Half Way and All the Way

Half way and All the Way

Genesis 11:31 - Genesis 12:1-5

Introduction: The Call and response of Abram

1. This call is often only half obeyed
2. This call is of a very special character
3. This call, when it is really obeyed puts the obedient upon a special footing, particularly the Lord's.

I. The Call is often half-obeyed - "they went as far as Haran, and settled there"

Do not know how the call came to Abram - whether audible voice, impulse upon his mind, dream, vision, but Luke in Acts 7 says, "The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham..."

Knew true God wanted him to leave Ur, father's house, his family clung to him, the dreaded separation spared murmuring on the way to reach Haran.

God's word does not censure him for this, but there is silence about blessings, communion with God. To a friend of God - his silence is a rebuke. If a friend fails to smile, you do not know his favor.

He was conquered not by foes but by compromising friends, Adam by Eve.

Consequences of tarrying at half-way house
1. To obey the Lord partially is to disobey Him. The essence of obedience is its exactness.
2. Half-way obedience increases our responsibility when "we know the Lord's will"
3. Result of Abram was the absence of privileges. God spoke not to his servant in Haran, neither dream, vision or voice came to him in place of hesitation. Lord loved him, but hid his face.
4. Card must be broken - death of father
5. While here created cause for future trouble. Cling to nephew Lot carried away captive.

II. This call, as it comes to us is of a very peculiar character.

1. To us, it is wholly spiritual. Not called out from kindred, but to live a new life, in world, not of it, lives must be Christlike and pure.

Have you heard the call? It means - flee all sin without exception and follow all that is pure and holy.

If in doubt - don't
Be out and out for Jesus
Appearance of evil avoid
Abhor evil - cling to good
Friendship of the world - enmity with God
Let word of God be sure, rule - nothing else
Religion that's not according to God's word is false

2. Comes to believer from God himself - calls to separated life by word, preached or heard, Holy Spirit applies it.

3. It has for us (coming from God) a supreme authority. We follow our Lord even when darkness is round about us - then we know not the way - we know the Lord.

4. If we thus separate ourselves unto obedience, we must expect opposition.

5. To go forth and lead a separated life will need faith and the grace of God.

6. The walk of separated believer involves trial. It will not be smooth.

III. This call, when obeyed puts us on special ground.

1. For God is bound to justify the cause which he commands.
When Abram obeyed - It was God's responsibility
Thus we stand on the ground of justification.

2. We cease also to be of the world - separated

3. Free grace has separated you. You come into a honored fellowship with him.

4. Come under the divine care and protection

5. Henceforth Abram was for God's use only.

Do you know about this? - Received the Divine Call