s20050102m_The Call To Follow
The Call to Follow
Genesis 11:30-12:20
“2 And Stephen said: “Brethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Depart from your land and from your kindred and go into the land which I will show you.” Acts 7:2-3
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go.” Hebrews 11:8
Faith Is My Commitment To Follow God:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1
1. In Spite Of My [IMPERFECTIONS]!
“Now the Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Verse 12:1
Ú Abram Began To Follow God With An Imperfect Understanding:
Joshua: ”Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor;… they served other gods.” Joshua 24:2
Ú Abram Followed God With Imperfect Obedience:
“Terah took Abram his son and Lot …, his grandson…and Terah died in Haran.” Vs31-32
Ú Abram Followed God With An Imperfect Morality:
To Sarai: “Say you are my sister…”
2. When Life’s Odds Are [STACKED] Against Me!
“Now Sarai was barren; she had no child”. 11:30 & “Abram went, as the Lord had told him…” V 12:4
“7Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him; for there is One greater with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8
3. Because I [TRUST] His Promises!
“2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” Vs 12:2-3
“19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God. 21 But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; 22 he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:19-22
4. Because I [EXPERIENCE] His Presence When I Worship!
“7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 Thence he removed to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.” Vs 12:7-9
“1 O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples! 2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works! 3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 4 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually!” Psa 105:1-4
A SIMPLE TEST OF YOUR FAITH
“5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith.
Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you.” 2 Cor. 13:5
My Faith Leads Me To Follow God
Please Circle One
Despite My Imperfections? YES NOT SURE I’VE LET GO OF MY FAITH
When Life Is Stacked Against Me YES NOT SURE I’VE LET GO OF MY FAITH
By Trusting God’s Promises In The Bible YES NOT SURE I’VE LET GO OF MY FAITH
With Regular Worship In His Presence YES NOT SURE I’VE LET GO OF MY FAITH