It's called Abram: The Beginning of Salvation.
I was having a hard time keeping my ADD under control on Sunday and was a little scared I wasn't going to be able to pay attention. My mind seemed to wander to so many different things that day...it's was kinda annoying. Right before the message started I prayed to ask the Lord to help me have concentration to keep my mind alert and my heart eager to hear His words. John Piper had suggested doing that at New Attitude conference I went to last year, and it has really helped me concentration on the Lord during the message. It's just a great idea to get rid of distractions that are entering your mind.
So anyway, Mark spoke over Genesis 11:27-15:21. The story is about Abram and God's call to him to go into another land and He will bless him. God also promised that Abram's wife, Sarai, would have a child and from this child the Messiah would come. The message was mostly about God's sovereignty and how even though we mess up, he is still sovereign over it all.
For example: When Abram was going into the land of Egypt, Abram told Sarai to lie and say she was his sister instead of his wife. This showed a lack of trust in God's promises on Abram's part. Mark reminded us that yes, Abram sinned, but God was still sovereign over it. Just because Abram messed up doesn't mean that God won't keep his promises with him. Gosh, I don't know about you, but whenever I mess up (ps. which is ALL THE STINKING TIME!) I often can be tempted to think God won't want to pull through this time. I am tempted to think that God will leave me in my sin to teach me a lesson. But Praise Him, that's not how he works at all. He is still sovereign over our mess ups and his purpose in our life will still be fulfilled. If he wants to get us that job, then he will. If he wants us married, then he will lead us to the right person. If he wants us to have children, they he will make a way (He did it for Sarai). If he wants our friends and family saved, then he will soften their hearts to the Gospel. He was sovereign over our salvation, wasn't he?Mark reminded us that Abram sinned, yet God still blessed DESPITE his sin.
Another thing that was so helpful for me to hear is that if we are growing in prosperity then we tend to think that it's a sign of God's approval. Boy, do I think this all the time. I constantly think that when I see others getting married or getting done with school without any loans or just absolutely gorgeous with a sparkling personality. I think that because of all those blessings, then God must be in approval of them and not me. He must be mad at me for something because he hasn't blessed me with what I want yet. WOW! SOooooo not true. This is not the God of the Bible at all. Again, Abram messed up; God was still sovereign. I will, have, am messing up; and my Heavenly, good, and faithful Lord is still sovereign over it. I'm so thankful. He's not going to take away his promise of salvation because I keep messing up. No, he's going to continue to cover me with blankets of Grace. And it's part of God's good grace that he is showing us our sinfulness. It's another reminder of the Cross of Christ and how much we are dependent on it for our salvation.
At the end of the message, Mark had mentioned "All we have to do is look to tomorrow and our faith waivers." How true that is. I constantly look to the future and am often worried over it. I worry that I won't find a job I enjoy, or I worry that I won't graduate from school (6 more months!!!!) Or I worry that I won't be able to pay off my loans. Or I worry that my parents are worrying. YICKES! STOP WORRYING, Jenny! Be still and know that He is God. Know that he is sovereign.
I'm so thankful that my Lord doesn't cut me off when I mess up over and over. I'm so thankful that he has shown me truth. I'm so thankful that he has so much patience with me and is willing to stay with me. I'm thankful that yet, he is still sovereign.
♥
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