THE WORD OF PROMISE
November 4, 2007 AM
Sermon Outline
ROM 9:6-9
INTRO: In the text I have just read is part of an incredible section of scripture in which the apostle is discussing God's promise to Abraham through Isaac. The "children of promise" (v. 8) is a reference to the spiritual descendants of Abraham. At v. 9 the apostle calls God's promise of a son by Sarah "the word of promise". I think that this is a marvelous way to think of the word of God. The apostle Peter refers to "exceeding great and precious promises" (2 Pet 1:4) which are made known to us "through the knowledge of God" (2 Pet 1:2). The writer of Hebrews adds another piece of assurance by reminding us that "he is faithful that promised" (Heb 10:23). To refer, then, to the word of God as "the word of promise" is a truly appropriate appellation.
- THE HISTORY?
- Ps 105:8-10 & 42-45 - So much of the Bible's history is encapsulated here
- Gen 12:1-3 - where the promise began
- Gen 17:19 - the promise in greater detail
- Gen 22:15-18 - the promise confirmed ... because!!!!
- Ex 2:23-25 - The "nation" promise remembered
- four hundred plus years had passed since the promise was first made
- four hundred years is plenty of time for humanity to forget!
- Isa 46:10,11 - "I have purposed it, I will also do it"
- God promises ... and God keeps His promises
- Gal 3:8,16 - The "all nations" promise remembered in Christ
- through 100's of years God was "working out" His promise
- 2 Gal 4:4,5 - when all was ready, the "all nations" promise was fulfilled
- in a broad sense, then, the word of promise is really all about God's promise to Abraham so many years ago
- and this is such a great assurance that He is the God of promises
- through 100's of years God was "working out" His promise
- Ps 105:8-10 & 42-45 - So much of the Bible's history is encapsulated here
- SOME SPECIFIC PROMISES IN WHICH WE CAN REJOICE?
- That in Christ we are new creatures (creations)
- 2 Cor 5:17 - what a marvelous promise
- I can have a completely "clean slate" upon which to write my life story
- true, there are some consequences I cannot escape and which are not remitted in Christ
- but I do not have to be burdened with the guilt of those things
- still, we must remember Gal 3:26-29
- That all things really do work together for good to the called
- Rom 8:28 - hard to believe? but it really is true ... God promised
- rotten, unfair, tragic things can happen to good people
- but if a person is a true lover of God and has been called according to God's purpose, here is a promise which helps us move ahead optimistically
- I do not presume to be able to tell you how God keeps the promise
- but I believe in the promise and seek the working out of it in my life
- That He hears and answers our prayers
- 1 Jno 5:14,15 - "confidence" - "we know" - "we know"
- here are bold affirmations from the pen of the apostle John
- yes, the qualifier is "according to his will" - but remarkable assurance
- my human problem is that I am limited to such a narrow view of things - God sees the "big picture" ... so, I must learn to accept His answers
- I still find great comfort inPhil 4:6,7
- That the Lord is with us in our lives
- Heb 13:5,6 - I believe that my Lord is interested in me and concerned
- yes, I wish He was visible to me - but His presence is real
- I recall Paul's words of 2 Tim 4:17 ... and Rom 8:31
- if I couldn't believe this promise, I'd be drifting without any anchor!
- it is so easy, though, to squeeze Him out when convenience requires it
- That God will give us a crown of life
- Jas 1:12 - this is the victor's crown - the crown for winners!
- but here again we see a qualifier - endurance in trial
- 1 Pet 1:3,4 - here is the confidence I have ... an inheritance!
- if we cannot depend on this promise, what does the Christian life mean?
- I still believe the Isaiah passage ... He purposed it, and He will do it!
- That in Christ we are new creatures (creations)
CLOSE:Heb 10:35,36 - "For ye have need of patience..." I read these verses and realize that inspiration is telling me that the promises can be lost. So, we just keep on doing "the will of God" with confident expectation. The promises are too good to trade for anything else, my friends.
Cecil A. Hutson
04 November 2007