Sermon Genesis Chapter 17

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “GENESIS CHAPTER 17.”

Sarai Gave Her Handmaid, Hagar, To Abram

• Before we begin in Genesis Chapter 17, let’s do a quick recap of Genesis Chapter 16.
• In the last chapter, we saw Sarai give Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, to Abram.

[3] Genesis 16:4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

• Hagar despised Sarai and then Sarai realized she had done wrong.
• Sarai goes to Abram for help.

[4] Genesis 16:5-6 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee. 6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

• “THE” angel of the Lord, who is Jesus Christ, finds Hagar by a fountain of water in the wilderness.
• He tells Hagar to return to Sarai. And remember, Hagar is pregnant at this time.

[5] Genesis 16:10-11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

[6] Genesis 16:12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

• To finish out the chapter, we see Hagar bare Abram a son. Abram called his son’s name Ishmael.
• The last verse in Genesis Chapter 16 tells us that Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born.
• Now, let’s get started in Genesis Chapter 17 starting there in verse 1.

[7] Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

• We see the Bible jump forward approximately 13 years. He was 86 years old in the last chapter.
• Now we see that Abram is 99 years old. The Lord appeared to Abram right here in this chapter.
• He speaks with Abram and says: “I AM THE ALMIGHTY GOD. WALK BEFORE ME AND BE THOU PERFECT.”
• We see here that God says, “I am the Almighty God.” In other words, there is no other god but our God.

The God of this Bible is “THE ALMIGHTY GOD.” Make sure you understand what ALMIGHTY means.

• God has ALL MIGHT and ALL POWER. He doesn’t have power struggles with anyone.
• Satan is no match for God. There is no war between God and Satan. God can annihilate Satan with a word.
• God allows Satan to be here because he serves a purpose. God isn’t fighting with Satan.
• God doesn’t lose any battles to Satan. God never loses any battles. This is why He is ALMIGHTY.
• This is what it means to be God. He owns everything. He has power over everything.
• The phrase Almighty God is found only 3 times in the entire King James Bible.
• Let’s read the other 2 verses as the first is found in Genesis 17:1.

[8] Ezekiel 10:4-5 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’S glory. 5 And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.

• God’s voice is loud and powerful. The mountains tremble when God speaks. Understand that.
• Have you ever seen a huge mountain? They are massive. You can’t move them or shake them.
• When you speak, the other side of the mountain can’t even hear your voice.
• But when God speaks, the mountains tremble at His voice because He is Almighty God.
• Let’s look at the 3^rd and final occurrence within the entire Bible of the phrase “Almighty God.”

[9] Revelation 19:11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

• Do you know who this is right here? This is the amazingly powerful Son of God, Jesus Christ.
• His vesture is dipped in blood. He died for you and His blood spilled out for you.
• His soul went to hell and burned in hell as a burnt offering for you. He took your penalty of death and hell.
• He is FAITHFUL AND TRUE. He judges in righteousness. He makes war. His eyes were as a flame of fire.
• His head has many crowns. He is called “THE WORD OF GOD.”
• If you don’t have joy when you hear these Scriptures about your Savior, something is wrong.
• Hear these and we’re going to see that Jesus Christ is the Almighty God.

[10] Revelation 19:14-16 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

• He is the captain of the Lord’s host. The armies from heaven, FIERCE AND POWERFUL, are led by Him.
• Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword. He will smite the nations with this sword.
• He will rule the nations and hand out pink stuffed animal unicorns. Is that what the Bible says?
• It sure doesn’t. He will rule the nations with a ROD OF IRON.

He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of ALMIGHTY GOD.

• Hey, listen, Jesus Christ is fierce. Jesus Christ has great wrath against the evil and wicked.
• He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Son of His Father, the most high, and is God Almighty.
• Jesus doesn’t hand out pink stuffed animals. He is intense and fierce.
• He has wrath if you aren’t on His side. God is not nice to you when you do evil. Remember that.
• If you do good, He will be on your side with love, mercy, kindness, protection, and compassion.
• Notice that God commands Abram to walk before Him and be thou perfect.

God wants us all to walk before Him and be perfect. He doesn’t want us to sin. He hates sin.

• He’s not going to tell us that sinning is okay.
• Some people think that I preach it’s okay to sin since I teach that you have everlasting life once saved.
• They say, “You want me to tell my kids that they’re saved and can’t lose everlasting life?”
• “They’ll never do what I say. No way I’m teaching my kids that.”

Stop Lying To Your Children And Tell Them God’s Truth

And do you know what I say? Fine, try it your way since you know better than God. See how it turns out for you.

• Lie to your children you bunch of LIARS. You make me sick and want to vomit.
• God says you are saved once you believe ON Jesus Christ. He gives you everlasting life that can’t be lost.
• And then you’re going to lie to your children who you are supposed to love? That’s not love. It’s hate.
• It’s not okay to sin once you have everlasting life. BE THOU PERFECT. You need to give it your best.
• No, they are wrong. SIN IS HORRIBLE AND WILL KILL YOU. God tells us to not sin.
• God is telling Abram to BE A MAN and to walk with God and be perfect before God.

[11] 1 Kings 2:1-2 Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, 2 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;

• King David charges his son Solomon and tells him to be strong. SHEW THYSELF A MAN.
• How is he going to show himself to be a man? Let’s see the next verses.

[12] 1 Kings 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

[13] 1 Kings 2:4 That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

• We are to walk before God in truth with all our heart and with all our soul.
• We should give God the best we have at all times throughout each and every day.
• How do you walk with God? You can only do this by following His commandments.
• You can be saved and not walking with God. You left Him. He didn’t leave you. He’s still there.
• But He’s not walking with you because you aren’t keeping a perfect heart. You’ve turned away from Him.
• So what do you need to do? You need to get back to God and He’ll come walk with you again.

[14] 2 Kings 20:1-2 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,

[15] 2 Kings 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

• What does it mean to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart? The Bible tells us this directly.

[16] 1 Kings 8:61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

• Keeping God’s commandments and his laws is being perfect before God and walking with Him.
• This is what God asks us to do. When we don’t, we sin. And we will sin.
• But we need to ask forgiveness, be sorry for that sin, and get back to God and His ways.
• There was never a perfect man that does not sin except for Jesus Christ.
• But God is commanding Abram to walk with Him and be perfect by following His commandments.
• And God gives you that same commandment.

[17] Deuteronomy 18:13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

[18] Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

• Old Testament and New Testament. We shoot for the stars with our goals.
• To be perfect before God, we must walk in the Spirit and not the flesh.
• Here’s an example: Reading your Bible would be walking in the Spirit.
• Watching TV would be walking in the flesh. Which one will you choose?
• Listening to psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs would be walking in the Spirit.
• Listening to worldly music would be walking in the flesh. Yes, there is a huge difference.
• God isn’t going to tell you that it’s okay to sin and do wrong. NEVER.
• So He tells you to be perfect and to not sin. This is what He is telling Abram in Genesis Chapter 17.

[19] Genesis 17:2-3 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

• When the Almighty God speaks with you, what will you do? What did Abram do?
• ABRAM FELL ON HIS FACE. You’ll fall on your face too.

[20] Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

[21] Numbers 16:44-45 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

[22] Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

• I want to make sure you see this.
• God is such a God to be feared that all these people fall FLAT on their faces.

[23] Joshua 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

[24] Judges 13:20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

[25] 1 Kings 18:38-39 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

[26] Matthew 17:5-6 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

• And these aren’t all the Scriptures in the Bible either. You will fall on your face when you see God.
• You will shake. You will be afraid because He is more powerful than anything you can imagine.
• We need to understand this and fear God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. He is to be feared.
• God is talking to Abram in Genesis Chapter 17 and Abram is on his face. God talked with Abram.

[27] Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

• Please make sure you see exactly what the Bible says. Does this say Abram will be a father of Israel only?
• “THOU SHALT BE A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS.” What does this mean?
• Abram is a father to all those who believe because Abram believed God’s promise to him.
• If you believe in God Almighty, you believe the promise that He’s made to you.
• He says, “Believe in my Son, Jesus Christ, and I’ve given you everlasting life. You will never die.”
• If you believe that promise, you are a son of Abraham. There are believers in many nations.
• The Bible doesn’t say Abram is a father to the man-made nation of Israel. He is a father of many nations.

[28] Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

• Look closely there at the middle of that verse. “That he might be the father of all them that believe.”
• Abraham is the father of all them that believe and those people are in many different nations.
• Jews and Gentiles who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ have Abraham as a father. God says so.
• The children of Abraham are all those who believe.
• This is not the people who practice Judaism and hate Jesus.

[29] Philippians 3:1-3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

• Paul tells the Philippians that “WE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION.” He’s referring to himself and Gentiles.
• Philippians were not physically Jews or Israelites. They were Gentiles.
• Saved believers are the circumcision. Why?
• Because they have removed the flesh from the equation for salvation. We have no confidence in the flesh.
• Where do we put our confidence? IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE. That’s what saves us. Abraham did the same.

Your Flesh Is Not A Part Of Salvation

He trusted in God alone and knew that his flesh wouldn’t save him.

• Circumcision is a picture of removing the flesh.
• We don’t actually have to do that today because we aren’t under the Old Covenant.
• Again, Abraham will be a FATHER OF MANY NATIONS.
• That should end the state of Israel only idiotic and arrogant arguments.
• Let me be very clear on this: the current state of Israel is not Israel. They are evil and wicked.
• They hate Jesus Christ. They are antichrist. Stop sending them money and helping them.

[30] 2 Chronicles 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

• If you want wrath from God, keep helping the children of the devil who hate Jesus Christ.

[31] Genesis 17:5-6 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

• Abraham is a father of many nations and not just one nation. His name is now called Abraham.
• So, remember that Abram’s name is changed to Abraham in Genesis Chapter 17.
• Spiritually, he is the father of all those who believe and believers come from every nation.
• The KING OF KINGS comes from Abraham.

[32] Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

• Jesus Christ is the seed of Abraham in which all people can be blessed through.

[33] Genesis 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

• This isn’t talking about the man-made nation of Israel like false preachers teach.
• We aren’t blessed through the wicked nation of Israel in the Middle East.
• We are blessed through the seed of Abraham through Jesus Christ who is the Son of Abraham.
• Jesus Christ came through Abraham because Abraham believed the promise God made to him.

[34] Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

• Notice the words “EVERLASTING COVENANT.” What could that be talking about?
• This is talking about all those who receive everlasting life by believing the promise from God.
• The spiritual seed of Abraham receive everlasting life. This is the everlasting covenant.

[35] Genesis 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

• Do you actually think God is giving the land of Canaan to these evil and wicked people in Israel today?
• Do you think He’s giving it to them for an EVERLASTING POSSESSION? Really?
• They won’t believe in Jesus Christ, and they’ll be in hell. Hell is everlasting torment.
• It’s sure isn’t the promised land. HELL DOES NOT EQUAL THE PROMISED LAND.
• Believers will be receiving the promised land. It is their everlasting possession because they have everlasting life.
• Right? Do you see this. Evil and wicked people who hate Jesus Christ will not receive this land.
• God says, “AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD.” Who? BELIEVERS. Unbelievers will not have God.
• God is not their God because they have rejected Him. And He will reject them. They are fools.

[36] Genesis 17:9-11 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

• God tells Abraham what the covenant will be and how he and his seed will keep the covenant.
• “Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin.”
• Why would they do this? “It shall be a TOKEN of the covenant betwixt me and you.”
• Circumcision is a removal of FLESH. We cannot be saved unless we get our flesh out of the way.
• So many false religions want to work their way to heaven through their flesh. CAN’T HAPPEN.
• Circumcision is teaching us that our flesh is in the way. We need to get it out of the way to be saved.

[37] Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

[38] Deuteronomy 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

[39] Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

• Being physically circumcised didn’t save these men. This was only a picture or a token of their faith in God.
• Same thing with water baptism. The act of going under water doesn’t save you. It’s simply a token of faith.
• Circumcision was a picture of removing the flesh and taking away the foreskins of your heart.

[40] Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

• You must be circumcised in the heart to be saved. We are the circumcision.
• Does that mean that all males should be circumcised today? Yes!!! Just kidding. No.

[41] 1 Corinthians 7:18-20 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

• Circumcision, for the physical children of Israel, was the keeping of the commandments.
• Keeping God’s commandments does not save you unless you can keep all 100% of His commandments.
• Faith saves you. But I want to make this clear that God does take His commandments to you seriously.
• God takes His token seriously that He gave to us. In the Old Testament, circumcision was that token.
• In the New Testament, baptism is that token. Should we baptized after we believe? YES. 100% YES!!!
• God gave Moses the law and Moses knew that he was to circumcise his son.
• God gave us the command to be baptized. Moses was forsaking the law of circumcision.
• Did that make God angry? Let’s see.

[42] Exodus 4:24-26 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

• God takes circumcision very seriously there in those Scriptures. He sought to kill Moses.
• This shows you how serious God is about circumcision, which is a token of faith.

[43] Colossians 2:11-12 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: 12 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.

• When you believe on Jesus Christ, you put off the sins of the flesh. This is circumcision of Christ.
• We are buried with Christ in baptism and risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God.
• Being baptized in water is also a very serious command from God. We should be baptized in water.
• Let’s continue in Genesis Chapter 17 verse 12.

[44] Genesis 17:12-13 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

• At 8 days old, the baby boys were to be circumcised. “Every man child born in the house.”
• “Or bought with the money of any stranger which is not of thy seed.
• The strangers were to be circumcised. They MUST NEEDS be circumcised.

[45] Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

• The father was to make sure his son was circumcised.
• If his father didn’t do so, that man should be circumcised later or be cut off from his people.
• That means they wouldn’t be allowed in the congregation of the children of Israel.
• Do not break God’s covenant or you are kicked out of the congregation.
• In the New Testament, we see God giving rules for kicking people out of church or the congregation.

God Has Rules And He Commands Us To Follow Them

[46] 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

[47] 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

• God hates fornication. Fornication is a sexual relationship before marriage.
• If there is anyone who calls themselves a brother and is fornicating, they shall be cut off from the congregation.
• “With such an one no not to eat.” Now, if the brother stops fornicating and corrects the sin, we forgive.
• And we welcome them back into the congregation. But not as long as they are fornicating.
• This is similar to being cut off from their people for not being circumcised.
• So, that is the covenant of circumcision given to Abraham in Genesis Chapter 17. Let’s keep going.

[48] Genesis 17:15-16 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

• So we see the same thing as we saw with Abram to Abraham for Sarai to Sarah.
• God is blessing her. How? He will give Abraham a son of Sarah. “YEA, I WILL BLESS HER.”
• Sarah will have a son. “She shall be a mother of NATIONS. Kings of people shall be of her.”
• This isn’t just one nation, which many false preachers will teach.
• She shall be a mother of NATIONS. Kings shall come from Sarah. What does this mean?

Did you know that we will be ruling and reigning with Jesus Christ in the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ?

• Make sure you understand that the Bible isn’t just talking about Saul, David, Solomon and the other kings.
• The Bible is also prophesying about the future reign of Jesus Christ.
• Let’s connect Genesis to Revelation. Front of the Bible to the end of the Bible.

[49] Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

[50] Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

• Notice what you see right there at the beginning of verse 4 in Revelation Chapter 20.
• “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.”
• “Kings of people shall be of her” and this is talking about Sarah. Why?
• Because Abraham believed and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And God blessed Sarah.
• This blessing came through FAITH ALONE.

Now, so far in Genesis Chapter 17, have you seen any humor from God?

• Was God joking about any of these things? No, He wasn’t. But watch what happens here next.
• God just told Abraham that Sarah would have a child. Abraham was about 100 years old.
• Sarah was about 90 years old. And God is very serious about this.
• What would you do if you were 99 years old and your wife was 89 years and God comes and tells you that you’ll have a child?
• Well, let’s see what Abraham does here.

[51] Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

• Abraham falls upon his face and laughs at what God just told him.
• He says within his heart, “Shall a child be born unto him that is 100 years old?”
• “And shall Sarah that is 90 years old have a child?” Remember, God hears everything you’re thinking.
• Listen, this is how God does things. He takes the weak and He makes them strong.
• He gives children to a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman to show Himself strong and mighty.
• “There is nothing too hard for the Lord.” And yes, He will make us laugh at times.

[52] Genesis 21:6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.

• This is God’s sense of humor, and it’s awesome. God made Abraham and Sarah laugh.
• Think about that. They were waiting their entire life to have a child. They waited a long time.
• God promised them a child. And He gives them a child in their very old age. He makes them laugh.
• God can do anything for you if you would simply trust Him.

[53] Genesis 17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

• Ishmael was born to Abraham when he was 86 years old. Now, Ishmael is 13 years old.
• Abraham thought Ishmael was going to be the heir, but he’s not.

[54] Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

• Ishmael is a picture of doing something your way versus God’s way.
• Sarah gave Abraham her maid, Hagar, to have Ishmael. This was not God’s way.
• Ishmael was Abraham’s way of doing something. Isaac is God’s way of doing something.
• Do you see the difference? We are to work hard, but we are also to wait upon the Lord.
• God is making you a promise to save you through His Son Jesus Christ. Be a child of promise.

[55] Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

• Isaac is the child of promise. Ishmael is not. Sarah will bear a son named Isaac.
• God will establish his covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with his seed after him.
• Isaac will be a believer. We’re going to learn the type of man Isaac was. He was a man of faith.

[56] Hebrews 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

• Isaac continued that faith that his father Abraham and his mother Sarah had.
• The everlasting covenant and promise that God made is to save all those who believe His promises.

[57] Genesis 17:20-21 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

• We talked about Ishmael and studied him in detail in the last chapter.
• God blesses Ishmael because of Abraham’s prayers for Ishmael. God answers his prayers.
• Ishmael has 12 sons himself. Isaac has 2 sons, Jacob and Esau. And then Jacob has 12 sons.
• 12 princes shall he beget. God will make Ishmael a great nation.
• We’ll learn the names of Ishmael’s 12 sons in Genesis Chapter 25.
• The covenant, though, will continue with Isaac.
• God then tells Abraham that Sarah will have Isaac at this set time next year.

[58] Genesis 17:22 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

• And that was it. God is finished talking with Abraham and goes up. God lives up there.

[59] Genesis 17:23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

• Abraham did what God commanded him immediately. He circumcised all of them in the selfsame day.
• Now, think about that. That takes faith to act on that. Your family might think you were crazy.
• But Abraham COMMANDED his family. God knew that Abraham commanded his family.
• And they trusted Abraham and did what he asked.

Abraham Is Not A Procrastinator

Notice that Abraham didn’t put this off. Moses did put it off and the Lord sought to kill Moses.

• Abraham did this immediately. He showed his faith through his works.
• I can only show you my faith through my works. You can’t see my actual faith in God.
• You can only see what I do. Listen, it’s not good to procrastinate or put things off.
• Remember, circumcision is similar to baptism. It’s not good to put off your baptism.
• It’s not good to put off things that you know you need to do now.
• For example, when you have a job to do, GET IT DONE IMMEDIATELY.
• You must work hard on things and be consistent in your approach. Get things done immediately.
• Be like Abraham right here. This is something you would want to put off. But Abraham did it immediately.

Listen, it doesn’t matter if there’s something you don’t want to do but it needs to be done.

• GET IT DONE. Finish it. Don’t delay. For example, don’t delay in being saved.
• Don’t delay in changing your mind and believing on Jesus Christ. Get it done right now.
• Don’t delay in being baptized. Don’t delay in going to church. Don’t delay in repenting of your sin.
• Don’t delay in reading and studying the Bible. Don’t say: “I’ll start reading my Bible tomorrow.”
• “I’ll start reading my Bible next week.” No, do it right now. Don’t wait. It’s very important.

[60] Genesis 17:24-27 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.

• Abraham was saved long before he was circumcised.
• He continued to do what God asked because of his faith in God.
• You won’t do what God says unless you have faith in God.
• For example, you won’t believe what I tell you unless you have faith in me to do what I said I would do.
• Think about the great faith Abraham had in God. Look at the great works that Abraham did.
• He wouldn’t have done any of those works if he didn’t have faith in God.
• Abraham is the father of faith because he showed his great faith in God through his works.

Abraham got up and left his country and went to a land that he knew not.

• He believed God’s promise to him that he would give him a child. He had no idea how God would do this.
• The faith of Abraham continued to increase. He wasn’t perfect, but his faith was growing.
• God commanded him to be circumcised. He did it.
• All of this is leading up to the sacrifice of his only son Isaac in Genesis Chapter 22.

You don’t get faith like that immediately when you’re first saved.

• You trust God more and more and God shows you what He can do. He’s done this for me with this church.
• This church is starting to grow. All of you are the first to be here. Jesus is doing all of this.
• I surely am not. NOT AT ALL. Jesus teaches us here. I surely am not. NOT AT ALL.
• I couldn’t even figure out the Bible several years ago. But now He teaches me so I can teach you.
• I trust God with all that I have, but sacrificing your only son would be very difficult.

[61] Romans 4:19-21 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

[62] Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

• You must FIRST have faith in God in order to do great works for God. Without faith, you can’t please God.
• God’s way is the perfect way. I want to give you an example here to close out Genesis Chapter 17.
• When soul winning, Pam talked with a woman who had several children.
• She opened the door to show Pam all of her children, and she said:
• “You want me to tell all of THEM that they can’t lose everlasting life???”

She thought through fear of telling them they were going to hell that they would do whatever she said was right.

• She thought she could constantly threaten them with hell to get them to obey.
• This is VERY WRONG. This is called hating your children and lying to your children.
• How would you get someone to actually do good and follow God’s commandments?
• Why did Abraham follow God’s commandments? Think about that. Why did Abraham do what God said?
• Let’s answer that question with the Scriptures.

[63] Romans 3:27-29 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

[64] Romans 3:30-31 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

• What was God’s way of establishing His law and getting people to follow His law?
• How in the world would God get someone to do what He says? THROUGH FAITH.
• We establish the law through faith. We believe so we do.
• You’ll find that people like us will do more good works for God than people who believe false doctrine.

People who believe that they are saved through faith alone will want to do more for God.

• Why? Because we believe on Him, trust Him, love Him, and want to do what He says.
• Because we believe, WE DO WHAT HE SAYS. It’s not the other way around.
• We don’t establish God’s laws through unbelief. We don’t establish God’s laws by lying to children.
• We get our children to follow God by teaching them the truth.
• It’s very sad that the woman Pam talked with won’t believe what God says.
• She believes her way of lying to her children will get them to be good children.
• NO. God’s way is the best way, and we must BY FAITH trust His ways. This is faith.

Remember the example of Abraham. He messed up when he tried to do it himself with Ishmael.

• Abraham wasn’t perfect. I am definitely not perfect. You are not perfect. We all mess up.
• But we must trust in God, grow our faith through His words, and do better.
• We are justified by faith without the works of the law, but we do the works because we have faith.
• And we do more for God because we grow our faith and trust Him to do what He says He’ll do.

Jesus says, “I will build my church.” We do what He says, and He builds the church.

• We continue to work for God, and we know we are already saved. We work for Him because we love Him.
• We understand that God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us.
• And Jesus Christ did die for you. Let’s trust in His works and not our own. He is the sacrifice for sins.
• We are not saved by works. We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray.