WEBVTT 1 00:00:08.725 --> 00:00:09.558 Thank. 2 00:00:39.365 --> 00:00:40.198 Holy, 3 00:00:41.645 --> 00:00:45.765 holy in Jesus name ain't name. 4 00:00:58.005 --> 00:01:01.805 In Jesus righteousness 5 00:01:16.365 --> 00:01:17.198 we say, 6 00:01:43.075 --> 00:01:43.908 anybody believe that? 7 00:02:04.165 --> 00:02:04.998 And 8 00:03:39.125 --> 00:03:43.885 when he shall come with trumpet sounds, Jesus is coming back 9 00:04:11.645 --> 00:04:12.645 in the presence of 10 00:04:16.885 --> 00:04:17.845 singing forever. 11 00:04:30.995 --> 00:04:31.835 Lift your voices, your voice, 12 00:05:32.785 --> 00:05:34.385 his place Let of, 13 00:05:35.185 --> 00:05:40.145 because he's of worthy of every shout and every declaration of his goodness. 14 00:05:40.425 --> 00:05:41.258 Come on. 15 00:05:46.885 --> 00:05:51.335 Well it is great to see all of you. Welcome to Whole Community Church. 16 00:05:51.595 --> 00:05:52.455 My name's Dwayne. 17 00:05:52.795 --> 00:05:57.135 I'm one of the pastors here and I get the privilege of welcoming you here today. 18 00:05:57.585 --> 00:06:02.404 Now we are excited as we always are for the opportunity to worship God and 19 00:06:02.405 --> 00:06:04.805 that's what this time is really all about. 20 00:06:05.165 --> 00:06:07.805 And we're starting a brand new series today and we're excited. 21 00:06:07.915 --> 00:06:11.685 It's called Called. And you're gonna hear for the next two weeks, um, 22 00:06:11.686 --> 00:06:15.525 from two of our leaders here, hope Community Church today you get to treat, 23 00:06:15.585 --> 00:06:16.525 we get the privilege. 24 00:06:16.625 --> 00:06:20.325 I'm excited to spend this time together with our lead pastor Jason Gore. 25 00:06:20.326 --> 00:06:24.005 Y'all give Jason some love right from the very beginning of our time together. 26 00:06:26.635 --> 00:06:28.775 Now, if you are new to Hope Community Church, 27 00:06:28.975 --> 00:06:32.214 I want to let you know that we would love to get connected with you. 28 00:06:32.285 --> 00:06:36.615 Like we would love to help you to find your place as a part of the family of 29 00:06:36.635 --> 00:06:37.075 God. 30 00:06:37.075 --> 00:06:40.055 And one of the ways that you can easily do that here at Hope is an area called 31 00:06:40.056 --> 00:06:42.654 the next steps area At the end of service today, 32 00:06:42.655 --> 00:06:45.815 we would love it if you would stop by there. Uh, as you exit, 33 00:06:45.845 --> 00:06:49.455 just let us know that you're new and we'll do everything that we can to 34 00:06:50.695 --> 00:06:55.175 relationally walk you into the family of God and spend time getting to know you 35 00:06:55.275 --> 00:06:59.214 and help you and encourage you as you spend that time trying to discern where 36 00:06:59.215 --> 00:07:01.735 the Lord is leading you. Now, at each of our physical campuses, 37 00:07:01.736 --> 00:07:05.095 we have a next steps area and we would love to meet you there and we're gonna 38 00:07:05.335 --> 00:07:07.095 continue to worship together. And before we get there, 39 00:07:07.375 --> 00:07:11.495 I want you to take a moment and simply greet each other, welcome to each other, 40 00:07:11.735 --> 00:07:14.015 to church. And I wanna tell you, welcome to hope. 41 00:07:34.975 --> 00:07:37.175 Our church. We're gonna continue to worship together. 42 00:07:38.535 --> 00:07:41.575 We're gonna declare the name of Jesus all across. 43 00:07:41.895 --> 00:07:42.728 Us. 44 00:07:45.415 --> 00:07:46.248 Oh Jesus, 45 00:08:14.335 --> 00:08:18.495 I speak declare 46 00:08:24.095 --> 00:08:24.928 name. 47 00:09:15.385 --> 00:09:17.184 Speak the name of Jesus, 48 00:09:21.184 --> 00:09:22.017 fear and. 49 00:09:32.785 --> 00:09:33.425 Speak. 50 00:09:33.425 --> 00:09:34.258 Jesus. 51 00:09:34.385 --> 00:09:35.865 Come declare the name of Jesus. 52 00:09:36.425 --> 00:09:37.585 Today we ing. 53 00:09:39.705 --> 00:09:40.538 I just. 54 00:09:41.865 --> 00:09:43.025 The name of Jesus 55 00:10:08.085 --> 00:10:08.918 name is 56 00:10:18.965 --> 00:10:21.684 strong. Shine the 57 00:10:29.925 --> 00:10:34.245 forever because your name is God. Name, 58 00:10:35.325 --> 00:10:38.405 healing name is. 59 00:10:44.495 --> 00:10:45.328 Strong. 60 00:10:46.695 --> 00:10:47.528 Shine. 61 00:10:57.684 --> 00:10:59.245 Jesus the mountain. 62 00:11:03.565 --> 00:11:05.925 Oh Jesus the darkness. 63 00:11:10.245 --> 00:11:13.965 Oh Jesus. For my family I speak. 64 00:11:17.125 --> 00:11:20.045 Jesus. Jesus, Jesus. 65 00:11:23.005 --> 00:11:24.804 Shout Jesus. The 66 00:11:30.125 --> 00:11:30.958 Jesus. 67 00:11:42.965 --> 00:11:43.798 Jesus. 68 00:11:56.085 --> 00:11:56.918 Jesus, 69 00:12:02.445 --> 00:12:03.278 Jesus. 70 00:12:14.345 --> 00:12:19.025 Your name is power. Your name is healing, 71 00:12:20.865 --> 00:12:24.985 your name is alive. Yes, it's we declare. 72 00:12:26.745 --> 00:12:31.505 So the 73 00:12:43.905 --> 00:12:44.738 name 74 00:12:56.554 --> 00:12:57.387 shine, 75 00:13:12.304 --> 00:13:14.065 we declare the name. 76 00:13:14.385 --> 00:13:19.265 Of Jesus. We 77 00:13:21.585 --> 00:13:25.065 come on wherever you we to declare. 78 00:13:25.585 --> 00:13:26.418 The name. 79 00:13:26.465 --> 00:13:29.345 Of Jesus. Come on, Jesus. 80 00:13:31.905 --> 00:13:32.738 Jesus, 81 00:13:44.985 --> 00:13:47.145 Jesus we love. 82 00:13:47.785 --> 00:13:48.618 You. 83 00:13:51.025 --> 00:13:53.425 Oh Jesus, we love. 84 00:13:54.665 --> 00:13:55.498 You. 85 00:14:01.585 --> 00:14:06.565 Oh Jesus, come on church, let's give him some praise. He's good, 86 00:14:06.965 --> 00:14:09.845 he's faithful. Oh Jesus. 87 00:14:12.335 --> 00:14:16.304 This Jesus we sing to And this Jesus that we talk about is referred to in one of 88 00:14:16.305 --> 00:14:20.825 the most famous passages in all of the Bible. And that is Psalms 23. 89 00:14:22.005 --> 00:14:25.545 I'm gonna read that over us today. The Lord is my shepherd. 90 00:14:26.785 --> 00:14:30.665 I shall not one. He makes me lie down in green pastures. 91 00:14:30.725 --> 00:14:34.705 He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. 92 00:14:36.005 --> 00:14:38.865 He leads me in paths of righteousness for his namesake. 93 00:14:39.775 --> 00:14:42.745 Even though I walk to the valley of the shadow of death, 94 00:14:43.065 --> 00:14:46.265 I will fear no evil for you are with me. 95 00:14:47.095 --> 00:14:50.025 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 96 00:14:51.265 --> 00:14:54.685 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, 97 00:14:55.865 --> 00:14:59.605 you anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. 98 00:15:01.225 --> 00:15:06.085 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days 99 00:15:06.225 --> 00:15:11.085 of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 100 00:15:11.595 --> 00:15:14.765 forever. This is the word of God. 101 00:15:16.455 --> 00:15:20.285 We're gonna sing a new song together today that's called Good plans. 102 00:15:20.425 --> 00:15:22.685 And this is what the song is about. 103 00:15:23.635 --> 00:15:26.445 That regardless of what you brought into the room today, 104 00:15:26.446 --> 00:15:29.125 whether it is a desert or whether it is a garden, 105 00:15:29.885 --> 00:15:33.805 our God who is holy and faithful yesterday, 106 00:15:34.255 --> 00:15:37.245 today and forever, he has good plans. 107 00:15:37.545 --> 00:15:42.405 The Bible says He knows the very number of heirs on your head and he is worthy 108 00:15:42.565 --> 00:15:43.398 to giving your life to. 109 00:15:44.325 --> 00:15:46.805 And so for those of us who make Jesus our Lord and Savior, 110 00:15:47.265 --> 00:15:51.645 we can say with confidence that our God has good 111 00:15:52.445 --> 00:15:55.885 plans. So we're gonna sing this together today. Let me pray for us. 112 00:15:58.985 --> 00:16:02.765 God, we thank you that you are beyond faithful, 113 00:16:03.155 --> 00:16:07.165 that you are beyond merciful. May we learn to trust you. 114 00:16:08.445 --> 00:16:11.285 And if anyone today doesn't know you as this shepherd when they know you today, 115 00:16:12.205 --> 00:16:13.165 in Jesus name, amen. 116 00:16:16.485 --> 00:16:19.805 Lord is my shepherd. And 117 00:16:23.165 --> 00:16:24.205 so will not. 118 00:16:24.415 --> 00:16:25.248 Worry. 119 00:16:27.115 --> 00:16:29.645 I'll not be the end me. 120 00:16:30.485 --> 00:16:32.525 He said that he loves me. 121 00:16:34.045 --> 00:16:38.845 He said that He's with me though I walk through the valley 122 00:16:41.005 --> 00:16:45.245 of shadow and death. And he. 123 00:16:46.485 --> 00:16:47.318 Good. 124 00:16:48.805 --> 00:16:49.638 He has. 125 00:16:50.045 --> 00:16:50.878 Good. 126 00:16:59.015 --> 00:17:00.695 He has good. 127 00:17:20.655 --> 00:17:21.175 He. 128 00:17:21.175 --> 00:17:25.575 Watching over the Lord is my Savior. 129 00:17:27.815 --> 00:17:31.655 The Lord is my Savior. Why 130 00:17:43.095 --> 00:17:46.535 the waters the. 131 00:18:11.255 --> 00:18:16.095 He has good plans. He has good, 132 00:18:26.615 --> 00:18:30.455 good. He has good. 133 00:19:08.825 --> 00:19:11.625 We trust you Lord. Oh, we trust you Lord. 134 00:19:13.984 --> 00:19:17.744 We're gonna sing. Surely goodness and mercy will follow after me. 135 00:19:17.745 --> 00:19:22.705 So I have no reason to fear. Come on, we sing surely. 136 00:19:24.744 --> 00:19:25.825 Goodness. And 137 00:19:40.105 --> 00:19:40.938 and 138 00:19:59.744 --> 00:20:03.744 that finally, surely, surely, surely, 139 00:20:05.825 --> 00:20:07.065 surely the 140 00:20:18.984 --> 00:20:22.385 God he has good plans. 141 00:20:23.744 --> 00:20:25.105 He has good 142 00:20:35.505 --> 00:20:36.338 good 143 00:21:07.135 --> 00:21:11.095 a church in His A, in his 144 00:21:44.095 --> 00:21:44.928 creatures. 145 00:22:02.335 --> 00:22:04.295 Say, praise God. Praise the. 146 00:22:19.365 --> 00:22:20.198 Yes. 147 00:22:30.225 --> 00:22:31.058 God, we thank you. 148 00:22:36.305 --> 00:22:37.484 We thank you that you hear 149 00:22:39.855 --> 00:22:41.685 those secret cries of our hearts. 150 00:22:43.665 --> 00:22:47.565 We thank you that you care about even the hairs on our head. 151 00:22:49.965 --> 00:22:51.605 We, we learn to trust you with every breath 152 00:22:53.585 --> 00:22:55.205 in the good days and in the bad days. 153 00:22:56.445 --> 00:22:56.445 Because. 154 00:22:56.445 --> 00:23:00.925 You are worthy of all of our trust in all of our life. 155 00:23:02.225 --> 00:23:07.205 We honor you, we glorify you. And it's in the name of Jesus that we pray. 156 00:23:08.595 --> 00:23:11.605 Amen. Church, did you take a seat? Will you give God some Thanksgiving today? 157 00:23:12.715 --> 00:23:14.445 Amen. Amen. 158 00:23:14.446 --> 00:23:18.205 We're so excited to share what God is doing here at Hope Community Church. 159 00:23:18.265 --> 00:23:20.205 We got an awesome story for you to check out. 160 00:23:23.665 --> 00:23:25.035 Well my name is Bree Biman. 161 00:23:25.095 --> 00:23:29.355 My husband Mike and I have been at Hope since 2007 right before Apex Campus 162 00:23:29.356 --> 00:23:29.734 opened. 163 00:23:29.734 --> 00:23:33.994 We were at Holly Springs High School and at the time my boys were very little. 164 00:23:33.995 --> 00:23:36.315 They're now 14, 12, and nine. Um, 165 00:23:36.316 --> 00:23:40.595 and I was a stay-at-home mom and I was exhausted and I wanted to do more. 166 00:23:40.715 --> 00:23:43.715 I wanted to serve but I didn't know how to do it and I was scared. 167 00:23:43.815 --> 00:23:47.285 And when we were at the high school, all the elementary kids in Kid City, 168 00:23:47.445 --> 00:23:49.525 K through five were in the gym. 169 00:23:49.785 --> 00:23:54.325 And I would walk by and see them doing the worship and singing the songs and 170 00:23:54.326 --> 00:23:57.365 dancing. And I felt like God was like, you need to be in there. 171 00:23:57.505 --> 00:23:59.885 And so then Apex Campus opened, um, 172 00:23:59.905 --> 00:24:03.325 and I became the worship team lead for our campus. 173 00:24:03.805 --> 00:24:08.045 I really felt like God was prepping my heart to be in Kid City before I was 174 00:24:08.046 --> 00:24:11.605 ready to take that step. And when I finally found the courage to take that step, 175 00:24:11.925 --> 00:24:14.165 I really related to the worship piece of it. 176 00:24:14.244 --> 00:24:18.285 I grew up in a Presbyterian church where we would read the Bible, you know, 177 00:24:18.286 --> 00:24:19.119 and do all the things, 178 00:24:19.185 --> 00:24:22.805 but the worship in the music is where I really heard from God. 179 00:24:23.145 --> 00:24:27.165 And so growing up music was a huge part of my life and it's been a huge part of 180 00:24:27.166 --> 00:24:30.484 my faith journey. And that's the part with Kid City that I really related to. 181 00:24:30.595 --> 00:24:33.325 When you're a stay at home mom, my concern was where's my kids gonna go? 182 00:24:33.585 --> 00:24:35.965 How is this gonna work? How am I gonna have time to do this? 183 00:24:36.265 --> 00:24:40.965 And I think what really convinced me was just meeting the other volunteers and 184 00:24:40.966 --> 00:24:44.205 they gracefully just came around me and said, here, we're gonna help you. 185 00:24:44.215 --> 00:24:45.725 Let's show you where intersection is, 186 00:24:45.726 --> 00:24:47.484 which is where the kids go when you're serving. 187 00:24:47.545 --> 00:24:49.565 And so that they're in a safe place while you're serving. 188 00:24:50.145 --> 00:24:52.605 And I think weekend by weekend and year by year, 189 00:24:53.285 --> 00:24:56.805 I was just guided and supported and they were able to show me like, look, 190 00:24:56.965 --> 00:24:58.085 your kids are great. You know, 191 00:24:58.086 --> 00:25:00.645 they're doing all these amazing things and you get to serve. 192 00:25:00.715 --> 00:25:02.085 When I finally took that step, 193 00:25:02.685 --> 00:25:05.965 I really felt God had put a calling on my heart that worship needs to be 194 00:25:06.244 --> 00:25:07.645 elevated, it needs to be more than that. 195 00:25:07.885 --> 00:25:10.365 Kid City does does such an amazing job with their curriculum. 196 00:25:10.535 --> 00:25:13.765 We've really evolved to it really being about a heart of worship. 197 00:25:14.395 --> 00:25:17.325 What does that mean to praise God? Why do we praise God? 198 00:25:17.465 --> 00:25:19.725 Why is this important in our faith journey? 199 00:25:19.855 --> 00:25:22.005 Music has always been a huge piece of my life. 200 00:25:22.145 --> 00:25:24.484 One of my son's music is a huge piece of his life. 201 00:25:24.485 --> 00:25:29.244 There's a lot of kids that relate to music and I feel like if we can bring them 202 00:25:29.245 --> 00:25:33.605 closer to Jesus through worship and through music generally those moments of 203 00:25:33.606 --> 00:25:37.285 jazzing the kids up and hearing them sing and watching them dance and praise the 204 00:25:37.286 --> 00:25:41.484 Lord, it's just so pure. What an amazing thing to be part of that. And I just, 205 00:25:41.845 --> 00:25:42.845 I think that's just my heart, 206 00:25:42.846 --> 00:25:46.725 that God gave me that heart to serve by taking that chance and getting involved. 207 00:25:47.234 --> 00:25:50.565 He's opened my community to people that I may not have ever rubbed shoulders 208 00:25:50.566 --> 00:25:53.685 with, that I can pray for them, they can pray for me, 209 00:25:53.945 --> 00:25:56.405 we can walk in life together. And, 210 00:25:56.406 --> 00:25:59.525 and that's even families of some of the kids that I serve with in Kid City. 211 00:25:59.526 --> 00:26:02.085 Like you just never know who's God's gonna bring in your path. 212 00:26:02.095 --> 00:26:04.405 There are just so many ways that you can make an impact. 213 00:26:04.585 --> 00:26:08.125 God shows up big time and he confirms like, this is why you're here. 214 00:26:08.445 --> 00:26:11.445 I am where God needs to be. And I know that God does that for other people too. 215 00:26:15.255 --> 00:26:19.335 Yeah, celebrate that man. A hello Hope family. Listen, 216 00:26:19.535 --> 00:26:20.734 I love that story. You know, we, 217 00:26:20.795 --> 00:26:25.535 we talk around here at hope about being the church, being a family, 218 00:26:25.536 --> 00:26:25.856 right? 219 00:26:25.856 --> 00:26:28.815 The church isn't just something that you show up to so that other people can 220 00:26:29.325 --> 00:26:31.975 only serve you like in a family. We all have roles, 221 00:26:32.035 --> 00:26:33.255 we all have responsibilities. 222 00:26:34.335 --> 00:26:36.855 And so seeing that actually come to life so meaningful. 223 00:26:36.856 --> 00:26:37.775 And I would say to you like, 224 00:26:37.795 --> 00:26:41.095 if you've been around here for any length of time and you're looking for a way 225 00:26:41.096 --> 00:26:42.935 to connect, if you're looking for ways to, 226 00:26:43.080 --> 00:26:45.420 to find out more about what it means to follow Jesus. 227 00:26:45.505 --> 00:26:47.565 If you're looking for a place or a way to share hope, 228 00:26:47.955 --> 00:26:49.365 we'd love to have you jump on one of our teams. 229 00:26:49.366 --> 00:26:53.805 Just go to next steps at whatever campus you are currently residing. Uh, 230 00:26:53.806 --> 00:26:56.645 if you're listening online or if you'd prefer you can just text the word serve 231 00:26:56.646 --> 00:27:01.525 to 7 2 9 8 9. We would love to follow up with you. We are in a series right now, 232 00:27:01.655 --> 00:27:04.365 we're just starting it this week, two week series it's called. 233 00:27:06.585 --> 00:27:10.325 And the series is all about what, what are we actually called into, uh, 234 00:27:10.425 --> 00:27:11.685 as people who love God, 235 00:27:11.686 --> 00:27:14.925 as people who follow Jesus as people who want to share hope with the world 236 00:27:14.926 --> 00:27:18.285 around us. And so this week we're gonna look at the life of Abraham. 237 00:27:18.635 --> 00:27:20.805 Next week we're gonna be looking at the life of Esther. 238 00:27:21.585 --> 00:27:23.805 And I wanna help you understand, I hope you understand, 239 00:27:23.865 --> 00:27:27.045 if we really were to try to unpack the life of Abraham, uh, 240 00:27:27.645 --> 00:27:30.565 and and how it fits in the overarching narrative of scripture, 241 00:27:31.185 --> 00:27:34.645 it would be have to be like an anywhere from an eight to a 52 week series. 242 00:27:35.345 --> 00:27:38.805 Or we could do it in one message, but it would take like eight to 52 hours. 243 00:27:38.865 --> 00:27:40.845 And so I don't think either one of those are a good idea. 244 00:27:41.505 --> 00:27:43.165 And so what we're gonna do is, uh, 245 00:27:43.175 --> 00:27:46.285 we're just gonna look at a few key moments in the life of Abraham. 246 00:27:46.285 --> 00:27:48.045 We're gonna make some OB observations. 247 00:27:48.046 --> 00:27:51.765 We're gonna look at how we can apply those to our life and then we're gonna head 248 00:27:51.766 --> 00:27:56.765 on outta here. Uh, quick story. Uh, this past week I asked my son, 249 00:27:56.905 --> 00:27:58.484 my 15-year-old son Aiden, 250 00:27:58.595 --> 00:28:02.244 because as a family we're reading through the Bible together in a year. 251 00:28:02.705 --> 00:28:06.365 And so I said, Hey son, I'm talking about Abraham this week and you know, 252 00:28:06.366 --> 00:28:07.725 we were in Genesis back in January, 253 00:28:08.275 --> 00:28:12.484 what was it that stood out to you about the life of Abraham? And he said, 254 00:28:12.485 --> 00:28:16.405 you know, dad, I think it was that he just had a lot of faith. 255 00:28:17.585 --> 00:28:18.925 And I thought, okay, well that's good. 256 00:28:18.926 --> 00:28:21.205 At least we remember something from the story. 257 00:28:21.206 --> 00:28:23.484 What is it that stood out to you specifically? And he said, 258 00:28:23.955 --> 00:28:27.525 he's like the only man that at least I've come across so far in the Bible that 259 00:28:27.526 --> 00:28:30.765 was ever actually asked to sacrifice his own son. 260 00:28:31.625 --> 00:28:35.085 And he was willing to do it because he actually had faith in God. 261 00:28:36.025 --> 00:28:39.525 Now I'm just gonna let that sit for a moment and, and we'll come back to it. 262 00:28:39.526 --> 00:28:42.365 But what I want you to know though is hey, 263 00:28:42.366 --> 00:28:44.725 kids can understand the Bible and, 264 00:28:44.925 --> 00:28:48.805 and one of the most powerful things that we can do is dads as moms within our 265 00:28:48.965 --> 00:28:49.166 families, 266 00:28:49.166 --> 00:28:52.325 to actually just spend time opening up God's word and reading it like they can 267 00:28:52.385 --> 00:28:55.845 digest it, we can digest it together and apply it to our lives. 268 00:28:56.385 --> 00:28:59.085 Before we jump into, uh, Abraham, I wanna ask you a question. 269 00:28:59.275 --> 00:29:02.885 Have you ever found yourself in a place where you thought, 270 00:29:04.295 --> 00:29:08.135 I thought by now I was gonna, it's like, hey, I, 271 00:29:08.215 --> 00:29:10.255 I thought I was gonna have a different job. 272 00:29:11.775 --> 00:29:15.975 I thought life was gonna be a bit more stable. Uh, 273 00:29:16.095 --> 00:29:18.695 I thought I was gonna have a better marriage. Uh, 274 00:29:18.775 --> 00:29:22.375 I thought I would was gonna have a marriage by now. Um, 275 00:29:22.695 --> 00:29:25.815 I I thought I was gonna have a chance to watch the Miami Dolphins in the Super 276 00:29:26.055 --> 00:29:30.015 Bowl at some point in my lifetime. And, uh, 277 00:29:30.295 --> 00:29:31.975 some things stretch your faith a little bit more. 278 00:29:31.976 --> 00:29:35.495 But what we're gonna find is when we look at the life of Abraham, what, 279 00:29:35.655 --> 00:29:39.855 what God really wants to call us into is a life of faith. In those moments, 280 00:29:39.955 --> 00:29:43.725 if you have your Bibles, I'm gonna encourage you turn to Genesis chapter 12. Uh, 281 00:29:43.735 --> 00:29:46.165 we're gonna start right at the very beginning there, verse one. 282 00:29:46.565 --> 00:29:49.725 I say this regularly when, when I get up here and talk, if you have a Bible, 283 00:29:49.735 --> 00:29:52.605 bring it with you. Uh, this week in particular, 284 00:29:52.675 --> 00:29:54.965 just the way this story rolls through the Old Testament, 285 00:29:54.966 --> 00:29:58.245 we're gonna read probably a lot more scripture than we normally do. 286 00:29:58.245 --> 00:30:00.605 And so I just think it'll be helpful if you can bring it. Uh, 287 00:30:00.805 --> 00:30:02.885 and so I'm gonna jump right in Genesis chapter 12, verse one. 288 00:30:02.905 --> 00:30:07.645 Now the Lord said to Abram quick, uh, side note here, 289 00:30:08.265 --> 00:30:12.045 his name is Abram. Now God at some point changes it to Abraham. 290 00:30:12.445 --> 00:30:16.565 I might even skip when that happens. His wife's name right now is Sir Rise. 291 00:30:16.595 --> 00:30:20.925 They're gonna change it to Sarah later. He's about 75 years old right now. 292 00:30:20.985 --> 00:30:23.845 His wife is 65. They've not been able to have kids. 293 00:30:24.065 --> 00:30:27.205 But I wanna tell you that now 'cause I might say the wrong name and I just 294 00:30:27.405 --> 00:30:30.845 wanna, I don't want you to be distracted. It's probably gonna happen now. 295 00:30:30.846 --> 00:30:31.845 The Lord said to Abram, 296 00:30:32.085 --> 00:30:37.085 go forth from your country and from your relatives and from your 297 00:30:37.086 --> 00:30:41.885 father's house to the land that I will show you. 298 00:30:42.645 --> 00:30:47.565 I will and I will make you a great nation and I will bless you and make your 299 00:30:47.566 --> 00:30:50.005 name great. And so you shall be a blessing. 300 00:30:50.006 --> 00:30:54.445 And I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you. I will curse. 301 00:30:55.225 --> 00:31:00.165 And in you, all the families say all the families, all all the families. 302 00:31:00.295 --> 00:31:01.245 Let's try it one more time. 303 00:31:01.325 --> 00:31:04.165 I know that was a surprise you didn't know it was coming. Say all the families, 304 00:31:04.745 --> 00:31:07.445 all the families turns out like when you get into translation, 305 00:31:07.446 --> 00:31:11.125 that really means all the families of the earth will be blessed. 306 00:31:11.625 --> 00:31:16.405 And so like he's saying, I want you to go from your country, from your family, 307 00:31:16.435 --> 00:31:18.445 from your relative. He's saying, I, I'm calling you. 308 00:31:18.485 --> 00:31:22.445 I want you to be willing to leave every part of your past that you know is 309 00:31:22.446 --> 00:31:27.425 comfortable. And I I'm curious, just think to yourself, 310 00:31:27.445 --> 00:31:32.145 if you've ever been in that place where everything that you knew you somehow 311 00:31:32.485 --> 00:31:35.265 God called you out of that into a place of the unknown. 312 00:31:36.685 --> 00:31:41.385 And so this was a go for something I will do later. 313 00:31:41.445 --> 00:31:44.425 And so everything else is future tense. So he says, I want you to go, 314 00:31:44.426 --> 00:31:45.465 but I'm not gonna tell you how. 315 00:31:45.525 --> 00:31:47.905 I'm not gonna tell you exactly what I'm certainly not gonna tell you when. 316 00:31:48.165 --> 00:31:51.025 So he goes, Genesis 12, four, we see. 317 00:31:51.026 --> 00:31:54.705 So Abraham went away as the Lord had spoken to him and lot went with him. 318 00:31:54.845 --> 00:31:56.385 Lot was his nephew and a, 319 00:31:56.445 --> 00:32:00.985 now Abraham was 75 years old when he departed from Heron. Okay? 320 00:32:02.045 --> 00:32:07.025 All of us are most likely tempted to believe that when God calls us into taking 321 00:32:07.185 --> 00:32:08.018 a step of faith, 322 00:32:08.525 --> 00:32:13.385 we step into that step of faith and we just expect life to get 323 00:32:13.386 --> 00:32:14.219 better. Right? 324 00:32:15.865 --> 00:32:20.375 Wrong doesn't always work that way. So he takes that step of faith. 325 00:32:20.715 --> 00:32:24.255 The first thing that happens is a famine hits. So I take a step of faith, 326 00:32:24.335 --> 00:32:27.415 I leave everything you say. You say you're going to bless me, a famine hits. 327 00:32:27.615 --> 00:32:28.775 Now I'm gonna sprint through some of this. 328 00:32:28.975 --> 00:32:32.945 We don't have to read every single verse. So because of the famine, 329 00:32:32.946 --> 00:32:36.745 they have to go to Egypt, they're going to Egypt. 330 00:32:37.285 --> 00:32:40.925 And Abraham realizes, Hey my sir Siri, you're beautiful. 331 00:32:41.185 --> 00:32:43.525 I'm nervous that the Egyptians are gonna see you, 332 00:32:43.526 --> 00:32:46.605 think you're beautiful and then kill me so they can have you. 333 00:32:46.625 --> 00:32:50.605 So I've got this great idea. Let's tell them that I'm your brother. 334 00:32:52.045 --> 00:32:55.025 And so they go into Egypt, they say is their brother, and then they sit, 335 00:32:55.145 --> 00:32:57.025 I mean the plan works and that they don't kill 'em, 336 00:32:57.026 --> 00:33:01.825 but then they end up taking his wife into Pharaoh's house, all right? 337 00:33:01.845 --> 00:33:04.465 And so they end up in the house together, 338 00:33:04.815 --> 00:33:08.145 then a curse comes on Pharaoh's house as as a result a plague. 339 00:33:08.445 --> 00:33:11.865 And so they end up departing from the area there. 340 00:33:11.865 --> 00:33:16.865 And then in chapter 13 there's essentially a family dispute involving 341 00:33:17.325 --> 00:33:19.945 his nephew that actually leads to the family splitting apart. 342 00:33:19.946 --> 00:33:23.545 And so just to sum it all up, to be clear, God said, go and I will bless you, 343 00:33:23.546 --> 00:33:25.785 Abraham went and he's experienced a famine, 344 00:33:25.786 --> 00:33:28.985 made a really dumb move and now his family's split up due to bickering, 345 00:33:30.385 --> 00:33:33.565 not exactly what you'd expect. And so in that moment 346 00:33:35.305 --> 00:33:39.715 we would be tempted to think like, did I miss something 347 00:33:41.665 --> 00:33:45.005 or have I actually done something similar to what Abraham did that has actually 348 00:33:45.325 --> 00:33:48.685 discounted me from the blessing that it is that God has for me. Maybe I, 349 00:33:48.686 --> 00:33:50.885 I've made a move I shouldn't have made Genesis 13. 350 00:33:51.185 --> 00:33:54.285 And what I want you to see here is God's commitment to his faithfulness. 351 00:33:54.685 --> 00:33:58.645 I want you to see God's commitment to his promises. Genesis 13, 14 through 18, 352 00:33:58.905 --> 00:34:03.525 the Lord said to Abram after lot had separated from him. He says, 353 00:34:04.085 --> 00:34:04.526 now Abram, 354 00:34:04.526 --> 00:34:08.245 raise your eyes and look from the place where you are northward and southward 355 00:34:08.246 --> 00:34:12.965 and eastward and westward for all the land which you see I will give to you 356 00:34:13.185 --> 00:34:14.965 and to your descendants forever. 357 00:34:15.925 --> 00:34:18.925 I will make your descendants as plentiful as the dust of the earth. 358 00:34:19.225 --> 00:34:21.445 So that if anyone can count the dust of the earth, 359 00:34:21.715 --> 00:34:25.285 then your descendants could also be counted. So God shows up again. He says, 360 00:34:25.286 --> 00:34:28.645 listen, you're gonna have this land. He says, you're gonna have descendants. 361 00:34:28.725 --> 00:34:30.205 I made a promise you're gonna have descendants. 362 00:34:30.245 --> 00:34:32.205 I made a promise and I'm gonna keep it. 363 00:34:32.864 --> 00:34:37.485 So God just reaffirms his promise. So this is where things get better. 364 00:34:39.165 --> 00:34:43.614 Chapter 14, a war breaks out around them and then he finds out, 365 00:34:44.094 --> 00:34:46.495 remember the family that split apart due to the bickering he finds out his 366 00:34:46.496 --> 00:34:50.135 nephew is actually kidnapped by one of the people groups that are a part of this 367 00:34:50.235 --> 00:34:54.175 war. And like in one of the lesser talked about stories in the life of Abraham, 368 00:34:54.645 --> 00:34:59.575 Abraham and like 300 of his best fighters have to go like Liam Neeson in the 369 00:34:59.576 --> 00:35:01.255 movie taken and rescue them out. 370 00:35:03.965 --> 00:35:08.065 So like it is not getting any easier. And again, 371 00:35:09.925 --> 00:35:13.305 are we tempted to think maybe God's not in it? 372 00:35:14.475 --> 00:35:17.565 This isn't what I signed up for. Did I miss my calling? 373 00:35:19.435 --> 00:35:23.915 I want you to see the faithfulness of God. Genesis 15 after these things, 374 00:35:23.916 --> 00:35:27.555 the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision saying, do not fear a Abraham. 375 00:35:27.955 --> 00:35:31.275 I am a shield to you. Your reward shall be very great. 376 00:35:32.555 --> 00:35:35.475 He's going this reward, this promise. But Abraham said, Lord God, 377 00:35:35.505 --> 00:35:38.005 what will you give me since I'm childless? 378 00:35:38.145 --> 00:35:40.565 Now I want you to understand like at this point it's been years, right? 379 00:35:40.745 --> 00:35:43.285 And so you're faithful, you're faithful, you're faithful, 380 00:35:43.286 --> 00:35:45.085 but at some point you like have this breaking point. 381 00:35:45.086 --> 00:35:48.005 And I don't know if you've ever been there, I promise you I have been. 382 00:35:48.945 --> 00:35:51.965 And like something snaps and even our posture towards God changes a bit. 383 00:35:52.165 --> 00:35:55.525 And he says, Lord, what will you give me since I'm childless? 384 00:35:56.045 --> 00:35:59.965 Remember you said I will have descendants and the heir of my house is Azar of 385 00:35:59.966 --> 00:36:03.364 Damascus. I'll explain that in a minute. Abraham also said, 386 00:36:03.365 --> 00:36:07.765 since you have given me no son, one who has been born in my house is my heir. 387 00:36:07.905 --> 00:36:11.005 So Abraham is replying like whatever reward that you give to me, 388 00:36:11.035 --> 00:36:14.485 it's gonna end up going to Azar of Damascus. 389 00:36:15.025 --> 00:36:19.165 He was like the patriarch of his family. He didn't have any children yet. 390 00:36:19.185 --> 00:36:24.085 He was so, so Azar was essentially like a trusted servant to him in his home. 391 00:36:24.086 --> 00:36:25.085 And so no child, 392 00:36:25.355 --> 00:36:28.885 that means anything that he has is going to go to him as the descendant. 393 00:36:28.886 --> 00:36:31.905 But verse four, God says, 394 00:36:31.906 --> 00:36:34.864 then behold the word of the Lord came to him saying, 395 00:36:35.305 --> 00:36:37.305 this man will not be your heir, 396 00:36:37.725 --> 00:36:41.344 but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir. 397 00:36:42.085 --> 00:36:44.465 And then he took him outside and he said, 398 00:36:44.665 --> 00:36:47.545 now look towards the heavens and count the stars if you're able to count them. 399 00:36:48.165 --> 00:36:52.985 And he said to him, so shall your descendants be. And so the Lord says, 400 00:36:52.986 --> 00:36:55.925 listen, you still don't get it. Like, 401 00:36:56.925 --> 00:37:01.765 but I'm faithful to what I promised and you're gonna have real descendants and 402 00:37:01.766 --> 00:37:04.445 you're gonna have a real land. My promise still stands. 403 00:37:05.625 --> 00:37:06.805 And then watch this in verse six, 404 00:37:06.806 --> 00:37:09.645 and I want you to underline it if you actually have your Bibles. He says, 405 00:37:09.646 --> 00:37:11.405 then he believed in the Lord 406 00:37:13.425 --> 00:37:17.245 and he the Lord credited it to him as righteousness. 407 00:37:20.965 --> 00:37:24.765 I want you to see that, um, in the midst of God's promises to us. 408 00:37:25.395 --> 00:37:29.844 Like it's not our actions that take us to a place of righteousness before God, 409 00:37:30.545 --> 00:37:33.965 but it's our belief and we're gonna come back to that. But you, 410 00:37:34.025 --> 00:37:36.005 you gotta remember like in this moment, 411 00:37:36.585 --> 00:37:41.405 it wasn't that Abraham left where he was to go to this foreign 412 00:37:41.475 --> 00:37:44.445 land, it's that he believed and had enough faith in God to go. 413 00:37:44.705 --> 00:37:48.205 And in this moment he's saying, I have faith in what it is that you're saying. 414 00:37:48.425 --> 00:37:51.645 So now he's, he's shown this belief, he's shown this faith, 415 00:37:51.915 --> 00:37:53.445 it's credited to him as righteousness. 416 00:37:53.785 --> 00:37:56.525 Now is when everything's going well because we know when we believe in God, 417 00:37:56.526 --> 00:38:00.925 that's when we don't make mistakes. Chapter 16, 418 00:38:02.614 --> 00:38:05.645 Sarah Abraham's wife has a great idea. 419 00:38:07.235 --> 00:38:10.695 She says, listen, I'm still barren. I haven't been able to have a child. 420 00:38:11.795 --> 00:38:14.215 We have my maid servant Hagar. 421 00:38:15.075 --> 00:38:19.975 And so would you consider laying with our maid 422 00:38:20.175 --> 00:38:23.535 servant and see if she can conceive and then we will have a child in the home. 423 00:38:24.835 --> 00:38:28.455 And man, I just gotta tell you real fast, if your wife ever says that to you, 424 00:38:29.245 --> 00:38:30.078 it's a trap. 425 00:38:30.815 --> 00:38:31.648 . 426 00:38:31.785 --> 00:38:33.735 Don't go for it. Okay? Um, 427 00:38:33.844 --> 00:38:37.085 Abraham has already shown some of his decision making. And again, 428 00:38:37.125 --> 00:38:41.005 I want you to understand our decision making is not what ties us to God's 429 00:38:41.006 --> 00:38:43.605 faithfulness. Okay? So we see some decision making here. 430 00:38:43.905 --> 00:38:46.445 He actually does make the decision to lay with Hagar. 431 00:38:46.905 --> 00:38:50.445 She does conceive and then shockingly more dysfunction. And there's the picture 432 00:38:52.594 --> 00:38:57.125 immediately. Sarah's wife's now frustrated with her husband. And uh, 433 00:38:57.205 --> 00:38:58.445 I just wanna highlight for a minute, 434 00:38:58.515 --> 00:39:02.125 like these types of things are what happened. 435 00:39:02.235 --> 00:39:05.985 When we don't trust God's timing Mean, 436 00:39:05.986 --> 00:39:07.705 how many times in our lives have we thought, you know what? 437 00:39:07.745 --> 00:39:09.465 I think I know what it is that God has for me, 438 00:39:09.466 --> 00:39:10.985 but it's not happening fast enough. 439 00:39:11.165 --> 00:39:13.785 So maybe I start to control the situation a little bit. 440 00:39:14.355 --> 00:39:16.745 Maybe I start to manipulate the situation a little bit. 441 00:39:16.746 --> 00:39:18.745 Maybe it's a situation at work and it's like, you know what? 442 00:39:18.945 --> 00:39:20.705 I know God has that promotion for me. 443 00:39:20.844 --> 00:39:23.825 And so maybe I actually say something in a room that might make somebody else 444 00:39:23.895 --> 00:39:27.985 look a little bit better than they really are so that maybe I look a little bit 445 00:39:27.986 --> 00:39:28.819 better than I am. 446 00:39:31.585 --> 00:39:33.505 Um, I. 447 00:39:34.844 --> 00:39:36.705 If you play this out, here's a spoiler alert. 448 00:39:36.844 --> 00:39:40.785 So at some point Abraham does have a child, he does have a descendant. 449 00:39:41.485 --> 00:39:43.545 And what I want you to know is, um, 450 00:39:44.055 --> 00:39:48.785 that leads to the Jewish people which then 451 00:39:48.844 --> 00:39:52.225 end up in this land of Canaan, which is present day Israel. 452 00:39:53.205 --> 00:39:57.705 And then you have this son from Hagar who is Ishmael, 453 00:39:58.685 --> 00:40:02.305 who um, in that lineage, um, is Muhammad. 454 00:40:02.445 --> 00:40:05.305 And I'll just leave it at that 'cause I'm not trying to have any conversation 455 00:40:05.306 --> 00:40:06.145 about a holy War. 456 00:40:06.146 --> 00:40:10.905 But what I want you to know is that this bickering did not stop with Sarah and 457 00:40:10.955 --> 00:40:14.745 Hagar because of one decision that was made that did not trust in God's timing. 458 00:40:14.965 --> 00:40:15.386 And man, 459 00:40:15.386 --> 00:40:18.625 we make these decisions and we try to push things and we don't put our faith in 460 00:40:18.645 --> 00:40:21.465 God entrusted. It's him that fights our battles. And I'm telling you, 461 00:40:21.905 --> 00:40:24.545 messes happen. We just gotta be mindful. 462 00:40:27.364 --> 00:40:29.425 But then we get to Genesis chapter 21 463 00:40:32.475 --> 00:40:36.225 verse one. Then the Lord took note of Sarah as he had said, 464 00:40:36.226 --> 00:40:38.344 and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. 465 00:40:38.925 --> 00:40:43.344 So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age at the appointed 466 00:40:43.345 --> 00:40:45.625 time of which God has spoken to him. 467 00:40:46.695 --> 00:40:51.625 Abraham named his son who was born to him, the son whom Sarah a bore to him, 468 00:40:52.475 --> 00:40:53.308 which was Isaac. 469 00:40:57.135 --> 00:41:01.364 If you go back two chapters you see in Genesis 18, 470 00:41:02.355 --> 00:41:07.285 they're still struggling towards believing what it is that God really wants to 471 00:41:07.286 --> 00:41:11.765 do. And I'm intentionally going back to these places 'cause I just gotta believe 472 00:41:11.766 --> 00:41:16.364 that most of us have some situations in our life right now that we might be 473 00:41:16.365 --> 00:41:19.844 having a difficult time continuing to put our faith in what we believe God has 474 00:41:19.845 --> 00:41:20.678 in front of us. 475 00:41:23.715 --> 00:41:26.605 Chapter 18 verse nine, then they, 476 00:41:27.535 --> 00:41:31.525 these three men that showed up that were really representing God on his map, 477 00:41:31.725 --> 00:41:34.245 it says, where is your wife, Sarah? And he said, they're in the tent. 478 00:41:35.145 --> 00:41:38.685 And he said, I will certainly return to you at this time next year. And behold, 479 00:41:38.686 --> 00:41:42.885 your wife Sarah will have a son. And Sarah was listening at the tent door, 480 00:41:42.886 --> 00:41:45.045 which was behind him. Now, 481 00:41:45.075 --> 00:41:48.125 Abraham and Sarah were old advanced in age to say the least. 482 00:41:48.695 --> 00:41:52.885 Sarah was passed childbearing. So Sarah laughs to herself saying, 483 00:41:52.935 --> 00:41:56.364 after I have become old, am I to have pleasure? 484 00:41:56.905 --> 00:42:01.605 My Lord being old also, verse 13. But the Lord said to Abraham, 485 00:42:02.645 --> 00:42:04.364 why did Sarah laugh saying, 486 00:42:04.365 --> 00:42:08.685 shall I actually give birth to a child when I'm so old? And this is verse 14, 487 00:42:08.785 --> 00:42:11.765 and I went ahead to show you that the Lord does deliver on his promise. 488 00:42:12.025 --> 00:42:15.245 And so then when you back up, this is what it is that the Lord says, 489 00:42:15.905 --> 00:42:18.045 is anything too difficult for the Lord 490 00:42:20.405 --> 00:42:21.344 at the appointed time? 491 00:42:21.535 --> 00:42:26.145 I'll return to you at this time next year and Sarah will have a son. And I, 492 00:42:26.225 --> 00:42:30.185 I wanna pause for a moment. Um, as you should do when you read scripture, uh, 493 00:42:30.186 --> 00:42:33.745 especially large amounts of scripture like this, and um, 494 00:42:33.975 --> 00:42:37.265 just really model what it is that we should be doing when we engage God in 495 00:42:37.344 --> 00:42:39.185 scripture. And that's just to take some time to reflect. 496 00:42:40.655 --> 00:42:44.545 Abraham is a hundred years old. Sarah is 90 years old. 497 00:42:47.035 --> 00:42:49.175 Is there anything too difficult for the Lord? 498 00:42:52.825 --> 00:42:54.605 My car just broke down and I'm outta cash. 499 00:42:57.735 --> 00:43:01.515 My parents are aging and I don't know how to meet their needs. 500 00:43:05.395 --> 00:43:07.855 I'm single and I don't know if I'm ever gonna find someone. 501 00:43:11.975 --> 00:43:15.275 I'm struggling with my identity and I don't know if I'm gonna make it through. 502 00:43:17.864 --> 00:43:19.265 I wanna be generous with the church, 503 00:43:19.325 --> 00:43:22.385 but I'm worried about my lack of time or what's in my bank account. 504 00:43:26.395 --> 00:43:28.175 Is there anything too difficult for the Lord? 505 00:43:29.075 --> 00:43:33.575 And at some point we've gotta recognize that God is calling us into living lives 506 00:43:33.835 --> 00:43:34.668 of faith, 507 00:43:34.715 --> 00:43:38.135 not based on our situations or our circumstances or with the places that we find 508 00:43:38.136 --> 00:43:40.735 ourselves in. So again, 509 00:43:40.736 --> 00:43:45.535 you fast forward to 21 Sarah Bears a child, the name of Isaac. 510 00:43:46.395 --> 00:43:48.535 And so now everything is good. 511 00:43:50.875 --> 00:43:54.015 The promise has finally been experienced. Everything is smooth. Sailing 512 00:43:56.185 --> 00:43:58.594 Chapter 22, verse one. 513 00:43:58.614 --> 00:44:02.075 Now it came about after these things that God tested Abraham, 514 00:44:02.475 --> 00:44:04.835 I just wanna hold up for a minute. I was talking to Dwayne in the back. 515 00:44:05.515 --> 00:44:08.715 Anytime you read something like that in scripture, God tested Abraham. Are you, 516 00:44:09.795 --> 00:44:11.475 are any of you in here with me? And like, Hey, 517 00:44:11.495 --> 00:44:12.635 I'm kind of tired of being tested. 518 00:44:13.905 --> 00:44:16.915 Like I feel I've gone through some tests and at some point you're just, 519 00:44:16.975 --> 00:44:20.795 but like, here it is again. God tested Abraham. And he said to him, Abraham, 520 00:44:21.094 --> 00:44:23.835 and he said, here I am. Then he said, take now your son, 521 00:44:23.836 --> 00:44:25.675 your only son whom you love Isaac, 522 00:44:26.055 --> 00:44:30.715 and go to the land of Mariah and offer him there as a burnt 523 00:44:31.085 --> 00:44:33.685 offering on one of the mountains, of which I will tell you. 524 00:44:36.525 --> 00:44:38.265 What, what. 525 00:44:39.975 --> 00:44:44.625 Like you, you told me to leave this place all my comfort, everything I knew, 526 00:44:44.795 --> 00:44:47.305 everything that I was comfortable with and I left. 527 00:44:47.525 --> 00:44:51.065 And I went through this and I went through that and I made that dumb decision. 528 00:44:53.855 --> 00:44:56.915 And I finally get to a place to where you actually answered that prayer. 529 00:44:56.916 --> 00:45:00.675 And I can actually see the hope that I'm banking my future on. 530 00:45:01.055 --> 00:45:02.235 And now you're gonna take it. 531 00:45:06.525 --> 00:45:10.085 I don't know what it is. I don't know if Abraham's just gone through so much. 532 00:45:11.025 --> 00:45:14.165 You know, I actually taught a couple months ago, James chapter one. It says, 533 00:45:14.325 --> 00:45:17.885 consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds because the testing of 534 00:45:17.886 --> 00:45:19.925 your faith develops perseverance, 535 00:45:19.926 --> 00:45:22.165 which actually leads to a maturity and a completeness. 536 00:45:23.285 --> 00:45:26.745 And it seems like maybe some of that's worked itself out in the life of Abraham. 537 00:45:26.985 --> 00:45:27.695 'cause of verse three, 538 00:45:27.695 --> 00:45:32.265 Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey and took again, 539 00:45:32.266 --> 00:45:34.585 I told you we're gonna be reading a lot of scripture, man, 540 00:45:34.586 --> 00:45:36.585 you gotta get in these stories. It's great reading. 541 00:45:37.045 --> 00:45:40.985 He saddled his donkey and he took two of his young men with him and his son 542 00:45:40.986 --> 00:45:43.785 Isaac, and he split wood for the burnt offering. 543 00:45:46.565 --> 00:45:50.145 And he set out and he went to the place of of which God had told him. 544 00:45:51.525 --> 00:45:52.585 And on the third day, 545 00:45:54.175 --> 00:45:56.945 Abraham raised his eyes and he saw the place from a distance. 546 00:45:57.745 --> 00:46:01.025 I can I just pause for a minute. He's walking with his only son and, 547 00:46:01.026 --> 00:46:02.864 and there could be somebody that's hearing my voice like, 548 00:46:03.344 --> 00:46:04.825 I haven't been to church for a while. 549 00:46:04.905 --> 00:46:06.585 I certainly have never heard a story in the Bible. 550 00:46:06.635 --> 00:46:11.105 We're talking about something that seems a bit, I get it man. This this is hard. 551 00:46:11.106 --> 00:46:15.344 But I want you to know this is a real man with his son that's trying his best to 552 00:46:15.345 --> 00:46:19.665 be obedient to God. The neighbor have said to his young men, he said, 553 00:46:19.666 --> 00:46:23.625 stay here with the donkey and I and the boy will go over there and we will 554 00:46:23.985 --> 00:46:25.344 worship and return to you. 555 00:46:27.515 --> 00:46:30.755 I want you to note like there's something in a level of faith there that says 556 00:46:30.765 --> 00:46:33.315 we're gonna go worship and we are gonna come back. 557 00:46:33.555 --> 00:46:35.555 That doesn't sound like he really believes 558 00:46:37.055 --> 00:46:40.625 that he's gonna go there and end up sacrificing his son. Or even if he does, 559 00:46:41.005 --> 00:46:45.915 if God wants to raise him back from the dead, he can. Verse six, 560 00:46:46.114 --> 00:46:48.155 and Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering 561 00:46:50.555 --> 00:46:52.015 and he laid it on his son Isaac. 562 00:46:52.435 --> 00:46:56.575 So he's got his son carrying the wood up the hill and he took in his hand the 563 00:46:56.576 --> 00:46:59.415 fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 564 00:46:59.465 --> 00:47:04.295 Isaac spoke to his father And he said, my father. 565 00:47:04.875 --> 00:47:09.375 And Abraham said, here I am, my son. And he said, look, the firewood is here, 566 00:47:10.315 --> 00:47:12.415 but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? 567 00:47:14.005 --> 00:47:17.545 So he's starting to put some pieces together and Abraham said, 568 00:47:17.805 --> 00:47:21.344 God will provide for himself the lamb, for the burnt offering, my son. 569 00:47:22.305 --> 00:47:23.545 So the two of them walked on together, 570 00:47:23.775 --> 00:47:26.065 then they came to the place of which God had told him, 571 00:47:26.085 --> 00:47:29.965 and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood and he bound his son 572 00:47:29.966 --> 00:47:32.165 Isaac and laid him on top of the wood. 573 00:47:33.105 --> 00:47:36.645 And Abraham reached out with his hand and he took the knife to slaughter his 574 00:47:36.665 --> 00:47:38.844 son. Verse 11. 575 00:47:38.985 --> 00:47:43.085 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham. 576 00:47:44.145 --> 00:47:47.125 And he said, here I am. And the angel, 577 00:47:47.765 --> 00:47:51.965 do not reach out your hand against your boy and do not do anything to him. 578 00:47:52.465 --> 00:47:54.765 For now I know that you fear God 579 00:47:56.295 --> 00:47:59.205 since you've not withheld your son, your only son from me. 580 00:48:00.515 --> 00:48:05.005 Then Abraham raised his eyes and look and behold behind him was a ram that was 581 00:48:05.006 --> 00:48:07.844 caught in the thickets by his horns. 582 00:48:07.985 --> 00:48:11.805 And Abraham went and took the ram and he offered it as a burnt offering in the 583 00:48:11.806 --> 00:48:15.165 place of his son. Jumped to verse 15, 584 00:48:15.364 --> 00:48:19.245 then the angel of the Lord called Abraham a second time from heaven and said by 585 00:48:19.265 --> 00:48:19.844 myself, 586 00:48:19.844 --> 00:48:22.844 I have sworn to declares the Lord because you have done this thing and you have 587 00:48:22.845 --> 00:48:25.965 not withheld your son. Your only son. Indeed, 588 00:48:26.045 --> 00:48:29.285 I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply your seed 589 00:48:32.875 --> 00:48:36.455 as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore. 590 00:48:36.594 --> 00:48:39.935 And your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. And in your seed, 591 00:48:40.275 --> 00:48:44.855 all the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed my voice. 592 00:48:48.035 --> 00:48:51.515 I I I want us to make some observations, uh, from the life of Abraham. 593 00:48:51.575 --> 00:48:56.395 The first is this, God calls us to trust him with our past. 594 00:48:57.835 --> 00:49:01.275 Um, you could be hearing my voice and I don't know what's going on. 595 00:49:01.515 --> 00:49:05.035 May maybe you've got, um, um, maybe you've got a job 596 00:49:06.835 --> 00:49:09.955 that used to be a part of your identity and for some reason that's not the, 597 00:49:09.975 --> 00:49:12.395 the place that you're sitting anymore. Maybe you're, um, 598 00:49:14.045 --> 00:49:17.235 maybe you have a relationship that's not what it used to be. 599 00:49:18.325 --> 00:49:20.555 Maybe God's calling you out of, uh, 600 00:49:20.556 --> 00:49:24.795 the pub like the secular workforce into something to start a nonprofit or to 601 00:49:24.796 --> 00:49:28.655 start a ministry. Maybe you've got some, 602 00:49:30.435 --> 00:49:30.685 I mean, 603 00:49:30.685 --> 00:49:34.155 maybe the past that God wants to call you out of is some type of sin that you've 604 00:49:34.156 --> 00:49:36.515 been keeping hidden for years. 605 00:49:38.015 --> 00:49:41.635 But I want you to know that God calls us to trust him with our past. 606 00:49:41.895 --> 00:49:46.515 And I want you to know that in light of who God is and in light of what God has 607 00:49:46.516 --> 00:49:49.795 done, what we've done does not define what we can do. 608 00:49:51.735 --> 00:49:54.435 Who we've been does not define who we can become. 609 00:49:57.025 --> 00:49:58.485 God wants us to trust him with our past. 610 00:50:00.864 --> 00:50:05.085 God calls us to trust him in his timing. 611 00:50:08.695 --> 00:50:13.255 I I've heard someone say God usually has three answers to prayer, yes, 612 00:50:13.795 --> 00:50:15.135 no, or wait. 613 00:50:19.225 --> 00:50:20.058 And I want you to know, 614 00:50:20.165 --> 00:50:23.925 I i know exactly what it feels like to go through a season to feel like, man, 615 00:50:23.926 --> 00:50:27.325 hey, I took this step of faith. Hey, I've been obedient. Hey, 616 00:50:27.355 --> 00:50:30.285 I've done this thing. Why are we not on the other side of this yet? 617 00:50:30.705 --> 00:50:34.565 And for some reason, we see all throughout scripture, 618 00:50:34.825 --> 00:50:38.925 God allows his children to sit in these places where we have to learn to trust 619 00:50:39.225 --> 00:50:43.855 his timing. But the truth is it prepares something inside of us 620 00:50:46.895 --> 00:50:50.094 Oftentimes for something else that he actually has for us in the future. 621 00:50:53.495 --> 00:50:57.675 Lastly, I I I want you to know that God calls us to trust him with our future. 622 00:51:00.375 --> 00:51:02.395 And you know, for Abraham, 623 00:51:03.285 --> 00:51:05.555 everything actually pointed to his son, 624 00:51:05.556 --> 00:51:09.715 like if he's going to have descendants to be a blessing to all the nations, 625 00:51:09.716 --> 00:51:11.235 like it has to start with one. 626 00:51:11.375 --> 00:51:15.075 And so then he gets this son and he has it like this is the future. 627 00:51:15.975 --> 00:51:20.435 And God says, but would you be willing to give that up as well? 628 00:51:22.135 --> 00:51:25.155 And in that moment when Abraham lays Isaac on the altar, 629 00:51:25.156 --> 00:51:28.435 what I want you to know is he's not actually saying, yes, 630 00:51:28.635 --> 00:51:31.915 I will sacrifice my son. What what he's really saying is, yeah, 631 00:51:32.195 --> 00:51:36.594 I will lay on the altar my ability and my desire to control the outcome of what 632 00:51:36.635 --> 00:51:37.915 I think this is supposed to look like. 633 00:51:40.925 --> 00:51:42.165 I think if we're honest with ourselves, 634 00:51:42.315 --> 00:51:44.965 each and every one of us walk through life by saying, Hey, 635 00:51:46.035 --> 00:51:50.605 this is really what I'm clinging tightly to. And the truth is, 636 00:51:50.895 --> 00:51:54.085 while we have a gracious God, we also have a jealous God. 637 00:51:55.965 --> 00:51:58.985 And being called into a life of faith means that we're actually gonna trust him, 638 00:51:58.986 --> 00:52:02.225 not just with our past, not just with our present, but also with our future. 639 00:52:02.725 --> 00:52:04.225 And so I wanna ask you this question, 640 00:52:07.625 --> 00:52:09.885 What's the area of your life, past, present, 641 00:52:10.025 --> 00:52:13.085 or future that God might be calling you to lay on the altar? 642 00:52:16.545 --> 00:52:19.364 So I want you to spend some time thinking about that this week. Um, 643 00:52:19.815 --> 00:52:23.805 maybe you tell somebody in your small group, maybe it's your spouse, 644 00:52:25.085 --> 00:52:25.646 somebody gonna trust, 645 00:52:25.646 --> 00:52:28.925 maybe somebody that'll reach back out to you and hold you accountable. 646 00:52:29.665 --> 00:52:33.045 But the truth is, God calls us to a life of faith. 647 00:52:36.785 --> 00:52:40.844 You might be hearing this and be thinking, um, a life of faith. 648 00:52:42.405 --> 00:52:44.125 You, you don't have any idea where I've been. 649 00:52:44.344 --> 00:52:46.045 You don't have any idea what I've done. 650 00:52:47.435 --> 00:52:49.885 I've kind of alluded to this a little bit. Um, 651 00:52:51.925 --> 00:52:56.895 what happens through Isaac is God's chosen people. The, the Israelites 652 00:53:00.975 --> 00:53:04.015 continue to move forward as God's people, as the descendants of Abraham. 653 00:53:04.315 --> 00:53:08.135 But through that seed, through that lineage comes the Son of God, Jesus Christ, 654 00:53:08.235 --> 00:53:09.068 to this earth. 655 00:53:12.265 --> 00:53:14.335 Jesus lived the life that we could have never lived. 656 00:53:17.245 --> 00:53:21.855 Just like Isaac had wood on his back walking up a hill and Jesus carried 657 00:53:21.856 --> 00:53:26.364 across up a hill Only this time, 658 00:53:26.365 --> 00:53:29.685 instead of finding a ram in the thicket, Jesus was the lamb of God. 659 00:53:31.895 --> 00:53:33.035 And I want you to know that 660 00:53:35.505 --> 00:53:40.235 that promise to Abraham of being a blessing to all the nations led to 661 00:53:40.236 --> 00:53:43.594 Jesus. And that is the blessing for all the nations. 662 00:53:44.094 --> 00:53:46.835 And while you're sitting here right now thinking you don't know where I've been, 663 00:53:47.015 --> 00:53:49.355 you don't know what I've done, you don't know what I've been through. 664 00:53:49.614 --> 00:53:50.447 I'm telling you, 665 00:53:50.495 --> 00:53:53.915 you don't understand the promise that God made back then to Abraham. 666 00:53:54.935 --> 00:53:56.395 And you may not understand what, 667 00:53:56.396 --> 00:53:59.555 what's been happening for thousands of years to get to the moment where Jesus 668 00:53:59.556 --> 00:54:02.715 said, I'm taking this on so that you don't have to. 669 00:54:06.175 --> 00:54:07.475 And so I just wanna invite you 670 00:54:09.545 --> 00:54:11.635 Just to be willing to come before God and say, God, 671 00:54:11.675 --> 00:54:13.955 I I don't understand this stuff. I know that I've got a past, 672 00:54:14.235 --> 00:54:15.635 I know that I've got struggles in my present. 673 00:54:15.755 --> 00:54:18.875 I have no idea what the future looks like, but I'm gonna put my faith in you. 674 00:54:21.215 --> 00:54:26.075 The life of Abraham. What it teaches us is that we're not called, 675 00:54:28.485 --> 00:54:30.315 we're not called to put our faith in our past. 676 00:54:30.325 --> 00:54:31.995 We're not called to put our faith in our present. 677 00:54:32.205 --> 00:54:34.395 We're not called to put our faith in our future. 678 00:54:34.565 --> 00:54:36.675 We're not called to put our faith in our job. 679 00:54:37.045 --> 00:54:40.155 We're not called to put our faith in our worldly possessions. 680 00:54:40.156 --> 00:54:44.955 We're not called to put our faith in what we are called to put our faith in the 681 00:54:44.956 --> 00:54:47.635 one who is faithful. And that's Jesus. 682 00:54:53.695 --> 00:54:58.515 Is there anything too difficult for God? Father, 683 00:54:58.795 --> 00:55:01.635 I I thank you for your word. 684 00:55:01.875 --> 00:55:06.114 I I thank you for being able just to step back and to take a look at the life of 685 00:55:06.115 --> 00:55:09.235 Abraham. Lord, 686 00:55:09.275 --> 00:55:12.075 I thank you for the picture of redemption that we see. 687 00:55:14.275 --> 00:55:16.835 I thank you for how it so clearly points to son Jesus. 688 00:55:21.135 --> 00:55:23.515 Father is your sons and daughters. 689 00:55:25.355 --> 00:55:28.835 I pray that every man, every woman, every student that could hear my voice, 690 00:55:29.805 --> 00:55:32.955 would know that you are calling them to take steps of faith. 691 00:55:34.614 --> 00:55:36.515 And oftentimes that's uncomfortable. 692 00:55:37.215 --> 00:55:41.675 And most of the time it's not in our timing. And so, Lord, 693 00:55:41.676 --> 00:55:42.515 give us the strength, 694 00:55:43.065 --> 00:55:47.875 give us the peace and give us the faith to trust you even 695 00:55:47.876 --> 00:55:52.395 when we don't see it. Lord, 696 00:55:52.396 --> 00:55:55.915 would we experience the blessing that you have made available to us through your 697 00:55:55.916 --> 00:55:56.749 son Jesus? 698 00:55:57.695 --> 00:56:00.715 And would we be a church that goes out and shares that with the world around us? 699 00:56:00.735 --> 00:56:05.515 We love you and we pray these things and His name and everyone said amen. 700 00:56:06.025 --> 00:56:06.858 Love you. 701 00:56:13.215 --> 00:56:16.594 Ladies and gentlemen. Can we give some love for Jason Gore, lead pastor here, 702 00:56:16.755 --> 00:56:17.588 hope Community Church. 703 00:56:22.985 --> 00:56:26.685 We are so thankful, uh, for his faithfulness, um, 704 00:56:27.245 --> 00:56:30.525 his obedience before the Lord. And so we thank God, uh, 705 00:56:30.585 --> 00:56:34.645 for the messages we just shared, uh, we're thankful. Now here's what I know. Um, 706 00:56:34.835 --> 00:56:37.405 when you hear a message like that, uh, 707 00:56:37.406 --> 00:56:40.485 it may prompt you to wanna make some decisions for Jesus Christ. 708 00:56:41.344 --> 00:56:43.165 And we want to help you in that journey. 709 00:56:43.305 --> 00:56:45.405 And so at the beginning of service our time together, 710 00:56:45.745 --> 00:56:47.364 we talked about the next steps area. 711 00:56:47.525 --> 00:56:52.005 I want you to know that that area is available to help you to take those very 712 00:56:52.015 --> 00:56:55.605 steps of faith that you might desire to take. Now, 713 00:56:55.665 --> 00:56:58.645 if you have been around hope any amount of time, uh, 714 00:56:58.665 --> 00:57:03.405 you know that there are, uh, ways that we are faithful in our journey. 715 00:57:04.165 --> 00:57:07.925 And one of the ways that we are asked of the Lord to be faithful in is in our 716 00:57:07.926 --> 00:57:09.565 serving. And so, uh, 717 00:57:09.785 --> 00:57:13.965 you saw a video earlier about a person who stepped into serving and they thought 718 00:57:13.966 --> 00:57:15.925 that they were gonna do it and it was gonna change everything, 719 00:57:15.985 --> 00:57:19.805 but truthfully it changed them. And that's what serving kind of does. 720 00:57:19.865 --> 00:57:24.245 It takes your focus off yourself and puts it onto others. And when you do that, 721 00:57:24.465 --> 00:57:28.165 it has the power to change us from the inside out. And so I want to invite you, 722 00:57:28.166 --> 00:57:32.045 if you are all ready not serving somewhere at Hook Community Church, 723 00:57:32.225 --> 00:57:34.885 inside or outside the church, you want to invite you into serving, 724 00:57:35.425 --> 00:57:38.965 one of the easy ways you can do that is just simply text the word serve to the 725 00:57:38.966 --> 00:57:40.845 number 7 2 9 8 9. 726 00:57:40.846 --> 00:57:44.845 There's gonna be a whole list of opportunities and the steps that you need to 727 00:57:44.846 --> 00:57:47.805 take in order to get you connected, to be a servant, 728 00:57:47.985 --> 00:57:51.445 and to be faithful in the gifts that God has given every single one of us. 729 00:57:51.785 --> 00:57:53.645 And speaking of our faithfulness and gifts, 730 00:57:53.865 --> 00:57:57.965 one of the ways that we're also faithful is through our generosity and at hope. 731 00:57:57.966 --> 00:58:00.965 Every week we'd like to share with you ways that you can give here at Hope 732 00:58:00.966 --> 00:58:01.635 Community Church. 733 00:58:01.635 --> 00:58:06.405 Know that your gifts do make a difference in how we're able to do ministry in 734 00:58:06.406 --> 00:58:07.239 and around a triangle. 735 00:58:07.625 --> 00:58:10.645 And so we thank you in advance for your giving and there's a couple ways on the 736 00:58:10.646 --> 00:58:13.765 screen and you can give. Guys, we love you. 737 00:58:14.145 --> 00:58:16.885 It has been an honor to spend this time and worship with you, 738 00:58:17.185 --> 00:58:19.685 and we do hope to see you back here next week. So God bless you. 739 00:58:20.245 --> 00:58:20.645 We'll see you soon.