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

Bookends for living

Genesis 15:1 (NIV)  After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." 

The verses selected for today are like bookends on the shelf of life. This first verse finds God telling Abram not to be afraid. He went on to let Abram know that He (God) was his shield and reward.  Shield against what?  Reward for what?  Who knows?  If Abram was anything like the rest of the human race, he feared many things.  

As a warrior he probably worried about his next battle or the repercussions from the last one. Perhaps his enemies were strong and aggressive, maybe they were small and insignificant, but they were real. Just as ours are real.  One of Abram fears was leaving the world without an heir.  Maybe your fear is similar.  Does infertility hang its hat on the hook in your hallway?

Genesis 15:6 (NIV) Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 


At some point Abram started to believe God.  His life took on new meaning because of his faith. Can you recall when your faith began to take on a new shape, when you felt differently about God and His promises?  A right relationship with God is based on faith.  It is not what we do, but what we believe. It is how we act out our faith by trusting; by surrendering, by giving it to God.

Our actions do nothing to add to our righteousness.  Nothing we can do, no good deed, no noble act, nothing will give us righteousness. The only thing that makes us blameless in the eyes of God is the blood His Son poured out for us.  The blood of the Lamb covered us, blanketing our sin with His goodness and perfection.

When we live our life between these two bookends, Trust and Faith, we are living life to the fullest.

Genesis 15:1-6

Genesis 15:1-6

What is the desire of your heart?  What is it that you want most in life and feel you need in order to be fulfilled?  I used to dream about winning the lottery and I would also buy those scratch-off tickets hoping to strike it rich by rubbing a coin over the covering to the treasure that awaited me.

Perhaps you dream of being famous, an actor or singer perhaps.  We all have dreams, God created us with desires and longings.  He created us different and unique from each other.  He also created us in His image, so He understands our deep desires and passions.

"After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
   “Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)

Abraham had a very personal desire or dream.  He wanted to be a dad and his wife Sarah wanted to be the mother of his children.  God promised both of them they would have an heir.  They had been waiting for a very long time, so long in fact, Abraham referred to himself as being "older than dirt". (paraphrased by writer).  But, it came to pass and Sarah gave birth to Isaac.

So, how long have you been waiting for your dream, your hearts desire to become reality?  Getting back to my lottery days, I have moved beyond those worldly dreams and desires.  Material things mean very little.  While I still enjoy a gadget or electronic device, I could live without.  It is not a burning desire.  Now, I simply want to have peace and I want everyone I care about to experience God's peace too.

Read the text here.  Listen to a reading of the text here.