I.
The Confirmation Of The Covenant– (Genesis 15:7-21) – In response to Abraham’s faith
(verse 6), God entered into a covenant with him, assuring him while revealing
still more of the meaning of the divine promises concerning him and his seed.
A. The Foundation Of The Covenant – (verse 7) – The basis of the covenant was
God’s character and revelation to Abraham. On this foundation everything else
rested.
1. How was it introduced? – By the announcement of the divine name: “I
am Jehovah.” – This is the all of all. God’s unchanging
presence and character.
2. Then came the reminder of what God had already done for Abraham
– “That
brought thee out of
3. Then came the renewal of the divine purpose. “To give this land, to inherit it.” God again reminds Abraham of His divine purpose.
B. The Desire For The Covenant – (verse 8) – Abraham met this new assurance of
God with an earnest desire for a proof.
1. Abraham sought for knowledge and assurance. “Whereby shall I know?” He
desired an outward guarantee.
2. But his attitude was one of belief.
a. Because he believed, he had a desire for confirmation.
b. He believed God’s Word, but wondered how and when it
could be fulfilled.
c. To illustrate this, we can go to the New Testament and
see two accounts of revelation, both with almost the same words, but a contrast
in faith.
1. First of all, let’s go to the account of Zacharias, as
the angel was revealed to Zacharias that his wife, Elizabeth would have a
child:
Luke
2. Notice the words are almost
identical to the words of Abraham. Now, let’s look at the account of the virgin Mary.
Luke
3. Now let’s notice the
attitudes behind these similar words:
a. Mary: “Be it unto me according to Thy Word.” (Luke 1:38)
b. Zacharias: “And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak…
because thou believest not
My Words… “ (Luke 1:20)
c. Abraham: “And He counted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis
15:6)
C. The Preparation Of The Blood Covenant – (verses. 9&10) – God gave instructions, “Take for Me an heifer…” Abraham then proceeded with the requirements of a covenant. “Took… divided.” – (Leviticus 1:6). Having divided the animals, he places the pieces opposite each other, and one bird opposite to the other, leaving a pathway between them.
1. This was the customary
form of agreement or contract. Two parties
walking in procession,
signifying their agreement. (Jeremiah 34:18).
2. Underlying idea –
covenant by means of sacrifice.
3. The blood covenant
was a well known method in Abraham’s time
for
making an agreement.
D. The Obedience Of The
Covenant – (verses 11&12) - Faithfulness
– Abraham did all that he was instructed. (The attitude to receive from
God).
1. Kept watch.
2. Kept away the birds of
prey.
E. The Message Of The Covenant
– (verses13-16) – A revelation of four
parts
now is given to Abraham telling
him of events to come – things his seed will experience.
1. His seed to
experience persecution – (verse 13) –
Three elements in this
was: 1. Exile, 2. Bondage,
3. Affliction. Remember Abraham is a type of
the consecrated believer.
2. His seed to witness
great power. God was going to show all of those in
3. Abraham himself is to
experience great peace – (verse 15).
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…”
4. He is called to
exercise patience. (vs. 16).
Romans
will comes the divine
assurance in the form of a covenant.
1. Symbolic actions –
(verse 17) –
a. A cylindrical firepot and a fiery torch to symbolize the presence of God. (Exodus
19). (
b. The symbol of God passing between the animals
ratifying the covenant.
2. Divine Assurance. (verse. 18-20) – God now reveals the precise
limits of the land promised to Abraham.
a. It seems pretty clear that
the two rivers referred to are a wadi in West Israel, and the Euphrates, thus
giving boundaries to the Holy Land that have never yet been realized.
b.
God’s promises still await their fulfillment will be realized during the
Millennium
II. Justification by Faith or Works -
Justification is an important concept in God’s plan. Questions that can come up are, “How am I
justified?”; “When am I justified?”; “Who does the justifying?”; or “What do I
have to do to be justified?”
To be justified means: to stand before God in a state of
righteousness. Just before the
Reformation, Martin Luther struggled with these questions, and finally broke
away from the Catholic Church
1. Martin Luther before he left the Roman Catholic church, was a
dedicated servant of the Roman Catholic Church and was taught Justification by
works - but had no peace
a. Did many hours of pentence so God would forgive him of
his sins
b. Was so afraid to take communion because he thought he
was not worth - many hours in confession:
2. He was saved by
reading Paul's Epistles - Didn't understand James Epistle
Romans
5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ:
3. His confusion
a. Romans
Romans
b. James
James
c. Both Scriptures
use the same Greek word for justified - 1344 dikaiow dikaioo dik-ah-yo’-o
d. Seemingly the
same context
1. Romans 4:3 -
Abraham being Justified
Romans 4:3 For what
saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for
righteousness.
2. James
James 2:21 Was not
Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon
the altar?
e. Does the Bible
contradict itself?
1. When does Paul
say Abraham was justified?
Romans 4:2 For if
Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof
to glory; but not before God.
Romans 4:3 For what
saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for
righteousness.
Abraham was justified when he believed
2. When does James
say Abraham was justified?
James 2:21 Was
not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son
upon the altar?
Abraham was justified when he offered
Isaac upon the altar
f. A lesson in
interpretation.
1. While at first is looks like the context of the passage
in Romans and the context of the passage in James are the same,
2. And using the same word for “justified”,
3. But, they are different concerning when Abraham
was justified.
4. The word dikaiow has two meanings
a. To be declared righteous
b. To show one to be righteous
5. We need the context to determine the meaning in each
passage
g. Faith without
Works is Dead
1. James 2:14-24
2. Romans 3:23- 5:2
h. Abraham's Works
Sealed or Vindicated his Justification – Romans
i. Important
Exhortations about Justification in Paul's Epistle to the Galatians
1. If we are of faith, we have the same promise
as children of Abraham -
Galatians 3:6-9
2. Admonishes to
Stand fast in your liberty- Galatians 5:1-6
j. Definition of
Justification – Two meanings, we have to look at the context to know author’s
intension for the meaning of the word used.
1344 dikaiow dikaioo dik-ah-yo’-o
from 1342; TDNT-2:211,168; v
AV-justify 37, be freed 1, be righteous 1, justifier 1; 40
1) to render righteous or such he ought to be
2) to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as
he is and wishes himself to be considered
3) to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or
such as he ought to be
1. An idea to help God out – (vs. 1-3) – The idea came originally from Sarah.
The long wait was trying, but we
have to also consider that came yielded at
the first mention. Important
facts:
a. It had not yet been
revealed that Sarah was to be the Mother of the
promised seed.
b. Hagar, as bond slave, was her
mistress’s personal property. Any child
born to her would belong to her
mistress, not to her.
c. There was evident faith in
Sarah’s suggestion. She believed God’s promise to Abraham.
d. This was a common practice in
Sarah’s time.
e. Even though Sarah’s motive
was good and genuine, and even involved
self-sacrifice, the proposal was
wrong.
1. Wrong against God – Whose Word had been given, and Whose time
had not yet come.
2. Wrong against Abraham – Leading him out of the path of waiting on
God’s perfect timing.
3. Wrong against Hagar – Did not recognize her rights or individuality in
the matter.
4. Wrong against Sarah
herself – robbing from her a high
privilege, as well
as leading to disobedience.
2. The Result – (vs. 4-6) – The outcome of Abraham’s action is soon seen in the effects:
a. Pride – Hagar’s insolence was natural, and even
though her reproach of her mistress was insolent, it was also inevitable.
b. Jealousy – Now Sarah blames Abraham, an unfair attitude, stating,
“My wrong be upon you.”
c. Misery – Abraham was powerless in this situation because Hagar
belonged to Sarah. Not being able to interfere, he had to say, “do as it
pleases you.”
d. Injustice – This came upon Hagar, and Sarah “dealt with her hardly.”
Hagar was again a slave, but with treatment she had never experienced before.
B. The Intervention – (vs. 7-12) – Man is
seen miserable and suffering, by not waiting for God’s perfect timing - God intervenes, with His grace.
1. “The angel found her” – God had not overlooked what had happened and now
intervenes in order to bring the best possible results after the error and sin
of His children.
2. Submission (vs. 8, 9) – The divine command was that she should return and submit herself. Sarah was still Hagar’s mistress. This submission was the first step toward blessing in her life.
3. It is the same today. If we
find ourselves in mistakes the way back is complete submission to the will
of God.
4. Assurance of a blessing – God always accompanies His call of submission with a promise. God promises to
bless Hagar’s seed.
C. The far reaching effects of a believer not
waiting on the Lord
1. Not waiting on God’s timing is the worst thing that can happen - It very often has wide spread effects. Islam is of course traced back to Abraham’s mistake.
2. This leaves us with two principles:
a. We must wait on God’s
timing. God’s will must be realized in
God’s way. The union of faith
and patience. (Hebrews 6:12).
b. A close relationship with
God. - discernment would have detected
the
danger in Sarah’s suggestion. The protection against this type of error
1. Communication between God and
His servant.
2. Prayer and diligent - study
of the Word.
IV. The Covenant
Renewed – (Genesis 17) – Now, 13 years
after the trouble with Hagar, Abraham is
99 years old. These 13 years were undoubtedly spent in waiting on the Lord. Now
the Lord reveals Himself to Abraham again.
A. El Shaddai – “I am the Almighty God.” first mention – root “power and ability.”
1. New Responsibility – “Walk before Me and be thou perfect.” (Maybe a hint that Abraham was satisfied with Ishmael and no longer anxious about the seed of promise?)
2. Result – “Abraham fell on his face.”
3. Privilege – “God talked with him.”
4. Assurance – “My covenant is with thee.” God reminds Abraham of an
already existent covenant and then continues by adding some more of the up coming events of this new covenant.
5. Promises of this new
revelation (vs. 4-8).
a. Abraham himself.
b. The land.
c. His seed.
6. Comparison of growth in
events.
a. chapter 13 – “As the dust of
the earth.”
b. chapter 15 – “As the stars of
heaven.”
c. chapter 17 – “Many nations.”
B. Requirements – (vs. 9-14) – Abraham is now told his part in the matter. Notice what he had to do was to obey God’s Word. This is another illustration that shows God’s covenant is one sided. God is the giver; man is the receiver, not the equal. There seems to be four ideas associated with the ordinance of circumcision:
1. Designation – as belonging
to God.
2. Separation – unto him.
3. Believing His Word
4. Possession by Him – (lead
by the Spirit.)
C. Sign of the covenant – circumcision – Abraham’s sign of obedience to God’s
Word. The church is also called obedience by the Abrahamic Covenant because we
are children of Abraham. The Apostle Paul tells us:
of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7)
1. The Apostle Paul also tells
us concerning circumcision,
and how the Gospel of Christ calls us to circumcision. Speaking of Christ he
writes:
Colossians 2:9-12. “For in him
dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him,
which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised
with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the
sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism,
wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation
of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
2. The Apostle Paul not only
tells us that we are justified by faith just like Abraham, but that Abraham was
also preached the same gospel.
Galatians 3:8, 9 “And the
scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached
before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be
blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”.
name is now changed.
1. Abram means “exalted
father,’ – whereas Abraham means “father of a
multitude.”
2. Sarah means “queen of
princes” or “mother of princes” and is the
feminine of Sar, whereas
Sarai means, “princely.”
3. Now is the first time Sarah
is named as the Mother of the promised
seed. God’s promises become more detailed as time goes on.
E. Abraham’s immediate response – (vs. 17,
18) – He receives the new revelation of God with reverence, and yet we can
detect a little trustful astonishment.
1. Appeal for Ishmael – Ishmael has grown to be a boy of 13 and naturally won a
spot in his father’s heart.
2. God told Abraham that Ishmael was not the promised seed.
3. God promised Abraham that Ishmael would become a great nation.
F. The Obedience Of Abraham – When this period of communication with God ended, Abraham
acted in obedience in the circumcision of Ishmael, all his house, and those
bought with money.
V. The Ministry Of Intercession – One of the most important and blessed factors of a
believer’s walk is the duty of intercession.
1. The Appearance of Jehovah – God once again appeared to Abraham. only
this time not in a dream or vision, but in person along with two angels.
2. Abraham’s hospitality – God and the angels had the appearance of men.
Abraham washed their feet,
killed a calf, Sarah cooked dinner for them
and they “did eat.”
B. The Promise Repeated – The question: “Where is Sarah, thy wife?” showed that the travelers knew her name and the words that followed told him who the speaker was. (vs. 10)
1. The Lord told Abraham that
Sarah would have a son.
2. Sarah, overhearing them, laughed
at the thought of a 90 years old woman having a baby.
3. God heard Sarah laugh and spoke these tremendous Words:
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
C. God’s confidence in
Abraham – (vs. 16-19) God’s friends are
permitted to know God’s secrets… because they are God’s friends.
D. The secret told to Abraham – (vs. 20, 21) – The Lord told Abraham that He
and the angels had come down to
earth to destroy the cities of
1. Going to be destroyed because “their sin is very grievous.”
2. The sin of homosexuality
never has been tolerated by God and never will be
E. Abraham’s Intercession – He was not so
much concerned about
1. Abraham was confused that the
destruction of
2. Abraham did the right thing. He
told God about it.
F. God’s Encouragement – Each time, the prayer had a divine response: “And the
Lord said,” God’s Word is the compliment and response to our petitions.
1. “If I find… I will spare.”
– If God could find 50 righteous, He would
spare the place “For their sakes.” God’s response showed Abraham that there is
power and influence in asking God.
2. Deep Humility – (vs. 27) – Abraham
used a meiosis, a belittling of one thing to magnify another.
3. “Peradventure there should
lack five of the righteous…” Six times
Abraham intercedes for the wicked cities. Persistence in prayer is one of the
most important teachings. (Romans 12:12) Six times God responded – it is always
that way. God responds as long as we ask. Notice the progression:
“Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one
that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it
shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7, 8
5. Abraham’s Limitation – probably stopped out of ignorance.
a. Ignorance of the extent
of
b. Ignorance of the extent
of God’s longsuffering and mercy.
c. It has been said,
“Abraham stopped asking before God stopped giving.
d. Our Lord’s pleading
on our behalf knows no limitation:
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession
for them.” Hebrews 7:25
F. Lot’s Preservation – Directly connected with Abraham’s intercession. Abraham saved his nephew twice:
1. Once by the sword –
chapter 15
2. Once by supplication –
chapter 18
VI. Sin In The Believer - The Story
Of Lot - (Genesis 19) – Started well,
but closed his life in failure and
disaster.
A. The Place Of The Angels – (vs. 1-3) – While
God remained with Abraham, the two angels journeyed to
1. They meet
2.
3. Angels declined at
first, but finally gave into
“Abide in the street all night.”
4. They yielded and
accepted
B. The Sin Of The City –
1.
2. His defense was worthless –
The people had not been influenced by him not to do evil.
3. Pleading with his sons-in-law
–
4. Warnings – story of
a. First he chose selfishly.
b. Then he pitched his tent
toward
c. Then he entered in.
d. Finally he occupied a
position of chief responsibility.
5. The man who attempted to
compromise with principle was:
a. hated of
b. Lost his personal peace.
c. His testimony was
paralyzed.
d. He was an example to the city or his sons-in-law toward
righteousness.
C. The Escape Of
1. The Pull Of The World – with judgment in sight, he lingered.
a. Only saved as the angel
practically forced him out.
b. He made selfish arrangements
for the future, pleading to go to Zoar. It was permitted.
2. Righteous
D. Divine Judgment – Due to compromise
1. Judgment did not fall until
the cup of iniquity was full.
2.
3. The Sodomites’ attitude
toward these visitors caused the flames to come.
4. Another evil result of
E. The Secret Of
Genesis 19:29 “And it came to pass, when God destroyed the
cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst
of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.”
F. A Sad Story – The final effects of the failure of
1. Lot’s daughters, no doubt from living in the environment of
2.
VII. An Old Sin Repeated – Abraham journeyed south and made his abode
in Gerar. The people living there were
warlike people, later known as Philistines. As Abraham approached, an old fear
hit him again. Abraham again practiced the dishonesty with regard to Sarah that
brought him into trouble in
A. Abimelech, king of Gerar, acting on the info about Sarah, took Sarah with the
intention of making her his wife.
B. The Lord intervened
to save Sarah.
C. Through a dream, God
warned Abimelech of his peril.
D. Abimelech immediately knew it was God and his
“not guilty” plea, probably had a remembrance of God’s destruction of
E. The Rebuke – It is sad when a man of God has to be rebuked by a man
of the world. There are points to Abraham’s statement that he used to try to
justify his action.
1. He thought there was no fear
of God in Abimelech’s land. (vs. 11)
2. Sarah was really his sister –
that is, half sister. By suppressing the truth,
he suggested plainly that it was
false.
3. It was an old covenant
between Abraham and Sarah.
(vs.13) Shows a believer must stay in fellowship with God or the old sins have
a habit of cropping up and can bring along with them, destruction.
F. The Results – (vs. 17, 18) – In answer to prayer, God’s blessing came
down upon Abimelech and his household.
1. Sarah’s position as
Abraham’s wife was restored – and she
would still be
the instrument of fulfilling
God’s promised seed.
2. God’s protection of Abraham – mercy overruled his sin.
IX. Applications – Of the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses
and
A. Let’s consider the meaning
and message of this covenant.
1. God’s Action – God only, passed through the pieces and not Abraham.
a. This points out that a divine
covenant is not a mutual agreement on equal terms between parties, but a divine
promise assured and ratified by means of a visible pledge of its fulfillment.
b. This of course,
takes the divine covenant out of the category of all similar human agreements.
2. The Human Attitude –
What then is man’s part in the covenant? - a recipient. God gives – Abraham
takes. The believer, which is the antitype of Abraham should,
a.
Like Abraham, respond to the covenant by believing God’s Word, weather it makes
sense or not. We believe it because it
was God Who said it;
b.
Like Abraham, seek God’s guidance through testing, believing Him through the
sanctifying stage and waiting for His timing, So that we are justified, and
bear fruit
Eternal Covenants of God with |
|
Abrahamic Covenant |
Expansion Covenants |
Promise of A (Land) Genesis 12:1; 13:14-15 & 17 |
Palestinian Covenant – gave Deuteronomy 30:3-5; Ezekiel 20:33-37, 42-44 |
Promise of Redemption – National and Universal – (Blessing) Genesis 12:3; |
New Covenant – Jeremiah 31:31-40; Hebrews 8:6-13 |
Promise of Numerous Descendants – A Great Nation (Seed) Genesis 12:3; |
Davidic Covenant – Dynasty, Nation, Throne forever II Samuel 7:11, 13, 16 Jeremiah 33:20 & 21; 31:35-37 |
Christ
and the Gentiles – Based not on birth but rather rebirth Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God,
and it was accounted to him for righteousness. {accounted: or, imputed} Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they
which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing
that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel
unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of
faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Galatians
3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according
to the promise. |
B. The picture of God as the guest of Abraham is
a type of the spiritual relationship between the believer and God of the New
Testament. It is truly an unspeakable privilege to have God as our
guest:
John
And once again in the New
testament we find:
Revelation
1. Knowledge Of His Will – Fellowship with God is always associated with the
knowledge of His will. Servants
do not know their master’s purposes, but friends do. Our Lord taught this
plainly:
John
Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
2. If we do not pray for
others, we actually sin against God! Notice Samuel’s
teaching:
I Samuel
Our Christian life will never
really be strong until we make intercessory prayer a predominant feature of our
daily lives.
3. . The conditions
needed to be met for intercessory prayer.
a. We can only intercede
in proportion as we abide in close fellowship with
God:
John 15:7 “If ye abide in me,
and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto
you.”
b. Ask in the Lord’s
Name. This is more than just using His name, but
praying in union with
Christ, in all that we know of His will.
John
Father may be glorified in
the son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.”
c. Pray in the Spirit
Ephesians
C. The story of
At this time, Abraham still lacked an heir. He
exercised very little control over the land. But his faith, in spite of his
deficiencies of character was genuine and unconditional. Abraham’s deflections
from faith did not occur in the greater things of his life, but in the small.
It is often the failure to allow God to undertake in the small matters that a
Christian falls, by depending on self.
Both the story of
II Peter 2:7 “And delivered
just
He also talked of
1. Man’s sin. When Divine restraints are lifted, there is almost no
limit to human degeneracy.
2. God’s Judgment. There is probably no fact in God’s universe more certain
than God is not, cannot nor will not be indifferent to sin.
3. God’s Mercy. From the story it might not seem that
a. His weakness amounted to wickedness and yet, again and
again,
b. God saved him.
c. Is there anything as wonderful
as the mercy that waits on us, follows us, hedges our path, and does everything
except actually compel us to stay away from ruin?
B. Lessons from
1. His first danger was
from things lawful. It wasn’t a bad desire for good
and for his flocks. The
sin came from putting prosperity first. “It is not
wrong to have
possessions, it is only wrong to let possessions have us.”
2. Compromise – He
pitched his tent toward Sodom, but soon
entered the
city and stayed there.
3. Worldliness – He did testify and showed genuine
hospitality but:
a. His character was weak.
b. His life was essentially
selfish from the time he chose the best part of the land until he offered his
daughters to the Sodomites.
II Peter 2:8 “…vexed his
righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds…”
Those that put God second are the most miserable.
4. He lacked independence. He was in good shape, as long as his uncle
was around. It is like that today with some Christians. By putting your trust
in a man instead of Jesus will fail every time. When the “prop” falls, the weak
Christian falls.
1. He believed God’s Word
a. Was God’s friend
b. God revealed secrets to him,
so he knew how to pray
c. Deliver weaker servants of
God
d. God was his shield and reward
2. Danger of sin in the life
of the believer.
a. Danger to himself by not
waiting on God’s perfect timing
b. Danger to fellow believers –
what a terrible influence on Sarah! Younger, weaker Christians can be led into
sin when they see that sin in a believer.
c. Danger to the world – The sin
of a child of God dishonors God and prevents the world from being impressed
with the Divine Character of God.
The promise is clear. “Sin shall have no dominion over you.”
God’s provision is through the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Ghost.
This provides eternal victory. But on the other hand, God’s provision must be
used by the believer. We are to:
Galatians
Galatians
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves
servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom
ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Full surrender to the Holy Ghost will keep the inner being sensitive to the temptations of sin. We then would be conscious of Satan’s devises and continue to yield ourselves to the incoming, full possession and manifesting the power of the Holy Ghost boldness to be an example to the unbeliever. In this, the power overflows. Jesus said:
John 7:37-39 “In the last
day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any
man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the
scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But
this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for
the Holy Ghost was not yet given;
because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
Notice particularly the words, “out of.” The power is to flow out of
the believer. - It is not enough that God has the power; His people must have
it, too. God’s servants are more than empty channels, they are vessels. Jesus
gave His disciples power to heal the sick and to cast out demons (Matthew
10:1).
Believers need and can have
this same power today through the fullness of God’s Spirit.
We need the fullness of the
Spirit for spiritual warfare.
Ephesians
Notice that spiritual
weapons are provided for us:
II Corinthians 3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not
war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but
mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge
of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…”
There is no substitute for the Holy Ghost. He who refuses or resists Him is helpless.
“…greater is he that is in you, than he that
is in the world.” I John 4:4
Remember, Abraham’s problems
did not come from failure to believe God for the greater things in his life, but
rather in the application of the principles of faith to the smaller things, and
waiting for God’s perfect timing. Today the believer can have the power over
the small things as well as the large thins with a close relationship with the
Lord Jesus Christ, power that flows out.
Abraham Not
Waiting on God Was Wrong
For Everyone
Involved
|
1. Wrong against God – Whose Word
had been given, and Whose perfect timing Abraham had not waited for. |
2. Wrong against Abraham – Leading
him out of the path of waiting on God’s perfect timing. |
3. Wrong against Hagar – Did not recognize her
individuality in the matter. |
4. Wrong against Sarah herself – robbing
from her a high privilege, as well as leading to disobedience. |
The outcome of
Abraham’s action is soon seen in the effects: |
1. Pride – Hagar’s insolence was natural,
and even though her reproach of her mistress was insolent, it was also
inevitable. |
2. Jealousy – Now Sarah blames Abraham, an
unfair attitude, stating, “My wrong be upon you.” |
3. Misery – Abraham was powerless in this
situation because Hagar belonged to Sarah. Not being able to interfere, he
had to say, “do as it pleases you.” |
d. Injustice – This came upon Hagar, and Sarah
“dealt with her hardly.” Hagar was again a slave, but with treatment she had
never experienced before. |
Differences in Believers - Except for II Peter
2:7-8, we would hardly credit
|
Abram - Type of the Fully Consecrated Believer |
Endeavoring to stand well with God, but compromising with
Sodom |
A Friend of God |
Although 'righteous' he is yet living by sight. - seeking
his own advantage. |
Acceptance of God's promises - Hope |
II Peter 2:7 “…
vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:” |
God visited him and talked to him – Revealed secrets to
him |
II Peter 2:8
“…vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful
deeds…” |
Had the honor of intercessory prayer on behalf of Sodom
and Lot |
II Peter 2:6
“...an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;” |
Genesis 18:19 For I
know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, …..
“ |
No Testimony either
to his family, friends, or to |
Testimony to the world |
Delivered from Destruction |
Sanctified through testing |
Legacy – Genesis |
Legacy – Known as friend of God to this day, father of
many nations |