Embracing Faith: The Journey of Transformation and Blessing

 

Summary

Today, I explored the profound journey of faith exemplified by Abram, who was called by God to leave his familiar surroundings and step into a new, unknown destination. This narrative from Genesis 12 not only recounts Abram's physical journey but also symbolizes the spiritual journey each believer is called to embark upon.

The sermon began by drawing parallels between our modern-day reliance on navigation tools like Google Maps and God's guidance in our lives. Just as we trust these tools to lead us through unknown paths, we are to trust God's direction over our lives, which often means stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing a life that is led by faith and not by sight.

I delved into the significance of Abram's call, highlighting that it was not just a call to a new physical location but a transformative journey towards becoming a new creation in Christ. This transformation is marked by a shift from worldly values to heavenly values, where our citizenship is in heaven, and our lives are guided by God's eternal purposes.

The core of the message centered on the threefold blessing promised to Abram and, by extension, to us. First, God calls us to live in a new place—spiritually speaking, this means living in the realm of God's kingdom where we operate under His rule and reign. Second, we are called to become a new people. This transformation involves shedding our old identities and taking on a new identity in Christ, where the old has gone, and the new has come. Lastly, we are called to embrace a new purpose—being a blessing to others. This is not just about receiving God's blessings but also about being conduits of His blessings to the world.

Throughout the sermon, I emphasized that these blessings are not just for our benefit but are meant to flow through us to bless others. This is the essence of living a Christ-centered life that seeks to extend God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

In conclusion, the invitation was extended to all to reflect on whether they are allowing God to guide their lives, to bless them, and through them, to be a blessing to others. The call is to not only look inward but also outward, engaging in a life that actively seeks to demonstrate the love and grace of God in tangible ways.

Key Takeaways:

1. Living as Citizens of Heaven - As believers, our primary identity is that of heavenly citizens. This identity surpasses any earthly allegiance and calls us to live by the values of God's kingdom. This shift in citizenship requires a transformation that aligns our desires, goals, and actions with God's will. [33:40]

2. Transformation into a New Creation - The gospel invites us to become new creations in Christ. This transformation is profound and all-encompassing, affecting every aspect of our lives. It is not merely about moral improvement but about a complete renewal of our nature. [38:51]

3. Called to Be a Blessing - Our calling as Christians extends beyond personal salvation; we are blessed to be a blessing. This means actively seeking ways to impact others positively, reflecting God's love and generosity in our interactions. [42:47]

4. Guidance Like Google Maps - Just as we rely on navigation tools to guide us through unknown territories, we are to rely on God's guidance in our life journeys. Trusting in His direction even when the path seems unclear or challenging is a fundamental aspect of faith. [20:52]

5. The Journey of Faith - The Christian life is described as a journey of faith, marked by continuous growth and learning. Each step taken in faith brings us closer to understanding God's ultimate purpose for our lives and how we can live that out daily. [50:53]

Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [18:06] - Introduction and Fellowship Time
- [20:52] - Trusting God's Guidance
- [32:57] - Abram's Call and Our Call
- [36:13] - Living in a New Place
- [38:06] - Becoming a New People
- [42:01] - Embracing a New Purpose
- [50:53] - Conclusion and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 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.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3?
2. How did the sermon compare our reliance on navigation tools like Google Maps to trusting God's guidance? ([20:52])
3. What are the threefold blessings promised to Abram as mentioned in the sermon? ([42:01])
4. According to the sermon, what does it mean to live as citizens of heaven? ([33:40])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God asked Abram to leave his familiar surroundings and go to an unknown destination? How does this relate to our spiritual journey? ([30:39])
2. How does the concept of becoming a new creation in Christ transform our identity and actions according to the sermon? ([38:51])
3. What does it mean to be a blessing to others, and how does this reflect God's purpose for our lives? ([42:47])
4. How can trusting God's guidance, even when the path is unclear, strengthen our faith? ([20:52])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to step out of your comfort zone. How did trusting God help you navigate that situation? ([30:39])
2. In what ways can you shift your focus from worldly values to heavenly values in your daily life? ([33:40])
3. Think about your current identity in Christ. What old identities or habits do you need to shed to fully embrace being a new creation? ([38:51])
4. Identify a specific person or group in your life that you can be a blessing to this week. What practical steps can you take to bless them? ([42:47])
5. How can you rely more on God's guidance in your life, similar to how you rely on navigation tools like Google Maps? ([20:52])
6. What are some tangible ways you can demonstrate the love and grace of God in your community? ([42:47])
7. Reflect on the idea of living as citizens of heaven. How does this perspective change the way you interact with others and make decisions? ([33:40])

This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of faith, transformation, and purpose as illustrated in the sermon on Abram's journey. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Navigational Guidance
As we navigate through life's uncertainties, trusting in God's guidance is akin to relying on a modern navigation system. Just as we trust GPS to lead us through unfamiliar routes, we must lean on God's wisdom to guide our steps, even when the path ahead seems unclear. This trust is not passive; it involves active engagement with God's Word and a willingness to follow where He leads, even into unknown territories. This reliance on divine direction challenges us to step out in faith, leaving behind our comfort zones for a journey that promises spiritual growth and alignment with God's purposes. [20:52]

Bible passage: Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you need to trust God's guidance over your own understanding? How can you actively seek His will in this situation today?

Day 2: Citizenship in Heaven's Kingdom
Our identity as citizens of heaven fundamentally changes how we live on earth. This heavenly citizenship calls us to adopt values and priorities that reflect God's kingdom rather than the world's. It's a transformative process where our desires, goals, and actions increasingly align with God's will. This shift is not merely about changing behaviors but involves a deep, heart-level change where we start seeing ourselves and our purpose through the lens of eternity. Living as citizens of heaven means prioritizing what lasts forever over what is temporary. [33:40]

Bible passage: Philippians 3:20, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How does your identity as a citizen of heaven influence your daily decisions and interactions? Are there areas in your life where worldly values still dominate?

Day 3: Becoming a New Creation in Christ
The gospel invites us into a life-transforming journey where we become new creations in Christ. This transformation is profound, affecting every aspect of our being—our thoughts, actions, and desires. As new creations, the old self, governed by sin and worldly desires, is replaced by a new self, crafted in the image of Christ. This change is not an overnight event but a lifelong process facilitated by the Holy Spirit, requiring our cooperation and commitment to grow in faith and obedience. [38:51]

Bible passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: Reflect on your personal transformation since embracing Christ. What old habits or mindsets do you still need to surrender to fully live as a new creation?

Day 4: Called to Be a Blessing
As recipients of God's immense blessings, we are called to be conduits of these blessings to others. This calling goes beyond merely enjoying God's gifts; it involves actively seeking ways to bless others—through our words, actions, and resources. Being a blessing is not contingent on our abundance but on our willingness to be used by God to impact the lives of others positively. This outward focus is a hallmark of a life truly transformed by the gospel. [42:47]

Bible passage: Genesis 12:2, "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."

Reflection: Who in your community or circle of influence can you be a blessing to this week? What specific action can you take to make this happen?

Day 5: The Continuous Journey of Faith
The Christian life is a continuous journey of faith, marked by growth, learning, and an ever-deepening understanding of God's purposes. Each step taken in faith brings us closer to fulfilling God's ultimate plan for our lives. This journey requires perseverance, especially during times of uncertainty or challenge. Embracing this journey means committing to lifelong learning and growth in faith, trusting that each step, guided by God, leads us to a fuller understanding of His kingdom and our role within it. [50:53]

Bible passage: Hebrews 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."

Reflection: What is one step of faith you feel called to take today? How can you commit to making this step as part of your ongoing spiritual journey?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Following God can be a lot like using these navigation tools. Just like Google Map, God guides us in our journey. God maps out our journey. God guides us in our journey. God maps out our journey. God maps out our journey. In our life. However, we still must act upon it. We must get in the car and we have to drive to reach the destination. And just as we trust these tools to lead us, we can trust God to guide us, to lead us, and to direct us." [20:52]( | | )

2. "When you are blessed in Christ, there is so much joy in your life that's so deep that it emanates from Christ living in you because you can't contain it. And when that joy is so deep, you want to be blessed. You want to release it to allow God's blessing to bless others. That's the work of the Lord in your life. Our lives are not about ourselves. Our lives are not accumulation. Our lives are not about hoarding. Our lives are not about living in this sphere. Our lives are not about living just for ourselves. Our lives are about receiving God's blessing and being that blessing to other people." [45:00]( | | )

3. "God brings people into your lives, and you can look at them as you advocate, and you can look at them as a adversary. You can look at them as a threat, or you can look at them as someone that you can bless and bless abundantly by just saying a simple word of thank you. I see you. God loves you. Let me do this for you. How are you doing? Any of these things. Let's be that church, a church of people who are kind and want to bless others because God has blessed us in amazing, amazing ways." [47:33]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "And as believers, we live in Christ. And our focus as citizens of heaven is on Christ's values, which are prioritized over our nation, our country, and our culture. God was commanding Abram to leave and go to a new place. You're going to go to a new place. And this place is going to be better. Than the place that you are living. See, our new place is God's kingdom because we are citizens in his heavenly realm." [36:13]( | | )

2. "God calls us to be a new people. Not only do we go to a new location and live in the heavenly realm, God calls us to live as new people. Paul wrote to the churches in Corinth. He said this, 2 Corinthians 5, verse 17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone. The new is here. Anyone in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone. The new is here. We're called to live in this world, but not of this world." [38:06]( | | )

3. "God calls us to live with a new purpose. Did you know that one of your main callings, your main goal that God has designed for your life is this. For you to be a blessing to others. That God chooses us without merit because we don't earn it. He blesses us without merit because we don't deserve it. But it doesn't stop there because God's blessing is this. That we are to be a blessing to others. And that's our purpose. To be a blessing." [42:47]( | | )

4. "Will you allow God to guide and direct your life? Will you allow God to bless you so that you can be a blessing? And will you allow God to lead you to a permanent home that doesn't exist in our current world to lead you to his eternal home? Because if he does, if he did that to Abraham, he's doing it for us as well. That we take this amazing journey of life filled with detours and obstacles and valleys and mountaintops." [50:53]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?