Faith-Led Worship

Genesis 12:4–8 (NASB95)

4 So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.

Abram was born and raised in Ur of Chaldees, which is known as the Mesopotamian area. His father moved him, his wife, and nephew out with plans to go to Canaan, but they ended up settling in a town called Haran. It was there that his father Terah passed. It is also where his heavenly father started him on a lifelong journey for his purpose. What I want us to see in Abraham’s life journey, is what it means to have a “Faith-Led Worship”.

Along with that, as faith grows, worship will mature! That’s Abraham’s journey.

Faith that Separates (v. 4-5)

Well regarding his worship journey, notice first that GOD told him to leave his country, relatives, and father’s house. It isn’t clear in Genesis why or how him leaving deals with worship. But in Joshua 24:1-2, when Joshua recalls Israel’s ancestral history to warn them. In that recollection, he mentions beyond the river, which refers to Mesopotamia. Abram’s daddy, Terah, and his relatives, served other gods. Thus part of the purpose of telling Abram to get away was to separate him from the exposure and participation in worshipping false gods.

Application: Some of us have been called to faith in GOD, not realizing that was also a demand to leave some folk. Particularly people who don’t trust Jesus. Whatever one trusts is what/who they will worship or be tempted to worship. Those false trusts will not allow the single focus on the true GOD!!

So Abram leaves being driven by his faith in God’s voice. The fact that he obeyed initiated his exclusive worship to GOD. A big challenge though, yet great demonstration of initial faith, is that he had no idea of his destination. GOD said go to a land he would show him. But GOD didn’t give him a step by step map. Does he go N, S, E, or W first?

Application: Anyone every feel this reality. At times, we will feel and say, GOD I have started this journey of faith, but I’m not sure what steps I need to make day by day.

Faith that Sees (v. 6-7)

Although that wasn’t provided, I want us to take note of this next element from Abram’s worship journey, and I believe it helps with day by day. He arrived in the land of Canaan, which is modern Palestine, where all the fighting is happening today. Seeing the people of the land, who also served other gods. He reached a large tree in a place named Shechem, and then the Lord revealed himself again. But this time it wasn’t just a voice, Abraham could see a figure. Then he was given some clarity to the promises he heard earlier “The land he was on will belong to his descendants”. Now many people had the custom of building and naming a city in their or their kids name. Abram however built an altar, to commemorate and honor God’s presence and promise. By his own initiative!!

Application: Yes, life is full of unknowns for us. But we’ve responded to the GOD that knows all. At some point, realize that there will be moments of clarity. It doesn’t happen immediately, or when and how we often want it. How do you know Bro Evans?:

Explanation: First, I don’t subscribe to the idea that today, people can hear God’s voice as clear as Abram heard it. But, there are three experiences I believe bring clarity, which are a result of being in Christ Jesus: - The written word is clear! - The more we study and understand, many aspects of our life journey make spiritual sense. - The Holy Spirit puts things on our minds! - We have him. He is a reminder and comforter. - Then, GOD arranges circumstances that leave us with only one conclusion, “GOD IS HERE!!”

Example: That prayer for men. Greater Metro, Co-worker in Memphis, Co-worker in St Louis, men at my job, and here at Swope, groups of men growing in biblical manhood. “GOD IS HERE!!”

Response: Build up the altar on the soil of our hearts! Worship him! Commemorate his name, his word, and his promises!!

Conclusion: How do you know if you’re beginning a Faith-Led Worship Journey? Separates and Sees!!