Introduction: The call of Abraham in Genesis 12 shows us that God is the God of second chances.

1. THE CALL (12:1):

A. When God Called Abraham:
1) When he was practicing idolatry (Joshua 24:2).
2) When he was in Ur of the Chaldees (idolatrous city).
3) When he was 75 and Sarah was 65 (without children).

B. How God Called Abraham:
1) God appeared to him (Acts 7:2).
2) God spoke to him (Genesis 12:1).

C. Why God Called Abraham:
1) To save and sanctify him.
2) To bless him and bless others through him.

2. THE COVENANT (12:1-3):

A. What God demanded – “Leave your country and its idols”.
B. What God delivered – “Let Me bless you and others through you”.

3. THE COMPROMISE (12:4, 11:27-32):

A. Instead of leaving his family behind, he took along Terah and Lot.
B. Instead of going straight there, he stayed in Haran until Terah died.

4. THE COMMITMENT (12:4-9):

A. The Trip to Canaan (4-5):
1) He finally leaves Haran (4).
2) He finishes the journey (5).

B. The Test in Canaan (6-9):
1) Surrounded by idolaters (6).
2) Set apart by worshiping God (7-8).
3) Surging deeper south (9).

CONCLUSION: When God gives us second chances, we must answer the call, look to the covenant, work through compromises, and be committed.

Introduction: Through the narrative of the Tower of Babel, we learn that “There are many plans in a man’s heart, yet it’s the Lord’s counsel that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21).

1. GOD STOPS A REVOLT (11:1-9):

A. The Rebellion of the People (1-4):
1) They make communication universal (1).
2) They make a move to one area (2).
3) They make bricks to build (3).
4) They make the mistake of not filling the earth (4).
B. The Response by God (5-9):
1) God came down to stop them (5).
2) God cared about their plans (6).
3) God confused their language (7).
4) God canceled their project (8).
5) God caused them to fill the earth (9).

2. GOD SUSTAINS A FAMILY (11:10-26):

A. God is faithfully watching over these families.
B. God is fulfilling His promise (Genesis 3:15).

3. GOD STARTS A NATION (11:27-32):

A. Terah (Abram’s father) STOPPED in Haran and died (27,32).
B. Haran (Abram’s brother) SETTLED in Ur and died (28).
C. Nahor (Abram’s brother) STAYED in Ur (29).
D. Sarah (Abram’s wife) SUFFERED barrenness (30).
E. Lot (Abram’s nephew) STRAYED, leaving Abram in Sodom (31).
F. Abraham gets a new name that means “father of many nations.”

CONCLUSION: While the people of Babel wanted to make a name for themselves, God promised to make Abraham’s name great.