The Promise of God

Galatians 3:23-29

Introduction

1.       The significance of weddings is to be found in the promises that are made

2.       Promises are a necessary part of life – there are the promises we make to our children, to our employers and employees and to God

3.       Promises lead to hope and anticipation

4.       Our relationship to God is based on promises, His to us and ours to Him

5.       Gal 3:29  

Discussion

1.       Understanding the promise to Abraham of which we are heirs

a.       Found in God’s original words to Abraham – Gen 12:1-3  

b.       Not found in the land promise that came later – Gen 12: 7: 13:15 , 17; 15:7  

c.       Confirmed by the writer of Hebrews – Heb 11:8-16  

d.       The promise is not secured by descent from Abraham – note the warning of Deut 28:64-67  

e.       The promise is secured by God  

2.       Understanding how the promise is secured by God

a.       Heb 6:13-20  

b.       It is secured by the unchangeable character of God  

c.       It is secured by the unchangeable priesthood of Jesus  

3.       Understanding how we become an heir to this promise

a.       Consider those things that were not involved in Abraham’s reception of the promise

                                                            i.      Without circumcision

                                                           ii.      Without the law  

b.       He received it through obedient faith – Gen 15:6  

c.       For us, the promise is realized “in Christ” – Eph 1:3  

d.       We are in Christ through faith and baptism – Gal 3:26-27  

e.       Jesus put the matter simply in Mark 16:15-16  

Conclusion

1.       Hope, based on promises, is one of the essentials for a healthy life

2.       God’s promise to Abraham, secured for us through faith in Jesus, gives us hope

3.       That hope can be yours if in faith you accept Jesus as your Savior and are baptized into him