Sermon Notes from Morning Worship
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Series: “Facing the Unknown”
Today: “God’s Call”
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-7 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
Intro: This month has a very human title: Facing the Unknown.
A. But the secret for Abraham in facing his unknown future was found in four elements:
* God’s call .
* God’s covenant .
* God’s timing .
* God’s provisions .
B. Abraham was asked to simply trust God and follow Him.
C. God still calls His followers into a mission .
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 
I. GOD’S CALL BOILS UP WITHIN US .
A. God releases deep desires within us that start coming to the surface once we are in His family!
Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
B. Christ followers start connecting the dots and realize God has been at work in them for many years . 
II. GOD’S CALL UNFOLDS IN CIRCUMSTANCES .
* When we find our call, you’ll see a lot of circumstances fall into place!
III. GOD’S CALL IS CONFIRMED BY OTHER BELIEVERS.
A. In Acts 
15:40, when Paul and Silas wanted to go on a missionary journey, they were “ commended by the brothers.”
* Proverbs 15:22 reminds us: Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
B. We must decide if we want true counsel for our calling or soothing to our ego !
Conclusion: Facing the unknown future is part of our walk with God, but we walk with a promise :
Psalm 139:8-10 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.