Stepping out in Faith

Notes

God called Abram approx BC 2000 (Halley, H. H. 2000. Halley’s Bible Handbook Classic Ed. Revised, p.47. Grand rapids: Zondervan.)

Author of Genesis: Moses

Written: 1445 BC to 1405 BC

Covering 3 Periods of Time: Creation to 2090 BC (Gen 1-11), 2090 to 1897 BC (Gen 12-36), and 1897 to 1804 BC (Gen 37-50) (MacArthur, J. 2005. The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 4. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).

Welcome

Song: God of Wonders

Song: How Great is Our God

Establish a Need

In all of our lives, there comes a time when we are asked to step into the unknown—into something we know little to nothing about.

Give an Example

During the terrible days of the Blitz—[a German bombing campaign against the UK in 1940-41, during World War II]—a father, holding his small son by the hand, ran from a building that had been struck by a bomb. In the front yard was a shell hole. Seeking shelter as soon as possible, the father jumped into the hole and held up his arms for his son to follow.

Terrified, yet hearing his father’s voice telling him to jump, the boy replied, ‘I can’t see you!’

The father, looking up against the sky tinted red by the burning buildings, called to the silhouette of his son, ‘But, I can see you. Jump!’

The boy jumped because he trusted his father.”

Larson, C. B. 2002. 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers, p.211. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

Introduction

This morning, we consider the faith of Abram, later renamed by God, Abraham, found in Gen 11-25.

Abram enters the scene already married to Sarai, who was later to be renamed Sarah, and according to Gen 11:30, was barren—she had no children.

Gen 12:1-9 (ESV)

“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negev.”

Prayer

Present a Plan

God met Abram and gave him specific instructions to follow.

1. (12:1) Abram was told to “Go”

It also means to “depart,” “proceed,” or “move”

This word is a verb—an action word—that carries with it a required action on Abram’s part.

A simple command to get moving.

Abram couldn’t just sit there, and wait for God to move him, he had an active role to play in the building of God’s people

Abram was not to wait until a better time to go, or to wait until God confirmed it in his heart and mind. He was told to Go and to go now.

Ex. When I was a kid, and my Dad told me to do something, he didn’t count to 10 like so many parents today. If he told me to do something and I didn’t do it, he was, let’s say, enroute to motivate me to move and to move NOW!

When I got to basic training, I had already learned that when told to move, I did. The stupid, or the one’s who had the idea that they could move when they felt like it, well, let’s just say, there are drill sergeants that think just like my Dad. So, word to the wise...

2. (12:1) Abram was to leave his country.

The term, “country” also means “land” or “territory” or “region”

Basically, move out of your neighborhood

God wanted Abram to leave the familiar and step into the unknown

Ex. When you join the Army, or any military branch for that matter, there will come a time when you must leave the familiar on a mission in which you don’t know all the details

God had told Abram in Gen 12:2-3 that He would make Abram into a great nation, would bless him, give him a great name, would be a blessing to others, and

We don’t usually know the blessings that come into our lives by obeying God, but there are times when we know/realize that our following God is clearly the best path even when we falter and wonder if another way is better.

3. (12:1) Abram was to leave his kindred

Another word for “kindred” is “relatives”

Abram was to leave those he would have a tendency to rely upon

Some view Abram’s bringing along his nephew Lot as a violation of God telling him to leave his kindred

QUESTION: Was Abram afraid of God’s call on his life to step into the unknown alone?

God wanted to set the stage for Abram to be able to rely on no one but God Himself

God wants us to realize that family, friends, neighbors and co-workers are good to have, but no one replaces the unwavering commitment of the friend we have in Jesus.

4. (12:1) Abram was to leave his father’s house

He was to leave his father’s house/home/shelter

You see, Abram was not only to leave his country, but also his family and friends, and even the very house he lived in.

Whatever house Abram lived in would be left in pursuit of a new life, new land, new home

The picture painted here is that Abram would not be returning to any of this—he was stepping into the life of a nomad.

Abram would be building a brand new life, trusting God every step of the way

Our Hope

Sometimes, we step out of high school and worry that we have to make a name for ourselves; that we have to get an education, buy a house, get married, and raise a family, as if it all depends on us.

But, listen, what’s really needed is our looking to God the Father, relying on the work of Jesus on the cross, and the Holy Spirit who guides us along life’s path, to lead us to exactly where we need to go.

God will not forsake those who look to Him.

If you question this, consider Joshua 1:5 “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”

The writer of Hebrews, quoting from this previous passage, said it this way, in Hebrews 13:5-6 “Keep your life free from [the] love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?””

Call for Commitment/Expect Results

The question isn’t whether He is there for you, but are you willing to follow Him, even into the unknown?

Trust Him. He will never let you down.

Closing Song: Shine

Closing Prayer