In Genesis 16:1-16 Abram foolishly listens to his wife and takes Hagar as a second wife to produce a male child. Abram sins doubly by agreeing to the plan and then allowing his new wife to be sent away. Hagar sins in her pride over Sarai. Sarai sins in suggesting the idea in the first place. All of this leads to rupture in the family. Yet, in the midst of all of this sin, God comes graciously to Hagar and shows that grace will be shown to the Gentiles in exile when they turn to God. God uses the foolishness and sin of all involved to foreshadow the glorious ingathering of the nations through Christ, showing the wonder of His unsearchable wisdom.

In Revelation 7:9-17 John continues to describe the elect. Whereas in 7:1-8 the elect are sealed so as not to fall during their earthly lives, in 7:9-17 they are described in heaven, having conquered. The church militant has become the church triumphant. This heavenly worship is the reward of the saints and is the encouragement held out to struggling Christians. All those sealed will end up in heaven in the presence of Christ.

Polygamy is one of the difficult questions people typically have about the OT. Why was it permitted? Furthermore, as technology improves questions about reproductive options such as surrogacy and IVF are particularly pressing today. In this sermon, Pastor Grasso addresses the implications of Genesis 16:1-16 for these questions.

In Revelation 7:1-8 the elect of God are sealed. The 144,000 refer not to ethnic Israel, but the church, which is true Israel. What we learn from the passage is that, though there will be great challenges and tribulations in this life, God will not lose a single one of those chosen from before the foundation of the world.

In Genesis 15:7-21 God gives Abram a vision foreshadowing the future redemption of the Exodus to give Abram confidence about the promises of God. God does this as an act of grace that he might be encouraged in the midst of the trials of life. Though these kinds of visions are not given today, God still acts to give His people confidence in the promises He has made. The prophecies of the OT still function this way, giving us confidence that the redemption accomplished through Christ will culminate in the New Creation.

In Revelation 6:9-17 Christ opens the fifth and sixth seals of the scroll given to Him in chapter 5. As Christ opens these seals during the age the church, we understand that two things are true: The Church will be persecuted and the Church will be vindicated.

In Genesis 15:1-6 God makes a promise to Abram that does not appear likely to be fulfilled. Abram, however, knowing in the omnipotent power of God, believes the promise. In response we are told that Abram's faith was counted to him as righteousness. Thus, the patriarch, whose life centers on the theme of faith, is justified by faith, not works.

In Revelation 6:1-8 four horsemen are sent out to bring judgment to the earth. What do these horsemen mean? Ultimately, they show that Christ is sovereign over all the affairs of man. This means that the Christian can be at peace when he sees disasters in the world. It also means that those who are not Christians should repent and turn to Christ.

In Genesis 14:17-24 Abram interacts with two people after defeating the giant slayers: Melchizedek and the King of Sodom. These two interactions are instructive for us. On the one hand, Abram's heart is knit together with Melchizedek because of their common faith. On the other hand, Abram refuses to receive anything from the King of Sodom that he might not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever.

In Revelation 5:1-14 no one is found worthy to open the scroll with its seals except the lamb slain. Christ's glory and worthiness is in His death, whereby He has begun to reign. He is, therefore, worthy to be worshipped forever for redeeming a people for Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue.