Sermon 516: One Word That Changed The World (Genesis 12:1-9)

Today’s Bulletin






OUTLINE

I. Abram’s Call and Promise (v.1-3)
II. Abram’s Obedience (v.4-5a)
III. Abram’s Sojourn (v.5b-9)




Genesis 12:1-9

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.

TULIP Explained

Total depravity: This doctrine asserts that as a result of the Fall, humanity is thoroughly affected by sin, rendering individuals incapable of saving themselves or even seeking God without divine grace.

Unconditional election: This doctrine emphasizes that God's choice of whom to save is not based on any foreseen merit or goodness in individuals but is solely based on God's sovereign will.

Limited atonement (also known as particular redemption): This doctrine holds that Jesus Christ's atonement is effective only for the elect, those whom God has chosen to save, rather than for all of humanity.

Irresistible grace: This doctrine teaches that God's grace is efficacious and irresistible, meaning that when God chooses to save someone, that individual cannot resist God's grace but will inevitably be brought to faith.

Perseverance of the saints (also known as the preservation of the saints): This doctrine asserts that those whom God has chosen for salvation will persevere in faith until the end and cannot ultimately lose their salvation.


Calvin’s Real Quote

“For it is better with closed eyes to follow God as our guide than by relying on our own providence to wander through those circuitous paths which it devises for us.”

Summarized version, “It’s far better to go with your eyes closed while holding the Lord’s hand, than to go with your eyes open, but on your own.”

Abraham’s Travel from Ur to Canaan

Sermon Discussion questions
One Word That Changed The World: Genesis 12:1-9

Ice Breaker: What's your favorite way to relax and rest after a long day?

This Week Specific

  1. Consider the phrase "verbum dei nudum" or the "naked word of God.” When has God called you to obey His word even when you didn't have proof or couldn't see the full picture? What helped you trust God's bare word?

  2. We heard in the sermon, "It's far better to go with your eyes closed while holding the Lord's hand, than to go with your eyes open, but on your own." When have you experienced the truth of this in your own spiritual journey? What are some practical ways we can learn to better trust and follow God's lead?

  3. In the seven promises of God (v.2-3; 7) who does the action? Who fulfills these promises? What do you make of that? Which of these promises encourages or challenges you the most right now? Why?

  4. Nancy Guthrie said we are "called to leave behind our comfortable way of life, our earthly pursuits and priorities, and to follow after Christ with reckless abandon and wholehearted commitment." What earthly comforts, pursuits or priorities might God be calling you to leave behind or re-prioritize?

  5. In what areas of your life do you need to more wholeheartedly worship, the building of altars, and calling upon the name of the Lord as Abram did? How can we as a small group encourage another in this? What does it look like to build an alter today?

  6. The sermon highlights obstacles Abram faced in believing God's promises (Sarah's barrenness, the Canaanites in the land, etc.). What obstacles to faith are you currently facing? How can you imitate Abram's example of persevering faith amidst difficulties? How can you better learn to truly rest in the Lord, take breaks from the rushing, and devote undistracted time to worship as modeled by Abram?

  7. In what ways do you need to be more public or bold in proclaiming the name of the Lord and the gospel, following Abram's example? What fears or hindrances keep you from doing this?

  8. How can we as a group better encourage and spur one another on to the kind of obedient, worshipful, outward-focused faith modeled by Abram?

Weekly Questions

  1. What stood out to you/challenged you most in this sermon?

  2. What’s one area you feel the Lord wants to grow you into more Christ likeness?

  3. How can this group pray for you this week?