God's Prevailing Promises

Genesis 15          Acts 7: 1-16

God's Prevailing Promises
God's slowness does not contradict God's promises

A.  Appearances are deceptive

B.  Resistance is anticipated

C.  Reliance on signs and promises is sufficient

D.  God's ongoing control

 

God's promises prevail even though at times things look like they fail.

It is a lesson of  Bible history that through many obstacles God's purposes and plans prevail.

These may take longer than we think. Even Abraham who was promised so much was left waiting even at the end of his life. God made it clear to him that many obstacles would occur for his descendants, but that God would prevail (Genesis 15)

Even when Joseph's brothers planned evil and sold him to be a slave, God used this for good ( Genesis 50.20)

In our passage today ( part of Stephan's sermon in Acts 7), the faithful promises of God are highlighted  against the wicked resistance of man. Stephen is making the point that resistance to the Holy Spirit is everywhere in  Israels history, and that the resistance to the Gospel in his day was no different.(Acts 7.51-2).

It was no surprise then that they killed the One Righteous Man, betraying and murdering Him.

In the same way we also stand exposed because of our guilt and rebellion  against the Promised One whom God has sent. We too resist God. Yet even that does not muzzle the faithful word of God who brings to bear his faithful saving plan for us in the person of Jesus Christ.

We crucified him by our recklessness and defiance of His rule, but God has made Him Lord and Savior as promised