The Call of Abraham 27 February 2011 Elder Boaz Boon

By Gods grace, our two Bible Study groups Phileo and the Grafted Ones, started the year 2011 with a study of the Life of Abraham. There are many lessons to learn from this great and faithful patriarch. I would like to share some of the lessons with you in this Heart-to-Heart Chat for mutual encouragement. The patriarch, Abraham was a Hebrew, and not a Jew. He is a descendant of Eber (Heber), the great grandson of Shem, one of Noahs 3 sons. Our Almighty God called him to leave his idolatrous hometown, Ur of the Chaldees in the south of Mesopotamia, and later on to leave Haran, in the north, where Abrahams family migrated to. These two cities were the chief centres of the worship of the moon-god, named Nanna. The name of Ur means the abode of Nanna. Abraham was called to follow the Lord wholeheartedly all the way to the Promised Land, Canaan. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10) From a human perspective, it must have been very difficult for him to uproot his family and leave his hometown, Ur of the Chaldees, which was at that time a rather wealthy agrarian and trade city. He must have enjoyed all the comforts of life there. However, the city was steeped in idolatry! His father was also an idol-worshipper And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. (Joshua 24:2) But Abraham obeyed the call of the Lord. Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy fathers house, unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3) Notice here that Abram (before he was called Abraham in Genesis 17:5) had to get out of his country and from his siblings and his fathers entire household. That must certainly be difficult because family ties were strong. Nevertheless, Abraham obeyed the LORD! And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) God counted him righteous, even though he was not a Jew, and even before he was circumcised. Here, a theological point is worth noting that salvation and justification is not of works but of faith But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:24-25) The rebellious people who sinned against God by building the tower of Babel said, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:3-4) However, their rebellion was crushed by the Lord and so the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. (Genesis 11:8) However, as for Abraham, God has promised to make of him a great nation and also to make his name great. What a contrast! We need to learn from this episode that in obedience to Gods will we should always yield ourselves to Him in the spirit of humility. The Lord has a divine purpose in our lives. As for Abraham, God has promised to make him a blessing to all families of the earth. The genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ can be traced back to father Abraham through his promised seed Isaac and Jacob. Let us pause for a while to reflect on our own lives. Honest self-examination is a profitable spiritual exercise. Soul searching pays great dividends. Let us ask ourselves, How have we been obedient to the call of God?

First, have you left your idolatrous past and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord? Remember that it is for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10) Salvation cannot be earned nor bought with any price. It is Gods gift to us by simple faith in the finished work of Christ at Calvary. This call of God is personal. Abraham obeyed the call and he was justified. He did not subscribe to the idolatrous lifestyle of his family, which he must have loved. Come to the Saviour now. Make no delay. By Gods grace, I heard the Gospel and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ in 1980. And we are saved to show forth good works for even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (James 2:17) Thank God that the same grace which saved me has strengthened and sustained me all these 31 years, helping me maintain a closer walk with Him. In addition, He has also saved my parents after 15 years of prayer and also my sister, brother-in-law and nephews after more than 20 years of prayer. How true the words of Acts 16:31, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Praise the Lord! Calvary Tengah has set aside Sunday, 27 March 2011 at 2 p.m. as Friends Day. At this special meeting our Pastor-Designate Dr Paul Ferguson will preach on The Universality of Guilt and Gospel hymns will be presented. Let us encourage one another in bringing our friends, in particular (colleagues and loved ones are also welcome) whether Christians or non-Christians to worship the Lord with us and be encouraged by the preaching of the Word of God. It is a great opportunity for us to introduce them to our church and with the Spirits conviction, God willing some may be brought into the Kingdom of God! Secondly, are you seeking to make a great name for yourself, through studies and career? The worlds philosophy encourages self-esteem, materialistic success and high status in society without God. These people can be compared to those who built the tower of Babel but had all their plans foiled and were punished severely by God, the Righteous Judge of the earth! Let us emulate Abraham, to sojourn in this life, fully surrendered to the will of God which is best for us, even though, we may not recognise it at the moment. He who is omniscient knows the end from the beginning. So we have been instructed to trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Thus far, the Lord has guided me in my studies and career. I had no plans to do my doctorate in Cambridge. I had no plans for a career or promotion in a successful multinational company. But the Lord guided my footsteps and blessed me beyond my expectations. I just follow Him step-by-step not knowing what lies ahead but with the assurance of His guidance and for His glory alone. The psalmist in Psalm 32:8 declares, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye. Therefore, I treat my job as tentmaking, earning sufficient for my family and as a family to serve the Lord all the days of our lives to quote Joshua 24:15, .as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. In conclusion, we thank God for the example of Abrahams faith in the living and true God. He has set a godly example for us to emulate that we might be more and more Christ-like in our pilgrimage on earth. The God of Abraham is our God. And as Abraham obeyed the call of God, may we all do likewise!