Abraham and the Burning Fire
Pastor Tan Thai · Jun 11, 2023
This sermon explores Abraham's story and God's covenant established by a burning fire passing between divided sacrifices. It presents the significance of Abraham's faith in trusting God's promises despite facing great trials. The sermon emphasizes that faith is the anchor of the soul in all difficult circumstances of life.
The first section presents the context of Abraham's story when Jehovah appears and speaks to him, saying "I am your shield" and "your reward will be very great." Abraham is called to leave his homeland, relatives, and father's house to go to the land that God will show him. This promise includes becoming a great nation, receiving blessings, and his name being made great. However, Abraham encounters doubt when he realizes he has no son and must ask God how this promise will be fulfilled.
The second section develops the theological point about faith and God's covenant. When Abraham asks how he will know he will receive the land as his inheritance, God commands him to bring sacrifices and divide them in two to establish a covenant in the ancient manner. Scripture teaches that "whoever breaks My covenant will be like a calf divided in half," showing the seriousness and solemnity of the covenant. After sunset, Abraham falls into great fear and darkness, hearing God speak that his descendants will dwell in a land not theirs for four hundred years. But God promises to judge the oppressing nation and give Abraham's descendants great wealth when they leave.
The third section illustrates the establishment of the covenant by divine fire. As the sun sets completely, a smoking furnace and burning torch pass between the divided sacrifices, demonstrating God's powerful and holy presence. This image of fire reminds readers of how God appeared at Mount Sinai with fire and smoke, as well as the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. The sermon connects this image to Isaiah 53:8 and Mark 15:33-34, where Jesus is separated from God because of the sins of mankind.
The fourth section applies the message to the practical life of the congregation by emphasizing that faith is the anchor of the soul. As Hebrews 6:19 teaches, believers should hold this hope "as an anchor of the soul, firm and steadfast." Just as Abraham believed God's promise even though he did not see the result immediately, believers today must also trust God's promises and let faith anchor their souls firmly. Romans 8:32 reminds us that God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, so will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? This is the foundation of strong faith in the trials and difficulties of life.