Returning to Faith: Abram's Journey of Comeback
Summary
Abram's story in Genesis 13 is a powerful illustration of a spiritual comeback, a return to faith and worship after a lapse. We all love a good comeback story, and Abram's journey is one that resonates deeply with our own experiences of stumbling and returning to God. In Genesis 12, Abram faced a famine and, instead of trusting God, he turned to his own devices, leading to deception and a lack of faith. However, Genesis 13 marks his return to faith, as he retraces his steps back to the altar he had built, calling upon the Lord once again. This narrative teaches us that a comeback is not just about returning to a former position but also a former posture of faith and reliance on God.
Abram's story reminds us that faith is not a one-time response but a continual posture of our lives. When we stumble, God's desire is for us to repent, to turn away from our self-reliance and back to Him. Repentance and faith go hand in hand, and they are ongoing responses in the life of a believer. Abram's return to calling on the Lord, trusting in His promises, and worshiping Him with his life and lips exemplifies the proper response to a lapse in faith.
Trials, whether they come in the form of famine or fortune, test our faith. Abram's wealth in Genesis 13 was as much a test as the famine in Genesis 12. Yet, he learned to trust God again, demonstrating humility and love by offering Lot the choice of land. This act of trust and humility is a testament to Abram's restored faith. Worship, too, is a vital part of our comeback. Abram's return to worshiping God with his life and actions shows us that true worship is not just about what we say but how we live.
In our own lives, we may face moments where we forget to call on God, trust in ourselves, or cease to worship Him. Abram's story encourages us to make a comeback, to return to our original posture of faith, trust, and worship. God's faithfulness remains, even when we falter, and He invites us to turn back to Him, assured of His promises and forgiveness.
Key Takeaways:
- The Nature of a Comeback: A spiritual comeback involves returning to a former posture of faith and reliance on God. Abram's journey from deception in Egypt to calling on the Lord again in the promised land illustrates this beautifully. When we stumble, God's desire is for us to repent and return to Him. [07:57]
- Faith and Repentance: Faith is not a one-time response but a continual posture of our lives. Repentance, like faith, is ongoing. When we sin or have a lapse in faith, we are called to turn away from self-reliance and back to God, trusting in His promises and provision. [09:27]
- Trials as Tests of Faith: Both famine and fortune test our faith. Abram's wealth in Genesis 13 was as much a test as the famine in Genesis 12. True faith involves trusting God in all circumstances, whether in scarcity or abundance. [11:50]
- Trust and Humility: Abram's willingness to let Lot choose the land demonstrates trust in God's provision and a Christ-like humility. Trusting God means believing in His goodness and greatness, even when the outcome is uncertain. [18:27]
- Worship as a Lifestyle: Worship is not just about what we say but how we live. Abram's return to worshiping God with his life and actions shows us that true worship involves valuing, treasuring, and relying on God above all else. [24:11]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:09] - Introduction to Comeback Stories
- [02:05] - Abram's Journey Begins
- [03:45] - God's Promise to Abram
- [04:48] - Worship Beyond Words
- [07:02] - Abram's Lapse in Faith
- [08:38] - Faith and Repentance
- [10:51] - Returning to God
- [11:50] - Trials of Famine and Fortune
- [13:00] - Abram's Return to Faith
- [15:25] - Recognizing Our Stumbles
- [16:17] - Trusting in God's Provision
- [18:27] - Humility and Trust
- [21:58] - Worship as a Lifestyle
- [24:11] - The Essence of Worship
- [26:12] - Responding to Lapses in Faith
- [28:30] - God's Faithfulness and Our Response
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Abram's Spiritual Comeback
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 13:1-18
Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Abram take to demonstrate his return to faith in Genesis 13? [13:00]
2. How did Abram's wealth in Genesis 13 serve as a test of his faith, similar to the famine in Genesis 12? [11:50]
3. What was Abram's response to the strife between his herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen, and what does this reveal about his character? [17:02]
4. How does Abram's building of an altar at the end of Genesis 13 signify his spiritual comeback? [23:04]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Abram's journey in Genesis 13 illustrate the concept of a spiritual comeback, and what does this suggest about the nature of faith and repentance? [07:57]
2. In what ways do trials, whether they be of famine or fortune, test a believer's faith according to the sermon? [11:50]
3. How does Abram's willingness to let Lot choose the land demonstrate trust in God's provision and a Christ-like humility? [18:27]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between worship and the way we live our lives? [24:11]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a lapse in faith. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to ensure a spiritual comeback like Abram's? [07:57]
2. In what areas of your life are you currently relying on your own plans rather than trusting in God's provision? How can you shift your focus back to God? [15:25]
3. How can you incorporate worship into your daily life beyond just attending church services? What practical steps can you take to worship God with your actions? [24:11]
4. Consider a recent trial you faced. How did it test your faith, and what did you learn about your reliance on God during that time? [11:50]
5. Identify a situation where you need to demonstrate humility and trust in God's plan, similar to Abram's interaction with Lot. How can you approach this situation differently? [18:27]
6. What specific area of your life do you need to repent and turn back to God? How can you make this a continual practice rather than a one-time event? [09:27]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to make a spiritual comeback when they experience a lapse in faith? What role can you play in supporting them? [29:03]
Devotional
Day 1: The Journey Back to Faith
Abram's story in Genesis 13 is a profound example of a spiritual comeback, illustrating the journey back to faith and reliance on God after a lapse. In Genesis 12, Abram faced a famine and chose to rely on his own understanding, leading to deception and a lack of faith. However, Genesis 13 marks his return to faith as he retraces his steps back to the altar he had built, calling upon the Lord once again. This narrative teaches us that a comeback is not just about returning to a former position but also a former posture of faith and reliance on God. When we stumble, God's desire is for us to repent and return to Him, embracing a continual posture of faith in our lives. [07:57]
Genesis 13:3-4 (ESV): "And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord."
Reflection: Think of a time when you relied on your own understanding instead of trusting God. How can you take a step today to return to a posture of faith and reliance on Him?
Day 2: The Ongoing Call to Faith and Repentance
Faith is not a one-time response but a continual posture of our lives. Abram's journey reminds us that when we sin or have a lapse in faith, we are called to turn away from self-reliance and back to God, trusting in His promises and provision. Repentance and faith go hand in hand, and they are ongoing responses in the life of a believer. Abram's return to calling on the Lord, trusting in His promises, and worshiping Him with his life and lips exemplifies the proper response to a lapse in faith. [09:27]
Hebrews 10:22-23 (ESV): "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been self-reliant. What steps can you take today to turn back to God and trust in His promises?
Day 3: Trials as Opportunities for Faith
Both famine and fortune test our faith. Abram's wealth in Genesis 13 was as much a test as the famine in Genesis 12. True faith involves trusting God in all circumstances, whether in scarcity or abundance. Trials, whether they come in the form of famine or fortune, test our faith and reveal our reliance on God. Abram learned to trust God again, demonstrating humility and love by offering Lot the choice of land. This act of trust and humility is a testament to Abram's restored faith. [11:50]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a current trial you are facing. How can you view this trial as an opportunity to deepen your trust in God?
Day 4: Trust and Humility in Action
Abram's willingness to let Lot choose the land demonstrates trust in God's provision and a Christ-like humility. Trusting God means believing in His goodness and greatness, even when the outcome is uncertain. Abram's act of humility and trust in God's provision is a powerful example of how we are called to live out our faith. By placing others before ourselves and trusting in God's plan, we demonstrate a faith that is active and alive. [18:27]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Consider a situation where you can demonstrate humility and trust in God's provision. How can you put someone else's needs before your own today?
Day 5: Worship as a Way of Life
Worship is not just about what we say but how we live. Abram's return to worshiping God with his life and actions shows us that true worship involves valuing, treasuring, and relying on God above all else. Worship is a lifestyle that encompasses every aspect of our lives, from our thoughts and words to our actions and decisions. By living a life of worship, we honor God and reflect His love and grace to the world around us. [24:11]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily life beyond Sunday services? What specific actions can you take today to live a life of worship?
Quotes
"We sometimes behave just like Abram when famine threatens, when trials come our way, when our finances are threatened, when provision for ourselves and our family is threatened, when our safety is threatened. We behave like Abram did in chapter 12. We do not respond in faith to the one we have faith in." [07:30] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"My hope is, again, God's desire is that when we stumble, we'll respond like Abram does. That we will come back to our former position of responding and walking by faith in the Lord again." [08:14] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Faith is the continual posture of our lives. We continually respond in faith to Jesus and walk by faith in Him. We rely on Him. We trust in Him." [08:56] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Well, repentance is the flip side of faith. If faith is turning to, repentance is turning away. You see, when you respond to the gospel and you repent, you're turning away from your sins. You're turning away from trusting in yourself and your works to save you. See, faith and repentance, they go hand in hand." [09:07] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You see, what happens in a true Christian's life when we sin, when we have a lapse in faith, we turn from it. We turn from trusting in ourselves. We turn from sinning. We turn from disobedience. We turn back in faith to God." [09:45] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The first thing he teaches us is when we have a lapse in faith, the proper response of a Christian who has a lapse in faith is to return to calling on the Lord again." [11:03] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Fortune tests our faith just as much as famine does. Because when you have a fortune, you are less likely to turn to God and trusting in Him for provision and protection. You're less likely. You begin to trust in that wealth." [11:32]
"Christians, that's what we should do. We are going to stumble in our faith at times. Famine's going to set in and we're going to turn to our own devising and our own deception and our own plans. We're just going to do these things and try to operate in our own strength." [14:11] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Second, through Abram's example, we discover when we stumble in our faith, the proper response of a Christian is to return to trusting in the Lord again." [16:20]
"God's desire is we respond like Abram that we repent that we turn away from trusting in ourselves and return to that original posture of trusting in him once again." [19:36]
"Third, the final lesson we learned from Abram when a Christian stumbles in their faith the proper response is to return to worshipping the Lord again." [21:16] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Genesis chapter 12 taught us the proper response to trials is to turn to faith in God, is to remember him when we face difficulties and rely on him when we face those difficulties." [25:56] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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