God's Promises: Providence, Presence, and Provision
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Victory Fellowship. We're so glad you could join us this beautiful Sunday morning. Today, we are diving into the book of Genesis, specifically chapter 15, to explore God's promises to Abram and how they relate to our deepest needs.
We began by discussing the nature of ministry and the cycles of ups and downs that come with it. Despite the challenges, God's hand of faithfulness is always over us. We prayed for God's provision and were encouraged by a story of how God provided for a school in Cambodia facing eviction. Within two weeks, God provided the necessary funds through generous donors, reminding us that God meets our needs, not our wants.
Next, we transitioned to the story of Abram. Despite being materially blessed, Abram was deeply troubled because he had no heir. God appeared to him in a vision, saying, "Fear not, Abram. I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." This was God's first promise to Abram: that He is providential and in control of all things. Abram's fear was transformed into reverence for God.
We then moved to the second promise: God's presence. God reassured Abram that He had been with him from the beginning and would continue to be with him. This promise is crucial for us as well. When we live in fear, we often feel isolated, but God is always present with us. Abram believed God's promise, and it was counted to him as righteousness. This belief and trust in God made Abram right with God, not his actions or good works.
The third promise was God's provision. God asked Abram to bring specific animals for a covenant ceremony. Abram cut the animals in half and laid them out, creating a path between the carcasses. In a vision, Abram saw a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch pass between the pieces. This represented God making a covenant with Abram, promising that if He did not fulfill His promises, He would take the curse upon Himself. This foreshadowed Jesus Christ, who took on the curse of our sins so that we could be made righteous.
We then discussed the importance of communion, a practice that reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice. We are called to come to the Lord's table with a humble and thankful heart, acknowledging that our salvation is based solely on Christ's sacrifice, not our good works.
Finally, we closed with a prayer, asking God to help us live each day to the fullest, experience His love, and expand His kingdom. We were reminded that God is our provider, always present, and forever faithful.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Providence: God is in total control and deeply cares about every single aspect of our lives. This providence should instill a sense of security and trust in us. When God told Abram, "Fear not, Abram. I am your shield; your reward shall be very great," He was addressing Abram's deepest fears and reassuring him of His providence. This promise is a reminder that God is always in control, even when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances. [32:24]
2. God's Presence: When we live in fear, we often feel isolated and alone. However, God's promise to Abram that He had been with him from the beginning and would continue to be with him is a powerful reminder that God is always present with us. This presence brings comfort and reassurance, transforming our fear into reverence for God. [38:24]
3. God's Provision: God's provision is not about meeting our wants but our deepest needs. The covenant ceremony where God passed between the animal carcasses symbolized His promise to take the curse upon Himself if He did not fulfill His promises. This foreshadowed Jesus Christ, who took on the curse of our sins so that we could be made righteous. [50:59]
4. Faith and Righteousness: Abram's belief in God's promises was counted to him as righteousness. This teaches us that our righteousness before God is not based on our actions or good works but on our faith and trust in Him. When we believe and trust in God, we are made right with Him, just as Abram was. [42:05]
5. Communion and Sacrifice: The practice of communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. We are called to come to the Lord's table with a humble and thankful heart, acknowledging that our salvation is based solely on Christ's sacrifice. This act of remembrance helps us to revere God and live in gratitude for His provision and faithfulness. [01:03:44]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [22:10] - Icebreaker: Sunrises or Sunsets?
3. [23:28] - Announcements
4. [24:53] - Introduction to Genesis Series
5. [26:23] - Personal Story: Gifts and Satisfaction
6. [28:01] - God's Promise to Abram
7. [29:34] - Abram's Fear and God's Reassurance
8. [32:24] - God's Providence
9. [36:12] - Abram's Desire for an Heir
10. [38:24] - God's Presence
11. [40:55] - Personal Story: Parenting Fears
12. [44:07] - Abram's Uncertainty and God's Assurance
13. [45:19] - God's Covenant with Abram
14. [46:19] - The Covenant Ceremony
15. [48:51] - God's Detailed Plan for Abram's Descendants
16. [50:59] - God's Provision and the Covenant
17. [53:50] - God's Final Promise: Provision through Jesus
18. [57:50] - Exchanging Fear for Reverence
19. [01:02:11] - Communion Instructions
20. [01:03:44] - Communion and Sacrifice
21. [01:23:28] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 15:1-21
- Galatians 3:13-14
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the three promises God made to Abram in Genesis 15? ([28:01])
2. How did Abram respond to God's promise about his descendants? ([41:30])
3. What was the significance of the covenant ceremony involving the animal carcasses? ([46:19])
4. How does Galatians 3:13-14 relate to the covenant God made with Abram? ([52:01])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that God is providential, and how did this address Abram's fears? ([32:24])
2. How does God's presence provide comfort and reassurance in times of fear and uncertainty? ([38:24])
3. Why was Abram's belief in God's promises counted as righteousness, and what does this teach us about faith? ([42:05])
4. How does the covenant ceremony foreshadow Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our sins? ([50:59])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by fear. How did you experience God's providence in that situation? ([32:24])
2. When have you felt isolated in your fear, and how did the awareness of God's presence change your perspective? ([38:24])
3. Abram's belief was counted as righteousness. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's promises in your daily life? ([42:05])
4. The covenant ceremony was a powerful symbol of God's commitment. How does understanding Jesus' sacrifice deepen your appreciation for communion? ([50:59])
5. Think about a current need in your life. How can you shift your focus from what you want to what you truly need, trusting in God's provision? ([26:23])
6. How can you practice coming to the Lord's table with a humble and thankful heart during communion? ([01:03:44])
7. In what ways can you live each day to the fullest, experiencing God's love and expanding His kingdom, as encouraged in the closing prayer? ([01:23:28])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Providence
God's providence means that He is in total control and deeply cares about every single aspect of our lives. This providence should instill a sense of security and trust in us. When God told Abram, "Fear not, Abram. I am your shield; your reward shall be very great," He was addressing Abram's deepest fears and reassuring him of His providence. This promise is a reminder that God is always in control, even when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances. [32:24]
Genesis 15:1 (ESV): "After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel overwhelmed or out of control? How can you trust in God's providence in that situation today?
Day 2: Experiencing God's Presence
When we live in fear, we often feel isolated and alone. However, God's promise to Abram that He had been with him from the beginning and would continue to be with him is a powerful reminder that God is always present with us. This presence brings comfort and reassurance, transforming our fear into reverence for God. Abram's belief in God's presence was counted to him as righteousness, showing us that faith in God's presence is crucial for our spiritual well-being. [38:24]
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: Think of a time when you felt alone or afraid. How can you remind yourself of God's constant presence in your life today?
Day 3: Relying on God's Provision
God's provision is not about meeting our wants but our deepest needs. The covenant ceremony where God passed between the animal carcasses symbolized His promise to take the curse upon Himself if He did not fulfill His promises. This foreshadowed Jesus Christ, who took on the curse of our sins so that we could be made righteous. This act of provision shows that God is committed to meeting our deepest needs, even at great cost to Himself. [50:59]
Philippians 4:19 (ESV): "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What is a deep need in your life that you have been trying to meet on your own? How can you rely on God's provision for that need today?
Day 4: Faith and Righteousness
Abram's belief in God's promises was counted to him as righteousness. This teaches us that our righteousness before God is not based on our actions or good works but on our faith and trust in Him. When we believe and trust in God, we are made right with Him, just as Abram was. This faith is not passive but an active trust in God's promises and character. [42:05]
Romans 4:3 (ESV): "For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own actions rather than trusting in God's promises? How can you shift your focus to faith in God today?
Day 5: Communion and Sacrifice
The practice of communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. We are called to come to the Lord's table with a humble and thankful heart, acknowledging that our salvation is based solely on Christ's sacrifice. This act of remembrance helps us to revere God and live in gratitude for His provision and faithfulness. [01:03:44]
1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (ESV): "And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"
Reflection: As you prepare for your next communion, how can you cultivate a heart of humility and thankfulness for Jesus' sacrifice? What specific actions can you take to remember His provision and faithfulness in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "See, in our lives we often focus more on what we want rather than what we truly need and thankfully God knows what we need and he knows what we need and he knows what we need and he knows what we need." [26:23]
2. "Because he is good and he is faithful. And if God can provide an answer to our curse by taking on the curse through his son, how much more is God going to meet your needs? It's a promise. It's a guarantee. He is good. He is faithful. And he is present. Give your life to the Lord. And entrust him. Because he's taking on your sin and your shame. him by faith and believe in Christ. And if you do that, watch your life just change from the inside out. It's a promise from God." [01:01:25]
3. "When you are afraid and fearful, you are never alone. You may feel like you're the only one who's going, going through this certain situation or this circumstance. You may feel like you're the only one bearing this burden, but you are not because God, when you give your life to the Lord, he is there with you. He is present with you. And God not only is in charge and in control of all things, he is faithfully present with you and will never leave you or forsake you." [38:24]
4. "Our salvation is based solely upon Christ, that Jesus is God, that he died on the cross, that he forgave of our sins, and that he rose again. And it's not our self-righteousness, it's not our good works that allows us to be made right, but God's favor in our lives and our response to God's favor to trust and believe in him." [44:07]
5. "God transforms our fear into revere. And what are you fearing right now that has you overwhelmed, that has you so obsessed and focused on that? God says, man, I got you covered. If I could provide, my son, for you in your deep debt, how much more can I meet your greatest fears and meet your greatest needs? And here's our action. We must exchange our fear to revere. We must exchange our fear to revere God." [57:50]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Abram's situation was very similar at this time he'd been materially blessed beyond measure he had all the material blessings that he received from God but they weren't enough and in his mind he'd focus because he desperately lacked one thing that the Lord hadn't blessed him with yet Abram focused on what he wanted but God gave him what he needed." [26:23]
2. "And then we look to these things in our world. We try to fill these things. And it never satisfies. But God's second promise is this. I am with you in the middle of this, Abram. I am present with you. I am here. I am here right now. And God promises us his presence. He is with you. You are never alone. When you are afraid and fearful, you are never alone. You may feel like you're the only one who's going, going through this certain situation or this circumstance. You may feel like you're the only one bearing this burden, but you are not because God, when you give your life to the Lord, he is there with you. He is present with you. And God not only is in charge and in control of all things, he is faithfully present with you and will never leave you or forsake you." [38:24]
3. "What was Abram doing? He was watching this whole event. But here's the thing. Did Abram pass through this? No. Who did? It was only God. This is mind-blowing. This is amazing. Why? God was making a promise to Abram, saying that if he, God, didn't fall through with all that he had promised, the curse would be upon whom? Abram? No, God. God was the one that walked through these carcasses. Abram didn't have anything to do with upholding his promise. God was solely responsible for this covenant. The smoking pot represented God's suffering, followed by the flaming torch, which represented God's glory." [51:30]
4. "God's providence, God's presence, and God's provision. I want to close with this story. I know we're running a little extra. As you know, my family is going to Cambodia. We serve with an organization called Bright Futures Cambodia. And we partner with them in our church. About a month ago, I was asked to be a part of the board meeting. Jenna and I are consultants for the Bright Futures Cambodia board. And one of the co-directors asked me, Pastor, can you join us on Zoom? To kind of give us a word from God. And I'm like, okay, sure. And I said, what's the reason? She goes, we're just beaten up right now. We're having problems with our one school in Cambodia. The teachers are looking at leaving. They're just really dissatisfied. There's this whole background story that's going on with this one school, elementary school, that's serving over 300 kids. And they're like, we don't know what we're going to do. So the staff, the board, the teachers, they're all discouraged. They're facing this insurmountable challenge." [59:12]
5. "So what's your progress? Good day. I'm like, okay. Nothing bad will happen. I'm okay, come on now. But what if those things happen? You got to know the Lord's presence. I want you to know God's presence in your life. As I pray that they would rely upon the Lord, that they would know that he is there involved in their lives, that he's going before them, that he's protecting them. Now that I pray that when they know God's presence, that they would be kind and generous and thoughtful of their people, that they would be patient with people. Because God's presence brings that to them and to you and me as well. God is ever, ever present when you have a relationship with him because he engages with us throughout our day." [40:55]
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