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250914 Faith and Family: Dare to Go

by Hope on the Beach Church
on Sep 14, 2025

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250914 Faith and Family: Dare to Go

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Call Is Personal and Demands a Response

God calls each of us uniquely, just as He called Abram, and while the method may differ—whether a clear voice, a gentle nudge, or a stirring in the heart—His call is always consistent with His Word. Recognizing God’s call requires a heart attuned to Scripture, for He will never ask us to do anything contrary to His truth. Many people miss or ignore God’s call, thinking it’s meant for someone else or doubting their own worthiness, but God’s invitation is for everyone, and our responsibility is to listen and respond. [41:01]

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: When was the last time you sensed God nudging you toward something new or uncomfortable? What would it look like to pause and ask Him today if He is calling you to take a step of faith?

Day 2: Obedience to God’s Call Requires Faith, Not Full Understanding

Obedience is the hinge on which God’s promises swing; Abram’s story shows that God’s call often comes without a detailed roadmap, and our role is to trust and obey even when the destination is unclear. Modern believers often want all the answers before stepping out, but God asks us to move forward in faith, trusting that He will reveal the next step as we go. True obedience means saying “yes” to God’s call, even when it takes us beyond our comfort and understanding, knowing that God’s plans are always for our good and His glory. [44:54]

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: Is there an area in your life where you are waiting for more information before obeying God? What is one step you can take today to move forward in faith, even if you don’t have all the answers?

Day 3: God’s Call Will Take You Out of Your Comfort Zone

Answering God’s call often means leaving behind what is familiar and secure, just as Abram left his home, family, and everything he knew to follow God’s leading. Stepping out in faith may feel risky or uncomfortable, but it is in these moments that God’s power and provision become most evident. God does not call us to comfort, but to purpose, and He promises to go before us, equipping and protecting us as we follow Him into the unknown. [51:11]

Genesis 12:4-6 (ESV)
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.

Reflection: What is one comfort or routine you sense God might be asking you to leave behind for the sake of His calling? How can you take a practical step out of your comfort zone this week?

Day 4: Trusting God Means Surrendering Control

Following God’s call requires us to relinquish our desire for control and trust Him with the outcome, just as Abram built altars and kept moving forward, trusting God’s promises even when the path was uncertain. Trust is the hardest part of following Christ, but it is also the most rewarding, as God delights in those who commit their way to Him and wait patiently for His direction. Surrender is not a one-time event but a daily choice to let God lead, believing that He is faithful to fulfill what He has promised. [01:06:40]

Psalm 37:3-7 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to give up control to God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today and trust Him with the results?

Day 5: Your Story Isn’t Over—Look for the Next Chapter

No matter your age or stage of life, God is not finished with you; He calls you to seek the next chapter, not the conclusion, and to remain open to His leading until He calls you home. Life in Christ is a continual journey of responding to God’s call, serving His purposes, and making an impact for His kingdom, regardless of past accomplishments or failures. The greatest joy comes from knowing you have done what God asked you to do, so keep listening, keep responding, and keep looking for the next step in your walk with Him. [01:08:46]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Are you tempted to settle or “conclude” your story where you are? What is one way you can intentionally seek God’s next chapter for your life this week?

Sermon Summary

The story of Abram’s call in Genesis is a powerful reminder that God’s invitations often come at unexpected times and in unexpected ways. Abram, later known as Abraham, was called to leave everything familiar—his country, his family, his comfort zone—and step into the unknown, trusting only in God’s promise. This call was not based on Abram’s qualifications or special abilities, but on God’s sovereign choice and faithfulness. In the same way, each of us is called by God—not just the “special” or the “qualified,” but every believer is invited to participate in God’s mission, especially through the Great Commission to make disciples as we go about our lives.

God’s call can come in many forms: a clear word, a gentle nudge, or a conviction through Scripture. But one thing is certain—God will never call us to act contrary to His Word. That’s why it’s so important to be rooted in Scripture, so we can discern His voice from our own desires or the noise of the world. Obedience is the hinge on which God’s promises swing. Abram’s story shows us that faith is not about having all the answers or knowing the destination; it’s about trusting the One who calls and stepping out even when the path is unclear.

Leaving our comfort zones is never easy. Like Abram, we may want to know all the details before we move, but God often calls us to trust Him with the unknown. The world today is full of uncertainty, misinformation, and distractions, yet our opportunity to influence others for Christ has never been greater. Technology allows our witness to reach far beyond our immediate circles, multiplying the impact of our obedience.

Ultimately, following God’s call means surrendering control. Trusting God is the hardest part, but it’s also the most freeing. When we let go of our need to manage every outcome, we make room for God to work miracles and write new chapters in our story. No matter our age or stage of life, God is not finished with us. As long as we have breath, there is a next chapter to pursue in faith, responding to God’s call and looking forward to the day when we hear Him say, “Well done.”

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Call Is Personal and Persistent God’s call is not reserved for the extraordinary; it comes to ordinary people in ordinary circumstances. Like Abram, we may feel unqualified or hope that God’s call is meant for someone else, but God persistently invites each of us to step into His purposes. The call may come as a whisper, a conviction, or through Scripture, but it is always personal and meant for us to hear and respond. [37:40]
2. Obedience Unlocks God’s Promises The blessings and impact of God’s call are realized only when we obey, even if we don’t have all the answers. Abram’s willingness to go without knowing the destination is a model of faith that trusts God’s character more than our own understanding. Obedience is not about having clarity, but about having confidence in the One who leads. [44:54]
3. Stepping Out of Comfort Zones Is Essential for Growth God’s invitations often require us to leave what is familiar and comfortable. Whether it’s a physical move, a new ministry, or a difficult conversation, growth happens when we step out in faith. The journey may be uncertain and even intimidating, but God’s presence and promises go with us, making the risk worthwhile. [51:11]
4. Our Influence Is Multiplied When We Share the Gospel In a world saturated with information and technology, our witness for Christ can reach farther than ever before. Each act of obedience, each conversation, and each step of faith can have a ripple effect, pointing others to Jesus. The Great Commission is not just a command; it’s an opportunity to participate in God’s global mission, trusting that He will use our efforts for His glory. [53:57]
5. Trusting God Means Surrendering Control and Embracing the Next Chapter The hardest part of following God is letting go of our need to control outcomes. True faith is marked by surrender—building altars of trust and moving forward even when the future is unclear. No matter our age or circumstances, God always has a new chapter for us, and our story is not finished until He calls us home.

** [66:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:41] - Introduction to Genesis and Abram’s Call
[37:40] - Wrestling with God’s Call
[39:16] - God’s Promise to Abram
[40:02] - How God Calls Us Today
[41:49] - Discerning God’s Voice
[43:42] - The Necessity of Obedience
[44:54] - Faith Without Full Understanding
[45:57] - The Challenge of Modern Discipleship
[47:44] - The Universality of the Great Commission
[49:13] - Leaving Comfort for God’s Call
[51:11] - Facing the Unknown and the Canaanites
[53:57] - Multiplying Our Witness in a Digital Age
[55:42] - God’s Mission for the Church
[58:15] - Authority and Responsibility of the Church
[60:51] - God’s Faithfulness in Our Mission
[64:42] - Surrendering Control to God
[66:40] - Trusting God with the Next Chapter
[69:34] - Finishing Well and Hearing “Well Done”
[71:28] - Responding to God’s Call Today

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 12:1-9 (ESV) — 1 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.
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.
3 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.”
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,
6 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.
7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.
9 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.

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.

Psalm 37:3-7 (ESV) — 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Observation Questions

What specific instructions did God give to Abram in Genesis 12:1? What did God promise Abram if he obeyed?
According to Hebrews 11:8, what was remarkable about Abraham’s obedience?
In the sermon, what are some of the ways God’s call can come to us today? ([40:02])
What did Abram do after God appeared to him in the land of Canaan? Why is this significant? ([01:05:33])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to call Abram, someone who was not “qualified” by the world’s standards? What does this say about how God calls people today? ([37:40])
The sermon says, “Obedience is the hinge on which God’s promises swing.” Why is obedience so crucial in experiencing God’s blessings? ([44:54])
What does it mean to “step out of your comfort zone” in the context of following God’s call? How did Abram model this, and what might it look like for us? ([51:11])
The pastor mentioned that trusting God means surrendering control. Why is surrender so difficult, and what does it reveal about our relationship with God? ([01:04:42])

Application Questions

Can you recall a time when you sensed God nudging you to do something outside your comfort zone? What was your response, and what did you learn from that experience? ([51:11])
The sermon emphasized that God’s call is personal and persistent, not just for the “special” or “qualified.” Is there an area of your life where you’ve been resisting God’s call because you feel unqualified? What would it look like to say “yes” anyway? ([37:40])
The pastor warned that God will never call us to act contrary to His Word. How can you become more rooted in Scripture so you can better discern God’s voice from your own desires or the world’s noise? ([41:49])
Technology now allows our witness to reach far beyond our immediate circles. What is one practical way you could use your online presence or daily interactions to point others to Jesus this week? ([53:57])
Abram built altars as a way of surrendering and trusting God with the next chapter. What is one area of your life where you need to “build an altar” and surrender control to God? ([01:05:33])
The sermon challenged us not to look for the finish line, but for the next chapter God has for us. No matter your age or stage of life, what might your “next chapter” of faith look like? ([01:08:46])
The Great Commission is for every believer. Who is one person in your life you could intentionally encourage or share your faith with this month? What step will you take to do that? ([47:44])

Sermon Clips

God can call in various ways, but we're not always sure what those are going to be. And we sometimes read into things more than we should. I want to give you just one word of caution. Can I do that? And that word is that God will never, you can underline that, it's not anywhere for you to underline, but in your mind, God will never call you to do something contrary to his word. And so for us to recognize God's call, it helps for us to have a working knowledge of his word. More folks get instruction through scripture than any other way. As you're reading a particular text, your heart is moved. [00:42:27] (66 seconds) #GodsCallAlignsWithWord

``He was special because he answered God's call. Here's what I want you to know, beloved. Abraham wouldn't have experienced any of our history. He wouldn't have been the father of faith if he hadn't obeyed. Accept the call. We have all been called. You say, well, Steve, I don't have a lot of gifts. I don't. I can't do a lot of things. You can do one thing. Because God called you to it. And that is, we are all called to the Great Commission. We're all called to share. You say, well, my thoughts get all jumbled up. Well, maybe God's going to send you to somebody who can't think straight. And you'll make sense to them. [00:47:29] (72 seconds) #ObedienceDefinesFaith

Listen, we can't start circling things and asking God, before I go, I want to know. Nope. Abram didn't know a thing. God said, I want you to go from your country, from your kindred, and from your father's house. I want you to leave everything you know. And I just want you to go. I'll show you. Now, most of us would say, oh, I'm not falling for that. Nope. I want to know where we're going. Which clothes should I pack? How should I dress? What do I look like? God just said, get up, take it all, and go. And here's the amazing thing. Abram did just that. He got up. Packed up. All right. And what's up? Yeah. Thank you. [00:48:41] (70 seconds) #StepOutInFaith

We have a chance to multiply the places where the gospel can go. And beloved, I don't get fired up in front of you a lot. I have contained myself many times. But I am going to tell you today, we have a call upon ourselves to pass that gospel. We are called to say it, to show it, to call people to it. That's what the Great Commission is. Jesus, are you doing it? You say, well, I don't know. That may get me in a conversation that I don't want to be in. Abram didn't know where he was going, but he knew God had his back. And let me tell you, God will not call you to do something in order to embarrass you or ruin you. God is not in the habit of hating you. He doesn't want to belittle you. He doesn't want to make fun of you. God wants to use you to get his gospel out there. [00:54:40] (80 seconds) #GreatCommissionCharge

For all the same reasons, we don't want to get in a conversation we can't finish. We don't want to offend anybody. We don't want to make anybody feel like I'm smarter than they are. We've got all kinds of reasons to hesitate to follow the Great Commission. But the truth is, we have to get out of our comfort zone. But not without cover. Our King is with us. Our King goes before us. In fact, Paul told Timothy, Faithful is he who calls you, who also will do it. Faithful is he who calls you, who also will do it. God's not going to leave you hanging. God's going to go before you. Abram had God going before you, but he had to first leave his comfort zone. We'll never know what God can do until we step out and go. [01:00:51] (73 seconds) #FaithOverComfort

We have his light. We have his voice. And we can follow him. We can answer the call today because he is with us. We say around here, we've said it before. Old preacher said it the first time. When God shows up, God shows off. Miracles can happen every day. We won't know if we don't follow and accept. [01:03:48] (44 seconds) #GodGoesBeforeYou

Abram gave up control. What? I've worked too hard to get control. You can't be telling me I'm supposed to give up control. Listen. When God's spirit indwells our hearts and lives, he wants control. He doesn't want to have a battle every day who's in charge. He's in charge. He's the king. [01:04:45] (40 seconds) #FollowAndBelieve

Trusting is the hardest part of following Christ. Trusting is the hardest part. Giving up control and accepting God's call. [01:06:17] (20 seconds) #SurrenderControl

Trusting is the hardest part of following Christ. Trusting is the hardest part. Giving up control and accepting God's call. [01:06:17] (20 seconds) #SurrenderControl Edit Clip | Translate Clip