ABRAM HAD ENJOYED A GREAT VICTORY; NOW HE FACED POSSIBLE DEFEAT FROM HIS FEARS

• Abram was afraid of retaliation by the kings he defeated
• There was the loss of money he turned down from the king of Sodom
• And he had no heir as had been promised by God

God gave him three ways to defeat his fears- the Promise, the Doctrine, & the Prophecy of the Word

I. THE PROMISE OF THE WORD v.1-7

Abram had tried to solve his own problems, and it brought him to great depression and fear

A. THE STARS ILLUSTRATE GOD'S ABILITY TO HELP ABRAM v.5

• Col 1:16,17 God created all things, and manages His celestial traffic without a collision
• If Jesus can hold the Universe in order, He can help you to direct your life in best ways
• The problem is whether or not we believe His promises and trust Him to do so.  Do you?

B. THE SALVATION GOD OFFERS TO ALL IS GIVEN BY FAITH v.6

• On the cross Jesus did the most he could do for His enemies- He died for them.
• If Jesus died for His enemies, what will He do for His friends?  Are you an enemy or friend?
• Let God save you the way He did Abram- by faith!  Believe what God says, and act upon it.

C. THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD TO GUIDE US THROUGH THE YEARS v.7

• Abram failed year after year, scheme after scheme - almost every plan of his brought failure
• But God never failed to use even Abram's bone-headed errors to advance him to place of blessing
• If God could do this for Abram so many centuries ago, can He not do it for you today?

But Abram asked, "How can I know?" v.8  He wanted visual proof of his inheritance

II. THE DOCTRINE OF THE WORD v.8-11

God entered into covenant with Abram- and Abram divided the animals to ratify the covenant

A. THE SACRIFICES OF GOD ALL HAVE THEIR PURPOSES  v.9,10

• The sacrifice of the red Heifer- later given as a sin offering- the rebound from sin
• The she goat- Reconciliation- restoration of fellowship - propitiation- price paid- satisfied
• The turtle doves- 2-not divided - the symbol of the deity of Christ-God in heaven or earth

B. THIS SIGNIFIES THE IMPORTANCE OF OBEYING THE DOCTRINES OF ABIDING IN CHRIST

• John 15:10 "If ye keep My commandments ye shall abide in My love"
• 1. Public confession; 2. Baptism; 3. Church membership; 4. Stewardship; 5. The Word; 6. Prayer; 7. Testify to world
• Read the word, seek His commandments- and obey them in a practical way-

C. THE SATANIC COUNTERATTACK MUST BE EXPECTED AND MET WITH SPIRITUAL FORCEFULNESS  v.11

• The fowls of the air are symbols of Satanic spirits that dive in to catch away your blessing
• Stray thoughts like buzzards await your inattention to take the good and leave a stench
• If you are going to search God's word, pray, and seek His leadership, you need a switch-

And Abram failed again- he went to sleep (deep like Adam) and had a nightmare v.12   Horror

III. THE PROPHECY OF THE WORD v.13-18

Verse 13 - "Knowing" -(perception), "though shalt know" -(application to life) Living prophecy

A. THE JEWS HAD TO BE PUT UNDER SLAVERY FOR 400 YEARS TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE PROMISED LAND

• Heb 11:22- Joseph had faith in this promise, refused to be buried in Egypt- build a monument
• This hope (doctrine of future- prophecy) helped them live normal lives in captivity -
• Exo 13:19 the bones of Joseph taken from Egypt- Josh 24:32 buried in the Promised Land

B. THE PROPHETIC VISION OF THE SMOKING FURNACE AND THE BURNING LAMP  v.17

• In a covenant agreement an examiner would walk between the pieces to see that they were fair
• The Burning Lamp- bright light- the symbol of the victorious experience we can have in God's grace
• The Smoking Furnace - smudge pot - symbol of human good - trying, but now clean

C. ARE YOU A SMOKING FURNACE OR A BURNING LAMP?  CLOUDS OF SMOKE, OR SHINING BRIGHT LIGHT?

• Smoking- add worry, frustration, temper, darkness, no testimony, just confusion (but fire?)
• Lamp- experience in God's grace, clean by the blood of Christ- letting light shine- Matt 5:14-6
• I Cor 4:7-9 only God's grace, and our submission to it, makes difference in our lives-

WE NEED TO AVAIL OURSELVES OF THE PROMISES AND RECOURSES AVAILABLE TO ABRAM AND CLAIM THEM

• The promise of the Word- Claim salvation by faith in Jesus Christ-
• The Doctrine of the Word- Learn to rebound from weakness and walk with the Lord Jesus
• The Prophecy of the Word- Become a burning lamp to light others' way to Jesus