#1 “Journey of
Faith” Series
"OBEDIENCE STAGE!"
TEXT: Gen.
11:27-12:9; Acts 7:2-5
INTRO: The very
first lessons of life are those that involve OBEDIENCE! Some of the first things we teach our
child include their need to obey us!
ILLUS: One
evening my husband, Mark, and our preschooler, Krystal, were on the couch
chatting. "Daddy, you're the boss
of the house, right?" I overheard her ask sweetly.
My husband
proudly replied, "Yes, I'm the boss of the house."
But Krystal quickly burst his
bubble when she added, "Cause Mommy put you in charge, huh Daddy?" -- Rhonda Mony,
This is also true in nature ... most
baby animals by instinct learn the importance of obedience to their mother's
calls immediately after birth; their very survival may depend on these first
lessons of obedience, a young animal that strays when its mother calls may well
end up as the meal of larger and bigger animals. Obedience in nature is often the
difference between life and death!
This can also be true in the spiritual
realm ... our spiritual vitality and progression will depend on not just the
moment of obedience, but the lifestyle of obedience to God's Word and
Will!
PROP.
SENT: The example of Abraham's
journey of faith will teach us to learn well the lessons of faith so that we
don't make the errors that can be costly to our walk with
God.
I. THE CONDITIONS Gen.
11:27-32
A. Dismal! Gen.
11:27-30
1.
2. Ur was a hustle and bustle city on
the Euphrates River with lots of trade ships coming and going; as well as being
the major crossroads city for land caravans.
3. It was quite developed at the time
of Abraham ... in fact the city had been in existence already for more than
1,000 years.
4. The people of the city worshipped
idols ... the most important god was "SIN" –
the Babylonian moon god. (Rather appropriate name!)
5. They were steeped in mysticism and
idolatry!
6. Like large rich cities the highest
culture in material things may be linked to the lowest in morals and
values! It was a morally corrupt
city with most of the ungodly trappings of modern day large cities found
today!
7. To think that God wished to create
a new people for Himself by calling out a rich prominent citizen of this
city!
ILLUS: Nearly 200
years ago there were two Scottish brothers named John and David Livingstone.
John had set his mind on making money and becoming wealthy, and he did. But under his name in an old edition of
the "Encyclopaedia Britannica" John Livingstone is listed simply as "the brother
of David Livingstone."
And who was David Livingstone?
While John had dedicated himself to
making money, David had knelt and prayed. Surrendering himself to Christ, he
resolved, "I will place no value on anything I have or possess unless it is in
relationship to the Kingdom of God." The inscription over his burial place in
Westminster Abbey reads, "For thirty years his life was spent in an unwearied
effort to evangelize."
On his 59th birthday David
Livingstone wrote, "My Jesus, my King, my Life, my All; I again dedicate my
whole self to Thee." -- Billy
Graham in Breakfast with Billy Graham. Christianity Today, Vol. 41, no.
6.
a. How different the paths from Abram
and those who stayed in Ur!
b. The difference was the path of
obedience.
B. "Delay!" Gen.
11:31-32
1. Abram's family experienced some
painful events:
a. His brother Haran (Lot’s father)
dies while still in Ur. (11:28)
b. His wife Sarai cannot get pregnant
(11:30) … a much greater shame in those days
than we can understand at present.
2. These verses point out a problem
for Abram ... his dad Terah and his nephew Lot travel with him and they take a
route that took them to Haran instead of going to Canaan like Abram had been
told by God!
3. TERAH's name means "DELAY!" in Hebrew. As part of an act of delay in obedience
to go to Canaan, Abram settles in Haran with his father Terah and his nephew
lot.
a. Haran was like a sister city to Ur
... the same type of conditions existed there as did in
Ur.
b. In fact the main deities of Haran
were the same, the Babylonian moon god “SIN”
they left behind in Ur was the same principle deity in
Haran.
c. This was like going nowhere for
Abram!!! It was merely a
disobedient DELAY!
ILLUS: Understanding
can wait, but obedience cannot. -- Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the
Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry
8114.
4. God finally steps in and removes
the "DELAY!" (Terah
dies!)
5. "Only God knows
the multitudes of Christians that have left Ur, bound for the Promise Land, only
to get bogged down in Haran!"
6. Disobedience only slows down our
journey of faith, these delays can be costly and are certainly time
consuming!
II. THE CALL Gen. 12:1-3; Acts
7:2-3
A. Divine Gen.
12:1-3
1. It is quite clear from this passage
that God somehow spoke very clearly to Abram while he still lived in Ur of the
Chaldeans.
2. This was no invitation from a moon
god or goddess ... it was a divine call from the ONE TRUE
GOD!
a. We don't know how God revealed
Himself to Abram while in Ur, just that He did.
b. Perhaps this is good, this way the
door is open for God to use many different vehicles to reveal Himself to man ...
although today the primary means is by the Word of
God!
3. This call was not based on how good
Abram was at the time, it was based on God's plan of redemption for
man!
a. God wants you just as you are, you
don't have to be a certain type before you get saved.
b. God will help change your life
after you receive Him as Lord!
4. The sense of all these wonderful "I
WILLS" in verses 2-3 is that God is
making these promises to Abram ... promises that Abram would either believe or
not!
a. In fact, a good deal of these
promises logically could not be fulfilled in Abram's own lifetime ... so Abram's
faith would have to be based simply on God's Word and His
character!
b. In other words, he would have to
believe without seeing ... in fact, Abram would die still believing they would
come to pass knowing in his own lifetime he might not see hardly any of these
promises!
c. Hebrews back this up in chapter 11.
5. NEVER-THE-LESS ... Abram considered
God FAITHFUL who made the promises ... and so he BELIEVED GOD and this was
credited to him as RIGHTEOUSNESS!
6. God often calls without proof, just
lots of promises so we have to believe BY FAITH AND NOT
SIGHT!
a. After all this is the very meaning
of Heb. 11:1!
b. It is not easy to believe ... but
necessary!
ILLUS: One of our
students received an appointment from a bishop, and the student did not feel the
placement exactly suited his abilities.
I overheard him complaining about
it to another student, and then the other student said, "You know, the world's a
better place because Michelangelo did not say, 'I don't do ceilings.'
"
Her comment stopped me dead in my
tracks. I had to admit she was
right.
If you and I are going to be
faithful to the ministry God is calling us to, then we had better understand
that. I reflected on the attitudes
of key people throughout the Scriptures and the history of the
church.
The world's a better place because
a German monk named Martin Luther did not say, "I don't do
doors."
The world's a better place because
an Oxford don named John Wesley didn't say, "I don't do preaching in
fields."
The world's a better place because
Moses didn't say, "I don't do Pharaohs or mass
migrations."
The world's a better place because
Noah didn't say, "I don't do arks and animals."
The world's a better place because
Rahab didn't say, "I don't do enemy spies."
The world's a better place because
Ruth didn't say, "I don't do mothers-in-law."
The world's a better place because
Samuel didn't say, "I don't do mornings."
The world's a better place because
David didn't say, "I don't do giants."
The world's a better place because
Peter didn't say, "I don't do Gentiles."
The world's a better place because
John didn't say, "I don't do deserts."
The world's a better place because
Mary didn't say, "I don't do virgin births."
The world's a better place because
Paul didn't say, "I don't do correspondence."
The world's a better place because
Mary Magdalene didn't say, "I don't do feet."
The world's a better place because
Jesus didn't say, "I don't do crosses."
And the world will be a better
place only if you and I don't say, "I don't do ..." --
Leonard Sweet, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. Leadership, Vol. 15,
no. 2.
7. Obedience built the faith that
stood against the world, which created the giants of
faith.
B. Disobedience Acts 7:2-3
1. Stephen's recounting the story of
Abraham here makes it very clear what Gen.
12:1 hints at by the use of the past tense, Abraham was suppose to LEAVE
his home in Ur and his father Terah and other family and travel to
Canaan!
2. Yet the text we read just prior to
chapter 12 makes it clear that Terah traveled
with Abram and Lot, and instead of going to Canaan they traveled to Haran ... a
city that TERAH his father would be comfortable living
in.
a. Remember the city of Haran was like
a twin city of Ur, same gods and goddesses.
b. Haran like Ur also was the same
type of city in terms of being big on commerce ... main junction for land routes
and boats, also being near the Euphrates River.
3. Remember what "TERAH'S" name meant? "DELAY!"
Abraham accepted this delay either out of disobedience or he was
patiently waiting for God to help him break from his family in an honorable
way!
4. God ends the "delay" by the death of his father and so the
reason for staying at Haran ends ... and Abraham then continues the journey as
God had originally instructed him.
5. God was patient with Abram's
awkward start in faith. By delaying
in Haran and staying with his family Abram created a stronger bond to Lot who
then left with him ... and created problems for him later as
well!
6. Perhaps some of the difficulties
that Abram faced later might have been evaded had he gone directly to Canaan and
not stopped at Haran ... including the timing of the famine that drove him into
Egypt where he sins!
ILLUS: This past
Tuesday, after I put my kids to bed, I drove over to the church because I heard
there was a rehearsal for "Return to Central High," and I wanted to encourage
the cast and some of the musicians. I intended to be here just a few moments, so
I drove my car up and parked it between the auditorium and the parking lot. I
was in here only a short period of time, and after I encouraged them, I ran out
to my car and drove home.
The next morning, in my mail box I
got a note from a staff member: "Bill, a small thing, but Tuesday night when you
came to rehearsal, you parked at the side of the lobby, in the no-parking area.
A reaction from one of my crew, who did not recognize you until after you got
out of the car, was, 'There's another jerk parking in the no-parking area.' We
try hard not to allow people, even workers, to park anywhere other than the
parking lots. I would appreciate your cooperation, too. Signed.
..."
He's no longer with us anymore. He
was late coming back from lunch the next day, and when you gotta make a cut, you
gotta make a cut. [Laughter] He's with us, and his stock went up in my book,
because he had the courage to write me about what could be a little slippage in
my character. Because you know what I thought as I drove up here? I thought, I
shouldn't park illegally there, but I mean, I am the pastor. Which translates:
"I'm an exception."
If you people allow me to take
three steps down the road of saying that I'm an exception to the rules, I am in
big trouble. I am not the exception. -- Bill Hybels, "The Character Crisis," Preaching Today,
Tape No. 57.
a. It is too easy to allow “little
things” to pass in our lives; such disobediences lead the way to larger
things.
b. It is important that we watch our
lives carefully.
7. Today's disobedience CAN BRING
TOMORROW’S SORROWS AND CONSEQUENCES even when forgiveness exists prior to
tomorrow!
III. THE CHALLENGES Gen. 12:4-9; Acts 7:4-5
A. Dangerous! Gen.
12:4-6
1. Going to a land full of small
armies and robbers at every turn is not exactly a
picnic!
a. Living this life of faith, this
journey of faith, will not be without dangers or
risks!
b. Faith means staying on course
toward a land we've never seen, obeying a God we take by faith, counting on
simply the promises He has made to us in His Word, that when we get there we
will be rewarded!
ILLUS: The Bible
recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any
obedience that does not spring from faith.
The two are at opposite sides of the same coin. -- A.W. Tozer.
Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 4.
2. Every turn could end in disaster
but Abram trusted God and kept going ... at each place it should be noted that
HE BUILT AN
ALTAR everywhere he came to!
a. We need to renew our faith on our
journey by building altars to God as we go ... the point of the altar was to
sacrifice to God and pray!
b. You can't make the journey with
confidence if you are not building altars as you go ... you need to learn that
this journey requires constant sacrifices ... and constant
prayer!
3. Being that much of the land would
be desert meant trusting God for sustaining them physically when the evidence
would be to the contrary!
a. Christians can trust that God will
meet their every need even when the evidence points in the opposite
direction!
b. It would not be easy to do this; in
fact, since Abram had delayed this journey by being in Haran his timing brought
him into Canaan during a famine.
c. Abram's response to this famine
would have consequences that would strike even his own children
later!
4. It is dangerous to be a Christian
in a world that is surely non-Christian!
a. Each turn we take brings on a new
struggle or risk.
b. Yet, it is these obstacles that God
uses to BUILD our faith up and makes us strong ... they are NOT designed to
destroy us!
c. The difference comes by the way we
respond to these trials!
5. In light of the promises the
journey will prove to be well worth the trip!
a. This is still true, while it might
be rough living the life of faith out in this world, these 70 years or so will
not be anything compared with eternity and being in God's presence
forever!
b. The destination will have proved
the confidence and steadiness of our faith under present
duress!
B. Disbelief!
Gen. 12:7; Acts 7:4-5
1. As incredible as it might have
sounded to Abram, God promises the impossible; he would have a son as part of
this promise!
a. Abraham was 75 years old when he
left Haran!
b. That means Sarah was already 65
years old ... already past childbearing years!
c. Sometimes it just seems impossible
that God is real and that He is really at work in our
lives!
d. But our feelings don't change God's
character ... HE DOES CARE AND IS AT WORK ... HE HAS A PLAN NO MATTER HOW BAD
THINGS MIGHT SEEM AT ANY MOMENT!
2. Later Abram and Sarai both laughed
at the possibility of God giving them a son. Why? Twenty five years go by on this journey
and nothing happens, they are near 100 years old and 90 years old and then God
has the nerve to say NOW!
a. Why is God like
this!?
b. Why does He seem to wait too long
(at least by our sense of time!).
c. It may sound strange ... but when
God works He wants us to know without a doubt that it was
HIM!
ILLUS: When J.
Wilbur Chapman was in London, he had an opportunity to meet General Booth, who
at that time was past 80 years of age. Dr. Chapman listened reverently as the
old general spoke of the trials and the conflicts and the victories he had
experienced.
The American evangelist then asked
the general if he would disclose his secret for success. "He hesitated a second," Dr. Chapman
said, "and I saw the tears come into his eyes and steal down his cheeks," and
then he said, "I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains
than I, men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of
London on my heart, and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do with the poor of
London, I made up my mind that He would have all of William Booth there was.
And if there is anything of power
in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my
heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my
life."
Dr. Chapman said he went away from
that meeting with General Booth knowing "that the greatness of a man's power is
the measure of his surrender." – Source Unknown
d. Even God is concerned at times that
we have reason for our faith … at least good solid
hints!
e. For them giving birth to Isaac at
100 years old and 90 years old would be a VERY STRONG hint of God's
power!
f. It is also important that we
notice that God's demonstration of His power gives credibility to His
promises!
g. But before we get lost in this ...
all this came AFTER Abraham believed God!
3. It is important for us to notice
that Abraham and Sarah made mistakes along the journey just as we are likely to
do ... more on that in future sermons!
4. It is sometimes HARD TO BELIEVE ...
and when it is HARD TO BELIEVE ... IT IS HARD TO BEHAVE! ... BUT
BELIEVE WE MUST!
C. Determination Gen.
12:8-9
1. In spite of the delay, in spite of
the errors and the times of mistakes, Abram continues the journey and continues
to building altars!
2. This is what finally allows him to
make it to the land of promise ... he doesn't quit!
3. The character of Abram was faulty
just like us, he made mistakes but came back ... instead of anger and quitting
he continues the struggle and keeps his head and faith
intact!
4. As our text ends we find Abram
pitching his tent near BETHEL, meaning, "GOD'S HOUSE" --
no wonder the guy kept going, he knew where to look for strength and
help!
a. Setting up his tent meant "family."
b. Notice he pitches it near "GOD'S
HOUSE."
c. This gives confidence and renewal
in the desert as we journey!
5. This place of "
a. It was a place of
rest!
b. It was a place of renewal of
strength!
c. It was a special place to sense
God's strength and touch!
d. This is still
true!
6. Determination is necessary if we
are to keep going toward the PROMISE
LAND!
ILLUS: A few
centuries before Christ a man named Alexander conquered almost all of the known
world using military strength, cleverness and a bit of diplomacy. The story is told that Alexander and a
small company of soldiers approached a strongly fortified walled city. Alexander, standing outside the walls,
raised his voice and demanded to see the king. When the king arrived, Alexander insisted
that the king surrender the city and its inhabitants to Alexander and his little
band of fighting men.
The king laughed, "Why should I
surrender to you? You can't do us
any harm!" But Alexander offered to
give the king a demonstration. He
ordered his men to line up single file and start marching. He marched them
straight toward a sheer cliff
The townspeople gathered on the
wall and watched in shocked silence as, one by one, Alexander's soldiers marched
without hesitation right off the cliff to their deaths! After ten soldiers died, Alexander
ordered the rest of the men to return to his side. The townspeople and the king immediately
surrendered to Alexander the Great. They realized that if a few men were
actually willing to commit suicide at the command of this dynamic leader, then
nothing could stop his eventual victory.
Are you willing to be as obedient
to the ruler of the universe, Jesus Christ, as those soldiers were to Alexander?
Are you as dedicated and committed?
Think how much power Christ could
have in our area with just a portion of such commitment. -- James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton:
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) pp.
102-103.
a. The world is moved by total
dedication.
b. Obedience that is passionate will
turn this world … and shake Satan!
CONCLUSION:
The first and most
essential ingredient in "the journey of
faith" is obedience to God!
Initial obedience must be followed by continual obedience or we can be "delayed" in Haran
on the way to the Promise Land! Obedience is a principle characteristic
of faith not only in the beginning of our walk with God but throughout our
lifetime! How's your journey of
faith going!?