Title: The Way of the Called
Contents
The verse you read this morning tells about the fact that God called Abraham, and the fact that Abram, who was called by God, obeyed and left his hometown and relatives, as well as the fact that he entered the promised land of God. In short, it shows us what the path of the called one is.
This morning, through the life of Abram, we see what the path of a man called by God is.
First, everyone has a calling from God.
Verse 1 of today's message says, "The Lord said to Abram." God spoke directly to Abram. He made it clear what he had to do. Everyone is born into this world and everyone has a purpose. This is called mission (使命). It means 'a life running errands'. It's important to know what errands our lives are for.
When Moses turned 40, he realized God's calling. Growing up as the adopted son of Pharaoh's princess in an Egyptian court, he learned Egypt's academic and political skills, and when he lived with high-ranking officials, he mistaken himself for an Egyptian. So maybe he had his own ambitions for Egypt. However, when he was 40, he realized that his life had been born to run the great errand that rescued the people of Israel to Egypt, so he gave up and hesitated. But when he realized what his mission was by faith, and refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's princess, he preferred to suffer with God's people, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a while, and to accept reproach for Christ's sake in Egypt. was regarded as greater than all the treasures of
Look at the apostle Paul. Acts 20:22 and below, "Behold, now I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the Holy Spirit, and I do not know what will happen there. But the Holy Spirit testifies to me in the awakening, saying, 'Bounds and afflictions await me. I do not consider my life of any value to be of any value in order to complete the way and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
Whatever you do, work with a sense of mission is rewarding and meaningful. The religion of revelation always begins with a call from God. As Schultz put it, "The development of the higher Hebrew religion is not due to one's own innate genius, but by the supernatural act of God moving the human soul."
Abram was called by God. God's voice came to Abram. Abram's actions were guided not by his own thoughts, but by the wisdom of God. Beloved, we must first have a vision to see what God is showing us, and we must listen carefully to what God is saying in order to answer the call.
The prophet Elijah of old was called by God to the Tishphites. Amos was called from Tekoa, Peter from fishing, and Matthew from sitting at the customs office. Martin Luther was called to a monastery in Ehurt. Cromwell was called on his farm in Huntington.
Whether it is an individual, a church, or a nation, this calling must be clear in order to do something. Moreover, if your calling is clear, you can overcome any difficulties no matter what.
Second, the path of the one who is called is a difficult one.
As you well know, Abram was 75 years old when God called him. Of course, at that time, I was living longer than Yosai, so I guess there is some difference. However, at 75, it was time to enter old age. Moreover, until that time Abram had no children. He was responsible for all of his life. Although it may be the time when the word 'global village' came to be used due to the development of transportation means like these days, it was a time when I hardly ever thought of leaving the village I lived in. Even if you look at the case of people who immigrate to the United States these days, they say that it is already late in their 40s and 50s, even if they are in their 20s and 30s.
But God said to Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house and go to the place I will show you.
It is not easy to say that you are leaving your hometown where you live with your relatives. There were several risks involved. This road was an adventure. That's right. The path of the one who is called is the path of adventure. Because it's not a way to look ahead. Therefore, faith is required here. He took this path because he had faith. Hebrews 11:8 says, "By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a land that he would receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Faith is needed when the future is uncertain. The place that Abram wanted to go to was vaguely a land that gave hope, and even the destination was not suggested. You said 'the land I will show you', not 'the land I will show you'.
But Abram completely obeyed God's command. Abram said to God, "Where shall I go?" I didn't even ask. Abram left, not knowing where he was going. This is faith. Look at verse 4 of today's message. "So Abram followed the word of the Lord and left his hometown," he said. Verse 5 says, “Abram went away with his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot, and all that he had gathered in Haran and those who had acquired it.” Verse 6 says, “Abram passed through the land.” Verse 8 says, “From there, they moved to the east side of Bethel and pitched their tents.” Verse 9 also says, “It gradually moved southward.”
Abram left where God had directed him to. He left without any regrets. But leaving is not easy. But this is the way of the called.
It takes sacrifice to leave. When the Apostle Paul was called by God, he considered everything that existed before him, whether it was honor, position, or property, as wrath, and followed the Lord. Because Christ is so noble and precious.
How difficult is it for us to give up our pre-belief habits while living a life of faith in Jesus? However, in order to follow the path of the one who has been called, you must leave even if it is difficult to leave where you were first.
The Lord has also spoken. He said, "If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me."
You have to leave your old life to start a new life. It is difficult to leave the old land because it is an unknown world. I don't know if there is any pasture there to feed the sheep. There may be a desert that is difficult to cross.
However, when Abram was called by God, he obeyed in faith and went to the place where he would receive his portion, but he went without knowing it. I didn't know where I was going or why I was there. But it was certain that God was with them even there. Therefore, there was no anxiety or nervousness in his heart, because he trusted that God would lead his way.
Beloved, this is the way we are going. But one thing is clear: the God who called us is with us and guides us. As long as you follow God's guidance, you don't have to worry about going astray or being attacked by your enemies.
Third, those who are called must pave a new way.
There is no road in the wilderness. Therefore, the road must be cleared. Isaiah 40:3 says, "Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness. Make straight the highway for our God in the desert. Every valley shall be raised up, and every hillside shall be made low. will come, and the glory of the Lord will be revealed.”
It is not easy to make a smooth road according to the words of the prophet Isaiah. Filling in valleys, mopping, digging burrows, laying bridges, paving gravel, and asphalting. As Christians, we are called to pave the way in this world, so to speak. It is our job to fill the ugly valleys of injustice and injustice, lower the peaks of pride and hatred, and build bridges of trust in the rivers of doubt. This is not easy. It is dusty and dangerous. You can't do anything if you sit still. Even if it's a bit dusty, the road needs to be cleared.
Finally, there is a promise in the way of those who are called.
Look at verses 2 and 3 of today's message. Six.
① He said, “I will make you into a great nation.” When Abram left Ur of the Chaldeans, he had no children. But he promised that he would make a great nation through him.
② He said, “I will bless you.” In fact, if you believe and obey God's word, God will surely bless you.
③ He promised, “I will make your name great.” Abram's name was widely known in generations to come.
④ He promised, “You will be a source of blessings.” Good people are the blessing of the country and the source of blessings. If there are more bad people, the society will become unstable. However, if there are more good people, peace and order will be established. That's why Jesus said to those who believed in him, "You are the light of the world and the salt of the world."
⑤ He said, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” In other words, God promises to be on our side. If God is for us, who will be against us?
Deuteronomy 28:7 says, “O ye enemies, if you rise up against you, the LORD will defeat them before you; they came in against you by one way, but they will flee before you by seven ways.”
⑥ “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you” This is the last promise of all other promises. Although we are lacking, when we are held in the hands of God’s blessing, everyone will be blessed through us. What a glorious thing this is.
Dear all!
We receive God's call and obey that call, completely departing from our past lives. Let's quit even if it is difficult to quit, even if it is difficult to give up, and move forward with effort and perseverance to pave the way in the wilderness toward the world of the future. We believe that God will surely fulfill all that He has promised us. We all wish this promise to be fulfilled upon each of us.