God radically revised the foundational promises of a sign, place, and people. The holy sign is now faith rather than circumcision. The holy land is the whole world rather than just Canaan. And the holy people are all who have faith in Abraham's God rather than just Abraham's physical descendants. God's grace explodes narrow human views and calls all people into his kingdom through faith.

3. Revised Promises

4. 13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his
offspring received the promise that he would be heir
of the world, but through the righteousness that
comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the
law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise
is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And
where there is no law there is no transgression.

5. “It’s clear to me that Karma [everything
you do or say has lasting consequences] is
at the very heart of the universe. I’m
absolutely sure of it. And yet, along
comes this idea called Grace to upend all
that ‘as you reap, so shall you sow’ stuff.
Grace defies reason and logic. Love
interrupts, if you like, the consequences of
your actions, which in my case is very
good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot
of stupid stuff… I’d be in big trouble if
Karma was going to finally be my judge.
I’d be in deep s---. It doesn’t excuse my
mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace.
I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins
onto the Cross, because I know who I am,
and I hope I don’t have to depend on my
own religiosity.”
U2’s Bono

6. 16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that
it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all
Abrahamʼs offspring—not only to those who are of
the law but also to those who have the faith of
Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is
written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”
He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he
believed—the God who gives life to the dead and
calls into being things that were not.
Romans 4:16-17 (NIV)

7. Foundational Promises

8. Foundational Promises
S P P
A Sign A Place A People
God radically revised their understanding of these.

9. Revised What the Holy Sign Is

10. Revised What the Holy Sign Is
• Genesis 17:10-14 10 This is my covenant with you and
S
your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep:
Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are
to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the
covenant between me and you...14 Any uncircumcised
male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut
off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
A Sign

11. Revised What the Holy Sign Is
• Genesis 17:10-14 10 This is my covenant with you and
S
your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep:
Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are
to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the
covenant between me and you...14 Any uncircumcised
male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut
off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
• Galatians 5:6 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
A Sign nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that
counts is faith expressing itself through love.

12. Revised Where the Holy Land Is

13. Revised Where the Holy Land Is
• Genesis 17:8 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you
P
now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting
possession to you and your descendants after you; and I
will be their God.”
A Place

14. Revised Where the Holy Land Is
• Genesis 17:8 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you
P
now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting
possession to you and your descendants after you; and I
will be their God.”
• Romans 4:13 13 It was not through the law that Abraham
and his offspring received the promise that he would be
heir of the world, but through the righteousness that
A Place comes by faith.

15. Revised Who the Holy People Are

16. Revised Who the Holy People Are
• Deuteronomy 7:6 6 For you are a people holy to the LORD
your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all
P
the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people,
his treasured possession.
A People

17. Revised Who the Holy People Are
• Deuteronomy 7:6 6 For you are a people holy to the LORD
your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all
P
the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people,
his treasured possession.
• Romans 4:16-17 16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith,
so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all
Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the
law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He
is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a
A People father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God,
in whom he believed...

18. ! “Look up at the sky and count the stars.
So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 15:5

19. Galatians 3:7-9,26-29 7 Understand, then, that
those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8
Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles
by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to
Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9
So those who rely on faith are blessed along with
Abraham, the man of faith. 26 So in Christ Jesus
you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all
of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed
yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor
Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male
and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abrahamʼs
! “Look up at the sky and count the stars.
So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 15:5

20. “Abraham believed in the God who gives life to the dead
and calls into being things that were not.” Romans 4:17

21. “Abraham believed in the God who gives life to the dead
and calls into being things that were not.” Romans 4:17
• By the creative power of his Grace, God wants to radically explode how
some of us still are male-biased instead of emphasizing a person’s Spirit-
prescribed Gifts and Calling.

22. “Abraham believed in the God who gives life to the dead
and calls into being things that were not.” Romans 4:17
• By the creative power of his Grace, God wants to radically explode how
some of us still are male-biased instead of emphasizing a person’s Spirit-
prescribed Gifts and Calling.
• By that same power, God wants to radically explode how we think that
only a few places in the world are God-filled while most are God-forsaken.

23. “Abraham believed in the God who gives life to the dead
and calls into being things that were not.” Romans 4:17
• By the creative power of his Grace, God wants to radically explode how
some of us still are male-biased instead of emphasizing a person’s Spirit-
prescribed Gifts and Calling.
• By that same power, God wants to radically explode how we think that
only a few places in the world are God-filled while most are God-forsaken.
• By the power of his Amazing Grace, God wants to radically explode our
law-based, judgmental view of people so that anyone who is earnestly
seeking to know Christ and his transforming love can become a valued
member of his Church. Of our emerging Faith Village.