Untitled Sermon (25)

"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.” ()

This verse is strikingly practical. Abraham was called and he obeyed.

There’s no hint recorded in the divine revelation, of any hesitation or delay.

When he was called, he went out.

I so desire this were the case all the time because I fear,

that for many American followers of Christ, the call alone isn’t enough to produce obedience.

So we’re going to look at this man from the OT that the NT comments on his calling and obedience as an example for us to model.

What was Abraham’s special experience?

What led this man to be noticed in the NT as an example of faith?

The secret lies in three things:

He had a call, he obeyed the call, he obeyed the call because he had faith (he believed God).

So first of all....

He had a call.

Here is what’s recorded in . "The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” ()

Now if you’re saying to yourself: “If I heard an audible voice from the LORD, I’d answer the call!”

Now, let me say to you, the form that your call comes to you, from God’s word is better than that.

Peter, after speaking about hearing the audible voice of God about Jesus records this:

"We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. "We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. "Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, "because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” ()

This written testimony is the light that sines in a dark place, which beams forth from the Word of God, is the strongly confirmed Word!

If God commands:

"But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;” ()

And you say, “I’d be holy in all my conduct, if I heard a voice from heaven say it!”

Let me ask you. When you receive a letter from your children or friends,

do you attach less importance to it than you would have done if it were by spoken communication?

The call to obey God’s word should have dominion over your hearts and minds.

Abraham obeyed.

Abraham had a call, so do we but here’s the difference. He obeyed.

"And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. "But not all obeyed the gospel...” ()

The call of the gospel comes, but it’s a common call shared by flesh and blood men and women

as they share the gospel but most of the time, it falls upon ears that have been sealed up!

But to Abraham and to those who by grace have become the children of faithful Abraham,

to whom are the blessings of grace, and with whom God has entered into league and covenant,

to these it comes as a special call, a call attended with a scared power which subdues their wills and secures their obedience.

[Turn to - See notes in journal bible]

Abraham was prepared for instant obedience to any command from God;

his journey was appointed, and he went; he was bidden to leave his country,

and he left it; to leave his friends, and he left them all.

He didn’t know the road that he had to take, nor the place to which his journey would lead him:

it was enough for him that the Lord had given him the summons.

Like a good soldier, he obeyed his marching orders, asking no questions.

Towards God a blind obedience is the truest wisdom, and Abraham felt so,

and therefore followed the path that God marked out for him from day to day,

feeling that sufficient for the day would be guidance thereof.

Thus Abraham obeyed!

Many people have had the way of salvation laid out before them for years!

They’ve had the gospel explained and how they are to respond to Christ in repentance and faith.

They’ve heard of the eternal joy of those who respond but they refuse to bend the knee to Christ and follow and obey Him!

But the next point about Abraham was this:

He obeyed the call because he believed God.

His faith was the key!

Turn to .

We read this: "For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith.” ()

But with Abraham, there was no unbelief.

He simply believed God with a child-like faith.

When you believe that your Creator is speaking with you in Scripture, scripture takes the authority.

Scripture has the influence over our lives as Abraham.

Who felt that the will of God must be right and that it’s the absolute wisest thing anyone can do is to yield to it.

Though he did not know where he was to go, he was certain that his God knew,

and though he could hardly comprehend the reward promised to him,

he was sure that the bounteous God never mocked his servants with deceitful gifts.

He did not know the land of Canaan,

but he was sure if it was a country chosen by God as a peculiar gift to his called servant, it must be no ordinary land.

He left all such matters with his heavenly Friend, being fully persuaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform.

What a mighty sway faith has over a man, and how greatly it strengthens him.

Faith was to the patriarch his authority for starting upon his strange journey,

an authority which enabled him to defy alike the worldly wisdom which advises,

and the worldly folly which scoffs.

The word of the Lord also became the nourishment for his journey.

If any said, “How will you be supplied, Abraham, in those wild lands, where will you find your daily bread?”

he replied, “God bids me go: it is not possible that he should desert me.

He can spread a table in the wilderness, or

make me live upon the word which comes out of His mouth, if bread should fail.”

What was there peculiar in Abraham’s conduct?

He was willing to be separated from his kindred.

He was ready for all the losses and risks that might be involved in obedience to the call of God.

He waived the present for the future.

Abraham committed himself to God by faith.

What he did was done at once.

The result of Abraham’s action.

Did it pay?