God’s Promises
by Pat McIntosh
“I promise.” Many have heard and used that statement, probably numerous times in our lives. We have uttered those words and failed to fulfill our promise, disappointing others. We have been disappointed when people failed to fulfill their promise to us. It may have been something that could not be helped. Sadly, some promise something, never intending to fulfill their promise.
Promises are something that is a major part of Scripture. We read of promises made to one’s self, man to man, man to God and God to man. We even see a promise recorded that God made to Christ regarding His resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:33ff).
One of our greatest blessings lies in the realization that God will not disappoint us in this regard. Peter wrote that God “has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises” (2 Pet. 1:3-4). We can also take great consolation in the fact that His promises will never fail (1 Kgs. 8:56; Rom. 4:19-22). This is true because of God’s unalterable character (Heb. 10:23).
As we analyze God’s promises, we realize that he has made two basic types: conditional and unconditional. An unconditional promise is one that God made that is not dependent upon man’s response (e.g., not destroying the world by flood again – Gen. 9). However, many of God’s promises are of a conditional nature. They are dependent upon our response to God’s word. For example, Rev. 2:10 indicates that we can attain the crown of life, if we remain faithful until death. The lack of faith will void that promise.
May we be those who realize how much we have been blessed and what awaits us eternally, if we will faithfully approach His word. He desires that all be saved. He promises salvation to the faithful. May we reach out in faith and lay hold of those promises.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – God’s Promises (1 Cor. 6:14-7:1)
Introduction – 2 Pet. 1:3-4; 1 Kgs. 8:56; Rom. 4:19-22; 2 Pet. 3:9; Heb. 10:23
- What Has God Promised?
- Receiving the Promises – Deut. 22:10; Eph. 5:1-11; 1 Pet. 2:9; Phil. 2:12-13
- Separation From the World – Titus 2:11-15; 2 Cor. 10:4-5; 1 Jno. 2:15-17; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 13-16
Sunday P.M Sermon – God’s Anger (Nah. 1:1-7)