Text: Gen.12:1-3, Gal.3:6-9
Introduction
Faith is not based on feeling- though the emotions are involved. True faith is based on the word of God. God spoke to Abraham and told him what he would do for him and through him, if he would trust and obey Him.
In life, we are not saved by making promises to God but by believing God’s promises to us.
God made the promise to Abraham and Abraham responded with faith and obedience. How you respond to God’s promise will determine what God will do in your life.
Joseph Parker wrote –“Great lives are trained by great promises”
The Sevenfold Blessing
His Leaving started a chain of reactions. If Abraham would get out of your God would do three (3) things that will make him a blessing and he had to be a blessing so that God will do three (3) more things for him.
So we see that Abraham call had a purpose and his obedience to this call will bring great blessings.
I will make you a great nation.
Speaks of territorial base.
This is a sure promise but Abraham does not see it in his life time.
He only owned a small parcel of land where he buries Sarah.
Through Isaac the twins are born
Jacob 12 sons were born and these when Leaving Egypt had grown into a great nation.
Abraham had to relinquish his present for a future he will never live to see. – Gen.13:16
I will bless you.
God would shower blessings both spiritual and material blessings on Abraham.
This was not due to any kind of merit on Abraham’s part.
He was no saint nor was he perfect.
Abraham was blessed because he believed God. –Gen.15:6
He went out to the Land that God would show him.
The same blessing is available to us today if only we will believe God –God has not changed. He is a faithful rewarder of them that seek him.
I will make your name great.
A man of importance in the world he lived in.
Abraham was a man of great wealth and power.
He was known by kings
When Lot was captured, 318 men trained soldiers fought the 4 kings
In Gen.23 at the burial of Sarah, the Hittites viewed Abraham as a mighty prince and were willing to let him bury his dead without charge. *he never had to engage in wrong ways to gain wealth. His wealth was as a result of the blessing.
Have the attitude of the Psalmist. Ps.84:10
It is better for God to make our name great than for us to seek it out ourselves.
Never struggle to make a name for yourself. Remember – Gen.11:1-9. At Babel men sought to make a name for themselves and it only ended up dividing then but through Abraham the whole world has been blessed and believer are united in Jesus Christ.
You will be a blessing
Closely related to the 3rd. I will make –so that you will be a blessing
God promoted Abraham to a position of great importance not to stroke his ego but so that though Abram’s wealth and reputation, he would be a blessing to those around him.
When God blesses us, it is not so that we can bask in the accolades of people who come with cap in hand and prostrate.
God blesses us so that we can use it to help others. (Welfare & community Development)
& 6. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. – the protection and pledge of God is grave.
If we are living in the centre of God’s will for our lives, those who seek to oppose us will be calling down the curse on their lives and those who assist us will be blessed.-Matt.10:41
7. Through you, all the nations of the earth refer to the Galatians Scripture.
If we are in Christ, then we are heirs according to the promise given to Abraham- says Paul. It is in this way through Abraham that the entire world would be blessed.
Conclusion
This seven fold blessing to Abraham is not only for Abraham and the nation of Israel. It is also available for us today.
We should know that God keeps his word and will perform everything he claims He will do. So the greatest thing we can do as believers is to live to please Him on a daily basis.
- What To Do While Waiting For Breakthrough - September 26, 2010
- Breakthrough By The Holy Spirit - September 19, 2010
- Work – Made Productivity - September 12, 2010