Abraham's Call: A Journey of Faith and Action

Devotional

Day 1: The Call of Abraham: A Foundation of Faith

The call of Abraham is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of God's redemptive plan for humanity. This event, found in Genesis 12, is not just a historical account but a profound example of faith and obedience. God chose Abraham, not because of his perfection, but because of his willingness to trust and follow God's direction. Abraham's journey was one of leaving behind the familiar and stepping into the unknown, guided by faith. This call is a reminder that God often chooses us not for our abilities or righteousness but for our readiness to trust Him. As spiritual descendants of Abraham, we are invited to embrace this call, recognizing that our faith and obedience are crucial in our relationship with God. [02:58]

Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV): "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'"

Reflection: What is one area in your life where God might be calling you to step out in faith, leaving behind what is comfortable and familiar?

Day 2: Faith in Action: Living Beyond Words

True faith is not merely a verbal declaration but is demonstrated through our actions. Abraham's willingness to leave everything familiar and venture into the unknown is a powerful testament to living faith. This kind of faith requires more than just words; it demands action and obedience. As believers, we are called to live differently, allowing our faith to guide our decisions and actions. This means taking bold steps in response to God's call, even when the path is unclear. Our faith should be evident in the way we live, reflecting a commitment to follow God's leading in every aspect of our lives. [13:10]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you can take a bold step of faith today. What action can you take to demonstrate your trust in God?

Day 3: Our Identity as Abraham's Descendants: Chosen to Bless

As followers of Jesus, we are spiritual descendants of Abraham, chosen by God to be a blessing to the world. This identity is not based on our lineage or works but on our faith in Christ. Being part of God's family means participating in His redemptive plan, sharing His love and truth with those around us. Our calling is to be a light in the world, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions and relationships. This identity challenges us to live with purpose, recognizing that we are part of something greater than ourselves. We are called to be conduits of God's blessing, impacting the world through our faith and actions. [17:05]

Galatians 3:29 (ESV): "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."

Reflection: How can you be a blessing to someone in your community this week, reflecting your identity as a spiritual descendant of Abraham?

Day 4: The Journey of Faith: Embracing the Unknown

Following Jesus is a journey that requires us to step out in faith, often without knowing the full path ahead. Like Abraham, we are called to trust God to lead us, even when the way is unclear. This journey involves change, risk, and a willingness to leave behind what is comfortable. It is through these steps of faith that we experience God's blessing and fulfill our purpose in His plan. As we navigate this journey, we are reminded that God is with us, empowering us through His Spirit to be a light in the world. Embracing the unknown is an opportunity to deepen our trust in God and grow in our faith. [22:43]

Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to embrace change and risk? How can you trust Him more in this journey?

Day 5: Living Out Our Faith: Presenting Jesus to the World

Our call as believers is to live out our faith in tangible ways, presenting Jesus to the world through our actions. This involves taking steps of faith, whether in personal growth, service, or sharing the gospel. Our faith should be evident in the way we live, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus. As we engage with others, we have the opportunity to demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. Living out our faith is not just about personal piety but about impacting the world around us, being a testament to God's grace and love. [27:05]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus to someone in your life today. What practical step can you take to let your light shine before others?

Sermon Summary

The word "the" often signifies something of great importance or uniqueness. In our lives, we use it to denote events, places, or people that stand out, like "the depression" or "the White House." In the Bible, one such event is "the call" of Abraham, a pivotal moment in history that set the stage for God's plan to rescue humanity. This call, found in Genesis 12, is not just a story of a man named Abraham but a narrative that echoes through time, impacting us as followers of Jesus today.

In the beginning, God created a perfect world and intended to partner with humanity, represented by Adam and Eve, to rule it together. However, humanity chose to trust in their own understanding, leading to separation from God. Despite this, God promised a future victory over sin and death through a descendant of Adam and Eve, a promise fulfilled in Jesus. The call of Abraham marks the beginning of this redemptive journey. God chose Abraham, not for his perfection, but for his faith, to be the father of a nation through which the Messiah would come.

Abraham's faith was not just a verbal affirmation but a lived reality. When God called him to leave everything familiar and go to an unknown land, Abraham obeyed, demonstrating that real faith is shown through action. This call to faith and action is extended to us as believers. We are part of Abraham's spiritual family, chosen by God to be a blessing to the world. Our faith in Jesus makes us heirs to the promises given to Abraham, and we are called to live out this faith by presenting Jesus to the world.

This journey of faith requires us to step out into the unknown, trusting God to guide us. It involves change, risk, and sometimes leaving behind what is comfortable. Yet, it is through these steps of faith that we experience God's blessing and fulfill our purpose in His plan. As we take these steps, we are reminded that God is with us, empowering us through His Spirit to be a light in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. The Significance of "The Call": The call of Abraham is a foundational event in God's plan to redeem humanity. It highlights the importance of faith and obedience in our relationship with God. Abraham's call is a reminder that God chooses us not for our perfection but for our willingness to trust and follow Him. [02:58]
2. Faith in Action: True faith is not just about verbal affirmation but is demonstrated through our actions. Abraham's willingness to leave everything familiar and step into the unknown is a powerful example of living faith. Our faith should lead us to live differently, taking bold steps in obedience to God's call. [13:10]
3. Our Identity as Abraham's Descendants: As followers of Jesus, we are spiritual descendants of Abraham, chosen by God to be a blessing to the world. This identity is not based on our lineage or works but on our faith in Christ. We are part of God's family, called to participate in His redemptive plan. [17:05]
4. The Journey of Faith: Following Jesus is a journey that requires us to step out in faith, often without knowing the full path ahead. Like Abraham, we are called to trust God to lead us, even when the way is unclear. This journey involves change, risk, and a willingness to leave behind what is comfortable. [22:43]
5. Living Out Our Faith: Our call as believers is to live out our faith in tangible ways, presenting Jesus to the world through our actions. This involves taking steps of faith, whether in personal growth, service, or sharing the gospel. Our faith should be evident in the way we live, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus. [27:05]
** [27:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - The Power of "The"
[02:04] - Introducing The Call
[02:58] - The Beginning of God's Plan
[05:43] - Consequences of Separation
[08:00] - Humanity's Continued Struggle
[10:10] - The Call of Abraham
[12:19] - Abraham's Imperfect Faith
[13:10] - Faith in Action
[14:47] - The Promise Fulfilled in Jesus
[16:00] - Our Identity in Abraham's Family
[17:05] - Chosen by Faith
[18:02] - Our Role in God's Plan
[19:51] - The Call to Action
[21:08] - Embracing Change and Risk
[22:43] - Stepping Out in Faith
[24:36] - God's Choice and Our Faith
[25:54] - Taking the Next Step

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific instructions did God give to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3? How did Abraham respond to these instructions? [10:10]
According to the sermon, what was the significance of Abraham's faith, and how did it manifest in his actions? [13:10]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between Abraham's call and the coming of the Messiah? [14:47]
What does Galatians 3:7-9 say about who the real children of Abraham are?

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of "the call" of Abraham in the context of God's plan for humanity? [02:04]
How does the sermon explain the concept of faith being demonstrated through actions, using Abraham as an example? [13:10]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers today are part of Abraham's spiritual family and share in his calling? [16:00]
How does the sermon interpret the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 as relevant to believers today? [19:51]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt called to step out in faith. What was the situation, and how did you respond? How can Abraham's example encourage you in future situations? [22:43]
The sermon suggests that real faith is shown through actions. What is one specific area in your life where you feel called to demonstrate your faith more actively? [13:10]
As spiritual descendants of Abraham, we are called to be a blessing to the world. What is one practical way you can be a blessing to someone in your community this week? [16:00]
The journey of faith often involves leaving behind what is comfortable. Is there something in your life that you feel God is asking you to leave behind to grow in your faith? [21:08]
How can you actively participate in God's plan to present Jesus to the world, as discussed in the sermon? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [18:02]
The sermon mentions the importance of taking risks in faith. What is one risk you feel God is calling you to take, and what steps can you take to move forward in faith? [21:08]
Consider the idea of being chosen by God, as mentioned in the sermon. How does this understanding impact your sense of purpose and identity as a believer? [24:36]

Sermon Clips

"Some things are so important, and some events are so significant, and some people are so iconic that we refer to them with the word, the. Like there's been lots of depressions, but when I say the depression, only one depression comes to mind. And there's lots of white houses, but when I say the white house, you know exactly what I'm talking about." [00:00:00] (29 seconds)

"And that rescue starts in Genesis 12 when he does something, to me, kind of surprising. He picks one man in his family and he invites him into this covenant relationship. He invites him to this partnership to be part of his plan to rescue humanity and to rescue the world through the seed, through the descendant, through the son of man that he had promised back in the garden." [00:09:34] (26 seconds)

"The Lord said to Abraham, Leave your native country and your relatives and your father's family and go to the land that I will show you. And I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you and make you famous and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt and all the families on earth will be blessed through you." [00:10:32] (22 seconds)

"And someday, every bad thing will be undone, and every wrong will be righted, and every tear will be dried, and all things will be made new again, just like in the garden. And that's all because of this promised seed of Adam and Eve, this descendant of man, the son of man, the Messiah, the Savior, the Rescuer, the Redeemer, Jesus." [00:14:47] (27 seconds)

"Just because of our faith, God chose us just like he chose Abraham to enjoy his life. And that's why he chose us. His blessing to enjoy his spirit and his life and his presence and this amazing purpose, this call. And just like Abraham, we qualify for that blessing. We receive that blessing by faith, just by saying yes to Jesus." [00:18:57] (20 seconds)

"It's a call to move and to do. There is nothing passive about saying yes to Jesus because, again, it's saying yes with our lives, not just with our lips. And that is going to include some real change. And some real risk. I mean, Abraham left a successful ranch where his dad raised him, where his family was. His dad's buried there, right, to start a whole new different life." [00:20:46] (27 seconds)

"Father, first of all, just thank you for choosing us, for calling us. For calling us just because of our faith. Thank you for calling us to be included in your family, to be blessed by you and to be part of your amazing plan. God, I just pray that you'll just show each one of us like what our next step should be to live out our faith, not just to say we have faith, but to live out our faith." [00:27:52] (27 seconds)

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