Abram to Abraham: The Covenant of Circumcision

29 Oct Abram to Abraham: The Covenant of Circumcision

Posted at 12:03h in English Service by

Preacher Huijun - 16 July 2015

God Is Worthy To Be Praised

How are you looking at yourself today? As a child of God, redeemed by God with a heavy price through the Holy Son Jesus Christ, do we still often look at ourselves through our naked eyes and feelings that fluctuate today? When Zechariah's heart started to grow cold towards the promise of God because of the many unfulfilled prayers, God was still faithful and preparing the greatest blessing for him that transcended all his physical conditions - a blessed son, John the baptist. Like Zechariah, we also often lose hope in God in various circumstances, for we are always deceived into seeing ourselves outside the covenant, and narrow-mindedly, when God is still working mightily at the background to carry His perfect will to completion through our conditions. Despite our narrow-mindedness, Holy spirits is still empowering us both strongly and passively so that we will not lose faith. If we start to pray according to the truth today, we will be guided by the Holy Spirit again to look at ourselves through the lens of God and His covenant, instead of our micro circles of thoughts, emotions and desires today. Indeed God is worthy to be praised, not only "did He rescue us from the hand of our enemies, He also enables us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”

Related Topics: Knowing Jesus, Regeneration & Sanctification | More Messages from Preacher Huijun

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Abram to Abraham:
The Covenant of Circumcision


In the midst of worldly busyness and distractions, it is not easy to keep remembering and trusting God’s promises. Thus, God often uses His word and our life events to remind us and help us confirm His promises. The best part of God’s covenant is a special relationship with Him, where He assures us, saying, “I will be your God.” While it is wonderful to have God on our side, such covenantal relationship with God also implies certain obligations we have toward Him. This change of identity should also change our perspective such that we live in a way which is fitting with His grace of salvation. 
 Verses to read:
<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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Preacher Hui Jun
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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.

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