Abram and The Unexpected Order of Grace
Scripture Focus
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.
(Genesis 12:1-9)
The Framework of Genesis
Ch. 1-11: Humanity spiraling In sin
Ch. 12-50: One family’s journey of experiencing God’s faithful promises
Leaving of Land and Heritage:
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.
(Gen. 12:1)
God’s “I WILL”
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
(Gen. 12:2-3)
(1) I will make you a great nation.
(2) I will bless you:
(3) I will make your name great:
(4) I will bless those who bless you:
The Nations Will Be Blessed:
… and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed
(Genesis 12:3b)
“The church is the church only when it exists for others.”
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Abraham’s Obedience
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him…
(Gen. 12:4)
God Reveals Himself along the Way:
Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”
(Gen 12:7)
The “Just World” Hypothesis (Fallacy)
Good Behavior = Good Outcomes / Bad Behavior = Bad Outcomes
If I do “x” I expect “y” / If I avoid bad choices, I can avoid pain
“I’ll just try harder and I’ll do better the next time”
Grades Are Earned / Positions Are Earned / Love and Respect is Earned
Transactional Faith
“If I obey God, He will bless me.”
“If I sin, God will punish me”
“I will work harder for God’s approval.”
“God wants nothing to do with me when I sin.”
Inner Awareness (Re-Writing the Story Within)
Learning to notice performance-based narratives that still shape how we see ourselves and God.
Paying retention to shame, fear, and self-accusation.
Naming where we feel we must earn God’s approval
Replacing those lies with the truth of God’s grace and promises.
Shared Grace — Relearning Trust In Community:
Experiencing God’s grace through relationships where honesty is met with mercy rather than rejection.
Being truthful about failure with fear of exile.
Receiving forgiveness when judgement feels deserved
Practicing forgiveness toward others when we’ve been hurt
Altars of Worship:
So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with… And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.
(Genesis 1:7b-9)
Discussion Questions for Home Groups:
What has God called you, specifically, to do? What has been your response?
Where have you been shown unmerited mercy lately?
How can we pass along God's mercy in our own lives, to others?
This week
SonShine Stitchers (Women)
A day of stitching, creativity, and fellowship. Bring your own materials and lunch. Learn More.
🗓️ Thursday, February 12 - 🕖 9AM-4PM - 📍 Room 321 (Building 2)
High School Game Night
For 10th-12th Graders. Bring a friend and come ready for a fun evening! Learn more & register.
🗓️ Friday, February 13 - 🕖 7-9PM - 📍 Sanctuary
Zumba Valentine’s Potluck (Everyone Welcome!)
Zumba, followed by a potluck. Please bring a dish to share. No registration required.
🗓️ Saturday, February 14 - 🕖 9:30AM - 📍 Gym (Building 2)
Men’s Basketball
Looking to play basketball and connect with other guys? Join us in the gym!
🗓️ Sunday, February 15 - 🕖 7PM - 📍 Gym (Building 2)
Annual Meeting
All members and attenders are invited to join us for our Annual Member Meeting, a meaningful afternoon of reflection and vision. We’ll celebrate what God has done this past year through powerful testimonies, share financial report, and look ahead to our vision and priorities for the coming year. We’ll enjoy dessert and Fellowship, because good conversations are better with something sweet! Learn More.
🗓️ Sunday, February 22 - 🕖 3:00-5:00PM - 📍 Gym (Building 2)
Visit www.lighthousehome.org/whats-happening-at-lcc for the complete list of upcoming groups, classes, and events.
eNews
Visit www.lighthousehome.org/enews to sign up for LCC's weekly eNews. Get special announcements and messages from our pastors and Leadership Team, updates and emergency notices, and a first look at what’s upcoming.