Discovering Genesis, Part 13
Genesis 12:1-9
Introduction
- This morning we examined the people of Babel; and their rebellion to God
- Prayerfully, we also saw the challenge in ourselves as well through them
- Our response to God is most important when we think of worship
- It is because of the Holy Spirit that we have grace and unity in Christ
- The Kingdom opportunities are limitless in our society to serve the Lord
- Our church: SS teachers; more children’s ministry workers; outreach director; and even an evangelism team director
- When we come into this place it must be to serve and worship God
- Our lives are to be about Him; and Him alone … because He is God
- Take an example from our friends at Babel, we cannot assume we are all that
- What we can SAY is that we aren’t dead yet; so we aren’t done serving
- This evening, we are going to begin our study of Abraham and his life
- While we are not going to chapter/verse through his life
- We are going to see several very important aspects of his life
- I’d like to challenge you to see how each of these applies to your life
- As I’ve said throughout this entire study of Genesis (4 months) has been:
- When we confront scripture, it MUST cause a change in our lives
- APP: If we do not study the scriptures for change, why would we bother?
- Go with me to Genesis, Chapter 12, and let’s examine the first chapter
- Read Genesis 12:1-9
- Pray
Point 1 – Hearing and Moving (1-6)
- The end of Genesis 11 shows how Abram came to be Harran
- However, they were initially headed for Canaan; but didn’t go there
- (We discussed this earlier regarding the curse of Noah’s son)
- Along the way, Abram met Sarai whom he married but she was childless
- Gen 11:30 tells us she was unable to conceive; she was barren w/o children
- While living in Harran God spoke to Abram after 75 years of living there
- Now, let’s pick up the story where we are today in the life of Abram
- Recognizing God’s voice
-- Notice that the first thing we see is that God spoke, and Abram heard
-- This is a unique position that we see in the life of Abram; already following God
-- And so, when God spoke; there was an immediate recognition by Abram
-- Challenge: Can you and I say the same? Do we hear/recognize God’s voice?
- What Abram hears though is more than a text message type of translation
- Abram gets the full script and promise of his life revealed to him in 2 sentences
- (v2-3) “I” will do these things; the great “I AM” is responsible and in charge
- The promise here is God saying, “I am in charge, and so I will take care of you”
- Obeying God’s voice to move
-- (v4) So, Abram went because God spoke and gave him instruction
-- Many today might wonder, “So where’s my instruction from God?” (Bible)
- APP: We’ve already been giving our instructions; obedience is a choice
-- It is a choice to obey the Lord fully; and to not do so is also a choice we make
- Abram took all he had and left
-- (v5) Abram took all he had, at the young age of 75, and off he went
-- In tow he has his wife and his nephew, Lot, whom plays into the story later
-- (v6) They left to go to Canaan, and brought everything they owned with them
- This was not a weekend trip; or even a summer journey; it’s life changing
- Take all your possessions, pack up the truck, it’s time to move completely
- We’ve been given this same encouragement to move by Jesus as well
-- Matthew 4:19, “Come, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
- This is not a coincidence, God calls and expects movement from all
- TRANS: Notice the response then of Abram when he obeys and moves
Point 2 – God is Faithful (7-9)
- (v7) God promises to Abram all that his descendants will inherit
-- This is a covenant that God makes with Abram for his obedience
-- Much like Noah found grace in the eyes of God; so did Abram
-- This following; this obedience; this earnest response is our calling as well
- And because of his obedience what did Abram do? Built an altar
-- Just like Noah did when he came out of the Ark; he worshiped the Lord
- (v8) Abram continued to stretch out his tent stakes
-- This movement took him beyond his conform zone, beyond Bethel
-- Once again, he is given provision and promise and his response is?
-- Built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord
- This calling upon God is critical; it is a sign of worship and obedience
- In short: Abram held a church service; worshiped and prayed and exalted
- He wasn’t concerned about how long it took or the order of service
- Simply, he built an altar, and worshiped God b/c of who God is
- Just as Abram is challenged to enlarge his tent stakes, so are we:
-- Isaiah 54:2, “"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
- We are commanded to move as well; to continually gain new ground
- We can never see the full Gospel lived out until we take that step forward
- Trusting God is never going to be about filling our desires; unless …
- We must ask God to make His desires our own; THEN we can move forward
Conclusion
- What we see in the beginning of Abram’s story is one of obedience; period
- There isn’t anything magical here; God speaks and Abram responds
- He doesn’t just listen and say, “That was a good word”; he acts upon it
- This, over the next few weeks, is where we are going to focus
- Abram didn’t have it all great, but what he did have was God’s provision (v2-3)
- Can the same be said of you and I? YES!
- Pray
