“Into The Unknown” Genesis 12:1-4 Dr. Terry Fossen
‘Life’ is ALWAYS … a ‘journey’ … into the unknown
“The LORD said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’” (Genesis 12:1)
Leave your country Leave your people Leave your father’s household
“Go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1)
“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and to the land I will show you.” “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3)
Leave your nation (Gen. 12:1) I will make you a GREAT nation (Gen. 12:2) Leave your people (Gen. 12:1) I will make your name GREAT (Gen. 12:2)
“Leave your home” (Gen. 12:1) “You will become such a GREAT blessing” (Gen. 12:2) “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen. 12:2-3)
I will make you fishers of men & women (Matthew 4:19)
I will give you from a well of eternal … living water … so that you will never thirst again (John 4:14)
An invitation into the unknown is an invitation to change.
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs (Jonah 2:8 NIV)
Step with Me … into the unknown!
“Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Aram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there.” (Genesis 11:31)
GOOD ENOUGH! WHY?
“Sarai was barren; she had no children.” (Genesis 11:30)
Exalted father princess
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3-10)
For they shall be ready
Abraham could effectively manage change in a world of uncertainty because…. 1. He Listened
“The LORD said to Abram… Leave your country, your people, and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you (Genesis 12:1)
Abram left … as the LORD had told him… (Genesis 12:4)
People on the move People on a journey
Abram the Hebrew (Genesis 14:13) Abram the Hapiru
Wanderer Nomad Refugee
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not (yet) see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
“By faith Abraham… when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance…obeyed and went, even though he did not even know where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8)
Abraham could effectively manage change in a world of uncertainty because…. 1. He Listened 2. He Left
Managing change in a world of uncertainty is all about faith.
Leave I will make you to be a blessing. (Genesis 12:1-2)