When we don't live by God's promises, we ask for things that are not in His will and have no foundation in Scripture. If we want answers to our prayers, we need to ask Him for things rooted in His Word. Dr. Stanley explains how God taught him to trust in the Bible and shares the scriptural principles that will allow us to do the same.
Sermon Outline
Waiting to experience the fulfillment of a promise from God often requires patience, persistence, and attention. In this message, Dr. Stanley uses the example of Abraham to illustrate how major promises from God unfold.
Key Passage: Genesis 12:1-3
Supporting Passages: Genesis 12:6-10; Genesis 15:1-7; Genesis 16:4; Genesis 17:16-17; Genesis 22:1-5
God desires that we live by His promises, yet many people doubt Him or misunderstand how His promises work.
There are several reasons our prayers go unanswered. Perhaps …
What we ask for is not God’s will.
We doubt we’ll receive anything from Him.
Our petitions are not anchored to a promise of God.
We’re not willing to wait for His best blessings.
► “Sometimes people think, Well, God doesn’t have any purpose for my life. Yes, He does. He wants to accomplish something through you.”
There are principles that govern the fulfillment of God’s promises. We must always remember that His promises …
Are stated clearly. They are never hazy, shady, or uncertain.
Come with guidance (Gen. 12:1, 6). God wants to be personally involved in every area of our life, because He knows we live in difficult circumstances.
Require times of meditation when we seek His direction (vv. 7-8). As believers, we are constantly being shaped by the Lord. Recording what we learn can help us remember lessons we’ve picked up along the way.
► “You’ve got to stay in the Word of God. You think you can live without it, but you will get in trouble every time you do.”
Changing course from God’s guidance indicates we’re doubting His promise (v. 10). Abraham got off track by heading to Egypt. We shouldn’t rely on our own solutions.
God renews His promise as we follow His will (15:1-7). He’ll reassure us that we are on His path, though it may be difficult.
Listening to unwise counsel can cause us to ignore God’s promise and get out of His will (16:4). Abraham followed Sarah’s advice to have a child by Hagar. Sticking to God’s plan is best, even when it seems unreasonable.
God’s promise may sometimes seem impossible from our point of view (17:16-17). Abraham and Sarah thought they were too old to have a child, but the Lord’s perspective was beyond theirs.
► “We live by promise and obedience, not by feelings or reason. Because some things will just not seem reasonable.”
God may require something that appears to be in opposition to what He’s promised (Gen. 22:1-2). Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac, the son through whom God’s promise was to be fulfilled. When we experience God’s faithfulness over time, we will trust Him even with things that seem extreme.
God’s promise may lead us to surrender something very dear to us (Gen. 22:3-5). Holding on to something God asks us to surrender won’t build our trust. Obedience is key.
After Watching
Today’s passage shows how God had a purpose for everything His servant Abraham experienced. The same is true for us. This week, ask the Lord for clarity and reassurance about His goals for your life.
Scripture is filled with seemingly small moments that required trust from God’s people. Read 1 Kings 17:8-16 and John 21:1-8. What do both moments teach us about His ability to provide?
