Trusting God's Promises: Abraham's Journey of Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delve into Genesis 13:1-18, exploring the journey of Abraham and the promises of God. We practice expository preaching, breaking down the Bible chapter by chapter, verse by verse. This method allows us to understand the narrative deeply, and today, we cover an entire chapter. Genesis, the book of beginnings, is crucial as it sets the foundation for creation, mankind, and the fall. We are in the patriarch section, focusing on Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who represent the beginning of the Jewish nation and God's promises to mankind, ultimately leading to Jesus.
Abraham's journey begins with God's call to leave his homeland and go to a land that God would show him. Although God promised the land to Abraham's descendants, Abraham himself did not receive it in his lifetime. This teaches us that God's promises are sure but may not always align with our timelines. We are reminded of the blessed hope of Jesus' return, a promise that may not happen in our lifetime but is certain nonetheless.
Abraham's faith was tested when he faced difficult circumstances, leading him to make poor decisions, such as lying about his wife Sarah. Despite his mistakes, God remained faithful, protecting Abraham and Sarah and bringing them out of Egypt with more than they had before. This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness even when we falter.
As Abraham returns to Canaan, he goes back to the altar he had previously built, reaffirming his trust in God's promise. This act of recommitment is significant, showing the importance of formal worship and setting aside time to focus solely on God. Abraham's nephew, Lot, also prospers, leading to a conflict over land. Abraham offers Lot the choice of land, demonstrating his trust in God's promise regardless of his physical location.
Lot chooses the Jordan Valley, a land that appears lush and fertile but is filled with wickedness. This decision contrasts with Abraham's choice to stay in the land of promise, trusting in God's word. God then reaffirms His promise to Abraham, telling him to look in all directions and promising that all the land he sees will belong to his descendants forever. Abraham's response is to move deeper into the land and build another altar, symbolizing his deepened trust in God.
We learn that God's promises are worth the wait, even when we are tempted to exchange them for something that seems better. The enemy often tries to deceive us into believing lies, but we must resist and stand firm in our faith. God's promises are countless and encompass protection, provision, and rest. However, to experience these promises, we must put our faith in Jesus, the beginning and end of all God's promises.
For those struggling to believe in God's promises, it starts with putting faith in Jesus. For those on the verge of believing lies, it's time to return to the first love and reaffirm trust in God's promises. Abraham's journey teaches us to trust in God's promises, resist the lies of the enemy, and remain steadfast in our faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Promises Are Worth the Wait:
God's promises may not always align with our timelines, but they are always worth the wait. Abraham did not receive the land in his lifetime, but he trusted God's promise for his descendants. This teaches us patience and faith in God's perfect timing. We must hold on to the blessed hope of Jesus' return, even if it doesn't happen in our lifetime, because God's promises are sure and steadfast. [03:05]
2. Reaffirming Our Trust in God:
Abraham's return to the altar he built signifies the importance of recommitting our trust in God. Formal worship, setting aside time to focus solely on God, is crucial in our faith journey. This act of recommitment helps us realign our lives with God's promises and strengthens our faith, especially after moments of doubt or poor decisions. [09:18]
3. Resisting the Lies of the Enemy:
The enemy often tries to deceive us into believing that there is something better than God's promises. Lot's choice of the Jordan Valley, which appeared lush but was filled with wickedness, contrasts with Abraham's trust in God's promise. We must resist the lies of the enemy and stand firm in our faith, knowing that God's promises are true and fulfilling. [16:52]
4. God's Faithfulness Despite Our Failures:
Despite Abraham's mistakes, such as lying about Sarah, God remained faithful to His promises. This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness even when we falter. It reassures us that God's promises are not dependent on our perfection but on His steadfast love and faithfulness. [05:10]
5. Embracing God's Promises Through Faith in Jesus:
To experience God's promises, we must put our faith in Jesus, the beginning and end of all God's promises. For those struggling to believe, it starts with confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. For those on the verge of believing lies, it's time to return to the first love and reaffirm trust in God's promises. [34:40]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [01:03] - Introduction to Genesis and the Patriarchs
3. [02:09] - God's Call to Abraham
4. [03:05] - The Blessed Hope and God's Promises
5. [04:33] - Abraham's Mistakes and God's Faithfulness
6. [05:10] - Doubting and Exchanging God's Promises
7. [08:32] - Abraham's Journey and Recommitment
8. [09:18] - Importance of Formal Worship
9. [10:49] - Conflict Between Abraham and Lot
10. [14:46] - Lot's Choice and Its Consequences
11. [16:52] - Trusting in God's Promises
12. [18:15] - God's Reaffirmation to Abraham
13. [19:35] - Abraham's Deepened Trust
14. [22:24] - God's Promises Beyond Imagination
15. [24:03] - Personal Testimony of God's Faithfulness
16. [25:42] - Resisting the Enemy's Lies
17. [27:17] - The Danger of False Promises
18. [28:46] - How to Resist the Devil
19. [30:08] - The Importance of Discipline
20. [31:47] - Countless Promises of God
21. [32:59] - Embracing God's Promises
22. [34:40] - Faith in Jesus and God's Promises
23. [36:02] - Returning to the First Love
24. [37:20] - Reaffirming Trust in God's Promises
25. [39:00] - Building a New Altar
26. [40:12] - Direction Matters in Our Faith Journey
27. [41:32] - Building an Altar of Worship
28. [42:56] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 13:1-18
2. 1 Corinthians 2:9 - "But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.'"
3. 1 Peter 5:8-9 - "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial promise God made to Abraham regarding the land? How did Abraham respond to this promise? ([02:09])
2. How did Abraham's faith falter when he faced difficult circumstances, and what was God's response to his actions? ([04:33])
3. What was the significance of Abraham returning to the altar he had previously built in Canaan? ([09:18])
4. How did Lot's choice of the Jordan Valley contrast with Abraham's decision to stay in the land of promise? ([16:52])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Abraham's journey and his response to God's promises teach us about the nature of faith and patience? ([03:05])
2. How does the act of returning to the altar symbolize recommitment and trust in God? Why is formal worship important in our faith journey? ([09:18])
3. In what ways does the enemy try to deceive us into believing there is something better than God's promises? How can we resist these lies? ([16:52])
4. How does God's faithfulness despite Abraham's failures provide reassurance for our own faith journeys? ([05:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for one of God's promises to be fulfilled. How did you handle the waiting period, and what did you learn from it? ([03:05])
2. Have you ever experienced a moment where you needed to recommit your trust in God? What steps did you take to reaffirm your faith? ([09:18])
3. Can you identify any lies from the enemy that you have believed in the past? How did you overcome them, and what strategies can you use to resist future deceptions? ([16:52])
4. Think about a recent mistake or failure. How did you see God's faithfulness in that situation, and how did it impact your trust in Him? ([05:10])
5. How can you incorporate formal worship into your weekly routine to strengthen your faith and trust in God's promises? ([09:18])
6. Are there any areas in your life where you are tempted to exchange God's promises for something that seems better? How can you refocus on God's true promises? ([16:52])
7. What specific actions can you take this week to deepen your trust in God's promises, similar to how Abraham built another altar to symbolize his deepened trust? ([19:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Timing
God's promises may not always align with our timelines, but they are always worth the wait. Abraham did not receive the land in his lifetime, but he trusted God's promise for his descendants. This teaches us patience and faith in God's perfect timing. We must hold on to the blessed hope of Jesus' return, even if it doesn't happen in our lifetime, because God's promises are sure and steadfast. [03:05]
Genesis 15:13-14 (ESV): "Then the Lord said to Abram, 'Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.'"
Reflection: Think about a promise from God that you are waiting for. How can you practice patience and trust in God's perfect timing today?
Day 2: Recommitting to God
Abraham's return to the altar he built signifies the importance of recommitting our trust in God. Formal worship, setting aside time to focus solely on God, is crucial in our faith journey. This act of recommitment helps us realign our lives with God's promises and strengthens our faith, especially after moments of doubt or poor decisions. [09:18]
Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV): "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Reflection: When was the last time you set aside dedicated time for worship and recommitment to God? How can you make this a regular practice in your life?
Day 3: Standing Firm Against Deception
The enemy often tries to deceive us into believing that there is something better than God's promises. Lot's choice of the Jordan Valley, which appeared lush but was filled with wickedness, contrasts with Abraham's trust in God's promise. We must resist the lies of the enemy and stand firm in our faith, knowing that God's promises are true and fulfilling. [16:52]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are tempted to believe the enemy's lies. How can you stand firm in God's truth today?
Day 4: God's Unwavering Faithfulness
Despite Abraham's mistakes, such as lying about Sarah, God remained faithful to His promises. This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness even when we falter. It reassures us that God's promises are not dependent on our perfection but on His steadfast love and faithfulness. [05:10]
2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV): "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you made a mistake but experienced God's faithfulness. How does this encourage you to trust in His promises despite your imperfections?
Day 5: Embracing God's Promises Through Faith in Jesus
To experience God's promises, we must put our faith in Jesus, the beginning and end of all God's promises. For those struggling to believe, it starts with confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. For those on the verge of believing lies, it's time to return to the first love and reaffirm trust in God's promises. [34:40]
John 14:1-3 (ESV): "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."
Reflection: Are you struggling to believe in God's promises? Take a moment to reaffirm your faith in Jesus and ask Him to help you trust in His promises today.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You resist the lie. That's not true. That's not what God's Word says. So you say, I don't believe that. You step back, and you go, yeah, that looks pretty good, but it isn't true. That's not going to fulfill me. That's not going to bring hope into my life. That's not going to make me better. In fact, that's going to destroy my marriage. That's going to destroy my finances. That's going to destroy my integrity. That's going to destroy my relationship with my kids. I mean, that's not going to do anything good in my life. It's going to be a temporary pleasure that destroys me." [30:08]
2. "God's promises are countless for those who trust him. The fact is, God has given us more promises than we can count. The Bible is full of them. They're everywhere. I'll just give you some to think about. Promises for protection. Look at this. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. Aren't you thankful for that this morning? That's a promise of God." [31:47]
3. "If you want the promises of God in your life, it starts by putting your hope and faith in Christ. And the first promise that he wants to give you this morning is this, that if you will confess with your mouth that he is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. That's the first promise. And if you'll put your hope and faith in him today and say, God, I want to put, I want Jesus to be Lord and Savior of my life. And I'm going to start believing in him. That's where the promises of God are going to start." [34:40]
4. "When God comes through on his promises, it's off the charts. It's going to cause people to say, I've never seen anything like that before. I've never heard of something like that happening. I've never imagined in a million years that could take place. For some, it might be that God's going to heal you of some kind of sickness or disease. And the doctors are going to say, we've never seen anything like this. We've never seen cancer disappear." [22:24]
5. "Let me ask you something. Have you ever been impatient? Waiting on a promise of God? And then you exchange it for something less in your life. I think we've all done it. And I ask you to consider this question because as we come back to Abram's journey today, Abram is going to be faced with the temptation to exchange the promise of God for something false." [08:32]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Despite Abraham's mistakes, such as lying about Sarah, God remained faithful to His promises. This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness even when we falter. It reassures us that God's promises are not dependent on our perfection but on His steadfast love and faithfulness." [05:10]
2. "Abram isn't about to exchange the promise of God for something that looks better. Lot, though, his visual desire, his sensual desire, is to go somewhere better. Now, you might say, well, pastor, how do you know that where he's going isn't better? I mean, it looks good. It obviously, you know, it's like the Garden of Eden. Why wouldn't that be a good decision? Here's why it's not a good decision. Now, the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord." [16:52]
3. "Abram's return to the altar he built signifies the importance of recommitting our trust in God. Formal worship, setting aside time to focus solely on God, is crucial in our faith journey. This act of recommitment helps us realign our lives with God's promises and strengthens our faith, especially after moments of doubt or poor decisions." [09:18]
4. "God's promises are worth the wait. As I mentioned earlier, it's going to be easy for you and I at times to grow impatient while we're waiting on a promise of God. But can I just tell you this morning that his promises are worth the wait?" [20:58]
5. "The enemy's going to attempt you to exchange God's promise for a lie. You can count on this. You need to know that as you wait on the promise of God, the enemy, and honestly, not just the enemy, your flesh. A lot of times we like to blame the devil for something that's not him. Our own sinful desires sometimes are going to try to convince us that there is something better." [25:42]
6. "Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the Oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron. And there he built an altar to the Lord. Here's what Abram's doing. He's going deeper into the land. Deeper into the promise. So deep that he decides, I'm going to build another altar. I mean, he's staking claim, folks. He's building more churches. He's like, listen, I believe that God's going to give this land to me and to my offspring. And so I'm going deeper into it, and I'm going to build another altar. And it symbolizes his deepened trust in God." [19:35]
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