Series: Learning Faith From Abraham Dr. Elmer Towns
Lesson 1: Incomplete Obedience January 27, 2013
A. GOD CALLS PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
“Terah had three sons, Abram, Nabor and Haran who had a son named Lot. Haran died in Ur of the Chaldees, Abram and Nabor got married, but Abram’s wife couldn’t bear children. Terah took Abram, Sarai and Lot to go to Canaan, the place where the Lord called Abram. But he stopped half way at Haran and live there 25 years” (Gen. 11:27-32, Amplified).
1. God calls average people who have good and bad days.
a. Abram married (v. 27).
b. Attends funerals (v. 28).
c. Took care of nephew (v. 31).
d. Learned his wife can’t have children (v. 36).
2. Recognizes family responsibility.
a. God called Abram (13:1) but his father Terah led the family (v. 31). Abram doesn’t answer God’s call (v. 31).
3. Some only obey half way. “To go to the land of Canaan, and they came to Haran and dwelt there” (v. 31).
Why Incomplete Obedience
-Give family priority
-Sin interrupts
-Doubts
-Feel inadequate
-Lose vision and sense of calling
-Think God has given up on them because they gave up on God
-The attractions of things, money or pleasures
4. God had called Abram not his father (12:1); why did Abram let his father detract him?
5. God had called Abram to leave his family; why did he stay with his father? (12:1).
6. God called Abram to Canaan; why did he stay on the edge of home country? (12:1). “Get thee out of thy country” (12:1).
7. God’s call involved God’s vision. “Unto a land I will show you” (12:1). How could he put off the vision 25 years?
8. Abraham was 50 years old when called, and 75 years old when he entered Canaan (12:4). “So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken . . . was 75 years old” (12:4).
a. These are considered best years of productivity.
b. The age of physical procreation was running out.
c. Was there pressure from Sarai? “Abram, you’re not getting any younger.”
d. God’s timing is different than ours.
God is never in a hurry, but He’s never late!
9. The word Haran means “half way.” It was half way between Babylon and Egypt.
a. Many are known by half-hearted efforts, and half-baked ideas.
b. Half obedience is total disobedience.
c. Is it possible an indifferent father has a conscientious son?
B. WHAT IS FAITH?
1. Faith believes in the existence of God. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that God exists, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
2. Faith is seeking God’s presence (12:7). “The Lord appeared unto Abram” (12:7).
3. Faith is obedience to the Word of God. “Abram departed as the Lord had spoken” (12:4).
The obeying one is the believing one.
“The Lord had previously called Abraham, ‘Leave your country and your relatives and go to a land I will show you. Then (1) I will make a great nation out of you. (2) I will bless you. (3) I will make your name great. (4) I will make you a blessing. (5) I will bless those who bless you. (6) I will curse them who curse you. (7) I will bless all families on earth through you’” (Gen. 12:1-3, Amplified).
C. THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT
1. Great nation.
2. I will bless you, prosperity.
3. Your name will be great, head of Jewish, Islam, and Christian nations.
4. Make you a blessing, gave the world the Old Testament prophets, Messianic line, and the Tabernacle.
5. Bless those who bless you, United States.
6. Curse those who curse you, Egypt, Babylon, etc.
7. Bless all . . . through you, Christ Jesus.
Faith makes you a friend of God, “Abraham believed God, and … he was even called the friend of God” (James 2:23). “You are my friend if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
