God's Promises

Introduction

“I promise” is a phrase that used to mean something. If someone said “I promise”, you could take it to the bank. Their word was good. You could count on whatever they said.

The dictionary definition of “promise” is:

1. A declaration that something will or will not be done or given

2. An express assurance on which expectation is to be based.

Synonyms for include:

Vow

Covenant

Oath

Some politicians make empty promises no one believes. That’s the crazy thing. You vote for someone based on a promise that you didn't even believe when they said it. But, you want to believe it. And, you tell yourself, maybe they’ll at least keep part of it.

It doesn’t happen as much now, but years ago, a guy would give his girlfriend a “promise” ring - which meant “I promise that one day a more expensive ring will take its place”. But, if you go on Ebay or any of the countless other online shopping sites, you can buy “used” promise rings. I guess that would be called a “broken promise” ring.

Think of all the broken promises we now come to expect:

It’s even more heartbreaking when people develop the opinion that they can’t trust God either. They decide, “God doesn’t keep His word. I can’t trust His promises. God will let me down, just like everyone else in my life.”

Often they come to that opinion based on one of two mistakes:

First, God never made that promise. Instead it’s something they feel entitled to or a promise they decided on their own that God should make. For instance - God never promised 85 healthy years of living. God never promised you’d always be happy.

Second, God made that promise, but it includes a command they decided to ignore. Many of God’s promises are in response to your obedience

God promises to bless and provide for you, but if you ignore His commands regarding your money, you choose not to live according to the promise.

When you choose to engage in sexual sin, you move your relationship out from under God’s promise and protection.

You want the Lord to give you the desires of your heart, but you didn’t delight yourself in Him.

You want everything to go well for you, but you don’t honor your father and your mother.

Then, after making those mistakes, you decide that God doesn’t keep His word. But, you claimed the promise and ignored the command. It doesn’t work that way.

Maybe life has dealt you unexpected challenges. You are disappointed with God and feel like He has let you down - that His promises aren’t true.

As we move forward in this crazy and unpredictable year, I wan’t to challenge the mindset that thinks God doesn’t always fulfill His promises. We are going to learn that God is a promise keeping God! It’s going to be an incredible time of learning and growing and it might turn out to be the most encouraging time you’ve ever spent in church.

When Satan tries to make you believe a lie, you are going to reply with a promise.

When people try to drag you down, you will answer with a promise.

When circumstances don’t go your way, you are going to have a promise from God to apply.

When you get sick, there’s a promise.

When you feel alone, there’s a promise.

When you are discouraged, there’s a promise.

When you are afraid about the future, there’s a promise.

When you face a new challenge, you can face it with confidence because you have a promise from God.

Here’s a song I grew up singing…a lot!

Standing on the promises of Christ my king, through eternal ages let his praises ring; Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing,  standing on the promises of God my Savior; standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

you are going to get a card with a promise on it to add to your box. I want you to start the same habit we had. Every morning, pull a card out of the box and read God’s promise for you!

I’m only giving you one promise this week. But, guess what? Every morning, you are going to read that promise. You are going to learn it!

We will learn many promises, but there are thousands of promises in the Bible! I encourage you to learn, pray and believe the promises.

Although skepticism is at an all-time high, there are still people you trust and believe in - people you know as promise keepers.

You believe someone’s promise if they’ve kept a promise in the past.

You develop trust in their word because they are consistent. You don’t doubt it. You don’t investigate. You don’t worry or wonder. They are trustworthy. I have some people like that in my life. They are dependable, reliable, faithful and true. They keep their promises - regardless of what it costs.

God is a promise keeping God

God’s promises aren’t like a lottery ticket. His promises aren’t designed to fulfill your every wish and desire, instead, His promises are designed to fulfill His plan and purpose for your life. And, His plans are good!

God’s plan for your life is better than your plan for your life.

When you follow God’s commands, you receive God’s promises.

Song: Promises -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieEyV6iXULs

When God makes a promise, trust and do not doubt…He will keep His promise

Transitional: The first promise reminds us how important it is to hold on to the hope we have in Christ

HOLD ON WITH CONFIDENCE

Heb. 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful…

A few verses later, that promise is expanded on:

Heb. 10:35…do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

“He who promised is faithful”, “…you will receive what He has promised”.

You can say “Amen” to God’s promises

2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

The word “amen” is almost a universal word. In fact, it has been called the best-known word in human speech. It’s the same everywhere.

In response to the goodness and promises of God, believers around the world say “Amen”. And one day in Heaven, around the throne, all God’s people from every race, tribe and people group will together shout in victory that word, “Amen”.

The word is directly related, in fact, almost identical, to the Hebrew word for “believe” or “faithful.” In the New Testament, the word is often translated “verily” or “truly.”

Over time, the word “Amen” came to mean “sure” or truly,” an expression of absolute trust and confidence.

Christ is the “Amen” that seals God’s promises

The word is even used as a title for Christ Himself. The last of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation begins with:

Rev. 3:14 …These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.

We can be certain that God’s Word is always faithful and true.

Amen is not just a word to finish a prayer. It’s not just a tradition that people shout out when the preacher makes a good point. Instead,

“Amen” means: What has been said is faithful, what has been said is true, now watch it happen. Watch it take place.

“Amen” means something. It should be said with authority and force and conviction. It’s not “amen”, but “AMEN!”.

It’s true. I am confident. I believe it. Let it happen. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do!

The promises of God speak truth over your life and your situation. Amen!

Truth is more than a promise because truth cannot be broken

But, truth is truth. Amen is Amen.

God’s promises are not “if” or “maybe”, they are “Amen”.

Here’s how we are going to close this message. I’m going to give you a sneak preview of some of the promises we will be studying. After I read the promise, you respond by saying, or shouting “Amen”, meaning:

“Truth + So be it + Yes! + I am confident + I accept it as truth + I believe it + Let it happen+ I can’t wait.

Ready? Here we go

Ex. 14:14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Deut. 31: 8The Lord goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Ps. 34:17The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

Jer. 29:11For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Matt. 11:28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

2 Cor. 5:17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Phil. 4:19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus

Rev. 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon!

Song: Let the Church Say Amen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGjFaT8w27s&list=PLBmdqFgZ-p2d7aBGKlIIc6fS7v6BwxYsS&index=55&t=0s