The Bible Storyline – Lesson 16 – God’s Covenant With Abraham – Gen 15.1-5

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Lesson 16: God’s Covenant With Abraham The Bible Storyline  •  Shining Light Baptist Church  •  October 11, 2026

Review

At SLBC we are currently in a series we call “The Bible Storyline” – this title was borrowed from the book written by Dr. Michael J. Vlach. His book teaches us to read the Bible as one storyline, as opposed to a series of loosely connected, or unconnected stories about God.

This series also borrows our main focus from the book: namely

God’s Unstoppable Plan to overcome evil, redeem the earth, and establish His Kingdom on earth.

Each week, we remind ourselves that there are two Kingdoms:

We also take a moment to remember God created this earth as His kingdom. He created mankind in His own image and after His likeness.

Worship Focus #1:  God is Creator

Genesis 1:1

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Take a moment to:  Confess God as the Creator

Psalm 33:6–9

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Reflect on God as your Creator

Job 33:4

4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Praise God for His Creation

Psalm 104:24

24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

NEXT:

The next step after God created everything, He commanded mankind to reproduce, which means each person born is also created in God’s image.

God’s purpose was for mankind to fill the earth with the image and likeness of God.

Before Adam and Eve started reproducing image bearers of God, they became sinners and the image of God was distorted.

This happened when Lucifer, the highest-ranking angel in Heaven, became full of pride and led a rebellion against God. Lucifer was defeated and thrown out of heaven. He came to earth where he is currently trying to establish his own kingdom here.

He convinced Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which God had forbidden. God warned them they would die but Satan convinced her God was lying to them.

After their sin, God did something unexpected at the time. He promised to send a Saviorwho would:

We know this Savior is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.

Worship Focus #2:  God as Savior of the world

Genesis 3:15

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Take a moment to say a prayer acknowledging God as Savior of the world & as your personal Savior.

God’s Covenant With Abraham

Over the past few sermons we have learned that God’s plan involves nations. The nations are first mentioned in Genesis 10. And by Genesis 11, we learn that the world is made up of nations, but they are not imaging God.

These nations belong to the kingdom of Satan instead of the Kingdom of God.

The Bible storyline changed in Genesis 12, when God called one man, Abram, to start a new nation. One that would have God as their God.

This nation would have God in their presence, and live by the righteous laws of God.

This nation was designed to be the model for all other nations in the world. The other nations would see God in them and come to God because of them.

But this nation would take centuries to develop.

This brings us to Genesis 15. In this chapter God is going to enter into a Covenant with Abram. This sermon will discuss what that means and what we learn about God.

In chapter 12, God called Abram to leave his family and his country to follow God to a land where he was a stranger (immigrant).

God promised to give Abram that land one day, and to make a great nation from his descendants. However, Abram was childless. When we come to Gen 15, it has been over 3 years since God called Abraham to leave his family, country, and home. Although Abraham obeyed God, nothing has been easy.

And when we come to Gen 15, Abram is still a childless immigrant. Meaning, he has no permanent home, and no heir. But God appears to Abram in a vision to confirm the promise.

God now assures Abram that everything God has promised will come to pass. But Abram asks God for some more assurance.

Genesis 15:1–5

1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

God Calms Our Fears:

The first three words God says to Abram in this vision are:

Fear Not, Abram

These are words of comfort, not rebuke or correction.

Fear, anxiety, confusion, and questions are natural emotions for a person in Abram’s situation. But our God is a God of comfort. God does not shame us for our fear, He comforts our fears. 2 Cor 1:3–4

2 Corinthians 1:3–4

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

God speaks three words: the first two are a command; the third is Abram’s name. Would it surprise you if God called you by name? He is a personal God and a loving Father.

I AM

Genesis 15:1

1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

After God commanded Abram to fear not, God called Abram by name, then provided the reason to fear not:

Abraham was fearful because he was seeing what he did NOT have, or what he perceived to be missing from his life:

Abram wanted some assurance that he was going to be ok, and that his faithfulness, commitment, and obedience to God’s call was going to be rewarded.

Up to this point, Abraham was making sacrifices to follow God and believe His promise. But Abraham has not received any benefits, or fulfillments.

Problems:

The opposite seemed to be true for Abraham. Instead of benefits and rewards, he was experiencing problems, loss, instability, and fears.

This is when God appears to him in a vision and says “fear not.” Then God assures Abram, you have ME! I am thy shield.

Psalm 16:5

5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

Psalm 73:26

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Lamentations 3:24

24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Colossians 3:24

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

God has promised Abram an inheritance and God was assuring him that God Himself would guarantee it happens.

God has promised an inheritance to everyone who believes, and who turns from sin unto obedience. If you are willing to turn from sin and follow Jesus, God will personally make sure you are secure in His family and share in His inheritance.

Worship Focus #3:  Worship God as your personal shield, and your exceeding great reward

Exceeding Great Reward

Genesis 15:1–5

1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

In verse 5, God makes a promise that exceeds Abraham’s expectations.

Sermon Takeaways

Scripture To Take Home

Deuteronomy 31:6

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:8

8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Hebrews 13:5

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.