Faith and Obedience: Abram's Journey of Transformation
Summary
In the exploration of faith and obedience, the narrative begins with a reflection on the story of Abram, who later becomes Abraham, a central figure in the journey towards redemption and the establishment of a covenant with God. The recounting of Abram's life highlights the significance of his response to God's call, which required him to leave his native country and embark on a journey to an unknown land. This act of faith and obedience is seen as the beginning of God's upper story plan to bring redemption to humanity, a plan that unfolds throughout the scriptures.
The narrative emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience in the lives of individuals, drawing parallels between Abram's story and the personal experiences of change in one's own life. The audience is prompted to reflect on the last major change they have undergone, whether it be moving, retirement, or even smaller changes like purchasing new shoes. These personal shifts are likened to Abram's transformative journey, which was prompted by a divine call to action.
The discussion delves into the concept of God's "I will" statements to Abram, promises that include making him into a great nation, blessing him, and making him a blessing to others. These promises are contingent upon Abram's willingness to step out in faith and leave his familiar surroundings. The narrative suggests that Abram and his wife Sarai, being advanced in age and childless, were chosen by God precisely because their situation seemed impossible, thereby requiring a miraculous intervention for God's promises to be fulfilled.
The narrative also touches upon the challenges and temptations that Abram and Sarai faced, such as the decision to have a child through Hagar, Sarai's maidservant, in an attempt to fulfill God's promise on their own terms. This act is presented as a deviation from God's plan, yet it is also an opportunity to learn about the importance of patience and surrender to God's timing.
The story of Abram is connected to the broader theme of God building a special nation founded on faith and obedience. The audience is encouraged to consider what God might want to build in them, whether it be increased faith, upliftment from negative emotions, or something entirely new. The narrative suggests that God's building process in individuals is akin to the construction of a nation through Abram and Sarai—a process that requires faith, obedience, and a willingness to embrace change.
In the context of the community, the narrative mentions the donation of a grand piano to Mount Vernon Nazarene University and the upcoming building renovations at Parkview Church. These acts of giving and change are seen as parallel to the biblical story of Abram, where material possessions and spaces are dedicated to God's purposes and the advancement of His plan.
The narrative concludes with a call to action, inviting the audience to consider the faith steps God might be prompting them to take and to reflect on how they can be obedient to God's plan in their own lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Abram serves as a powerful example of how faith and obedience can set the stage for God's redemptive plan to unfold. By responding to God's call, Abram stepped into a journey that would not only transform his own life but also lay the foundation for the establishment of a nation through which all families on earth would be blessed. This teaches us that our responses to divine calls can have far-reaching implications beyond our immediate circumstances. [45:59]
- God's promises to Abram, particularly the "I will" statements, highlight the nature of divine assurance. These promises were not based on Abram's abilities but on God's faithfulness. When faced with seemingly impossible situations, individuals can find hope in the truth that God's promises are not contingent upon human capacity but upon His sovereign ability to fulfill His word. [52:22]
- The narrative of Abram and Sarai's decision to have a child through Hagar illustrates the human tendency to take matters into our own hands when faced with delays or challenges. This serves as a reminder that true faith involves trusting in God's timing and resisting the urge to circumvent His plans, even when the wait is prolonged and the outcome uncertain. [01:01:44]
- The concept of God building something new within individuals is a central theme. Just as God promised to build a nation through Abram and Sarai, He desires to work within each person to cultivate qualities such as faith, hope, and obedience. This process often requires embracing change and stepping out into the unknown, trusting that God's purposes will be accomplished. [01:03:55]
- The personal and communal aspects of faith are intertwined, as seen in the donation of the grand piano and the church renovations. These acts of generosity and adaptation are reflective of a community living out the principles of faith and obedience. By dedicating resources and spaces to God's service, individuals and communities participate in the larger story of God's redemptive work in the world. [42:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 12:1-9 (NIV)
> The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 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.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.
2. Romans 4:18-21 (NIV)
> Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
#### Observation Questions
1. What did God ask Abram to do in Genesis 12:1-3, and what promises did He make to Abram in return?
2. How did Abram respond to God's call according to Genesis 12:4-5?
3. What actions did Abram take to show his faith and obedience in Genesis 12:7-8?
4. According to Romans 4:18-21, how did Abraham demonstrate his faith despite his and Sarah's old age?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose Abram, a 75-year-old man without children, to be the father of a great nation? How does this choice highlight God's power and plan? [53:50]
2. How does Abram's journey to an unknown land reflect the broader theme of faith and obedience in the Bible? [45:59]
3. What can we learn from Abram and Sarai's decision to have a child through Hagar about the importance of trusting in God's timing? [01:01:44]
4. How does the story of Abram building altars to God (Genesis 12:7-8) illustrate the importance of worship and dedication in our faith journey?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to make a significant change in your life. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [50:22]
2. Abram's faith was tested by the promise of a child despite his old age. Is there a promise from God that you find hard to believe or wait for? How can you strengthen your faith in this area? [53:50]
3. Have you ever tried to take matters into your own hands, like Abram and Sarai did with Hagar? What was the result, and what did you learn from that experience? [01:01:44]
4. What steps can you take to build "altars" in your life, moments or places of worship and dedication to God, as Abram did? [47:21]
5. In what ways can you contribute to your community or church during times of change, similar to the donation of the grand piano and the church renovations mentioned in the sermon? [42:00]
6. How can you discern and take the faith steps that God might be prompting you to take in your current season of life? [01:03:55]
7. What qualities do you think God wants to build in you, such as faith, hope, or obedience? How can you actively work on developing these qualities? [01:05:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Direction
Abram's journey teaches that true faith often involves stepping into the unknown, guided by the assurance of God's promises. This act of leaving the familiar to embrace God's call is a testament to the transformative power of obedience and trust in the divine plan. It challenges individuals to consider how they respond to God's leading in their own lives, even when the path is not fully revealed. [45:59]
Genesis 12:1 - "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'"
Reflection: When has God called you to step out in faith, and how did you respond to that call?
Day 2: Anchoring in Divine Promises
The story of Abram underscores that God's promises are not dependent on human ability but on His unwavering faithfulness. Despite Abram's old age and Sarai's barrenness, God's "I will" statements stood as a beacon of hope and assurance, demonstrating that nothing is too hard for the Lord. This invites reflection on the nature of divine assurance and its role in sustaining faith in the face of impossibility. [52:22]
Jeremiah 32:27 - "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you clung to a promise of God during a difficult situation? How did it impact your faith?
Day 3: Patience in God's Timing
Abram and Sarai's decision to have a child through Hagar reveals the human inclination to rush God's timing. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of impatience and the importance of waiting for God's plan to unfold. It encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing, even when delays challenge their faith and understanding. [01:01:44]
Psalm 27:14 - "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to wait on God, and how can you cultivate patience in those areas?
Day 4: Constructing a Faithful Life
Just as God promised to build a nation through Abram, He is at work in each person, constructing a life of faith, hope, and obedience. This divine building process often requires embracing change and stepping out into the unknown. It is a journey of transformation that aligns individual lives with God's greater redemptive story. [01:03:55]
Isaiah 64:8 - "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Reflection: What is God currently building in your life, and how can you actively participate in that process?
Day 5: Generosity as an Act of Worship
The donation of a grand piano and church renovations exemplify how personal and communal acts of generosity are forms of worship that contribute to God's redemptive work. These actions mirror Abram's story, where faith and obedience are expressed through the dedication of resources and spaces for God's purposes. [42:00]
Hebrews 13:16 - "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Reflection: What can you offer to God as an act of worship, and how can this act contribute to the community's growth in faith?
Quotes
1) "God wasn't just asking Abraham to leave just for the sake of leaving somewhere. God was asking him to go into something new. God wanted to build a new nation and he wanted to use Abram and Sarah." [52:22]
2) "God needed someone that was totally unpredictable, that could not do this on their own. The only way Abram and Sarah could have children was by God intervening in both of them." [53:50]
3) "God often doesn't care if it makes sense to you and to me. God wants someone that's faithful and willing to be obedient to where he wants them to go." [55:09]
4) "The thing that sticks out about God's Building of a nation is that he built it upon the most unqualified and unable couple." [57:24]
5) "God was going to be faithful to Abraham because Abraham was faithful to God. I had never really thought about it in those terms that God was calling Abraham to undo the sin of Adam." [58:09]
6) "Abraham never wavered in believing God's promises. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this, he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises." [58:49]
7) "Abraham's obedience and trust in God to do what he said he would is what began the Road to Redemption through Jesus Christ." [59:39]
8) "Sometimes even though we take the steps of Faith, there's still Temptations to try to take matters into our own hands. A lot of times we don't like to wait on what God wants us to do." [01:02:24]
9) "What does God want to build in you? God obviously and clearly is going to build a nation through Abraham and Sarah. What is he trying to raise you where?" [01:03:55]
10) "Maybe it's more faith, maybe he wants to build you up, uplift you from anxiety or frustration, depression. God wants to build something new in each of us." [01:05:58]
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