Abraham: Following In The Footsteps Of Faith
Sermon #4
Genesis 13:1-4
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ROAD BACK TO CANAAN
Intro: In Genesis 12:10-20, Abram is seen leaving Canaan
(The Promised Land) during a time of famine to go to Egypt (a
picture of the world). We are told that to get to Egypt from
Canaan, Abram had to go "down", 12:10. Anytime a believer
leaves the place where God has placed them, they are on a
downward path. This is seen in the actions of Abram while in
Egypt. He lied about Sarai, 12:12, 18; He encouraged her
to commit the same sin, 12:12; He became self-centered,
12:14; He created the potential for others to fall into sin,
12:14-15; He left Egypt worse than he found it, 12:17; He
ruined his testimony in the eyes of the Egyptians, 12:19-20. To say the least, Abram's little trip to Egypt was a disaster!
However, I am glad to report to you that no failure need be
permanent in the walk of faith! Verse one of our text tells us
that Abram "went up out of Egypt." While he had taken a
downward path to get into Egypt, he took an upward path to
remove himself from that place. It is the steps Abram took to
get back t Canaan that interest me this evening. Because it is
possible for the wayward saint to return to the place of
blessing, but there are certain requirements that must be met
by the returning saint. In chapter 12, we looked at The Truth
About The Path To Egypt. Tonight, I want to share with you
The Truth About The Road Back To Canaan.
I. V. 1-2 IT INVOLVES REMOVING
A. He Removed His Person From Egypt - Abram
separated himself from Egypt. He placed distance
between himself and that place. (Note: Separation is a
requirement for those who wish to walk in God's
blessing and power, 2 Cor. 6:17, Heb. 12:1.) (Note:
considering the anger of Pharaoh, it was pure grace
that Abram was allowed to leave Egypt at all, 12:18-20!
So it is with the wayward saint. If God gave us what we
deserved, He would slay us in our sins. He does
chasten, Heb. 12:6-12. But, thank God, He always
deals with us in love and grace.)
B. He Removed His Possessions From Egypt - He did
not allow anything he owned to be left at the disposal of
that evil system. He took his resources with him when
he returned to the place of blessing. (Note: Too many
Christians like to talk about living for the Lord, but they
spend more of their resources on worldly pleasures
than they commit to the control of the Lord and Hos
work. I would just remind you that the Lord blesses in
direct proportion to our giving, Mal. 3:8-10; Luke 6:38.)
C. He Removed His Potential From Egypt - He took
Sarai with him when he left Egypt. She held within her
the key to the promises of God. He knew God wanted
to grow this family in Canaan and not in Egypt. Canaan
was the place where God had promised to meet with
them and to bless them. (Note: The Lord wants more
than our persons and our resources, He also wants our
entire futures placed at His disposal, Rom. 12:1-2.)
II. V. 3-4
IT INVOLVES RETURNING
A. To The Place Of God's Worship - He left Egypt and
made his way back to Bethel, "The House Of God",
and the "place of the altar", v. 4. When Abram was in
Egypt, there were no altars, there was no praying, and
there was no word from the Lord. (Note: The child of
God will never be fulfilled until he or she returns to a
place where God can be encountered.)
B. To The Place Of God's Working - Abram returned to
the place where God had previously worked in his life.
The Lord will always be found in the place where we left
Him. (Note: Many of the Lord's people need to return to
their altars and to the place where they walked away
from God. He is waiting to meet you and bless you
again!)
C. To The Place Of God's Will - Abram returned to the
place where God sent him. Canaan represented the
perfect will of God for Abram. (Note: The place where
God can bless you the most is the place where God
places you! He'll give you a lot of rope, but in the end,
if you want His blessings on your life, you must be in
that place near Him. Ill. Moses - Ex. 33:21)
III. V. 3-4
IT INVOLVES REVIVING
A. He Revived His Devotion To God - Abram came back
to the place fo the altar. There seems to be a renewal
of the desire to be in God's presence. He came back to
the altar! (Note: There is something fundamentally
wrong when a believer possesses a lack of a desire to
worship the Lord. This is true both privately or
publically. God would have us be in a state of mind
where His worship is a priority in our lives, John 4:23-24; Heb. 10:25.) (Note: We have forgotten what the
altar is for in the church! It is a place of sacrifice; of
seeking the Lord; of repentance; of surrender; of
thanksgiving; of forgiveness, both given and received;
of supplication; of praise and worship! May the Lord
help us to remember the way there and how to use the
altar for His glory!)
B. He Revived His Dependence On God - Abram "Called
on the name of the LORD..." Abram is now through
with Egypt and he does what he should have done in
the first place, Gen. 12:10, he relies on the Lord.
(Note: Instead of looking here and there for the help we
need, the Lord would have us walk in total dependence
upon Him. He desires our faith and will honor genuine
faith by His provisions, Matt. 6:25-34.)
C. He Revived His Dedication To God - Whatever
happened in the heart of Abram that caused him to walk
away in the first place has been dealt with. The
phrases "at the beginning" and "at the first" suggest
that Abram has experienced a renewal of his "first
love". (Note: What happened in this man's life is what
needs to take place in the lives of many of God's
children this evening! So many have allowed the
flames love to becomes mere embers. We need a
revival! We need to fall in love with Jesus all over
again! Ill. Rev. 2:1-7) (Note: Days spent out of
fellowship with God are "wood, hay, and stubble".
They are wasted and can never be redeemed!)
Conc: I wonder how many would have to admit that they are
more "down" than "up" in their walk with the Lord? When we
are in that down place spiritually, the Lord cannot bless and
use us like He desires to. We need to take the same steps
that Abram took and come back up again. I don't know where
you are spiritually this evening, but I know that if you need to
come before the Lord to seek His forgiveness, to love Him, to
thank Him, to pray for a lost loved one, or for any reason at all,
He will gladly meet you here if you will come. May we
determine in our hearts that Egypt is no place for us to dwell
and that we are going back to Canaan, whatever the cost!
