One of the most famous lines in a movie comes from Forrest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” So true isn’t it? It rings with truth as we think back to our own lives. Turn with me to Genesis 11:27 as we see how this truth is lived out in the lives of a man thousands of years ago…
What does the word “calling” mean? When you say: “I have a calling” – what are you communicating? It might be a vocation or interest, or even a hobby that inspires you. But when we speak of a calling in Christian terms – it refers to something much deeper. God has called upon you for a certain ministry! Many people think that a calling only applies to pastors, missionaries, evangelists. But this is hardly the case – we have each been given spiritual gifts and inner desires which communicate to us an amazing fact: every Christian has been called for a specific ministry.
1. God’s calling comes from God not YOU (11:27-30, Joshua 24:2, Acts 7:2-3,)
Today we’re looking at the most famous of all callings – that of Abraham, the so-called “father of faith.” Many believe that Abraham was the great hero of the faith – a model of what it means to trust and obey. But as we study the Word, we discover just the opposite. Abraham was very often an example of weak faith and even failure. And from him we learn three crucial facts about God’s calling.
The first crucial fact about God’s calling is that it doesn’t come from you but from God. One of the most overlooked aspects about being called into service is that our calling is not based on being qualified. You don’t earn God’s calling by being good, by being a faithful and godly Christian. Certainly God will give you greater responsibilities as you prove yourself faithful. But we’re talking about a basic calling – an area of service. God’s calling comes to us out of his grace. If we had to be qualified before being called, none of us would ever serve God or others.
Turn with me to Joshua 24:2 “And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ’Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods.”
Abraham grew up in Ur in Mesopotamia, an area which was very religious. It’s estimated that around 4000 gods were worshipped in that part of the world with each city worshipping several hundred. In Ur they worshipped the moon god and a giant Ziggurat was erected there as a temple to worship this god. The purpose of life there was to serve the gods who were the center of religion and industry. All the farming, irrigation, and trade was centered on these pagan gods.
And according to Joshua, Abraham’s family was serving these gods just like everyone else. We have no proof that Abraham was any different. This makes his calling even more amazing! In Acts 7:2 “And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,” One day, God simply appeared to Abraham – out of the blue. Imagine the amazement and the life-changing truth! Abraham didn’t reach up to God but God came down to him and called him.
What does it take to have a calling? It takes open hands, empty hands. One of my friends in ministry prayed: “Take my nothing, Lord!” You don’t need a seminary degree or take a special course or have completed so many months of faithful attendance at the worship service. God calls us out of the most miserable circumstances to some of the most amazing ministries.
2. We naturally RESIST God’s calling (but God will not give up) (11:31-12:1)
A second crucial fact about God’s calling is that we naturally resist it. We don’t want it and will drag our feet as much as possible. Some of you may already be thinking in your mind – “a calling isn’t for me, I’m not the one, I can’t see it happening, etc. etc.” Don’t you think Abraham thought the same thing? Was he that different than anyone else? No – as much as we lift him up, he was an ordinary guy who struggled with sin as much as you or I.
Let me illustrate this point as we look at the calling of Abraham.
Turn again to Acts 7:2-3 “And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ’Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’”
According to this passage Abraham was called from his hometown of Ur. And here we even have the exact words of God’s calling. This was the first time he was called. How did Abraham respond? Did he get up and obey and follow God? Look back at Genesis 11:31 for the answer:
11:31 “Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there.”
Yes, Abraham left Ur as God had called him. But he failed in two key areas. He didn’t follow God, he followed his father Terah. Terah took the family out of there. He didn’t leave his relatives to follow God’s call – he followed his relatives.
Secondly, where did Abraham go? Did he end up in the promised land? NO! He ended up in Haran which was half-way to the land of promise.
Friends, just like us, it’s hard to follow when the Lord calls us to serve him. It’s hard to go out of your comfort zone. What is the most courageous thing you have ever done? Take a moment and think of that right now. Why do you think that God told Joshua over and over and over again to be strong and courageous? Because he was weak and fearful. We naturally are not courageous and WILL NOT go out of our comfort zones to follow God’s call. We must be filled over and over with God’s Word and encouragement. It’s not automatic.
Do you think being a pastor for me was a piece of cake? For me it was one of the most terrifying decisions of my life. Breaking walls of fear produces incredible fruit but how many of us are willing to break those walls? If not – you miss out on God’s calling.
God won’t let it go
But that doesn’t mean you can forget about it. Abraham got to Haran and may have thought that he had done all that was necessary. He was wimping out and that was it. But then comes the next verse – 12:1 “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”
Abraham may have failed, but that didn’t change the calling. God didn’t forget him. He would be persistent and remind him over and over again until Abraham finally gave in. So God called him again in Haran this time. Go – Go from your country – Go from your relatives – Go to the land.
What a blessing it is that we serve the God of the second, third and 15th chance. I’m so thankful that God doesn’t give up on us when we refuse him or disappoint him or only go half-way. Otherwise most of us would not be here today. Maybe you’ve refused to answer God’s call five, six, ten times. He will continue to bother you until you give in.
I remember saying no to this calling after meeting with the calling committee. Absolutely not! Too small! Too many problems in the past! But the Lord urged me in my heart and urged Renata in her heart. He wouldn’t let it go. He bugged us both until we just couldn’t live with ourselves until I gave in and said “Thy will be done Lord!”
What is the Lord bugging you about? Maybe it’s righting a relationship. What is your calling? Maybe it’s a mission trip, ministry to a neighbor, giving testimony, building houses for the poor, writing tracts, calling on the sick, organizing a group for ministry, … the list goes on and on. What is God saying to you? How would He have you serve Him? And are you serving Him in that way? God will remind you until you are.
3. God’s calling includes great PROMISES (12:2-3)
A third crucial fact about God’s calling found here in this text is that His calling always includes great promises. God will provide all you need and through you bring great fruit. He doesn’t call for nothing – it’s never a waste but for good.
Listen again to the promises given to Abraham: Genesis 12:2-3 “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Just put yourself in Abraham’s shoes (or sandals) for a moment. Here he’s been worshipping other gods. He sees a vision of the Lord and is called to follow Him. He fails to fully obey. And then he receives this second calling in which Yahweh tells him some really amazing news: You will be the father of a great nation (who? Little old me? I don’t even have any kids!). “Your name will be great…Through you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” What??? Through ME everyone, every nation on earth will be blessed? It’s hard for us to imagine this promise because we picture the great ABRAHAM. But if you picture some “John Smith” or “Bill Johnson” hearing this, it would be absolutely unbelievable.
But the Lord has promises for you as well: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Gen. 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Luke 1:37 “For God nothing is impossible.” Matt. 19:26 “Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”
God is all powerful and promises to uphold and bless us as we follow his call. What is keeping you? Do you know that God is ALMIGHTY? Rest in Him. The greatest three words of our text are found in verse 4: “So Abraham went.” May each of you do the same. He’ll be with you every step of the way. As an ancient proverb says: A thousand mile journey begins with one step. Today can be that first step for you.
