Genesis 17:1-14: Summary: The Lord appears to Abram 24 years after He did at first. He speaks two vital things to Abram's faith: in establishing the covenant already cut, Abram is responsible for being godly, and God is Almighty. Abram will have an heir. In fact, Abram will 'father' a multitude of nations. God will see that 'Abraham' ends up true to his name, but that will involve the progress of redemption in the storyline of Scripture. There are two iterations of God's faithfulness to the covenant He establishes with Abraham, one near and one far. Most near, Sarah will bear Isaac, from Isaac will come Jacob, whom God will establish as offspring according to the flesh at Sinai. The covenant sign of circumcision serves to cut them away from the world, while also warning that failure to meet the stipulations for perpetuity will result in their being cut off from God's people. A problem presents itself, however; while Abraham's circumcision was 'believer's circumcision,' the circumcision of his descendants is not. This eventually results in a people with a sign but without the substance, bringing God to reveal the farther fulfillment promised in the New Covenant with legal and internal application through Jesus Christ. This farther fulfillment in Christ promises a people with the substance of Abraham's faith, true children of God. They are not members by birth or flesh, but by new birth and Spirit, and are marked off as God's people by baptism. Sermon Outline: The full situation of God's covenant with Abraham. (17:1-2) The far side of God's covenant with Abraham. (17:3-6) The near side of God's covenant with Abraham. (17:7-8) The near sign of God's covenant with Abraham. (17:9-14)