The Promises of God - Lesson 3 Conditions in God's Promises
Introduction:
1. God has given "exceeding great and precious promises" to His people (2 Peter 1:4). 2. To fully appreciate and to properly understand God's promises, we must be aware of some general principles that relate to them. 3. In addition to being "great and precious," God's promises: a. are effective 1) God's promises will have a positive effect upon those who trust them. 2) Abraham, Sara, Isaac, and Jacob illustrate how "trusting in God's promises will lead His people to serve Him faithfully" (Hebrews 11:13-16). b. are trustworthy. 1) Unlike man, God "is not slack concerning His promise" (2 Peter 3:9). 2) Furthermore, it is "impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 6:18). 4. In this lesson we are examining the role of "conditions" in God's promises.
Discussion:
I. GOD HAS MADE SOME PROMISES THAT ARE UNCONDITIONAL
A. (Genesis 8:22) God said that the earth will always experience the various seasons and the regular passing of days and nights. 1. God had made provision for this on the 4th day of Creation (Genesis 1:14). 2. God's design will continue as long as the earth exists. B. (Genesis 9:8-17) God told Noah and his sons that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. 1. God did not say that the earth: a. will never experience floods b. will never be destroyed. 2. He placed the rainbow in the cloud as the token of His covenant.
II. GOD HAS MADE SOME PROMISES THAT ARE CONDITIONAL
A. God promised to give Canaan to Abraham's descendants forever (Genesis 12:1, 5, 7; 13:15). 1. God's promise included conditions for the Israelites. a. God said He would bless the Israelites if they remained faithful to Him (Deuteronomy 7:9-13; 28:1-14). b. God also said He would curse the Israelites if they turned from Him and worshipped idols (Deuteronomy 30:15-20; 28:15-68). 2. God kept His promise to give Canaan to the Israelites (Joshua 21:43, 45). 3. Unfortunately, the Israelites did not abide by the conditions that God gave to them, and He removed them from Canaan (2 Kings 17:5-8; 25:1, 21).
B. God promised to bless Solomon and his throne forever (1 Kings 9:4-5). 1. God's promise included conditions for Solomon. a. God required Solomon to serve Him faithfully (1 Kings 3:14). b. God also said He would punish Solomon if he turned to other gods (1 Kings 9:6-7). 2. Unfortunately, Solomon worshipped the idols of his wives, and God punished him (1 Kings 11:6-11). C. God has made a special promise to Christians -- "eternal life" (Titus 1:2). 1. This promise includes conditions. a. Those who desire to receive eternal life must be "faithful unto death" (Revelation 2:10). b. Those who turn from the Lord and back to the world will not receive this blessing (2 Peter 2:20-21). 2. God's promise is trustworthy, and trusting in it will lead His people to serve Him faithfully. 3. Those who serve God faithfully will be blessed with eternal life.
