Families of Promise on Mission Together
Sermon Summary
This message reminds us that God's promises and purposes for our lives have no expiration date. Drawing from the life of Abraham, who was called by God at age 75, the sermon challenges us to believe that we are heirs of a promise that stretches to the ends of the earth. Whether we are young or old, God still has a significant role for each of us in His kingdom work.
Three truths are highlighted in this message. First, through Christ, we are Abraham's seed and heirs according to God's promise. Second, our unity is essential, as division hinders what God wants to accomplish and prevents us from experiencing His blessing. Third, our unity fuels our involvement, and we must not hold back but go further in faith.
Key Scriptures
Genesis 12:1-4 (NASB1995) "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.' So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran."
Galatians 3:26-29 (NASB1995) "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise."
Psalm 133:1, 3b (NASB1995) "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!... For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever."
Isaiah 54:2 (NASB1995) "Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs."
Acts 2:41, 47 (NASB1995) "So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls... And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Instructions for Groups
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don't need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
Looking at Genesis 12:1-4, what specific things did God ask Abraham to leave behind, and what specific promises did God make to him? What's significant about the fact that Abraham was 75 years old when he received this call?
How does Galatians 3:26-29 connect us as believers to the promise God made to Abraham? What does Paul mean when he says we are "Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise"? What does this reveal about God's faithfulness across generations?
According to Psalm 133:1-3, what does God command when His people dwell together in unity? What does this teach us about God’s heart for His people?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony
Scripture tells us that Abraham was 75 when God called him. How does this encourage you in your current season of life? What limiting beliefs about age or ability might God be challenging in your heart?
The message challenged us to move beyond thinking about a "double portion" to believing for multiplication like the book of Acts. What would it look like for God to multiply His work in your life, your family, or your sphere of influence? What might be holding you back from believing for this kind of growth?
The sermon illustration of drilling for water and hitting the gusher at 300 feet was used to show the importance of not giving up too soon. Share about a time when you wanted to give up on what God was calling you to but you pressed through and saw breakthrough!
Putting it into Practice
The message ended with an invitation to recommit our lives to all that God is doing and hold nothing back. What specific area of your life is the Holy Spirit highlighting where you need to recommit or go further?
Since we are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise, what does this mean practically for how you live your daily life? What specific action can you take this week that reflects your identity as an heir of God's promises to reach the nations?
Prayer
Listening to the Holy Spirit: We're going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
[After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?