Abraham: The Covenants

Genesis 12, 15 & 17 David Lock "Abraham: The Covenants" is the first part of a three-week sermon series from Hilton Baptist Church. It explores how God’s covenant with Abraham progressively unfolded and what it means for believers today. Three Key Moments of Covenant The Call (Genesis 12): God calls Abraham to leave his home for a destination he does not yet know. The speaker highlights that Abraham obeyed simply because of God’s promise of blessing—not just for himself, but so he could be a blessing to "all the peoples of the earth." The Promise (Genesis 15): Years later, a childless Abraham questions God about his lack of an heir. God promises that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. Abraham’s simple act of belief is "credited to him as righteousness," a central theme the speaker connects to the New Testament. The Sacrifice and the Sign (Genesis 15 & 17): The Ceremony: God uses an ancient contract-signing ceremony involving sacrificed animals. Remarkably, God alone passes through the pieces, signaling that He is taking all the "jeopardy" (the penalty for failure) upon Himself. The Sign: God establishes circumcision as a physical sign of the covenant. The speaker notes that in the "New Covenant," baptism has replaced circumcision as the public sign of faith. Core Themes and Application God Takes the Risk: The sermon emphasizes that God took the "jeopardy" of the contract upon Himself. This is presented as a precursor to the cross, where Jesus took the penalty for human sin so that believers could receive God's righteousness as a free gift. Faith is Simple Belief: The speaker defines faith as believing that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. It is not about "earning" salvation through works but trusting in God's promises. Blessed to be a Blessing: Like Abraham, Christians are encouraged not to hold onto God's blessings for themselves but to share them with the world. The service concludes with a call to personal faith and an invitation to respond to God's promise of righteousness.