ABRAHAM (GEN. 11) Acts 7: 1-4; Gen. 11: 27-31

1. An ancient city no longer exists is the city of Ur.

2. If we can picture Egypt, Ur was several miles directly east of Egypt

3. If we know where the Persian Gulf is, Ur was north and west of this gulf Coast.

I. THE CITY THAT WAS CALLED UR WAS A PLACE THAT WAS FILLED WITH ACTIVITY.

A. In Ur there was a series of man-made canals.

B. This city was protected by an oval wall.

C. Houses in this city were common.

(1) From the excavations that have been done,

(2) An average house was 40’ x 52’ in size.

(3) Plaster was used on the walls.

(4) Some walls in these houses were “whitewashed.”

(5) An average house for middle income people had 10-20 rooms.

D. Not only was this city well protected and filled w/nice houses,

E. Ur had a good school system.

F. Children learned how to read and write in Ur.

G. Children were schooled in the science of math

(1) Tablets dealing with multiplication in Ur have been found.

(2) Excavations have shown that division math was taught in Ur.

(3) Teachers covered square and cube roots.

(4) Even elementary geometry was taught.

H. Ur was a city that offered many good things.

I. People lived in well built mud-brick homes.

J. The mud streets were messy during the rain, but there were streets.

K. The city of Ur had a thriving marketplace.

L. Farmers brought in onions, barley, and apples.

M. Merchants brought in exotic goods from India as well as countries.

N. From the scripture reading we know that a Bible character Living in Ur.

O. Abraham was someone who spent a fair amount of time in Ur.

(1) Though Abraham did not have any children in this city’s school.

(2) He lived in a place which was pleasant and good.

(3) Then only bad thing I know about Ur was the idolatry.

(4) Ur was a center for pagan idolatry.

(5) Nevertheless Abraham lived in a prosperous city.

P. The picture of Abraham in Ur is this:

(1) Abraham had access to the good life.

(2) He could have had a nice house, job, and a safe environment.

(3) Abraham lived in a great and prosperous city.

(4) What person in this type of situation would want to move?

(5) If we have all of these things going for us,

(6) What incentive could there be to go elsewhere?

(7) Abraham not only lived in a wonderful city,

(8) His family (relatives) was also in this city.

(9) Speaking of family, something can be said about Sarah.

(10) The name of Abraham’s wife meant “princess.”

(11) Some have suggested that this indicates social status.

(12) Abraham may have married a woman who was socially promised.

(13) Abraham seems to be a man who had it all.

(14) What else could this man have wanted?

L. Let’s take the picture of Abraham and compare it to Gen: 11-31 READ

M. It sounds like Abraham’s dad took Abraham away from Ur.

N. The book of Acts makes what happened, a little clearer.

O. Acts 7:2-3 READ

(1) Abraham’s father did not on his own take the family to Haran, about 600 miles.

(2) This trip was the result of a message from God.

(3) God said, “Leave this place. Do not stay in Ur.”

P. Think about what God said to Abraham.

(1) “The place where you have (or could get) a good job;

(2) “ The city which has a wonderful educational system;

(3) “ The city which is prosperous; the city which is great;

(4) “ The place where you have friends and family members”;

(5) “Go somewhere else to live.”

II. IN OUR DAY AND TIME THIS TYPE OF MESSAGE WOULD PROBBALY BE MET WITH, “GOD, YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND. LOOK AT WHAT I HAVE. I AM AN IMPORTANT MEMBER IN THIS COMMUNITY. THINGS ARRE GOING WELL. MY FAMILY IS HERE. WHY SHOULD I LEAVE? I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE”

(1) .When we develop a small understanding of what Abraham had,

(2) I listened to an archaeologist at FHU in February.

(3) Abraham started towards Canaan,

(4) He entered into hostile territory.

(5) He came into places where cities were fortified.

(6) He encountered people who possessed deadly weapons.

(7) Abraham came to places where people were prepared for war.

F. Not only did Abraham leave behind what must have been a good life,

G. He left behind people he loved.

H. He left much of what he had so he could go to a hostile environment.

I. If someone were young and interested in adventure,

J. Perhaps this type of thing would have some appeal and maybe an adventure.

K. Abraham had reached a point in life where he was middle aged.

L. Even with the longer lives during this time,

M. Abraham had reached a point in life where he was middle aged.

N. Gen: 12:4 – READ

(1) What would it be like at the age of 75 years?

(2) To leave all that we know and like (even some family members),

(3) And move to anew area where there was hostility and war.

(4) Our friends might think that we are insane.

(5) The type of people Abraham encountered.

(6) Are hinted at in verse 12-6 – READ

(7) Another interesting statement is made in verse 12:8. READ

(8) From the excavations that have been done,

(9) Cities in the time of Abraham were fortified against attacks.

(10) Cities were like gigantic complex ready invasions.

(11) While people here living in walled and fortified cities,

(12) And this environment was hostile, with Abraham and his party?

(13) They here living in tents, 12:8

(14) From our standpoint this was hardly a secure dwelling.

(15) If all of this were not enough, v. 10 says, READ.

O. Abraham was not a perfect man.

P. As this chapter continues we find that his fait in god could have been strong at times.

Q. Though Abraham was a man who truly trusted God.

R. He was a man of faith. This man truly believed in god.

(1) Overall, this man believed that God would protect him.

(2) He believed that even if he had to leave all behind.

(3) A wonderful life, this would be the best choice.

(4) Abraham was a man who truly trusted God.

(5) Is it any wonder with this introduction to Abraham,

(6) We find a little later time when he would have sacrificed his own son.

(7) This introductory shows us what type of man Abraham was.

(8) Though this man did not know how things would work out,

(9) Heb: 11:8 says that “by faith he obeyed God.”

III.WHEN SOMONE IS WILLING TO DO WHAT ABRAHAM DIDK AND THE BIBLE EVEN MENTIONS THIS MAN AS SOMEONE WHO IS NOTWORTHY, WE HAVE A PERSON WHO HAS THE ABILITY TO TEACH US SOMETHING.

A. There are things we can learn from the man called Abraham.

B. We can learn from this man that it is sometimes time to leave a place.

(1) Abraham was in the wrong place.

(2) Through Ur had many good things,

(3) This city was a hub for religious error and idolatry.

(4) This was no place for a child of God.

(5) One of Abraham was called from a sinful city,

(6) There are still places that God’s people need to leave.

(7) As Abraham was a man who truly trusted God.

(8) We too can consider ourselves called away from certain environments.

(9) For those who are not Christians,

(10) God issues the call to come out of the world and be a Christian;

(11) Once we become a Christian,

(12) We need to look at where we go and what we do.

(13) There are places and activities that need to be left alone.

C. I learn from the life of Abraham something about friends and family

(1) God was more important to him than friends and family.

(2) Our connection to God is more important than any bond on the earth.

(3) I have met some who affirm a great love for God,

(4) But their actions are puzzling.

(5) Someone once told me about a Christian (member of the church).

(6) This person got married

(7) The person the Christian married was not a member of The Lord’s Church.

(8) The denomination partner required that an agreement be signed.

(9) The agreement said, “Any children would be raised in my denomination.

(10) Who was most important the spouse or God?

(11) In other cases I have witnessed the need to make a decision.

(12) Perhaps a family member was involved with sin.

(13) People had to do what the Bible said or overlook the problem.

(14) More than once things have been overlooked.

(15) Those who date may put their date above God.

(16) A husband or a wife may be elevated above God.

(17) Gen: 11-12 show that any human relationship must be below God.

D The life of Abraham tells us something else.

E. It tells me that my trust in God is not misplaced.

(1) Life may not be pleasant.

(2) A terrible thing may happen to my children.

(3) I may be in a hostile environment because of my faith.

(4) Perhaps I will need to “leave town” for some reason like Abraham

(5) My faith and you faith in God is not misplaced.

(6) Whatever the cost to remain faithful to God, The price is worth it.

(7) Not only is the price worth it,

(8) The price can be paid

(9) Abraham was called upon to do very difficult things.

(10) Yet, his belief in God caused him to obey. We can do the difficult thing

F. Speaking of obedience, Abraham did the will of God.

(1) We live in a time when men want to do things their way.

(2) Imagine what some in our time would have said long ago.

(3) “God, Isaac is not a good choice for a sacrifice,

(4) I have something better back home. I’ll be back with it in a moment

(5) Abraham had a different kind of attitude.

(6) He wanted to know the will of God.

(7) When this man knew what was right he acted.

(8) There was not any bartering with God.

(9) There were no subtractions or additions to God’s will.

(10) Yet, his belief in God caused him to obey. We can do the same

G. This is still true.

H. When we obey the will of God, heaven is pleased.

I. The final point is a contrast

(1) Just before this account is information about the tower of Babel.

(2) Who were the ones who built this tower?

(3) Who were the ones who paid for what was done?

(4) Who was the great engineer behind this tower?

(5) We do not know names of those involved they are gone.

(6) About they only thing to remember for the unsaved.

(7) Is that they were lost and a full record of their sins.

J. Those in harmony with God’s will remember people like Abraham.

(1) Thousands of years later Abraham is still remembered.

(2) This man’s name, works, and faith live on.

(3) Before going to Russia I read something that I liked.

(4) It is in the form of a joke.

(5) People were coming towards the gate of heaven.

(6) One couple was lugging several bags.

(7) Inside were various forms of wealth – gold, diamonds, and cash.

(8) The gatekeeper said, “What’s all that.”

(9) The couple said, “Treasure.”

(10) The response to them was, “Put it over there with the rest of the trash.

(11) There are very few good things that will go into eternity.

K.Our faith in God and our good works will last forever.

L. All of the lessons in Abraham’s life are important.

M. Let’s be especially mindful of this man’s faith.

N.He believed God even when it seemed like following God’s will was a poor choice.

O.If our faith is wavering, let’s be strengthened by Abraham.

P. Let’s renew our belief in God and His care of us.

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