been related to high infant mortality rates, ensuring the child was viable before performing the ritual.

This is one of many examples where God takes a common cultural practice and transforms it for a new purpose in His relationship with His people. Walton, J. H. (2001). Genesis (pp. 450–451). Zondervan.

The key takeaway is that God often works within existing cultural frameworks, repurposing them to reveal Himself and relate to His people in new ways. This approach would have made the covenant sign both familiar and profoundly meaningful to Abraham and his descendants.

Circumcision, like the rainbow, represents a serious pledge. While God had already made His own pledge (in Genesis 15), now it's the human partner's turn. This ritual is performed when a boy is eight days old, marking him as part of God's covenant people from his earliest days.

The covenant applies to the entire household, including those who aren't blood relatives. Even slaves from other nations are included. This reminds us that God's promise extends beyond just Abraham's direct descendants to "all peoples on earth" (12:3).

By giving new meaning to this practice, God was teaching Abraham and his descendants an important lesson about dedication and belonging. It was a constant reminder of their special relationship with God and their commitment to follow Him. Longman, T., III. (2016). Genesis (T. Longman III, Ed.; pp. 219–220). Zondervan.

He took what was ordinary and common place and redeemed it. He made it special and an indicator of something more special, something more profound.

This covenant wasn’t for everyone. God had a specific people in mind. BUT all could participate. Not only would Abraham’s son (Isaac who comes later) would enter into this, but those under Abraham’s care and household were brought into this. Ishmael (not the son of promise), Eleazar, those whom he brought up from Egypt, those that they employed… all recieved the blessing of the covenant because of their relationship with Abraham and Sarah.

The invitation is a gift, but it is a costly gift (it costs us something). Not everyone will participate in this covenant, but those in relationship with the covenant partners will be blessed:

Genesis 12:2–3 ““I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.””

What are things that we have in common among others but that God has called us, in following Him as bless-able covenant partners, He wants to reveal more of Himself to us and others?

Relationships (family, friends, colleagues): modeling the love, forgiveness, compassion, and self sacrifice of Jesus

Work or career: can become a ministry with eternal purpose and consequences

Enemies: We’re to love them

Talents and skills: to serve others, enriching their lives, bringing glory to God

Time management: having conviction our time is short and making the most of it, honoring the Lord

Financial resources: putting our money on God’s mission reflecting Kingdom priorities

Education and learning: loving God with our mind; applying it to loving others and seeking ways to bring His will on Earth as it is in heaven

Physical health and self-care: Respecting, loving, and honoring the vessel that God has temporarily given us; serving Him and others with it

Social media presence: Reflecting a Kingdom ethic and being purveyors of hope, justice, love, and holiness

Home and hospitality: A place of refuge and discipleship

Community involvement: Sewing peace into our community

The key is to recognize that God can take these ordinary aspects of our lives and infuse them with extraordinary meaning and purpose as we partner with Him in His covenant relationship.

Committed Compliance: Immediate Action

The chapter ends describing Abraham’s obedience to the divine command to circumcise his household. Ishmael, though not the son of the promise, is also circumcised. Abraham’s obedience in this matter contributes to God’s assessment of him at the end of his life as one who “obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions” (26:5). Longman, T., III. (2016). Genesis (T. Longman III, Ed.; p. 221). Zondervan.

We see how the beginning of the chapter is reflected in the end of the chapter.

A. Walk blamelessly

B. Name change (Abraham)

C. Circumcision

B1. Name change (Sarah)

A1. Immediate action

He walks faithfully by doing his part of the covenant. He shows up.

My dad told me since I was a young man… “Peter, %75 of the job is just showing up.”

In Him is LIFE

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 1:4 “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”

Grace is there to make up when we fall short

Faithful Partnership

Beloved, as we reflect on God's call to Abraham and His invitation to us, I want to speak directly to those of you who are carrying heavy burdens today. Some of you are facing unimaginable loss, battling illness, struggling with family conflicts, or wrestling with the resurfacing of past traumas. I want you to know that God sees you, He knows your pain, and He is with you in the midst of your suffering.

When we talk about being "bless-able covenant partners" with God, it's crucial to understand that this partnership isn't about constant action or perfection. Sometimes, the most faithful thing we can do is simply to be present in our pain, allowing God to meet us there.

Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-30:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

In times of deep sorrow or struggle, your faithfulness might look like:

Honest Lament: Crying out to God, even in anger or confusion, is an act of faith. The Psalms are filled with such raw, honest prayers.

Stillness: Sometimes, being still and knowing that He is God (Psalm 46:10) is the most profound act of trust we can offer.

Accepting Help: Allowing others to support you, to pray for you, to sit with you in your pain - this too is part of walking faithfully with God and His people.

Tiny Steps: On days when you can barely function, simply getting out of bed or whispering a brief prayer can be a heroic act of faith.

Remembering: Holding onto the truth of God's character and promises, even when you can't feel His presence, is a powerful testimony of faith.

Just as God was patient with Abraham through his doubts and missteps, He is patient with us. He doesn't demand that we "pull ourselves together" before we can approach Him. Instead, He meets us in our brokenness and invites us to lean on His strength.

To those of you who are in a season of relative stability and strength, I urge you to be the hands and feet of Christ to your struggling brothers and sisters. Your faithful obedience might look like sitting with someone in their pain, providing practical help, or simply being a non-judgmental, loving presence.

Remember, the God who called Abraham is the same God who walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). He is faithful, even when we struggle to be. His covenant love endures forever, through our highest highs and our lowest lows.

As we continue to explore what it means to be in covenant partnership with God, let's hold space for both challenge and comfort, for action and rest, for celebration and lament. In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

Would you stand with me… let us pray