Go - 4/19/09am

Genesis 12:1-9 -Abraham told to go to a strange land, and he goes

• Abraham had the faith to do as God commanded, even without full details or understanding.
• Abraham’s faithful obedience was immediate, not “after a while.”
• Abraham’s faithful obedience had effects that lasted for thousands of years.

Genesis 19:12-31 -Lot told to go out of Sodom and to the mountains, wants a compromise

• Lot wanted to compromise with God, to go to Zoar instead of the mountains.
• He is permitted to do as he wills.
• In the end, he does as he was told to: he goes to the mountains. However, he is in worse shape than he would have been if he obeyed when the Lord commanded.

Exodus 3:1-14 -Moses told to go to Egypt, makes excuses

• Moses was given a difficult instruction.
• Moses offered excuses to try to avoid doing what was difficult.
• In the end, Moses obeyed, and consider the consequences.

Jonah 1:1-16 -Jonah told to go to Nineveh, tries to flee

• Jonah is given a task which seems onerous to him.
• Instead of offering obedience or attempts at compromise or excuse, he directly disobeys.
• He is punished for his disobedience, yet is given a chance to repent. Doing so, much good is accomplished by following the Lord’s command.

Acts 9:1-19 -Saul/Paul told to go to Damascus, Ananias told to go to Saul, both do as instructed

• Saul is given instructions to go to Damascus, which he obeys.
• Ananias is told to go to the street named Straight, and find Saul.
• Because of their obedience, a soul is saved. And that leads to many more saved souls in the future.

Matthew 28:18-20 -Apostles are told to go do all the world, teaching and baptizing

• Just as these others were told to go, so are we commanded.
• We must not offer excuses, attempt compromises, or disobey. Rather, we must obey in faith, that souls might saved.
• This command is no less imperative than that given to Abraham, Lot, Moses, Jonah, Saul, or Ananias.

John 14:1-6 -Christ goes to the Father, preparing a place for the faithful

• Christ has gone to prepare a place for those who faithfully obey.
• If we truly follow Him, we too will go and join Him for eternity.