When Abram was 75, God came to him and told him to leave his country and his kindred and his father's house and go to the land where God will show him. From there, God promised Abram a great nation under God. So, Abram left his father's house, Haran. However Abram and his wife were not able to conceive a child. According to 15:2, Abram said to God, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" Abram couldn't wait any longer and adopted one of his servants as his son. However, god came and promised again that Abram's true son would have as many offspring as the stars in the sky. Abram and Sarai waited for a long time, but they did not have any baby. In chapter 16, Sarai brought one of her servants named Hagar to Abram so they could conceive a child. And he conceived a son Ishmael when he was 87 years old. Abram believed that his son, Ishmael, was the promised son. However, when Abram became 99 years old, God came to him again. God said to him"I am God almighty". And God changed their names; Abram to Abraham, and Sarai to Sarah. God said they will conceive the promised son, Isaac. Then God ordered all the men in the household to be circumcised and promised Abraham that Isaac would be born soon. Abraham and Sarah gave up to conceive baby. However, almighty God said to them, "prepare to receive the promised son". And they followed what God said.
We believe that God is almighty. When God is with us, we can do anything through the power of the almighty God. However we need to have an attitude to experience the almighty power of God. What do we need for experiencing the power of almighty God?
First, we need to break down the limitations we have set upon ourselves. Almighty God means that there is nothing impossible to God. Abraham laughed when God told him that Sarah would conceive because that was impossible for them. He knew that they were too old to conceive a child biologically. Therefore, he laughed even though God said his plan to him. If we make a limitation on the work of God, God's work will not accomplished through our lives. God is the one who is beyond our limitation. In Hebrews 11:1 it says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is not about believing what we see, instead it is seeing with the eyes of faith. When we think of impossible, we tend to exaggerate the situation. We have to have faith that God is almighty. When God works with us, we can do anything. If we don't have this faith, the miracle of God never appear in front of us. We need to be able to look back and see if we have committed a sin by doubting the power of God. We need to grow faith in God to break the limits in our thoughts and live under the guidance of God.
Second, we should be qualified by God to the power of almighty God. Today's verse 1 says to Abraham, "I am God almighty, walk before me and be blameless." In order for experiencing the power of almighty God, we need to be blameless in front of God. One thing we learn from today's verse is that a blessing from God needs to meet some qualifications. Many people believe that God gives equal blessings to everyone in the world. Although God gives grace to all of us, there are some people who may receive a special grace in life. This grace is only given to those who have that special relationship with God. So, when God gives his grace to us, we need to live up to his expectations. Today's verse has been sending us this message. When we practice living flawlessly, we will be able to experience the presence of almighty God. I wish for us to live in such a way as to deserve to receive the grace of God.
Last, in order to experience the power of almighty God, we need to have the faith of obedience, We often say that Abraham is our leader in faith, because he lived a life of obedience. People who have faith in God should immediately follow the word of God. When God promised that Isaac will be born, Abraham immediately followed the word of God and circumcised all the men in the house. When God commanded to sacrifice Isaac who was the promised son for the burnt offering, Abraham left to the land for sacrifice with Isaac the very next morning to offer him to God. This is how Abraham became a father of faith.
Please remember three lessons from this sermon. To experience the power of almighty God, break down your limitation in front of God. Second, practice to live flawlessly. And third, obey to God immediately. If you have this kind of attitude in front of God, you will be with the power of almighty God forever. I pray in the name of Jesus for all of us to experience the power of God during this season.
~Pastor Jay
