I Will Show You (2)

Context

Lineage of worshippers of the true God.

Adam, down to Terah. Terah and his three sons, one of which was Abram.

Terah had originally set out with his sons Abram, Nahor, and Haran, from Ur (modern day Iraq, on the Persian Gulf) to go to Canaan (Modern day Israel). Headed north to go around the desert. But when they came to Haran (500 miles north in Turkey). They settled there.

We don’t know how old Abram was when he first came to Haran. Old enough to be married, and to know that he and his wife were unable to have children.

At the time of our story, he is 75 years old.

Text

Genesis 12:1–5 (NRSV)

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 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. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan.

FROM - Openness to God

Distinctive thing about Abram’s family. Heirs of true worship of the true God, descended from Adam through Noah, to Terah, to Abram.

Terah had originally set out for Canaan. But only got partway.

Abram living in Haran.

No heir.

Yet did attain many servants, herds, wealthy.

Life was fine. Maybe even good. Or maybe a sense of longing still. What about Canaan?

Did he go out and look at the starts. Yes, that is what people did. Did the line of spirituality end with him (eldest son), would his nephew, Lot carry it on?

Openness to God. Is there something more?

Isaiah — Behold I do a new thing? Do you perceive it?

Revelation — I make all things new!

True in our lives. Life is a journey. Stopping points along they way. Can’t get completely comfortable. Pilgrim people. We have to be open to change, we have to be open to God.

US. This church. LCPC. A journey begun. Good journey. Openness to a new thing. Openness to what God is doing and blessing.

The PNC, the staff. Interested in the new thing. Listening to God.

Journey is not complete. There is more in the future. Listening to God.

THROUGH - Communal Call

God speaks to Abram.

A voice? A strong sentiment?

CALL: God says, set out for the land I will show you.

The original destination, likely.

Going there on faith. God will lead the way. God will set the location.

A rejuvenation! And some apprehension: You were serious about that?! I’ve got my life all set. 75 years old. Mortgage underway.

Heard the call. Shared it with Sarai.

I will make of you a great nation.

Descendants like stars in the sky. Would have been attractive to her.

I am called. That means we are all called.

Sarai confirmed. Lot. Others. She had a blessing in store too.

Call is communal.

Jesus called disciples.

Important callings are often shared.

Marriage

Having children

US. Being a church. Presbyterians are big on call as a community experience. Individualism, yes. Also belong to a people. Presbytery confirms. Leaders confirm.

I am called.

You are called.

We are called together.

TOWARD - God’s blessing

CALL includes PROMISE: I will show you. God is going with. God will be present. I will show you. He is everywhere, not just local.

So Abram went. So did Sarai, Lot, all his household.

Eventually they did get to that new place.

They started to become a great people. Abram and Sarai had their first child: Isaac (laughter). Isaac begat Jacob (Israel), Jacob begat the 12 tribes. The chosen people. The Christ. Down to us today. We are the stars in Abram’s sky.

I will show you.

Jesus later said, thousands of years later, before Abraham was, I AM and Abraham rejoiced to see my day! The expansion of the people of promise.

More descendents by faith that he could ever imagine.

This event was one that earned Abram to moniker “father of faith.”

US.

God is going to bless faith church in the future. Stepping out in faith.

every members here is point of light. Many more to be lit.

Rich Mullins. “Sometimes by Step”

Sometimes I think of Abraham How one star he saw had been lit for me He was a stranger in this land And I am that, no less than he And on this road to righteousness Sometimes the climb can be so steep I may falter in my steps But never beyond Your reach

Same is true in your personal life. What is God calling you to do, confer, step out..God will show and bless.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

[A time of silence follows each petition.]

God of love and compassion, your sons and daughters need your guidance and healing.

God, we pray for those who can hear your calling to a specific vocation but are too afraid to take the first step. God of all goodness…hear our prayer.

God, we pray for those who feel like they are dying, emotionally or physically, and cannot find peace or comfort. God of all goodness…hear our prayer.

God, we pray for those who in their older years must make decisions as to where to go for the rest of their lives and who have to confront new challenges. God of all goodness…hear our prayer.

God, we pray for nations and leaders, with the hope that they will not follow their own plans, but the purposes of your heart. God of all goodness…hear our prayer.

We pray all these things through Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit as one, forever and ever. Amen.