Growing this Church . . . After the Example of Abraham

1.   Abraham was an example of FAITH:

      a.   Genesis 12:1-4; Hebrews 11:8

      b.   Genesis 14:13-16

      c.   Genesis 22 - offering up Isaac

            i.   Consider all he had endured in the process of receiving him

            ii.  Hebrews 11:17-19

2.   Abraham was an example of CONVICTION:

      a.   Joshua 24:2 - Abraham’s father (Terah) was an idolator

      b.   Genesis 18:19 - Abraham could be trusted to teach his children

      c.   Genesis 24 - Abraham made sure his son married well, not financially, but spiritually.

3.   Abraham was an example of Self SACRIFICE:

      a.   Genesis 12:5; 13:2

      b.   though rich, he gave up all the securities of home to obey God, not knowing the end.

4.   Abraham was an example of Devotion in WORSHIP

      a.   Genesis 12:7, 8; 13;3-4, 18

      b.   “You could follow Abram’s journey by the smoke of his altars.”

5.   Abraham was an example of GENEROSITY

      a.   Lot and the well watered plains of Jordan - Genesis 13:10-11

      b.   The King of Sodom and the spoils of war - Genesis 14:16-24

6.   Abraham was an example of RESILIENCE – though his faith at times wavered and he made mistakes (Gen 12; 20), he trusted God and got “back on his feet.”

If this church is going to grow, then . . .

1.   We must exhibit Faith

      a.   Hebrews 11:13

      b.   Our time is not spent; it is REDEEMED – Ephesians 5:15-16

      c.   Our time is not spent; it is INVESTED – Mt 6:19-21; 2 Ti 1:12

2.   We must exhibit Conviction

      a.   Acts 4:1-21,

      b.   Acts 5:

      c.   Acts 19:18-20

      d.   Hebrews 11:32-40

3.   We must exhibit Self Sacrifice

      a.   Acts 2:44-45

      b.   Acts 4:34-37

      c.   2 Corinthians 8:1-5

4.   We must exhibit Devotion to Worship - most wear smiling faces as we enter to worship, but is that attitude exhibited in our worship?

      a.   Psalm 100; 103:1-18

      b.   Revelation 5:1-14

5.   We must exhibit Generosity

      a.   Galatians 6:9-10

      b.   2 Corinthians 9:13-15

6.   We must exhibit Resilience

      a.   in the face of hard financial times – Acts 11:28-29

      b.   in the face of persecution – Revelation 2:8-10

adapted from an article in Christian Courier, January 2003