Love that Endures

[Announce text] Welcome, church members and visitors. Today marks the second Sunday in Lent, and we are journeying together through our six-week series called Signs of Covenant Love. Throughout this series, we will select Scriptures from the Old Testament that demonstrate God’s covenant love for his people to prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday.

If you have brought a Bible with you this morning, please turn with me to the book of Genesis. We will read in chapter fifteen, beginning with verses one through twelve and jumping ahead to verses seventeen and eighteen.

[Scripture introduction] In the opening pages of Genesis, marks the story of the life of Abram, a wilderness pilgrim, who recieved an almighty promise from the Lord when he dwelling in Haran (Gen 11:31). God promised Abram how he would make Abram a great nation and honor his name and the rest of the world would be blessed through him (Gen 12:1-3).

God’s previous interactions with this sojourner bring us to this text found in Genesis.

[Reannounce and read text] Let us read the passage of the time when God makes a covenant with Abram in Genesis 15:1-12,17-18.

[Prayer for illumination] O Lord God, at this time, graciously give us a clear word so our hearts and minds are aligned with yours. Let your Scriptures boldly speak to us as we draw into Abram’s story. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

[Introduction] What certainties in life do you hold to be true? But what about your uncertainties, like your finances, health, and relationships? Those areas seem to always change, and sometimes, it's not for the better.

[FCF] Have you ever struggled to trust God because you couldn’t see how His promises could possibly come true in your life?

[Scripture bond] In Genesis, we see a man who carries a weight of many doubts and fears, and we, too, might feel the same as Abram. He was given a promise long ago and was still waiting for God to do something.

[Main point 1] The Lord understands your doubts and soothes them with His promises.

[Explanation] God promises a son to Abram in his old age, and he believes the Lord.

[Illustration] The Lord’s love for Abram soothes him of his fears of childlessness - look to the stars.

[Application] When fear arises, speak to the Lord boldly until he soothes your spirit.

[Main Point 2] When the Lord makes a promise, He seals it with an everlasting covenant of love.

[Explanation] The Lord makes a divine covenant with Abram by passing the split animals.

[Illustration] This scene foreshadows Christ, who gave himself up and gave us the new covenant (Luke 22:20).

[Application] The covenant of God’s promise to us is given at baptism and communion. Have you received his free offering of love?

[Main Point 3] The Lord’s faithfulness frees you from doubt and fear, knowing He keeps His promises.

[Explanation] The Lord gives his promise and covenant so Abram can continue on in life with hope, joy, and love.

[Illustration] Christian who let go of fear and embrace the life they are to live.

[Application] Trust the Lord no matter your circumstances.

[Proposition] Even in seasons of doubt, you can trust that God is faithful and will fulfill every promise He has made to you.

[Conclusion] You can believe in the God of love in the second week of Lent. He has made a promise to you - eternal life. He sealed it with his Son’s death on the cross. Now, he will always go with you because of his faithfulness.