The Birth of a Nation
Series on Faith
Hebrews 11:8–10; Genesis 12:1–3
I. Introduction
A. The Three Beginnings
1. Genesis 1: Beginning with Adam
2. Genesis 6–7: Beginning with Noah
3. Genesis 12: Beginning with Abram
B. When the World Rebels, God Deals with one Man
1. The Tower of Babel
2. Out of the confusion comes a call
3. God will give birth to the nation Israel through Abram
4. Many lessons here for individuals and for any nation longing for God’s blessings
II. Body
A. God Calls Abram to a Life of Faith (v. 1)
1. “Get thee out of thy country”
a. Ur of the Chaldees, Abram’s country
b. Great surprise to archeologists: an advanced civilization
2. Abram, a wealthy man in Ur
3. “Unto a land that I will show thee”
a. Abram must leave the known for the unknown
b. The first great adventurer in the Bible
c. He must turn from the wealth that calls him to the Word that calls him
4. Reminds us of the faith of the Pilgrims leaving Europe to settle in the New World
5. Notice the proofs of Abram’s faith
a. He obeyed and went as God had commanded
b. He refused to allow strife to grow among brethren (13:8–10)
c. He tithed all he had (14:21)
d. He refused rewards from the King of Sodom (14:22–23)
B. God Calls Abram to a Life of Fruitfulness (v. 2)
1. “I will make of thee a great nation”
a. Compensation for leaving his country
b. Abram’s descendants today
2. “I will bless thee”
a. Compensation for any earthly joy he might receive
b. Only faith can thus be satisfied
3. “I will make thy name great”
a. Compensation for leaving his kindred
b. Name written down in heaven
c. Consider Abram’s name carried by millions and revered
4. “Thou shalt be a blessing”
a. Compensation for putting aside opportunities of service
b. Christ born in his line
5. We must also return to the faith of our fathers if we are to be blessed
C. God Calls Abram to a Life of Divine Friendship (v. 3)
1. The friend of God
2. “I will bless him that blesseth thee and curse him that curseth thee”
3. No nation has ever been able to mistreat Abram’s descendants and survive
4. God keeps Abram aware of His plan
5. “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed”
a. The coming Savior through the line of Abram
b. We are all blessed through Abram
6. We become a blessing to others as we walk closely with God
III. Conclusion
A. Will You Respond in Faith Like Abram?
B. Will You Begin to Pray for a Return to God in America?
C. Will You be an Example of the Faith Life to Others?
Roger F. Campbell, Preach for a Year (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1988-). 109-10.
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