Good evening.  Tonight we are going to continue with our look at the book of Genesis.  Now I now that some of you may have some thanksgiving dinners to go and prepare, so we will try and get through these next 2 chapters as quickly as we can.

Before we get started though, let’s open with a word of prayer.

As we begin, how do you reassure someone that your word is good?

Well, let’s go ahead and get started with our first chapter.  To begin tonight we will take a look at chapter 15.  If I could get whoever has the first 2 keys to go ahead and read them at this time, that would be great.  (READ)

What is it that Abram fears the most?  (Verses 1,3,8 (offspring))

In adopting a servant as an heir, is Abram demonstrating his faithfulness or his lack of faith?  And how does God feel about it?  (Verses 4-7, 9-21)

Okay, now God said it once back in chapter 12 verses 2, 3, and 7.  He even went on to say it a second time in chapter 13 verses 14 through 17.  Why does God remind Abram again about giving him descendants that can’t be counted and the fact that they would be a blessing to all?  (We all need reassurance once and a while.)

Well, as we look at this chapter, there are a few things that I would like to point out.  Abram’s reward wan not the applause of the people he rescued, but the approval of the God he served.  This is the first of many “fear not’s” in the Bible.  Fear after a battle is not unusual, but fear and faith cannot live very long in the same heart.  In fact, in Matthew 8:26 Jesus says, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid…”  So after a while in the same heart, fear begins to take over and faith begins to be lacking.  But as we look at Abram in this chapter, his fears were quieted by 3 revelations from God.

First, what God is.  Right there in verse 1, God lets Abram know what He is to him.  He is Abram’s shield and great reward.  In our lives, it is the same as well.  God is our protection and provision, so we need not fear the enemy that is around us, or the feelings that are within us.  With Him we have everything, without Him, nothing we have is sufficient.  So the first revelation that God gave to Abram, was what God is.

Second, is what God says.  In verses 2-7, first Abram looked at himself and realized just how old he was getting.  Then he looked at his steward, Eliezer, and though that perhaps God could use him.  But then God told him to stop looking at himself and others, and start looking up to God.  So from this, we all gain the understanding that we need to stop trying to solve things ourselves.  We need to stop looking at ourselves and others, and begin looking only to God for the answers.  First God revealed what He was, and now God has shown Abram what He has to say.

Finally, is what God does.  In the rest of the chapter, we get a glimpse at what God does for Abram.  God sealed His promise with a covenant in the same way that He sealed all of His promises in the past.  In those days, to walk between the divided parts of an animal was a way to seal an agreement.  But in this case, God was the only one to pass between the pieces.  Abram was asleep.  You see, all of God’s covenants are about grace, and our works are only evidence of our faith.  So, first God revealed what He is, then He gave Abram what He said, and finally, He is revealed in what He does.

Now I have a few more questions to help us to apply this passage more to our lives.  So let’s take a look at them.  First, in what area of your life do you need God to say, “Do not be afraid.  I am your shield, and your great reward.”?

The Lord speaks frequently to Abram.  Does God speak to you, and how?

And finally, where in your life are you longing for some certainty?

Does anyone have anything that they would like to add about this passage?

Okay, let’s move on to the next chapter and get through it so that you can all go home and start cooking for tomorrow.  Let me start by asking a couple of questions.  First, about how old where you when you had your first child?

And now, when things are going on in your life, where do you like to go to get away from it all?

Well, let’s go ahead and read that next chapter.  Whoever has that last key go ahead and read that chapter for us please.  (READ)

Though God had promised Abram a son, Abram and Sarai were now 85 and 75 year old.  In this story, they decided to practice a common custom of their time in order to have children.  They sought out someone else to have the baby for them.

What is it that you think drove Sarai to this course of action?

How and why did the plan backfire?

As we look at the problem that arose between Sarai and Hagar, what do you think is the root of that problem?

At this time, I would like to read to you what it has to say in one of my commentaries.  It said, “Faith and patience always go together (Heb. 6:12, James 1:1-5).  Isaiah declared, “Whoever believes will not act hastily” in Isa. 28:16.  We must trust God not only for His plan but also for His timing.  Before He could send the promised son, God had to wait until Abram and Sarai were as good as dead.  Sarai leaned on human understanding instead of God’s promises (Prov. 3:5-6).  She trusted in a woman from Egypt instead of the God from Heaven.

Sarai was not a strong believer, but she was a capable blamer.  She blamed God for her barrenness, then blamed Abram when Hagar created problems in the home.  The wisdom from God is pure and peaceable, but the wisdom of the flesh is always divisive (James 3:13-18).  Abram abdicated his spiritual leadership in the home, and the result was confusion.

When we walk by sight and not by faith, we get impatient; we scheme and blame others.  Then when things go wrong, we try to get rid of our mistakes.  God sent Hagar and Ishmael back to Abram and Sarai, and they had to live with their mistake for at least another 17 years.

Abram and Sarai greatly wronged Hagar, and they suffered for it; but God stepping in and cared for her and her son.  Abram obeyed God and gave the appointed name to his son: “Ishmael, which means God shall hear.”  Had Abram and Sarai waited on God instead of running ahead of God, they would have avoided all that pain.”

Now, as we close this evening, I have just a few more questions.  What do you feel is the central lesson in this passage?

Okay, in what areas of your life are you tempted to be the most impatient?

And finally, how do you cope with delays?

Does anyone have anything that they would like to add about this chapter?

Well, if there is nothing else, I will close us with a word of prayer, and then for next week be ready to discuss chapters 17 and 18.

Let’s Pray