29 Oct Abram to Abraham: The Covenant of Circumcision
Preacher Huijun - 2 July 2015
God's Greatest Gift To Mankind
A lot of people want securities in life, they hope for a smooth-sailing life thinking that it is through this that peace can be felt in their hearts. But after having all that they have ever wanted, something is still missing in them - something deeper within themselves needed to be satisfied- the soul of man. However, sin separates man from God, the creator and satisfaction of their souls. As a result, man live in the endless race of flesh-satisfying but spirit-depriving life. The distance between man and God has thus become further. Because of the presence of sin, man cannot enjoy all wisdom and blessings from God, and they have no answer to the problems that plague them. One problem leads to another, and many more. Because the wages of sin is death, and there’s no way that man can save themselves from the bondages of sin. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and Only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16). For those who’re called into God’s kingdom, God has fashioned our hearts such that we can never find peace and security unless in a two-way relationship with Him today. And in this relationship, He convicts us, leads us and shape us to be more and more like Christ through life experiences. Unless we continue to see Immanuel and confirm Immanuel in all that we are doing, we will be easily deceived by the insinuations and lies from Satan, forgetting that God is still the sovereign God who’s leading us with His good, pleasing and perfect will today. Let's avoid the sin of not seeking Immanuel today, for God's help and presence is now and not later.
From Series: "All English Service"
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Abram to Abraham:
The Covenant of Circumcision
<Genesis 17:1-23>
1. Change of name (identity)
- v5: Abram (“exalted father”) >>> Abraham: (“father of many”)
- v15: Sarai >>> Sarah
- Name affects a person
- Name shapes perspective and behaviour
- Changed names so can remember and dispel unbelief
- After name change: God’s perspective >>> our fixed perspective
- Forget old name, register new name, and live in a fitting way
2. God’s covenant also involves man’s obedience
1) “Walk before me faithfully and be blameless” <v1>
- Walk before God, not man, nor self
- Man sins due to very low view of God
- Remember that God is Almighty <v1> >>> Trust and fear Him
2) Sign of covenant: Circumcision
- Outward sign of inward faith
- Reminder of obligations to God
- Similar to New Testament baptism
- Put away old self
- Be set apart
- Circumcision of the heart more important:
<Deut 10:16> “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.” - Irreversible: Permanent bond between God and His people
3) Obey promptly
- <Genesis 17:26> Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day.
4) Do not let doubts hinder obedience
- Don’t trust our doubts more than we trust God!
5) God demands total commitment
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