The promise of the Stars – Preaching
Preaching Outline on Genesis 15:5 – “He brought him out of the tent and said to him, ‘Look up into the sky and count the stars, if you can count them’. And he said, ‘So shall your descendants be.
Introduction to Genesis 15:5
God has a special way of speaking to the human heart. In Genesis 15:5, we see an intimate moment between God and Abraham. The Lord takes him outside the tent, under the open sky, and points to something great and countless: the stars. This image was not just a poetic metaphor; it was a powerful promise. God was telling Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as those bright lights in the sky.
But this promise goes far beyond the number of people. It reveals God’s eternal plan for humanity. Today, we want to explore how this promise has been fulfilled not only in Abraham’s physical offspring, but also in his spiritual offspring – Christ’s church. Let’s reflect on how God always had a heavenly purpose in mind from the very beginning.
Development
Abraham’s call
A blessing for all families
In Genesis chapter 12, God calls Abraham to come out of his land and walk in his presence. He makes an extraordinary promise: “Through you, all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). This statement is prophetic and points directly to Jesus Christ, who was born of Abraham’s lineage (Matthew 1:1).
This blessing, however, was not automatic or guaranteed just by being a descendant of Abraham. It depended on obedience and faithfulness to God and his plan of salvation. Throughout biblical history, we see that God’s blessing on Abraham’s family was conditional on his willingness to follow the Lord’s commandments. When Abraham trusted God and obeyed – as in leaving his homeland, offering Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22) and remaining faithful to divine principles – he experienced God’s rich blessings.
Today, this truth is still valid. God’s blessing on our family also depends on our obedience and faithfulness to Him. When we put God at the center of our homes, prioritize His Word and live according to His principles, we experience His spiritual, emotional and even material blessings. But when we deviate from His purpose, allowing sin, selfishness or a lack of commitment to His will, we run the risk of losing these blessings.
Romans 1:16 reminds us that the gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.”
So God’s promise to Abraham includes you and me, because we are part of that great multitude redeemed by Christ. However, for this blessing to be full in our lives, we need to walk in obedience to the Lord, aligning our families with His eternal plan of salvation.
Obedience to God is not just a legalistic requirement, but an expression of love and trust. When we obey, we demonstrate that we believe in His wisdom and goodness. And when a family lives under God’s blessing, they become a reflection of God’s own character, positively impacting everyone around them. So let every home be a place where God is honored, His Word is practiced and His presence is sought daily.
Numerous descendants
Stars in the sky and sand in the sea
When God promised that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars of heaven (Genesis 15:5) and as the sand of the sea (Genesis 22:17), he was talking about two different dimensions of the promise:
- The stars in the sky represent Abraham’s spiritual offspring – the church, made up of all those who believe in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:19-20 teaches us that Christians are “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” Thus, the church is the heavenly continuation of the promise made to Abraham.
- The sand of the sea represents Abraham’s earthly descendants – the nation of Israel. For centuries, Israel was preserved as the chosen people, fulfilling their role in the history of redemption. In 1 Kings 4:20, we see an example of this when, during Solomon’s reign, the people of Israel were as numerous “as the sand which is by the sea for multitude.”
It’s important to note that the heavenly promise (stars of heaven) comes before the earthly one (sand of the sea). This shows that God’s plan for the church was already in his heart from the beginning, even before the nation of Israel was formed. The church is not an afterthought or a consequence of Israel’s failure; it is an integral part of God’s eternal plan.
The Church: The heavenly realization of the promise
The church is the visible manifestation of God’s promise to Abraham. When we believe in Jesus, we are grafted into God’s family (Romans 11:17). We are heirs to the same promises made to Abraham, as stated in Galatians 3:29: “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.”
This means that God’s promise to Abraham is not just historical; it is personal. You are part of that countless multitude mentioned in Revelation 7:9, where John saw “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palms in their hands.”
Lessons for our lives today
God’s promise to Abraham teaches us several important truths:
- God is faithful to his promises. Even when Abraham faced challenges and doubts, God never failed to fulfill what he had said. In the same way, we can trust that He will fulfill His promises in our lives.
- We are part of something bigger. Like Abraham, we have been called to be a blessing. Our life is not just about ourselves, but about impacting other people with God’s love and grace.
- God’s plan is eternal. From the beginning, God had a heavenly and earthly purpose. He not only restores what is broken, but also creates something new and glorious through Christ.
Conclusion of Genesis 15:5
Beloved, the promise made to Abraham lives on today. It is fulfilled in every person who believes in Jesus Christ. Just as the stars shine in the sky, we are called to reflect the light of Christ in a dark world. And just as the sand covers the earth, we are called to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
If you haven’t yet been part of this promise, today is the day to accept Jesus as your Savior. By doing so, you enter Abraham’s spiritual lineage and become heirs to God’s eternal blessings.
May we look to heaven, like Abraham, and remember that God has great plans for us. He has called us to be a light in this world and to participate in his eternal work. May our lives be a reflection of God’s faithfulness and goodness.
Preaching Outline on Genesis 15:5 – “He brought him out of the tent and said to him, ‘Look up into the sky and count the stars, if you can count them’. And he said, ‘So shall your descendants be.
More Preaching Outlines
- God’s promise – 2 Kings 11:1
- Genesis 22:1-5 – And he saw the place from afar
- Sacrifice of the Lamb – Genesis 22:1
