Genesis 11:31
God's call to us is to separate ourselves from the world and live a new life, fully obeying His will.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of fully obeying God's call, using Abram's journey as a cautionary tale about the dangers of partial obedience. He illustrates how Abram's decision to stop in Horan, influenced by his family, led to a delay in God's blessings and a lack of divine communication. Smith encourages believers to live a new life in their current circumstances, guided by Scripture, and to separate themselves from worldly influences. He reassures that obeying God's call places one on special ground, where God takes responsibility for the path ordained. Ultimately, the sermon calls for complete obedience to experience God's blessings and fellowship.
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Intro: After the flood when men began to multiply on the earth they once again turned from
God. God called out a family that He might create a nation. "Come ye apart from
them and be ye separate."
I. THE CALL OF GOD SOMETIMES ONLY HALF OBEYED "AND THEY CAME UNTO HORAN AND DWELT THERE."
A. We do not know how the call came to Abram.
1. The first thing he must do is tell his family.
a. His kindred could not bear to part.
1. And they opposed his call path plain.
2. They consented and wanted to go along.
3. God had said "Get thee out from thy kindred and from thy
fathers house."
b. They decided to journey with him.
1. Did this not make it easier?
2. Is not this cause for rejoicing?
B. The whole family journeyed in Horan and stopped.
1. Abram, the man of faith, stopped not by open foes but by
compromising friends.
a. Honest wolves aren't nearly as dangerous.
C. The consequences of half way obedience.
1. To obey the Lord partially is to disobey Him.
a. The call to Canaan not fulfilled by going to Horan.
b. It is not ours to substitute something that looks just as good.
2. Half way obedience increases our responsibility.
a. It is a confession that we know His will.
3. The result to Abram was absence of privilege.
a. God was silent "O Lord be not silent."
4. Abram awaiting a needful affliction.
a. If he be unwilling to leave his father.
b. One way or another he must be brought to full obedience. "Be not
as the horse or mule."
5. God's great blessings were being delayed.
a. Some believers depriving themselves of the greatest joys.
II. THE CALL AS IT COMES TO US TODAY.
A. Usually it is not to leave the old landmarks, harder than that.
1. Stay right there and live a new life.
2. Abram dwelt in Canaan but he was not a Canaanite.
3. "Our citizenship is in heaven."
a. Avoid the evil.
b. Avoid even the doubtful "Whatsoever is not of faith."
c. Separate yourselves from the worldly things that Christ would
disapprove.
d. Let the Word of God be your guide and authority.
1. The religion that is not according to His Word is a false
religion.
2. Do not accept doctrine or a ceremony that has not a
scriptural basis.
B. The call comes from God Himself.
1. It has supreme authority.
a. The Word of God is more authoritative than the edicts of Congress.
III. TO OBEY GOD'S CALL IS TO PUT ONE ON SPECIAL GROUND.
A. God is bound to justify the path He has ordained.
1. Once you obey, the responsibility is the Lord's.
2. Had evil come to Abram in Canaan he could not blame himself.
a. It was not his own wisdom or folly that brought him there.
b. It is mine to obey & God's to prove that obedience was wise.
B. We cease to be numbered with the world.
1. God will deal with the world one way "Them that are without God judgeth."
C. You come into divine fellowship.
D. You receive divine care and protection (shield..
E. Vessels for God's exclusive use.
Sermon Outline
- The Call of God Sometimes Only Half Obedied points: - The Call Came to Abram - To obey the Lord partially is to disobey Him - Half way obedience increases our responsibility - The Consequences of Half Way Obedience
- The Call as it Comes to Us Today points: - The Call to Live a New Life - It has supreme authority - Avoid the evil and the doubtful - The Call Comes from God Himself
- To Obey God's Call is to Put One on Special Ground points: - God is Bound to Justify the Path He Has Ordained - God will deal with the world one way - We Cease to be Numbered with the World
Key Quotes
“Come ye apart from them and be ye separate.” — Chuck Smith
“Be not as the horse or mule.” — Chuck Smith
“Our citizenship is in heaven.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must obey God's call fully, without half measures.
- We must separate ourselves from the world and its evil and doubtful things.
- We must trust in God's authority and His will for our lives.