The Promise of God’s Presence – 2023 Advent Series – Sermon by Pam Church
December 3, 2023
Hello Kingdom Family,
Welcome to our Jesus-centered community. We are glad you are listening to today’s message.
“We are People Helping People Experience a Jesus-centered Life.”
Today’s message focuses Genesis 15:1–6; 18:9–15; 21:1–7 | The Story of Abraham & Sarah.
Most people know that the Christmas season begins with an unlikely married couple. So we’re starting there. But we’re not starting with the married couple, you think. It’s not Jesus’ mom or dad. It’s much further back than that. We’re beginning centuries before Jesus—with Abraham and Sarah.
Abraham and Sarah are the first couple in Jesus’ genealogy. They are best known for the radical promise God made to them. When Abraham was 99 years old (Genesis 17:1) and Sarah was 90 (Genesis 17:17), God said he would give this barren couple a son (cf. Genesis 15:4–5; 18:10).
Abraham and Sarah knew enough about human reproduction for this to be an unbelievable promise. God visited Abraham no fewer than three times to remind him of this promise (Genesis 12:1–4; 15:4–5; 17:1–8). It was so unrealistic that both Abraham and Sarah laughed out loud at the prospect (Genesis 17:17; 18:12). And before we judge them too harshly, let’s keep in mind that nearly every one of us would have had the same response!
In the end, however, Abraham believed God’s promise (Genesis 15:6). And in the end, God fulfilled it, miraculously giving Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac (Genesis 21:3)—whose name means “He laughs,” a playful reminder of the child’s remarkable birth story. Abraham and Sarah’s mocking
laughter had transformed into unbridled tears of joy.
Abraham and Sarah had wanted a son for decades. God had promised a son for years. And while it felt painfully slow, God was moving. He made a promise, and he delivered on it.
Isaac was not just a joy for Abraham and Sarah. He was an integral part of God’s plan, too. Through this son, God would start a family line that would overturn the curse brought on by Adam and Eve. Through this son, God would provide a way to bring renewed blessing to the earth (Genesis 12:1–3). And generations later, God would keep another promise through another miraculous son in this line. That child, Jesus Christ, would forever and finally prove that however slow God seems, his “slowness” is not a sign of his absence.
The Apostle Peter reminds us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). In other words, God is not slow. He is patient. That distinction also allows us to be patient, waiting for him to fulfill his promises.
For some of us, God will act sooner than we imagine—healing an illness, reconciling a broken relationship, ending an addiction. For others, God will ask us to wait until he returns. For all of us, God’s promise of restoration in Jesus is certain. Though it seems slow, it will come.
Before you listen to the message, you are encouraged to go to our website and download the lesson bulletin for this message, dated December 3, 2023. The publication contains questions to reflect on as an individual, couple, or small group. You can find them on the home page by clicking the Bulletins and Lesson Plans tab. Today’s message is “The Promise of God’s Presence .”
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Shalom,
Hill-Tran Ministries
- Pam Church
- 2023 Advent Series
- Genesis 15:1-6
- Genesis 18:9-15
- Genesis 21:1-7
- Abraham
- God's Presence
- God's Promises
- Hope
- Hope in the Resurrected Jesus
- Issac
- Sarah
- The Promise of God's Presence
- We Are Never Alone
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Purpose Driven Faith
February 19, 2023
- Pam Church
- Purpose Driven Faith
- Hebrews 11:1-10
- Abraham
- Faith
- Purpose Driven Faith
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Today we have a special message from Pam Church. The title of today’s message is “Purpose Driven Faith” Our main scripture is Hebrews 11:1-10 (NIV). In today’s message, Pam unpacks what “Purpose Driven Faith” looks like and how we can learn to achieve this kind of faith for the rest of our earthly lives.
True Worship – Comes From The Soul
July 10, 2022
- Harold Long
- True Worship - Comes From The Soul
- Psalm 33
- Abraham
- Authentic Worship
- Imitation
- Imposters
- Joseph
- King David
- Moses
- Music
- Paul
- principalities and powers
- Psalms
- Satan
- Saul
- Soul
- The Apostle Paul
- Worship
- Hillsboro UMC
Welcome to today’s message, “True Worship-Comes From The Soul.” Today we unpack Psalm 33 and discover what it means to experience authentic worship.
Don’t Let The Old Self In
May 22, 2022
- Harold Long
- Romans: I'm Not Ashamed of the Gospel
- Romans 4:13-25
- Abraham
- Aging
- Aging Gracefully
- Clint Eastwood
- dark side
- devil
- Don't Let The Old Man In
- Four Big Pillars
- Get Up and Go Outside
- Holy Spirit
- Illness
- New Creation
- Old Age
- Old Nature
- Old Self
- principalities and powers
- Reborn
- Sarah
- Satan
- Soul
- Tobey Keith
- Youthfulness
- Hillsboro UMC
- Transformation UMC
Welcome to our message series, “Romans: I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel.” Today’s message is titled “Don’t Let The Old Self In.” Pastor Harold will unpack Romans 4:13-25 and help us better understand how illness, aging, work, doubt, guilt, and shame will cause us to believe we must do something to help ensure our righteousness with God. We are also reminded that our spirit (soul) remains young while our body wears out. We may not feel worthy to serve God and love others as we age; our spirit should remain joyful, grateful, and full of love until we take our last breath and close our eyes for the final time. Understanding this truth helps us not fall into the trap of apathy and the abyss of self-pity.