Faith Obeys God

Sermon NotesMaking All Things New: The Book of GenesisFaith Obeys GodScripture: Genesis 12:1-9Rev. Reuben FoncardasAbram’s example of obedience is a model for all believers to forsake all else to obtain the promised blessings of God and to serve Him by becoming a blessing to others.—Thomas ConstableWe learn three principles on oeying God from the example of Abram.———1. Obey God’s call because of his character, not his plan.• “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (v. 1)• What and who to leave behind is clearly spelled out. Where to go and the details as to what to do is to be revealed gradually as Abram obeys.———2. Obey God’s call by fulfilling his intention, not our ambition.• “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (vv. 2-3)• God’s command to Abram was to go and be a blessing (vv. 1-3). God’s command to us believers is the same (Matt. 28:18-20).———3. Obey God’s call relying on his power, not on our strength.• “So he (Abram) built an altar there to the LORD, who appeared to him…There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.” (vv. 7b, 8b)• Abram’s altars were more permanent structures than his tents. It served both as a reminder for Abram to depend on God by worshiping him, and as a witness to the Canaanites who were living in the land.–––The missionary mandate of the church does not begin with John 3:16 or Matthew 28:18–20.It begins with God’s covenant with Abraham. We are blessed that we might be a blessing.—Warren Wiersbe