God's Unwavering Covenant: Faith and Assurance in Him
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound narrative of God's covenant with Abram in Genesis 15, which serves as a cornerstone for understanding the nature of faith and God's unwavering faithfulness throughout history. We began by reflecting on the journey of God's interaction with humanity, from creation to the spread of sin and His response of justice and mercy. We then focused on Abram, who was chosen by God to be a blessing to all nations.
Abram's story is one of a man who, despite uncertainties and the passage of time, chose to believe in God's promises. We delved into the moment when God reassured Abram not to be afraid, for He is his shield and his reward would be great. This was a pivotal moment where Abram's internal struggle with fear and doubt was met with God's affirmation of protection and promise.
We examined the significance of God's covenant with Abram, particularly the moment when God instructed Abram to bring animals for a sacrifice. This scene, marked by a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passing between the divided animals, symbolized God's commitment to His promises. Unlike typical covenants where both parties would walk between the pieces, God alone moved through them, signifying that He alone was responsible for fulfilling the covenant.
This covenantal act points to the heart of the gospel: that we are saved by faith in a faithful God who is sufficient in Himself to save us. It is not the magnitude of our faith but the object of our faith—God Himself—that secures our salvation. This truth is echoed in the New Testament, where we are reminded that even if we are faithless, God remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
As we closed with a responsive reading from Psalm 36, we were reminded of God's faithful love that reaches to the heavens and His righteousness that is over the upright in heart. Our hope is not based on the amount of our faith or our own goodness, but on God's faithfulness and the righteousness credited to us through faith in Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- God's covenant with Abram in Genesis 15 is a powerful illustration of His commitment to His promises, independent of human effort or merit. This covenant is a precursor to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, where God's faithfulness is the foundation of our salvation. [49:33]
- Faith is the vehicle that transports the knowledge of God's faithfulness from our minds to our hearts. It allows us to trust in God's promises even when our emotions and circumstances suggest otherwise. Faith is not about the quantity but the quality of trust in God's character and His word. [37:30]
- The story of Abram challenges us to confront our own fears and doubts with the certainty of God's promises. When we feel inadequate or question our faith, we must remember that our relationship with God is not contingent on our performance but on His grace and righteousness given to us through faith. [38:09]
- Questions and doubts are a natural part of the faith journey. Like Abram, we can bring our questions to God with a heart turned toward Him. Engaging with a community of believers who are also seeking God's truth can help us navigate our uncertainties and grow in our faith. [28:59]
- The act of God passing through the divided animals alone is a profound demonstration of His grace. It signifies that God's promises are based solely on His willingness and ability to fulfill them, assuring us that our salvation is secure in Him, not in our ability to uphold our end of the covenant. [36:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 15:1-21
- Romans 4:20-24
- 2 Timothy 2:13
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific promises did God make to Abram in Genesis 15? How did Abram respond to these promises? ([02:40])
2. Describe the covenant ceremony that God performed with Abram. What was unique about this ceremony compared to typical covenants of that time? ([04:43])
3. According to Romans 4, how did Abram's faith impact his righteousness? What does this tell us about the nature of faith? ([20:09])
4. In 2 Timothy 2:13, what does it mean that God remains faithful even if we are faithless? How does this relate to the covenant with Abram? ([36:42])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to reassure Abram with the words, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward"? How might this have addressed Abram's internal struggles? ([11:48])
2. How does the act of God passing through the divided animals alone in Genesis 15 symbolize His commitment to His promises? What does this reveal about God's character? ([35:17])
3. In what ways does Abram's story challenge our understanding of faith and doubt? How can we reconcile having faith while still experiencing doubts and questions? ([27:02])
4. How does the concept of faith being credited as righteousness in Romans 4 apply to believers today? What implications does this have for our relationship with God? ([21:37])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt fear or doubt about God's promises. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Abram's response to God's reassurance? ([11:48])
2. The sermon emphasized that our salvation is based on God's faithfulness, not our own efforts. How does this truth impact your daily walk with God, especially during times of failure or doubt? ([36:42])
3. Abram brought his questions and doubts to God with a heart turned toward Him. How can you cultivate a habit of bringing your uncertainties to God in prayer and seeking His guidance? ([27:02])
4. Faith is described as the vehicle that transports the knowledge of God's faithfulness from our minds to our hearts. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith and trust in God's character and promises? ([17:51])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of engaging with a community of believers to navigate uncertainties and grow in faith. How can you actively participate in your small group or church community to support and be supported in your faith journey? ([28:59])
6. Consider the statement, "It is not the magnitude of our faith but the object of our faith—God Himself—that secures our salvation." How does this perspective change the way you view your own faith and relationship with God? ([25:29])
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's promises despite your current emotions or circumstances. What steps can you take this week to act on that trust? ([17:05])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unconditional Covenant Commitment
The covenant with Abram in Genesis 15 is not just a story from the past; it is a living testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises. This covenant was established without any conditions placed upon Abram, highlighting that it is God's faithfulness, not human effort or merit, that is the foundation of our relationship with Him. This same principle applies to the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, where salvation is a gift, not a reward for our actions. The covenant with Abram is a precursor to this New Covenant, where the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross fulfills God's promise of redemption for humanity. This act of grace is a powerful reminder that God's promises are not dependent on our ability to keep them but on His steadfast character and will to fulfill them. [49:33]
"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10 ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding God's unconditional covenant commitment change the way you view your relationship with Him and your salvation?
Day 2: Faith as Trust in God's Character
Faith is more than just belief; it is a deep-seated trust in the character of God and His word. It is not about how much faith one has, but in whom that faith is placed. The story of Abram shows that faith acts as a bridge between knowing God's faithfulness intellectually and trusting it in one's heart. This trust enables believers to hold onto God's promises even when emotions and circumstances seem to contradict them. Faith is not measured by its size but by the quality of reliance on God's nature and His promises. It is this trust that allows believers to stand firm in the face of life's challenges, knowing that God's word is true and His character is unchanging. [37:30]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to replace your understanding with trust in God's character and promises?
Day 3: Grace Beyond Our Inadequacies
The narrative of Abram confronts us with the reality of our own inadequacies and invites us to find solace in the certainty of God's promises. It is not our performance that secures our relationship with God, but His grace and the righteousness that is credited to us through faith in Jesus Christ. When doubts and feelings of inadequacy arise, believers are called to remember that their standing before God is not based on their own merit but on the grace that is freely given. This grace is sufficient to cover all shortcomings and to uphold the believer in their journey of faith. [38:09]
"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." (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)
Reflection: When you feel inadequate, how can you remind yourself of God's grace and the righteousness given to you through faith?
Day 4: Embracing Questions in Faith
Questions and doubts are not signs of a weak faith but are often the catalysts for growth and deeper understanding. Like Abram, believers are encouraged to bring their questions and doubts to God, trusting that He welcomes them and desires to reveal more of Himself through them. Engaging with a community of believers provides support and collective wisdom as individuals navigate their uncertainties. This process of questioning within the context of faith leads to a more robust and mature understanding of God and His ways. [28:59]
"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (Isaiah 1:18 ESV)
Reflection: What is a doubt or question you have been holding onto, and how can you bring it before God and your community of faith today?
Day 5: Salvation Secured by God Alone
The image of God passing through the divided animals alone in Genesis 15 is a profound demonstration of His grace. It signifies that the fulfillment of His promises rests solely on His shoulders. This act foreshadows the ultimate demonstration of grace in Jesus Christ, who secures salvation for believers through His sacrifice. This assurance allows believers to rest in the knowledge that their salvation is not based on their ability to uphold a covenant but on God's willingness and ability to fulfill His promises. [36:00]
"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet." (Hebrews 10:12-13 ESV)
Reflection: How does the assurance that God alone secures your salvation impact your sense of peace and security in your spiritual life?
Quotes
1) "It's not just is my faith sufficient because we ask that question don't we... It's not the size of your faith, it's the object of your faith. Who are you trusting in, yourself or in God? This is what we see here, that I am accepted by God because of Jesus, not me. What saves us is Jesus, and what we're going to see is that he saves us in himself alone." [25:29]
2) "Why is this so important, why is this such a beautiful truth? Because when doubts come in your mind that you're not enough, your faith isn't enough, you're not good enough, you haven't done enough... the question is not if you're enough, the question is, is God enough?... This is why it's such a beautiful truth, this is why the statement 'Yes, we are saved by faith in a faithful God who in himself alone is able to save us' is like praise Jesus." [38:09]
3) "Faith allows the fact of God's faithfulness to sit on the throne of our hearts. Emotions and affections, faith is that transport that takes what we know and what we believe to be true and it moves it to our heart... Abram believed the Lord, he believed God... and it's credited to him as righteousness." [17:51]
4) "God says, 'Don't be afraid, Abram, I am your Shield, that fear that can begin to grab up in the heart, why do we need a shield? You need a shield when you feel like you're under attack, you need a shield when you feel like you're vulnerable and exposed...'" [12:29]
5) "How can I know for certain that I stand before God credited with righteousness when sometimes my faith feels weak?... It reveals one of the most beautiful truths in scripture... that God is wanting Abraham and us to have that speaks to who God is." [31:05]
6) "God Alone passed between the animals... by going between the divided carcasses, the Lord was solemnly obligating himself to fulfill the terms of the Covenant... God was unilaterally obligating himself to fulfill his promise. See, in a normal stance, you're saying that you and I are making an agreement... but here God is saying, 'I want you to know for certain that I will be faithful and it's not based on you.'" [36:00]
7) "Abram did not waver in unbelief at God's promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God because he was fully convinced that what God had promised he was able also to do... therefore it was credited to him as righteousness." [20:53]
8) "Now it was credited to him, it was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us... that it will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our lord from the dead... that we declared right before God by faith, that we are saved by faith." [21:37]
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