Stepping Out in Faith: Abraham's Transformative Journey
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound journey of faith exemplified by Abraham in Genesis 12. The African impala, which can leap 10 feet high but hesitates to jump over a mere three-foot fence if it cannot see the other side, serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. Like the impala, we often hesitate to leap into the unknown, yet God calls us to trust Him beyond our visible boundaries. Abraham's story is a testament to this call, as God asked him to leave his homeland and venture into the unknown, promising to make him a great nation. This journey was not just a physical relocation but a transformative spiritual journey, inviting Abraham to grow in faith and trust in God.
God's call is deeply personal and often challenging. It requires us to leave behind our comfort zones, our security, and sometimes even our identity. Abraham's call was radical, asking him to leave his family and familiar surroundings to follow God's promise. This call to faith is not just for biblical figures but for each of us. God has a unique plan and purpose for our lives, and He calls us to step out in faith, even when the path is unclear.
Faith requires action. It is not enough to believe; we must also act on that belief. Abraham's journey illustrates that faith often involves taking the first step without knowing the entire path. God leads us step by step, inviting us into a relationship of trust and dependence on Him. This journey of faith is not always easy, but it is transformative, shaping us into who God intends us to be.
God's faithfulness is not contingent on our perfection but on His character. Even when we falter, as Abraham did, God remains faithful. His promises require patience, and His timing is perfect. Abraham's story reminds us that God's blessings are not just for us but are meant to flow through us to bless others. As we are obedient to God's call, we become conduits of His grace and love to the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Call is Personal and Challenging: God's call to Abraham was deeply personal and required him to leave his comfort zone. Similarly, God calls each of us to step out in faith, trusting His plan even when it challenges our understanding and comfort. This call is an invitation to a journey of transformation and growth. [08:04]
2. Faith Requires Action: True faith is demonstrated through action. Abraham's journey teaches us that faith often involves taking the first step without knowing the entire path. God invites us to trust Him step by step, relying on His guidance rather than our understanding. [18:55]
3. God's Faithfulness is Unwavering: Despite our imperfections and failures, God's faithfulness remains constant. Abraham's story shows that God's promises are not dependent on our perfection but on His unchanging character. He remains faithful even when we falter. [31:37]
4. Patience in God's Promises: God's promises often require patience. Abraham had to wait for God's promises to unfold, teaching us that God's timing is perfect. Even when the path seems unclear, we can trust that God is at work, fulfilling His promises in His time. [32:46]
5. Blessed to be a Blessing: God's blessings are not meant to be hoarded but shared. Abraham was blessed to be a blessing to others, and we are called to do the same. Our obedience to God's call allows His blessings to flow through us, impacting the world around us. [33:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:04] - God's Personal Call
[13:13] - Radical Obedience
[14:32] - Faith in Action
[18:55] - Step by Step Guidance
[26:22] - Challenges in Obedience
[27:22] - Abraham's Missteps
[29:34] - God's Faithfulness
[31:37] - Imperfect Yet Faithful
[32:46] - Patience in Promises
[33:37] - Blessed to Bless Others
[34:50] - Personal Reflections
[37:52] - Future Steps
[38:36] - Trusting God's Plan
[39:43] - Encouragement to Trust
[40:17] - Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 12:1-5
- Ephesians 2:10
- 2 Timothy 2:13
---
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give to Abram in Genesis 12:1-5, and how did Abram respond to these instructions? [08:04]
2. How does the African impala metaphor relate to Abram's journey of faith as described in the sermon? [00:00]
3. What were some of the challenges Abram faced when he was called to leave his homeland, according to the sermon? [13:13]
4. How does the sermon describe God's faithfulness in relation to Abram's imperfections? [31:37]
---
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's call to individuals, and how does this relate to the personal challenges one might face? [08:04]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the concept that "faith requires action," and what implications does this have for believers today? [18:55]
3. In what ways does the sermon highlight the importance of patience in waiting for God's promises, and how does this apply to modern-day faith journeys? [32:46]
4. How does the sermon explain the idea that believers are "blessed to be a blessing," and what responsibilities does this entail? [33:37]
---
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to step out of your comfort zone. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [08:04]
2. Consider the metaphor of the African impala. What are some "fences" in your life that prevent you from taking leaps of faith, and how can you overcome them? [00:00]
3. How can you actively demonstrate your faith through actions this week, even if the path ahead is unclear? [18:55]
4. In what areas of your life do you struggle with patience regarding God's promises, and how can you cultivate a more patient attitude? [32:46]
5. Identify a way you can be a blessing to others in your community this week. What specific actions can you take to share God's love and grace? [33:37]
6. Reflect on a past failure or imperfection in your faith journey. How can you embrace God's faithfulness and move forward with renewed trust? [31:37]
7. What steps can you take to listen more attentively to God's call in your life, and how can you ensure you are obedient to that call? [14:32]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Call Transforms Our Comfort Zones
God's call to Abraham was deeply personal and required him to leave his comfort zone. Similarly, God calls each of us to step out in faith, trusting His plan even when it challenges our understanding and comfort. This call is an invitation to a journey of transformation and growth. Abraham's journey was not just a physical relocation but a transformative spiritual journey, inviting him to grow in faith and trust in God. The African impala, which can leap 10 feet high but hesitates to jump over a mere three-foot fence if it cannot see the other side, serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. Like the impala, we often hesitate to leap into the unknown, yet God calls us to trust Him beyond our visible boundaries. [08:04]
Genesis 12:1-2 (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.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone? How can you begin to trust Him in this area today?
Day 2: Faith in Action Requires Courageous Steps
True faith is demonstrated through action. Abraham's journey teaches us that faith often involves taking the first step without knowing the entire path. God invites us to trust Him step by step, relying on His guidance rather than our understanding. Faith requires action. It is not enough to believe; we must also act on that belief. Abraham's journey illustrates that faith often involves taking the first step without knowing the entire path. God leads us step by step, inviting us into a relationship of trust and dependence on Him. [18:55]
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 step you can take today to act on your faith, even if the entire path is not clear to you yet?
Day 3: God's Faithfulness Surpasses Our Imperfections
Despite our imperfections and failures, God's faithfulness remains constant. Abraham's story shows that God's promises are not dependent on our perfection but on His unchanging character. He remains faithful even when we falter. God's faithfulness is not contingent on our perfection but on His character. Even when we falter, as Abraham did, God remains faithful. His promises require patience, and His timing is perfect. [31:37]
2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV): "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt you faltered in your faith. How did you experience God's faithfulness during that time?
Day 4: Patience in God's Promises
God's promises often require patience. Abraham had to wait for God's promises to unfold, teaching us that God's timing is perfect. Even when the path seems unclear, we can trust that God is at work, fulfilling His promises in His time. Patience is a vital part of faith, as it allows us to trust in God's perfect timing and His plan for our lives. [32:46]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: What is a promise from God that you are waiting on? How can you cultivate patience and trust in His timing today?
Day 5: Blessed to Be a Blessing
God's blessings are not meant to be hoarded but shared. Abraham was blessed to be a blessing to others, and we are called to do the same. Our obedience to God's call allows His blessings to flow through us, impacting the world around us. As we are obedient to God's call, we become conduits of His grace and love to the world. [33:37]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Identify one way you can be a blessing to someone else today. How can you use the blessings God has given you to impact others?
Quotes
"I heard this week online I did not I didn't know this I'm ashamed to say that I guess the African impala can jump about 10 feet high and so that is quite impressive but something that I did not realize is that if there's even like a fence in front of it even if that fence is about three feet high it will not jump over it and part of it is that it will not jump into a certain area or direction if it doesn't have that division of what is on the other side of that fence and when it can't see there and this morning I want to talk to you about Genesis chapter 12 we're going to look at the life of Abraham and so it's a little bit on how God is calling us I want to talk to you a little bit on on where we are at in the process of this calling and also for your life and as we read this we're gonna see that God is asking Abraham to jump right and that is not able to quite see over the defense and he's not sure on exactly God's calling and so my title this morning is the next right thing following God into the unknown I don't know about you but I don't like that I'm getting better at that because God has been so faithful over the years in our life and as we've been obedient to his call and so but it is still although God has always been faithful and obedient as he called us into the unknown it's always it's not always comfortable but it always is a blessing and God is always faithful can I hear amen I want you to open up your Bible this morning to Genesis we're actually going to look at Genesis chapter 12 but just" [00:00:00]
"Another thing that you need to know as we read chapter 12, this event in chapter 12 actually happens when God is speaking to Abram in Haran. But when we read Acts chapter 7, somebody can just fact check me later, I think it's around Acts chapter 7, we actually see that the first time that God speaks to Abram where God is calling him to jump happens here in Ur. So this is the area that Abram and his family is from. So God speaks to him here." [00:03:42]
"um he now travels and in chapter 12 verse 1 this is kind of the area where god is speaking to him now and so just kind of to have a picture of what is happening as we read this so let's read chapter 12 verse 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 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 the people on earth will be blessed through you so abram went as the lord had told them and lot went with him abram was 75 years old when he set out from haran he took his wife sarai his nephew lot all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had had acquired in haran and they set out for the land of canaan and they arrived there now again just to kind of show you so we know the first time god spoke to him was in er all right and they jumped they started to travel and they stayed in haran this is actually the area where abraham's dad passes away and now god speaks to him in a sense a second time to say hey time to wake up time to go time to jump we're not done yet right and so through this process this was actually when you look at this whole journey of abraham probably they're estimating let's say somewhere between 1200 and 1500 miles that's a long trip right no uber" [00:04:20]
"stuff like that I'm first I was like why am I not in bed why am I on this lift right and it's just it's yeah cold and stuff and I was thinking to myself how amazing it's like that we ended up in Minnesota from South Africa from Valcom from Secunda none of this really made sense that we ended up in Minnesota and just kind of reflecting on God's call and the places that he has taken us and so now he calls Abraham and says go from your country your people and your father's household to the land I will show you now I appreciate the Hebrew word I kind of took some time this week to just kind of googled and and look at some of these Hebrew words I'm going to butcher the language or if you're an expert in Hebrew I apologize but the Hebrew year for go is leka leka and again I might be totally off but you don't know any better so just go with me and so it means to move on but what I appreciate not not all of the scholars agree with this but there is several scholars and several rabbis that make this statement that when God is calling him and with this move on it is a calling also to say go to yourself it is a divine invitation to embark on a journey of faith and transformation and I really like that and so in a sense God is calling Abraham to say I am moving you from one place to another place it's a physical move but there's also going to be a transformation that happens in your life because of this move right and so I am not the same person that I was when I left South Africa a lot of maturity that has happened right and things have shaped me" [00:10:51]
"and guided me and so I matured in my faith in some areas and so it has been an invitation and a challenge to transformation and so God is telling us he say you will be transformed in your obedience and we actually see this I mean to actually look at Abraham's life right and the transformation to actually be the father of faith because when we look at the beginning this wasn't him right he wasn't the father of faith in the beginning God had to bring some transformation and build some faith in his life because this whole relationship with God was all new to him I mean actually we know that his father was not a believer he was worshiping other gods and so this is a whole new season for Abraham and he's got to learn now how to trust God and by God calling him God is gonna teach him transform him and teach him how to actually believe and so it is a divine invitation to embark on a journey of faith and transformation it is still a hard calling right and so God is calling him to leave his culture and his identity and his SecuRity behind all of his relationships and those relational ties that grounded him his inheritance his legacy and his provision through my study this week and something that we don't always think about even when we think about the parable of the prodigal son when we read the prodigal son uh we understand that that was a radical move for that son to leave his family in the same way this was actually a radical move for abraham to leave his entire family and" [00:18:01]
"Because really, in that culture, one of your main goals is to enhance the legacy of your father. You want to stay within your community. You want to do whatever you can to enhance the legacy of your parents. And that only changes after the death of your parents. And so this would have been an insane, radical, unheard -of call for Abraham. So don't think for one minute here this morning that this was an easy call. This would have been very hard for somebody that doesn't even really know God. They somehow, we don't have a lot of details on exactly what that call looked like for Abraham. But now he's been called to live. To live everything. Everything that he is familiar with to follow this God." [00:22:22]
"leave Duluth or the U .S. and maybe he's sending you to South Africa or he's maybe sending you to Asia, but it might be a calling to do a ministry. It might be a calling to leave your work. I don't know what that might be, but all I'm saying is when we look at scripture, God is constantly calling his people because he has a plan and a purpose for your life, and I want to just ask you this morning if you have been listening to that call. Have you been obedient? Don't think it's easy for me. It wasn't easy for Abraham, and it will surely not be easy for you as well, but it's always this call to faith and to action, and the question is, are you going to be obedient? I love this quote by Oswald Chambers. It says, faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the one who is leading, right? And so Abraham in this moment is saying, okay, I don't know exactly where I'm going. God is saying, go trust me, and at least from our perspective, we've got kind of the full story. We see how that all plays out, and I don't even know that Abraham understood all of God's character and how much God really loved him, but we do, and so when God is calling us to go this morning, we might not have all of the information, but we know that we can follow the one that is calling us because he loves us, and he cares for us, and it's going to be okay." [00:15:22]
"first step so many times in my life I have prayed when God has called us and I said okay God please open up the path show us the full picture and then I will take that first step most of the time that's not the way it works in Scripture a lot of times God will ask you to first take that first step and then he will kind of reveal to you what is next but that doesn't make it easy now again when we look at the Hebrew our record and with this word I will show you in Genesis 12 1 to the land that I will show you God intends to lead step by step rather than providing a detailed blueprint if you're gonna wait for the blueprint before you take the first step good luck you will wait for a very long time and again I have prayed maybe God loves you more and he will give you that blueprint but that's not the way that he has been doing it in our lives and it's not the way that he's doing this in Abrams life God as Abram to Abram not to rely on his own undertaking but on God's ongoing revelation." [00:17:23]
"God knew the plans for Abraham. It would have been so easy for him to say, okay, here is all of your steps. Take this step, you're going to end up here, and then from there, you're going to end up in this place, right? God knows the plan, but God doesn't want to reveal this to him because he's inviting him into this relationship to say, I need for you to be in step with me. I need for you to walk with me daily. Don't worry about this full picture. I will show it at the right time." [00:19:26]
"for you in the same way God is calling us daily just because he's not revealing the super big plan to you doesn't mean he doesn't know the big plan he knows the big plan but you don't need all of the information right now because in all reality is you might mess that up if you know the full picture and so instead God is going to walk with you he is Emmanuel he is the God that is going to walk with you and he as long as you're in step with him he is going to show you the next steps now again this was huge I am 48 today and I don't even want to drive to the car right now to the cities that seems like a lot of work so imagine waking up one morning and God is calling you when you are 75 years old and and and and says oh guess what you're going to walk 1500 miles with your family and there's not a Starbucks on every corner right this is going to be hard and and by the way I'm not going to give you all of the steps I'm not going to show you exactly where you're going to end up but just trust me follow me right God doesn't care about your age this morning systems God cares about your obedience are you willing to go are you willing to say yes to god's call Matthew 4 19 20 says come follow me jesus said and I will send you out to fish for people at once they left their nets and followed him Jesus said and I will send you out to fish for people at once they left their nets and followed him it is a radical obedience god calls and they say okay we don't know all the next step god is just saying or jesus is telling his disciples says man leave your nets leave what you know what you have" [00:21:13]
"his family and then obviously we see that he is in haran and his father dies and now god calls him again and say you are not in canaan yet you're not done yet it is time to get a move on so we don't know exactly how long he was in this area and how long that took him to to get moving again but it is interesting after some time they end up in canaan and then they visit these little towns and we see that he raises up or he builds places of worship and that he sets up a tent right as he's traveling and then in verse 10 there's something interesting that happens so let's actually read verse 10 verse 10 verse 10 verse 10 verse 10 verse 10 verse 10 verse 10 verse 10 verse 10 now there was a famine in the land and abram went down to egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe and he was about to enter egypt and he said to his wife sarai i know what a beautiful woman you are i can relate with that so we're not going to go to egypt so listen to this smart plan that he comes up with abram is really a keeper he says when the egyptians see that uh sorry when the egyptians see you they will say this is his wife then they will kill me but will you let sorry uh kill me but will let you live say you are my sister so that i will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you when abram came to egypt the egyptians saw that sarah was a beautiful woman and then pharaoh's officials saw her they praised praised her to pharaoh and she was taken into his place he treated abram well" [00:26:05]
"for her sake. And Abraham acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. And we're actually going to see that this is going to get him in trouble later on. So now just pay attention. God calls Abraham, right, to Canaan. While he's in Canaan, he's exactly where God is calling him to. There's some hardship, right? People are dying. There's no food. As a husband, I get it. As a husband, you want to make a plan and say, well, this is not good. I got to come up with a solution because people are dying all around me. Where you're in the middle of a desert, there is no food. So let's go to Egypt. Because they have the Nile River, there's always fish and always food. Did God call him to Egypt? No. God says, go to Canaan. And again, we see that he is not obedient and that he's coming up and trying to make his own plan." [00:30:15]
"So it is just fascinating. And so Abraham actually purchased some land, not a lot, not a big area, but he purchased a graveyard in a sense in Hebron and where he buries his wife. And that's actually where you have his site as well. Several years ago, a mission team was able to go and visit Hebron and actually go and look at the grave. And so Abraham actually purchased some land, not a lot, not a big area, but he purchased a grave site. And it is interesting. And what also sad right now is that you do not have any Christian churches in that area anymore. It is all Muslim areas. And it feels dark. And it was just kind of a heaviness and a weight there. And to think that this is the land and the area of Abraham and Sarai and now there is no Christian churches anymore. Fascinating." [00:35:19]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 28, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?