Week 95 - Free Weekend Program for Children

Date: 14th June, 2025

Text: Genesis 12:10–20

Theme: Choose Faith over Fear

Last week, we saw how God called Abram out of a sinful lifestyle—specifically, out of idolatry. Though we didn’t mention it then, it’s important to understand that true repentance requires a deep awareness of our specific sins and how evil they are. As the Holy Spirit convicts us, our eyes are opened one by one to see the depravity within us. Without this divine conviction, there is no true repentance.

Just like Abram, God has called us out of our sinful ways and given us the obedience that comes from faith. We left our old lives behind to follow Him. But notice—Abram didn’t leave everything. He took his wife, his nephew, servants, and possessions with him.

In the same way, when God calls us, He doesn’t ask us to abandon the good things He has given us—our gifts, talents, passions, and abilities. Some of us enjoy sports, fashion, academic goals, family life or career pursuits. These are not sinful in themselves; they are gifts from God and can be enjoyed with thanksgiving, as long as they don’t hinder our walk with Him.

Even with all his possessions, Abram still maintained a close relationship with God. He built altars and called on the name of the Lord. This brings us to a vital question: What is an altar today, and where do we build it

An altar is a place where God dwells. But God no longer lives in temples made with human hands. He doesn’t dwell in church buildings or physical objects. He lives in the hearts of believers.

Setting up a small table with a Bible, olive oil, communion elements, or religious objects does not make a place holy - God’s dwelling place. Some even include rosaries, “holy water,” and statues of Mary or Jesus—these are not altars but expressions of idolatry. God wants our hearts, not rituals. We worship Him in Spirit and in truth - the gospel truth. John 4:24

One of the greatest privileges God gives us is the ability to see our sin and our need for Him. This leads to godly sorrow, which in turn leads to true repentance. As one of our worship songs says:

“Come and make my heart your home,

Come and be everything I am and all I know,

Search me through and through (removing my sins)

Till my heart becomes a home for you…”

So Abram had personal fellowship with God. He built altars twice in a short span—this shows that his communion with God was regular and intentional. Though God is invisible, Abram believed in Him, and through that faith, they had a relationship.

But Abram, like us, was still on the journey of sanctification. Though redeemed perfectly by the shed blood of Christ, called out of darkness unto light, he still had sin in his members, his sinful flesh was still alive. So, when a severe famine came to the land God had promised him, instead of seeking God, Abram took matters into his own hands. He went to Egypt and out of fear, devised a deceitful plan—he lied about his wife to protect himself.

Notice: Abram didn’t go back to his old life of idolatry where God brought him out from, but he still failed to trust God fully in his moment of need. Even so, God intervened. He protected Abram, exposed the lie, and restored Sarai to him. Pharaoh, frightened by God’s hand, sent them away unharmed.

What does this teach us?

If God has called us out of sin and we are walking by faith, let’s trust Him to provide for us and to protect us. We cannot take matters into our own hands in ways that contradict His Word. Scripture warns us many times not to be afraid, and Proverbs specifically teaches against gaining through deception.

We must take our fears to God. He will help us and save us from greater trouble that sinful shortcuts often bring. God rescued Abram, but He also used that failure to teach him a deeper trust. And in time, Abram grew in faith to the point where he was willing to sacrifice Isaac—overcoming fear with faith. We will see this later in our study.

The fearful and deceitful man became the father of faith. The same can happen to us as we look to Christ. He transforms us from glory to glory. Nothing is impossible for God. He takes joy in making a sinner into a saint by the power of His grace

His grace and mercy are revealed in the lives of those who believe. His justice is shown in the lives of those who reject the gospel. “Why do the nations rage…? The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them… Psalm 2:1–5

May the Lord bless us as we continue to walk by faith, acknowledging Him and trusting Him in all our ways.

Thank you for praying. More messages were shared over the weekend, and you can listen to them at this link: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/612251934313835”

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