Sermon Title: Called to be a Great Nation
Genesis 12
1 "The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household 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.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.
Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.
5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, 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.
9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev."
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
In the course of human history, certain individuals may have aspired to rule over a ‘great’ nation; but the fact remains that no country, nor earthly nation has ever been ‘called’ by the Almighty God to be great.
True greatness can never be bought, nor earned; for only the great God can bestow greatness.
Never be found harboring even the slightest of hopes that Canada would be a ‘great’ nation; for greatness according to God is reserved exclusively for His Kingdom Nation - in which our citizenship is wrought by Christ’s Death on the Cross and His Resurrection from the grave.
In the world of nations, the Church alone is great in the eyes, heart and Sovereign Will of God; of which, His Call of Abram in Genesis 12:1-3 is the foundation of God’s divine Call for the Church to be a great nation.
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household 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.”” (Genesis 12:1-3)
God’s Call of Abram is the foundation of God’s Call of the Church - of whom Christ is the Head. (Ref: Ephesians 1:22, 5:23, Colossians 1:18)
The Church would be mistaken to believe that we are blessed because we bless the descendants of Abram; for in Christ, the Church is the “great nation” - blessed, favoured and used by God to be a blessing to “all peoples on earth.”
The world’s redemption story begins through Noah, Abram and culminates in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour – through whom, we “have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18, cf John 14:6)
In Christ, the Church is called, commanded and destined to be God’s Great Nation who would be a blessing to the world.
On this Canada day, we are reminded of our divine Call to be a blessing to our country when we sing the line, “O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”
What does it mean for us – the Church - to stand on guard for Canada?
It is precisely to live out God’s Call and Command to be His Kingdom Nation right here in Canada - living daily and overtly as His Chosen People, His royal priesthood, a holy nation who clearly belongs to the Almighty God. (Ref: 1 Peter 2:9)
To stand on guard for Canada and to be God’s Holy Nation here in Canada, we must, as Abram:
- Embrace God’s divine Call and Command for us, the Church, to be set apart – to leave our country, our people and even our family - in order that we become His great and holy nation in the world.
Are you willing to cast away all allegiances, friendships and relationships with the world in sole favor of your relationship with God?
Are you prepare to only store up for yourself “treasures in heaven” and consider all else “garbage”, that you “may gain Christ”? (Ref: Matthew 6:19-20, Philippians 3:8)
- Be utterly committed to obeying God.
“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him” (Genesis 12:4)
With immediacy, Abram obeyed the Lord.
Understand this clearly.
Delayed obedience, and partial obedience - is disobedience.
Have you fully obeyed the Lord in fulfilling the Great Commission – making disciples of all nations (Ref: Matthew 28:18-20); and be daily baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Christ’s witness (Ref: Acts 1:8)?
Have you fully obeyed the Lord’s Call for you to be part of His Church; that together, we may fulfill our destiny to be His Kingdom Nation here on earth? (Ref: Ephesians 4:15, 1 Peter 2:9)
- Worship and honor God alone, by building an altar to Him.
“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.
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east.
There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 12:7-8)
To grow in Christ is to grow with the Church.
In my own experience, along with the many lives that I have journeyed with, the only way to truly grow deep in Christ is to grow with the Church through a steadfast resolve to personal and corporate worship, prayer, study of His Word, fellowship and evangelism as part of the body of Christ. (Ref: Acts 2:42-47)
Today, commit to building an altar unto the Lord by growing with the Church; participating in becoming God’s blessing to this country and beyond.
To stand on guard and be a blessing to Canada, along the world - is to fully embrace God’s Call and Command to us to be set apart and be His Holy Nation; to utterly obey God in being His Great and Holy Nation; and to commit to building an altar unto Him.
Arise Church; may the Holy Spirit grant us divine power to fulfill God’s Call and Command to be a Holy Nation, and always be a blessing to Canada.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
I acknowledge that in Christ, the Church is called, commanded and destined to be God’s Great Nation that we may be a blessing to the world.
Holy Spirit, grant Your Church the courage, strength, resolve and wisdom to fulfill Your Call and Command to be God’s Kingdom Nation here in Canada - living daily and overtly as Your Chosen People, Your royal priesthood, a holy nation who clearly belongs God alone. (Ref: 1 Peter 2:9)
As Your Church, may we fully embrace God’s divine Call and Command to be set apart – to cast aside every allegiance to our country, our people and even our family - in order that we become Your great and holy nation in the world.
As Your Holy Nation, may we be utterly committed to obeying You alone – fully and immediately – in fulfilling the Great Commission - making disciples of all nations (Ref: Matthew 28:18-20); and being daily baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Christ (Ref: Acts 1:8)
As Your Holy Nation, may we be utterly committed to worshiping and honoring You alone, by participating in building an altar unto You.
Holy Spirit, grant that I may desire to grow deep in Christ, by growing with the Church in personal and corporate worship, prayer, study of His Word, fellowship and evangelism as part of the body of Christ. (Ref: Acts 2:42-47); that I may participate in being a blessing to Canada and beyond!
Ruler Supreme, Who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within Thy loving care.
Help us to find, O God, in Thee a lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day, We ever stand on guard.
God keep our land glorious and free!
Holy Spirit, grant us divine power to be Christ’s witnesses to this country; and in doing so, stand on guard for Canada.
Almighty Lord, amongst all the nations of the world, may Your Church truly be a great and holy Nation - to the glory of our Heavenly Father!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Genesis 12
1 "The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household 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.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.
Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.
5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, 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.
9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev."
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
In the course of human history, certain individuals may have aspired to rule over a ‘great’ nation; but the fact remains that no country, nor earthly nation has ever been ‘called’ by the Almighty God to be great.
True greatness can never be bought, nor earned; for only the great God can bestow greatness.
Never be found harboring even the slightest of hopes that Canada would be a ‘great’ nation; for greatness according to God is reserved exclusively for His Kingdom Nation - in which our citizenship is wrought by Christ’s Death on the Cross and His Resurrection from the grave.
In the world of nations, the Church alone is great in the eyes, heart and Sovereign Will of God; of which, His Call of Abram in Genesis 12:1-3 is the foundation of God’s divine Call for the Church to be a great nation.
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household 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.”” (Genesis 12:1-3)
God’s Call of Abram is the foundation of God’s Call of the Church - of whom Christ is the Head. (Ref: Ephesians 1:22, 5:23, Colossians 1:18)
The Church would be mistaken to believe that we are blessed because we bless the descendants of Abram; for in Christ, the Church is the “great nation” - blessed, favoured and used by God to be a blessing to “all peoples on earth.”
The world’s redemption story begins through Noah, Abram and culminates in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour – through whom, we “have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18, cf John 14:6)
In Christ, the Church is called, commanded and destined to be God’s Great Nation who would be a blessing to the world.
On this Canada day, we are reminded of our divine Call to be a blessing to our country when we sing the line, “O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”
What does it mean for us – the Church - to stand on guard for Canada?
It is precisely to live out God’s Call and Command to be His Kingdom Nation right here in Canada - living daily and overtly as His Chosen People, His royal priesthood, a holy nation who clearly belongs to the Almighty God. (Ref: 1 Peter 2:9)
To stand on guard for Canada and to be God’s Holy Nation here in Canada, we must, as Abram:
- Embrace God’s divine Call and Command for us, the Church, to be set apart – to leave our country, our people and even our family - in order that we become His great and holy nation in the world.
Are you willing to cast away all allegiances, friendships and relationships with the world in sole favor of your relationship with God?
Are you prepare to only store up for yourself “treasures in heaven” and consider all else “garbage”, that you “may gain Christ”? (Ref: Matthew 6:19-20, Philippians 3:8)
- Be utterly committed to obeying God.
“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him” (Genesis 12:4)
With immediacy, Abram obeyed the Lord.
Understand this clearly.
Delayed obedience, and partial obedience - is disobedience.
Have you fully obeyed the Lord in fulfilling the Great Commission – making disciples of all nations (Ref: Matthew 28:18-20); and be daily baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Christ’s witness (Ref: Acts 1:8)?
Have you fully obeyed the Lord’s Call for you to be part of His Church; that together, we may fulfill our destiny to be His Kingdom Nation here on earth? (Ref: Ephesians 4:15, 1 Peter 2:9)
- Worship and honor God alone, by building an altar to Him.
“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.
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east.
There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 12:7-8)
To grow in Christ is to grow with the Church.
In my own experience, along with the many lives that I have journeyed with, the only way to truly grow deep in Christ is to grow with the Church through a steadfast resolve to personal and corporate worship, prayer, study of His Word, fellowship and evangelism as part of the body of Christ. (Ref: Acts 2:42-47)
Today, commit to building an altar unto the Lord by growing with the Church; participating in becoming God’s blessing to this country and beyond.
To stand on guard and be a blessing to Canada, along the world - is to fully embrace God’s Call and Command to us to be set apart and be His Holy Nation; to utterly obey God in being His Great and Holy Nation; and to commit to building an altar unto Him.
Arise Church; may the Holy Spirit grant us divine power to fulfill God’s Call and Command to be a Holy Nation, and always be a blessing to Canada.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
I acknowledge that in Christ, the Church is called, commanded and destined to be God’s Great Nation that we may be a blessing to the world.
Holy Spirit, grant Your Church the courage, strength, resolve and wisdom to fulfill Your Call and Command to be God’s Kingdom Nation here in Canada - living daily and overtly as Your Chosen People, Your royal priesthood, a holy nation who clearly belongs God alone. (Ref: 1 Peter 2:9)
As Your Church, may we fully embrace God’s divine Call and Command to be set apart – to cast aside every allegiance to our country, our people and even our family - in order that we become Your great and holy nation in the world.
As Your Holy Nation, may we be utterly committed to obeying You alone – fully and immediately – in fulfilling the Great Commission - making disciples of all nations (Ref: Matthew 28:18-20); and being daily baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Christ (Ref: Acts 1:8)
As Your Holy Nation, may we be utterly committed to worshiping and honoring You alone, by participating in building an altar unto You.
Holy Spirit, grant that I may desire to grow deep in Christ, by growing with the Church in personal and corporate worship, prayer, study of His Word, fellowship and evangelism as part of the body of Christ. (Ref: Acts 2:42-47); that I may participate in being a blessing to Canada and beyond!
Ruler Supreme, Who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within Thy loving care.
Help us to find, O God, in Thee a lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day, We ever stand on guard.
God keep our land glorious and free!
Holy Spirit, grant us divine power to be Christ’s witnesses to this country; and in doing so, stand on guard for Canada.
Almighty Lord, amongst all the nations of the world, may Your Church truly be a great and holy Nation - to the glory of our Heavenly Father!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.