Posts
|
Sermon
Title: Living Life with a Promise Keeping God |
|
Sermon
Text: Genesis
21 |
|
(Introduction) |
|
Attention: Has God worked
clearly providentially in your life? Providing Jimmy’s kidney - an act of
divine providence. (Tell the story of testing and volunteer) |
|
Need: No matter how difficult
life gets, we can trust the promises from our covenant keeping God that are
revealed to us as His people in the word of God. |
|
Textual Idea: Abraham’s family
experiences Yahweh working behind the scenes to keep His covenant promises by
revelation, providence, and power. |
|
Background: God’s covenant with
Abraham has oaths, promises, and has unconditional and conditional parts. Gen
12, 15, 17. There are many beginnings in the book of Genesis. We will explore
some today. |
|
Sermon Idea: Faithful Yahweh keeps His
covenant promises by revelation, providence, and power. |
|
Interrogative: How does Yahweh
keep His promises to His covenant people? |
|
Transition w/ Key Word: Yahweh faithfully keeps
His promises by providing revelation, superintending providence, and
supernatural intervention. |
|
(Body) |
|
(Direction)
We will
explore 3 beginnings in this text. 1. Messianic Nation, 2 The Ishmaelites, 3.
Cross cultural communication. What does God & then Abraham do? |
Division 1 Statement: THE BEGINNING OF THE MESSIANIC NATION OF ISRAEL THROUGH
ISAAC. vs 1-8
|
|
Explanation: A Miracle -
promise keeping God. As ‘He had said.’ He did what He promised. At 100, and Sarah
(noble woman) 90 years old, God did what man cannot do. Isaac (He laughs) brought
laughter to this tent. Abraham (father of a multitude) obeys the word of God
& put the sign & seal of – covenant--circumcision, on Isaac at 8 days
old. He is obeying the word of God. The person to carry – Messianic seed was
born by a supernatural birth. |
|
Illustration: This
miraculous birth foreshadows two other births. Elizabeth was not as old as
Sarah, but she was unable to conceive. The angel announced to her and
Zachariah that their son John would be a great prophet. But the even more
astounding birth is - miracle birth that was the virgin conception and birth
of Jesus the Messiah. He did not get his stepfather Joseph’s sin nature by
this birth. Born without sin, He lived a holy life in our place, and he died
a substitutionary death in our place. |
|
Argumentation: Through
your seed, Abraham, all the families of the earth will be blessed. Paul tells
us in Galatians that part of the that fulfillment was through Jesus the
Messiah (seed, a collective noun, use in the covenant means both the one and
the many). The Jewish nation was supposed to be a nation of priests that
would reach the other families on the earth. They did not always obey that
mandate. The descendants of Isaac through Jacob were chosen to provide the
Messiah for all peoples and to be a witness to all peoples. We have this
purpose as well. In God’s providence, descendants of Ismael will take Joseph
from Canaan to Egypt to provide protection for the future nation in the land
of Egypt for 430 years. |
|
Application: If we truly
love God, out of that love will flow obedience to His word. We can trust God
to keep His promises to us. We find His promises in – Bible, so we must know
the book to know the God of the book and His words to us. When we properly
handle the Bible and find promises that are for us, we can trust the powerful
God of Abraham, Yahweh to keep them. We can get into trouble if we apply
words that are not to us or for us or are not promises at all (like Proverbs
are saying that come true 80% of the time and are not promises) |
|
Transition: It was not just the
nation of Israel that is begun in this chapter. We see next: |
Division 2 Statement: THE
BEGINNING OF A NEW NATION THROUGH ISHAMEL. vs 9-21
|
|
Explanation: Ismael
makes fun of Isaac. Sarah, like a mother bear when someone messes with her
cubs, steps up to protect him. Her remedy seems harsh to Abraham. His past
sin has put him in a dilemma. He loves both of his sons, but -Messiah will
not come through Ishmael (God will hear). Abraham’s weakness is also a hidden
strength. Mercy & fatherly love. Sinful choices make our need for special
revelation -God even more important in - future to try to do right. We can’t
follow our emotions. Once he has the revelation from God, he does the hard,
right thing. Abraham provided (lehem) food, could be grain & meat
and water for the trip. Enough that she needs to carry on – shoulder, not
just - hand. There is no Bible yet. God special revelation comes at this
point in redemptive history by spoken words. Ishmael is 14-17 yrs. old. Abraham
does this because God’s word to him confirmed it was the right choice. It was
hard, as any parent or grandparent knows. Hagar and the boy head south toward
Egypt. This – trial, need God’s wisdom. The water runs out. – boy under a
bush & mom is about 18-32 meters away. God’s special revelation comes
again. The angel of God reveals to Hagar that she & Ishmael will be fine.
She can now see the well providence has led them to travel close too. God
hears Ismael. Just like his name (God hears). Do not fear. I will provide and
protect. God was with this young man and kept his promises about and to him.
He was a great hunter and married a lady from Egypt. He lived in dessert near
Egypt, south of Beersheba. |
|
Illustration: Jesus said
at the feast while they were pouring out large water pots, “If anyone is
thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” Jesus fed over 5K with loaves and
fish when they needed food. The Lord met Hagar and Ismael’s need for water.
Jesus offered living water to a Samaritan woman at the well. I offer living
water that is permanent. Once you have received the Holy Spirit, you have
your source to meet your need with you at all times. God met their needs and
can meet yours as well. |
|
Argumentation: The
messenger of God or of Yahweh in the OT is sometimes God the Son, our Lord
Jesus the Messiah. Like the Father, God the Son is eternal and everlasting.
So, it is possible that the person who made the promises to Hagar in Gen 16
and in Gen 21 about Ishmael, was the Son of God, long before his birth in
Bethlehem and his death outside of Jerusalem. Moses, the human author was also
a child sent out in nature, totally dependent on the power and providence of
God, like the youth Ishmael, lying under the bush in the desert heat with no
water. Both could have been harmed by wild animals, humans, or natural
elements. God providentially superintended their protection to faithfully
keep His covenant promises. God had directed them near a well but hid it
until He provided further revelation & repeated His promises. |
|
Application: The text says
God was WITH the boy. When God is with someone, He is there to provide
His protection and provision. If you belong to Jesus, God is with you.
He will work His plan in and around you and hopefully through you. His
providential care will not fail to accomplish His secret plan. You do not
have to let fear overcome you. Call out to God. He will hear your voice. He
will accomplish His plan right on His time. Trust Him, love and obey Him. It
is a wonderful thing to be part of – covenant community with a covenant bond
to – God that rules from heaven. Don’t try to fix things for God like Abraham
taking Hagar as a second wife. We should check out our special revelation
Bible before making key choices just like Abraham should have done by asked
God before he made that sinful choice. Sarah & the culture were wrong,
and in this chapter, Sarah deeply regrets her bad advice over 14 yrs. ago. |
|
Transition: Not only did two
nations start, in this chapter, but we also see – beginning of covenant
people relating to – cultures around them. We see next: |
Division 3 Statement: THE
BEGINNING OF COMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES THROUGH ABRAHAM. 22-34
|
|
Explanation: The geography
in the text. Abimelech (my father is king) is from Gerar, to the west of
Beersheba, to west of Gerar is Gaza & - Med. Sea. North of Beersheba is
Bethlehem (61km), & Jerusalem is (9.7 km) N. of Bethlehem. We see Yahweh
working here through superintending providence. Everyone can see God is with
Abraham. He is blessing him to build a Messianic Nation. Jesus will be one of
Abraham’s descendants. The key One. Abraham enters a covenant to operate as a
good citizen of the land where he dwells. Abraham lied to Abimelech in the
past, so now this king wants a solemn oath. It will one day be Abraham’s land,
but he is seen as a stranger in the land by - Philistines. Abraham brings up
a conflict with clear communication so that it can be resolved. He is
dwelling in Beersheba (the well of the oath of 7). He gives 7 lambs to symbolize
this agreement. Abraham and his family can now use this well. It is vital for
survival for both people and animals. It was a big problem that the
Philistine’s took over this well. He is starting to build a nation. Planting of
– evergreen shade tree is an act of faith in God’s promises. (This kind grows
30’ tall, spreads out, and requires little water). God’s promise: I will give
you this land. Abe, thinks, I am going to need some shade in - future to stay
where God has placed me. Abraham is a foreigner, has a different culture that
the Philistines and Canaanites. He is one who is worshipping the everlasting
God, Yahweh (the eternally present one, covenant keeper) and Him Only. We see
from Genesis that worshipping the true God is what a believer like Abraham
does on a regular basis and wherever he moves. He loves God. He trusts. He
fails, but tries to obey God, even when it hard because of the results of
past sins. Wait until next week when you consider the ultimate covenant test
for Abraham. |
|
Illustration: Again, we
note that Jesus chose to travel straight through Samaria instead of avoiding
it like other Jews. He offered living water to a Samaritan woman at different
well than Abraham used. He reached across cultures and prejudices. If a
Samaritan’s shadow fell on a Jewish merchant’s cart of melons, he would
discard them as defiled. Not Jesus. Some Greek came to the Apostles, “We
would like to speak with Jesus.” He healed a Gentile Syrian woman’s son. In
the Great Commission, the church is commanded to disciple every people group.
The father of faith, Abraham, models cross culture communication without
compromise. You can discuss difficult matter with truth and kindness. Focus
on what is important. Abe needed water to build -Messianic nation. |
|
Argumentation: We not only
have things that have begun for the first time in Gen. chapter 21, but we
also have things that continue from earlier in Genesis. We see with Abraham,
his weakness, his faith, his obedience, and his worship that continue from
previous chapters. This is in contrast with Yahweh’s continuing revelation,
power, providence, and faithfulness. God does not change. When He says, if
you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in you heart that
God raised Him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED. You can trust this promise
and the God who gave it. |
|
Application: Like Abraham,
we are also to be in the world, but not just like the world. Don’t let the
pagan world squeeze you into its mold. We are to please God first and then,
we as children of light will be different than the children of the darkness.
On cultural matters the Bible does not address in word or principal, we can
use those common bonds in the culture for a bridge for the gospel of Jesus
Christ. What the Bible command, we should do, what it forbids, we should
avoid. But things like using electricity for light, is fine to use it or not.
We have - freedom to choose. |
|
Transition: We have a rare event
in this chapter and elsewhere in the Bible. |
|
(Conclusion) |
|
Visualization: There was a
baren woman in Israel years latter who was married. The angel of Yahweh told
her she would give birth to son who would be a judge. The messenger came back
and told her husband and her together. They were surprised they survived when
they realized this was a visitation from God. They lived & Samson was
born, another miraculous birth. The prophet Samuel was another. These are
rare in the Bible, but the providential protection and provision of God for
His people is on every page & happens every day. I will be your God; and you
will be my people. The presence of God will be much greater in heaven, but we
have the Holy Spirit with us now. |
|
Reiteration: We considered
today 3 beginnings from this text. 1. The Messianic Nation by Isaac; 2 The
Ishmaelites by Ishmael; and 3. Cross cultural communications by Abraham. |
|
Action: You can have a new
beginning if you have not yet surrender to Jesus the Messiah. If any person
is in Christ, he is a new creation. Believer, are you willing to do the hard
things God asks you to do in the Bible? Are you willing to build bridges to
communicate clearly across cultural divides? Will you study the Bible to
avoid sinful choices and learn from Abraham’s sin to not repeat it? |
|
Appeal: Trust Jesus. Love
Him and follow Him. Do not fear. He sees and He hears when we call out to him
in prayer. Pray, trust, believe, worship Him. He is faithful and true. His
providence is with you every day. Be grateful for His care. |
