Message Notes

LEARNING TO RESPOND TO GOD

1. The word of God given to Abram (Genesis 12:1-3)

2. What was needed but an appropriate response?

APPROPRIATE RESPONSE

1. As the LORD had spoken to him (Genesis 12:4a)

2. Abram departed

3. Lot went with him (Genesis 12:4b)

FURTHER EXPLANATION: DETAILS ARE IMPORTANT

1. Abram and company

a) He was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran (Genesis 12:4c)

b) Abram took his wife and Lot his brother’s son

c) And all their possessions that they had gathered (Genesis 12:5a)

d) And all the people they had acquired in Haran (Genesis 12:5b)

2. Significance of the above description

a) Total obedience

b) Burning the bridges

c) No thought of returning to Haran

d) Full and final decision

DISCERNMENT NEEDED

1. God’s Word to Abram
“To a land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1)

a) The name of the land was not specified

b) Abram would have to wait for the Lord to show him

2. Canaan

a) Abram would have to discern where that Promised Land was

b) He would have to learn many lessons

i) About God

ii) About His leading

iii) About himself

iv) About obedience

v) About faith in God

c) The land of Canaan was identified (Genesis 12:5)

d) Abram traveled from Haran to Canaan (Genesis 12:5)

3. In the land of Canaan

a) Abram passed through the land to Shechem (Genesis 12:6)

b) As far as the terebinth trees in Moreh (Genesis 12:6)

THE DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT OF FAITH
(Hebrews 11:8-10)

1. By faith (Hebrews 11:8a)

a) He learned how to have faith

b) Faith would become a very real part of his life

2. He went out, not knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8b)

3. He dwelt in the land of Promise (Hebrews 11:9)

4. He waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God
(Hebrews 11:10)