1. Genesis 15:17-18 17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the L ORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates-- Abraham’s Covenant

2. God makes covenants The “Rainbow” covenant with Noah The “Law” covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai The “Christian” covenant with believers

3. God made a covenant with Abraham This covenant took one day and two nights Night - Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Genesis 15:5

4. God made a covenant with Abraham This covenant took one day and two nights Day – verses 7-11 Night - Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. Genesis 15:12

5. God made a covenant with Abraham Then He said to him, "I am the L ORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it." Genesis 15:7 God now explains why he left Ur 25 years ago.

6. The Details Bring a 3 year old heifer Bring a 3 year old female goat Bring a 3 year old ram A turtledove and a young pigeon Why? 3 animals, all 3 years old (3 dispensations?)

7. The Covenant Terms Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. Genesis 15:10

8. The Details And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. Genesis 15:11

9. The Details 13 Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. Genesis 15:13-14

10. The Details 15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." Genesis 15:15-16

11. God is Present 17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. Genesis 15:17

12. The Covenant is Sealed 18 On the same day the L ORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates– Genesis 15:18

13. So What? What does all this mean? Animals – 3 animals, each 3 years old Cut in half – total, complete death, not just a drop of blood

14. So What? What does all this mean? Smoking oven Burning torch In Wilderness – cloud (smoke) and pillar of fire (burning lamp) THIS IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD

15. Is this Important to Christians? 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Galatians 3:8-9

16. Is this Important to Christians? Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. Galatians 3:16

17. Is this Important to Christians? 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:26-27

18. Is this Important to Christians? 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:28-29

19. Is this Important to Christians? 1. Children by faith – like Abraham - 26 2. Baptized into covenant - 27 3. All are one in Christ – 27 4. Christ is the seed of Abraham – 16 5. Are you Christ’s? YOU ARE IN THIS COVENANT