Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:16-33

“Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.’ Then the LORD said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.’ So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?’ And the LORD said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.’ Abraham answered and said, ‘Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?’ And he said, ‘I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.’ Again he spoke to him and said, ‘Suppose forty are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of forty I will not do it.’ Then he said, ‘Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.’ He answered, ‘I will not do it, if I find thirty there.’ He said, ‘Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.’ Then he said, ‘Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.’ And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.” (Genesis 18:16–33, ESV)

New Testament Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1–15

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” (1 Timothy 2:1–15, ESV)

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Introduction

One of the things that God promised to Abraham is that he and his descendents would be a blessing to the nations of the earth. That promise is familiar to you and me. We know it well, and we also know how it has played out with the passing of time. But that promise must have sounded incredible and even a bit mysterious to Abraham when God first uttered it. Abraham must have wondered, what does this mean that the nations of the earth will be blessed through me — who am I that I should have an impact upon them? He must have puzzled over what the fulfillment of this promise would be. 

You and I know the answer because we live 4,000 years after the call of Abraham. God’s plan of redemption has progressed greatly since then. What began as a seed has grown into a mature tree! You and I have the benefit of looking upon something more developed and mature. But for Abraham, everything was in seed form. For him, everything was in the stage of promise. You and I are blessed to see the fulfillment.  

So what did God mean when he promised that the nations would be blessed in Abraham?

Well, above all things, we know that the Christ, who is the Savior of the world, would come from him. Abraham would produce Issac; Isaac would produce Jacob; and from the sons of Jacob the nation of Israel would emerge. And it would be from Israel that the Christ would come into the world. While Issac was Abraham’s immediate seed,  Jesus the Christ was his distant and most significant seed as it pertains to the promises of God.   And this Christ would live, die and rise again as the lamb of God who takes away the sins, not only of the Hebrews, but of the world. The Christ that came through Abraham and his offspring was and is the Savior of the world. Indeed, “there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5, ESV). This was the ultimate and supreme fulfillment of that promise made to Abraham, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3, ESV).

While it is indeed true that all of these promises ultimately find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus, more can said. Not only would Abraham and his offspring bless the nations with the Christ, he himself would be a blessing to the nations even in his own lifetime. His children and grandchildren were also to be a blessing to the nations. So too was the nation of Israel prior to the arrival of the Christ. 

The story that we are considering today from Genesis 18:16-33 helps us to understand how Abraham and his descendents were to bless the nations of the earth. That they wouldbe a blessing to the nations was made clear in the promises that God made to Abraham. But this story brings some clarity to the question of how? How were Abraham and his offspring to be a blessing to the nations of the earth?

Two things are made clear in this story. One, Abraham and his offspring were set apart by God to intercede for the nations. And two, Abraham and his offspring were set apart by God to promote righteousness while living in the midst of the nations. Intercessions and righteous are the main themes of this story. 

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Set Apart To Intercede

First of all, let us consider that Abraham and his offspring were set apart by God to intercede on behalf of the nations. Stated differently, Abraham was chosen, blessed, and set apart by God so that he might stand in the gap, being eager to see the nations reconciled to God. He was to be concerned for the nations that they might also come into a right relationship with God and give glory to his name. This principle is clearly seen in the intercessory role that Abraham takes in the story that is before us today.

Notice how the LORD enticed Abraham to intercede on behalf of the people of Sodom. 

Verse  16: “Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?’ (Genesis 18:16–18, ESV).

The “men” that “set out from there” are the three “men” that Abraham and Sarah showed hospitality to in the previous story. Two of them were angels, the other was the LORD himself, though Abraham did not know it at first. These are the ones who “set out from there”, and Abraham joined them. 

It is unclear if the LORD said what he said in verses 17 and 18 silently and to himself, to the two  angels privately, or to the two angels in Abraham’s presence so that he could hear. I tend to think that Abraham heard the LORD ask the question, for the entire episode was for the purpose of revealing things to Abraham so that he might participate in his plan. 

Listen yet again to the question. “The LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?’” (Genesis 18:16–18, ESV).

The vast majority of the plans and purposes of God are hidden from us. We do not know his plans for later today or for tomorrow. God knows, but his purposes are usually hidden from our sight. I say “usually” because there are rare instances where the LORD chooses to reveal his purposes to his people. In particular the LORD made a practice of revealing his plans to his holy prophets who lived in that Old Covenant era. Abraham was one of these unique individuals who received this kind of special revelation from the LORD. Given that “Abraham [would] surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth [would] be blessed in him,” the LORD determined to reveal these particulars to him.

 And what did the LORD reveal? Verse 21: “Then the LORD said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know’” (Genesis 18:20–21, ESV).

Notice five things about verses 20 and 21: 

One, the LORD obviously did not need to “go down to see” anything. He sees all things all the time with perfect clarity. Indeed, he knows all things. Never has the LORD gained knowledge. 

Two, this talk of LORD going down to see is to remind us of a previous story in the book of Genesis, namely, the story of the tower of Babel. Remember that before the LORD dispersed the peoples to disrupt their unified rebellion against him he, went “down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built” (Genesis 11:5, ESV). The story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra and the story of the dispersion  of the peoples from the tower of Babel are to be compared, therefore.  

Three, this talk of the LORD going down to see as if he were on a kind of  reconnaissance mission is to be understood as an act of condescension and revelation. The LORD came down to see, not because he could not see from where he was seated in the heavenly places, but in order to kindly reveal his purposes to Abraham so as to bring him along.

Four, the “grave sin” of Sodom and Gomorra produced an outcry that reached the ears of the LORD. Where did this outcry come from? It came from those who suffered as a result of the sin of the people of Sodom and Gomorra. Sin, though it might produce a kind of momentary pleasure, also results in suffering. 

Five, the remark “I will go down to see whether they have done” these things, “and if not, I will know”, is meant to show the patience of the LORD and his perfect justice. He does not act rashly. He does not explode in anger. When he does pour out his wrath he does so having perfectly considered the situation.

But the thing to notice is that all of this information that LORD revealed to Abraham concerning his intent to deal with the terrible sin of Sodom and Gomorra compelled Abraham to intercede on behalf these people. Though it was not stated so directly, Abraham knew what the LORD was about to do. He was about to pour out his wrath! And so Abraham began to plead with the LORD in prayer. 

Verse 22: “So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?’ And the LORD said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake’” (Genesis 18:22–26, ESV).

We will return to consider Abraham’s prayer more carefully in the second point of this sermon. For now I want you to consider this: Abraham prayed for Sodom and Gomorra. His attitude was one of concern for the people of that place, and so he interceded on their behalf, asking LORD to show mercy. Put differently, his attitude was not one of hatred for or indifference towards the wicked. As he looked down upon those cities — those cites that were indeed filled with wicked sinners — he felt concerned for them, and so he interceded on their behalf. 

APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters I ask you, are you as concerned for the lost as Abraham was? When you look  out upon the world do you feel compelled to pray, to ask that the Lord would have mercy upon them. 

Notice that Abraham was faithful to intercede. 

This means that the his descendents were also to be faithful to intercede on behalf of the nations. 

The nations of Israel was to take this intercessory role. They were to have this understanding of themselves — they existed not only to be blessed, but to be a blessing to the nations. As you know Israel often fell short of this  calling. They often acted in pride assuming that God was only concerned for them — that they were somehow superior to the nations — that God was impressed with them, but not others. But this concern for the nations was not interlay lost within Israel there was always a remnant that retained a proper understanding of God’s will for them.  

Psalm 67 is a testament to this. Israel was to sing this song, which is in fact a prayer: “TO THE CHOIRMASTER: WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS. A PSALM. A SONG. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!” (Psalm 67, ESV)

God’s will for Abraham and his offspring was that they intercede on behalf of the nations of the earth. Abraham was faithful to do it. Israel did it, though not always. And let us not forget that Christ, who was the true son of Abraham, was also concerned for the nations.

Listen to the words of Christ: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:14–16, ESV).

Consider John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV).

And consider Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV).

Friends, if Abraham was to intercede for the nations, if Israel was to intercede, and if Christ interceded — more than that,  if Christ died and rose again not for our sins only but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2, ESV), then does it not follow that we too are to take up the role of intercession  for the lost? 

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:1–6, ESV)

Abraham was called to intercede. Let us be faithful to intercede if we are his children. 

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Called To Promote Righteousness

The second observation that we must make concerning this story is that Abraham was called to promote and preserve righteousness by the LORD who always does what is right. 

Let us consider again that question that LORD asked concerning Abraham in verses 17-19. “The LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him” (Genesis 18:17–19, ESV).

Abraham and his offspring were to intercede on behalf of the nations, but they were also to “keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice”. Abraham and Israel after him, were set  apart as a holy people. They were to keep God’s law. This they were to do personally, and this Israel was to do nationally. Here is yet another way in which the nations of the earth would be blessed in them. Abraham and Israel were to preserve and promote righteousness in the world. 

Let me say just a few things about righteousness.

One, notice that Abraham and Israel were to “do righteousness and justice” because the LORD who called them is himself perfectly righteous and just. If the LORD is their God, and if he is righteous, then they as his people should be righteous too. This is the principle that Peter stated when he wrote to the Christians saying, “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15–16, ESV). The people of God are to do right (be holy) because they belong to a God who always does right (he is perfectly holy). 

That Abraham was to “do righteousness and justice” because the LORD who called them is himself perfectly righteous and just is seen in two places in this text. 

One, notice that  Abraham was chosen by God “that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice. Righteousness and justice is the way of the LORD, and as his people Abraham and Israel were to keep it.

Two, notice how Abraham pleaded with the LORD concerning Sodom and Gomorra. He pleaded with the LORD on the basis of his righteousness. Look again at verse 23: “Then Abraham drew near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?’ And the LORD said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake’” (Genesis 18:23–26, ESV).

Abraham knew that the LORD was the “Judge of all the earth” and that he was perfectly righteous and just, and so appealed to God on this basis. 

It is truly remarkable that Abraham knew this of the LORD. How did he know it? He must of known it because God reveled it to him. The gods of the nations were not known for their righteousness, holiness or justice. The gods of the nations did as they pleased. They were capricious and fickle. But Abraham knew the character of the LORD.  He knew that the LORD, the one true God, the Creator of heaven and earth who had entered into covenant with him, was a righteous, holy and just God. This God was bound act according to his character, and so Abraham pleaded with him on that basis.

APPLICATION: Friends, did you know that there are some things that God cannot do? We are accustomed to saying that God can do anything, and that nothing is impossible for him. And generally speaking, that is right. But there are actually many things that he cannot do. Hebrews 6:18 says that it is impossible for him to lie, for example. It is impossible for God to break his promises, or to act in any way that his contrary to his character. God cannot sin. He cannot be less than perfectly holy. And here is a rock solid anchor for the soul. The would is so filled witty wickedness. And sometimes it can be difficult to make sense  of what we see happening around us. But we have this solid foundation got stand upon. We belong to the LORD who holy and just, who always does what is right. 

Three, consider this about the righteousness of the LORD. Because the LORD is righteous he must punish sin. God does not do wrong when he pours out his wrath upon the wicked. Did you notice that Abraham did not intercede for Sodom in the way that many modern evangelicals would intercede. Many Christians today would plead with LORD to refrain from judgement in this way, saying,  “Shall not the LORD who is nothing but love only show grace?” But that was not what Abraham said. He knew that it was right for the LORD to judge the wicked — this he did not deny. His appeal was that the LORD refrain from pouring out his wrath upon the righteous along with the wicked. 

But here is where Abraham received an education. He though there were fifty righteous in Sodom, but there were not. Then forty-five, but no. Maybe forty? Thirty? Twenty? Nope, not even twenty there. The pleading stops at the number ten. Verse 32: “Then [Abraham] said, ‘Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.’ [The LORD] answered, ‘For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.’ And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place” (Genesis 18:32–33, ESV).

Abraham did not appeal the LORD by saying, how can a God who is love pour out wrath? for Abraham knew that it was right for the LORD to judge the wicked. Instead he appealed to the LORD in this way: it would be unjust for you to sweep away the righteous along with the wicked. And the  LORD agreed. He would not do it. The lesson that Abraham learned was that there were far less righteous in Sodom than he thought. Not fifty, forty-five, forty, thirty, or twenty. As the story unfolds we will learn that there were not even 10. Only four were led out of Sodom as the LORD poured out his wrath upon that place. And even these four did not possess a righteousness of their own. If they were righteous it was because they had been made righteous by faith — the righteousness of another having been imputed to them.

Friends, no mere human is  righteous. “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’ ‘Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.’ ‘The venom of asps is under their lips.’ ‘Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.’ ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.’ ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’ Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.” (Romans 3:10–19, ESV)

Friends, we are not righteous. We are in fact deserving of God’s wrath. If that sounds strange to you, then you have not comprehended the severity of our sin. The fact  that God would show mercy to us at all is truly amazing.  

Four, do you see, therefore, that the righteousness of God is a terror to the wicked. If you are still in your sins and not cleansed by the blood of Christ then the fact that God is righteous should terrify you. It means that God will rightly respond to your sin. He will act in justice. He pour out the just penetrably. And do not forget that the wages  of  sin is death. 

Five, the righteousness of God is a comfort to those who have been made right through faith in Christ. The one who has had their sins washed away need not fear the righteous judgements of God. Also, the one who has been made righteous can take solas in the fact that God will make all things right in the end. He will judge with perfect equity.  The Christian should not rejoice over the death of the wicked, but there is a degree comfort that comes with knowing that God will set things straight. This is especially comforting to the one who has been wronged by evil doers. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19, ESV).

Do you see, brothers and sisters, that Abraham was called to promote and preserve righteousness by the LORD who always does what is right. God is righteous and his people are to do righteousness and justice. 

Abraham was being prepared for this calling as the LORD involved him in his deliberations concerning Sodom and Gomorra.   

Israel was to do right as she kept God’s law. She was to shine as a light to the nations. 

Christ did this perfectly. Never did he violate God’s law! Christ was righteous, and died in the place of sinners like you and me. His righteousness is given to all who believe upon his name. 

You and I, having been made righteous through faith in Christ, are now to promote and preserve righteousness as  we live as exiles in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation.

Have you ever thought about the effect that your holy living has upon those around you?

APPLICATION: The LORD might use it in a number of ways. As an example. To convict of sin. To restrain the spread of wickedness. To delay the outpouring of God’s wrath upon a place. Let us “be holy in all [our] conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15–16, ESV).

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Conclusion

In conclusion, what did mean that Abraham would be a blessing to the nations? 

Ultimately this promise found it’s yes and amen in the coming of the Christ who came from Abrahams loins. But Abraham and his offspring were also called to intercede for  the nations, and to promote righteousness as they lived in the midst of them.

Is we are Abrahams offspring, having been clothed with the righteousness of Christ through faith in his name, let us also be faithful to intercede for the lost, and to preserve and promote righteousness in the world until the  LORD returns.

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 15:1-6

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.’ And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.’ And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:1–6, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Romans 4:1–12

“What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.’ Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.” (Romans 4:1–12, ESV)

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Introduction

One of the most important questions that a person can ask is, how can I be made right with God?

Now, this questions assumes something. It assumes that men and women are not naturally right with God. 

Many people never ask the question, how can I be made right with God?, because they do not believe that there is anything wrong between them and God. This view takes different forms. Some people do not believe that God exists. So to them, there is a not a God to have a right or wrong relationship with! These people will never ask the question, how can I be made right with God?, unless their belief in the existence of God changes. And many others who do believe in the existence of God do not ask the question because they assume that they and God are on good terms. They think that they are basically good, and that God is generally pleased with them just as they are.

But what do the scriptures say? The scriptures teach from beginning to end that God exists, that he is holy and just, and that all have sinned against him and will one day stand before him to be judged. This is the clear and consistent teaching of Holy Scripture. 

Though I could set many passages of scripture before to make this point, allow me just this one from Paul’s letter to the Romans. There he asks, “What then? Are we Jews any better off [than you who are not Jewish]? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God” (Romans 3:9–19, ESV). The teaching of scripture is very clear. “None is righteous, no, not one…” 

It is for this reason that I say, one of the most important questions that men and women ought to ask is, how can I be made right with God?

As I have  already pointed out, many never bother themselves with with this question. But among those who do ask it, different answers will be found. To the question, how can I be made right with God?, some will say, by doing good deeds! These know that they have sinned against the Lords, but they assume they can make up for it by their good works.This is a very common view, isn’t  it? Many thing this way. And another is like it. Some will answer, saying, I can be right before God by keeping his law. If they will only live righteous before God from this day forward then God will accept them, or so they think. Still others hope to find the cleansing of their sins through ritual or ceremony. Though each of these approaches differ, they share one thing in common. Each find the solution to the need for a right relationship with God within themselves. If only they could do enough good, live holy, or engage in the ritual, then  God will be pleased with them, or so they think.

But again, what do the scriptures say? The scriptures are very clear that it “it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:16, ESV). If we are to be made right with God it will not be because of something that we have done, but because of what God has graciously done for us. It all depends upon God’s grace, you see.  And indeed, God has done something. He has provided a Savior for sinful man. This Savior, who is Jesus the Christ, lived a perfectly righteous life, died a sacrificial death, rose from the grave victoriously, and has ascended to the Father. This he has done, not for himself only, but for his people. This he did so that others might be cleansed of their sins and made right with God. This righteousness, you see, is not a righteousness that can be earned by man — “None is righteous, no, not one…” — but it is a righteousness that must be received by faith. 

Hear again Paul the Apostle. In Romans 3:21 he says, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21–26, ESV)

Friends, the answer to the question, how can a person be made right with God?, is through faith in the Jesus the Christ. Nothing else will do. No amount of human will or exertion is able to undo or compensate for our sin against God. But God, by his grace, has taken the initiative to provide a Savior for us, and must trust in him.

What I want for you to see this morning as we consider Genesis 15 is that this has always been the answer to the question, how can a person be made right with God? The answer has always been, through faith in the Christ. This was the answer for Adam after he sinned. This was the answer for Abraham. And this is the answer for all who are alive to this present day.

Let us now consider this passage in three parts. First, we will see that Abram’s faith was again tested, this time by the passing of time. Second, we will see that God was again faithful to reiterate his promises to Abram to sustain him. And third, we will learn that Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted it to him as righteousness.  

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Abram’s Faith Was Tested With The Passing Of Time

First of all, notice that Abram’s faith was tested with the passing of time. 

Remember that God was gracious and kind to Abram when he called him to leave his homeland to go to a land that he would show him. This the LORD did, not because of something deserving in Abram, but according to his sovereign will and  good pleasure. God called Abram by his grace. 

And remember that Abram responded in faith at the beginning. He left his home. He followed where the LORD led him. When he came into the land he publicly worshipped the LORD, and called upon his name. Truly Abram was a man of faith. Abram trusted the LORD, and he worshipped and served him in the world. 

But Abram’s faith was tested from time to time. He was tested when there was a famine in the land. He was tested when he went down into Egypt. There he was found walking by sight and not by faith when he lied concerning his wife, saying only that she was his sister. Abram was in that instance driven by fear. 

And here we see that Abram was tested again. This time it was not some crisis or calamity that tested Abram’s faith. This test had to do with the passing of time — the delay in the fulfillment of the promises of God caused Abram to wonder, will the LORD do what he has said?

God had made some wonderful promises to Abram. “The LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:1–3, ESV). And again “The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, ‘Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you’” (Genesis 13:14–17, ESV). 

These promises had to do with Abram’s possession of a land and his production of many offspring. But there were a  couple of problems. One, the land was occupied by others. And two, Abram and Sarai were still without child. Sarai was barren. They were advanced in years, and they weren’t getting any younger. The passing of time was certainly testing Abram’s faith. 

APPLICATION: I think there is a point of application for us here. Perhaps you too have been tested in your faith in a similar way. Perhaps there is nothing particularly trying that you can point to, but as you have experienced the normal difficulties of life over a long period of time, you, like Abram, have had your faith tested. Rather than having your faith rocked, yours has been eroded. Brothers and sisters, this is why the scriptures everywhere exhort us to persevere. Listen to Romans 8:24-25: “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:24–25, ESV). The Christian life is life of faith. It involves hope in things not yet seen. And it requires, therefore, patience — that is to say, perseverance. 

Notice in  verse 1 that it was again God who took the initiative with Abram. “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great’” (Genesis 15:1, ESV).

This is the first time that the scriptures say a man saw a vision of the LORD. In times past, the LORD spoke to Abram. This time “the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision”. This marks an intensification of the intimacy between Abram and the LORD. 

And what did the LORD say? He encouraged Abram with the words, “fear not.” Now, we know that Abram was a man prone to fear. It seems that fear was what led him to lie about Sarai when they went down into Egypt. Can you detect the kindness of the LORD towards his people? Do you see how he comes to his people in their weakness to reassure them and to strengthen them? The LORD came to Abram and said , “fear not”, because he knew that he was afraid. 

Now why would Abram be afraid? He had just experienced a great victory in battle when he freed Lot and many others from the morading kings of the east! Shouldn’t he have been afraid before that battle,  and not afterwards? Well, consider this. Now many nations have taken notice of Abram, his wealth and his might. No longer is he laying low in the land of Canan. Now everyone knows his name. It is understandable that he would now be afraid. 

And so the LORD said to him “fear not”.And he also gave him the reason why he shouldn’t. “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield.”

APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, Abram was not to fear because the LORD was his shield. And you and I are not to fear for the same reason. If we belong to the LORD through faith in Christ, he himself is our shield. And do not forget it — he is God Most High! Everyone who knows the LORD ought to have the words of Psalm 18 ever on their lips: “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1–3, ESV). Are you ever afraid? Remember that the LORD is your shield. The LORD is a shield about [you], [your] glory, and the lifter of [your] head” (Psalm 3:3, ESV).

Not only did the LORD command Abram not to fear because he was his shield, he also reminded him that his reward  would be very great. This was clearly a reminder of all that God had promised to Abram in years past. 

But notice that in verse 2 this reminder prompted Abram to reply back to the LORD. “Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir’” (Genesis 15:2–3, ESV).

Abram’s concern was valid, wasn’t it? LORD, you have promised to make me into a great nation. You have said that my descendents would be like the dust of the earth, if one could number the dust of the earth. But I continue to walk  in this world  childless. In fact, it looks as if Eliezer of Damascus will be my heir when I die. Will you do this through him? Help me to understand, LORD. How do you plan to pull this off?

APPLICATION:Brothers and sisters, take special note of this. The LORD is happy to hear the concerns of his people. He is welcomes them to bring their questions, concerns and burdens to him, to lay them at his feet. Having faith does not mean we are without questions or concerns. Questions and concerns simply come with the territory for we humans living in  this fallen world. We cannot see the future. And sometimes what we do see doesn’t make sense to us. Walking by faith means that we walk in this world trusting always in the LORD, and sometimes that means we must come to him to honestly express the trouble we are having in our minds and heart. Friends, he is willing to hear us and to answer. But notice also the way that Abram expressed himself. He spoke to the LORD honestly, and yet respectfully. After all, it was God Most High to whom he was speaking! It is trendy today for Christians to be encouraged to “be honest” with the Lord. And often what is meant by that is, it is okay to dump on the Lord — to let it all out in an unrestrained way — for God is big enough to handle our unfiltered honesty. And while I do not doubt that God is big enough to handle it (I get it, you are not going to hurt his feelings), I do question if this is right. When we come before the Lord we are permitted to bring our  very honest question, concerns and burdens to him. But we should always careful to express them respectfully, out reverence for the God to whom we speak. This is what Abram did. He was honest, and yet reverent.     

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God Was Again Faithful To Remind Abram Of His Promises

Secondly, notice that God was again faithful to remind Abram of his promises to him. I say again, because the LORD has already reiterated his promises to Abram multiple times now.

APPLICATION:  Brothers and sisters, he does the same for you and me. He has given us his word. But he has also given us his Spirit to teach us and to remind us of all that he has said. More than that, he has given us the church so that Lord’s Day by Lord’s Day we might gather together to hear his word, to encourage one another from the scriptures, and to exhort one another to continue on in the faith.  Aren’t you grateful that the Lord is kind to us in this way?

It is in verses 4 through 5 that the promises of God are reiterated. And notice that the Lord also clarified his promises to Abram. Verse 4: “And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: ‘This man [Eliezer of Damascus] shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir’” (Genesis 15:4, ESV).

The  LORD made if very clear that he would fulfill his promises concerning a great nation and many offspring, not through a legal heir, like Eliezer of Damascus, but through Abram’s r “very own son”, one that would come from his loins. Sure, it must have seemed impossible to Abram, but this was the word of the LORD.  

And notice that the LORD helped Abram along in his faith by giving him a visible sign. Not only did God give Abram his word to hear, he also gave him something to look at. Verse 5: “And [the LORD] brought [Abram] outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’” (Genesis 15:5, ESV).  

I think it is good for us to use our imaginations here. Can you picture Abram walking outside of his tent late at night? Immagine how dark it must have been in those days with no city lights to pollute the night sky. And imagine how impressive those stars must have been! If you have ever looked up into the night sky in a very dark place, away from the lights of the city, you know what I mean. It is an overwhelming experience to consider how vast our universe is, and how many stars their are in  the heavens. And God was so kind to Abram that he attached his promises to these stars. Therefore, every time Abram looked up to the night sky from that day forward he would be reminded of the promises of God. 

I am not sure how much to make of this, but I think it is interesting. I notice a progression in the text. In Genesis 13 the LORD promised to give Abram many descendents, but there he compared them to the dust of the earth. The LORD said, “I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted” (Genesis 13:16, ESV). But here the LORD lifts Abram’s eyes away from the earth and to the heavens. The messages is the same  — you will have many descendents! But the here Abrams eyes are are lifted heavenwards, as if God were saying, trust in me, the God of heaven and earth. 

Also, you need to get used to this idea, for is undoubtably true. Abram, who will be called Abraham, must be considered in a double capacity if we are to understand him aright. The scripture are very clear about this. In Abram there are two covenants, and there two peoples. In Abram there is the covenant of grace,  which is a covenant of promise, and their is also the covenant of circumcision, as we will see, which is a covenant of works. If you don’t believe me read Galatians 3 and 4. And in Abram their are two peoples — one natural and one spiritual. Many will come from Abram’s loins according to the flesh. They are his natural descendants. Some of them will have his faith, some will not. And also their will be very many will have the faith Abram who do not descend from his loins according to the flesh. These are his spiritual descendents. And so Abram will have a natural fleshly heritage, and he will also have a spiritual and heavenly heritage. Read carefully Paul’s letter to the Romans and his letter to the Galatians, along with the rest of the New Testament if you don’t believe me.

I can’t help but wonder if the two visible things that God attached to his promises for Abram do not correspond to these two kinds of offspring — the dust corresponding to the natural and earthly descendents, the stars to the heavenly and spiritual. 

More on this another time. For now, see that God was again faithful to remind Abram of his promises — promises pertaining to many offspring through his natural son who would be as numerous as the stars in heaven.   

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Abram Believed The LORD, And He Counted It To Him As Righteousness

Thirdly, let us see that Abram believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. That is what verse 6 says, “And [Abram] believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6, ESV).

This is a very important verse. As I said before, the New Testament scriptures make much of it. We would be wise to settle here for a bit. 

Certainly Abram had faith prior to this moment. He obeyed the word of the LORD when he left Ur  to journey to the land that God would show him. That he did because he believed the LORD. Why then is this declaration reserved for this moment? Did not Abram have faith previously? Was he not made righteous prior to this event? 

It is hard to know for sure. But one thing that we do know is tha in this moment Abram had saving faith. Perhaps it was in this moment, after hearing the promises of God once more, and after looking up into the heavens, that Abram really got it. Here we are told that “[Abram] believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

What does it mean that Abram “believed”?

To believe is to trust. And notice that Abram “believed the LORD.” His trust was in a person. His trust was in God. He believed, not only a message, but the LORD himself. 

APPLICTAION: I wonder, do you have that kind of faith? Do you believe the LORD? Are you trusting in Jesus the Christ? It is possible, I suppose, to trust in all kinds of things — even things that  are truly associated with the Christian religion — and to not trust the LORD. Some trust in their pure doctrine; others trust in their religious devotion; and still others trust in their obedience to God’s commands. But I am asking, do you trust in the LORD who is behind all of that? Our faith must sink it’s roots down into him. If it is to be true and saving faith, it must be faith in a person — belief in God and in the Christ whom he has sent.  

Also, notice that Abram believed in the promises of God. When we read that Abram “believed the LORD”, it has obvious reference to the words that God had just delivered to him.  

APPLICTAION: Again I wonder, do you have that kind of faith? Do you believe the promises of God? Do you believe in his word? Do you listen to the Holy Scriptures and say, “yes, and amen”. It is truly astonishing to me to hear of so many who call themselves Christians who refuse to believe that which God has said. They claim to have faith, but they will not “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save [their] souls” (James 1:21, ESV). To have true and saving faith — faith that makes one right before God — we must believe what God has said.

Lastly, know for certain that when the scriptures say that Abram “believed the LORD” it means that Abram ultimately placed his faith in the Christ who would one day emerge from amongst his people. The entire narrative of Genesis alludes to this, but the New Testament scriptures make it abundabnly clear. When Abram believed, he believed ultimately in the Christ who would come from him.

This was clearly Paul’s view. When he was urging the Galatians to continue in the faith he urged them to believe, “just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall all the nations be blessed.’ So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Galatians 3:6–9, ESV). The same gospel that Paul preached — the gospel concerning the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ — was preached to Abram long before the Christ was born. The gospel message was less clear. It was mysterious. But the gospel of the Christ was present in the world. And it was this gospel that Abram believed. Abram put his faith in the Christ.

This was also Jesus’ view. When disputing with the Jews in John chapter 8 Jesus made this astonishing claim. He said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad” (John 8:56, ESV). According to Jesus  Abraham had his eyes fixed, not only on the physical land, and not only on physical, natural descendent, but Abram had his eyes fixed upon the Christ who would come from his loins. He understood that these promises from God were really about Christ and the people from every tongue, tribe and nation who would be redeemed in him, to be brought safe into the heavenly Jerusalem (see Hebrews 11:10, etc.).

All of this is meant when the text says that Abram believed God. He trusted in God; he believed his word; his faith was in the Christ. 

And then we read these critically important words: “The LORD counted it to him as righteousness.”

Notice that the text does not say that the Lord saw that Abram was righteous. It does not say that this proved Abram was righteous. But that “The LORD counted it to him as righteousness.”   This means that the LORD gave Abram something that he did not have before — righteousness. When Abram believed the LORD, Abram was made right with God. 

Paul makes much of this passage in Romans 4. He uses this text to prove that Abram was justified, or counted as righteous, not by keeping the law, but by grace alone through faith alone. 

He makes much of the fact that this episode wherein Abram “believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” took place before Abram was circumcised. Abram will receive the sign of circumcision in Genesis 17. We are now in Genesis 15. 

This might seems like a minor and insignificant detail. But if you understand the significance of circumcision and the nature of the covenant of which it was a seal, then you would agree with Paul that the order of things is indeed very important.

Listen again to Paul in Romans 4. After talking about the blessing of having your sins covered and forgiven he asks,  “Is this blessing [the blessing of the forgivness of sins] then only for the circumcised [that is, for the Jew], or also for the uncircumcised  [that is, for the non-Jew]? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised” (Romans 4:9–12, ESV).

This is so important. Paul proves from this little narrative in Genesis 15 that our right standing before God depends not on our ethnicity, not our keeping of the law of Moses, nor of our participation in ceremony, but it is received by grace alone through faith alone.  This, he says, has always been the case. And it has always been the case for Jews and gentiles alike. In fact, the reason Abram was counted as righteous when he believed upon the LORD prior to his circumcision was so that no one would get the wrong idea about how a person could be right with God. 

Friends, salvation has always been by grace alone through faith alone. To this established order, the law of Moses was indeed added. Circumcision was given  to the Hebrew people. The Mosaic law was imposed upon them. But all of that came second. Before that it was firmly established that the way to be right with God was through faith in the LORD, in his promises, and in the Christ that he would send.  The Old Mosaic Covenant would be established with Israel, but it would not do away with the order that had been established previously.

This is what Paul teaches in Galatians 3:19. “Why then the law?”,  he  asks. Why was the law of Moses and the Old Covenant, of which circumcision was a sign, added if our right standing before God was received by faith alone, as in the days of Abram prior to his circumcision? His answer: “It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made… Is the law then contrary to the promises of God?” That is a good question! Are these two things, the law Moses and the gospel that was preached previously at odds with one  another? His answer: “Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:19–22, ESV). The law and the gospel sweetly comply, friends (see Second London Confession 19.7). 

The law of Moses, and circumcision which signified it, set the Hebrew people off from the rest of the world so that through them the Christ would be born into the world. The law also magnified sin. The law shows us our sin and drives us to Christ. This law was added. It was set down on top of a previously existing order, namely, the imputation of the righteousness of Christ to the one who has faith in him. 

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Conclusion  

APPLICATION: Are you trusting in Christ alone for the forgiveness of you sins? If not, then you are not right with God. You are still in your sins. For this is the only way to have your sins forgiven and to be made righteous. It is by faith in Christ alone. You must be found in him, clothed in his righteousness. Friends, do you have the faith of Abram? Your ethnicity does not matter at all. Even if you are a purebred descendent of Abraham according to the flesh, I still ask you, do you have the faith of father Abraham? 

Those  who descended from Abraham according to the flesh enjoyed many blessings in this world.  Paul, reflecting on these earthly blessings, said, “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 9:4–5, ESV). But notice that the forgiveness of sins and life eternal was not one of those blessings. For he goes on to say in that same passage,“For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring” (Romans 9:6–8, ESV).

Do you have the faith of Abram? This question must be pressed upon Jews and Gentile alike. For it only by faith — faith like Abram’s faith —  faith in the gospel of Christ — that men and women are made right before God. If the Jewish people must be urged to believe upon Christ, how much more the Gentiles! For again Paul says, “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:26–29, ESV).