2. 132-4
0-16
1-15

3. 10 years of “nothing”
No Child
Cynical
Doubtful
No Land
No Nation

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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