Genesis 12:1-3
Intro:
One morning R. C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. “I’m burdened this morning!” was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, “Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?” “Yes, but it’s a wonderful burden—it’s an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!” Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, “I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He ‘daily loads us with benefits.’”
I. Having Eyes Toward Heaven
- Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
- Heb 11:9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
- Heb 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
A. To receive an inheritance
- Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
- 1Pe 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
- Imperishable inheritance
- Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
- Eph 1:14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
- Guarantee of our inheritance
B. Looking for a City made by God
- Abram was not interested in earthy things to the point it would hold him back from God’s call.
- Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
- Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
- A Holy city where God tabernacles with men
II. Being blessed in Christ
- Mat 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
- Mat 1:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
- Mat 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
- Gal_3:14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
A. Abraham was blessed materially
- Gen 13:2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
- Sometimes we have more materially than we think we do
- We will never be content with much if we never learn to be content with little
- Php 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
- Php 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
B. Abraham was blessed spiritually
- Gen 21:22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do.
- Gal_3:9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
- Rom_4:7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
- Rom_4:8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
- When our sin is covered we are blessed
- Jas_1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
- Example of Eric
C. Abraham was blessed socially
- Gen 23:3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites,
- Gen 23:4 "I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight."
- Gen 23:5 The Hittites answered Abraham,
- Gen 23:6 "Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead."
- Joh 3:2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."
Conclusion:
- Fear and rejoice!
- Fear God and His judgment
- Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
- Job 1:21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
- Did you know that a proper fear of the Lord will drive you to share the gospel?
- 2Co 5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
- 2Co 5:9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
- 2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
- 2Co 5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
- Rejoice in the fulfilled promise of our God, his Word, and Eternal life!
- Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice
- Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
- Psa 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah
