Lets Cut a Deal

Genesis 15:1-18

Basic Proposition:  God made a covenant with Abram and because God does not lie it was proof for Abram.  So, too God has cut us a deal and we must be willing to pass through it and keep our end of the bargain.

1)      The Complaint – (1-3)   “I go childless…” Abram had what seemed to be a legitimate complaint and he took it to the only one who could do anything about it.

a.        The Desire – Abram wanted to follow God’s calling and he wanted to trust the promise of God, but he wasn’t seeing the results.  His one desire was not fulfilled, the want of a son was so great a trouble to him that it took away the comfort of all his enjoyments: "Lord, what wilt thou give me? All is nothing to me, if I have not a son.’’

b.       The Disappointment – What Abram wanted most he did not have and his hope deferred made his heart sick. While promised mercies are delayed our unbelief and impatience are apt to conclude them denied. 

c.         The Drive – As a result he was driven to God who wants to hear not our complaint, but our broken heart.

2)       The Comforter – (4-7) God was in control of the situation.  God does not hear our cries and ignore them; He will come to us and show us He is in control.       

a.        The Word of God – God does not leave us broken hearted and alone.  He quickly sends His Word which comforts and confirms the promise.

b.       The Witness of God – God not only sends His Word, but He shows the way.  “See all these stars…”

c.         The Wow of God – God wants us to be overwhelmed to great belief and will do so if we are just willing to sit and listen. We will declare, “Hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Rom. 4:21)

3)      The Closing Deal – (9-21) God is not limited in that He does not know our needs and so He is not disappointed in Abram when he asks for a sign, but He delights in showing the certainty of the promise.

a.        The Covenant – God secures for us the promise of redemption through a covenant He made to Abraham.  He wanted to leave a signed and sealed deal with Abraham that he would never forget.

b.       The Cutting – The cutting of these animals was a picture of what would happen to the violator of this covenant.  The fine print was in blood.

c.         The Cost – God only passed through. Abraham did not pass between the sacrifice and the reason was that in this transaction he was bound to nothing.

d.       The Cross – The reason it is called a new covenant in my blood was because at the cross Christ was cut upon to fulfill the promise of redemption.  In that moment Abraham become the father of a great family.  Are you willing to be a part of it?

Personal Application

God has cut us a deal, signed and sealed in the Blood of the cross.  It is a new covenant and all we have to do is believe it.  It will not be easy and nor is the cost little, but the gain is great.  Are you willing to go to God for the promise?  Till we have some comfortable evidence of our interest in Christ and the new covenant, we should not rest satisfied with any thing else. "This, and the other, I have; but what will all this avail me, if I go Christless?’’