Genesis 12 1 4 Greensboro Chinese Christian Church

(Genesis 12: 1 -4) Greensboro Chinese Christian Church English Ministry Allen Lo (July 26, 2015)

Themes for 2015 u 1 Quarter - Spiritual renewal u 2 Quarter - The Word of God u 3 Quarter - Christian Living u 4 Quarter - Mission/Evangelism

Quarter - Christian Living Life of Abraham u(July) Uncertainty u. Trust God when you are not sure (Genesis 12: 1 -4) u(Aug) Uncontentious u. See things your eye cannot see (Genesis 13: 7 -12) u(Sept) u. Give Unselfish up the things that you treasure most (Genesis 22: 1 -13)

Life of Abraham u(July) Uncertainty u. Trust God when you are not sure (Genesis 12: 1 -4) u(Aug) Uncontentious u. See things your eye cannot see (Genesis 13: 7 -12) u(Sept) u. Give Unselfish up the things that you treasure most (Genesis 22: 1 -13)

Bible Scripture : Genesis 12: 1 -4 u 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: u 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: u 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall families of the earth be blessed. u 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

The story… ØAbram was called to leave his country and go to a place that God would show him ØGod promised Abram blessings of a great nation and a great name ØAbram obeyed God and did what God asked him to do Ø <Abram was blessed just like what God promised him>

Let us follow the STAR… u. Situation u. Trial u. Action u. Result

Situation u Gen 12: 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: u Gen 12: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: u Gen 12: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall families of the earth be blessed. u. God asked Abram to leave his home town to somewhere that he does not know u. God promised Abram many blessings (Great nation, great name, etc. ) u. God had not shown Abram anything yet.

Trial u. Abram was asked to go somewhere that he did not know. u. Abram faced uncertainty u. Abram was leaving his extended family and friends u. Abram was leaving his processions behind u. Abram was taking a big risk u. Abram only got some promises from God Trial of Faith and Obedience

Action u. Gen 12: 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. u. Abram departed as God had told him to u. Abram did not question u. Abram did not argue u. Abram did not worry u. Abram did not hesitate u"Just do it"

Result u. Heb 11: 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. u. Heb 11: 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. u. Abraham's faith resulted in great blessings (Great nation, great name) u. God blessed his descendants (Isaac, Jacob, Joseph…) u. Other nations were blessed through him

Spiritual Principles u. Willing to do what God tell you u. Willing to set yourself apart for God u. Willing to leave everything behind u. Trust God even when we are not certain u. Trust God that his calling has a purpose u. Trust God on his promises and blessings u. Obey God by following without hesitation u. Obey God by taking risk (perceived risk) u. Obey God by taking one step at a time

Spiritual Principles Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3: 5 -6)

Key points of the story u. Trial of Faith and Obedience u. To separate him from idol worship and set him apart for God u. To fulfill God’s ultimate purpose of setting up his holy nation u. Clear calling from a glorious God (Act 7: 2) u. Abram received all the blessings because he was willing to give up everything (country, possession, friend, security, etc) u. God give you the blessing so that you can be a blessing to others

Application : What would you do IF… u. Your parents tell you that your family will move to a different city far away. u. Your teacher assign you a project that you have no clue how to do it. u. Your pastor ask you serve in a position that you don’t feel comfortable with. u. You have to take some risk to achieve a goal (a righteous one) u. You have to give up the possession that you treasure a lot.