Sermon Illustrations

FOUR SPIRITUAL CRISES

The spiritual experience of Abraham was marked by four great crises, each of which involved a surrender of something dear. These were:

(1) LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND FAMILY (Gen 12:1 Mt 10:34-39 2Cor 6:14-18) - Is God asking you to go somewhere away from home, family and friends. Is he calling you to another job or ministry?

(2) SEPARATE - from your worldly, compromising nephew, Lot; especially dear to Abraham by nature, as a possible heir (2Pet. 2:7,8 Gen 13:1-18). Is God asking you to break off a close relationship with someone who is hurting you spiritually?

(3) GIVE UP - His own plan about Ishmael (Gen 17:17-18). Is God asking you to give your plans on something you have dreamed of for a long time?

(4) SACRIFICE - Isaac, "thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest" (Gen 22:1-19 Heb 11:17,18). Is God asking you to let go of your children and trust Him?

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