Abram's Commitment To A Life Of Faith Series

ABRAM’S COMMITMENT TO A LIFE OF FAITH

Genesis 12:4-9

Intro: I remember as a young boy, that we moved around from place to place for awhile. I was born in Colorado, then we moved to the country Turkey, and then we moved to San Antonio.. In a sense, I was a pilgrim in my first four years of life.

When I got saved, I soon discovered, from reading the Bible, that the Christian life is also a pilgrimage, 1 Peter 2:11. Everyone of us that is saved is a pilgrim for the Lord today. We are on a journey that began the day we received Jesus into our hearts and that will continue until the day we arrive in Heaven or the Lord returns, which ever comes first. This pilgrimage is, at times, a wonderful thing. At other times, it is difficult at best. Yet all the time it is a pilgrimage that is to be lived out through faith in the Lord.

This morning, I want to spent some time with Abraham. This man was the first one to leave everything behind to walk with the Lord by faith. His pilgrimage was not easy, though there were blessings along the way for Abraham. However, in his pilgrimage, Abraham sets the example for you and me today. He shows us how to live out our lives in absolute faith in and total commitment to the Lord.

Let’s follow along with Abraham this morning as he sets the example for all of God’s children down through the ages; as he teaches us a lesson this in The Commitment To A Life Of Faith. There are three sides to Abraham’s Commitment To A Life Of Faith that I want to share with you.

I. ABRAM’S OBEDIENCE (vv. 4-5)

It took a while, but Abraham finally came to the place of total obedience to the Lord. That is the same place He wishes to bring each of His children today. 1 Sam. 15:22-23.

A. Involved His Separation

• The call of God had been for Abraham to separate from his relatives, and to follow God by faith.

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

o The Lord’s call is the same for His children this evening!

o Anything that prevents us from progressing as He would desire is a weight that must go, Heb. 12:1-2.)

o Most of the time, you will not be called upon to sever ties with your family as was Abraham.

• 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.

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

o Listen to the words of Jesus in this matter - Matt. 10:32-39.

B. Involved His Substance

• Verse 5 tells us that when Abraham left to follow the Lord, he took "all his substance."

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

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

o 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.

o And, I believe that a person ought to tithe.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• By the way, the way to get is to give, Luke 6:38; Mal. 3:10.

o That is not the motive for giving to the Lord and in His name, but it is a benefit!

• How much of your stuff does the Lord have?

o Or, do you have "your pile" and "God’s pile"?

o If you do, I’ll guarantee you that your pile is bigger!

o You had better be careful, He might blow on your pile.

o If He ever does, there won’t be anything left, Hag. 1:5-11.

• 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.