Genesis 1-11 portrays a world spiraling down into evil, confusion, and destruction. All human attempts to achieve victory, prestige, and honor have come up short (particularly  manifested in the construction of the Tower of Babel). There is no hope. In fact, the closing verses of chapter 11 show us that the seed of promise (Gen. 3:15) has arrived at a dead end. The promised seed of Eve has fallen upon an aging husband (Abram) and his barren wife (Sarai).  This cycle repeats itself in every generation. In every generation, great minds pursue great wisdom, great craftsman design greater tools and technology, and greater souls devise greater advances to save humanity. And yet, as Christopher Wright observes in his book, The Mission of God, “The greatest human achievements cannot solve the deepest human problems.”

But then God shows up and He calls Abram to go and to be a blessing (12:1-3). The power to be a blessing is not in Abram; the power to be a blessing is in the God of the call. God’s call transforms people. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:24 “…to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” By God’s call, we come to see the power and wisdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ. This call leads us to saving faith and then onto obedience. This call leads us to the greatest achievement in all of history: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).

Friends, as we meditate and learn from the life, faith, and obedience of Abram, let us not forget that Abram is who he is only because of the call and power of God active in his life. It is because he belongs to God that he lives a life of faith. Similarly for us, our obedience and life of faith is because of the work and power of Jesus Christ in our lives. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24). The same God who took a broken and aging man, along with his barren bride, into a journey of faith still takes broken and barren people today and invites them onto the victorious journey with Christ the LORD.

Upcoming Events in the life of Cornerstone Church:

Baby Bottle Boomerang: Your contributions to Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center are due this Sunday February 12.

Ministry Community Meeting, Feb. 13: Reminder to the ministry leaders that we will meet to discuss your Ministry Action Plans for 2012. Please bring 2 copies of your MAP to the meeting. Be thinking of 1-2 prayer requests you can share for your ministry area for 2012.

February 19 Church Family Dinner at the Olive Garden: We have room for about a half dozen more attendees for our 6-8PM dinner. We plan to enjoy fellowship, good food, and a bit of fun on that evening. RSVP to Annette Goater.

The Journey of Faith Sermon Series: We encourage you to be a part of this sermon series by: 1) Attending our weekly worship services. 2) Joining a sermon-based small group. 3) Using the daily Bible-reading guide and 4) Committing to memorize Scripture (these resources are located on the offering table at the back of the Sanctuary).

Thank you friends,

Pastor Matt