“Pursuing God’s Vision: Story of Abraham”
SERMON Title: Pursuing God’s Vision: Story of Abraham
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 12:1-3
Pursuing God’s Vision: Story of Abraham (Reduced Version)
Genesis of the Call
God called Abram:
“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you... all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
— Genesis 12:1–3
At 75, Abram obeyed and left Haran with Sarai, Lot, and all possessions. After a famine and a detour to Egypt, they returned to Canaan.
“Abram had become very wealthy...” — Genesis 12:16
But tension arose:
“They were not able to stay together... quarrelling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot.” — Genesis 13:6–7
Lot chose to settle near Sodom; Abram remained in Canaan. Then God spoke again:
“All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever...” — Genesis 13:14–17
Though childless, Abram trusted. When Lot was kidnapped, Abram led 318 men to rescue him. Afterward:
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” — Genesis 15:1
Abram replied in despair, but God reaffirmed His promise:
“This man will not be your heir... So shall your offspring be.” — Genesis 15:1–5
“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” — Genesis 15:6
1. Call
God calls each of us to obedience. Obeying Him leads to intimacy and blessing; disobedience causes us to miss His voice, faithfulness, and love.
Interestingly, this journey began with Terah:
“Terah took... to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there.” — Genesis 11:31–32
Terah settled. Abram obeyed—and inherited the promise.
“So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness’... those who have faith are children of Abraham... All nations will be blessed through you.” — Galatians 3:6–9
2. Covenant
Later, God established His covenant again:
“I am God Almighty... I will confirm my covenant... You will be the father of many nations... kings will come from you.” — Genesis 17:1–7
Abram becomes Abraham (father of many); Sarai becomes Sarah (princess of many). God hadn’t forgotten His covenant—but Abraham needed reminding, and so do we.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened...” — Matthew 11:28–30
“I came that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10
“I am the resurrection and the life...” — John 11:25–26
3. Constancy
At 100, Sarah bore Isaac:
“God has brought me laughter...” — Genesis 21:6
But then came the greatest test:
“Take your son, your only son, Isaac... Sacrifice him there...” — Genesis 22:1–2
Abraham didn’t hesitate:
“Early the next morning Abraham got up...” — Genesis 22:3
“He bound his son Isaac... and took the knife to slay his son.” — Genesis 22:9–10
This shows unshakable faith in God’s promise. Abraham obeyed—not from emotion, but conviction.
4. Conviction
Abraham’s conviction reflects our need to follow God’s call with courage. Like pulling a heavy train, constancy demands strength and steady effort born of faith.
Bringing It Home: God’s Vision for Us
God’s macro will will be done. But at the micro human level, sin—missing the mark—often hinders His plan:
Hebrew: chata – miss the mark
Greek: hamartia – miss the mark
Moses and his generation missed the Promised Land due to sin; it took Joshua to lead the next one in.
“Where there is no vision, people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” — Proverbs 29:18
As NHF Downtown reflects on its purpose, especially in light of 1 Timothy and the next generation, we must ask: What is God's vision for us? Are we preparing our children and youth for God's future? Or are we too focused on ourselves?
The church exists for two purposes:
Worship in Spirit and Truth — John 4:24
Make disciples, serve the poor, and share the Gospel — Matthew 28:19–20; Matthew 25:31–46
We need to pursue God's vision, not our own.
Abraham’s Legacy
Abraham never fully saw God’s promise fulfilled. When he died:
“He left everything he owned to Isaac.” — Genesis 25:5
Yet he trusted God's vision.
He answered the Call.
He trusted the Covenant.
He lived with Constancy and Conviction.
May we do the same.