Preparing for the Journey: Abraham -- from zero to hero of the faith
Preparing for the Journey (Redux) • Sermon • Submitted
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· 94 viewsThe journey to which God is calling you will bring you out of the wilderness, breathe new life into you, and use you to change your world as you believe and act upon His Word
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Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Journeys can be a lot of fun. I love traveling, seeing new places and meeting new people. I love adventure.
Our lives sometimes seem monotonous or boring — we feel like we need a change or a new adventure. I want to remind you today that following Jesus everyday is the best adventure you could ever imagine.
God has called Linda and I to head out on a new adventure — We have no idea what we will experience along the way. But we want Him to be the tour guide.
Today I want to remind you of a few things — First, each of you is on a journey…are you ready?
Powerhouse is also on a journey. In 2015 we began the Acts 2 Journey --- I felt like it would be a good time to remind us of what God did during that time and where he has led us since.
Throughout 2015, our leadership team (vision team) met regularly to brainstorm, pray, and dream. We met 5 times with other church vision teams on the Acts 2 Journey. Like the church in Acts 2, we waited and prayed for the Holy Spirit’s direction. Their waiting paid off on the day of Pentecost — the church was born and grew like wildfire.
During our time in the Acts 2 journey, our team leaned so much…especially how to step out in faith and listen to God’s voice. Out of our time together we defined our
PHCF CORE VALUES:
Christ-Centered
Bible-based,
Community-Connected
Authentic in Worship
Servant-Leadership
Missions-Minded
Out of those core values, God began to lead us in some important areas — and He enabled us to develop a fresh vision for the future
Part of the plan was to do some improvements to our facilities - out of that came the remodel of the foyer, with a new welcome center and coffee station.
In the run-up to launching our new Vision, I preached a series of messages entitled “Preparing for the Journey”
I think it is appropriate that I revisit these messages, now 6 years later, in view of the new Journey God is taking Powerhouse on —
Is your vision still clear? How will that effect your choice of a new pastor, with God’s guidance?
As we look at this journey, there are many points that are not only relevant to Powerhouse as a church…but, perhaps even more important, to you as individuals in your walk with Christ.
Series Big Idea:God is preparing Powerhouse to more passionately love God and one another, and to actively embody His truth and hope within our community
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.
PRAYER
Are you ready for a new journey? God often calls us to make a move, to step out and step up, in faith. He has your itinerary prepared. He may not reveal to you the exact route, but it will be good, because it’s His plan. You can choose to follow His lead, or try and blaze your own trail. Abram didn’t argue with God, He followed His instructions...not knowing where God was taking Him. God plucked Abraham out of spiritual blindness and obscurity and led him to a place where his faith was put to the test...and Abraham chose to believe God.
Big Idea: The journey on which God takes you brings you out of spiritual wilderness, breathes life into you, and blesses you, as you believe and act upon what He says
Transitional: It does not matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been — God is calling you to follow the journey with Him
STARTING POINT: OBSCURITY AND IGNORANCE
Exposition
Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.
When you think of Abraham (Abram), you think of the Hebrew people...Father Abraham, and yet he wasn’t Jewish. He came from Ur of the Chaldeans–
What kind of place was it?
What religion did they practice?
Why did God call Abraham to journey out of Ur?
Near the Euphrates river in Southern Iraq
Large city with arts, crafts, industry, trade, you name it
During the time of Abraham, the city of Ur was dominated by a huge temple-tower, or ziggurat
The top rose to 150 feet and built there was a temple to Nannar, the moon-god
Polytheism was the religious atmosphere in which Abraham grew up, married, and lived
More than 300 distinct gods were worshipped
Tradition says that Abraham’s father was a merchant who traded in these idols
God Called Abraham out of obscurity and spiritual blindness
God Plucks You and I out of Impossible Places
There is nothing about Abraham’s background that qualifies him to be the father of Israel — yet, God chose him
When you think of your life — history — background…you might think God would never choose to use you for something that could change history
What looks impossible to us is not impossible with God — look what he did with Abraham…it’s important to note that Abraham chose to listen to the voice of God and obey Him.
God Overrides Your Family or Personal History
Terah (Abraham’s father) likely worshipped the moon god (among others) which was prevalent in Ur and Haran
Maybe you grew up without in correct teaching about God
Maybe you grew up in an atmosphere of addiction, abuse, and confusion
Despite your background or family history, God has a journey for you that is amazing...
Illustration: My dad grew up in a dysfunctional home. His parents split up when he was little. He had a lot of siblings. Growing up in the 20’s and 30’s was tough. But my dad’s life was extra tough. He father didn’t allow him to go to school, but put him to work as a young boy. He and his brothers helped with the horses and did all kinds of hard labor. Not surprisingly, my dad carried a lot of anger and bitterness. But God had a journey for him
Shortly after my dad and mom married, mom became a sold out follower of Jesus. That was an important step on the journey. But my dad didn’t’ turn to Jesus easily or quickly. In fact, it took more than 40 years of marriage…with my mom praying for my dad every day, never giving up. My dad’s journey finally led him to a powerful encounter with Jesus — He was never the same after that.
Application
God can take you out of any situation and bring you to a place of restoration and renewal
Listen to His voice — His Word — Exercise your faith
Transitional: Along the journey…God will speak to you
JOURNEY LANDMARKS: CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD
Exposition
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.”
Sometimes God Says “Go” Before He Reveals the Destination
Abram’s father, Terah, left Ur…heading for Canaan, but he stopped in Haran…he liked it, became comfortable, and just stayed there for the rest of his life
Did Terah settle for less than God had for him? Did his comfort override his desire to continue on the journey?
When God told Abram to go, he obeyed…not knowing where he would end up.
…aren’t you glad that, on this journey, God provides those oasis moments when He pours into us and speaks to us in ways that we need?
God’s Words Always Contain Promises
“I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessings”
Promises work best when you believe in them
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
…those oasis moments, during the most difficult parts of our journey, can be the times when God speaks most powerfully to us, if we listen
When God Speaks, Everything Changes
Especially your heart — perspective — attitude — motivation
Abraham was just as human as you or I
When God stepped onto the scene, Abraham paid attention
God changed Abraham’s heart — from one lost in the ignorance of pagan worship, to the father of our faith
God’s timing sometimes caused Abraham’s faith to be tested…but he learned from those times and moved forward, stronger in the faith
Application
As you move forward in the journey to which God is calling you…how will He speak to you?
Are you willing to hear from Him?
The word, prayer, fellowship, worship, even the most unexpected sources
As Powerhouse moves forward on the next leg of your journey…God will speak to you, maybe in unexpected ways
Conclusion
The journey to which God is calling you will bring you out of the wilderness, breathe new life into you, and use you to change your world as you believe and act upon His Word
Challenge
God is speaking to you as individuals
Trust God to lead and use you for His glory
Listen for His voice
The word
Life’s journey - people, places, situations, etc.
Believe His promises
Act upon His promises
Know you are loved
God is speaking to the whole Powerhouse family too
Are you ready to listen, Powerhouse family?