Abraham: Ordinary Person, Extraordinary God

Continuing our sermon series: Ordinary People and our Extraordinary God, let’s take a look at Abraham.  Our focus was on God’s promises revealed in Genesis 12:1-4a.  If I were to summarize Abram’s life and these three verses in one word it would be grace.   Here God tells Abram what he will do – flooding him with blessings and culminating with all families being blessed.  Abram (Abraham) was an ordinary person who became a patriarch of faith because of our extraordinary God.  He left everything and headed for the land of Canaan (a portion of Israel today), the land God promised him.  It is in these very verses that God revealed that he had a plan, where God promised Abram a land, a nation, and a blessing for generations to come.   

     Chosen by God, God equipped Abraham.  It’s important to note that even during times of unfaithfulness and partial obedience God did not take away his promises.  Abraham lied, was deceitful and did not trust God’s timing.  Frankly, I think that makes him a bit relatable.  Friends, in part this was written to show us that he had a flawed faith and yet was chosen to be the Father of our Faith (and of our Jewish and Muslim siblings).  Abraham was ordinary, like us, but the message is our extraordinary God exhibited patience and that His patience continues with us.  

    Most would agree that the extreme test of faith was when Abraham willingly submitted to obey God, going to Moriah to sacrifice his son.  Abraham obeyed and at the last moment, God intervened, prevented the sacrifice, provided a ram, and commended Abraham's faith and obedience.  This pointed to his deep trust and belief in God's power and faithfulness.  It was a pivotal moment in their relationship.  He did not start as a hero of faith; he grew in faith and obedience. And so can we!

     Abraham left the familiar because he had a desire to please God and follow His will.  This should cause us to respond in kind. Are you stuck in the familiar and afraid to follow where you are being called?  Maybe your desire to work longer hours at the expense of time with loved ones is being challenged, or perhaps you are not working to tame the addiction that is holding you back from living a full life, or possibly you have chosen not to respond to the Spirit’s nudge to do what is God-pleasing because of societal pressure or lash back.   Abraham desired to remain on God’s path even when it required separation and sacrifice. When he was confronted with challenges he persevered.  Yes, he faltered and God remained faithful.  Church, Abraham, while far from perfect, set the example for us.  It is possible to grow in faith, veer off course and cry out to God for help to get back on track. 

     What we learn from Abraham is that when difficult circumstances come our way and they will, we cannot allow ourselves to turn to unbelief.  In the midst of struggle, Abraham continued to give glory to God as he waited for the fulfillment of the promises.  Abraham’s life shows us that it is during those times of struggle that faith is strengthened.  Here we learn that we need to expect in faith to receive God’s promises. Having a faith that trusts God’s promises isn’t always easy because it involves dependency, patience, and a willingness to risk which contradicts our nature.  Nurturing our faith requires us to wait on God, believe in God’s goodness, and trust His timing.   When trouble hit or when Abraham brought troubles on himself, because of his relationship with God, his faith grew stronger rather than weaker. And that is the case with us too.   

     We need to walk into the future, as Martin Luther King wrote, with audacious faith--a bold and courageous faith that doesn’t backdown.  We need to remember that it took years for everything to unfold for Abraham.  We live in a “microwave society” expecting immediate results and instant gratification and Abraham’s story reminds us to slow down, wait, and trust in God.  We need to take baby steps.  We will take missteps along the way and have the comfort that our faithful God is with us…always.  

     As time marched on, Abraham believed with deeper conviction and walked more obediently with God.  This created a partnership that ultimately impacted each of us.  Abraham’s life showed that a relationship with God surpasses our failures.  God chose to use him to teach us that despite our mistakes God holds on to us, extending grace; grace that covers us and recovers us. Church, as with Abraham, God blesses us as we are transformed into people who crave a deeper relationship with him.  

     Abraham’s faith adventure can help to relieve our fear of the unknown.  We don’t know, but we have an omniscient God who does.  Let’s have a faith in God that enables us to embrace the journey. 

     Finally, our nature leads us to focus solely on our own needs, remiss that our redemption is for a larger purpose.  Let’s remained focused on living for God, striving to become like Christ, centering on God’s will, and eagerly participating in His work of redeeming the world.  Let’s feed one another, as we are restored through God’s promises and join in His mission of telling others of His saving grace. Peace be with you as you trust in God and his promises, and all God’s people say, amen!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Kerry

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