Text: Genesis 22:1-24

An Ultimate Test of Faith (Gen. 22:1-2)

• God tested Abraham's faith by commanding him to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice.
• God tests us to prove the genuineness of our faith and produce steadfastness (James 1:2-4).

An Undaunted Act of Obedience (Gen. 22:3-10)

• Abraham responds to God in faith, acting in obedience to God's command.
• Abraham believed that God would provide a lamb for the sacrifice and take care of his son. (Heb. 11:17-19)

An Unfailing Provision of Grace (Gen. 22:11-14)

• Abraham proved that his faith in God was genuine.
• God stays Abraham's hand and provides the sacrifice that was required.
• Jesus, the true and better Isaac, is the sacrificial lamb of God who would be slain for our redemption.

An Unwavering Promise of Blessing (Gen. 22:15-24)

• God rewards Abraham for his obedience and reassures Abraham of His promise to bless him and his offspring.

Text: Genesis 21:1-34

God's Promise is Fulfilled (Gen. 21:1-7)

• God proves to be true to His Word as Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah.
• Isaac's name (laughter) is proof of God's grace to Abraham and Sarah.

God's Promise is Preserved (Gen. 21:8-21)

• God sets apart Isaac as the one in whom the promise would be fulfilled.
• God's electing grace and common grace are on display with Isaac and Ishmael.
• Galatians 4:21-31 portrays this event as an allegory and how it applies to the Gospel and our identity in Christ.

God's Promise is Progressing (Gen. 21:22-34)

• Abimelech's treaty with Abraham proves that God's promise of land to Abraham's offspring continues to advance.
• As Abraham plants a tree in Beersheba, he is planting his faith in an everlasting God who keeps His promises.

Text: Romans 12:1-2

The Mercies of God is the Basis For the Challenge of Total Commitment

• GRACE, is when we get what we don't deserve.
• MERCY, is when we don't get what we DO deserve.

Total Commitment Means Being Totally Transformed.

• The word we get transformed is where we get the word metamorphosis.
• It's continual and gradual.
• We should allow the Holy Spirit to help. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

In order to know the will of God, we must surrender to that will.

Text: Genesis 20:1-18

Abraham's Besetting Sin (Gen. 20:1-2)

• At the crossroads of faith and unbelief, Abram responds in unbelief, just as he did before in Genesis 12:10-20.

God's Sovereign Intervention (Gen. 20:3-7)

• Abraham's sin seemingly put God's covenant in jeopardy.
• God shows Himself to be sovereign over all things as He restrains Abimelech and protects Sarah.

Abimelech's Strong Confrontation (Gen. 20:8-13)

• Abimelech confronts Abraham's lying and deceptive behavior.
• Abraham is caught in his sin, proving that he had misjudged Abimelech and did not trust in the Lord.

God's Gracious Providence (Gen. 20:14-18)

• God displays His grace and providence by bringing healing to Abimelech and blessing to Abraham.

Text: Genesis 19:1-38

Sodom's Violent Wickedness (Gen. 19:1-11)

• The angels come to Lot's home, and he treats them with hospitality.
• The angels are met with hostility from the men of Sodom.

God's Merciful Deliverance (Gen. 19:12-22)

• The angels reveal God's plan of judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.
• The angels promise to deliver Lot and his family from the impending destruction.
• Lot and his family are mercifully removed of the city and told to escape without looking back.

God's Righteous Judgment (Gen. 19:23-29)

• God sends fiery judgment upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness.
• Lot's wife dies as she disobeys the Lord and looks back at the city.
• God is mindful of His covenant to Abraham and rescues Lot and his daughters from destruction.

Lot's Final Act and God's Rescuing Grace (Gen. 19:30-38; 2 Peter 2:6-9)

• Lot and his daughters are responsible for creating two of Israel's greatest enemies.
• In the end, God's grace is displayed through Lot's rescue and in calling him righteous (2 Peter 2:6-9).

Text: Genesis 18:16-33

God Reveals His Plan to Judge the Wicked (Gen. 18:16-21)

• God decided to reveal His plan to judge Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham in light of their covenant relationship.
• God planned to judge Sodom and Gomorrah because of their grave wickedness and the cries of the oppressed (Ezekiel 16:49-50).

Abraham Intercedes in Prayer for the Wicked (Gen. 18:22-33)

• Abraham approached God in humble submission.
• Abraham appealed to God with persistent boldness.
• God responded to Abraham with benevolent mercy.

Text: Genesis 18:1-15

The Lord Provides His Presence (Gen. 18:1-8)

• The Lord personally comes to visit and eat with Abraham along with two other visitors (this is Christ in pre-incarnate form with His angels).
• Abraham bows in worship, places himself under their authority, and shows them hospitality.

The Lord Guarantees His Promise (Gen. 18:9-15)

• God personally ensures that His promise to Abraham will take place regardless of the circumstances.
• Sarah laughs in disbelief to herself in response God's promise.
• God deepens Sarah's faith in Him by assuring her of His matchless power.

Text: Psalm 145:1-13

God's Greatness is Limitless (Ps. 145:1-6)

• Because God is great, we must declare His mighty works to one another in praise.

God's Goodness is Abundant (Ps. 145:7-10)

• Because God is good, we must declare His acts of grace and mercy to one another in praise.

God's Kingdom is Everlasting (Ps. 145:11-13)

• Because God's kingdom is everlasting, we will declare His faithfulness and mighty deeds to one another forever.

Text: Ephesians 4:11-16

1. We are Equipped in Christ through Gifted Shepherds (11-12)

2. We are Equipped in Christ to Grow into Maturity (13)

3. We are Equipped in Christ to Stand Firm in the Truth (14)

4. We are Equipped in Christ to Disciple One Another into Growth (15-16)

Jeff Fitzgerald preaches to us from Jeremiah 29:1-14.