Abraham’s New Thing relationship with God, Thames Valley churches of Christ, January 2024, Genesis 18.md

‘A New Thing’ Series Class 2 — Abraham
Introduction
* When studying Abraham we often focus on the promises, the blessings and the sacrifice of Isaac
* This class will focus on the newness within Abraham’s relationship with God
* Genesis 18.16-33
1. God Trusts Abraham
* He reveals himself
* He accepts hospitality
* He reveals his plans
* He practices ‘vulnerability’
* Leads to a ‘partnership’ with Abraham - a new thing
* ‘he was no yes-man but a true partner.’ Tyndale
* Jesus treats us as ‘friends’:John 15.15
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
* Do you sense God trusts you?
* What helps you believe Jesus sees you as his friend?
* He made himself vulnerable to draw us to him- “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.”(Philippians 2:5-8 NRSV)
* - ’Vulnerability begets vulnerability; courage is contagious.’ Daring Greatly, Brene Brown
*
* ‘Point of Grace’ song, ‘He believes in you’ — ,
* The story behind the song: https://youtu.be/fh_tdLFe67k?si=8TxCF76pHKe_fv1l
* YouTube version of the song: https://youtu.be/ZA3jPIHnsIc?si=bjgbvRbybPm2orEW
* Song lyrics below
2. Abraham Trust God
* He trusts God will listen
* He trusts he can reason with God - respectfully
- Contrast with Job: “Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?”(Job 38:1-5 NIV11)
*
“Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” The LORD said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”” (Genesis 18:23-26 NIV11)
* This is not haggling, but exploring
* Parallels with Jesus and the Greek woman“She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.” (Mark 7:26-30 NIV11)
*
Conclusion
What does Abraham learn?
* God cares about people
* God wants to include him in his plans
* God listens to him
What do we learn?
* The importance of trusting that God wants to hear from us
“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2 NIV11)
* “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” (Revelation 5:8 NIV11)
*
* The value in taking issues to God in prayer and exploring them with him
Questions for reflection and discussion
* What does it mean to you to talk to your Heavenly Father like a friend?
* What barriers exist to prevent that, and what can you do about it?
* What inspires your trust in God that he loves to be with you in your prayers?
* What is your main take-away from reflecting on Abraham’s ‘new thing’ relationship with God, and how will you make it part of your relationship with God?
Song by Point of Grace
You're not hearing the answers you've been praying for
You try and try, can't find an open door
You're not seeing the miracles not a one in sight
And the way you feel you sure need one tonight
Your faith is crumbling, your feet are stumbling
It's so hard to believe in Him
But He believes in you when you're at your weakest
And hope's still burning through the night but you can't see it
You know in your heart He loves you
But in those moments when you can't believe it's true
He believes in you
Chin deep in the water you tried walking on
And you reach for Him and you think He's gone
He's still there beside you with His stubborn love
No, He never left and He won't give up
He will protect you until you're rescued
Oh, there's nothing that He can't do
'Cause He believes in you when you're at your weakest
And hope's still burning through the night but you can't see it
You know in your heart He loves you
But in those moments when you can't believe it's true
He believes in you
You know in your heart He loves you
But at those moments when you can't believe it's true
He believes in you
He believes in you, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in you
