The Call of You (Genesis 12:1-4)

Introduction: Understanding Our Calling

According to a recent Lifeway Research survey (2021), Most Americans (57%) say they wonder, “How can I find more meaning and purpose in my life?” at least monthly, with more than 1 in 5 saying they consider the question daily (21%) or weekly (21%).

It is no different for Christians as well.

Christians are struggling with whether they are truly living out their calling or have no clue what their calling is.

But, the Bible tells who we are. It reminds us daily where we come from, who we are and where we are going.

The answer is in the Bible. What does the Bible tell us?

A royal priesthood – 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.)

The temple of God – 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”

The Problem: The question is: Are WE living out this calling?

Are WE living by the Gospel? Are WE praising God in our lives? Are WE giving glory to God daily?

The Solution: Let’s look at the example of Abram and how we answered to God’s Call.

This requires the following four actions. I call it the CALL method:

Calling requires response.

Act now (time leaves you behind)

Living by God’s Promises

Leave the Old Behind

I. Calling requires Response Understanding the Hebrew Meaning of Call

When we look at the Old Testament as a whole, we can see it from a viewpoint of Problem and Solution.

Problem (sin) occurs from Genesis 1-11 then there is the solution of redemption from Genesis 12 onward through specific callings of specific people of God.

Although we see God saving the world from sin through Noah from Genesis 6-9, God’s call of Abram is different who eventually becomes Abraham, the father of many nations. It is a promise of eternal hope and the beginning of a covenant.

The Hebrew word for call is qārā’ (קָרָא), which means:

To summon or invite – Like God calling to Adam (Gen. 3:9) when Adam was hiding from God after the fall.

To name and set apart – God calls things into being (Gen. 1:5). God named specific things in Genesis 1 such as light, day and night, sea and the sky and He set them apart for specific purposes ultimately for His glory.

Have you thought about that? We probably read Genesis 1 numerous times and you have seen how God creates the world.

But, He gave it specific names for a specific purpose. Just like how He names us Christians, a royal priesthood and holy nation.

To call for service – Like God calling Moses (Ex. 3:4). God calls on specific people such as Abraham and Moses for a specific purpose.

To belong to God – Israel is called by His name (Isa. 43:1).

So when we are called by God. He is summoning us to be named and set apart for a specific service that only is meant for people belonging to God and His Kingdom.

Just like Abraham, when God calls us, it’s not just an invitation. When you receive an invite, you can deny or accept.

This is not an invitation. It is a holy appointment to something greater. Just as a president appoints specific people that he deems suitable for positions in high positions of government, God is appointing us to live for His Kingdom.

Response: It is not a matter of accepting or denying his appointment. It is a matter of responding with joyfulness.

II. Act now (Genesis 12:1)

But, You have to respond (act) now. There is no tomorrow. Time (God) will leave you behind.

In Genesis 12:1 “The Lord said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”

Then, after hearing God’s call, what did he do? Let’s look at:

Genesis 12:5 “He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated, and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,”

Abraham did not hesitate. He did not know where he was going, but acted immediately and followed God.

Are you responding to God in your lives right now? Where is God calling in your lives?

some people say I am too young to serve or I never signed up to serve.

God does not care about age. Look at how He used young David against Goliath.

Don’t you want to live with a purposeful life? Don’t you want to be fulfilled in life? Then, where should we turn to? The world?

No, true fulfillment comes from absolute obedience of God’s calling for us.

Act now, this moment when He gives you the opportunity.

III. Living out God’s promises (Genesis 12:2-3)

Genesis 12:2–3 “I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Through this, we can see that God’s call to Abram came with three powerful promises:

A Great Nation – God’s call includes fruitfulness and purpose. God is building us and using to expand His kingdom for us to become a great nation for the Gospel.

A Great Name – God exalts those who obey Him in faith. He says in the NT that if you acknowledge God in front of others, He will acknowledge us. This is not to make us famous but so that through our name, He will be glorified.

A Great Blessing – Abram was blessed to be a blessing. He partners with us so that the gospel can be spread through our lives.

Application: When we step out in faith, God blesses us—not just for ourselves, but so that we can impact others.

III. Leaving the Old Behind (Genesis 12:4)

Genesis 12:4 “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.”

To truly live out our purpose. We must leave the old behind.

Abraham left without hesitation. There were matters that he probably settled but he willingly followed God’s calling.

Where is God calling you in your lives?

God tells Abram to leave:

His country – Represents leaving worldly security.

His people – Represents leaving cultural expectations.

His father’s household – Represents leaving old identity and COMFORT.

The problem with the Israelites, despite experiencing God’s might Hand numerous times, they could not leave behind their memories and past as slaves. They kept confining themselves to their past, despite God’s future plan of prosperity.

They kept complaining, only if we were back in Israel, at least we had food to eat and not on the verge of death.

Manna and meat fell from the sky but they still complained.

We are no longer slaves to sin but now free in Christ Jesus.

He calls us to be a holy nation starting now.

Application: Following God's call often requires sacrifice—letting go of the past to embrace the future God has prepared.

Conclusion: How to Live Out Your Calling

Listen for God’s voice – Spend time to read the Bible and pray. Don’t just read it but interact with Him. Ask him questions and seek clarity.

Let go of worldly attachments – reflect on what is holding you back and surrender it to move on forward.

Step out in faith – Trust that God’s promises will be fulfilled.

Final Challenge: Just as Abram obeyed God's call, God is calling you today.

Will you step out in faith and embrace your holy purpose?

Let us Pray