larshaukeland

011 Purpose in Abraham (in Canaan)

Purpose in Abraham (in Canaan)

Txt: Gen. 12:4-9

Perhaps Terah, the father of Abraham, was seeking only his own comfort when he called a halt at Haran.

In such a spirit the Land of Promise can never be possessed.

There must be a crossing of the river (Euphrates) and a passing into the desert if Canaan is to be enjoyed.

Half-and-half Christians who abide on the border never inherit the fullness of the land (Joshua 1:3).

   I. A Prosperous Journey

“They went forth to go to Canaan, and into Canaan they

came” (v. 5b).

The life of faith is always a life of going forth.

“A going on still” (v. 9).

A. THE START

“They went forth.” What from?

From all the past sins and failures, from worldly

pleasures, and self-seeking.

What on?

On the sure word of God’s unfailing promise, not

leaning on their own feelings, wisdom, or

understanding.

“He went out, not knowing whither he went”

(Hebrews 11:8b).

B. THE JOURNEY

The way lay through the Syrian desert.

The passage into the place of blessing may be

extremely trying to flesh and blood, the way to the

cross may be sorrowful, but the burden rolls off when

there.

The entrance into the fullness of the blessing is

always through the barren desert of self-despair.

C. THE END

“Into Canaan they came.”

Those who go out in the expectation of faith will not

stick in the mud of disappointment.

There are two great and common causes of failure in

the Christian life.

First, stopping short of the purpose of God;

Second, going without the divine purpose.

Going forth in the energy of the flesh, having no

special call from God to lean on.

So when the heat of temptation comes, they wither,

having no root.

II. A Continual Difficulty

“The Canaanite was then in the land” (v. 6).

Canaan is not a type of heaven, for there will be no

enemy there.

It is typical of the new relationships into which the

believers enter after having trusted God, and gone

forth in His name.

Here we have trial and warfare, and as pilgrims and

strangers have need of continual faith.

Being in the place of warfare, we are in the place

where God has promised to bless.

Abraham got no blessing while amongst his own

kindred (v. 1).

It is in the high places of promise that we wrestle

against the principalities and powers (Eph. 6:12).

III. An Unfailing Assurance

“The Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy

seed will I give this land” v. 7).

The assuring promise was given when Abraham had

got right in the centre of the land.

When by faith we take our stand right upon His word,

then shall we find it sweetly fulfilled in our experience.

The centre of God’s promises are in Christ.

We shall come short until we are found in Him.

“All the promises of God are in Him” (2 Cor. 1:20).

Go forth, believer, into the heart and centre of all God’s

purposes in Christ.

You will find grace sufficient there.

The anxious soul must get to this centre before the

assurance

of Salvation will be given.

The sealing comes upon believing (Eph. 1:13).

IV. A Powerful Testimony

“He pitched his tent, and builded an altar unto the

Lord” (v. 8).

Abraham’s grest mission in Canaan was that of a

witness for God.

His altar was a public testimony.

To this end is every Christian called.

“Ye shall become witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8).

By his tent he declared himself a pilgrim and a

stranger, looking for a city; by his altar he testified to…

A. HIS FAITH IN THE REALITY OF GOD

While the Canaanite looked on he must have been

convinced that Abraham believed in a living,

personal, prayer-hearing God.

B. HIS BELIEF IN THE HOLINESS OF GOD

The altar speaks of sacrifice.

God is holy, and can only be approached through

atoning blood.

Does our lives bear this much needed testimony?

Do we by our acts condemn the world? (Hebr. 11:7).

C. HIS CONFIDENCE IN THE FAITHFULNESS OF

GOD

He was not ashamed to lift up his altar in the

presence of the heathen, declaring thereby his

expectation of the fullfillment of the divine promise.

How often are we afraid to venture much for God, lest

He should fail and our confidence stagger.

D. HIS SURRENDER TO THE CLAIMS OF GOD

All who really know the need and meaning of the

altar will gladly yield up all to Him.

May our lives be lived in the light of that awful altar

and sacrifice lifted up on Calvary.

Yield yourself to God.