AbrahamCount the stars

Starting with one man

• I will make you into a great nation• I will bless you• I will make your name great• You will be a blessing• I will bless those who bless you• I will curse those who curse you• All peoples on earth will be blessed through you

Possible film clip

• Time Life – Abraham

• 07:52 – 11:24

Suzerain

• A regional king

• Sovereign exercising political control over a dependent state

Vassal

• Possibly a shepherd

• Anyone granted use of the land and being part of the community

• In return for rendering homage, loyalty and usually military service

Suzerain – Vassal Covenant

• Treaty between two unequals

• Signify a relational binding together

• Father / Son type language

• The name of the vassal would be changed

Suzerain – Vassal Covenant ingredients

• Introduction• Relationship• Rules of engagement• The Temple• The Witnesses• The blessings and curses• The covenant oath

Sacrifice

Smoking firepot

Abraham’s part of the bargain

Film clipThe real old testament Chapter 14/2339:16 – 40:58

Generational Covenant

• Abraham

• Isaac

• Jacob

• Joseph

• The Nation

– Moses, Joshua, Judges, Kings, Prophets

Israel’s FailurePsalm 78:8-11

• A stubborn and rebellious generation

• Hearts were not loyal to him

• Spirits were not faithful to him

• Did not keep God’s covenant

• Refused to live by his law

• Forgot what he had done

God’s Faithfulness

• I will deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and corrupt practices– (Ezekiel 20:44)

• They will be my people and I will be their God– (Jeremiah 32:38)

• I will never stop doing good to them – (Jeremiah 32:40)

• In my faithfulness I will reward them – (Isaiah 61:8)

The Cross

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature,not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

- Colossians 2: 9-12

What are we passing on?

• The whole story of God• Transformational Relationships• Community• Mission focused living

Rob Bell - Rain

11 minutes

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea existed no longer.

Revelation 21:1

• Sea is used as symbolism as a point of separation between God & man (Rev 4:6, 15:2)

The end of separation

Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

The heart of God

... The Holy City Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and it’s brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper clear as crystal. It had a great high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the name of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Revelation 21:10-12

• Angels prevent access back into Eden (Gen 3:24) and now form the welcoming committee in heaven.

• 12 gates / 12 tribes = Abram’s great grandchildrenRevelation 21:3-5

The welcoming committee

Prayer