Sermon Tone Analysis

Committed to a life of faith

Genesis 12.4-9

Series Intro: few men, outside of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself have has such an impact on the history of the world as did the man introduced to us in this passage of scripture.

This man is revered by over one-half the world’s population.

In our day, Abraham is held in high esteem by Jews, Muslims and Christians.

In ancient times the Jews considered Abraham to be almost worthy of their worship.

Consider This:

1. Genesis 1-11 deals with 2000 years of history-creation, sin, flood, languages changed.

2. All the rest of Genesis 12-50 covering about 400 years deals with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

3. The rest of the OT 39 books deals with the history of the nation which sprang from Abraham, the nation of Israel.

4. All of the rest of the Bible is occupied with and centers on Abraham’s greater Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

5.

One man’s obedience and devotion impacted all of human history, and we don’t think it is important for us to obey God!!!!

In the Bible, Abraham is presented to us as a great example of a man who lived his life by faith, Heb.

11:8-19.

James 2:23 records the fact that Abraham was called the “Friend of God.”

This man’s life was a special life and a great portion of the first book of the Bible is devoted to it.

Now, some may ask, “Why take the time to study a man who lived 4,100 years ago?”

My answer to you is that, first, the Bible takes the time to speak about him, so we should take the time to study him.

The second is that the life of Abraham teaches us much about the matter of walking with God by faith.

That, after all, is the goal of the Lord for all His children.

God is calling every one of His children to live a life of faith.

This man teaches us how.

Intro:

There are times when this spiritual pilgrimage is a blessing and times when it is very difficult.

Yet, regardless of there the trail of life leads, it is to be a life lived in faith in the Lord.

Four times, the Bible says “the just shall live by faith”,

(Habakkuk 2:4) Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it isevident: for, The just shall live by faith.

(Hebrews 10:38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

(Romans 1:17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

I want us to spend some time with an ancient pilgrim named Abram.

This man left everything behind to walk with the Lord by faith.

His path was not easy, but there were times of blessing along the way for Abram.

In his pilgrimage, Abram sets the example for you and me today.

He shows us how to live in absolute faith and total commitment to the Lord God Almighty.

I. THE OBEDIENCE OF THE FAITH LIFE-VS.

4-5

(Ill.

It took a while, but Abram finally came to the place of total obedience to the Lord.

God desires to bring each of His children to that same place, Ill. 1 Sam.

15:22-23.)

A. His Obedience Involved His Separation - The call of God had been for Abram to separate from his relatives, and to follow God by faith, Gen. 12:1.

Abram was called upon to separate himself from everything that would hinder the progress of the walk of faith!

Ill.

Abram would have become the head of the family when his father died.

To leave ones land, ones family and ones responsibility was absolutely unheard of in that culture.

God was calling on Abram to go against everything he knew and believed in.)

(Note: The Lord’s call is the same for His children today!

Anything that prevents us from progressing as He would desire is a weight that must go, Heb.

12:1-2.)

(Hebrews 12:1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

(Hebrews 12:2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Note: Most of the time, you will not be called upon to sever ties with your family as was Abram.

However, if you decide to walk by faith, there will be times when they will not be sympathetic to what the Lord is leading you to do in your life, especially if they are lost.

In times like those, the will of the Lord must be given the priority!

)

B. His Obedience Involved His Substance - Verse 5 tells us that when Abram left to follow the Lord, he took “all his substance.”

In other words, when the Lord got Abram, the Lord got everything he had!

Abram didn’t leave anything behind for the world to use, but he took it all and went after God.

(Note: You can gauge the level of a person’s commitment to the Lord by how much of that person’s “stuff” has been dedicated to the Lord!

We get hung up on the tithe.

And, I believe that a person ought to tithe.

But, what you do with the other 90% is just as important to the Lord as what you do with His 10%.

You see, God doesn’t just want His part; He wants your part too!

He gives us what He does so that we might us it for His glory and for His kingdom’s work.

That’s why some folks don’t ever have anything!

They peel off a dollar for the Lord and spend the rest of the ten on themselves and the things of the world, God won’t bless that!

When He has you and your checkbook, He can bless you in ways you have never imagined.

By the way, if you have a problem with your tithes and offerings, you really don’t have a problem with your tithes and offerings.

You have a problem with your heart!

Of course, this thing is bigger than just God wanting our money.

He wants all of our stuff to be dedicated to Him.

He might want to use your house or your car.

He just wants you to surrender all to Him so He can do with it what He will!)

C. His Obedience Involved His Surrender - The Bible tells us that Abram did “as the Lord had spoken to him.”

Abram learned early on that the secret to pleasing God is simply doing what He says, to the letter!

Even though the Lord’s call upon his life would be difficult, it was the only course of action that made sense.

You see, faith builds no barriers!

Faith never says, “This far and no farther”.

Faith only knows how to say “Yes!”

It simply does what it is told and trusts God to take care of the rest!

(Note: As we progress on our own pilgrimage, the sooner we learn that lesson the better!

The only way to enjoy the Christian life to the full is to come to the place of total surrender, where your all is on the altar,

(Romans 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

(Romans 12:2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

You might think, as you read the life of Abram, that God wanted Abram’s stuff.

Friend, God didn’t need Abram’s stuff and He isn’t interested in your stuff either!

All God ever wanted from Abram was Abram!

That’s what it all was all about.

Everything this man endured was about getting him on the altar.

God asked for more and more until He had everything.

That’s where the Lord wants us too!)

I.

The Obedience Of The Faith Life

II.

THE OPPOSITION OF THE FAITH LIFE-VS.

4-6

(Ill.

Life was not going to be “smooth sailing” for old Abram.

There would be difficulties in his pilgrimage, just as there will be in ours.

Let’s notice a few obstacles that Abram faced as he journeyed.)

A. v. 4 The Days Opposed Him - Verse 4says that Abram was 75 years old when he left on his pilgrimage.

That’s about the age when some people begin to seriously think about slowing down.

Not this man!

He set out at that age to follow the Lord.

I’ll guarantee you some of his kinfolks thought he had lost his mind.