THE JOURNEY OF FAITH

INTRODUCTION:

1. Back in , after Abram had turned down the wealth of Sodom, God told Abram that He would be Abram’s reward.

Abram reminded God that there was still a little problem about not having a son to be his heir.

God promised Abram that he would have a child from his own body to be an heir.

2. In , we were reminded that God still hadn’t kept His promise to Abram.

Sarai came up with a way to make things happen.

She had an Egyptian handmaid, Hagar, and encouraged Abram to take Hagar as a second wife.

Abram went into Hagar & she became pregnant.

After becoming pregnant, Hagar started became arrogant and began to give Sarai a difficult time.

Sarai kicked Hagar out of the house and pregnant Hagar started to make her way back to Egypt when The Angel of the Lord stopped her and sent her back.

She gave birth to a baby boy and Abram named the child “Ishmael”.

3. Abram’s dreams for a son had now been realized in Ishmael…and he probably never expected to have another son.

God tells Abram what He will

Genesis 17:17 NKJV

17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

Apparently Abram felt that Ishmael was the son promised by God…and that God was going to fulfill His promises through Ishmael.

Genesis 17:18 NKJV

18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”

Abram was a realist…He knew that he & Sarai were too old to have any children...and Ishmael was the only child he had…therefore, he wanted Ishmael to be the promised son.

4. However, as we get into this passage we will see that this wasn’t God’s plan.

Ishmael wasn’t the promised seed…and Abram needed his faith to be aroused & stirred once again.

Abram needed faith to look beyond Ishmael…to look beyond the present…beyond the physical…beyond the possible.

5. Abram needed his faith to be renewed to look at the impossible & to believe in the miraculous power & works of God.

6. So, as we get into this chapter tonight…there are several lessons we can learn that will help us on our journey of faith.

Genesis 17:1 NKJV

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.

Gen. 17:1

1) THE JOURNEY OF FAITH INVOLVES SEASONS OF WAITING ON GOD

1. Notice that Abram is 99 yrs old…It has been approximately 13-15 yrs since God has spoken to him.

The last time God spoke to Abram was in chapter 15…when He reassured Abram that He would have a son…and then established a covenant with Abram.

2. Why does God make us wait…why is God at times silent?

I. God makes us wait because He is working in us.

While Abram was made to wait by God, God was working in Him so He could work through him. 

And the same is true for us…God’s greatest work in us is often done in seasons of waiting.

In seasons waiting, God is able to root the weaknesses & flaws from our lives.

II. God makes us wait to build our faith.

Abram is known as the father of faith.

It is Abram who is referred to as the model of faith in the Bible.

So, God’s silence is at times His way of making us men/women of faith.

NOTE: Faith means that we walk not by what we see physically…or hear audibly...or by what we know intellectually.

Faith means that we hang on to what God said previously.

NOTE: When God is silent & we are waiting…we have to hang on to the last thing God said to us.

We have to believe that He is on the throne, that He is in control…and that all things work together for good.

Rom. 4

Romans 4:18–22 NKJV

18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

What do these verses tell us God was doing in Abram?

They tell us God was working in him to strengthen his faith so he would “not be weak in faith.”

God was bringing Abram to the point where he would get his eyes off of the material - his physical body as good as dead…and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

God was bringing Abram to a place in his walk with God where he would, “not waver at the promise of God.”

III. God makes us wait so we know we are powerless in our own strength.

In chapter 16, Abram & Sarai tried to help God out & do things THEIR WAY.

So, God waited until they had come to the end of themselves…and the only way the promise would be fulfilled was through His power.

God brought Abram and Sarai to the point where attaining the promise seemed impossible unless He intervened.

NOTE: God waits until we are powerless and have exhausted our own efforts to attain His promises.

Just like with Abram and Sarai, God will bring us to the end of ourselves, to the end of our earthly resources, the end of our earthly wisdom, and even to the point of hopelessness…so that we will trust in Him alone.

like with Abram and Sarai, God brings us to the end of ourselves, to the end of our earthly resources, the end of our earthly wisdom, yes, to the point of hopelessness. God brought Abram and Sarai to the point where attaining the promise of God seemed impossible.

NOTE: God usually waits until everything becomes impossible…and then He goes to work.

He waits until we can’t do anything else…and then He shows up.

IV. God makes us wait so we will learn He is Almighty God.

God says to Abram - “I am Almighty God...”

The Hebrew name is El Shaddai…and this is the first time it appears in Scripture.

It carries the idea of "Nourisher...Strengthener… & Satisfier."

It identifies God as being the "All-sufficient One."

Be Obedient Chapter Six: What’s in a Name? (Genesis 17)

“El Shaddai” is the name of “the all-powerful and all-sufficient God who can do anything and meet any need.”

But why would God reveal this name to Abram at this time?

B/C God was going to tell him that Sarah would have a son.

The Lord wanted Abram to know that He is the God who is all-sufficient & all-powerful…and that nothing is too hard for Him.

NOTE: God will make us wait at times & allow us to be in difficult situations to reveal to us who He is.

He reveals Himself as healer, provider, comforter, & miracle worker.

Whatever we need, He is.

NOTE: B/C He is the Almighty God…nothing is too hard for Him.

If He can feed Elijah with the ravens by the brook…He can feed you.

If He can clothe the children of Israel in the wilderness for 40 yrs…He can clothe you.

If He can heal the widow woman of her issue of blood after 12 yrs…He can heal you.

OUR GOD IS ALL-POWERFUL…OUR GOD IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING, ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK.

HE IS THE GOD OF MORE THAN ENOUGH…AND HE CAN TAKE CARE OF YOU.

NOTE: When we face difficult, impossible circumstances, we should seek God...We should seek a fresh revelation from God, to see God as the Almighty God, as the God who can do all things. (Leadership Ministries Worldwide.)

when we face difficult, impossible circumstances, we should seek God, seek the power and promises of God. We should seek a fresh revelation from God, to see God as the Almighty God, as the God who can do all things.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996)

3. God makes us wait at times…and I know that none of us like to wait…but when God makes us wait, He has a purpose for it.

Genesis 17:1 NIV

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.

1. Revelations always brings responsibility.

God revealed Himself to Abram…and now God expects something from Abram.

God tells him - “walk before me faithfully and be blameless...”

NOTE: We can only do what God expects of us when we know who He is.

2. The word “walk” is something that is ongoing…It implies that it is to be lifestyle that Abram lives.

NOTE: Walking is a picture of continuous repetition.

It may not be that exciting...It’s not running, jumping, or climbing.

But God wants us to faithfully walk step by step with him.

Day after day, walk faithfully with God…and He will move in mighty ways in your life.

When God gives us a fresh glimpse of Himself…He expects us to act.

It means that we are to always be aware of His presence.

3. The word “blameless” doesn’t mean sinless or perfect.

Be Obedient Chapter Six: What’s in a Name? (Genesis 17)

The word means “single-hearted, without blame, sincere, wholly devoted to the Lord.” In Exodus 12:5, the word refers to a “perfect” sacrifice without blemish. It was a call for integrity.

It also means “whole.”

This means God wanted Abram to live a life of integrity…and a life that was totally dedicated to Him.

NOTE: God expects the same from us.

He wants us to live lives of purity…and lives of total surrender & dedication to Him.

God doesn’t want a half-hearted commitment from us.

He wants us to be what we say we are.

Iow’s, God doesn’t want us to be phony or fake.

Matthew 15:7–8 NIV

7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

The word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word used to describe an “actor.”

It was someone who played a part, someone who pretended to be something they weren’t.

NOTE: God doesn’t want to be represented by phonies.

Our walk with God should be blameless…it should be one of integrity.

Romans 12:9 NIV

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

2) THE JOURNEY OF FAITH IS UNDER THE RULE OF GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY

Genesis 17:2–8 NKJV

2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Genesis 17:2–8 ESV

2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 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. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 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. 8 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.”

Gen. 17:3-8

Genesis 17:3–8 NASB95

3 Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 “No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I will make you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 “I have made you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. 7 “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8 “I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

1. You will notice that this is God’s covenant with Abram.

Notice the words in v. 4 "As for me..."

This indicates that this covenant is one-sided.

God will bless Abram because He wants to!

In other words, the covenant is good because it depends on God and not man!

This is a covenant of

Yes, Abram needs to walk faithfully before God, through the grace that God provides…but God was going to fulfill this covenant through His power and based on His faithfulness alone.

2. The words “My covenant” is used 9 times in this chapter…and the words “I will” are used at least 12 times.

God established this covenant, not Abram.

And b/c it’s God’s covenant…God tells Abram what He is going to do.

God announces, commands, & reveals what He has already determined to do.

Abram didn’t set up this interview and he didn’t determine when it would end.

God appeared without being summoned, & tells Abram what is going to happen…and even changes his name to Abraham.

God does all of this w/o asking for Abram’s input or opinion.

Genesis 17:22 NKJV

22 Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

NOTE: God’s sovereignty means that God, not man, determines the course of human history and works it out in His time-table and way, not ours.

3. Now this is what we need to understand - God’s sovereignty is fundamental to His very nature as God.

Or I could say it this way - a non-sovereign God isn’t God at all.

R. C. Sproul was once teaching a class on this.

He began the class by reading from part of the Westminster Confession, “God, from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass.”

He stopped at this point and asked, “Is there anyone in this room who does not believe the words that I just read?” A lot of hands went up. He then asked, “Are there any convinced atheists in the room?” No hands were raised.

He then said, “Everyone who raised his hand to the first question should also have raised his hand to the second question.”

He went on to argue that if there is a single molecule in the universe running around loose, totally free of God’s sovereignty, then we have no guarantee that a single promise of God will ever be fulfilled.

That one maverick molecule could perhaps lay waste all of God’s plans and promises toward us.

He concluded with these words, “Without sovereignty God cannot be God”

(Chosen By God[Tyndale], pp. 25-27).

4. Now, if we believe in the sovereignty of God…that He is in control over everything…then we must believe that God is sovereign over the salvation of men.

This is where people stumble & even get mad.

Most people think that God isn’t fair if He saves some and not others.

But Scripture is clear that it is God and not men who sovereignly determines who will be saved.

You can see this throughout the bible.

God chose Noah…He chose Abram when he was dwelling in Ur of the Chaldees, living as a pagan.

God chose Jacob over Esau.

We have already seen how God sovereignly chose Abram when he was dwelling in Ur of the Chaldees, living as a pagan. God did not choose Abram’s countrymen or neighbors. He did not choose Abram’s father or brothers. He chose Abram. Here God tells Abram that while He will bless Ishmael and his descendants in a material and temporal way, His covenant will be established with Isaac (17:20-21).

Malachi 1:2–3 NKJV

2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the Lord. “Yet Jacob I have loved; 3 But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.”

Mal. 1:

Going back to Abram, we see that God didn’t choose Abram’s countrymen or neighbors.

So let me ask you this - If God let everyone perish & go to hell, is He fair?

God did not choose Abram’s countrymen or neighbors. He did not choose Abram’s father or brothers. He chose Abram. Here God tells Abram that while He will bless Ishmael and his descendants in a material and temporal way, His covenant will be established with Isaac (17:20-21).

He didn’t choose Abram’s father or brothers...He chose Abram.

In this chapter, we also see that God tells Abraham that He will establish His covenant with Issac, not Ishmael.

Genesis 17:20–21 NKJV

20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”

Was God unfair to Ishmael? No…b/c Ishmael wasn’t the promised son.

Is He unfair to anyone who is not chosen to salvation? Only if those not chosen deserve to be saved.

If anyone deserves to be saved and God doesn’t save them..then God is being unfair.

But if everyone deserves His judgment and He sovereignly chooses to save some, that is His prerogative as God.

Do you think you deserve to be saved?

Romans 9:14–23 NKJV

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,

Rom. 9:14

From these verses, we can see that God has the right to do whatever He chooses to do.

Romans 9:19–23 NLT

19 Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” 20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? 22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. 23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.

So, those not chosen for salvation get precisely what they deserve, which is, God’s justice.

Rom. 9:

We also learn that God isn’t being unfair if He chooses to show mercy to some.

In fact, if God had not chosen certain ones for salvation, none could ever be saved.

NOTE: The argument that many make against God’s choosing those who are saved is this - It takes away our free will…our freedom to choose.

But the bible tells us that no one seeks God.

Iow’s, if the choice was left up to us…none of us would choose Him.

Romans 3:10–18 NKJV

10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” 13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Rom. 3:10

Romans 3:23 HCSB

23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

tells us that we were enemies of God.

tells us that the natural man is hostile to God.

From these verses, does it sound like man wants anything to do with God?

Eph. 2:

Does it sound like man would naturally choose God?

Does it sound like man deserves salvation?

It doesn’t to me.

To make it a little more personal - Do you think you deserve to be saved?

Ephesians 2:1–3 NKJV

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Paul says we were dead in sin…and a dead person can’t do anything.

He also says we were depraved, disobedient, & doomed to wrath.

This is what we were before salvation.

Ephesians 2:4–6 CSB

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:4–5 NKJV

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

NOTE: I believe that God is sovereign in our salvation…and I emphasize this b/c if you think that you are responsible for your own salvation, whether through your good deeds, your free will, or your faith...you will never throw yourself upon the sovereign mercy of God.

Another reason I emphasize the sovereignty of God in salvation is b/c it gives assurance that what He has started, He will finish.

One final reason I emphasize the sovereignty of God in salvation is b/c God alone will get the glory & not man.

5. Abraham’s response in verse 18 shows that he was content with Ishmael as the promised son.

But God rejects Ishmael and states that Sarah will bear Abraham a son and that this son will be the one with whom God will establish His covenant.

So, why not Ishmael?

Because Ishmael represented man’s effort helping God out ().

In Ishmael, Abram could boast, because he was able to produce a son...But by the time Isaac came along, both Abraham and Sarah were humanly beyond their ability to reproduce.

They couldn’t take any of the credit...All the glory went to God.

NOTE: This is also true of salvation.

If we think that we can contribute anything to our own salvation, we’ll take the credit.

If we think we came to Christ by our own free will, we’ll boast in our wise choice.

If we think it was by our faith, we’ll boast in our great faith.

If we think it was by our rational ability, we’ll boast in our great intellect.

But if our salvation depends solely on God’s sovereign choosing...and if God chose those who were foolish, weak, and despised, then no man can boast before God.

6. But does this mean that we then kick back passively and do nothing? Absolutely not.

3) THE JOURNEY OF FAITH INVOLVES OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO WALK IN OBEDIENCE BEFORE GOD

Genesis 17:1 NKJV

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.

1. Revelation always brings responsibility.

God reveals Himself to Abram…and now God expects something from Abram.

God tells him - “Walk before Me, and be blameless...”

NOTE: We can only do what God expects of us when we know who He is.

B/C He is God Almighty & sovereign in all that He does…we have a responsibility to walk in obedience to Him.

Because He is sovereign & will carry out His purp that we are to keep His covenant.

2. The word “blameless” doesn’t mean sinless or perfect.

NOTE: Walking is a picture of continuous repetition.

It may not be that exciting...It’s not running, jumping, or climbing.

But God wants us to faithfully walk step by step with him.

Day after day, walk faithfully with God…and He will move in mighty ways in your life.

3. The word “blameless” doesn’t mean sinless or perfect.

Be Obedient Chapter Six: What’s in a Name? (Genesis 17)

The word means “single-hearted, without blame, sincere, wholly devoted to the Lord.” In Exodus 12:5, the word refers to a “perfect” sacrifice without blemish. It was a call for integrity.

It refers to a person who walks honestly and openly before God, who fears God and seeks to obey Him, and who confesses and turns away from sin.

The word “walk” implies a step by step process.

A walk isn’t spectacular and not a quick fix...But if you keep walking in the same direction, eventually you will get where you’re going.

For the believer, that direction is holiness.

NOTE: God expects the same from us…as He did for Abraham.

He wants us to live lives of purity…and lives of total surrender & dedication to Him.

God doesn’t want a half-hearted commitment from us…He wants us to walk with Him daily.

He also wants us to be what we say we are.

Iow’s, God doesn’t want us to be phony or fake.

Matthew 15:7–8 NKJV

7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.

The word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word used to describe an “actor.”

It was someone who played a part, someone who pretended to be something they weren’t.

NOTE: God doesn’t want to be represented by phonies.

Our walk with God should be blameless…it should be one of integrity…and one of obedience.

3. In vs. 9-14, God gives Abraham the sign of the covenant…which is circumcision.

Imagine how difficult it must have been for Abraham to follow through with God’s instruction to circumcise every male in his home.

But vs. 23-27 tell us that Abraham was obedient to God.

NOTE: Our walk with God should be blameless…it should be one of integrity…and one of obedience.

CONCLUSION:

1. In our journey of faith, there will be seasons of waiting.

However, we can rest assured that Almighty God will keep His promises to us.

He is sovereign & He will do everything that He said He would do.

Our God keeps His word.

And b/c He is faithful, we should seek to walk before Him faithfully & obediently.

Let’s pray!