Genesis 15:1

The Chapel Fort Wayne

Genesis 15:1

Great Reward

January 29, 2024 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Genesis 15:1

It often seems to us that the events of the Old Testament are remote and have nothing to do with our lives today. But this is not true at all! The events of Abraham’s life are like Chapter One in our personal faith story. He is the model for us of salvation through faith alone and he is the starting point of God’s promise and plan that finds its conclusion in Jesus Christ our Savior & Lord. There is a direct line from Abraham to Jesus and then from Jesus to us!

PASSAGE: Genesis 15:1 - "After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

PAUSE: After Abram rejected the offer from the king of Sodom for victory and the spoils of war (14:21-24), he is ready to receive the promise of God’s great reward. A reward that starts with a son then leads to a nation (Israel), then culminates in all the nations being blessed through him in the person of Christ!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your plan of salvation that You initiated with Abram and culminated with Christ! Thank You that Abram’s reward is ultimately our reward!

Genesis 22:14

February 9, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Genesis 22:14

The story of Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son is understandably one of the most challenging events to understand in the Bible. But when rightly understood, it is one of the most beautiful stories foreshadowing God's loving sacrifice for us. It's important to keep in mind that God was in control of the situation the entire time, and He knew that Isaac would remain safe. God was using a "test" for Abraham that he would have understood culturally at that time -- to give up your son for the God you serve was the ultimate act of obedience. To be clear, God NEVER desires or requires us to make that sacrifice. But ultimately what this moment showed is a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that was to come. God does not require us to give up our son, but He was willing to give up His for our sake. God Himself, in the incarnation of Jesus, is the ultimate provision. PASSAGE: Genesis 22:14 - "So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” PAUSE: Abraham and Isaac's encounter on Mount Moriah foreshadowed the Messiah's death on Calvary. May we never forget the Bible stories that ultimately point us to Jesus and the provision that he provided on the cross. At just the right time in history, Christ died on the cross for our sins and provided salvation to all who place their faith in him as their personal Savior. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, who provides a way to you and the forgiveness of sins. Allow me to see that you also want to provide for my daily needs. Thank you for all you do.

Genesis 22:13

February 8, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Genesis 22:13

God knows exactly WHAT we need and exactly WHEN we need it. We so often cry out to God to help us in our times of desperation, but we need to remain attentive to recognize when He provides the answer right in front of us. It's easy to let our eyes stay fixed on the trial, the trouble, the pain, the heartache, but when we do that, we can miss what God is providing for us. No matter what situation you're going through, keep your eyes fixed on Him--the ultimate comforter--provider--healer--Savior! PASSAGE: Genesis 22:13 - "And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son." PAUSE: Abraham lifted his eyes and saw a ram in the thicket. Too often, we live our lives with our heads down, feeling depleted and depressed. Abraham is an excellent reminder to lift our heads and see what the Lord will provide us. Lift your eyes and see the Lord. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for all my doubts and confusions about life. I often keep my head down and fail to see where you work. Today, I look up.

Genesis 22:8

February 7, 2024 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Genesis 22:8

God allows trials in our lives to accomplish two things. First, He desires to break the hold that our idols have on our lives. This is the process of detaching from secondary things that we have wrongly made the first thing (idol) in our life. But God’s purpose in allowing trials in our lives does not end there. Once He detaches us from second things, there is now the opportunity for us to truly turn to Him as our first thing--as our Lord! This is the essence of the Christian journey. Detaching from things that have a wrong hold on our life and attaching to God as our hope and our help and our everything. And the Lord specializes in providing for us in the midst of our trials--His wisdom and strength and presence that will deepen our faith in Him and will sustain us and grow us through the trial. And the amazing thing is that God’s provision for us is the provision of Himself! PASSAGE: Genesis 22:8 - "Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together." PAUSE: The God Most High is our provision and strength. When our faith is tested, we must trust that the Lord will provide. When our finances are low, the Lord will provide. When our marriage is on shaky ground, the Lord will provide. When our children wander, the Lord will provide. The Lord sees what you are going through and will provide what you need at the perfect time. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, grant me Abraham's faith. I strongly doubt I could do what Abraham did with Isaac, yet that is the type of faith I want. Increase my trust in you today!