Sermon Central
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The Call Of God Series
Contributed by Patrick O'loughlin on Jan 25, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: The call of God is the way of God, the work of God and the will of God .
Title: The Call of God
Text: Genesis 12:1-9
Introduction:
Many people have questions about the call of God
What is the call of God?
How do you receive the call of God?
Am I called of God?
I’d like to explain the call of God using the following 3 examples from the life of Abram
#1- The call of God is the Way of God
#2 - The call of God is the Work of God
#3 The Call of God is the Will of God
#1 The call of God is the Way Of God
In Genesis 8:21 God gave the world a promise
“Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.”
So God gave the world a second chance
What did the world give God in return?
“Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches up to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves.” (Genesis 11:4)
Instead of saying; Great! God has given us a second chance- now let’s do the right thing this time!
They said: Great! God has given us a second chance- now let’s do something to make God even more upset!
I don’t think this is the response God wanted because in return God confused their speech and scattered them throughout the world.
It’s no different today!
Have you ever said to God if you get me out of this mess I’ll never do it again…
most of the time we do it again!
life can be a vicious cycle of sin – relapse, repentance, restoration, relapse, repentance, restoration, relapse, relapse, relapse…!
How does God break the vicious cycle of sin?
He does it the same way He did it for Abram in Genesis 12
He breaks the vicious circle of sin through The Call of God!
There is no evidence that Abram was living for God prior to chapter 12
What turned his life around? It was the call of God.
“And the Lord said to Abram…” (v1)
When God wants to do something in a person’s life the first thing He does is Call him or her.
Other Example: Moses (Ex. 3:4);
#2. The Call of God is the work of God
The call of God is a total work of God. Don’t think God called Abram because he
1. Left his family and country
2. Went to the Land God told him to go to
God called Abram before Abram did a thing.
He didn’t earn God’s call
He didn’t deserve God’s call
He simply received God’s call
The call of God is the work of God (1Cor. 1:26-31)
Jesus said “You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last.” (John 15:16)
In Genesis 12:2-3 God reminds Abram it is all the work of God. I will bless you. I will make you into a great nation. I will make you a blessing.
God supplies the promises, the plan and the power.
#3 The Call of God is the Will of God
God’s will for Abram’s life was that he would say yes to the call of God
God’s will for our life is that we would say yes to the call of God
What is God’s will for my life? It is the call of God.
What is God’s call for my life? It is the will of God.
How many of us have excuses for not saying yes to the call of God? Excuses like…
1. I’m too old
Abram was 75 years old when he set out from Haran (v4)
2. I’ve got responsibilities
Abram took his responsibilities with him
3. It’s not a good time
“At that time the Canaanites were in the land.” (v6)
4. I don’t know where to start?
Abram said yes. Abram built an altar.
5. I thought God only calls those who first have it all together?
After all didn’t we read last week that God called Noah?
And who was Noah?
Noah was a righteous man, blameless before the people of his time and he walked with God.
I think Noah is the exception and not the rule!
There is no evidence that Abraham was a righteous man, blameless before the people of his time and that he walked with God…before he was called.
There is no evidence that Abraham even knew God before he was called!
The only thing that we are sure of is this: God knew Abraham and that he called him.
That’s the way of God. He calls people!
God still calls people today.
Are you and I called?
Yes!
The apostle Peter speaking on the day of Pentecost
