Genesis 12:1-9
8 June 2008
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Ord Military Chapel
Seaside CA
BIG IDEA: Christians with desires to become famous need to become more obedient to the Words of God.
REFERENCES: Genesis 12:1-9 (The Call of Abraham and his journey); Hebrews 11:9 (NIV) By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise; Hebrews 11:10 (Abraham “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”); Genesis 17:5,17 (Hebrew English Bible) Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee; And God said unto Abraham: ’As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be; Acts 7:1-7 (NIV) Stephen speaks to the Sanhedrin about Abraham’s faith; Genesis 12:10-20 (Abram fears for his life because of Sarai’s beauty); Deuteronomy 28:1 (NIV) If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Genesis 12:1-9 (CEV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: Genesis 12:1-9
III. READ THE TEXT: Genesis 12:2 (I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others).
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that “obedience” to God’s instructions leads to “name” popularity with God.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “So, You Want To Become Famous?”
VI. INTRODUCTION: I am both indeed grateful and honored to have been the recipient of so many kind words today. On behalf of my lovely wife, Dedra, of nearly 25 years and my sons: Kenny, Kendall, and Kendric – thank you. You have been quite kind. It has been my pleasure to have served alongside such wonderful people. You and yours will always be etched across the memory of my heart. Again, thank you!
As you know, those that have been called by God to do a work for Him are not conducting that work in order to receive GIFTS AND WORDS OF AFFIRMATION. We do what we have been CALLED TO DO FROM OUR HEARTS, AND OUT OF obedience to God; but it sure feel good to have served a community of people (here at Fort Ord and the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California) that are grateful for having been served. Again, thank you!
So, You Want To Become Famous?
MOVE 1: First and foremost, allow me to make it emphatically clear that our scripture today provides a deeper note than a shallow religion of moralism.
a. We should not interpret Israel’s blessings to be primarily because of their moral goodness.
b. Christian Theology teaches us that Israel as a nation, as a social, political, and economic organism, exists in “spiritual” covenant with her Lord.
c. To deny or rebel against God is to break the covenant and violate that which has created, sustained, and composed the Nation of Israel.
d. Therefore, this morning, the Word of God says – through Moses - in Deuteronomy 28:1 (NIV) “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.”
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: ”So, You Want To Become Famous?”
a. Whatever happened to the old proverb or “Urban Legend” that “children should be seen and not heard”?
b. Social Networks such as MySpace, Facebook, and Friendster are …
c. … but a few of the Social Networks available today for our young people (and older people too) that have a need to be both SEEN AND HEARD.
d. Recently, while driving from home to work, I caught the last few minutes of a segment of the radio program dubbed, “Focus on The Family” with Dr. James Dobson.
******** TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 3: In this particular segment he was interviewing a famed psychologist and author who momentarily spoke ….
a. … about the issue of our young people being vainer today than ever before.
b. Hence, she mentioned the creation of the social networks previously mentioned as an outlook for many, today, to fulfill their need to be seen by others.
c. In other words, the psychologist inferred that an unbelieverable number of our young people today want to become “famous” tomorrow.
d. Surprisingly, the Church isn’t immune or protected from this vain gesture.
e. As a result, many of our talented young Christian musicians and Gospel Rappers are constantly seeking auditions with American Idol ….
f. … in order to pursue their dreams of becoming famous.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 4: Striving to become famous has always been very popular.
a. For example, regardless of your age, most of us are aware that the American reality-competition show called American Idol …
b. … Is one of the most popular shows on American Television.
c. But, what you might not know is that it originated from the reality program Pop Idol which was first aired in the United Kingdom in 2001.
d. As you may recall the format – for the American Idol - features three judges:
e. … Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell, all of whom give critiques of the contestants’ performances.
f. While it may seem like opportunities for up and coming musician may have suffered tremendously prior to the airing of the American Idol, this isn’t all together true.
g. Because, before American Idol we had “Star Search”. How many of you recall “Star Search”? I thought so!
****** TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 5: For don’t you remember “Star Search” aired in 1983-1985 and was hosted by Ed McMahon?
a. While the categories varied slightly from season to season, the six basic categories were:
b. … Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, Junior Vocalist, Vocal Group, Spokesmodel, and Comedy.
c. In fact, just this morning, I googled “Star Search” and saw 10 years old “Britney Spears” performing “Love Can Build a Bridge”.
d. Wow!
e. What a wonderful talent she was at only 10 years old.
f. It’s amazing how much we change in a matter of time. It’s also amazing how much our society hasn’t changed.
g. Because we still have an unbelieverable number of people today who want to become “famous” tomorrow.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 7: In our text, today, we find the Call of Abram and the promise that God made to him.
a. Abram was 75 years of age (still residing in His father’s house) when his father died; and when he received his CALL TO THE MINISTRY.
b. Now, some of you (in here this morning) have been uttering Words of Doubt in lieu of God being able to STILL use you because of your maturity in age.
c. You say, “If I was only younger, I could do a Work for The Lord”. In our scripture this morning, Abram nullifies the myth of needing to be younger.
d. For he was 75 years old before he was Call by God to do ministry.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 8: Now, I’ll be honest with you; every since my three sons (ages: 19, 16 and 10 years of age) can remember I’ve been telling them that when they reach the ripe old age of 18 – they are leaving my house for college, military, or the Peace Corps.
a. But, they’re not staying in my house.
b. Yet, here in our scripture today, we find – Abram – our Patriarch of Faith – still at home at 75 years of Age.
c. Kids don’t try this at home (smile).
d. Parents at all ages sincerely desire for their children to leave (smile).
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
CELEBRATION:
In our scripture today, we find ourselves witnessing Abram’s Call to The Ministry at the ripe old age of 75.
God calls Abram to the ministry in Verse 1 instructing him to: The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others
