Abraham Was Seventy Five and Not Looking for a Calling

Sermon outline

God called Abraham when he was old, comfortable and not looking for it, and he became a man God could use by obeying without counting the cost, refusing fear, waiting for God's timing and passing the test.

1. Key number one: be obedient

   God told Abram to leave his country, his relatives and his father's house for a land He would show him, and he went. He did not weigh what he would have to give up, did not ask his friends' opinions and did not look for a second opinion on what he had heard. He believed the promise, and wherever he settled he built an altar and dedicated it to the Lord.

   “He didn't consider what he had to give up.”

   • Genesis 12:1-9

2. Key number two: be fearless

   In Egypt, afraid he would be killed for his beautiful wife, Abram had Sarai say she was his sister, and God still protected him and brought them out. Never let fear of what people will say or do rule you. In spite of your insecurities, it will be evident to those around you that God is with you, as it was with Abraham.

   “Just as God protected Abraham, he will also protect you.”

   • Genesis 12:10-20

3. No inferiority, and no excuse of church politics

   Back at the altar between Bethel and Ai, God blessed Abraham so much that his herdsmen and Lot's were fighting, and he let Lot choose the land first. Abraham was not intimidated by Lot or his possessions and did not let his feelings stop him functioning where God had put him. People use church politics as a reason not to get involved, but God's order is true, and as long as there are people the church will never be perfect. When we belittle ourselves or others we step outside God's perfect will, and after Abraham handled Lot well, God gave him all the land he could see.

   Illustration: With only 318 trained men Abraham rescued Lot, and Melchizedek, king of Salem, came out to bless him.

   “As long as there are going to be people, it's never going to be perfect.”

   • Genesis 13:2-9
   • Genesis 13:14-18
   • Genesis 14:18-20

4. Abraham believed God

   Abraham came from a family that did not worship Yahweh, and what God loved most in him was his belief and then his praise: he believed the Lord, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Many Christians miss God's call because they think only the fivefold ministry gifts are used by God. Believe God at His word, believe there is a calling on your life, and act on it. Your calling is not so much a destination as a direction.

   “God uses people in every area, no matter where you are.”

   • Genesis 15:1-7
   • Ephesians 4:11

5. Key number three: don't run before your time

   Ten years after reaching Canaan, Sarai gave Hagar to Abram, and it was Sarai's plan, not God's. Forcing God's hand never works, and the strife followed at once. Marrying because the biological clock is ticking, or marrying someone outside the faith on the assumption they will get saved later, is not God's plan. Some mistakes are covered by grace, some have short repercussions and some have lifelong consequences, though we can still fulfil God's plan while paying the price.

   “Forcing God's hand never works.”

   • Genesis 16:1-5

6. Be patient

   At ninety nine God appeared as El Shaddai, made His covenant and changed Abram's name to Abraham, father of many nations, on the basis that he had walked blameless before Him. We are managers of what God gives, not owners. When Sarah laughed at the promise of a son, the angel asked whether anything is too hard for the Lord. It was twenty five years from the first promise to Isaac.

   “Just because it has not happened does not mean it's not going to happen.”

   • Genesis 17:1-8
   • Genesis 18:10-14

7. God will test us

   God told Abraham to offer Isaac, the son he had waited a century for, and Abraham went, telling Isaac that God would provide the lamb. At the last moment the angel stopped him, and he named the place the Lord will provide. God has not promised a problem-free life, and most tests have nothing to do with having done something wrong. They expose weaknesses, build character, refine motives, deepen prayer and grow faith. Ask what the Isaac in your life is.

   Illustration: As a father of two, he says he can imagine how hard that walk up the mountain must have been.

   “The only people who do not have a problem are dead people.”

   • Genesis 22:1-18

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