The Altars of Abraham

Abraham

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 (Gen 11:1)

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 (Gen 11:2, 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 – Gen 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

III.      Altar of Relationship – Genesis 13-15

A.   Relationship to Lot

1.    He divides the land with Lot (Gen 13)

2.    He moves away from Lot (Gen 13)

3.    He rescues Lot (Gen 14)

4.    He refuses reward (Gen 14)

B.   Relationship to God

1.    He builds an altar in Mamre (Gen 13:18)

2.    Trusts God (Gen 15)

a.     God promises him an heir (Gen 15:2-5)

b.    Abraham believes and is made righteous (Gen 15:6)

3.    God makes a covenant with Abram

a.     Abram wants assurance (Gen 15:8)

b.    God performs the Covenant ritual (Gen 15:9-21)

IV.      Altar of God First – Gen 15:22

A.   God names the place

B.   God names the sacrifice

C.   God provides the strength to make the sacrifice

Conclusion

A.   Where are you?

1.    Have you built the altar of Response?

2.    Have you built the altar of Repentance?

3.    Have you built the altar of Relationship?

4.    Have you built the altar of God First?

B.   Assignment – Matthew 5-7