Following In The Footsteps Of Faith Sermon # 11
Genesis 17:1-27
THE GOD OF THE EVERLASTING COVENANT
Intro: Some fourteen years had past since God last spoke to Abraham. Not
since his disobedience in the matter of Hagar had Abraham heard the voice
of God. The times of His silence are most devastating when they come our
way. We need to learn that our disobedience almost always brings His
silence.
In this passage, the Lord speaks again. When He does it is to reveal
even more of the details of His covenant with Abram. Here we have the
opportunity to learn more about the faithfulness and work of God in the lives
of His people. This passage allows us to catch a glimpse of The God Of
The Everlasting Covenant. As we look into the details of this passage, may
take this opportunity to learn more about the God we serve. May we be
reminded that He is a God Who keeps His Word and works out His will
"according to the counsel of His own will.",(Eph. 1:11).
I. V. 1-5 THIS GOD'S NEW REVELATION
A. V. 1 A Revelation Of His Person - For the first time, God reveals
Himself as "the Almighty God". This name is from the Hebrew
name "El-Shaddai". It carries the idea of "Nourisher;
Strengthener; Satisfier." It identifies God as being the "All-sufficient One". There is a tenderness in this name because the
word "Shaddai" comes from the Hebrew word for "breast". Just as
a baby receives strength and nourishment from its mother's breast,
so the children of God receive all they need from the hand of the
"Almighty God". (Note: Because God is "the Almighty God" He
demands that His people walk before Him in "perfection". This is
a command to walk in righteousness and holiness before Him, 1 Pet.
1:16.)
B. V. 2-4 A Revelation Of His Promise - God simply reminds Abram
of the promises He has made to him in the past. God will make of
him a great nation and He will bless Abram. (Note: God's revelation
and reminder cause Abram to fall at His feet in worship! Would to
God the Lord's people would see His blessings as a catalyst to
worship and praise.) (Note: v. 4 "As for me" indicates that this
covenant is one-sided. God will bless Abram because He wants to!
In other words, the covenant is good because it depends on God
and not man! Thank God, our salvation is in His hands and not ours,
1 Pet. 1:5.)
C. V. 5 A Revelation Of His Plan - Here, Abram receives a name
change. His name is changed from "Abram", which means "Exalted Father", to "Abraham" which means "Father Of A
Multitude". The reason for this lies in the fact that God has made
Abraham the father of a numberless multitude. Of course, to
Abraham it does not appear that this is the case. However from
God's perspective, it is a done deal! Notice the words "I have made
thee." Even though Abraham couldn't see it, God had already
completed His plan through Abraham. (Note: Life is never like we
think it is! All we can see are the obstacles and the trials that we
face in life. However, God sees our present as well as the future
that He has already accomplished. The essence of faith is merely
walking in the present, holding in your hands the things God
has placed in the future, Heb. 11:1! Whatever you may be facing
this evening, God has already taken care of it for you. You merely
have to be patient until you arrive at that time where His provision is
manifested. Ill. Elijah - at the dry brook and the widow's house - 1
Kings 17.)
(Note: No wonder Abraham worshiped the Lord! If we ever got a grip
on all that He has done for us, we too would glorify Him in praise,
adoration and worship!)
II. V. 6-8; 15-22 THIS GOD'S NEW REASSURANCE
A. V. 6 Concerning His Fruitfulness - God promises Abraham Children, Crowds and Crowns. God promised him things that, at
that moment in his life, he couldn't even imagine! (Note: Sounds like
us doesn't it? Think of where He found you, what He has done in
your life and where you are headed. Sounds too good to be true
doesn't it? The farther I travel down this road, the sweeter His
promises become to me! I am thankful that every single one is true!
By the way, He will make your life fruitful for His glory if you will
abide in Him, John 15:5.)
B. V. 7-8 Concerning His Faithfulness - God promises not only to
bless Abraham, but his children and all the generations of
Abraham's seed as well. This is a covenant that is as good as the
Name of God and that will endure as long as God endures. (Note:
Thank God that we can count on His faithfulness! Ill. Lam. 3:22-23.
Thank God that He is faithful and true. He will not renege on His
promises. He will not fail us. We may fall short, but He never will!
He is ever faithful!) (Note: God promises to be a personal God to
the seed of Abraham. Friend, it is a blessing to serve a God that
desires a personal relationship with the likes of you and me! I praise
His name that my walk with Him does not hinge on what you do! It
is personal and it is everlasting! What a blessing!)
C. V. 15-22 Concerning His Future - God's promise to Abraham is
extended to Sarai also. She is to have this child of promise and she
is to be the mother of multitudes. Her name is also changed from
"Sarai", which means "My Princess" to "Sarah", which means
"Princess". When Abraham hears this he laughs. It is not a laugh
of doubt, but of joy at what the Lord is about to do in his life. He is
so excited thinking about the power of God that he prayers for God
to bless Ishmael also. This prayer is heard and answered by the
Lord! (Note: Here is a man who was looking at a bleak future when
the day began. Now he is thrilled by the possibilities. I just want to
remind us this evening that no cause os hopeless when it involves
the Lord. Your future is as bright as the size of your faith! When
we involve God in the situations of our lives, the impossible becomes
immediately possibly, John 6:1-13. Remember the God we serve
holds today and tomorrow in His hands, and He is greater than
both!)
III. V. 9-14; 23-27 THIS GOD'S NEW REQUIREMENT
A. V. 9-11 The Nature Of This Requirement - Here, Abraham and all
his descendants are required to be circumcised. They were to be
identified as followers of the Lord by a mark in their bodies.
Submitting to circumcision was a statement that "this person is part
of the Abrahamic covenant, and the promises of God are his."
This mark was both painful and private. Whether anyone else
knew of it or not, the person circumcised and the Lord knew about
it. (Note: You and I are not required to do this to be followers of the
Lord today. However, the New Testament speaks of a "circumcision of the heart" that must be performed before a
person can enter in to a personal relationship with Almighty God, Rom. 2:28-29; Gal. 5:6; Col. 2:11; Gal. 6:15.)
B. V. 12-13 The Nationality Of This Requirement - Every male in the
nation of Israel, whether they were young or old, bond or free were
required to observe this rite, if they were to be allowed to be part of
this covenant of promise. Without it, they were left out. (Note:
While physical circumcision is not required for a relationship with the
Lord, spiritual circumcision is! Without it, not person can ever hope
to enter the presence of God, or go to Heaven when they die, John
3:3; John 14:6. Ill. God's perfect, precious plan of salvation!)
C. V. 14; 23-27 The Necessity Of This Requirement - Without being
circumcised, no one could enter into this covenant relationship with
the Lord. They were to be cut off from the people. They were out
of the covenant. (Note: As has already been said, spiritual
circumcision is necessary for a relationship with God. This is
accomplished only through coming to Jesus Christ by faith.) (Note:
Many in our day think that rituals are still how one approaches God.
Nothing could be farther from the truth! Works can never save the
soul, Eph. 2:8-9! It takes faith to please God, always has and
always will, Heb. 11:6! It took faith to follow God and carry out this
command, which Abraham did without hesitation, v. 23-27!) (Note:
Have you experienced that spiritual circumcision that forever
changes your life and your destination?)
Conc: I am thankful this evening that we serve a God Who is interested in
His people. I am thankful that when we exercise minute faith in His Word,
that He honors that with blessings which cannot be calculated for value. I
wonder, what are you trusting Him for this evening? Is there a dark spot on
your today or on your future? Let me just remind you that we serve a God
Who keeps His Word! What He has promised that will He do! Bring it to
Him, fall down before Him and worship Him like Abraham did and He will
bless your life!
