Responding to God's Promises: Faith, Patience, and Joy
Summary
In my recent sermon, I discussed the profound nature of God's promises and the human response to them, using the narrative of Abraham, Sarah, and their son Isaac as a backdrop. I began by exploring the concept of a promise, which involves a commitment made by one party to another, and the expectation that the promise will be fulfilled. However, I emphasized that there is a fourth aspect to a promise: the response of the receiver when the promise is fulfilled.
I recounted the story of Abraham, who at the age of 75 received a promise from God that he would become a great nation and that all families of the earth would be blessed through him. Despite this promise, Abraham and his wife Sarah faced years of childlessness. In their impatience, they attempted to fulfill God's promise through human means, resulting in the birth of Ishmael to Hagar, Sarah's maidservant. Yet, God's plan was different, and at the age of 99, Abraham was told that Sarah would bear a son, Isaac, through whom the covenant would be established.
The birth of Isaac when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 was a miraculous event that required a response. Abraham and Sarah responded with obedience and joy, naming their son Isaac, which means "he laughs," and circumcising him on the eighth day according to God's command. Their response to God's fulfilled promise was marked by faith and celebration.
I also addressed the challenges of blended families, drawing parallels between modern-day struggles and the conflict between Sarah and Hagar, and their sons Isaac and Ishmael. I highlighted the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit to exhibit love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in all family dynamics.
Furthermore, I delved into the theological implications of being children of the promise, like Isaac. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promise of blessing. This new birth into God's family transcends physical lineage and is available to all who come to Jesus.
Lastly, I reassured the congregation that God hears our cries, as He heard Ishmael's in the wilderness, and He is always ready to make a covenant with us. The promise of Jesus is that whoever comes to Him will never be cast out, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham and extending it to all believers.
Key Takeaways:
- The response to God's fulfilled promises is as crucial as the promises themselves. Abraham and Sarah's response of obedience and joy serves as a model for us. When God fulfills His promises in our lives, we are called to respond with faith, obedience, and rejoicing, recognizing His sovereignty and grace. [14:11]
- Blended families face unique challenges, but the fruit of the Spirit is essential in navigating these complexities. Love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are not just virtues to aspire to; they are the practical tools provided by the Holy Spirit to maintain harmony and show Christ's love in our families. [22:31]
- Being a child of the promise is not about physical descent but spiritual rebirth. Our identity as believers is rooted in the spiritual lineage of Abraham, which is accessed through faith in Jesus Christ. This spiritual heritage is what makes us heirs to the promises of God and partakers of His covenant blessings. [37:38]
- God's timing is perfect, and His promises are precise. Abraham's 25-year wait for Isaac teaches us patience and trust in God's faithfulness. We are reminded that God's promises are not bound by human limitations or timelines, and His fulfillment of them is always exact and on time. [10:28]
- God's promises often defy human expectations and logic. The birth of Isaac to a couple well past childbearing age is a testament to God's power to do the impossible. This encourages us to trust in God's plans, even when they seem improbable or when we face situations that appear insurmountable. [16:44]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 12:2-3 - "I will make 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."
2. Genesis 21:1-7 - "The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, 'God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.' And she said, 'Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.'"
3. Galatians 4:28 - "Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise."
#### Observation Questions
1. What promise did God make to Abraham when he was 75 years old, and how did He later clarify it? (Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 15:4-5)
2. How did Abraham and Sarah respond when God fulfilled His promise of giving them a son? (Genesis 21:3-4) [11:59]
3. What was the significance of naming their son Isaac and circumcising him on the eighth day? (Genesis 21:3-4) [12:41]
4. How did Sarah react to the birth of Isaac, and what does Isaac's name mean? (Genesis 21:6) [14:51]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the response to God's fulfilled promises as crucial as the promises themselves? How did Abraham and Sarah's response serve as a model for us? [11:59]
2. What are the challenges faced by blended families, and how can the fruit of the Spirit help navigate these complexities? [21:57]
3. How does the concept of being "children of the promise" through faith in Jesus Christ transcend physical lineage? (Galatians 4:28) [37:38]
4. What does the story of Abraham and Sarah teach us about God's timing and human impatience? [06:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for a promise or answer from God. How did you respond during the waiting period, and what did you learn from that experience? [06:55]
2. In what ways can you exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in your family dynamics, especially if you are part of a blended family? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [21:57]
3. How can you celebrate and respond with joy and obedience when you see God's promises fulfilled in your life? Think of a recent example and share how you responded. [14:11]
4. Consider the concept of being a "child of the promise." How does this identity shape your daily life and interactions with others? [37:38]
5. God's promises often defy human expectations and logic. Share a situation in your life where you saw God's power to do the impossible. How did this experience strengthen your faith? [16:44]
6. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's perfect timing, especially when His promises seem delayed? Identify a specific area in your life where you need to apply this. [08:13]
7. Reflect on the promise that whoever comes to Jesus will never be cast out. How does this assurance impact your relationship with God and your approach to sharing the gospel with others? [38:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Faithful Response to Divine Promises
When God fulfills His promises, it is not merely an event to be acknowledged but an invitation to respond with faith and obedience. Abraham and Sarah's journey of waiting on God's promise of a son teaches us the importance of celebrating God's faithfulness with joy. Their response to the birth of Isaac was not passive; it was active and full of gratitude. They named their son Isaac, meaning "he laughs," as a testament to the joy of God's faithfulness. This act of obedience in naming and circumcising Isaac was a demonstration of their trust in God's covenant. As believers, when we witness God's promises coming to fruition in our lives, our response should mirror that of Abraham and Sarah—marked by faith, obedience, and rejoicing. This is a recognition of God's sovereignty and grace in our lives, and it sets a pattern for how we should react to God's continued work in and through us. [14:11]
"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son." - Hebrews 11:17 (ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively respond with faith and joy to a promise God has fulfilled in your life recently?
Day 2: Harmonious Living in Blended Families
Blended families come with their own set of complexities and challenges, as seen in the biblical account of Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, and Isaac. In these situations, the fruit of the Spirit—love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—becomes not just aspirational qualities but essential tools for maintaining harmony. These virtues are the practical outworking of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, enabling us to navigate the intricacies of family dynamics with grace and love. As believers, we are called to exhibit these fruits in all our relationships, especially within the unique context of blended families, where the potential for conflict may be greater. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be peacemakers and to show Christ's love, even in the most challenging circumstances. [22:31]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you need to cultivate more intentionally in your family relationships, and what is one practical step you can take to do so?
Day 3: Spiritual Heritage Beyond Physical Lineage
Being a child of the promise, like Isaac, transcends physical ancestry and is rooted in spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ. This spiritual lineage makes us heirs to the promises of God and partakers of His covenant blessings. Our identity as believers is not based on our biological descent but on our spiritual connection to Abraham's faith. This new birth into God's family is available to all who come to Jesus, uniting us as one body in Christ and granting us access to the inheritance of God's kingdom. As spiritual descendants, we are called to live in the reality of this promise, embracing our identity as children of God and living out the implications of this profound truth in our daily lives. [37:38]
"And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." - Galatians 3:29 (ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you live out your identity as a child of the promise in your daily interactions and decisions?
Day 4: Patience in God's Perfect Timing
The story of Abraham's 25-year wait for the fulfillment of God's promise to him teaches us the virtue of patience and trust in God's perfect timing. Our human perspective is often limited, and we may be tempted to rush God's plans or doubt His faithfulness when things do not happen according to our expectations. However, God's timing is not bound by our understanding or our schedules. His promises are precise, and His fulfillment of them is always exact and on time. As we wait on the Lord, we are called to trust in His faithfulness, knowing that He is working all things together for our good and His glory. [10:28]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." - Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)
Reflection: What promise are you waiting on God to fulfill, and how can you cultivate patience and trust in His timing during the wait?
Day 5: Trusting God's Plans Over Human Logic
God's promises often defy human expectations and logic, as demonstrated by the miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. This event is a testament to God's power to do the impossible and an encouragement for us to trust in His plans, even when they seem improbable. When faced with situations that appear insurmountable, we are reminded that God is not limited by human constraints. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. As believers, we are called to have faith in God's ability to bring about His promises, regardless of how impossible they may seem from our human perspective. [16:44]
"For nothing will be impossible with God." - Luke 1:37 (ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust more in God's power over your own understanding, and what is one step you can take to do so?
Quotes
"God does things that no one else would even think of. God becomes one of us. Who would have thought of that? Only God. The king of the world, when he's born, he's put in an animal trough, and when he dies, we are saved. Who would have thought of that?" [17:30]
"Today, God wants to make a covenant with you, but you have to be willing to receive it. And God makes a promise. The promise is in John chapter 6: 'All that the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out.'" [38:50]
"When a promise is made, you obviously have the one making the promise to someone else, and the promise itself needs to be received by someone. But there's a fourth aspect of what happens when someone makes a promise, and that is the receiver has to respond. Every promise fulfilled requires a response." [01:21]
"Abraham didn't have too many kids; Abraham had too many wives. And so Abraham was about to go through a very difficult time. Here's Abraham, he wants to throw a feast... and the guest of honor is the boy Isaac... and over in the corner, you got Ishmael... and he's mocking all this." [22:31]
"God has heard the voice of the boy crying. And the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.'" [34:31]
"God will fulfill his promises in his perfect timing. What you're called to do today is trust Him. In Genesis 21, God fulfills his promise to two different people, and both of these people respond to God fulfilling his promise. God visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did for Sarah as he had promised." [08:13]
"Abraham obeyed God by circumcising his son Isaac when he was eight days old as God had commanded him. Listen to me, if God gives you a command and it's a very particular command, God wants you to obey him in a very particular way... Abraham and Sarah responded to the promise that God had made by obeying God." [13:26]
"God kept his promise very particularly. God didn't mess up the details. Look at the timing... God said at this season next year. When did it actually happen? At the appointed time of which God had spoken. God kept his promise and he kept his promise in all the little details." [10:28]
"Abraham responded by calling his name Isaac. Could have named him any name in the world, but he named him the one name that God said to name him, Isaac. He obeyed God. A second way how? By circumcising Isaac... every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised." [12:41]
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