Are you serious?!

But I want to take you to a story But I want to take you to a story tonight, an ancient story, an old story tonight, an ancient story, an old story tonight, an ancient story, an old story where we see a man who has an ache. where we see a man who has an ache. where we see a man who has an ache. An ache so deep it like jumps off the An ache so deep it like jumps off the An ache so deep it like jumps off the page and it becomes very real to me and page and it becomes very real to me and page and it becomes very real to me and recently, and this is not going to be a recently, and this is not going to be a recently, and this is not going to be a surprise to anybody in this theater if surprise to anybody in this theater if surprise to anybody in this theater if you've been coming for any amount of you've been coming for any amount of you've been coming for any amount of time, but I started reading this this time, but I started reading this this time, but I started reading this this week and I just started crying and week and I just started crying and week and I just started crying and crying and crying and crying cuz of the crying and crying and crying cuz of the crying and crying and crying cuz of the first time I felt like with this ancient first time I felt like with this ancient first time I felt like with this ancient character named Abram, I was like, "Yo, character named Abram, I was like, "Yo, character named Abram, I was like, "Yo, I feel your ache." I feel your ache." I feel your ache." And so here's what I want to do. And so here's what I want to do. And so here's what I want to do. I want to go back I want to go back I want to go back thousands of years ago. thousands of years ago. thousands of years ago. I want to go by way of using I want to go by way of using I want to go by way of using the most incredible book the most incredible book the most incredible book ever in human history. And so I want to ever in human history. And so I want to ever in human history. And so I want to go to that book. In fact, I want to go go to that book. In fact, I want to go go to that book. In fact, I want to go to the first book in that book. For to the first book in that book. For to the first book in that book. For those that don't know, there are 66 those that don't know, there are 66 those that don't know, there are 66 books within the one book and the very books within the one book and the very books within the one book and the very first one is called the beginning. first one is called the beginning. first one is called the beginning. It's called Genesis. It's called Genesis. It's called Genesis. And here we find some of the first And here we find some of the first And here we find some of the first records and writings of records and writings of records and writings of many of our origins. Genesis chapter 15.

many of our origins. Genesis chapter 15. many of our origins. Genesis chapter 15. And I want to And I want to And I want to I'm going to read you six verses I'm going to read you six verses I'm going to read you six verses right out of the script. It says, right out of the script. It says, right out of the script. It says, "Afterwards, the word of Yahweh, that is "Afterwards, the word of Yahweh, that is "Afterwards, the word of Yahweh, that is God, came to Abram in a vision and said, God, came to Abram in a vision and said, God, came to Abram in a vision and said, 'Abram, 'Abram, 'Abram, don't yield to fear, for I'm your don't yield to fear, for I'm your don't yield to fear, for I'm your faithful shield and your abundant faithful shield and your abundant faithful shield and your abundant reward.'" reward.'" reward.'" But Abram replied, But Abram replied, But Abram replied, "Lord Yahweh, what good is your reward "Lord Yahweh, what good is your reward "Lord Yahweh, what good is your reward if I remain childless? I'm about to die if I remain childless? I'm about to die if I remain childless? I'm about to die without a son and my servant Eleazar of without a son and my servant Eleazar of without a son and my servant Eleazar of Damascus will inherit all of my wealth. Damascus will inherit all of my wealth. Damascus will inherit all of my wealth. The servant of my household will end up The servant of my household will end up The servant of my household will end up with everything because you have not with everything because you have not with everything because you have not given me given me given me not one child." not one child." not one child." Immediately, the word of the Lord, the Immediately, the word of the Lord, the Immediately, the word of the Lord, the word of Yahweh, came to him, "No, word of Yahweh, came to him, "No, word of Yahweh, came to him, "No, Eleazar will not be your heir. I will Eleazar will not be your heir. I will Eleazar will not be your heir. I will give you a son from your own body to be give you a son from your own body to be give you a son from your own body to be your heir." your heir." your heir." And Yahweh brought him outside his tent And Yahweh brought him outside his tent And Yahweh brought him outside his tent and said, "Gaze into the night sky. Go and said, "Gaze into the night sky. Go and said, "Gaze into the night sky. Go ahead. Try to count the stars. ahead. Try to count the stars. ahead. Try to count the stars. He continued, "Your seed will be as He continued, "Your seed will be as He continued, "Your seed will be as numerous as the stars." And here's the numerous as the stars." And here's the numerous as the stars." And here's the verse verse verse that whether you're aware of it or not that whether you're aware of it or not that whether you're aware of it or not changed the world as we know it. Truly.

changed the world as we know it. Truly. changed the world as we know it. Truly. And gave us a portal and a window into And gave us a portal and a window into And gave us a portal and a window into what would come thousands of years what would come thousands of years what would come thousands of years later. And Abram later. And Abram later. And Abram trusted every word Yahweh had spoken and trusted every word Yahweh had spoken and trusted every word Yahweh had spoken and because his faith because his faith because his faith because of Abram's faith, Yahweh God because of Abram's faith, Yahweh God because of Abram's faith, Yahweh God credited to him credited to him credited to him as righteousness. Now, as righteousness. Now, as righteousness. Now, I want to explain to you the magnitude I want to explain to you the magnitude I want to explain to you the magnitude the implications the implications the implications the significance the significance the significance of that verse right there of that verse right there of that verse right there and the life you now live in the ache and the life you now live in the ache and the life you now live in the ache you now feel. you now feel. you now feel. Abram is frankly a very average normal Abram is frankly a very average normal Abram is frankly a very average normal man. He is living several thousands of man. He is living several thousands of man. He is living several thousands of years from today ago. years from today ago. years from today ago. And his journey as we can tell is it And his journey as we can tell is it And his journey as we can tell is it begins in not Genesis 15 but Genesis 12. begins in not Genesis 15 but Genesis 12. begins in not Genesis 15 but Genesis 12. Now, if you're familiar with the story Now, if you're familiar with the story Now, if you're familiar with the story of Abram, by now perhaps you're of Abram, by now perhaps you're of Abram, by now perhaps you're wondering, is it Abram Judah or is it wondering, is it Abram Judah or is it wondering, is it Abram Judah or is it Abraham?

Abraham? Abraham? Perhaps you've pulled out your phone and Perhaps you've pulled out your phone and Perhaps you've pulled out your phone and you've checked chat GPT because chat GPT you've checked chat GPT because chat GPT you've checked chat GPT because chat GPT is never wrong. Friend, grow up a little bit. Okay. And Friend, grow up a little bit. Okay. And now you know now you know now you know he got a name change. So, it wasn't he got a name change. So, it wasn't he got a name change. So, it wasn't Abram, it was Abraham. Abram, it was Abraham. Abram, it was Abraham. Now, some of you have been around church Now, some of you have been around church Now, some of you have been around church enough to know that you grew UP SINGING enough to know that you grew UP SINGING enough to know that you grew UP SINGING A SONG THAT PERHAPS YOU DID NOT KNOW THE A SONG THAT PERHAPS YOU DID NOT KNOW THE A SONG THAT PERHAPS YOU DID NOT KNOW THE MAGNITUDE, the impact, the implications, MAGNITUDE, the impact, the implications, MAGNITUDE, the impact, the implications, the significance. the significance. the significance. FATHER ABRAHAM FATHER ABRAHAM FATHER ABRAHAM HAD many sons. And I'm one of them and so are you, you And I'm one of them and so are you, you too. So, let's just praise the Lord, too. So, let's just praise the Lord, too. So, let's just praise the Lord, right our father Abraham. right our father Abraham. right our father Abraham. >> Father >> Father >> Father Abraham. Abraham. Abraham. BUT HIS GIVEN NAME AT BIRTH WAS ABRAM. BUT HIS GIVEN NAME AT BIRTH WAS ABRAM. BUT HIS GIVEN NAME AT BIRTH WAS ABRAM. Abram means high father or exalted Abram means high father or exalted Abram means high father or exalted father. Abraham means father of many father. Abraham means father of many father. Abraham means father of many nations, but we are first introduced to nations, but we are first introduced to nations, but we are first introduced to our character as Abram.

our character as Abram. our character as Abram. Abram has an encounter with God in Abram has an encounter with God in Abram has an encounter with God in Genesis chapter 12. Then you'll see it Genesis chapter 12. Then you'll see it Genesis chapter 12. Then you'll see it in Genesis 15, then you'll see a in Genesis 15, then you'll see a in Genesis 15, then you'll see a monumental moment in Genesis 16, then monumental moment in Genesis 16, then monumental moment in Genesis 16, then you'll see a monumental moment in you'll see a monumental moment in you'll see a monumental moment in Genesis 17 and 18, and then you'll kind Genesis 17 and 18, and then you'll kind Genesis 17 and 18, and then you'll kind of see his climactic moments in Genesis of see his climactic moments in Genesis of see his climactic moments in Genesis 21 and beyond. But there IS IN FACT FIVE 21 and beyond. But there IS IN FACT FIVE 21 and beyond. But there IS IN FACT FIVE significant moments in Abram's life that significant moments in Abram's life that significant moments in Abram's life that I want to underscore, and not the least I want to underscore, and not the least I want to underscore, and not the least of which, AND THE BEDROCK OF MY SPEECH of which, AND THE BEDROCK OF MY SPEECH of which, AND THE BEDROCK OF MY SPEECH TONIGHT, which is Genesis 15, where God TONIGHT, which is Genesis 15, where God TONIGHT, which is Genesis 15, where God meets him in a tent. Because you may not meets him in a tent. Because you may not meets him in a tent. Because you may not know this, know this, know this, but your life could be, and dare I say but your life could be, and dare I say but your life could be, and dare I say should be impacted by what happened that should be impacted by what happened that should be impacted by what happened that night in night in night in Canaan, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, Canaan, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, Canaan, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, thousands of years ago. thousands of years ago. thousands of years ago. Abram, not trying to be cute and silly Abram, not trying to be cute and silly Abram, not trying to be cute and silly and cliche, a very normal guy, Genesis and cliche, a very normal guy, Genesis and cliche, a very normal guy, Genesis chapter 12, and Yahweh comes to him. chapter 12, and Yahweh comes to him. chapter 12, and Yahweh comes to him. Yahweh, one of the great grand names of Yahweh, one of the great grand names of Yahweh, one of the great grand names of God, which describes the all God, which describes the all God, which describes the all ever-present, all-knowing, all grand, ever-present, all-knowing, all grand, ever-present, all-knowing, all grand, all great God, Yahweh shows up to Abram.

all great God, Yahweh shows up to Abram. all great God, Yahweh shows up to Abram. Never heard God, doesn't know God, Never heard God, doesn't know God, Never heard God, doesn't know God, doesn't have a relationship or doesn't have a relationship or doesn't have a relationship or connection with God, and by evidence in connection with God, and by evidence in connection with God, and by evidence in Genesis chapter 12, it is just a rude Genesis chapter 12, it is just a rude Genesis chapter 12, it is just a rude interruption. God just shows up, God interruption. God just shows up, God interruption. God just shows up, God chooses Abram, and he says, "You got to chooses Abram, and he says, "You got to chooses Abram, and he says, "You got to go. Leave your whole family." And Abram go. Leave your whole family." And Abram go. Leave your whole family." And Abram is like, "I don't know what is that? is like, "I don't know what is that? is like, "I don't know what is that? Okay, I think I'm hearing things. I'm Okay, I think I'm hearing things. I'm Okay, I think I'm hearing things. I'm hearing" He goes, "Where am I going?" He hearing" He goes, "Where am I going?" He hearing" He goes, "Where am I going?" He goes, "Just get going, and I'll show you goes, "Just get going, and I'll show you goes, "Just get going, and I'll show you where you're going." where you're going." where you're going." Now, that sounds strange, and we could Now, that sounds strange, and we could Now, that sounds strange, and we could delve more into that, but I want to keep delve more into that, but I want to keep delve more into that, but I want to keep moving. Now, moving. Now, moving. Now, by the time we get to Genesis chapter by the time we get to Genesis chapter by the time we get to Genesis chapter 15, Abram is not a young man. He is now 15, Abram is not a young man. He is now 15, Abram is not a young man. He is now 75 years old. 75 years old. 75 years old. He's been married to Sarai or Sarah, his He's been married to Sarai or Sarah, his He's been married to Sarai or Sarah, his wife, for many, many years. By the time wife, for many, many years. By the time wife, for many, many years. By the time we pick up the tent scene and the stars we pick up the tent scene and the stars we pick up the tent scene and the stars scene, Abram has already started to reap scene, Abram has already started to reap scene, Abram has already started to reap the benefits of what God had told him. the benefits of what God had told him. the benefits of what God had told him. If you know that moment in Genesis 12, If you know that moment in Genesis 12, If you know that moment in Genesis 12, God says to this average ordinary man God says to this average ordinary man God says to this average ordinary man named Abram, "I need you to leave the named Abram, "I need you to leave the named Abram, "I need you to leave the Earl of Chaldeans. I want you to leave Earl of Chaldeans. I want you to leave Earl of Chaldeans. I want you to leave your dad. I want you to leave your your dad. I want you to leave your your dad. I want you to leave your family, and I'm going to lead you out family, and I'm going to lead you out family, and I'm going to lead you out into a new place and a new space, and into a new place and a new space, and into a new place and a new space, and I'm going to bless you, and you're going I'm going to bless you, and you're going I'm going to bless you, and you're going to have a lot of money, and you're going to have a lot of money, and you're going to have a lot of money, and you're going to have a lot of power, and you're going to have a lot of power, and you're going to have a lot of power, and you're going to have a lot of influence, and I'm to have a lot of influence, and I'm to have a lot of influence, and I'm going to bless your kids, and it's going going to bless your kids, and it's going going to bless your kids, and it's going to be amazing." So, by the time we get to be amazing." So, by the time we get to be amazing." So, by the time we get to Genesis chapter 15, he has had many to Genesis chapter 15, he has had many to Genesis chapter 15, he has had many decades of money, decades of money, decades of money, but not a single child.

but not a single child. but not a single child. His wife, Sarai, is barren. She can't His wife, Sarai, is barren. She can't His wife, Sarai, is barren. She can't have kids. have kids. have kids. The ache that is introduced in this The ache that is introduced in this The ache that is introduced in this passage, if you have endeavored to passage, if you have endeavored to passage, if you have endeavored to follow God, some people would say, or follow God, some people would say, or follow God, some people would say, or become a religious person, not my become a religious person, not my become a religious person, not my favorite phrase, or become a worshiper, favorite phrase, or become a worshiper, favorite phrase, or become a worshiper, or follower of Jesus, the ache that you or follower of Jesus, the ache that you or follower of Jesus, the ache that you see in Genesis 15, you have felt see in Genesis 15, you have felt see in Genesis 15, you have felt undoubtedly. undoubtedly. undoubtedly. That voice comes back. That voice comes back. That voice comes back. That voice that rustles the tent, That voice that rustles the tent, That voice that rustles the tent, the voice that stops Abram dead in his the voice that stops Abram dead in his the voice that stops Abram dead in his tracks, he's back. tracks, he's back. tracks, he's back. From best we can tell, since Genesis From best we can tell, since Genesis From best we can tell, since Genesis chapter 12, for some decades, he has not chapter 12, for some decades, he has not chapter 12, for some decades, he has not heard the voice of Yahweh. heard the voice of Yahweh. heard the voice of Yahweh. There is no class for this. Abram There is no class for this. Abram There is no class for this. Abram is having a very unique experience, but is having a very unique experience, but is having a very unique experience, but he is he's hearing the creator of heaven he is he's hearing the creator of heaven he is he's hearing the creator of heaven and earth, and and earth, and and earth, and in Genesis 15, in Genesis 15, in Genesis 15, how I see it is Abram's in his tent. how I see it is Abram's in his tent. how I see it is Abram's in his tent. By the way, he's tired of tents, By the way, he's tired of tents, By the way, he's tired of tents, friends.

friends. friends. He's got a lot of sheep, He's got a lot of sheep, He's got a lot of sheep, probably a lot of cattle. probably a lot of cattle. probably a lot of cattle. He got a lot of silver. He got a lot of He got a lot of silver. He got a lot of He got a lot of silver. He got a lot of stuff, stuff, stuff, but he's still a wanderer. but he's still a wanderer. but he's still a wanderer. He's still a nomad. He's still a nomad. He's still a nomad. He's still a traveler. Now, his his He's still a traveler. Now, his his He's still a traveler. Now, his his traveling caravan is deep. He's got a traveling caravan is deep. He's got a traveling caravan is deep. He's got a lot of people, lot of people, lot of people, a lot of friends, a lot of employees, a a lot of friends, a lot of employees, a a lot of friends, a lot of employees, a big crew. big crew. big crew. But at 75, But at 75, But at 75, he's got a lot of questions for God. he's got a lot of questions for God. he's got a lot of questions for God. And here comes the voice of Yahweh And here comes the voice of Yahweh And here comes the voice of Yahweh again. I imagine Sarah's sound asleep. again. I imagine Sarah's sound asleep. again. I imagine Sarah's sound asleep. And Abram notices that the feeling in And Abram notices that the feeling in And Abram notices that the feeling in the tent has changed. And he hadn't felt the tent has changed. And he hadn't felt the tent has changed. And he hadn't felt that feeling in a long time. Something that feeling in a long time. Something that feeling in a long time. Something has descended again in the tent. has descended again in the tent. has descended again in the tent. And undoubtedly, I believe at that And undoubtedly, I believe at that And undoubtedly, I believe at that point, Abram knows, I know that point, Abram knows, I know that point, Abram knows, I know that sensation. I know that feeling. My skin sensation. I know that feeling. My skin sensation. I know that feeling. My skin feels it. The hair on my arms and legs feels it. The hair on my arms and legs feels it. The hair on my arms and legs is standing up, and is standing up, and is standing up, and he hears the voice of the eternal one, he hears the voice of the eternal one, he hears the voice of the eternal one, Yahweh, Yahweh, Yahweh, say, say, say, "Abram, I "Abram, I "Abram, I I'm your reward.

I'm your reward. I'm your reward. I just wanted to come and revisit our I just wanted to come and revisit our I just wanted to come and revisit our conversation and let you know that I'm conversation and let you know that I'm conversation and let you know that I'm going to protect you. going to protect you. going to protect you. I'm going to take care of you." I'm going to take care of you." I'm going to take care of you." Now, how Abram responds, I respect. Now, how Abram responds, I respect. Now, how Abram responds, I respect. I really do. I really do. I really do. A lot of preachers like me, in fact, A lot of preachers like me, in fact, A lot of preachers like me, in fact, I've done this before, will tell you I've done this before, will tell you I've done this before, will tell you that the response of a true believer is that the response of a true believer is that the response of a true believer is that every time you sense God, or you that every time you sense God, or you that every time you sense God, or you see God, or you feel God, that your see God, or you feel God, that your see God, or you feel God, that your response IS ALWAYS, "OH GOD, response IS ALWAYS, "OH GOD, response IS ALWAYS, "OH GOD, BE IT UNTO [screaming] ME ACCORDING TO BE IT UNTO [screaming] ME ACCORDING TO BE IT UNTO [screaming] ME ACCORDING TO ALL THAT YOU SAY. I'LL DO EVERYTHING YOU ALL THAT YOU SAY. I'LL DO EVERYTHING YOU ALL THAT YOU SAY. I'LL DO EVERYTHING YOU WANT me to do." But not Abram. WANT me to do." But not Abram. WANT me to do." But not Abram. He says, "Are you serious? He says, "Are you serious? He says, "Are you serious? Are you serious? Are you serious? Are you serious? What good is your protection? What good is your protection? What good is your protection? What good IS ALL YOUR PROMISES? What good IS ALL YOUR PROMISES? What good IS ALL YOUR PROMISES? I THINK ABRAM IS SAYING, "YO, THANKS FOR I THINK ABRAM IS SAYING, "YO, THANKS FOR I THINK ABRAM IS SAYING, "YO, THANKS FOR THE CASH. THANKS FOR THE MONEY. Thanks THE CASH. THANKS FOR THE MONEY. Thanks THE CASH. THANKS FOR THE MONEY. Thanks for the crew. Thanks for the business. for the crew. Thanks for the business. for the crew. Thanks for the business. Thanks for the stuff. Thanks for the stuff. Thanks for the stuff. BUT THE WOMAN SOUND ASLEEP next to me BUT THE WOMAN SOUND ASLEEP next to me BUT THE WOMAN SOUND ASLEEP next to me hasn't had one baby.

hasn't had one baby. hasn't had one baby. And so you speak of this promise. You And so you speak of this promise. You And so you speak of this promise. You speak these words. speak these words. speak these words. But where I'm at But where I'm at But where I'm at and where you say I'm going to be and where you say I'm going to be and where you say I'm going to be is a gap that's really painful is a gap that's really painful is a gap that's really painful and difficult. Now, we're not great at it in Now, we're not great at it in congregations and communities and congregations and communities and congregations and communities and gatherings like these, but the truth is gatherings like these, but the truth is gatherings like these, but the truth is there are hundreds of people here there are hundreds of people here there are hundreds of people here tonight still hanging on tonight still hanging on tonight still hanging on to what they believe to what they believe to what they believe God has told them for their life. God has told them for their life. God has told them for their life. And yet And yet And yet there's an ache if they're honest. there's an ache if they're honest. there's an ache if they're honest. And that ache is simple. And that ache is simple. And that ache is simple. It's an ache over what he said It's an ache over what he said It's an ache over what he said and what is.