ABE

Bottomline: God faithfulness and blessing far outweighs our unfaithfulness.

Intro- stories of unlikely people being called

Would you choose...

-Someone who was a coward and said his wife was his sister…twice

-Who slept with his wife’s maidservant to have a child…ps it was his wifes idea

-Who had a troublesome nephew that he was loyal to

-Who laughed at God’s promises

-circumcised at 99

tell’s his story...

Called when he is 70’s....

30 years later Isaac is born

God calls and uses imperfect people for His perfect purposes and plans

God’s calling defies age, race, gender, education, previous performance, family of origin, skill, looks, even our faithfulness

Genesis 12:1–3 NIV

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Everybody has a calling but everyone’s chief calling is to love God and love all people.

Matthew 22:36–40 NIV

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Have you ever had a deep desire you wanted?

Genesis 15:4–6 NIV

Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

sleeping with his wife's servant

God will fulfill His promises when we pursue His callings, so be patient

Eventually has son Issac…

When we follow Gods call He will provide for every need

Genesis 22:6–8 NIV

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

When we follow Gods call He will provide for every need

Genesis 18:10–15 NIV

Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

God calls and uses messed up people

God’s people are called to be a blessing and bridge to all people back to God.

God will fulfill His promises when we pursue His callings, so be patient

Galatians 3:6–9 NIV

So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Galatians 3:14 NIV

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

God’s people are called to be a blessing and bridge to all people back to Go

God’s people are called to be a blessing and bridge for all people back to God.