Sermons from October 2014
Praying in the Midst of Promises and Problems
Abraham and Sarah extend hospitality to three divine visitors, where the promise is reaffirmed again. Sarah thinks it’s funny. At the same time, judgment is coming down on Sodom, where Lot lives, and Abraham bargains with God about these things. This will not include much reflection on the final chapter of Lot’s story, which ends with all the typical messiness of those whose lives are turned upside down by loss and grief. How do we live, like Abraham, as a…
Tangible Signs
Here we encounter a third and more specific outline of both God’s covenant promises and the demands laid upon Abram. The reality of the promise will be physically signified in the arrival of the much-anticipated child (‘seed’) of promise. The acceptance of the covenant is tangibly signified through the human activity of circumcision. In the midst of this, God gives new names to this couple: Abraham and Sarah. Woah. What’s up with this? What is God doing here and what…
Human Means for Divine Ends
When Abram and Sarai grow old (Genesis 16:1-18), they begin to think it’s time to take measures into their own hands. This move was culturally appropriate, but God had different plans for achieving his purposes. In the midst of this, God reveals Himself as “The God who sees” to the servant Hagar. What does it mean to wait on the Lord to accomplish His purposes as opposed to living out “God helps those who help themselves”? (Genesis 16:1-18) Sermon Outline…
The Commitment of God
In Genesis 15:1-21, God makes a promise to Abram in Genesis 12 that leads into a deeper covenant agreement in Genesis 15. This message will explore the themes of covenant, what its significance is for us, and how we can also lean on the promises of God. There must be some attention given to Genesis 15:6 – “So Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” What does it look like to have an enduring faith…