The Long and Winding Road
Genesis 11:27-12:9
Sermon Synopsis
The sermon this week was on the call of God in one’s life as demonstrated by Abraham. The call of God is so powerful it changes who you are, where you are going, and what matters to you in the meantime. Larry said four words that describe the call of God are—
Reflect
Who are some people who have made nations, organizations, or movements great? What have they done to cause this greatness?
Of the four words used to describe the call of God, which one do you find most meaningful and why?
Examine
Joshua 24
2 Joshua said to all the people, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Long ago your forefathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the River and worshiped other gods. 3 But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the River and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants…
List the things we learn about Abraham from this statement by Joshua.
What did God do to Abraham?
Genesis 12
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "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.
3 I will bless
those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."
Why do you think it was necessary for Abram to leave family and country behind in order to answer God’s call and be a blessing?
List the promises to Abram in this passage.
How did Abram see these promises fulfilled?
How do we see them fulfilled after Abram?
How do we see them as yet unfulfilled?
Galatians 3
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
According to Paul, we are spiritual descendents of Abraham. What is the significance of that?
Reflect
How does the call of God change how we view our purpose in life?
How does the call of God change the way we relate to family?
How does the call of God change the way we relate to culture?
Examine
Acts 9
1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
What similarities do you see between the call of God on Abram and the call of God on Saul?
Pray