Message Series – Character Tour of the Old Testament
“Abraham: A Portrait of Obedience”
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Pastor David Bardowell
Memory Verse:
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must
continue to live in obedience to him.” - Colossians 2:6 (NLT)
“Then the LORD told Abram, ‘Leave your country, your relatives, and
your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will
cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and
make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will
bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the
families of the earth will be blessed through you.’ So Abram departed
as the LORD had instructed him….Abram was seventy-five years old
when he left Haran.” - Genesis 12:1-4 (NLT)
Obeying God Requires That:
1. I Discover GOD’S WILL
“Then the LORD told Abram…..’go.’” – Genesis 12:1
“But those who obey God’s word really do love him. That is the way
to know whether or not we live in him.” - 1 John 2:5 (NLT)
2. I Join GOD’S WORK
“Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house’….Abram
was seventy-five years old when he left.” – Genesis 12:1,4
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 Obeying God ALWAYS requires leaving my COMFORT ZONE
Jesus: “Come, Follow Me…” – Mark 1:17
 Obeying God ALWAYS requires TRUSTING HIM FULLY
“Go to the land that I will show you….” – Genesis 12:1b
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.’” - Jeremiah 29:11
3. I Experience GOD’S BEST
“I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless
you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I
will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All
the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
– Genesis 12:2-3
“I am the Almighty God. Obey me and always do what is right.
What’s more,….I am changing your name. It is no longer ‘Abram’
(‘Exalted Father’), but ‘Abraham’ (‘Father of Nations’) – for that is
what you will be. I have declared it.”
- Genesis 17:1,5 (NCV/TLB)
Jesus: “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are
the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will
love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
- John 14:21 (NLT)
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Next Steps:
 Memorize Colossians 2:6
 Receive God’s best for my life by obeying God in the area of
__________________.
 Obey God – Be Baptized – Next Sunday – sign up on Card
 Read the story of Deborah from Judges 4-5
 Invest and Invite 3 people to church this summer
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