1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,100 , Marcel: I just want to encourage all of you today, and I want to encourage you 2 00:00:05,250 --> 00:00:12,569 for being here this morning You have made a decision to worship God and Whether 3 00:00:12,570 --> 00:00:16,900 you've been worshiping God for most of your life or for many years or maybe 4 00:00:16,900 --> 00:00:20,000 you're just checking out this Christian thing Or you just want to visit the 5 00:00:20,020 --> 00:00:23,620 church I just want to lift you up and encourage you because you could have made 6 00:00:23,620 --> 00:00:28,935 a different decision this morning You But you made a decision to be here and I 7 00:00:28,935 --> 00:00:33,095 want to encourage you, uh, those who have been disciples of Jesus for years now 8 00:00:33,275 --> 00:00:37,904 for continually choosing to follow Jesus. 9 00:00:38,295 --> 00:00:43,214 And so I want to commend you for that because it is a journey with God. 10 00:00:43,234 --> 00:00:43,824 Amen. 11 00:00:44,294 --> 00:00:46,795 And so, uh, you actually has been said many times. 12 00:00:46,815 --> 00:00:48,545 Our walk with God is. 13 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:53,490 A journey and we're going to begin today a new series, a new sermon 14 00:00:53,490 --> 00:00:59,159 series in which we are calling the journey of faith, the journey of faith. 15 00:00:59,159 --> 00:01:02,030 And so we're actually going to be looking through, um, 16 00:01:02,149 --> 00:01:04,470 Genesis chapters 11 through 25. 17 00:01:05,649 --> 00:01:09,949 And we're going to be looking at the, uh, through the journey of faith through 18 00:01:09,949 --> 00:01:13,139 the lens of Abraham's journey of faith. 19 00:01:13,179 --> 00:01:15,369 The patriarch Abraham. 20 00:01:16,039 --> 00:01:18,979 Uh, who is considered, uh, the father of faith. 21 00:01:18,979 --> 00:01:22,559 And so, uh, we're actually, we actually have a little handout. 22 00:01:22,809 --> 00:01:27,299 If you want to hand over a physical copy, but on the church app, we also 23 00:01:27,299 --> 00:01:29,519 have this on the church app as well. 24 00:01:29,519 --> 00:01:32,660 And I'm going to put something on the screen here right now. 25 00:01:32,669 --> 00:01:34,690 The journey of Abraham. 26 00:01:34,690 --> 00:01:38,924 And so we're going to learn and discover through Abraham's journey. 27 00:01:39,384 --> 00:01:45,645 And we're going to see the parallels in our journey of faith as well And 28 00:01:45,645 --> 00:01:50,095 so we're gonna learn from Abraham's mistakes and victories, but we're not 29 00:01:50,095 --> 00:01:55,785 really trying to highlight Abraham We're trying to see God in our journey 30 00:01:56,015 --> 00:01:58,505 Through the life and journey of Abraham. 31 00:01:58,505 --> 00:01:59,715 Are you guys with me here? 32 00:02:00,134 --> 00:02:04,085 And so I want to encourage you as we go through this that you again 33 00:02:04,535 --> 00:02:06,385 Insert yourself into the story. 34 00:02:06,385 --> 00:02:10,585 That's one of the best ways to get, uh, uh, the most out of your Bible 35 00:02:10,595 --> 00:02:16,045 study, but also take a step and go, what do I learn about God through this? 36 00:02:16,294 --> 00:02:17,014 Not so much. 37 00:02:17,015 --> 00:02:20,464 What do I learn about Abraham, but what do I see about God? 38 00:02:20,464 --> 00:02:26,664 And what are the parallels in my faith journey that relate to Abraham? 39 00:02:26,664 --> 00:02:29,394 And so we're going to start this on Sundays, but we're actually going to 40 00:02:29,394 --> 00:02:31,314 continue this study through Wednesday. 41 00:02:31,950 --> 00:02:34,829 And so we're going to send out and have discussions in our family 42 00:02:34,829 --> 00:02:36,810 groups and for the college ministry. 43 00:02:36,810 --> 00:02:40,880 We'll send you guys the handouts as well digitally so you can have 44 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:42,390 that for your quiet times there. 45 00:02:42,609 --> 00:02:43,780 So we're going to walk through this. 46 00:02:43,780 --> 00:02:47,070 So through the next two months here, we're going to be walking through and 47 00:02:47,070 --> 00:02:48,280 understanding our journey of faith. 48 00:02:48,310 --> 00:02:50,070 Now, as you see on the screen here, I want to give you a 49 00:02:50,090 --> 00:02:52,260 little bit of a context here. 50 00:02:52,300 --> 00:02:55,820 Abraham is called by many the father of faith. 51 00:02:56,250 --> 00:03:01,480 And he's actually been, um, Uh, even in scripture called the friend of 52 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:03,540 God, and he's actually a major figure. 53 00:03:04,165 --> 00:03:07,285 Uh, really a major figure in three religions, Christianity, 54 00:03:07,285 --> 00:03:09,295 Judaism, and Islam. 55 00:03:09,295 --> 00:03:11,765 And so let's go over a couple of these things here. 56 00:03:11,765 --> 00:03:14,524 And so approximately 2100 B. 57 00:03:14,524 --> 00:03:14,915 C. 58 00:03:14,915 --> 00:03:18,514 is when we take up the life of Abraham. 59 00:03:18,514 --> 00:03:21,954 And this part of the Old Testament covers the life of Abraham. 60 00:03:21,954 --> 00:03:23,545 It was originally called Abram. 61 00:03:23,945 --> 00:03:27,994 God called him to faith while he lived in Ur of the Chaldeans and was part of 62 00:03:27,994 --> 00:03:29,894 a family that worshipped other gods. 63 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:34,210 He set out from Ur, but settled in Haran before continuing to the 64 00:03:34,220 --> 00:03:36,299 land of Canaan, modern day Israel. 65 00:03:36,710 --> 00:03:40,120 Abraham is obviously one of the most important characters in the Bible. 66 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:44,168 He became the father of the Jewish nation who were chosen and used by God to bring 67 00:03:44,168 --> 00:03:47,609 salvation to a lost world through Jesus. 68 00:03:47,629 --> 00:03:51,250 Abraham is mentioned more than 300 times in the Bible. 69 00:03:51,250 --> 00:03:52,400 A couple of the themes. 70 00:03:52,690 --> 00:03:58,789 Abraham is an inspiring example of what it means to live by faith. 71 00:03:59,109 --> 00:04:02,470 His sins and failures also give us an opportunity to see and 72 00:04:02,470 --> 00:04:05,089 appreciate God's grace and patience. 73 00:04:05,089 --> 00:04:10,119 In the end, Abraham also became known as the friend of God. 74 00:04:10,119 --> 00:04:13,529 And so if you look on the handout that we will sit, that's on your church 75 00:04:13,529 --> 00:04:15,550 app there, uh, there's also some. 76 00:04:15,835 --> 00:04:19,865 Uh, commentaries about five commentaries that we can suggest to 77 00:04:19,865 --> 00:04:25,534 you so you can also have your own deep dive into the journey of Abraham. 78 00:04:25,534 --> 00:04:29,725 So let's go ahead and, uh, let's start off today and we're going to be talking 79 00:04:29,725 --> 00:04:34,845 about when God calls, when God calls, let's go to the father in prayer. 80 00:04:34,845 --> 00:04:39,405 Father in heaven, I thank you so much for this opportunity to worship 81 00:04:39,405 --> 00:04:41,355 you with my brothers and sister. 82 00:04:41,860 --> 00:04:45,640 God, we thank you so much for the AC that we enjoy in here. 83 00:04:45,970 --> 00:04:50,460 God, we thank you so much that you are a cool air to our souls. 84 00:04:50,759 --> 00:04:54,119 We thank you for your word and the nourishment that we receive. 85 00:04:54,370 --> 00:04:58,419 Thank you for your faithfulness from the time of Abraham, really from the time of 86 00:04:58,419 --> 00:05:02,080 creation till now to your chosen people. 87 00:05:02,544 --> 00:05:07,715 And God, we pray that today allows us to learn more of you, our relationship 88 00:05:07,715 --> 00:05:12,954 with you and draw closer to you and answer your call for our lives. 89 00:05:13,215 --> 00:05:15,055 We pray this in the name of Jesus. 90 00:05:15,315 --> 00:05:16,005 Amen. 91 00:05:16,914 --> 00:05:17,315 All right. 92 00:05:17,315 --> 00:05:19,544 Turn over in your Bible to Genesis chapter 11. 93 00:05:19,544 --> 00:05:20,705 We'll have it on the screen. 94 00:05:20,965 --> 00:05:25,575 But in Genesis chapter 11, we'll start off here in verse 27. 95 00:05:26,010 --> 00:05:31,500 And so up to this point, we've had the account of Adam and Eve, uh, the fall. 96 00:05:31,659 --> 00:05:35,919 We've had the, uh, uh, uh, the, the, the Noah and the Tower of 97 00:05:35,919 --> 00:05:37,340 Babel, and we take it in here. 98 00:05:37,519 --> 00:05:40,380 Right now, there's giving a lot of genealogies in, in Genesis 99 00:05:40,380 --> 00:05:44,150 chapter 11, and it says, This is the account of Terah's family line. 100 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:46,289 Terah became the father of Abram. 101 00:05:46,599 --> 00:05:47,700 Remember Abraham? 102 00:05:47,940 --> 00:05:50,090 Uh, that's his name change later on. 103 00:05:50,099 --> 00:05:53,599 No whore and Herod and Herod became the father of lots. 104 00:05:54,170 --> 00:05:57,570 While his father Terah was still alive, Heron died in Ur of the 105 00:05:57,570 --> 00:05:59,530 Chaldeans in the land of his birth. 106 00:05:59,979 --> 00:06:02,250 Abram and Nahor both married. 107 00:06:02,409 --> 00:06:04,719 Then Abram's wife was Sarai. 108 00:06:04,959 --> 00:06:08,110 Now Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive. 109 00:06:08,590 --> 00:06:13,290 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot, son of Haran, and his daughter 110 00:06:13,290 --> 00:06:17,539 in law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from 111 00:06:17,599 --> 00:06:20,270 Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. 112 00:06:20,460 --> 00:06:23,150 But when they came to Haran, they settled there. 113 00:06:23,159 --> 00:06:24,380 We'll stop right there. 114 00:06:24,710 --> 00:06:27,670 Just want to make some some notes here to remind us. 115 00:06:27,670 --> 00:06:32,080 I know many of us are very familiar with Abram and his life, but we want 116 00:06:32,330 --> 00:06:36,170 to stop because some of these things play a pivotal role for the next. 117 00:06:36,580 --> 00:06:40,990 Couple of weeks in this bible study and understanding a bigger picture of 118 00:06:40,990 --> 00:06:45,500 god's story as well And we see here they come from the land of ur which 119 00:06:45,500 --> 00:06:51,230 was a big city Uh during this time And it was known for its idol worship. 120 00:06:51,570 --> 00:06:55,399 And so they worshiped the moon and so there was a moon god I believe it was 121 00:06:55,420 --> 00:07:01,180 uh, hannah or henan, uh in certain different translations and so abram's 122 00:07:01,180 --> 00:07:06,685 family You His family, his parents and those before him actually worshiped idols, 123 00:07:07,284 --> 00:07:10,664 which is important to understand and appreciate when we see the call of Abram. 124 00:07:11,094 --> 00:07:14,004 Now, Abram's wife, Sarai, she was unable to have children. 125 00:07:14,005 --> 00:07:18,205 That's going to play a big role in understanding the call and also later on. 126 00:07:18,404 --> 00:07:21,054 And then also, uh, Abram's nephew, Lot. 127 00:07:21,790 --> 00:07:25,070 Uh, accompanies him and maybe was actually being taken care of. 128 00:07:25,110 --> 00:07:29,040 We don't know lots age at the time, but we know he joins Abram. 129 00:07:29,070 --> 00:07:32,300 So let's go ahead and let's continue in verse one. 130 00:07:32,530 --> 00:07:36,509 It says the Lord said to Abram, go from your country, your people and 131 00:07:36,509 --> 00:07:38,600 your father's household to the land. 132 00:07:38,940 --> 00:07:39,820 I will show you. 133 00:07:40,399 --> 00:07:43,200 I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. 134 00:07:43,550 --> 00:07:46,760 I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. 135 00:07:47,260 --> 00:07:50,880 I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you, I will 136 00:07:50,890 --> 00:07:54,680 curse and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. 137 00:07:55,039 --> 00:07:59,459 So Abram went as the Lord had told him and Lot went with him. 138 00:07:59,460 --> 00:08:03,870 Abram was 75 years old when he set out from Haran. 139 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:08,560 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated 140 00:08:08,820 --> 00:08:10,770 and the people they had acquired in Haran. 141 00:08:10,770 --> 00:08:13,880 And they set out for the land of Canaan and they arrived there. 142 00:08:14,425 --> 00:08:17,375 Abram traveled through the land as far as the sight of the 143 00:08:17,375 --> 00:08:19,765 great tree of Moreh at Shechem. 144 00:08:20,365 --> 00:08:22,564 At that time, the Canaanites were in the land. 145 00:08:22,815 --> 00:08:28,314 The Lord appeared to Abram and said to your offspring, I will give this land. 146 00:08:28,815 --> 00:08:33,144 So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him. 147 00:08:33,484 --> 00:08:38,245 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. 148 00:08:38,674 --> 00:08:43,369 With Bethel on the west and Ai on the east, There he built an altar to the 149 00:08:43,380 --> 00:08:46,280 Lord and called on the name of the Lord. 150 00:08:46,599 --> 00:08:50,479 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev. 151 00:08:50,500 --> 00:08:52,339 We'll stop right there. 152 00:08:52,719 --> 00:08:54,349 All right, so let's recap here. 153 00:08:55,250 --> 00:08:59,529 They're in the land of Ur, but God calls Abram and he appears to him and we don't 154 00:08:59,529 --> 00:09:04,109 know exactly how it happened, but he gives him his word and he tells him to leave. 155 00:09:04,555 --> 00:09:07,415 And that he's going to show him where he should go, but he gives 156 00:09:07,415 --> 00:09:14,495 them these promises of blessings upon his life and Abram does follow suit. 157 00:09:14,724 --> 00:09:18,125 And there's so many things that we can take from this, but there's a couple 158 00:09:18,125 --> 00:09:19,605 of things that I want to see here. 159 00:09:19,605 --> 00:09:26,425 Is that when God calls and we see here, God has this call for Abraham. 160 00:09:27,145 --> 00:09:29,565 And, or excuse me, I might say Abraham and Abram because, you 161 00:09:29,565 --> 00:09:32,675 know, just interchangeable and I always think of him as Abraham. 162 00:09:32,685 --> 00:09:37,195 But when God calls Abram, we see the sacrifice of God's call. 163 00:09:37,775 --> 00:09:40,235 We see the blessings of God's call. 164 00:09:40,395 --> 00:09:42,795 We see the nature of God's call. 165 00:09:43,075 --> 00:09:46,265 And also we see how to answer God's call. 166 00:09:46,615 --> 00:09:47,905 And so let's walk through that. 167 00:09:47,905 --> 00:09:49,225 Church, are you still with me here? 168 00:09:49,885 --> 00:09:50,675 All right, let's go through this. 169 00:09:50,705 --> 00:09:55,405 Let's look at the first part the sacrifice of God's call right 170 00:09:55,405 --> 00:09:58,955 there in verse 1 He tells him to go from your country your people your 171 00:09:58,955 --> 00:10:01,064 father's household and to the land. 172 00:10:01,065 --> 00:10:05,244 I will show you Was that a sacrifice? 173 00:10:06,544 --> 00:10:11,495 He says I want you to leave your hometown Leave your family leave your culture 174 00:10:11,675 --> 00:10:14,925 and I want you to go somewhere and I'm not even going to tell you where 175 00:10:14,925 --> 00:10:18,920 yet Now that's, that's a high calling. 176 00:10:18,980 --> 00:10:21,190 Some of us, we don't even want to leave our family. 177 00:10:22,090 --> 00:10:24,390 Like we want to live with our parents until we're like 60. 178 00:10:24,390 --> 00:10:25,360 You know what I'm saying? 179 00:10:26,290 --> 00:10:29,640 And so none of us, some of us, we don't want to dare leave Southern California. 180 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:30,820 I know that's me. 181 00:10:31,169 --> 00:10:34,900 But he says, Abram, I'm calling you and I want you to leave 182 00:10:35,630 --> 00:10:38,460 your family, your country. 183 00:10:39,315 --> 00:10:44,025 Your culture, your relationships, and go to the unknown. 184 00:10:44,025 --> 00:10:45,725 Is there anything harder than that? 185 00:10:48,154 --> 00:10:50,405 I don't know about you, but that would have been tough. 186 00:10:50,455 --> 00:10:54,975 You know, one of those requests would have been a challenge, but 187 00:10:54,975 --> 00:10:57,235 all four, that makes it even more. 188 00:10:58,145 --> 00:11:02,485 And you have to ask yourself, why would Abram follow this? 189 00:11:03,675 --> 00:11:05,075 Put yourself in those shoes. 190 00:11:05,154 --> 00:11:07,055 Would you have quickly said yes? 191 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:11,120 Why would anyone want to do this? 192 00:11:11,860 --> 00:11:14,630 Well, I think we understand a little bit more as we think about the 193 00:11:14,630 --> 00:11:17,680 blessings of God's call He says to Abra. 194 00:11:17,680 --> 00:11:22,429 I will make you a great nation Your name will be great and you will be a blessing 195 00:11:22,429 --> 00:11:27,420 and others a great nation You're gonna go from one to a great nation again. 196 00:11:27,560 --> 00:11:29,280 How many kids does he have at this time? 197 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:31,990 None, he's 75 years old. 198 00:11:31,990 --> 00:11:34,610 He's probably looking around like who are you talking to? 199 00:11:35,310 --> 00:11:36,290 What are you talking about? 200 00:11:36,340 --> 00:11:37,680 Oh, my nephew Lodge. 201 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:38,180 Okay. 202 00:11:38,180 --> 00:11:40,460 It's going to be through him because we're family. 203 00:11:40,470 --> 00:11:42,160 He probably is reasoning that. 204 00:11:44,290 --> 00:11:46,349 But he says, I will make you a great nation. 205 00:11:46,350 --> 00:11:47,549 I will make your name great. 206 00:11:47,560 --> 00:11:50,010 That sounds a whole lot better than a good reputation. 207 00:11:51,230 --> 00:11:53,910 And he goes on and says that you will be a blessing. 208 00:11:53,910 --> 00:11:57,060 You're going to be a blessing to those you are around. 209 00:11:57,210 --> 00:11:59,020 You're going to be a blessing to those. 210 00:11:59,319 --> 00:12:00,569 They're going to be taken care of. 211 00:12:00,985 --> 00:12:03,444 And he says the whole world will be blessed through you. 212 00:12:03,615 --> 00:12:05,995 You're not going to have just a local impact. 213 00:12:06,685 --> 00:12:11,005 You're going to have a worldwide, eternal impact. 214 00:12:12,494 --> 00:12:16,665 And so I'm sure Abram started thinking through these blessings. 215 00:12:17,364 --> 00:12:22,194 And thinking, yes, there's a sacrifice, but look at all that God is calling me to. 216 00:12:23,155 --> 00:12:27,064 You know, when God calls to do something as well, we can see he's 217 00:12:27,064 --> 00:12:29,305 calling for a greater purpose. 218 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:35,640 He's calling for this greater purpose and we can see, um, also 219 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:40,190 that when God calls us to sacrifice, he also promises blessings. 220 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:44,490 And I believe maybe God is trying to help us because when we're called, if we 221 00:12:44,490 --> 00:12:47,669 actually follow, there's going to be times where it's challenging and we're going to 222 00:12:47,669 --> 00:12:50,539 question, why am I sacrificing so much? 223 00:12:52,090 --> 00:12:54,680 And then we'll have these promises to go back to. 224 00:12:55,105 --> 00:12:58,665 To help motivate us to get over the hump and continue moving forward. 225 00:12:58,805 --> 00:13:00,175 Can you relate to that at all? 226 00:13:02,145 --> 00:13:06,544 And I believe that god is just a benevolent father who just wants to 227 00:13:06,544 --> 00:13:11,854 shower us with good things That he wants to take care of us And so we 228 00:13:11,854 --> 00:13:16,184 also see something about the nature of god's call in these verses. 229 00:13:16,184 --> 00:13:19,715 I'll make you a great nation But he also says all the peoples on 230 00:13:19,745 --> 00:13:23,629 earth will be blessed Let's let's let's stop here for a second. 231 00:13:23,849 --> 00:13:27,599 One of the things that stood out to me in this nature of God's call is 232 00:13:27,599 --> 00:13:32,900 that God's really calling Abram to a relationship first and foremost. 233 00:13:34,469 --> 00:13:37,780 Remember, Abram doesn't come from a family of worshipers of God. 234 00:13:38,279 --> 00:13:42,709 The people of God, not just the people of God, but really most people in this 235 00:13:42,709 --> 00:13:46,749 land at this time, they have deviated from knowing the true God Yahweh. 236 00:13:47,670 --> 00:13:52,480 And so Abram is being called first and foremost to a relationship because 237 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:54,400 we're going to go on a journey together. 238 00:13:54,980 --> 00:13:55,770 What does he call him to? 239 00:13:55,780 --> 00:13:59,610 Hey, come lead and we're going to go somewhere together. 240 00:14:00,300 --> 00:14:03,059 Now how many times do you journey off with strangers? 241 00:14:04,100 --> 00:14:07,490 Hopefully you don't do a lot of this, but you don't, unless 242 00:14:07,490 --> 00:14:08,910 you're on the Greyhound or Amtrak. 243 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:09,720 You know what I'm saying? 244 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:13,789 I've DC, boy, that was an experience. 245 00:14:13,790 --> 00:14:14,439 You know what I'm saying? 246 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:14,480 Yeah. 247 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:14,519 Yeah. 248 00:14:15,170 --> 00:14:17,600 I don't have time to get into that, but boy, trust, I haven't 249 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:18,660 been on the Greyhound since. 250 00:14:18,660 --> 00:14:23,670 All right, so, but when you go on a journey with someone, what happens 251 00:14:23,670 --> 00:14:25,559 with you and that someone or someones? 252 00:14:26,590 --> 00:14:27,319 You bond. 253 00:14:28,290 --> 00:14:31,390 Kenny and Julie just went on a journey across the country. 254 00:14:31,969 --> 00:14:34,270 They drove their daughter over to Maryland. 255 00:14:34,270 --> 00:14:35,819 So that's about 3000 miles. 256 00:14:35,819 --> 00:14:37,290 We said, Kenny and Julie, how was it? 257 00:14:37,300 --> 00:14:38,210 They said it was terrible. 258 00:14:38,210 --> 00:14:38,970 No, that's not what they said. 259 00:14:39,925 --> 00:14:41,095 They said it was awesome. 260 00:14:41,095 --> 00:14:45,315 They said, man, we did this and have so many experiences and connections and 261 00:14:45,325 --> 00:14:47,555 memories from this journey together. 262 00:14:47,705 --> 00:14:51,145 So when God calls Abram, what's he calling them to chew and experience 263 00:14:51,145 --> 00:14:56,104 and adventure of relationship, we're going to go somewhere together. 264 00:14:56,794 --> 00:15:00,184 We're going to build some memories and you know, like all journeys that we'll 265 00:15:00,184 --> 00:15:03,144 see, there are some ups and downs, especially if you have kids with you. 266 00:15:05,004 --> 00:15:06,325 No, we are not there yet. 267 00:15:07,814 --> 00:15:09,135 No, we're not going to stop yet. 268 00:15:09,185 --> 00:15:10,875 You know what I'm talking about, parents. 269 00:15:11,964 --> 00:15:14,844 But he calls into a journey, an adventure. 270 00:15:15,334 --> 00:15:18,005 And this call is for a bigger purpose. 271 00:15:18,125 --> 00:15:23,704 It's beyond Abram and his circumstances, that even what he can fathom or imagine. 272 00:15:24,765 --> 00:15:30,295 God chose Abram to be a vessel to redeem his creation. 273 00:15:31,165 --> 00:15:32,545 That it would be a great nation. 274 00:15:32,545 --> 00:15:33,334 Who is that nation? 275 00:15:35,650 --> 00:15:37,930 Israel, you guys got the right answers, not a true question. 276 00:15:39,740 --> 00:15:42,460 The nation of Israel comes out, well what comes from the nation of Israel? 277 00:15:42,460 --> 00:15:48,019 We have the prophets, we have the scriptures, and we have the Messiah. 278 00:15:49,689 --> 00:15:53,939 That comes from the great nation, which again, this great nation wasn't 279 00:15:53,949 --> 00:15:57,449 really a promise just for Abram, but it was a promise for the world. 280 00:15:57,460 --> 00:15:58,880 It was bigger than Abram. 281 00:16:00,489 --> 00:16:02,680 It was for you, and for me. 282 00:16:05,089 --> 00:16:06,500 And we see this great call. 283 00:16:08,030 --> 00:16:10,880 And we see it's a bigger plan that Abram really knows nothing of, 284 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:12,490 nor will he see it all fulfilled. 285 00:16:12,490 --> 00:16:18,859 It says, Hey, to your offspring, I will give this land, your offspring, not you. 286 00:16:18,869 --> 00:16:22,819 You're not going to fully be able to appreciate it and live here like this. 287 00:16:23,770 --> 00:16:26,449 So this is bigger than you, Abram. 288 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:30,740 And so we see the nature of God's call. 289 00:16:32,435 --> 00:16:35,125 But then we also see the answer to God's call. 290 00:16:35,135 --> 00:16:36,755 Brothers and sisters, are you still with me here? 291 00:16:36,755 --> 00:16:41,525 It says, So Abram went out as the Lord had told him. 292 00:16:42,545 --> 00:16:44,344 I just love the simplicity of the scriptures here. 293 00:16:45,115 --> 00:16:48,295 Abram's got a lot of people with him and he's got a wife. 294 00:16:49,295 --> 00:16:50,224 We're going to go somewhere. 295 00:16:50,224 --> 00:16:51,015 Where are we going? 296 00:16:51,214 --> 00:16:53,015 We're just going to hop on the five and we'll see. 297 00:16:56,435 --> 00:16:59,704 I would love to know what was that conversation like with Sarai at that time. 298 00:17:00,865 --> 00:17:05,015 Hey, God told me which God Yahweh, uh, what are you talking about? 299 00:17:05,835 --> 00:17:06,755 We're gonna just gonna leave. 300 00:17:06,755 --> 00:17:07,474 Where are we going? 301 00:17:07,565 --> 00:17:08,234 I don't know yet. 302 00:17:09,483 --> 00:17:12,265 So I'm sure he went but I'm sure there was some conversations 303 00:17:12,265 --> 00:17:13,454 that took place in the meantime. 304 00:17:13,454 --> 00:17:14,134 You with me here? 305 00:17:15,684 --> 00:17:19,984 And so he went but he comes in contact with the true God. 306 00:17:23,385 --> 00:17:24,775 It says that the Lord appeared to him again. 307 00:17:24,775 --> 00:17:28,035 We don't know exactly how but we know that God's word was revealed. 308 00:17:28,620 --> 00:17:31,370 And so he's beginning to know the truth of the one true God. 309 00:17:31,500 --> 00:17:35,600 Hey, if I don't worship, I'm around, this is actually false. 310 00:17:38,540 --> 00:17:43,330 You know, I have a chance now to, to go and be a part of this grand plan that 311 00:17:43,330 --> 00:17:45,799 the creator wants me to, to be a part of. 312 00:17:47,260 --> 00:17:50,110 And I believe he starts to go, you know, I think, I think I should 313 00:17:50,110 --> 00:17:51,840 trust God and I should do this. 314 00:17:53,370 --> 00:17:56,329 I think, I think, I think he's going to get us through and he's going to bless. 315 00:17:57,310 --> 00:18:03,250 And I think he realized that the blessings far outweighed the sacrifice. 316 00:18:05,570 --> 00:18:10,480 And we see here that he obeys, he sets out for the land of Canaan. 317 00:18:11,270 --> 00:18:16,160 And not only that, but he goes and he builds an altar to the Lord. 318 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:22,590 So he obeys, he worships, and he makes God known to the surrounding community. 319 00:18:24,035 --> 00:18:28,685 He worships and makes God known it says at the great tree of moray at Shechem So 320 00:18:28,695 --> 00:18:34,015 this was a place that was known for idol worship Some commentators think that this 321 00:18:34,015 --> 00:18:38,825 is maybe where they would give Sermons, if you will about their idol worship 322 00:18:39,125 --> 00:18:41,945 and what does Abram do at this location? 323 00:18:42,015 --> 00:18:47,570 He decides I'm going to erect an altar to the one true God And remember 324 00:18:47,570 --> 00:18:49,050 it's not just Abram doing this. 325 00:18:49,110 --> 00:18:52,430 He has a family of people that are with him. 326 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:53,770 It's a large number of people. 327 00:18:53,940 --> 00:18:56,210 So this wasn't an event that was done in quiet. 328 00:18:56,379 --> 00:19:00,170 This was a public showing and display of his faith. 329 00:19:01,030 --> 00:19:04,819 This was the, maybe the first church perk service, if you will. 330 00:19:05,680 --> 00:19:12,660 And he's wide out in the open and he's proclaiming the God of the universe. 331 00:19:13,990 --> 00:19:15,500 And he builds an altar there. 332 00:19:16,540 --> 00:19:18,610 And not only that, but then he goes and builds another 333 00:19:18,610 --> 00:19:20,780 one and calls upon the Lord. 334 00:19:20,790 --> 00:19:24,150 No wonder he's the father of faith. 335 00:19:26,450 --> 00:19:28,650 And so we see the nature of God's call. 336 00:19:28,650 --> 00:19:33,529 We see the answer to God's call, the sacrifice, the blessings of God's call. 337 00:19:33,730 --> 00:19:38,960 But again, we can relate because we too are all called by God. 338 00:19:40,190 --> 00:19:44,100 And so here's the thing, God calls all of us today. 339 00:19:44,555 --> 00:19:49,145 And when I see, and I say us, I mean yes, everyone in this room, but every single 340 00:19:49,145 --> 00:19:52,175 person outside of this room as well. 341 00:19:52,950 --> 00:19:55,560 That God calls all of his creation. 342 00:19:55,830 --> 00:19:57,780 And we can see from a couple of scriptures. 343 00:19:58,169 --> 00:20:02,419 Jesus says to go and make disciples of all nations. 344 00:20:02,770 --> 00:20:07,759 The Apostle Paul tells Timothy that God wants all people to be saved and 345 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:09,149 come to a knowledge of the truth. 346 00:20:09,439 --> 00:20:13,810 The Apostle Peter says that God doesn't want anyone to perish, but 347 00:20:13,879 --> 00:20:16,480 everyone to come to repentance. 348 00:20:17,030 --> 00:20:20,939 God calls all of us and every person alive. 349 00:20:21,280 --> 00:20:23,360 Two day to him 350 00:20:25,580 --> 00:20:30,920 and we have to understand the nature of God's call for us as well because God 351 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:36,690 has called us to an eternal relationship with him through his son, Jesus. 352 00:20:37,735 --> 00:20:40,835 This call to join God and redeeming the world. 353 00:20:40,845 --> 00:20:46,925 Remember Abram is a part of this big colossal cosmic plan to redeem 354 00:20:46,934 --> 00:20:48,825 all of creation back to God. 355 00:20:48,945 --> 00:20:53,405 And what does he call for us to join him in that work in redeeming 356 00:20:53,554 --> 00:20:55,884 all of creation back to God? 357 00:20:56,634 --> 00:21:00,135 And he also calls us to a specific purpose. 358 00:21:00,645 --> 00:21:04,335 You know, Abram was called to a specific lane, a specific purpose. 359 00:21:04,605 --> 00:21:09,904 I am 100 percent convinced that God calls each one of us to a greater purpose and 360 00:21:09,905 --> 00:21:12,815 to a specific purpose for our lives. 361 00:21:13,425 --> 00:21:18,384 And so that God wants to take this specific time, this specific place, 362 00:21:18,664 --> 00:21:23,975 your passions, your desires, your experiences, your talents and your 363 00:21:23,975 --> 00:21:29,545 resources, and use it to accomplish His great will and for His glory to be seen. 364 00:21:29,825 --> 00:21:35,875 Through you and so all of us are called by God and God, you know, it's funny. 365 00:21:35,875 --> 00:21:38,885 He chose Abram and we're not really sure at least from the 366 00:21:38,885 --> 00:21:40,904 scriptures why he chose Abram. 367 00:21:43,025 --> 00:21:46,485 There's nothing that seems to be special about Abram at this point. 368 00:21:47,904 --> 00:21:51,095 But God chose him and so I know for some of us we go. 369 00:21:51,245 --> 00:21:56,205 Yeah, that might apply to someone else, but I'm just a little old me. 370 00:21:56,635 --> 00:21:58,255 God's not calling me to something. 371 00:21:58,750 --> 00:21:59,970 He's calling you. 372 00:22:00,850 --> 00:22:04,240 Because I'm sure at that point, Abram wasn't this grand figure that 373 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:06,470 would become the father of faith. 374 00:22:07,550 --> 00:22:09,629 And so we don't know why he got you, but he chose him. 375 00:22:09,629 --> 00:22:15,139 And God is choosing and has chosen you for a greater purpose 376 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:17,309 and for a specific purpose. 377 00:22:18,569 --> 00:22:22,230 And this call by God includes sacrifice. 378 00:22:23,139 --> 00:22:24,389 It includes many blessings. 379 00:22:25,270 --> 00:22:28,390 And it requires an answer and response from God. 380 00:22:28,980 --> 00:22:31,710 And so we see this sacrifice that is called. 381 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:35,310 Jesus said, If anyone will come after me and does not hate father, 382 00:22:35,310 --> 00:22:38,779 mother, wife, children, brother, sister, yes, even their own life, 383 00:22:38,779 --> 00:22:40,910 such a person cannot be my disciple. 384 00:22:41,285 --> 00:22:45,025 And whoever does not carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 385 00:22:45,195 --> 00:22:48,185 And then later on he says, in the same way, those of you who do not give up 386 00:22:48,245 --> 00:22:50,525 everything, you cannot be my disciples. 387 00:22:50,654 --> 00:22:53,515 He doesn't mean hate your father, mother, and brother, and sisters. 388 00:22:53,515 --> 00:22:55,505 He's using hyperbole to make a point. 389 00:22:55,535 --> 00:22:58,505 He's trying to let us know that Jesus has to be number one, 390 00:22:58,505 --> 00:23:00,485 so we have to sacrifice all. 391 00:23:02,045 --> 00:23:05,785 And so that's the sacrifice for you and me today. 392 00:23:06,235 --> 00:23:11,025 Family, relationships, past sins, our attitudes, our way of life, our comfort, 393 00:23:11,295 --> 00:23:15,335 Jesus must be Lord of our lives. 394 00:23:15,895 --> 00:23:19,985 We have to leave, like Abraham, those things behind and give him 395 00:23:19,985 --> 00:23:25,085 full control, allow him to truly steer direction of our lives. 396 00:23:25,585 --> 00:23:29,535 And if you haven't made a choice, if you haven't felt like, man, I really 397 00:23:29,725 --> 00:23:33,705 looked and thought about and decided I'm going to sacrifice for Jesus. 398 00:23:33,715 --> 00:23:35,254 I'm going to give up these things. 399 00:23:36,660 --> 00:23:41,379 Then the likelihood is that you haven't become a true Christian So 400 00:23:41,379 --> 00:23:45,329 I want to encourage you to sit with that thought because that call is for 401 00:23:45,970 --> 00:23:50,869 anyone who would come after Jesus And again, why would we do such a thing? 402 00:23:50,869 --> 00:23:53,050 Why would we give up so much? 403 00:23:53,309 --> 00:23:57,440 You know the Apostles they had a similar question one time Peter spoke up. 404 00:23:57,490 --> 00:24:01,875 He says we left everything to follow you Jesus replied, Truly I tell you, 405 00:24:02,065 --> 00:24:05,945 no one who has left home, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or 406 00:24:05,945 --> 00:24:10,895 children, or fields, for me and the gospel, will fail to receive a hundred 407 00:24:10,935 --> 00:24:13,495 times as much in this present age. 408 00:24:13,654 --> 00:24:16,235 Homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, 409 00:24:16,235 --> 00:24:21,275 along with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life. 410 00:24:21,585 --> 00:24:26,165 He says, If you sacrifice for me, I'll multiply the blessing by a hundred. 411 00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:30,940 He's not talking about prosperity gospel and we'll all be rich and ballers, 412 00:24:31,110 --> 00:24:33,590 you know that that that's not what he's talking about That's Eric Ennis. 413 00:24:33,590 --> 00:24:34,430 You know what I'm saying? 414 00:24:35,569 --> 00:24:40,899 But he's saying I'm going to bless you so much That it's gonna be incredible 415 00:24:40,899 --> 00:24:46,320 but not just for the here and now but for the age to come So man, you mean 416 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:49,820 to tell me if I sacrifice I'm gonna be blessed now and I'm gonna be blessed 417 00:24:49,820 --> 00:24:52,450 for eternity Hallelujah sign me up. 418 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:58,679 I Know it's a sacrifice But again It's eternal blessings from God. 419 00:24:59,125 --> 00:25:00,455 And again, how do we do this? 420 00:25:00,455 --> 00:25:02,805 He says, you know, Abram called upon the Lord. 421 00:25:02,815 --> 00:25:04,155 When do we call upon the Lord? 422 00:25:04,335 --> 00:25:07,715 Peter tells us when we call upon the Lord on the first day that the 423 00:25:07,715 --> 00:25:11,635 gospel message was the first gospel message that was ever preached. 424 00:25:11,995 --> 00:25:14,625 The people say, well, how do we respond to this gospel? 425 00:25:14,625 --> 00:25:19,005 Peter tells them repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus 426 00:25:19,015 --> 00:25:21,325 Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. 427 00:25:21,515 --> 00:25:23,085 You receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 428 00:25:23,185 --> 00:25:23,565 Spirit. 429 00:25:23,785 --> 00:25:27,265 Those who accepted his message were baptized and about 3, 000 430 00:25:27,275 --> 00:25:28,655 were added to the number that day. 431 00:25:28,865 --> 00:25:30,635 So what do we receive? 432 00:25:30,855 --> 00:25:32,714 We receive forgiveness of sins. 433 00:25:32,715 --> 00:25:37,675 We receive God's spirit dwelling in us and we're, we're, we're related to God and now 434 00:25:37,675 --> 00:25:39,905 part of God's greater kingdom and family. 435 00:25:41,435 --> 00:25:45,840 These blessings far outweigh the sacrifices when it 436 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:47,155 comes to the call of God. 437 00:25:47,805 --> 00:25:51,434 But like all calls, we either choose to answer or not. 438 00:25:52,895 --> 00:25:57,065 And so the question for us today is this, will you answer God's call? 439 00:25:58,575 --> 00:25:59,795 Will you answer the call? 440 00:26:00,785 --> 00:26:04,635 Will you swipe left or will you swipe right when you see that message from God? 441 00:26:05,375 --> 00:26:08,675 Will you send it to voicemail or will you answer and follow? 442 00:26:08,915 --> 00:26:09,564 You know how it is. 443 00:26:09,564 --> 00:26:10,695 Sometimes you get those calls. 444 00:26:10,695 --> 00:26:12,255 You're like, I'm not answering that one today. 445 00:26:13,415 --> 00:26:16,305 And the person goes, I know, I know you, you, you, you saw my 446 00:26:16,305 --> 00:26:18,434 call because it was straight to voicemail after the second ring. 447 00:26:18,565 --> 00:26:20,745 And that means you saw it and you turn and you decline me. 448 00:26:22,095 --> 00:26:23,875 I got a message from that from somebody the other day. 449 00:26:23,875 --> 00:26:25,165 They said, Hey, stop declining me. 450 00:26:25,165 --> 00:26:27,025 I was like, hold on, man How you know that? 451 00:26:28,795 --> 00:26:31,074 But I was doing something I say man was just because I was doing 452 00:26:31,074 --> 00:26:31,755 something, you know what I mean? 453 00:26:32,395 --> 00:26:33,685 But here's the question for you. 454 00:26:33,734 --> 00:26:35,665 Will you answer God's call? 455 00:26:36,874 --> 00:26:38,044 I Know we have some people in here. 456 00:26:38,054 --> 00:26:42,575 You have not made a decision to follow Jesus But I want to encourage you God is 457 00:26:42,605 --> 00:26:48,405 calling you to be his people and to enter his promised land of heaven So whether 458 00:26:48,405 --> 00:26:54,945 you're in person or you're online, God is calling you to him, to a relationship. 459 00:26:55,715 --> 00:26:58,844 He's calling you to an adventure and he's calling you to 460 00:26:58,844 --> 00:27:00,905 join in his redemptive work. 461 00:27:01,945 --> 00:27:05,465 But let's be honest, we have some things that could hold us back or some reasons. 462 00:27:06,394 --> 00:27:09,024 And maybe we're thinking, well, maybe it's too late for me. 463 00:27:09,565 --> 00:27:14,615 Abram was a senior citizen man was 75 years old when he got called by God. 464 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:17,240 Don't say it's too late for you. 465 00:27:17,260 --> 00:27:20,460 Okay, maybe we say, well, I'm too sinful. 466 00:27:20,460 --> 00:27:21,670 What God chose Abram. 467 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:26,529 And as far as we know, Abram might have been a moon worshiper, but we know 468 00:27:26,530 --> 00:27:32,440 his family was and so we're not too sinful to respond to the call of God. 469 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:33,770 We say it's too difficult. 470 00:27:34,090 --> 00:27:39,530 I don't know if I can change, you know, God has a track record, a track record. 471 00:27:41,065 --> 00:27:44,775 Of helping, building, informing, and shaping us to change into 472 00:27:44,775 --> 00:27:46,235 the image of his son, Jesus. 473 00:27:47,195 --> 00:27:50,394 You say, maybe it's too much to sacrifice relationships, and my 474 00:27:50,394 --> 00:27:52,985 ambitions, my aspirations, and dreams. 475 00:27:53,304 --> 00:27:56,245 You know, why would God command this type of sacrifice? 476 00:27:56,385 --> 00:27:59,815 Why can't he ask me to sacrifice just a little bit less? 477 00:28:01,555 --> 00:28:03,085 Well, let's think about this for a second. 478 00:28:03,855 --> 00:28:05,815 I always think of the marriage analogy. 479 00:28:06,595 --> 00:28:08,315 Imagine being at the altar. 480 00:28:09,030 --> 00:28:11,960 And you're going, yes, I will give my whole life to this person. 481 00:28:12,460 --> 00:28:15,950 And then the person says, yes, I will give most of my life to this person. 482 00:28:18,759 --> 00:28:19,950 Again, what did you say? 483 00:28:21,700 --> 00:28:23,940 No, I said, I will give most of my life to you. 484 00:28:24,530 --> 00:28:25,970 Is that not good enough? 485 00:28:26,269 --> 00:28:27,940 Why do you want all my hearts? 486 00:28:27,940 --> 00:28:30,990 Uh, uh, uh, uh, excuse me. 487 00:28:31,110 --> 00:28:32,750 We're going to cut this wedding ceremony right now. 488 00:28:32,760 --> 00:28:33,700 You know what I'm saying, right? 489 00:28:34,445 --> 00:28:36,575 Cause you're like, wait, I'm giving you my all. 490 00:28:36,575 --> 00:28:38,635 I would want my, I want your all back. 491 00:28:38,645 --> 00:28:40,995 You know, God gives his all to us. 492 00:28:41,665 --> 00:28:43,995 What do you think he's asking for in return? 493 00:28:44,715 --> 00:28:48,075 Some, most, middle, all in return. 494 00:28:48,685 --> 00:28:50,885 And we still can't match what he gives us. 495 00:28:51,464 --> 00:28:54,244 We can't say, you know what, man, I kind of got you today, God, I 496 00:28:54,244 --> 00:28:55,594 kind of gave more to you today. 497 00:28:55,595 --> 00:28:58,715 He's like, the fact that you can breathe and talk shows that 498 00:28:58,715 --> 00:28:59,565 you didn't give more to me. 499 00:29:01,855 --> 00:29:03,595 You know, man, I'm, oh man. 500 00:29:04,115 --> 00:29:04,415 I'm sorry. 501 00:29:04,415 --> 00:29:05,325 We got to get moving here. 502 00:29:07,705 --> 00:29:08,515 Here's the thing. 503 00:29:09,085 --> 00:29:12,615 You know, I also believe God calls it to the sacrifice because it's 504 00:29:12,625 --> 00:29:14,465 what we need for him to bless us. 505 00:29:15,855 --> 00:29:20,115 Some of these things actually prevent God's blessings in our lives. 506 00:29:21,244 --> 00:29:22,959 Because we're holding on to them. 507 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:26,070 And if things aren't there, they might seem enjoyable, seem the 508 00:29:26,070 --> 00:29:29,180 best, but God's like, I have something so much better for you. 509 00:29:29,350 --> 00:29:32,290 And in fact, if you get to me, I'll give you your desires in 510 00:29:32,290 --> 00:29:35,180 a different way or maybe in a greater way than you even imagine. 511 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:38,800 But just let go of those things and allow yourself to follow me. 512 00:29:39,880 --> 00:29:42,790 And so he calls us to the sacrifice, not because he's mean 513 00:29:42,990 --> 00:29:44,440 or he's selfish or he's arrogant. 514 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:47,420 No, because he knows what's best and he wants to bless. 515 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:51,170 So that's why we can look at the sacrifice to go. 516 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:51,680 Hmm. 517 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:57,170 It doesn't really compare to what God wants in and for my life 518 00:29:58,550 --> 00:29:59,910 Sometimes we can say we're too busy. 519 00:29:59,910 --> 00:30:01,090 We're never too busy for God. 520 00:30:02,140 --> 00:30:04,140 We say you're too scared of the unknown. 521 00:30:04,420 --> 00:30:08,400 You know, God was present with Abram and he fulfilled all of his promises to Abram. 522 00:30:10,170 --> 00:30:11,140 Every single one. 523 00:30:12,770 --> 00:30:15,800 So I want to encourage every one of us that God loves you and wants 524 00:30:16,239 --> 00:30:21,470 to bless you and the blessings far outweigh the sacrifices. 525 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:26,180 I do have a message here as well for those of us who have made. 526 00:30:26,455 --> 00:30:26,985 That decision. 527 00:30:26,995 --> 00:30:30,165 We answer God's call at some point in our lives and maybe we've been a 528 00:30:30,165 --> 00:30:34,005 member of this church for many years or maybe just for a couple of weeks. 529 00:30:34,445 --> 00:30:35,974 But here's the question for you. 530 00:30:36,325 --> 00:30:37,984 Are you still answering God's call? 531 00:30:39,744 --> 00:30:46,054 Are you still answering God's call, still living by faith or now living by sight? 532 00:30:49,155 --> 00:30:53,065 What you sacrificed before when you decided that Jesus was going to be Lord, 533 00:30:53,225 --> 00:30:57,234 that you gave up, did you, as you went on your journey, did you decide, let 534 00:30:57,234 --> 00:31:00,015 me go back and pick those things up? 535 00:31:01,435 --> 00:31:05,495 When Jesus says to carry your cross and follow him, we can, yeah, I'm carrying 536 00:31:05,505 --> 00:31:11,884 my cross, but maybe we put it down a couple weeks, months, or years ago. 537 00:31:12,974 --> 00:31:21,670 Are we still answering God's Call or are there a lot of missed calls from God on 538 00:31:21,670 --> 00:31:26,579 our call log lists Where God's been he's been teaching he's been reaching out 539 00:31:26,580 --> 00:31:32,349 to us, but we've been hitting decline Maybe it's discouragement Life hasn't 540 00:31:32,349 --> 00:31:37,390 gone the way you thought Maybe it's distraction Distracted by the world's 541 00:31:37,390 --> 00:31:42,960 pleasures or world's worries or the temptations of earthly desires and 542 00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:47,165 all these different things You know, the one thing I appreciate about the 543 00:31:47,175 --> 00:31:51,845 journey of Abram is that it reminds us that our life is a journey with God. 544 00:31:53,535 --> 00:31:57,664 That it's not a one time decision and a one time call and then that's it. 545 00:31:58,655 --> 00:31:59,835 But it's a journey. 546 00:32:00,095 --> 00:32:03,525 And as we'll see in studying, there's going to be ups and downs in this journey. 547 00:32:03,775 --> 00:32:09,195 But because of God's love, God calls us back by His grace to 548 00:32:09,205 --> 00:32:10,605 join us again in the journey. 549 00:32:11,435 --> 00:32:15,275 And so if you have not been answering God's call recently, 550 00:32:15,335 --> 00:32:21,065 if you have regressed, God's grace is calling you back today. 551 00:32:21,914 --> 00:32:24,774 Not tomorrow, but today. 552 00:32:25,365 --> 00:32:29,565 He's calling you to return to his calling. 553 00:32:31,175 --> 00:32:34,575 And so what is God calling you to today? 554 00:32:35,845 --> 00:32:40,065 Some of us, he's calling you to get right with him, to make a decision, to 555 00:32:40,065 --> 00:32:42,275 seek and pursue a relationship with him. 556 00:32:42,635 --> 00:32:45,604 Some of us, it's, hey, we've been studying the Bible, we've 557 00:32:45,615 --> 00:32:46,945 been hearing different things. 558 00:32:47,234 --> 00:32:48,975 He's calling you today to commit. 559 00:32:49,635 --> 00:32:52,464 For some of us, he's calling you to return to God. 560 00:32:53,004 --> 00:32:56,585 You, you, you aren't answering the call anymore, and he's calling you to return. 561 00:32:57,135 --> 00:33:01,880 For others, it may be to fulfill your specific purpose, and Right now, your 562 00:33:01,880 --> 00:33:07,590 time, your resources, your money, your availability, your talent, your experience 563 00:33:07,600 --> 00:33:12,610 to serve others and fulfill God's greater purpose in and around your life. 564 00:33:13,950 --> 00:33:20,050 And so I believe then that every one of us, the response is to answer God's call. 565 00:33:21,300 --> 00:33:26,750 Whatever he's calling you to today, to answer God's call, Abram's journey 566 00:33:26,750 --> 00:33:31,170 reveals that our journey requires us to respond in faith to God's call 567 00:33:31,170 --> 00:33:33,729 and to follow the Lord's direction. 568 00:33:35,080 --> 00:33:37,980 And so I want to encourage you practically, uh, if you're coming 569 00:33:37,980 --> 00:33:41,640 out first time to set up a Bible study, to get into the word and 570 00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:43,139 discover what, what is God's call? 571 00:33:43,450 --> 00:33:44,940 More in my life. 572 00:33:44,950 --> 00:33:47,610 If you've been studying the Bible, take that step of faith. 573 00:33:47,640 --> 00:33:51,120 Make Jesus Lord and decide to repent and get baptized and 574 00:33:51,130 --> 00:33:52,630 give yourself over to Christ. 575 00:33:53,080 --> 00:33:57,070 For those who are disciples of Jesus, return to God's call. 576 00:33:57,290 --> 00:34:00,470 Make that altar in your neighborhood, if you will, and 577 00:34:00,470 --> 00:34:03,689 make God known to those around you. 578 00:34:04,439 --> 00:34:09,489 Or it's to answer God's call to serve, to lead, and to share the good news. 579 00:34:10,074 --> 00:34:13,125 You know, we're going to learn a lot in this series about our journey 580 00:34:13,125 --> 00:34:17,585 of faith and be reminded of things as we study the journey of Abram. 581 00:34:18,184 --> 00:34:23,554 But we have to remember the journey begins with a call and God has 582 00:34:23,554 --> 00:34:29,194 called every single one of us and our response is to answer God's call. 583 00:34:29,734 --> 00:34:36,855 Let's answer God's call today with decisions to follow in faith. 584 00:34:37,465 --> 00:34:39,114 Right now we're going to take communion. 585 00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:43,639 This is where we, uh, remember Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. 586 00:34:43,639 --> 00:34:46,909 And we take the emblems that represent his body and his blood 587 00:34:46,920 --> 00:34:48,539 that was sacrificed for us. 588 00:34:48,940 --> 00:34:52,960 And again, we're reminded that the promises of God to Abram 589 00:34:52,960 --> 00:34:56,719 were all fulfilled in Jesus. 590 00:34:57,520 --> 00:35:02,530 And through Jesus and his sacrifice, we too are blessed and have the 591 00:35:02,530 --> 00:35:05,350 opportunity to be a blessing to others. 592 00:35:05,710 --> 00:35:10,070 I want to read this passage before we pray for communion in acts 3 the apostles 593 00:35:10,360 --> 00:35:14,509 They're they're talking and they tie it back into abram and the blessing that is 594 00:35:14,509 --> 00:35:18,670 fulfilled through Jesus says and you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant 595 00:35:18,919 --> 00:35:23,720 god made with your fathers He said to abraham through your offspring all peoples 596 00:35:23,720 --> 00:35:28,570 on earth will be blessed when god raised up his servant talking about jesus He 597 00:35:28,570 --> 00:35:35,010 sent jesus first to you to bless you by turning each of you From your wicked Ways. 598 00:35:35,020 --> 00:35:36,200 Let's go to God in prayer. 599 00:35:36,200 --> 00:35:36,460 Father. 600 00:35:36,460 --> 00:35:41,640 Thank you so much for Jesus for him being the fulfillments of all 601 00:35:41,995 --> 00:35:46,175 For him being a fulfillment of the promises that you gave to Abram. 602 00:35:46,215 --> 00:35:51,785 We see your plan unfold and God Thank you that we get a chance to Be embraced by 603 00:35:51,785 --> 00:35:59,084 you to participate in this great divine call to redeem to redeem your creation 604 00:35:59,284 --> 00:36:01,125 We thank you for jesus and his life. 605 00:36:01,125 --> 00:36:05,185 We thank you for his perfection We thank you for his death upon the cross for our 606 00:36:05,185 --> 00:36:10,880 sins and we thank you for his resurrection God that we too can have hope And we thank 607 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:12,740 you for the new lives you have given us. 608 00:36:13,090 --> 00:36:16,460 God, we pray right now that we can not only listen and hear 609 00:36:16,460 --> 00:36:20,650 your call, but God, that we can answer your call today in Christ. 610 00:36:20,650 --> 00:36:21,870 It's in his name we pray. 611 00:36:22,339 --> 00:36:22,739 Amen.