1 00:00:02,580 --> 00:00:09,360 Aren't you glad you're at church today? 2 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:12,420 Baptisms, the move of the Holy Spirit, man, can I just, 3 00:00:12,420 --> 00:00:14,280 don't you just know He's always moving? 4 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:15,520 He's always moving. 5 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:17,780 You don't have to come here on Sunday 6 00:00:17,780 --> 00:00:19,080 to experience the move of God. 7 00:00:19,080 --> 00:00:20,840 You don't have to come here on Sunday to do that. 8 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:22,920 Now He does do that, and I'm glad when He does, 9 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:25,960 but He will move Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in your lives. 10 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:27,680 I'm gonna tell you right now, I got a lot to share. 11 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:28,880 So I'm going very fast. 12 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:30,440 Get on your horse, you ready to saddle up? 13 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:34,160 Stand with me, we're gonna go to Genesis chapter 17. 14 00:00:34,160 --> 00:00:37,800 And I would like you to read with some gusto this morning. 15 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:38,620 Here we go. 16 00:00:38,620 --> 00:00:44,240 (congregation laughing) 17 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:48,420 When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him 18 00:00:48,420 --> 00:00:51,440 and said, "I am God Almighty. 19 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:55,260 "Walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 20 00:00:55,260 --> 00:00:58,860 "Then I will make my covenant between me and you 21 00:00:58,860 --> 00:01:02,220 "and will greatly increase your numbers." 22 00:01:02,220 --> 00:01:06,280 Abram fell face down and God said to him, 23 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:10,080 "As for me, this is my covenant with you. 24 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:13,240 "You will be the father of many nations. 25 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:16,320 "No longer will you be called Abram. 26 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:18,640 "Your name will be Abraham, 27 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:23,160 "for I have made you a father of many nations. 28 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:25,740 "I will make you very fruitful. 29 00:01:25,740 --> 00:01:30,540 "I will make nations of you and kings will come from you. 30 00:01:30,540 --> 00:01:34,980 "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant 31 00:01:34,980 --> 00:01:39,360 "between me and you and your descendants after you 32 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:41,700 "for the generations to come. 33 00:01:41,700 --> 00:01:48,140 "Every male among you shall be circumcised. 34 00:01:48,140 --> 00:01:51,020 "You are to undergo circumcision 35 00:01:51,020 --> 00:01:53,880 "and it will be the sign of the covenant 36 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:56,360 "between me and you." 37 00:01:56,360 --> 00:02:01,300 God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai, your wife, 38 00:02:01,300 --> 00:02:04,460 "you are no longer to call her Sarai. 39 00:02:04,460 --> 00:02:06,700 "Her name will be Sarah. 40 00:02:06,700 --> 00:02:11,420 "I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. 41 00:02:11,420 --> 00:02:15,960 "I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations. 42 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:19,340 "Kings of people will come from her." 43 00:02:19,340 --> 00:02:21,540 Abraham fell face down. 44 00:02:21,540 --> 00:02:23,940 He laughed and said to himself, 45 00:02:23,940 --> 00:02:28,140 "Will a son be born to a man 100 years old? 46 00:02:28,140 --> 00:02:32,420 "Will Sarah bear a child at the age of 90?" 47 00:02:32,420 --> 00:02:34,600 And Abraham said to God, 48 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,760 "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing." 49 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:43,760 Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son 50 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:46,840 "and you will call him Isaac. 51 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:49,680 "I will establish my covenant with him 52 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:54,320 "as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 53 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,640 "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. 54 00:02:57,640 --> 00:02:59,820 "I will surely bless him. 55 00:02:59,820 --> 00:03:01,720 "I will make him fruitful 56 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,700 "and will greatly increase his numbers. 57 00:03:04,700 --> 00:03:07,840 "He will be father to 12 rulers 58 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:11,160 "and I will make him into a great nation. 59 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,920 "But my covenant I will establish with Isaac 60 00:03:14,920 --> 00:03:19,860 "whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." 61 00:03:19,860 --> 00:03:24,600 On that very day, Abraham took his son Ishmael 62 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,680 and all those born to his household 63 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:29,600 or brought with his money, 64 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:33,860 every male in his household and circumcised them 65 00:03:33,860 --> 00:03:35,060 as God told him. 66 00:03:35,060 --> 00:03:36,960 Father, I thank you for your word. 67 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:38,300 Thank you that it brings truth. 68 00:03:38,300 --> 00:03:41,500 I pray this morning that it would bring transformative truth 69 00:03:41,500 --> 00:03:43,160 to our hearts and our lives 70 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,840 as we explore what you've done in the past 71 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:47,320 and how it connects to our story. 72 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:49,240 In Jesus' name, amen. 73 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:53,940 You are indeed a part of the greatest story ever told 74 00:03:53,940 --> 00:03:57,640 and if you're following along on our Bible reading plan, 75 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:00,240 you will have already read this chapter 76 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:02,240 and the ones leading up to it as well 77 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:05,120 to kind of give some context to where we are. 78 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:08,240 But for those of you who may have forgotten what you've read 79 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:11,320 or have not read, 80 00:04:11,320 --> 00:04:15,040 let me give some context building up to Genesis chapter 17. 81 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:18,400 In Genesis 10 and 11, 82 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:21,360 the nations are scattered at the Tower of Babel 83 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:25,800 and Abram's genealogy is introduced in chapter 10 and 11 84 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:27,640 and he's born into the family of Terah. 85 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:30,160 Now names and families are very important 86 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:31,880 and we're gonna learn a little bit more about that later 87 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:33,680 but names are very important. 88 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:35,580 In Genesis chapter 12, 89 00:04:35,580 --> 00:04:38,120 God calls Abram to leave his homeland 90 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:41,080 and go to the land that he's gonna show him. 91 00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:45,360 He promises Abram land, great nation 92 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:47,720 and a blessing of all the earth. 93 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:49,800 Abram obeys and he travels the Canaan 94 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:51,880 where he builds altars and he worships God. 95 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:56,720 Can I tell you that God will always move in a way 96 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:58,600 of blessing you with more 97 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,040 when you are faithful with the little. 98 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:05,000 So what we see here unfolding in Abram's life 99 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,560 is that God is introducing him to small moments 100 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:10,400 where he can have his yes on the table, 101 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:14,760 where he can obey so God can release in his life 102 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:16,240 more, greater things. 103 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:17,920 In Genesis chapter 13, 104 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:20,360 Abram and his nephew Lot separate 105 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:23,000 due to limited resources that they have 106 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:25,640 and God expands the land promise. 107 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,340 Abram is told his descendants will be as numerous 108 00:05:28,340 --> 00:05:31,640 as the dust on the earth or the sand on the seashore. 109 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:34,760 In other words, your descendants are going to be so many 110 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:36,460 that you can't count them. 111 00:05:36,460 --> 00:05:39,460 That's the type of promises our God makes. 112 00:05:39,460 --> 00:05:43,560 God makes incredible, wonderful, miraculous promises 113 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:45,200 that he does keep. 114 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:48,040 Can you say to your neighbor, God keeps his promises? 115 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:51,780 In Genesis chapter 14, 116 00:05:51,780 --> 00:05:56,780 Abram rescues his nephew Lot from evading kings 117 00:05:56,780 --> 00:05:59,460 and he meets a guy named Melchizedek. 118 00:05:59,460 --> 00:06:03,760 And this is the first time where we see the tithe rendered. 119 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,000 Abraham meets Melchizedek, the priest, 120 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,480 and he renders a tithe, a tenth of what he owns. 121 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:12,640 And I believe in that posture of obedience whenever we, 122 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:14,320 anytime we walk in obedience to the Lord, 123 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:17,220 not just in the tithe, but anytime the Lord continues 124 00:06:17,220 --> 00:06:18,980 to expand his blessing. 125 00:06:18,980 --> 00:06:22,060 In that same chapter, we look and we see how Abram 126 00:06:22,060 --> 00:06:25,940 is not taken by King Sodom, he's taken into the wealth 127 00:06:25,940 --> 00:06:27,680 'cause the King of Sodom came and said, 128 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:30,960 hey, listen, you can have the plunder of everything here. 129 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,940 Abram's response, my provision comes from the Lord. 130 00:06:33,940 --> 00:06:36,580 Can I tell you that your provision comes from the Lord? 131 00:06:36,580 --> 00:06:38,280 Doesn't come from man-made things, 132 00:06:38,280 --> 00:06:40,220 it doesn't come from even your victories, 133 00:06:40,220 --> 00:06:42,600 it comes from the Lord. 134 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:48,260 In Genesis 15, God formally establishes his covenant 135 00:06:48,260 --> 00:06:51,180 with Abram, formally establishes his promise. 136 00:06:51,180 --> 00:06:54,340 And the promise is that he's going to have an offspring 137 00:06:54,340 --> 00:06:57,100 and it's going to come from him, a biological son, 138 00:06:57,100 --> 00:07:00,220 not a servant, will be his heir. 139 00:07:00,220 --> 00:07:05,220 In Genesis 16, I think most of us can find ourselves 140 00:07:05,220 --> 00:07:07,800 in both Abram and Sarai at this point 141 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,500 because we often will go impatient, 142 00:07:10,500 --> 00:07:12,420 waiting on God's promise. 143 00:07:12,420 --> 00:07:15,580 Has anybody ever felt like you gotta help God along? 144 00:07:15,580 --> 00:07:17,120 Need to help you along the way, God? 145 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:19,060 I don't think you've seen everything here, 146 00:07:19,060 --> 00:07:21,940 so let me kinda fashion something or make something happen 147 00:07:21,940 --> 00:07:24,120 so that your blessing can be what it is. 148 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:27,140 And so Abram and Sarai have an idea, they say, 149 00:07:27,140 --> 00:07:29,860 hey, Abram, why don't you sleep with my servant? 150 00:07:29,860 --> 00:07:32,860 And the blessing could come through her. 151 00:07:32,860 --> 00:07:36,720 So Abram sleeps with Hagar and they have Ishmael. 152 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,380 And so, look, God, look what we've done. 153 00:07:39,380 --> 00:07:40,740 Now you can bless us. 154 00:07:40,740 --> 00:07:43,380 Now that we've righted what you've forgotten, God, 155 00:07:43,380 --> 00:07:45,580 you can bless us, right? 156 00:07:45,580 --> 00:07:49,620 And so here we are in chapter 17, 13 years later, 157 00:07:49,620 --> 00:07:52,300 Abraham and Sarai, or Abram and Sarai 158 00:07:52,300 --> 00:07:54,860 have a 13-year-old boy, Ishmael, 159 00:07:54,860 --> 00:07:57,300 to which they think God's gonna convey this promise. 160 00:07:57,300 --> 00:08:02,300 Now, in Genesis chapter 17, I believe that, 161 00:08:02,300 --> 00:08:04,340 anybody here a formula type of person, 162 00:08:04,340 --> 00:08:06,420 like a checklist type, I like a good checklist, 163 00:08:06,420 --> 00:08:07,760 check, check, check, and we're done. 164 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:08,920 Anybody, is that just me? 165 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:13,920 Okay, I believe Genesis chapter 17 is a formula, 166 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:15,820 a form, formulaic, is that a word? 167 00:08:15,820 --> 00:08:19,220 Yeah, formulaic, a checklist type chapter 168 00:08:19,220 --> 00:08:22,680 of how we can be ready to receive God's great promises 169 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,040 for our life if we pay attention, okay? 170 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,820 So Genesis chapter 17, we pick up here, 171 00:08:27,820 --> 00:08:30,680 and they've got this son, Ishmael, 172 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:35,680 and they have fashioned him, or they have made him, 173 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:37,140 and they said, this is going to be 174 00:08:37,140 --> 00:08:39,000 where the blessing's gonna come through, okay? 175 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,020 When this chapter opens, the very first thing that it says 176 00:08:42,020 --> 00:08:45,540 is when Abram was 99 years old. 177 00:08:45,540 --> 00:08:47,460 Is anybody here 99 years old? 178 00:08:47,460 --> 00:08:50,660 Who's close? 179 00:08:50,660 --> 00:08:51,500 No, don't answer that. 180 00:08:51,500 --> 00:08:53,720 (congregation laughing) 181 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:57,120 Can I tell you that God is not finished using you 182 00:08:57,120 --> 00:08:58,840 no matter how old you are? 183 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,680 I wanna speak to the older demographic 184 00:09:01,680 --> 00:09:04,920 for just a moment here, because it is very easy 185 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:08,400 for the older demographic, after you have what has been 186 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:11,480 your prime of life, when you feel like you have done 187 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:13,640 the thing, you get outside of that, 188 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:15,720 and you begin to scratch your head, and you say, 189 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:18,160 what's left for me to do? 190 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:19,840 Is there anything left for me to do? 191 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:20,800 Where do I belong? 192 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:24,720 And really, if you're not careful, discouragement can set up. 193 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:27,140 Frustration can set up. 194 00:09:27,140 --> 00:09:29,800 But can I tell you that as long as you are breathing 195 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,960 on this planet, God has a plan for your life. 196 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,200 In the world, there is a retirement plan. 197 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:36,680 In the kingdom, there's no such thing. 198 00:09:36,680 --> 00:09:39,200 God has a purpose and a plan for your life 199 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:42,040 as long as you are breathing here on the planet. 200 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:44,000 But here's where I think where we miss it. 201 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:45,960 Now, I'm not in the age demographic yet, 202 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,320 but I've witnessed enough and I've talked to enough 203 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:50,040 of you who have been in that demographic, 204 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:52,460 and here's where I think we kinda miss the boat, okay? 205 00:09:52,460 --> 00:09:53,380 We miss the boat. 206 00:09:53,380 --> 00:09:55,420 When you get into that older demographic, 207 00:09:55,420 --> 00:09:57,440 you kinda look at that season in life 208 00:09:57,440 --> 00:09:58,760 where you were in the driver's seat, 209 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,700 and you compare your life where you are right now 210 00:10:01,700 --> 00:10:03,260 to where it was then. 211 00:10:03,260 --> 00:10:04,800 And you know what comparison does? 212 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:06,440 It's a thief of joy. 213 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:08,180 You look at that season and you say, 214 00:10:08,180 --> 00:10:10,700 why am I not able to do those things anymore? 215 00:10:10,700 --> 00:10:13,000 Why does my life look like that anymore? 216 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:16,180 And can I tell you, older demographic, here's my charge. 217 00:10:16,180 --> 00:10:19,580 Stop holding the younger generation responsible 218 00:10:19,580 --> 00:10:22,580 to put you in places of leadership and value. 219 00:10:22,580 --> 00:10:23,900 You are to hear from the Lord 220 00:10:23,900 --> 00:10:26,260 and do what the Lord tells you to do. 221 00:10:26,260 --> 00:10:28,980 When you hear from the Lord and you walk in obedience to Him, 222 00:10:28,980 --> 00:10:31,600 you will find your place right where you're supposed 223 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:32,440 to be. 224 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:33,260 Here's the thing. 225 00:10:33,260 --> 00:10:35,160 Listen, I'm the world's best driver. 226 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:37,500 (congregation laughing) 227 00:10:37,500 --> 00:10:38,340 Okay? 228 00:10:38,340 --> 00:10:43,760 Just this past week, I took a group of seniors downtown 229 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:45,700 to Nashville, went to an escape room and out to eat. 230 00:10:45,700 --> 00:10:47,540 And when we were there, 231 00:10:47,540 --> 00:10:51,300 I was driving down the interstate, 232 00:10:51,300 --> 00:10:54,040 and I kept hearing them shout, bingo, as loud as they could. 233 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:54,880 And I was like, wow. 234 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:55,760 Now, if you know me very well, 235 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:57,560 you know I like a good game of bingo, okay? 236 00:10:57,560 --> 00:10:59,360 But I have no idea what they're doing 237 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:00,980 or why they're saying that and having a conversation 238 00:11:00,980 --> 00:11:02,260 with somebody in the passenger seat there. 239 00:11:02,260 --> 00:11:04,820 So I just let it go and get down off the off ramp 240 00:11:04,820 --> 00:11:06,320 and they yell, bingo, again. 241 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:07,680 And I'm like, what is going on? 242 00:11:07,680 --> 00:11:10,040 They are like into this bingo game, you know? 243 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,260 So we go play the escape room, we get back in the van, 244 00:11:12,260 --> 00:11:13,460 we end up at the Thai restaurant. 245 00:11:13,460 --> 00:11:14,940 So we get out of the Thai restaurant, 246 00:11:14,940 --> 00:11:17,860 and when we get outside, the kids all run to the van 247 00:11:17,860 --> 00:11:20,660 and they shout, bingo, and this is where the van is. 248 00:11:20,660 --> 00:11:22,020 Now, you can't see that very well, 249 00:11:22,020 --> 00:11:25,860 but there's actually a line that's underneath the van there 250 00:11:25,860 --> 00:11:28,260 as I am taking two parking spots. 251 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:33,560 Before our excursion, before our excursion, 252 00:11:33,560 --> 00:11:35,720 our seniors got a card together 253 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:38,420 and they created a bingo card that had spots on it 254 00:11:38,420 --> 00:11:40,000 that said things such as, 255 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,440 he will be cut off by another driver. 256 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:46,280 He will slam on his brakes. 257 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:48,480 He will park illegally. 258 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:52,000 And they were shouting, bingo, 259 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:53,920 as I was doing all of these things, 260 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:57,440 not knowing that they had it on a bingo card. 261 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:00,400 Now, here's the thing. 262 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:03,700 Those in the older demographic, 263 00:12:03,700 --> 00:12:05,820 the current generation is in the driver's seat 264 00:12:05,820 --> 00:12:08,320 and we are needing some navigators. 265 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:12,600 We are needing some navigators because I am driving crazy. 266 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:14,220 I've got lines underneath my car. 267 00:12:14,220 --> 00:12:16,960 I need somebody in the navigator seat 268 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:20,580 helping me as I drive the van. 269 00:12:20,580 --> 00:12:21,800 But here's the difference. 270 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,420 There's a difference between being a navigator 271 00:12:24,420 --> 00:12:26,220 and somebody who criticizes. 272 00:12:26,220 --> 00:12:28,160 And if you're in the older demographic 273 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:30,240 and all you're doing is criticizing the driver, 274 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:32,120 don't get upset when they don't drive by your house 275 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:33,220 and wanna pick you up. 276 00:12:33,220 --> 00:12:38,240 You have a role. 277 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:42,160 Never negate the power of presence. 278 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:45,260 One of the greatest gifts that Pastor Ronnie has given me 279 00:12:45,260 --> 00:12:48,880 in this season, this leg of my race, is that he shows up. 280 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,080 And for those of you in the older demographic, 281 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:52,520 I want you to hear loud and clear 282 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:55,200 that there is so many places for you to serve 283 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:56,440 here at Springhouse. 284 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:58,980 It may not look like it did when you were in your, 285 00:12:58,980 --> 00:13:00,200 quote unquote, prime. 286 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,640 It may look differently, but there are so many places 287 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:04,880 and it's not my job to tell you what that place is. 288 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:07,240 You have to hear from the Holy Spirit of God. 289 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:08,840 Lean into what he tells you to do 290 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:10,440 and as you walk in obedience to him, 291 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:14,000 you will be fulfilled beyond anything in your imagination 292 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:17,320 and you probably will be holding the arms up of somebody 293 00:13:17,320 --> 00:13:19,740 who needs to gain from the wisdom that you have. 294 00:13:19,740 --> 00:13:21,240 Can I digress from this point? 295 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:26,020 God's call is not limited by your age. 296 00:13:26,700 --> 00:13:30,700 He appears to Abram at 99 years old 297 00:13:30,700 --> 00:13:32,520 and he says, "I'm gonna deepen my covenant 298 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,460 "and my promise with you." 299 00:13:35,460 --> 00:13:38,920 A.W. Tozer says this, "God does not call the qualified, 300 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:41,660 "he qualifies the called." 301 00:13:41,660 --> 00:13:45,420 God's call is, and his gifts are, irrevocable. 302 00:13:45,420 --> 00:13:47,620 That means no matter your age, where you've gone, 303 00:13:47,620 --> 00:13:52,360 what you've done, his gifts and his call are irrevocable. 304 00:13:53,220 --> 00:13:56,340 And so after he shows up, or as he shows up, 305 00:13:56,340 --> 00:13:58,660 the first thing that God says is this, 306 00:13:58,660 --> 00:14:02,620 "I am God Almighty." 307 00:14:02,620 --> 00:14:04,780 All true God's stories start here. 308 00:14:04,780 --> 00:14:06,800 I am God Almighty. 309 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:09,620 The very first thing God is going to do in your life 310 00:14:09,620 --> 00:14:11,860 is establish the lines of authority. 311 00:14:11,860 --> 00:14:13,460 The very first thing God is going to do 312 00:14:13,460 --> 00:14:16,100 is to help you understand that anything that comes 313 00:14:16,100 --> 00:14:17,220 that's good in your life, 314 00:14:17,220 --> 00:14:19,260 anything that's about to be a blessing, 315 00:14:19,260 --> 00:14:21,880 anything that comes of the kingdom or in this world 316 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:24,060 as it concerns you, if it's good, 317 00:14:24,060 --> 00:14:26,820 it starts with I am God Almighty. 318 00:14:26,820 --> 00:14:30,300 Because everything in your life is about bringing glory 319 00:14:30,300 --> 00:14:32,880 to not yourself, but to the King of Kings 320 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:34,060 and the Lord of Lords. 321 00:14:34,060 --> 00:14:36,020 To the star breathing God. 322 00:14:36,020 --> 00:14:39,180 What makes your story so powerful 323 00:14:39,180 --> 00:14:42,040 is the radical transformative work of Jesus Christ 324 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:43,700 in your life, can I hear an amen? 325 00:14:43,700 --> 00:14:48,800 So the very first thing God will do is establish 326 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:51,140 that he is who he is in the relationship. 327 00:14:51,140 --> 00:14:55,020 And he doesn't start with you, which is very anti-cultural. 328 00:14:55,020 --> 00:14:57,820 'Cause we do like to start with us 329 00:14:57,820 --> 00:14:59,540 and we like to know what you're gonna do 330 00:14:59,540 --> 00:15:01,200 and how it's gonna affect us. 331 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:04,120 And we expect everybody to do the same. 332 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:07,160 Arwin Jones says this, "The toddler does not run the house." 333 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:10,240 Can I tell you that the Christian does not run the kingdom? 334 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:12,500 The King runs the kingdom. 335 00:15:12,500 --> 00:15:16,260 And it starts with I am God Almighty. 336 00:15:16,260 --> 00:15:17,820 And right behind that, God says, 337 00:15:17,820 --> 00:15:19,660 "I require two things, Abram, 338 00:15:19,660 --> 00:15:23,620 "for you to walk faithfully and to walk blamelessly." 339 00:15:23,620 --> 00:15:25,660 In other words, are you ready for this church? 340 00:15:25,660 --> 00:15:27,040 I expect excellence. 341 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:30,420 I am God Almighty and I expect excellence. 342 00:15:30,420 --> 00:15:31,420 Who's meeting the mark? 343 00:15:31,420 --> 00:15:32,660 Raise your hand, anybody? 344 00:15:32,660 --> 00:15:36,420 Well, here's the thing. 345 00:15:36,420 --> 00:15:39,540 We cannot walk faithfully and we cannot walk blamelessly 346 00:15:39,540 --> 00:15:42,080 unless we recognize I am God Almighty. 347 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:45,480 Because we need the help of the Holy Spirit 348 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:47,380 to do either one of those things. 349 00:15:47,380 --> 00:15:48,700 The minute we get off the course 350 00:15:48,700 --> 00:15:50,700 and think that we are faithful in our own right 351 00:15:50,700 --> 00:15:52,260 and that we're blameless in our own right, 352 00:15:52,260 --> 00:15:53,980 we have negated that He is God Almighty 353 00:15:53,980 --> 00:15:55,900 and we put ourselves on the throne. 354 00:15:55,900 --> 00:15:58,940 He is God Almighty and He says, 355 00:15:58,940 --> 00:16:01,620 "I need you and I want you to walk faithfully 356 00:16:01,620 --> 00:16:03,340 "and blamelessly." 357 00:16:03,340 --> 00:16:05,820 Over in the New Testament, it says, "Be holy." 358 00:16:05,820 --> 00:16:08,520 Anybody doing that well this morning? 359 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:11,840 "Be holy as I am holy," says the Lord. 360 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:14,060 You can only do that with the help of the Holy Spirit. 361 00:16:14,060 --> 00:16:16,380 Day by day, moment by moment. 362 00:16:16,380 --> 00:16:20,020 Walk faithfully, walk blamelessly before me. 363 00:16:20,020 --> 00:16:26,220 And so we rarely bring the best to the table. 364 00:16:26,220 --> 00:16:30,940 We rarely, would you guys lift your hands, lift your hands? 365 00:16:30,940 --> 00:16:31,880 Lift them higher. 366 00:16:31,880 --> 00:16:34,920 Why didn't you do that the first time? 367 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:38,540 Because we're only willing to bring 368 00:16:38,540 --> 00:16:40,520 what we're comfortable with. 369 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:42,300 We're only willing to get to the line 370 00:16:42,300 --> 00:16:45,380 to where it doesn't cost us anything. 371 00:16:46,220 --> 00:16:48,760 And so God is saying, "I want the margin 372 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:50,600 "between comfortable and sacrifice. 373 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:54,140 "I want all of those things in the in-between there." 374 00:16:54,140 --> 00:16:56,580 He's calling us up, He's calling us higher. 375 00:16:56,580 --> 00:16:58,620 But in order to do that, we've gotta understand 376 00:16:58,620 --> 00:17:00,140 who's God and who's not. 377 00:17:00,140 --> 00:17:02,840 He is God Almighty. 378 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:07,880 So then after that, He establishes His promise 379 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,300 and He uses this word covenant. 380 00:17:10,300 --> 00:17:11,940 Covenant is another word for promise 381 00:17:11,940 --> 00:17:13,380 but it's a deeper word. 382 00:17:13,380 --> 00:17:17,620 It's a word with foundation and has legs 383 00:17:17,620 --> 00:17:20,580 and it says, "We're gonna put some meat to this promise 384 00:17:20,580 --> 00:17:22,980 "and I'm gonna convey to you what I promise 385 00:17:22,980 --> 00:17:24,200 "and what I'm needing from you. 386 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,860 "We're gonna put it just like a contract of sorts. 387 00:17:26,860 --> 00:17:29,520 "We're gonna really understand each other here 388 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:31,120 "in this agreement." 389 00:17:31,120 --> 00:17:34,060 It's a deeper level of promise. 390 00:17:34,060 --> 00:17:36,300 Have you ever had somebody break a promise? 391 00:17:36,300 --> 00:17:38,620 How did it feel? 392 00:17:38,620 --> 00:17:42,780 You know, I've broken promises to my kids before 393 00:17:42,780 --> 00:17:45,420 and man, it's like you couldn't probably wound me more 394 00:17:45,420 --> 00:17:48,520 than me realizing I've broken a promise to my child. 395 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:52,700 God always keeps His promises. 396 00:17:52,700 --> 00:17:56,980 You can always count on Him to keep His promises. 397 00:17:56,980 --> 00:17:59,280 Think about in real time, we're talking about 13 years 398 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:01,580 between what Abram did and where we are right now. 399 00:18:01,580 --> 00:18:03,760 13 years. 400 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:05,220 I don't even have a 13 year old yet. 401 00:18:05,220 --> 00:18:06,940 13 years. 402 00:18:06,940 --> 00:18:09,840 And God is coming up behind them. 403 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:12,180 Guess what, He's gonna keep His promise. 404 00:18:12,180 --> 00:18:13,580 He's gonna keep His promise. 405 00:18:13,580 --> 00:18:15,940 I don't know how long you've been waiting on God 406 00:18:15,940 --> 00:18:18,820 to do what He said He was going to do 407 00:18:18,820 --> 00:18:21,440 but God will always keep His promise. 408 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:23,260 It may not be in your timeline, 409 00:18:23,260 --> 00:18:25,340 might not look the way that you want it to look 410 00:18:25,340 --> 00:18:27,660 but if God said it, He will do it. 411 00:18:27,660 --> 00:18:29,500 If God said it, He will do it. 412 00:18:29,500 --> 00:18:32,260 And can I also say everything that He said 413 00:18:32,260 --> 00:18:34,000 He was going to do, He's done 414 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,860 and everything that He said He's going to do, He will do. 415 00:18:36,860 --> 00:18:40,380 He is God. 416 00:18:40,380 --> 00:18:43,300 He is God Almighty. 417 00:18:43,300 --> 00:18:46,340 The reliability of a promise depends on the one making it. 418 00:18:46,340 --> 00:18:50,160 And so we can count on God 419 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:52,420 because He's the one making the promise. 420 00:18:52,420 --> 00:18:55,980 I've made promises to God and I've kept every single one. 421 00:18:55,980 --> 00:18:57,380 That's not true. 422 00:18:57,380 --> 00:18:59,540 Anybody make a promise to God? 423 00:18:59,540 --> 00:19:01,100 I asked God if He would let it snow 424 00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:01,940 so we can get out of school. 425 00:19:01,940 --> 00:19:05,420 As a high school, I would read all the books of Psalms. 426 00:19:05,420 --> 00:19:06,240 Didn't happen. 427 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:08,060 He made it snow. 428 00:19:08,060 --> 00:19:09,820 I didn't keep my end of the bargain. 429 00:19:10,580 --> 00:19:12,920 How many times have you let the Lord down 430 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:14,720 with what you said you would do? 431 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:18,260 I've done it lots of times. 432 00:19:18,260 --> 00:19:20,380 You can always count on Him. 433 00:19:20,380 --> 00:19:22,220 You can always count on the Lord. 434 00:19:22,220 --> 00:19:23,760 God never breaks His promises. 435 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:25,700 Everything He has said will come to pass 436 00:19:25,700 --> 00:19:26,780 and continue to come to pass. 437 00:19:26,780 --> 00:19:30,540 So God appears to Abram, declares that He's God Almighty, 438 00:19:30,540 --> 00:19:32,900 tells him to be faithful and blameless, shares His promise 439 00:19:32,900 --> 00:19:35,040 and Abram responds. 440 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:36,940 Can I tell you, this is so important guys, 441 00:19:36,940 --> 00:19:39,740 how we respond matters. 442 00:19:39,740 --> 00:19:43,580 How we respond matters in everything, how we respond. 443 00:19:43,580 --> 00:19:45,860 And this is Abram's response. 444 00:19:45,860 --> 00:19:48,240 Abram fell face down. 445 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:51,640 We could end the message right here. 446 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:56,700 Because our number one go-to of response 447 00:19:56,700 --> 00:19:59,660 is to open our mouth and say. 448 00:19:59,660 --> 00:20:02,540 But guys, can I suggest that we need to close our mouth 449 00:20:02,540 --> 00:20:05,360 and fall down in a posture of worship? 450 00:20:05,360 --> 00:20:07,700 Recognizing that He is God Almighty, 451 00:20:07,700 --> 00:20:10,980 recognizing who He is, Abram falls down 452 00:20:10,980 --> 00:20:13,100 in a posture of worship. 453 00:20:13,100 --> 00:20:16,060 Guys, worship is not just coming in here on Sunday morning 454 00:20:16,060 --> 00:20:17,980 and singing a couple of songs. 455 00:20:17,980 --> 00:20:20,820 You do understand that, right? 456 00:20:20,820 --> 00:20:24,260 Like a fraction of our worship is us gathering together 457 00:20:24,260 --> 00:20:26,540 to enthrone Him on our praises this morning. 458 00:20:26,540 --> 00:20:29,660 We had a powerful moment of worship this morning, 459 00:20:29,660 --> 00:20:31,260 but it is a fraction of what it is. 460 00:20:31,260 --> 00:20:33,640 This is what the Scripture tells us that worship is. 461 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:35,220 I urge you, brothers and sisters, 462 00:20:35,220 --> 00:20:37,720 in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies 463 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,580 as living sacrifices. 464 00:20:39,580 --> 00:20:41,840 Any living sacrifices in here this morning? 465 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:45,300 Holy and pleasing to God, 466 00:20:45,300 --> 00:20:48,620 this is your true and proper worship. 467 00:20:48,620 --> 00:20:50,900 This is Monday morning. 468 00:20:50,900 --> 00:20:53,100 This is Tuesday afternoon. 469 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:55,420 This is Wednesday night. 470 00:20:55,420 --> 00:20:57,780 This is every day of our life, 471 00:20:57,780 --> 00:21:01,720 offering our bodies, our lives, holy to the Lord. 472 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:05,240 I need the Holy Spirit to help me with that. 473 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:07,580 I need the Holy Spirit to help me in my worship. 474 00:21:07,580 --> 00:21:11,140 Worship was Abram's response. 475 00:21:11,140 --> 00:21:14,660 And whenever we worship, listen, 476 00:21:14,660 --> 00:21:18,800 worship unlocks greater revelation. 477 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:24,080 When we worship, it unlocks greater revelation. 478 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:26,600 Some of us have been sitting on a word, 479 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:28,560 we have created an Ishmael, 480 00:21:28,560 --> 00:21:30,840 we bring Ishmael with us into this place, 481 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:33,460 and we sit there and we are waiting for a revelation 482 00:21:33,460 --> 00:21:37,200 from God and God is saying, you have not surrendered to me. 483 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:40,500 You are doing more talking than you are listening. 484 00:21:40,500 --> 00:21:43,100 Your heart posture is, I've got it all together, 485 00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:46,740 God, I want your plan to fit into my plan. 486 00:21:46,740 --> 00:21:49,260 And this morning, I believe the invitation 487 00:21:49,260 --> 00:21:51,300 is for us to evaluate our lives 488 00:21:51,300 --> 00:21:53,600 to see if we've got any Ishmaels running around 489 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:56,460 that we need to trade in for Isaac's. 490 00:21:56,460 --> 00:22:00,020 That we need to say, God, I've fashioned this Ishmael, 491 00:22:00,020 --> 00:22:02,100 I put this work and all this time into it, 492 00:22:02,100 --> 00:22:04,300 and God, your word, just like you did with Ishmael, 493 00:22:04,300 --> 00:22:05,540 you're not gonna forget about Ishmael, 494 00:22:05,540 --> 00:22:07,620 but that's not what you said. 495 00:22:07,620 --> 00:22:11,300 And I believe your word in what it says. 496 00:22:11,300 --> 00:22:13,580 God will always deliver on his promise. 497 00:22:13,580 --> 00:22:19,940 God had more for Abram. 498 00:22:19,940 --> 00:22:22,100 You will be the father of many nations. 499 00:22:22,100 --> 00:22:23,420 This is what the scripture says. 500 00:22:23,420 --> 00:22:26,260 You will be the father of many nations. 501 00:22:26,260 --> 00:22:29,060 No longer will you be called Abram, 502 00:22:29,060 --> 00:22:31,300 your name will be Abraham. 503 00:22:31,300 --> 00:22:32,760 But listen to this. 504 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:35,740 For I have made, 505 00:22:35,740 --> 00:22:41,140 I have made you a father of many nations. 506 00:22:41,140 --> 00:22:42,180 What is will be? 507 00:22:42,180 --> 00:22:45,300 It is, what is will you? 508 00:22:45,300 --> 00:22:47,660 Future. 509 00:22:47,660 --> 00:22:49,900 Will be is future. 510 00:22:49,900 --> 00:22:51,260 Have made is? 511 00:22:51,260 --> 00:22:54,820 Do you see what God did there? 512 00:22:54,820 --> 00:22:58,740 I'm giving you, I'm going to make you fruitful 513 00:22:58,740 --> 00:23:02,380 based on something that I've already decided to do. 514 00:23:02,380 --> 00:23:03,740 It's already done. 515 00:23:03,740 --> 00:23:06,460 You being a father of the nations 516 00:23:06,460 --> 00:23:08,860 is not predicated on something that you do. 517 00:23:08,860 --> 00:23:11,740 It's going to be based on what I do through you. 518 00:23:11,740 --> 00:23:12,560 Are you with me? 519 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:15,220 And in that, in the future, 520 00:23:15,220 --> 00:23:16,620 because of the past thing 521 00:23:16,620 --> 00:23:19,220 that I already decided to do in present, 522 00:23:19,220 --> 00:23:22,220 I'm going to bless you and make you fruitful. 523 00:23:22,220 --> 00:23:25,140 Can I tell you that God has spoken promises over your life? 524 00:23:25,140 --> 00:23:28,040 Some of you have just decided that they're no more. 525 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:32,200 But past tense, he has done it. 526 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:34,240 He's going to keep his promise. 527 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:35,720 He will prosper you in it. 528 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:38,800 He will keep the thing that he said he was going to do. 529 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:42,280 And so he changes Abram's name. 530 00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:46,460 And Abram's name changes from an exalted father 531 00:23:46,460 --> 00:23:48,360 to the father of nations. 532 00:23:48,360 --> 00:23:51,320 Which is better, an individual exalted father 533 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:53,320 or the father of nations? 534 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:55,340 Can I tell you, God always has more 535 00:23:55,340 --> 00:23:57,320 than you can ever expect. 536 00:23:57,320 --> 00:23:58,840 Or imagine. 537 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:03,280 God has always got more than you can ever expect or imagine. 538 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:05,220 And so he changes the name. 539 00:24:05,220 --> 00:24:06,780 And when it comes to names, church, 540 00:24:06,780 --> 00:24:08,160 what I want you to understand, 541 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:10,040 it's not about what you are called, 542 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:12,000 it's about what you answer to. 543 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,840 I have been called so many things in my life. 544 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:17,400 And the only time that I try to render power 545 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,640 to what I'm called is what I answer to. 546 00:24:19,640 --> 00:24:23,080 You give power to what you answer to. 547 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,360 The world has assigned a whole bunch of labels 548 00:24:25,360 --> 00:24:26,620 and names for your life. 549 00:24:26,620 --> 00:24:28,020 But God has some other names. 550 00:24:28,020 --> 00:24:29,980 Which one are you answering to? 551 00:24:29,980 --> 00:24:32,280 Which one are you, because Abram could have said no, 552 00:24:32,280 --> 00:24:34,520 no thank you, I'll just continue to be Abram 553 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:37,620 and not the father of nations. 554 00:24:37,620 --> 00:24:40,180 But the blessing rested in the father of nations. 555 00:24:40,180 --> 00:24:44,120 Which banner, which name are you living your life under? 556 00:24:44,120 --> 00:24:46,600 Which banner and name are you answering to? 557 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:50,040 Because let me tell you, this enemy's out to kill, 558 00:24:50,040 --> 00:24:51,760 steal and destroy and he's got a lot of crappy things 559 00:24:51,760 --> 00:24:52,600 to say about you. 560 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:55,400 A lot of crazy things to call you. 561 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:57,740 And some of you are answering that call, 562 00:24:57,740 --> 00:25:01,260 going to those vices, destroying your life, 563 00:25:01,260 --> 00:25:03,640 not understanding that the God of the universe 564 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:06,920 has a name for you. 565 00:25:06,920 --> 00:25:11,920 That he has a promise for you that negates all other things. 566 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:18,640 If you just believe it and receive it in worship, 567 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:24,180 in worship, God says I have so much more for you. 568 00:25:24,180 --> 00:25:26,760 Stop answering to a name that is beneath the call 569 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:29,760 I've given you and begin to allow me to identify you 570 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:32,220 based on my plan and my purpose. 571 00:25:32,220 --> 00:25:35,120 Do you realize friends that you are a new creation? 572 00:25:35,120 --> 00:25:37,800 If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, 573 00:25:37,800 --> 00:25:39,580 the old has come and the new is here. 574 00:25:39,580 --> 00:25:41,760 I found this verse in Revelation this week. 575 00:25:41,760 --> 00:25:44,680 To the one who is victorious, I will give a white stone 576 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:47,440 with a new name written on it, known only to the one 577 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:48,280 who receives it. 578 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:52,280 God is in the business of renaming things. 579 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:56,000 The old is gone, the new has come. 580 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:59,000 Are you ready to receive it? 581 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:01,460 So what about this deal of circumcision? 582 00:26:01,460 --> 00:26:02,300 Ouch. 583 00:26:02,300 --> 00:26:06,200 Circumcision. 584 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:11,680 Circumcision is listed here as a covenant side 585 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:15,600 between God and Abraham, marking a deeper commitment 586 00:26:15,600 --> 00:26:18,420 and responsibility in their relationship. 587 00:26:18,420 --> 00:26:21,440 You understand that every covenant, 588 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:25,240 every, in order for us to get to the covenant promise of God 589 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:28,780 there has to be the shedding of blood every single time. 590 00:26:28,780 --> 00:26:30,600 There has to be the shedding of blood. 591 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:35,600 We live post-Christ, post what he did on the cross. 592 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:38,800 He shed the blood, he was the perfect lamb on the cross 593 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:42,600 and so therefore we don't have to kill goats and lambs 594 00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:45,440 and pay and spill blood for our sin, 595 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:49,000 including this whole deal of circumcision, 596 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:52,800 which symbolically represents separation from the world 597 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:56,160 and devotion to God, much like the other covenant signs 598 00:26:56,160 --> 00:26:59,500 in biblical history such as the rainbow after the flood. 599 00:26:59,500 --> 00:27:03,600 Circumcision also signifies a cutting away 600 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:05,840 of a reliance on human strength, 601 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:08,480 especially in contrast to Abraham and Sarah's attempt 602 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:12,820 to fulfill the promise themselves with Hagar and Ishmael. 603 00:27:12,820 --> 00:27:16,960 Beyond a mere physical sign, circumcision symbolizes death 604 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:20,080 to the flesh to avoid judgment. 605 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:21,800 It echoes the themes of Noah's Ark 606 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:23,080 like we learned about last week. 607 00:27:23,080 --> 00:27:26,040 Who appreciated Josh's message last week on Noah's Ark? 608 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:31,240 The Passover blood, God's judgment against sin 609 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:33,240 demonstrating a need for spiritual renewal 610 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:34,760 and reliance on God's power. 611 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:37,880 By instituting circumcision, God calls Abraham 612 00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:41,880 to reject self-reliance and trust in divine intervention 613 00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:44,080 to bring about his promises, 614 00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:47,440 particularly regarding the promised offspring. 615 00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:50,280 The act serves as a reminder of salvation and blessing 616 00:27:50,280 --> 00:27:52,520 do not come through human schemes, 617 00:27:52,520 --> 00:27:54,820 but through God's faithfulness. 618 00:27:54,820 --> 00:27:57,240 In the New Testament, circumcision is fulfilled 619 00:27:57,240 --> 00:28:00,920 through Christ who was cut off in his death 620 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:02,400 for human redemption. 621 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:04,400 Let's look at the book of Colossians chapter two. 622 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:08,480 It says this, "In him you were also circumcised 623 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:11,060 "with a circumcision not made with hands, 624 00:28:11,060 --> 00:28:12,960 "but by the circumcision of Christ 625 00:28:12,960 --> 00:28:15,420 "in the stripping off of the body of the flesh, 626 00:28:15,420 --> 00:28:18,200 "having been buried with him in baptism, raised with him." 627 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:20,680 This is why we are dead to the world 628 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:22,840 and alive in Christ when we baptize. 629 00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:26,160 'Cause you are dead to the world, you are cut off. 630 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:28,540 It's as if you have been circumcised 631 00:28:28,540 --> 00:28:30,520 to signify that you are cut off. 632 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:31,360 But guess what? 633 00:28:31,360 --> 00:28:33,400 We don't have to go through the circumcision process 634 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:35,340 because Jesus was the perfect lamb. 635 00:28:35,340 --> 00:28:37,920 He paid the price. 636 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:44,520 Jesus' sacrifice replaces the physical circumcision 637 00:28:44,520 --> 00:28:46,160 as the sign of God's covenant, 638 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:49,040 emphasizing that righteousness comes through faith, 639 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:51,180 not through human works. 640 00:28:51,180 --> 00:28:54,060 Your works are like filthy rags. 641 00:28:54,060 --> 00:28:58,560 So we don't do works. 642 00:28:58,560 --> 00:29:01,060 No, we learned last week that we have a job to do. 643 00:29:01,060 --> 00:29:05,680 But when our value and our salvation 644 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:09,120 and our relationship with God is defined by those works, 645 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:11,120 it's like filthy rags. 646 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:13,840 Because the only way that we can have a relationship 647 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:16,740 with Jesus Christ is through his blood, 648 00:29:16,740 --> 00:29:20,420 through the spilt blood of Christ. 649 00:29:20,420 --> 00:29:22,680 Abraham was called to trust in God's ability 650 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:23,920 to bring life from barrenness. 651 00:29:23,920 --> 00:29:26,440 Believers are called to place their faith in Christ's power 652 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:29,200 to bring salvation, transforming human weakness 653 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:30,700 into divine fulfillment. 654 00:29:30,700 --> 00:29:33,200 The covenant, listen to this friends, 655 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:36,920 the covenant is not so much about what you get. 656 00:29:36,920 --> 00:29:39,680 This promise, he's outlining this promise to Abraham. 657 00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:41,840 You're gonna be a father of many nations. 658 00:29:41,840 --> 00:29:43,680 Kings are gonna be all of these things. 659 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:45,940 But guys, can I tell you at the crux of the promise 660 00:29:45,940 --> 00:29:48,440 is not what you get, it's who you belong to. 661 00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:53,060 You get to be in relationship with God Almighty, 662 00:29:53,060 --> 00:29:56,600 the one who breathes stars, the one who creates your story, 663 00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:59,840 that pins your story so wonderfully well. 664 00:29:59,840 --> 00:30:02,560 Thankfully, the shedding of the blood was taking care of us 665 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:04,500 and we no longer have to circumcise 666 00:30:04,500 --> 00:30:06,100 to be a part of his great promise. 667 00:30:06,100 --> 00:30:08,280 The blood allows for the covenant to take place 668 00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:10,960 and now we are charged as to live 669 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:14,040 as ones marked by the covenant. 670 00:30:14,040 --> 00:30:15,920 This is what Jesus said in Luke. 671 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:19,440 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves 672 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:22,200 and take up their cross daily and follow me. 673 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:25,040 Can I tell you, listen, for some of you, 674 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:27,240 this is harder than circumcision. 675 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:33,520 Because you are holding so tightly 676 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:36,240 onto the things that you want to control 677 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:38,820 and God is inviting you to relinquish those things 678 00:30:38,820 --> 00:30:42,380 so he can give you something so much better. 679 00:30:42,380 --> 00:30:44,420 So much better. 680 00:30:44,420 --> 00:30:50,080 Some of us are following symbolic crosses 681 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:52,100 but we're really being led by our own mind 682 00:30:52,100 --> 00:30:54,060 and our own heart and our own thoughts. 683 00:30:54,060 --> 00:30:58,680 The invitation and the promise is a daily invitation 684 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:02,160 to follow him, a daily invitation to come. 685 00:31:02,160 --> 00:31:07,160 Pain is often the price tag for purpose. 686 00:31:07,160 --> 00:31:14,720 Pain is often the price tag for purpose. 687 00:31:14,720 --> 00:31:16,880 Some of you may have been going through a season 688 00:31:16,880 --> 00:31:18,400 in your life where you're thinking, 689 00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:21,140 man, this doesn't feel good. 690 00:31:21,140 --> 00:31:22,560 Have you ever done something that God's told you to do 691 00:31:22,560 --> 00:31:24,240 and you're like, this doesn't feel good, I don't like it? 692 00:31:24,240 --> 00:31:25,080 Anybody? 693 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:30,080 Can I tell you that pain could be the catalyst 694 00:31:30,080 --> 00:31:32,480 to your greatest, greatest blessing? 695 00:31:32,480 --> 00:31:35,920 And if we really are attuned to the kingdom 696 00:31:35,920 --> 00:31:40,040 and this whole thing, some of you, he had a 13-year-old. 697 00:31:40,040 --> 00:31:42,400 Who has a teenager here, anybody got a teenager? 698 00:31:42,400 --> 00:31:45,720 Can I tell you it's selfish for you 699 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:47,640 to just believe a promise for your life 700 00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:49,140 and not believe that that promise 701 00:31:49,140 --> 00:31:51,180 affects your offspring and your kids? 702 00:31:51,180 --> 00:31:55,880 It doesn't start and end with you. 703 00:31:59,280 --> 00:32:00,880 So some of you are so focused in on, 704 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:02,600 I'm not feeling, I'm not seeing. 705 00:32:02,600 --> 00:32:06,740 What if the greatest act of love as a parent 706 00:32:06,740 --> 00:32:08,960 was that you were to suffer your entire life 707 00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:11,800 so that your children could inherit the blessing? 708 00:32:11,800 --> 00:32:17,040 Would it be worth it? 709 00:32:17,040 --> 00:32:22,160 Would it be worth it to say, God, I don't understand 710 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:24,020 why I'm having to suffer and go through this, 711 00:32:24,020 --> 00:32:26,560 but I believe beyond my death, 712 00:32:26,560 --> 00:32:29,020 I believe that you're gonna make your promise 713 00:32:29,020 --> 00:32:31,260 come true because you said you would. 714 00:32:31,260 --> 00:32:32,940 You said you would. 715 00:32:32,940 --> 00:32:38,320 So he's gonna ask you to render what you've done. 716 00:32:38,320 --> 00:32:41,320 There's a story of a guy who had a toddler girl 717 00:32:41,320 --> 00:32:42,920 and the mom had to go on a trip. 718 00:32:42,920 --> 00:32:45,000 So he said, I'm gonna hang out with my daughter, 719 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:46,280 my little toddler. 720 00:32:46,280 --> 00:32:48,080 And he says, what do you wanna do today? 721 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:49,960 And she says, I wanna paint. 722 00:32:49,960 --> 00:32:52,760 So he goes out to the store and he gets these paint colors 723 00:32:52,760 --> 00:32:55,320 and these brushes and sets up the water and the canvases. 724 00:32:55,320 --> 00:32:58,760 He's got it all set up so perfect at the table. 725 00:32:58,760 --> 00:33:01,300 And so the toddler, he invites her to the table 726 00:33:01,300 --> 00:33:03,680 and she sits up there and he's expecting her 727 00:33:03,680 --> 00:33:06,420 to grab that brush and dip it in the paint 728 00:33:06,420 --> 00:33:09,100 and just nicely go against that canvas 729 00:33:09,100 --> 00:33:10,560 and dip it back in the water. 730 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:13,920 She takes that paint, she throws it on the walls, 731 00:33:13,920 --> 00:33:15,400 on the table, on the canvas. 732 00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:17,980 She takes that water and knocks it down all over. 733 00:33:17,980 --> 00:33:21,580 He takes her hand and places it all on that canvas like this 734 00:33:21,580 --> 00:33:24,200 and he is just so frustrated and upset 735 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:25,980 'cause it didn't go the way that he thought 736 00:33:25,980 --> 00:33:26,820 it was gonna go. 737 00:33:27,780 --> 00:33:30,140 Well later on that day, that little toddler walks up 738 00:33:30,140 --> 00:33:33,520 and grabs her canvas and brings it to her daddy 739 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:35,980 and says this, look what I did. 740 00:33:35,980 --> 00:33:40,100 That dad's heart changed immediately. 741 00:33:40,100 --> 00:33:44,440 Because all of a sudden it didn't matter what was done. 742 00:33:44,440 --> 00:33:46,340 What mattered was who did it. 743 00:33:46,340 --> 00:33:51,640 And can I tell you, some of you have labored in ministries. 744 00:33:51,640 --> 00:33:53,900 You have raised an Ishmael. 745 00:33:53,900 --> 00:33:56,200 You have crafted things on your own strength 746 00:33:56,200 --> 00:33:58,020 and it looks no better than that painting. 747 00:33:58,020 --> 00:34:00,580 But can I tell you the graciousness of our God? 748 00:34:00,580 --> 00:34:02,520 He'll take that mess and he'll hang it 749 00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:03,800 right on the fridge rater and say, 750 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:05,040 Kurt, look what you did. 751 00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:07,880 You're such a good boy, right? 752 00:34:07,880 --> 00:34:11,480 Doug, you just painted that and I know you're so proud of it 753 00:34:11,480 --> 00:34:14,160 but he says this, I'm gonna hang this here 754 00:34:14,160 --> 00:34:19,020 and bless you for it but I've got so much better for you. 755 00:34:19,020 --> 00:34:22,480 I've got so much more in store for you 756 00:34:22,480 --> 00:34:25,800 if you will let me move in your life. 757 00:34:26,560 --> 00:34:29,800 So what about your Ishmael? 758 00:34:29,800 --> 00:34:35,080 Have you been sitting on something 759 00:34:35,080 --> 00:34:38,060 that you've crafted together to try to make it happen? 760 00:34:38,060 --> 00:34:40,320 Have you taken a job that you weren't supposed to take? 761 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:41,600 Have you gotten in a relationship 762 00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:43,020 you weren't supposed to get in? 763 00:34:43,020 --> 00:34:44,600 Have you said that, have you disconnected 764 00:34:44,600 --> 00:34:46,760 from a relationship that you were supposed to stay in? 765 00:34:46,760 --> 00:34:48,560 Have you stopped ministering in an area 766 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:50,560 you should be ministering in or have you averted 767 00:34:50,560 --> 00:34:51,960 not going out there and signing up 768 00:34:51,960 --> 00:34:53,760 for a ministry at those tables 769 00:34:53,760 --> 00:34:55,620 because of past wounds and hurt? 770 00:34:55,620 --> 00:34:57,160 I don't know what the story is 771 00:34:57,160 --> 00:34:59,760 but I believe that there are some Ishmaels here. 772 00:34:59,760 --> 00:35:05,080 And God wants to tell you 773 00:35:05,080 --> 00:35:07,560 that he will bless what you've done 774 00:35:07,560 --> 00:35:10,580 but there's something so much better if you'll let him, 775 00:35:10,580 --> 00:35:12,520 if you'll surrender. 776 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:15,820 Now, Jesus Christ paid the price. 777 00:35:15,820 --> 00:35:18,320 The reason we come to the table, 778 00:35:18,320 --> 00:35:20,240 if those who are gonna serve the elements come forward, 779 00:35:20,240 --> 00:35:24,760 the reason that we go to the table every week at this church 780 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:26,420 is because when we are gathered 781 00:35:26,420 --> 00:35:30,540 as a part of our worship time together in this moment, 782 00:35:30,540 --> 00:35:34,280 we are reminded that we are not having 783 00:35:34,280 --> 00:35:37,420 to circumcise ourselves, to kill goats and lambs 784 00:35:37,420 --> 00:35:39,540 and all to do all of those things 785 00:35:39,540 --> 00:35:42,140 because of Jesus and what he did. 786 00:35:42,140 --> 00:35:46,820 And because of his great big promise 787 00:35:46,820 --> 00:35:49,020 and laying down his life and shedding his blood, 788 00:35:49,020 --> 00:35:52,100 because of that promise, because he did that for us, 789 00:35:52,980 --> 00:35:56,940 we get to come to the table freely but here's the thing, 790 00:35:56,940 --> 00:35:59,260 he's got a blessing for you. 791 00:35:59,260 --> 00:36:01,740 He's got some things for you to do. 792 00:36:01,740 --> 00:36:04,740 He's got some unwritten pages of your story 793 00:36:04,740 --> 00:36:06,920 that if you will just render the pen 794 00:36:06,920 --> 00:36:08,700 and allow him to take it up, 795 00:36:08,700 --> 00:36:11,560 he'll write some remarkable things in your story 796 00:36:11,560 --> 00:36:13,260 that you never thought possible. 797 00:36:13,260 --> 00:36:17,940 But at the end of the day, when you read the story, 798 00:36:17,940 --> 00:36:21,300 when we read the greatest story ever told about Ted's life 799 00:36:21,300 --> 00:36:24,140 or Bob's life or Kurt's life or Hannah's life 800 00:36:24,140 --> 00:36:27,140 or Ronnie's life or Mary Sue's life or April's life, 801 00:36:27,140 --> 00:36:30,060 when you read the end of the story, 802 00:36:30,060 --> 00:36:31,900 it's not going to be an amazement 803 00:36:31,900 --> 00:36:33,160 on all these things you did. 804 00:36:33,160 --> 00:36:35,180 Well, you did that ministry and you did this thing 805 00:36:35,180 --> 00:36:36,420 and look at that that you built. 806 00:36:36,420 --> 00:36:41,060 Oh, it's going to be, I got to be with Jesus. 807 00:36:41,060 --> 00:36:45,980 I got to be with the star breather of the universe 808 00:36:45,980 --> 00:36:48,580 and I had a relationship with him 809 00:36:48,580 --> 00:36:51,860 and there was nothing that could supersede that. 810 00:36:51,860 --> 00:36:53,820 And so when we come to the table, 811 00:36:53,820 --> 00:36:56,220 you're not thinking about your sin. 812 00:36:56,220 --> 00:36:57,220 He forgave your sin. 813 00:36:57,220 --> 00:37:00,660 He said he forgot about it from the east, from the west. 814 00:37:00,660 --> 00:37:01,960 Isn't that glorious? 815 00:37:01,960 --> 00:37:04,500 We want to think about how bad of a wretched person. 816 00:37:04,500 --> 00:37:08,500 We come, the word tells us we come and we remember. 817 00:37:08,500 --> 00:37:09,740 What are we remembering? 818 00:37:09,740 --> 00:37:10,660 I'm such a wretched sinner. 819 00:37:10,660 --> 00:37:15,660 No, we remember that he came, lived a perfect life, 820 00:37:15,780 --> 00:37:20,700 paid the price, was buried, rose again. 821 00:37:20,700 --> 00:37:22,300 And here's the best part of all. 822 00:37:22,300 --> 00:37:26,780 We remember past tense, a future promise. 823 00:37:26,780 --> 00:37:30,180 He's coming again, guys, and he's going to split the sky. 824 00:37:30,180 --> 00:37:32,220 And so we rejoice. 825 00:37:32,220 --> 00:37:33,200 Amen? 826 00:37:33,200 --> 00:37:34,040 We rejoice. 827 00:37:34,040 --> 00:37:35,620 Would you stand with me this morning? 828 00:37:35,620 --> 00:37:36,740 We're going to go to the table 829 00:37:36,740 --> 00:37:38,460 as we close the gathering this morning 830 00:37:38,460 --> 00:37:39,820 and my encouragement to you is 831 00:37:39,820 --> 00:37:41,980 as you take the elements this morning 832 00:37:41,980 --> 00:37:46,300 that you would remember who he is 833 00:37:46,300 --> 00:37:49,840 and that you have access to him this morning. 834 00:37:49,840 --> 00:37:51,820 You'll come, take communion, go back to your seats 835 00:37:51,820 --> 00:37:53,140 and then I'll bless you when it's over. 836 00:37:53,140 --> 00:37:53,980 Let's worship. 837 00:37:53,980 --> 00:37:58,300 (gentle music) 838 00:37:58,300 --> 00:38:00,880 (gentle music) 839 00:38:00,880 --> 00:38:03,460 (gentle music)