Genesis 11:27-32 NKJV This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot. (28) And Haran died before his father Terah in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans. (29) Then Abram and Nahor took wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and the father of Iscah. (30) But Sarai was barren; she had no child. (31) And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there. (32) So the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and Terah died in Haran.
Genesis 12:1-9 NKJV Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. (2) I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (4) So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. (5) Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. (6) Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. (7) Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. (8) And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. (9) So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.
- Church we not finally begin reading about the history of Abraham, a man who is famous throughout both the Old and New Testaments, and is famous throughout the world today.
- In fact, he may be the most famous man in the world, next to Jesus, as three of the largest religions in the world, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, have Abraham as a patriarch and prophet. This means that more than half of the world’s population revere Abraham as a father.
- It can truly be sad that “Father Abraham had many sons, and many sons had father Abraham…”
- Now of course Abraham is not Abram yet, we have not gotten that far, he is still just Abram… but we will get to the pivotal moment where God changes his name and the name of his wife latter on in Genesis, as well as the many prophecies, blessings, and doctrines that are still important today that stemmed from Abrahams life and relationship with God… But for now, we have to start somewhere, so let’s start with the call of Abram…
- A called out people.
- What immediately flew off the page as I was reading these verses in preparation for this message was that Abram was called out…
- God specifically called him to leave where he was and go somewhere new… to start a nation, to start a people… a called out people.
- Now as we go through the rest of Genesis there are some important things that we are going to need to remember… just like how in Revelation we had some rules of Biblical interpretation, there are going to be some rules of Abrahamic interpretation as well…
- Because for the rest of Genesis there are going to be prophecies, and blessings spoken over Abraham and his children, and we need to know if and how to apply those blessings to our lives.
- Are they blessings for us?
- Are they relevant today?
- To what extent do these blessings and promises apply to us?
- So as we go through Genesis, here are some things that we as born again believers in Christ Jesus need to remember:
Three Reminders about our Relationship to Abraham
- We are Grafted into the Vine – Romans 11:11-24
- We are Circumcised of the Heart – Romans 2:28-29
- We are Heirs to Abraham’s Promise – Galatians 3:29
- So let me explain this real quick, because it is important to the rest of the book of Genesis, and then we will get into the encouragement for today and application to our lives from the scripture we just read.
- Here is a quick timeline of the things that will take place in Genesis for the remainder of the book…
- Abram get’s called by God.
- God changes Abrams name to Abraham, which means “Father of the nations”.
- Abraham has a son named Isaac.
- Isaac has a son named Jacob.
- God changes Jacob’s name to Israel.
- Israel has 12 sons, which are later known as the 12 tribes of Israel.
- One of Israel’s son is named Judah… and through Judah’s lineage we get Jesus.
- Thus the story of Abram is the story of Jesus… and if you belong to Jesus then the story of Abram is the story of you… that’s what these three reminders are about… let me go through them one by one.
- First reminder: We are Grafted into the Vine.
- Romans teaches us that Abram started this vine known as Israel… now of course other people groups came from Abram as well, not just Israel, but we will be primarily focused on Christ as we go through Genesis, so Israel will be talked about a lot.
- Israel is called this great vine, the vine of God’s people… and in Romans 11 we read that as Christians we are grafted into the vine of Israel…
- Now what does THAT mean? It is a word picture that people in a society full of vineyards would have instinctively understood.
- When talking about a grape vine there are two main parts, the vine and the branches.
- The vine is the trunk part, the main structure of the grape plant… but instead of being called a trunk it is called a vine… We of course know that Jesus is the vine of God’s people.
- The other part of a grape plant is the branches, these branch off from the vine and are the parts that grow the grapes… the parts that bare fruit.
- If a branch does not bear fruit the Gardner will prune that branch off, cutting it off from the branch and throwing it away to be used as fuel for fires.
- Alternatively, a farmer might see a plant that is dying but has one or two good branches that are fruitful, the farmer will then do what is called grafting… he will cut the branch off of the dying plant, bring it over to a healthy plant, and fuse the two together… this causes the healthy branch to become a part of the healthy vine. This is called “Grafting” and it is still done today.
- What Romans 11 tells us is that Israel is the grape bush of God’s people… we of course know that Jesus is the vine, but we see that in another section of scripture… in Romans 11 it teaches that God has this grape bush called Israel… His chosen people… full of these promises as far back as Abraham… promises to bless and keep and prosper His people…
- And Romans 11 says that those who reject Christ are cut off from the vine, like branches that bear no fruit…
- But if there are branches outside of the vine, who are not Israel… but they accept Christ… THEN they are grafted into the vine… THEY BECOME A PART OF ISRAEL, God’s Chosen people.
- Now I don’t want to get into replacement theology verses covenant theology vs DIspinsationilsm… but… hear this… There is ONE Israel… not two… there is ONE church of Christ… not two… When you are born again, you become a part of Biblical Israel…Romans 11 makes that clear… and thus you become a part of the promises of Abraham.
- So we are grafted into the vine… but we are not just grafted into the vine, we are circumcised of the heart.
- We will learn later in Genesis that Circumcision is a physical sign of God’s people… just like a wedding ring symbolizes that you belong to your spouse, so circumcision symbolizes that you belong to God.
- In Romans chapter 2 we learn this:
Romans 2:28-29a NKJV For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; (29) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart…
- In other words: It does not matter if you are physically Jewish or not… it does not matter if you are physically Israeli… what matters is your HEART condition.
- If you are a born again Christian, you heart has become new and you belong to Christ… thus you belong to Israel… thus you belong to Abraham.
- Finally, remember what Galatians 3:29 says… that we are heirs to Abraham’s promise:
Galatians 3:29 NKJV And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
- That verse is as clear as day… if you are in Christ then you are a child of Abraham… and if you are a child of Abraham than any promise to Abraham’s children is a promise to YOU.
- Any generational promise or blessing that was given to Abraham is a promise or blessing you can and should claim over your life.
- So as we talk about the promises and blessings of Abraham, know that we are talking about promises and blessings for you… amen?
- So again, remember these three things as we go through the rest of Genesis:
Three Reminders about our Relationship to Abraham
- We are Grafted into the Vine – Romans 11:11-24
- We are Circumcised of the Heart – Romans 2:28-29
- We are Heirs to Abraham’s Promise – Galatians 3:29
- Now with those three things in mind, let us get into our two points this morning… point one, You were Called OUT of your old life.
Point One – You Were Called Out of your old life.
Genesis 12:1 NKJV Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.
- As I prepared this sermon this verse JUMPED out of the page to me… and instantly my mind had the word “Ecclesia” highlighted to me…
- You see Jesus calls His people “the church” and in Greek, which the New Testament was written in, that word for church is “ἐκκλησία” (Ecclesia).
- Whenever you read the word “church” in the New Testament it comes from the word “Ecclesia”.
- That word means, literally “A called out people”…
- It has different uses in scripture and ancient Greek culture.
- It means a physical gathering of people who were literally called out of their homes to gather together publicly…
- Just as we have church on Sundays, we have all left our homes to come gather here this morning.
- But it also means a unity of people, a group of people globally who are called out of the normal ways of life to being gathered together as one in a unique way of life.
- Jesus calls us His “called out people”. He has called us out of our homes, He has called us out of our lives to be united in Him.
- Just as Abram was called out from his country and his family and his fathers house to be united with God and to start, if you will, the people of God…
- So are WE called out from our families and home countries to be united with God and His people.
- Just compare Genesis 12:1 to what Jesus said in Luke 14:26
Genesis 12:1 NKJV Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.
Luke 14:26 NKJV “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
- Those are some harsh words, Jesus… And I think Jesus was using a bit of hyperbole here to make a point, that our thoughts and servitude should souly be devoted to Jesus… We are called OUT from our old way of life, even from our homes and families, to follow Christ.
- I mean one guy was told he couldn’t even go back to bury his father to follow after Christ!
- Another was told “Don’t even go and say goodbye, JUST FOLLOW ME”.
- We are a called OUT people… we were CALLED OUT of our old lives.
- So this morning if you are a born again Christian take a moment to think “What was I called out of” and then make a determination “I am not going back!”
- The cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back! NO TURNING BACK, amen!
- And this concept should not be that foreign to us… life is all about these called out moments.
- When you are born, you have been called out of your mothers womb… you can’t go back…
- Then you work on getting out of your mothers arms and learning to crawl.
- Then before you know it you are out of your moms house during the day as you go to elementary school.
- Then you strive to get out of elementary school and be in high school.
- Then there is the freedom of the drivers license! No longer am I bound to going where my parents will take me! I am not turning in my drivers license again!
- Then you move out and go off to college…
- Then you get married… you leave your father and mother and cling to your wife.
- Life is all about these moments of being called out from one stage of life into the next…
- But the enemy wants you to forget…
- How many of y’all still have dreams that you are going to be late for class or fail an exam or miss an assignment?! I HATE THOSE DREAMS.
- I dream that I am not going to graduate from high school… then I wake up and remember “OH Yeah, I am DONE with that life, I am never going back to high school!”
- This should be our response when the enemy tries to remind us of our old lives… our old habits… our old sins… our old relationships.
- I AM DONE WITH THAT LIFE, I AM NEVER GOING BACK! I AM A CALLED OUT BELIVER IN JESUS CHRIST! JUST AS ABRAM WAS CALLED OUT, SO AM I, AND I AM NEVER GOING BACK.
- Not back to drugs, not back to alcohol, not back to pornography, not back to gossip, not back to greed, not back to violence… I AM CALLED OUT AND I AM NOT TURNING BACK.
- I am not turning back to hopelessness, I am not turning back to loneliness, I am not turning back to anxiety, I am not turning back to fear. When those things try to come my way I will remind myself I WAS CALLED OUT AND I REFUSE TO TURN BACK…
- and if these things try to drag me back I will fight with all the fury of heaven on my side, and I will call my brothers and sisters in Christ to fight by my side as brothers in arms! NO TURNING BACK!
- Now that brings me to point two this morning. You Were Called INTO a new life.
Point Two – You Were Called Into a New Life
Genesis 12:2-3 NKJV I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
- So we were called out of something, we must be called INTO something as well.
- What are we called into? We are called into a life of blessings, a life of protection, a life of greatness, and a life of blessing others.
- We see all of that in these two verses… let’s touch on each of these just to encourage you… this is what the Christian life should look like… because as Christians we are grafted into the vine, circumcises of the heart, and heirs of Abraham’s promise… so if it is a promise for Abram and his children, then it is a promise for me!
- So first and foremost, we are called to greatness…
- Genesis 12:2 starts with “I will make you a great nation, and your name shall be great.
- Here is another reason I love preaching through scripture, because I would have never saw this before… in the last chapter of Genesis we talked about the sins of Bable… and one of their man sins was the sin of pride…
Genesis 11:4 NKJVa And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves…
- The people of Babe sinned when they said “Let us make a name for ourselves” but God told Abram “I will make your name great”.
- I preached on this last week so I won’t be labor the point, but your greatness comes from God.
- According to Romans 8:31, You are more than a conqueror!
- We are co heirs with Christ and heirs of God’s glory! That’s what Romans 6:17 says!
- The people of Babel said “Let us make a name for ourselves, let us gather together as one”
- But God tells Abraham, I will make your name great and I will make you my nation, my special people…
- And as born again believers look what Christ says to us.
1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (10) who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
- God has made your name great! You don’t need any other identity… when the enemy tries to make you feel worthless, remind yourself “I am a chosen person, I am more than a conqueror, I am co-heirs with Christ… I am great because CHRIST in me is great!”
- So Abraham was called into greatness and we are called into greatness… but not just greatness, Abraham was called into blessings!
Genesis 12:2 NKJV I will make you a great nation; I will bless you…
- God tells Abram that He will bless him.
- In the same way God tells us that we are blessed
- Now there are some who preach that your level of holiness is directly linked to how much financial blessings you have… if you are poor, well then that must mean you are not very holy, they say… this is sometimes called the prosperity gospel.
- On the other hand there are some who preach that having any kind of financial wealth at all is sinful and we are called to live modest and poor lifestyles… this is what I am going to start calling the poverty gospel.
- But neither the prosperity gospel or the poverty gospel paint the full biblical picture.
- The full biblical picture is this: God is more than enough… and even so, He gives us more blessings…
- The Bible says that God gives us good and perfect gifts…
- Blessings in our health, in our marriages, in our finances, in our jobs, in our families. Blessings of love, and peace, and joy.
- Blessings of provision, food, and clothing.
- The Bible never promises us, on the other hand, private jets and air conditioned dog houses… but it never demands we be impoverished… the Christian Life should be a blessed life!
- But to the Poverty Gospel’s credit, they have one thing right, even without any blessings at all, GOD IS ALL THE BLESSING I NEED. Amen?!
- So Abram was promised blessings.
- Abram was also promised protection.
Genesis 12:3a NKJV I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you…
- We will talk more about this in future sermons… but the Bible says touch not the Lord’s anointed!
- People should think twice before they mess with you, you are a seed of Abraham, an heir of his promise… God will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. I have seen it happen time and time again.
- Finally God shows Abraham that he is called into a life of blessing other people.
Genesis 12:3b NKJV …And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
- We heard this morning testimonies from Rebecca about how in her… listen… in Rebecca there were families in JAPAN who were blessed!
- When God says “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” what he means is that in you ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.
- You are called, church, to live a life of blessings.
- You should be blessing other people, loving other people, helping other people, showing other people to Christ.
- The lady ringing up your groceries… bless her with kindness and a smile.
- The guy going door to door at dinner time… take a moment to encourage him, maybe pray for him and invite him to church.
- Give your missions faith pledges faithfully, consider going on missions, and be a blessing everywhere and to everyone as you go.
Conclusion
Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. (2) I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
- Church you are a CALLED OUT PEOPLE.
- You were called out of a life of sin and death and called into a life of blessing!
- Live your life blessing others, being blessed, serving God, and leaving the things of this world behind.
- I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS. NO TURNING BACK! NO TURNING BACK!
Join us this Sunday at either 8:30AM or 10:30AM for worship followed by this message from the Word of God. Christian Life Church of Cedar Rapids. 2808 Schaeffer DR SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. www.CedarRapidsChurch.com
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