sf367 - WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BORN AGAIN (Genesis 12 1-9)
Genesis 12:1-9
INTRODUCTION
Sermon Background
Genesis 11 tells of God's judgement on rebellious mankind
Genesis 12 tells of God's grace extended to mankind
Abraham pictures for us...
1A. A Person Separated from the Savior
1B. Abram was rich yet poor
He was well known
He was wealthy
Revelation 3:17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked
2B. Abram was full yet empty
He was a lost man
He was an idolater
Joshua 24:2 (ESV) 2 And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods.
An idol is anything or anyone you turn to for what God told you to turn to Him for. (Henry Blackaby)
2A. A Person Sought By The Savior
1B. God comes to us (12:1a)
God always takes the initiative
John 6:65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
John 15:16 (ESV) 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
2B. God calls us (12:1-3)
1. To repent of our sins (12:1)
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
2. To believe and trust Him (12:1b-3)
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Ø We must trust God's plan (12:1b)
Ø We must trust God's purpose (12:2-3)
We are not saved by making promises to God; we are saved by believing God’s promises to us. [1]
Three promises: (12:2-3)
Ø A great nation
Ø A great name
Ø A great blessing
3. To follow Him (11:27-32; 12:4)
Ø Promptly; completely – But Abraham did not…
Abraham partially obeyed; not until his father's death was he allowed to proceed
3A. A Person Serving the Savior
1B. We see Abraham witnessing (12:5)
His family followed his lead
The missionary mandate of the church does not begin with John 3:16 or Matthew 28:18–20. It begins with God’s covenant with Abraham. We are blessed that we might be a blessing.[2]
He influenced others – “the people that they had acquired.”
2B. We see Abraham walking (12:6a)
In knowledge - Moreh = instruction
In strength - Shechem = shoulder
G.A. Studdert Kennedy said, “Faith is not believing in spite of evidence; it is obeying in spite of consequence.”
“By faith Abraham...obeyed” (Heb. 11:8). [3]
3B. We see Abraham waiting (12:6b‑7)
In the face of apparent defeat (12:6b)
Until God spoke (12:7)
4B. We see Abraham worshipping (12:8)
By where he went
Bethel = the house of God
By what he did
Pitched his tent = Came to stay
Built an altar = Gave his sacrifice ‑ worship
APPLICATION
How would you characterize your relationship with the Savior?
Separated?
Seeking?
Serving?
"It is finished."
Stop and listen. Can you imagine the cry from the cross? The sky is dark. the other two victims are moaning. The jeering mouths are silent. Perhaps there is thunder. Perhaps there is weeping. Perhaps there is silence. Then Jesus draws in a deep breath, pushes his feet down on that Roman nail, and cries, "It is finished!"
What was finished?
The history‑long plan of redeeming man was finished. The message of God to man was finished. The works done by Jesus as a man on earth were finished. the task of selecting and training ambassadors was finished. The job was finished. The song had been sung. The blood had been poured. The sacrifice had been made. The sting of death had been removed. It was over.
A cry of defeat? Hardly. had his hands not been fastened down I dare say that a triumphant fist would have punched the dark sky. No, this is no cry of despair. It is a cry of completion. A cry of victory. A cry of fulfillment. Yes, even a cry of relief.
No wonder they call Him, Savior!
(Max Lucado "No Wonder They Call Him Savior" p. 61)
Genesis 12:1-9
1A. A Person _______________ from the Savior
1B. Abram was _________________ yet poor
Revelation 3:17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked
2B. Abram was ______________ yet empty
Joshua 2:4 (ESV) 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, "True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.
2A. A Person ________________ By The Savior
1B. God ______________________ to us
John 6:65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
John 15:16 (ESV) 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
2B. God _____________________ us (12:1-3)
1. To repent of our sins (12:1)
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
2. To believe and trust Him (12:1b-3)
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Three promises: (12:2-3)
Ø A great nation
Ø A great name
Ø A great heritage
3. To follow Him (11:27-32; 12:4)
3A. A Person _________________ the Savior
1B. We see Abraham witnessing (12:5)
2B. We see Abraham ____________ (12:6a)
3B. We see Abraham waiting (12:6b‑7)
4B. We see Abraham ______________ (12:8)
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[1]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1991). Be obedient (Ge 11:27). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[2]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1991). Be obedient (Ge 11:27). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[3]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1991). Be obedient (Ge 12:4). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.