3. The Gospel promises.

1. Promise of the Spirit: God promised the Holy Spirit to Abraham and to his seed. ‘The promises were spoken to Abraham and his seed  … who is Christ’ ( Galatians 3:16) ‘Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear… The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call. ‘ ( Acts 2:32-39)

2. Promise of blessing: God promised Abraham to bless him. “I will bless you… and you will be a blessing … and all people on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3) ‘Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham … So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith … He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.’ ( Galatians 3:14)

3. Promise of healing: God gave Abraham the covenant blessing of healing. (Genesis 20:17) And in Christ, God’s eternal covenant with Abraham was fulfilled. ‘He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”‘ ( Matthew 8:16-17) Amen