Genesis 17:1-27 [NLT] A change in vision fuels a change in living. — God makes Him & marks Him. 1. Change in — “I am God Almighty who makes a covenant.” Genesis 17:1 (NLT) I am El-Shaddai—God Almighty. … Genesis 17:2 (NLT) …2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” Genesis 17:4-7,15-16,19-21 (NLT) 4 This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! 5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. 6 I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them! 7 I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 2. Change in . — “Abram’s new identity provokes a new purpose.” Genesis 17:1,9,13 (NLT) …Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. …9 Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. 13 All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.” “Grace doesn’t just forgive you—it redefines you.” ~ Timothy Keller 3. Change in . — “…he was cut off…”. Isaiah 53:8 (ESV) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? Romans 4:11 (NLT) Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. What Now ? 1. To change your living for God, inspect your vision of God. 2. Receive the mark of Jesus so that his righteousness will be counted to you.