God's Promise to Abraham

Sermon Theme: The Word of the LORD came to Abram, and the LORD promised him he would have a son. Abram chose to believe God rather than his own doubts and fears. He took no account of his age, nor the age of his wife Sarai. When it says it was "COUNTED to Abram as righteousness", the word "COUNTED" is a banking term. When Abram deposited his faith in the vaults of God by believing in Him with his whole heart, God credited righteousness to his account. God counted him as righteous, and he became the father of nations. 

Reading Theme: God’s Promise Through the Generations. We will read about the two generations who followed after Abraham. Even though they get caught up in sin, deception and family drama, God remains faithful. His promise will ultimately be fulfilled through the birth of Jesus to this family line. 

Study the Scripture

Read in Genesis 15:1-6  

For more help use this Bible Study method

You will find the Sermon Notes for today’s message here.

REFLECTION

God Shows Abram the Way

by Elaine Pierce

God told Abram (who is later renamed Abraham) twice before that he will bless him - Abram will be the founder of a great nation.  And yet, Abram struggles to believe this.  After all, his wife, Sarai, has borne him no children. Abram at this point in the Genesis story is a wealthy man, but he has no offspring. How is he going to lead a great nation with no sons who can inherit his kingdom?  

God once again promises Abram that he will have a son. And in verse 6, we read this:

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

I wish I could say that, after this profound encounter with God, it was smooth sailing for Abram. But you will have to read on in Genesis to know that he continued to doubt God's promise and provision. In fact, he agrees to sleep with his servant, Hagar, and she bears him a son. But this was not God's plan for how he would bless Abram and make him the father of a great nation.   

Yes, Abram believed the Lord. Yes, he did. But then he doubted. And don't we do the same? In one moment, we trust God, but so often we move from belief to doubt - and back.  

I am reminded of the story that Mark tells in chapter 9. A father brings his son to Jesus and begs Jesus to heal him. "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." (Mark 9:22).  

Picture the scene. Jesus has turned water into wine. He has healed lepers. He has taken a basket of loaves and fishes and blessed it and fed thousands of people with it. And this boy is filled with evil spirits and has been since childhood. His father is desperate, but he is afraid to completely trust.

Jesus replies:  "If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."  

Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Read the rest of Mark 9 to see what happens.)  

Every day, we have the choice: to trust God to show us the way forward, or to trust our own devices. Let us cry out to God: I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. God is good, and God will bless you as  you follow him.  

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER - SUNDAY

SCRIPTURES - Pray the Scriptures. Some examples are Psalm 91:1-15 / Psalm 121:5-8 / John 14:27 / Philippians 4:6-7 / 2 Timothy 1:7