Life of Abraham 1

Intro - Why?

Learn how God works, learn God’s character (He is the same yesterday, today)

Understanding Abraham’s story helps you understand the rest of the Bible

rest of Old Testament is about his descendants

more than 50% (14 out of 27) books of New Testament mention his name directly

every book of the Bible written by one of his descendants,maybe not Luke

Abraham was a regular person, so we will be able to learn and apply lessons from his life to our lives.

Basic Info about Abraham

What race of people descended from Abraham?

different name - same thing: Jews, Hebrews, Israelites, Children of Israel, Israel, Judah

opposite is a Gentile

Abraham nickname: Father of Faith

Who is Abraham’s most famous descendant?

Jesus

You through faith

What was Abraham’s name before he was called Abraham?

Abram - we will see that today

Before Genesis 12 . . .

Creation - everything was good

Fall - Adam and Eve, sin brought into the world

Flood - things got so bad, violent, God started over

Tower of Babel - people unified, but in a bad way (sin and rebellion still a problem)

God gave people different languages, and people have spread out and settled down

Genesis 12:1 NLT

1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.

God is the initiator - The Lord said to Abraham . . .

side note: Bible does not give us clue as to how God spoke to Abram

probably good because God speaks in various ways

God as initiator is a theme you will see throughout the Bible

God approached Abram, Jacob (dreams) Moses, Samuel, David, Mary, Paul

Have confidence in what God has called you to because God started it

whatever God starts he will finish, “author and finisher of our faith”

God will ask you to do something that requires Faith

often includes leaving something behind - country, relatives, family

uncertainty - not knowing where, dangerous times

definitely out of his comfort zone

for Christians, living with uncertainty and out of comfort zone is normal

(let’s go backwards a little . . . )

Genesis 11:31–32 NLT

31 One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there. 32 Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haran.

There is often some prior sign (evidence) that God has called you to a certain endeavor

Abram has at least two prior signs, his family history and His name means “exalted father”

Jacob’s dreams of people bowing down (leadership, power, actually bowing down)

Moses miraculously saved as a baby and raised in palace (miracles, leadership, government)

Joshua became Moses’ assistant (next in line)

Nehemiah being totally heartbroken when he heard the news about Jerusalem with no walls (affected him more than others)

for me: named after a musician, people told me I would be a preacher, unofficial assistant to my dad, and official assistant to my father

Genesis 12:2–3 NLT

2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

The rest of the Bible is about fulfilling this promise! Wow!!!

You are a part of God’s plan

big plans involving you that go beyond your lifetime - or Abram, all the families of the earth

maybe your part may not affect the whole world, but it will extend beyond your personal tribe

you are important

you are not insignificant

take your life seriously - what you do, say, act, respond

very high stakes are involved - that’s why the enemy gives you so much trouble

steal, kill, destroy, tempt

and since it’s God’s plan, it is futile to ignore it, and try to make your own plans

Proverbs 19:21 NLT

21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

God blesses you to be a blessing

“you will be a blessing to others

”

you are not a cup, but a funnel - blessings pass on through you to others

not just money . . . strength (young people), time, presence, talent, experience, wisdom

Why would God bless you with a lot, if he can’t trust you to pass on a little?

don’t live selfishly (you will lose it anyway)

Following purpose puts you in position for miracles

purpose comes with problems, but it also comes with perks

Abraham has no child - would have a child

Lose your status and position around Haran – gain being famous in all the world/history

built in protection plan

Some don’t see more miracles, because they never put themselves into a position to need more miracles.

always playing it safe, won’t step out on faith

so they might need and receive miracles that come with normal life, but nothing above that

When we believed that God had called Elijah to go to this expensive school, we acted on it and enrolled.

put ourselves into a position to need a miracle, and got a miracle

Genesis 12:4 NLT

4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

After God speaks, it’s on you to make that move - faith demonstrated by action

Abram went forth despite age (75), no kids, dangerous journey

Genesis 12:5 NLT

5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan,

How well will you accept your call?

will you “make that move” exactly as God instructed? . . . 100% or 87%

bringing his wife, makes spiritual and physical sense

bringing/allowing his nephew is troublesome

disobedient - God said leave your relatives

he probably felt better/safer having someone else with him

it will end up causing trouble during their lifetimes and their descendants

beware: we can accept the call but also muddy the waters . . .

God has already started preparing you for your purpose

often unbeknown to us

he already had a decent amount of possessions and headed toward Canaan

needed in an environment where might makes right

David was a shepherd, Moses raised in the Palace, Mary already engaged, Esther had an older cousin to work in the palace

if you inspect your life, you will notice that God has already equipped you with some of the things needed for your journey in Him

Genesis 12:6–7 NLT

6 Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

obedience tends to bring more revelation

God shows him which land after Abraham obeyed

delight yourself in the Lord

God reveals more AFTER your demonstration of faith

since we walk by faith and not by sight, faith comes first . . . then sight

even with plans, not just manifestation of plans

I’ve worked with children, and learned you have to give them a few steps at a time

can’t focus, can’t remember, worried about stuff they shouldn’t

Spiritual Mentor Moment - Cult tricks

concerned about cults and crazy groups - so much is on the internet

I keep seeing wild beliefs popping ups

Then use things out of context

Bible - jump around to a lot of scriptures quickly - and pull out a meaning that is totally out of context

Other Historical figures, events, and facts

A little study will usually reveal the lie, but most don’t do that “little study” because they want to accept it

Always feel free to come to me with “hard questions” . . . I am not scared of them

Announcements

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super easy way to share the word of God, get people interested church

Workday this Saturday at 9am

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