Faith, Fear, and God's Promises: Abram's Journey
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound narrative of Abram's encounter with God in Genesis 15. This passage reveals three key points: God knows our fears, God reassures our future, and God enables our belief. Abram, despite his fears and anxieties, is comforted by God's word. God reassures Abram by reiterating His promise of a son and numerous descendants, symbolized by the stars in the sky. This promise is not just about physical descendants but points to the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. Abram's belief in God's promise is counted to him as righteousness, illustrating the principle of justification by faith.
We began by acknowledging that God knows our deepest fears and anxieties. Just as He approached Abram in his moment of doubt, God comes to us through His word to comfort and reassure us. This divine knowledge of our innermost struggles is a testament to His intimate relationship with us.
Next, we discussed how God reassures our future. Despite Abram's repeated doubts, God patiently reiterates His promise. This patience and reassurance are reflective of God's understanding of the impact of sin on our lives. He knows our struggles and continually reminds us of His promises, just as He did with Abram.
Finally, we delved into the concept of belief and righteousness. Abram's faith in God's promise was counted to him as righteousness, a principle that Paul later expounds upon in the New Testament. This faith is not a work that justifies us but a gift from God, enabled by His grace. Our righteousness is imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ, who bore our sins and granted us His righteousness.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Knows Our Fears: God is intimately aware of our fears and anxieties, just as He was with Abram. He approaches us with comfort and reassurance, knowing our struggles even before we voice them. This divine knowledge is a testament to His deep relationship with us and His desire to alleviate our fears. [03:00]
2. God Reassures Our Future: Despite our doubts and anxieties, God patiently reassures us of His promises. He understands the impact of sin on our lives and continually reminds us of His faithfulness. This reassurance is a reflection of His grace and love, showing that He is a good Father who understands our struggles. [07:29]
3. God Enables Our Belief: Our faith is not something we muster on our own but is enabled by God. Abram's belief in God's promise was counted to him as righteousness, illustrating the principle of justification by faith. This faith is a gift from God, nurtured and strengthened by His constant reminders and reassurances. [12:38]
4. Justification by Faith: The concept of justification by faith is central to our understanding of salvation. Abram's faith was counted as righteousness, not because of his works but because of his trust in God's promise. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, emphasizing that our righteousness is imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ. [17:21]
5. The Promise of a Savior: God's promise to Abram was not just about physical descendants but pointed to the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. Abram's faith in this promise was a precursor to the faith we are called to have in Jesus. This promise is fulfilled in Christ, who bore our sins and granted us His righteousness, ensuring our eternal future with God. [15:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - Opening Prayer
[01:26] - God Knows Our Fears
[03:00] - God's Intimate Knowledge of Us
[05:10] - God's Protection and Promises
[07:29] - God Reassures Our Future
[10:03] - God's Patience with Our Doubts
[12:38] - God Enables Our Belief
[15:03] - The Promise of a Savior
[17:21] - Justification by Faith
[20:16] - Imputation of Righteousness
[22:40] - The Power of Reminders
[24:22] - Encouragement in Faith
[26:02] - The Gospel Message
[29:34] - Call to Repentance and Faith
[32:18] - Closing Prayer and Lord's Supper
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 15:1-6
2. Psalm 139:1-4
3. Romans 4:20-21
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific fears did Abram express to God in Genesis 15:1-3? How did God respond to these fears? [01:26]
2. According to Psalm 139:1-4, what does David say about God's knowledge of us?
3. In Romans 4:20-21, how does Paul describe Abram's faith and its development?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does God's intimate knowledge of our fears and anxieties, as seen in Abram's story, reflect His relationship with us today? [03:00]
2. What does it mean that Abram's belief was "counted to him as righteousness"? How does this concept of justification by faith apply to us? [12:38]
3. How does God's repeated reassurance to Abram about his future descendants demonstrate His patience and understanding of human doubt? [07:29]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by fear or anxiety. How did you experience God's comfort and reassurance during that time? [03:00]
2. Abram struggled with believing God's promises due to his circumstances. Are there promises of God that you find difficult to believe? How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness? [07:29]
3. Abram's faith was nurtured and strengthened by God's constant reminders. What practical steps can you take to nurture and strengthen your faith in God's promises? [12:38]
4. The sermon mentioned that our faith is a gift from God, enabled by His grace. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on God's grace in your daily life? [12:38]
5. Just as Abram's faith pointed to the coming Savior, Jesus Christ, how can your faith point others to Jesus in your community? [15:56]
6. The concept of justification by faith means that our righteousness is imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ. How does this understanding impact your view of salvation and your relationship with God? [17:21]
7. Think about a specific fear or doubt you are currently facing. How can you apply the lessons from Abram's story to seek God's comfort and reassurance in this situation? [05:10]
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Intimate Knowledge of Our Fears
God is intimately aware of our fears and anxieties, just as He was with Abram. He approaches us with comfort and reassurance, knowing our struggles even before we voice them. This divine knowledge is a testament to His deep relationship with us and His desire to alleviate our fears. In Genesis 15, God comes to Abram in a vision, saying, "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." This shows that God is not distant but deeply involved in our lives, understanding our innermost thoughts and feelings.
When we face fears and anxieties, it is comforting to know that God is already aware of them. He does not wait for us to come to Him; instead, He reaches out to us, offering His presence and reassurance. This is a powerful reminder that we are never alone in our struggles. God’s intimate knowledge of our fears is a reflection of His love and care for us, and it encourages us to trust Him more deeply. [03:00]
Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."
Reflection: Think of a specific fear or anxiety you are currently facing. How does knowing that God is already aware of it and is offering His comfort change your perspective on this fear?
Day 2: God’s Reassurance of Our Future
Despite our doubts and anxieties, God patiently reassures us of His promises. He understands the impact of sin on our lives and continually reminds us of His faithfulness. In Genesis 15, God reassures Abram by reiterating His promise of a son and numerous descendants, symbolized by the stars in the sky. This patience and reassurance are reflective of God's understanding of our struggles and His unwavering commitment to His promises.
God’s reassurance is not a one-time event but a continuous process. He knows that we need constant reminders of His faithfulness, especially when we are faced with challenges and uncertainties. Just as He did with Abram, God patiently reiterates His promises to us, encouraging us to trust in His plan for our lives. This divine patience is a testament to His grace and love, showing that He is a good Father who understands our struggles and is committed to guiding us through them. [07:29]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you have doubted in the past. How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and reassurance in your daily life?
Day 3: God Enables Our Belief
Our faith is not something we muster on our own but is enabled by God. Abram's belief in God's promise was counted to him as righteousness, illustrating the principle of justification by faith. This faith is a gift from God, nurtured and strengthened by His constant reminders and reassurances. In Genesis 15, Abram’s faith in God’s promise is a powerful example of how belief is enabled by God’s grace and not by our own efforts.
God’s enabling of our belief is a profound act of grace. It shows that our relationship with Him is not based on our ability to believe but on His ability to instill and nurture that belief within us. This takes the pressure off us to "perform" in our faith and allows us to rest in the assurance that God is at work within us, growing our faith and drawing us closer to Him. [12:38]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Consider a time when you struggled to believe in God’s promises. How can you rely on God’s grace to strengthen your faith today?
Day 4: Justification by Faith
The concept of justification by faith is central to our understanding of salvation. Abram's faith was counted as righteousness, not because of his works but because of his trust in God's promise. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, emphasizing that our righteousness is imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ. Just as Abram was justified by his faith, we too are justified by our faith in Christ, who bore our sins and granted us His righteousness.
Justification by faith means that our standing before God is not based on our own merits but on our trust in Jesus Christ. This is a liberating truth, as it frees us from the burden of trying to earn our salvation through our own efforts. Instead, we can rest in the assurance that our righteousness comes from Christ alone. This principle is foundational to the Christian faith and is a source of great comfort and hope. [17:21]
Romans 4:5 (ESV): "And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness."
Reflection: How does understanding justification by faith change the way you view your relationship with God? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Christ’s righteousness?
Day 5: The Promise of a Savior
God's promise to Abram was not just about physical descendants but pointed to the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. Abram's faith in this promise was a precursor to the faith we are called to have in Jesus. This promise is fulfilled in Christ, who bore our sins and granted us His righteousness, ensuring our eternal future with God. The narrative of Abram’s faith points us to the greater story of redemption through Jesus Christ.
The promise of a Savior is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It reminds us that God’s plan for redemption was set in motion long before we were born and that His promises are always fulfilled. Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abram, and through Him, we have the assurance of eternal life. This promise is a source of hope and joy, encouraging us to live in the light of God’s faithfulness and love. [15:56]
Galatians 3:16 (ESV): "Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, 'And to offsprings,' referring to many, but referring to one, 'And to your offspring,' who is Christ."
Reflection: How does the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus Christ impact your daily life? What can you do today to live more fully in the light of this promise?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God knows you. He knows everything about you. He knows your fears. He knows your worries, your struggles, your sin. Everything. Look at what God says to Abram after he tells him to fear not. He says, Abram, I am your shield. Now we can only speculate at this point, but most likely Abram's got some kind, again, of anxiety over maybe retribution from the kings and the kingdoms that he had just defeated. It's unsettling to him. It's keeping him up at night. And, listen, God sees that and he says, fear not. I am your shield." [04:20] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Our world, it's consumed by sin. And even as believers today, we walk in a very dark place. I mean, just turn on the news, right? Like, just a couple of weeks ago, the Trump assassination. The assassination attempt. The Olympic Games, if you've not kept up with that. If that doesn't show you we live in a very dark place, you are delusional. We live in a dark, sinful world. And guys, until the day we're glorified and perfected, you have to understand that you will struggle with the flesh that is also impacted by sin. And like Abram, we struggle with anxiety. Right?" [06:33] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God never stops at just comforting us. God reassures our future over and over and over again. Look at what God says in verse 4. Now, the word of the Lord came to him. This one will not be your heir. Not talking about Eleazar. One who comes from your own body will be your heir. He took him outside and said, look at the sky and count the stars if you are able to count them. And he said to him, your offspring, they'll be that numerous." [07:29] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He saw how sin consumed us, the world, and it grieved him. That while we allowed sin into the world, how without a savior, that sin, it overcomes us. It overcame us. He saw those things, and in his grace, he came to us through Jesus. He gave himself as a sacrifice to ransom us for himself. And he did those things because he loves us, he desires us, and even now as he sanctifies us as his people, you have to understand, just like Abram, he's patient with us, knowing exactly how sin has impacted us." [11:42] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Regardless of what other faiths say, you don't have to do a thing about that. You don't have to be good enough. You don't have to work hard. You don't have to clean yourself up and perfect the mess that's in you. You don't have to overcome sin. Jesus will do it all. All you have to do is turn, repent. That's what the word repent means. Turn to Jesus. Turn from the world and believe that everything I just said is true. And your belief, your faith, the Bible says, it will be counted to you, just as Abraham, as righteousness." [29:07] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "God came to Abram because he knew Abram's fear. He knew his heart. He knew what Abram was struggling with, and God made the first move to comfort Abram. This was before Abram petitioned God or prayed to God or asked God to do anything. God approached Abram and addressed his fears. God knew Abram better than Abram knew himself. think a lot of times we forget that God knows us, right? Like, like, I mean, he really knows us. And either we just try and hide stuff from him, like our sin, or we think we're not going to bother him with this small worry or fear or whatever it is that we have, right?" [03:00] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God knows these things. He's patient with us. He sees us. He grieves. He sees how sin has impacted us and it causes him to extend grace to us. I mean, that's the reason Jesus came, right? He saw how sin consumed us, the world, and it grieved him. That while we allowed sin into the world, how without a savior, that sin, it overcomes us. It overcame us. He saw those things, and in his grace, he came to us through Jesus. He gave himself as a sacrifice to ransom us for himself. And he did those things because he loves us, he desires us, and even now as he sanctifies us as his people, you have to understand, just like Abram, he's patient with us, knowing exactly how sin has impacted us." [10:52] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God enables our belief through his word, and through who we know him to be, his nature, his character. And listen, don't read this and think this is the moment that Abram started believing God. No, Abram, he's believed God since the moment he's left his homeland. That's why he's done everything that we saw him do. The word used here for believe in both the Hebrew text and in the Greek text, it means to remain firm, indicating an ongoing state of trust in God. Meaning God, through his constant comfort and reminders, to Abram, God and God alone built Abram's faith and trust in himself to keep his word." [14:11] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Without God's choosing Abram back in Genesis chapter 12, without God's coming to Abram over and over again as we've seen, Abram's belief in God's promise or his faith and trust in God, it's impossible without God first coming to Abram, without God constantly comforting Abram. God enabled Abram. Abram's faith in God enabled Abram's belief, which also shows us why our faith justifies us. It's because of Jesus' righteousness, right? It's imputed on us through faith in him. Genesis 15, 6, it ends by saying, And God counted it to him as righteousness. Paul said the same thing in Romans 4, 5. That word counted, again, in Hebrew and in Greek, it means to reckon or impute." [20:16] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's not promised that nothing bad will ever happen to the Christian. But he did promise he'd keep us safe. Our souls eternally safe. He promised us an eternal life connected to him. One in which, again, we live and rule peacefully with him in the new heavens and the new earth. We see the same message over and over and over again. God is no different with us than he was with Abram. Which goes to show you that this passage, it's less about Abram and really more about who God is. Right? Donald Gray Barnhouse asked why a mother tells a child something a hundred times and then answers that 99 times isn't enough. In the same way, that's God with us." [09:12] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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