09-Abraham1

Abraham-1

The Altars of Abraham

 “Four Spiritual Secrets”

Introduction –

A.   Review

1.    Paul’s Testimony

a.     Who was he?

b.    Who is he?

2.    Paul’s Priorities

a.     What were they?

b.    What are they now?

B.   Contextual Setting –

1.    The Vine

a.     Jesus is a Vine looking for branches

b.    We should be branches looking for The Vine

c.     How do we find the Vine?

1)    Faith – How do we exercise that faith?

2)    Matthew 6:33

a)    Intense Asking

b)    Intense Seeking

c)    Intense Knocking

2.    Abraham – Hebrews 11:8-19

I.           Altar of Response – 11:32 – 12:7

A.   God’s call – God always calls us

1.    God’s call (1)

a.     Leave

1)    Your country

2)    Your people

3)    Your Father’s household

b.    Go to the land I will show you

2.    Promised rewards (2, 3)

a.     Make you a great nation

b.    Bless you

c.     Make your name great

d.    Make you a blessing

e.     Bless those who bless you

f.     Curse those who curse you

g.    Bless all people through you

B.   Abraham’s response

1.    The Lord had been calling Abraham

2.    Abraham went

a.     Waited for father’s death

b.    Took Lot with him

3.    Built an altar

a.     This was his first altar – Moreh = learning

b.    This was his response to God’s call

II.        Altar of Repentance – 12:8-10, 13:1-3

A.   After Response

1.    Between AI and Bethel

2.    He moved toward the ‘House of God’

B.   After Egypt

1.    He got into trouble in Egypt

2.    He headed back to the ‘House of God’

3.    He wound up at the altar of true repentance

4.    Repentance is:

a.     Re-thinking

b.    Separation from sin

Conclusion

A.   Where are you?

1.    Have you built the altar of Response?

2.    Have you built the altar of Repentance?

B.   Assignment – Genesis 13-15, 22