God's Inclusive Redemptive Plan Through the Abrahamic Covenant
Summary
### Summary
In this sermon, we delve into the Abrahamic Covenant and its significance in God's redemptive plan for humanity. The covenant, established between God and Abram, marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, setting the stage for the nation of Israel's unique role in God's plan. God promises Abram that his descendants will become a great nation, blessed to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. This covenant is not exclusive to Israel but is intended to extend God's blessings to all nations, a principle that Israel often misunderstood.
We explore how this covenant is echoed throughout the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3 clarifies that the blessings promised to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ and extended to all who have faith. This underscores the inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan, which is for both Jews and Gentiles.
The sermon also examines the role of Israel as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, as stated in Exodus 19. This role involves mediating between God and the Gentile nations, demonstrating God's character through their obedience and holiness. The giving of the law, including the Ten Commandments, provides Israel with a clear guide on how to live a holy life, reflecting God's character and serving as a light to the Gentiles.
We also touch on the historical context of Israel's journey, from their time in Egypt to their settlement at Mount Sinai, highlighting God's continuous guidance and purpose for them. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding God's inclusive plan for redemption, which calls for a commitment to holiness and a mission to extend God's love and salvation to all nations.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Abrahamic Covenant's Inclusive Nature:
The Abrahamic Covenant was never meant to be exclusive to Israel. God's promise to bless Abraham and his descendants was intended to extend to all families of the earth. This principle is foundational to understanding God's redemptive plan, which includes both Jews and Gentiles. The covenant serves as a blueprint for how God's blessings are to be shared universally. [03:22]
2. Faith as the Basis for Blessing:
In Galatians 3, Paul explains that the blessings promised to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ and extended to all who have faith. This highlights that righteousness and inclusion in God's family are based on faith, not adherence to the law. This understanding shifts the focus from ethnic lineage to spiritual faithfulness, making the blessings of the covenant accessible to all believers. [06:35]
3. Israel's Role as a Kingdom of Priests:
God called Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, mediating between Him and the Gentile nations. This role required Israel to live a life of holiness, reflecting God's character and serving as a light to the world. Their obedience to God's commandments was crucial in fulfilling this mediatorial role, demonstrating God's love and justice to all nations. [29:16]
4. The Law as a Guide to Holiness:
The Ten Commandments and the broader Mosaic Law provided Israel with a clear guide on how to live a holy life. These laws were not just rules but a means to reflect God's character in their relationships with Him and with others. By living according to these laws, Israel was to demonstrate God's righteousness and attract the Gentiles to worship the one true God. [33:23]
5. God's Redemptive Plan for All Nations:
From the outset, God's plan was to include all nations in His redemptive work. This is evident in the repeated emphasis on extending blessings to all families of the earth and the inclusion of Gentiles in the covenant promises. This inclusive vision calls for a commitment to evangelism and missions, ensuring that the message of hope and salvation reaches every corner of the world. [39:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Introduction to the Abrahamic Covenant
[02:29] - Blessings for All Families of the Earth
[03:22] - Misunderstanding of Exclusivity
[04:26] - Parallel to the Great Commission
[05:33] - Faith and Righteousness in Galatians 3
[06:35] - The Promise of the Spirit Through Faith
[07:39] - Reiteration of the Covenant Blessings
[08:29] - Understanding 'Blessed' in the Beatitudes
[09:12] - The Blessed and the Unblessed in Psalm 1
[10:40] - The Tree Planted by the River
[11:35] - Extending the Gospel to All Nations
[12:21] - Israel's Obedience and Disobedience
[13:12] - God's Plan for Gentiles
[13:57] - Implications for Modern Missions
[14:42] - Repetition of the Covenant to Isaac and Jacob
[15:28] - The Story of Joseph and Moses
[17:01] - Moses' Mission to Pharaoh
[18:15] - The Plagues as Confrontations of Egyptian Gods
[19:53] - The Significance of the Nile River Plague
[21:09] - The Death of the Firstborn
[22:29] - Gentiles Accompanying Israel
[23:44] - Israel at Mount Sinai
[24:50] - God's Message to Israel
[26:26] - Israel as God's Own Possession
[27:41] - The Doctrine of Adoption
[29:16] - Israel as a Kingdom of Priests
[31:30] - The Inclusive Nature of the Gospel
[33:23] - The Giving of the Law
[35:45] - Living a Holy Life
[37:55] - Summarizing the Law
[39:04] - Hospitality to Foreigners and Sojourners
[41:15] - The Law as a Tutor
[42:58] - The Davidic Covenant
[44:23] - Psalm 67 and God's Universal Plan
[45:33] - Conclusion and Next Steps
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 12:1-3
2. Galatians 3:6-14
3. Exodus 19:1-6
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific promises did God make to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3?
2. According to Galatians 3:6-14, how are the blessings promised to Abraham extended to the Gentiles?
3. In Exodus 19:1-6, what role does God assign to Israel, and what conditions are attached to this role? [24:50]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Abrahamic Covenant illustrate the inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan? [03:22]
2. What does Paul mean when he says that the blessings of Abraham come to the Gentiles through faith in Christ? [06:35]
3. How does Israel's role as a "kingdom of priests" and a "holy nation" reflect God's intention for them to be a light to the Gentiles? [29:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the inclusive nature of the Abrahamic Covenant. How does this understanding affect your view of God's plan for humanity? [03:22]
2. In what ways can you demonstrate faith in your daily life, knowing that the blessings of Abraham are extended to all who have faith in Christ? [06:35]
3. How can you, as a member of the church, fulfill the role of being a "kingdom of priests" in your community? What practical steps can you take to reflect God's character to those around you? [29:16]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of living a holy life as a testimony to others. What specific areas of your life need to align more closely with God's commandments? [33:23]
5. Considering God's redemptive plan for all nations, how can you be more involved in evangelism and missions, both locally and globally? [39:04]
6. How can you practice hospitality and show God's love to foreigners and sojourners in your community, as Israel was commanded to do? [39:04]
7. Reflect on the historical context of Israel's journey and God's continuous guidance. How can you trust and follow God's guidance in your own life's journey? [24:50]
Devotional
Day 1: The Abrahamic Covenant's Universal Blessing
The Abrahamic Covenant was established with the intention of extending God's blessings to all families of the earth, not just Israel. This covenant is foundational to understanding God's redemptive plan, which includes both Jews and Gentiles. The promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation and be a blessing to all nations is a blueprint for how God's blessings are to be shared universally. This inclusive nature of the covenant is often misunderstood, but it is crucial to recognize that God's plan has always been to extend His love and salvation to all people. [03:22]
Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV): "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Reflection: Think of a way you can be a blessing to someone outside your immediate community today. How can you extend God's love to them in a tangible way?
Day 2: Faith as the Basis for Blessing
In Galatians 3, Paul explains that the blessings promised to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ and extended to all who have faith. This highlights that righteousness and inclusion in God's family are based on faith, not adherence to the law. This understanding shifts the focus from ethnic lineage to spiritual faithfulness, making the blessings of the covenant accessible to all believers. Faith, rather than works, is the key to receiving God's promises, and this principle is essential for understanding the inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan. [06:35]
Galatians 3:7-9 (ESV): "Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed.' So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."
Reflection: Reflect on your own faith journey. How can you deepen your faith and trust in God's promises today?
Day 3: Israel's Role as a Kingdom of Priests
God called Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, mediating between Him and the Gentile nations. This role required Israel to live a life of holiness, reflecting God's character and serving as a light to the world. Their obedience to God's commandments was crucial in fulfilling this mediatorial role, demonstrating God's love and justice to all nations. By living according to God's laws, Israel was to attract the Gentiles to worship the one true God. [29:16]
Exodus 19:5-6 (ESV): "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."
Reflection: Consider how you can reflect God's character in your daily interactions. What specific actions can you take to be a light to those around you?
Day 4: The Law as a Guide to Holiness
The Ten Commandments and the broader Mosaic Law provided Israel with a clear guide on how to live a holy life. These laws were not just rules but a means to reflect God's character in their relationships with Him and with others. By living according to these laws, Israel was to demonstrate God's righteousness and attract the Gentiles to worship the one true God. The law served as a tutor, guiding Israel in their conduct and helping them to live in a way that honored God. [33:23]
Deuteronomy 4:6-8 (ESV): "Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?"
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you can better align with God's commandments. What practical steps can you take to live more righteously?
Day 5: God's Redemptive Plan for All Nations
From the outset, God's plan was to include all nations in His redemptive work. This is evident in the repeated emphasis on extending blessings to all families of the earth and the inclusion of Gentiles in the covenant promises. This inclusive vision calls for a commitment to evangelism and missions, ensuring that the message of hope and salvation reaches every corner of the world. Understanding this aspect of God's plan encourages believers to actively participate in sharing the gospel and extending God's love to all people. [39:04]
Isaiah 49:6 (ESV): "He says: 'It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'"
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who does not know Christ. How can you share the message of God's love and salvation with them this week?
Quotes
1. "And so what God promises to Abram is that his descendants would flourish and multiply. They would be great in number. And he says, That generation of people who will flow from the loins of Abraham, I will bless them. He says, I will bless you and make your name great. And so you shall be a blessing. So God begins to speak to Abraham and saying, Listen, you and your descendants are going to hold a special place in history. A special place in my kingdom. You have a purpose for which I want to use you." [01:30] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And in you, all the families. Of the earth will be blessed. How interesting. Because in the Abrahamic covenant, we see this critical principle established. The blessing extended to Abraham and his descendants, the nation of Israel, was never to be exclusive. It was never to be exclusively for them and them alone. And this critical principle is what they failed to understand and maintain as a covenant, understanding throughout their history." [02:29] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The hope of redemption was going to be extended first to the Jew, and then through the Jew to the Gentile nations. This is the language of the families of all the earth. And what is stated here is comparable, if you will, to the same phrase that's used in the Greek in the Great Commission. Where we are asked to carry the gospel to all the nations. Ponta ta ethne." [04:26] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What is the promise? It's the promise that the righteousness of Christ himself, his work on the cross would be applied to us in an atoning fashion that would allow us to experience the blessing of forgiveness, salvation, eventually sanctification, and even glorification. And so blessing needs to be understood as we read Genesis chapter 12 as an allusion to the gospel itself." [06:35] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so Christ is using blessed. Yes, even though it can be translated happy and which makes perfect sense because those who are truly saved, those who are truly saved, those who have been redeemed by God, who have been afforded all the treasures of his mercy and kindness and grace, certainly are those who are blessed." [09:12] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And so whether the psalmist or Lord himself uses the terminology of blessed, it means those and refers to those who are genuinely saved. And so with Paul's help where scripture functions as a divine commentary and providing clear explanation that what God is saying to Abraham is I'm going to bring the gospel to the Jews, to you and your descendants. And then through your descendants, I'm going to see you extend that wonderful message of hope and the promise of the gospel to the families or the nations of the earth." [11:35] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so we get to rejoice, that from the outset God had a plan that was to include us as well. And that needs to be very forefront in our own minds. At the same time I should say that many of us who work in primarily Gentile context should not be negligent to consider what God's love and purpose is for the Jewish nation. We of all should understand that God wants to redeem those, even among the Jews. And that includes today and not only today, but in the future." [13:12] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so Moses goes in and he proclaims to Pharaoh, let my people go so that they may worship the one true God. That's interesting. We've heard the accounts of the plagues that transpired, and we know that God hardened Pharaoh's heart. But what was he doing and accomplishing in the hardening of Pharaoh's heart? God was providing, if you will, the ultimate visual aid or picture to the nation of Egypt, that he is a God who is a jealous God, a God who refuses to share his glory with any other God." [17:01] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And so God is saying here to the nation, you're mine. I'm going to have a special relationship with you. But you need to understand what my purpose is for you. It's to function in this mediatorial manner. So again, just as we saw in Genesis 12, we'll see here that the idea of the gospel and redemption being exclusive to the Jews is never, never God's intention. Just the opposite. His intention from the outset has always been to see the message of hope and forgiveness and redemption and relationship extended to those from the other nations." [31:30] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And this is evidence in your speech. This is evidence in your worship. This is evidence in protecting even the Sabbath of setting yourself unto me. And then he says listen you have to live radically different. You have to live according to my character my ethics, my values in the context of human relationships. You can't seek your own good. Matter of fact you have to seek the welfare and the benefit others." [36:19] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?