Gtcotr/ss010525
James 2 NLT
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.
23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
A review of the life of Abraham reveals a distinguishing characteristic which sets Abraham apart from others in his world. Abraham had a different heart and a different approach to life than did those who lived around him, walked the same pathways, and faced the same opportunities.
As we follow Abraham’s life, we gain insight as to why God chose him. Although he wasn’t perfect by a longshot, Abraham had one quality that impressed God. Let’s see if we can discover what it was as we read from a passage in the book of Genesis.
Genesis 12 NLT
1 ¶ The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.
2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.
3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
4 ¶ So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth — his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran — and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan,
6 ¶ Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.
7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
8 After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the LORD, and he worshiped the LORD.
9 Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev.
Genesis 13 NLT
3 From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before.
4 This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the LORD again.
14 ¶ After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction — north and south, east and west.
15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.
16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!
17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”
18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the LORD.
I imagine you recognized a theme in Abraham’s life that set him apart from others around him. Abraham built altars on which to sacrifice and worship God.
The altars Abraham built in every place he lived were both Designated and Dedicated places of worship to God. In today’s terms an altar represents a Church. Abraham demonstrated the importance of his faith in God by working hard to make a place for him and his family to recognize, honor, thank, and worship God. He didn’t expect anyone else to do it for him.
Building an altar is hard work. Some years ago I had a contract with TBN to produce 51 television programs on location in Europe and the Middle East. These programs aired worldwide in 242 markets each week. One of the locations I chose was the archeological ruins of the first altar built by Abraham in the land of Canaan. This was where the Lord appeared to Abraham in the passage we just read, from Genesis 12:7. Here is a photo taken by one of my film crew looking down on that altar from Mt Gerizim.
This is the old city site of Shechem, also known as Sychar. You can see the almost round stone outline of Abraham’s first altar near the bottom, just left of the center, in the photo. It was built to last … and it has lasted for more than 4000 years. Abraham worked hard and long to make and keep God in the center of his life, his family, and his future. He built these altars everywhere he lived.
It was in this place God appeared to Abraham and promised to give him and his descendants the land of Israel for an inheritance. Visitations of and promises from God are still being made and given to God’s people at places of worship all around the world. The pattern all started right here.
This morning we have a rare opportunity. This is the first Sunday morning of the New Year and the first sermon many of you will hear this year. It’s 2025 and for some of you its time to take a bold new step to include God in your lives and in your families in a brand new way.
First let me point out that Abraham building an altar was not a private affair. It wasn’t something he did at night or when no one was looking. The quality of Abraham’s faith demanded he be a public example in respect to his reverence for God. He worked hard to build an altar to God, and no doubt he was proud of it.
Next, not only did Abraham work hard to build the altar to honor God, but he actually worshipped there. It wasn’t just for show … Abraham brought sacrifices for his sin and made offerings to thank God for His blessings. God is still accepting sacrifices and offerings on His altar. The sacrifice of praise is a sweet smelling aroma and much a part of our living sacrifice to God.
Finally, Abraham talked to God at the altar and Abraham expected God to answer him back. This figures into the faith Abraham practiced. Abraham trusted that he was being led by God. This is what Paul said in Romans 4:
Romans 4 NLT
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.
21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.
23 ¶ And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded
24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
This morning I want to challenge you to take a step of faith in 2025. Remember, James said that Abraham’s faith would have meant nothing had he not also acted on it. So:
