132-4 0-16 1-15

10 years of “nothing” No Child Cynical Doubtful No Land No Nation

I. Encounter with God #1 – Offspring (v.1-5) A. God’s Promise (I am Statement) –v.1 1. Fear not, Abram 2. I am your shield 3. Your reward shall be very great

I. Encounter with God #1 – Offspring (v.1-5) A. God’s Promise (I am Statement) –v.1 B. Abram’s Doubt – v.2-3 1. Respect 2. Honesty a) I don’t see the reward b) Maybe I got it wrong

I. Encounter with God #1 – Offspring (v.1-5) A. God’s Promise (I am Statement) –v.1 B. Abram’s Doubt – v.2-3 C. God’s Reassurance – v.4 1. This man shall not be your heir 2. Your very own son will be your heir

I. Encounter with God #1 – Offspring (v.1-5) A. God’s Promise (I am Statement) –v.1 B. Abram’s Doubt – v.2-3 C. God’s Reassurance – v.4 D. God’s Sign – v.5 1. Look up at the stars 2. So shall your offspring be

II. Abram’s Response – v.6 A. Abram Believed B. God Counted it as Righteousness Romans 4 Galatians 3 James 2 Abraham justified not by works but by faith alone All those of faith are truly sons of Abraham Abraham was justified by believing God’s promise Abraham justified before circumcision As sons of Abraham the blessings are ours, too Abraham’s faith was proven true by his obedience Abraham’s justification serves as an forerunner of our justification

III. Encounter with God #2 – Land (v.7-21) A. God’s Promise (I am Statement) – v.7 1. I am the LORD who brought you out 2. To give you this land to possess

III. Encounter with God #2 – Land (v.7-21) A. God’s Promise (I am Statement) – v.7 B. Abram’s Doubt – v.8 1. Respect 2. Honest Question – How will I know?

III. Encounter with God #2 – Land (v.7-21) A. God’s Promise (I am Statement) – v.7 B. Abram’s Doubt – v.8 C. God’s Reassurance – v.12-16 Offspring (Israel) Abraham Personally Sojourners in a foreign land Rest in Peace Afflicted for 400 years (4 generations) Live a long life The fulfillment won’t be until you are gone Persecuting nation judged and Israel leaves with wealth Returns to the land and takes land from Amorites

III. Encounter with God #2 – Land (v.7-21) A. God’s Promise (I am Statement) – v.7 B. Abram’s Doubt – v.8 C. God’s Reassurance – v.12-16 D. God’s Sign – v.9-11; 17-21 1. The “Cutting” of a Covenant 2. The Smoking Fire Pot & Flaming Torch a) A Theophany b) God Walks Alone c) It’s a Big Land

Suffering Before Glory WHAT WE LEARN… A. From Abraham It is better to bring your doubts to God than to nurse them secretly in your heart 2) Faith first; Obedience follows 3) Faith often asks us to wait Suffering Before Glory

WHAT WE LEARN… B. From God He is Patient & Kind a) He is not upset by Abram’s doubts b) He is not quick to judge the Amorites

WHAT WE LEARN… B. From God He is Patient & Kind 2) He ALONE Saves 3) The Future is Not Open

Bless WHAT WE LEARN… C. About Jesus His death on the cross was the extent to which God had to go to keep His covenant Bless Better Covenant Better Sacrifice Better Promises