Greg Gilbert, Genesis 17 - 18:21

·53 min·5 clips

Why do we jump and scream for a football team but not for the king of the universe?

["The episode is a sermon from the Third Avenue Baptist Church Podcast, delivered by Pastor Greg Gilbert.", "Gilbert opens with a personal anecdote about celebrating a Louisville Cardinals win, contrasting it with worshipful celebration for Jesus.", "He introduces the sermon's text: Genesis chapters 17 and the first part of 18.", "The narrative continues the church's study of Abraham, picking up after a low point where Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands with Hagar.", "Gilbert notes that 13 years pass between chapters 16 and 17, a period of waiting for Abraham.", "He argues that waiting is a fundamental Christian experience designed to build trust in God.", "The sermon breaks down Genesis 17 into four parts: reaffirmation of the covenant, the sign of circumcision, the specific promise of Isaac, and Abraham's obedience.", "Gilbert explains the threefold promise to Abraham: land, seed (offspring), and blessing to the nations.", "He highlights that the covenant becomes 'everlasting' and that kings will come from Abraham.", "A significant portion is spent correcting a common mistranslation of Genesis 17:1-2, which seems to make the covenant conditional on Abraham's behavior.", "Gilbert emphasizes that obedience is a result of God's grace, not the cause of it, a critical point of Christian theology.", "He discusses circumcision as the 'seal' of the Abrahamic covenant, comparing it to other biblical covenant signs like the rainbow and the Sabbath.", "Parallels are drawn between circumcision and Christian baptism as signs of identification with God.", "The sermon then shifts to Genesis 18, where three visitors (revealed as the Lord and two angels) visit Abraham.", "Sarah, listening from the tent, laughs in disbelief when she overhears the promise of a son.", "God confronts Sarah, asking Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh?' and stating, 'Is anything too hard for the Lord?'", "Sarah denies laughing out of fear, but God insists, 'No, you did laugh.'", "Gilbert applies this to listeners who might feel their sin is too great for God's salvation, urging them to trust in God's power.", "He concludes by looking ahead to Sarah's eventual joy at Isaac's birth, where her mocking laughter turns to joyful laughter.", "The sermon ends with a prayer of thanks for God's faithfulness to His promises."]

As heard by us

Genesis 17 becomes a steady reflection on covenant promise, visible worship, and grace for doubt.

The episode reads Genesis 17 as a widening promise, moving from descendants to kings and finally to Jesus Christ as king of kings. It begins with the host's memory of exuberant Louisville Cardinals celebration, using that scene to ask why worship of Jesus so often looks more…

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Why you'd press play

For the listener who wants Genesis 17, royal promises, and a gentle nudge about football enthusiasm.

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