Promises, Faith, and Providence

Three Patterns for God’s People

Aaron Lee | September 28, 2025 | FCBCW Children’s Worship | Genesis 21-22

1. Sarah: Promises and Fulfillment

The Lord came to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time God had told him. 3 Abraham named his son who was born to him—the one Sarah bore to him—Isaac. 4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. (Genesis 21:1-4)

We see that God always keeps his promises.

11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. (Hebrews 11:11)

Application

Will you trust God’s promises?

God gives us many promises in the Bible. In the case of Sarah, it was a promise that she would be a mom.

2. Abraham: Faith and Obedience

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” (…) 9 When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. (Genesis 22:1-10)

…faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)

Application

Will you obey in faith?

Sometimes God asks us to do things that don’t make any sense to us. In the case of Abraham, it was a test to see if he would obey in faith. 

3. Isaac: Provision and Substitution

11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 12 Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said, “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.” (Genesis 22:11-14)

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

Application

Will you live in light of God’s providence? 

God takes care of us in many different ways. In the case of Isaac, it was providing a ram to take his place.

Gospel

This story points to Jesus!

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39-40)

Big Idea

Christians have faith in God's promises and providence.