Newness III: Change for a Great Reason

Innovation III: Change for a Great Reason

Genesis 12:1-3

This message is the third in a series on newness and change. As believers in Christ, you do not walk by sight but by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). When you walk with God, positive change is inevitable. The experience of Abraham has lessons.

The point/position of change is hearing God

‘Now Yahweh said to Abram’ (Genesis 12:1a). Change begins with hearing God.  What God says is more important than any other voice because God does not change (Malachi 3:6).  In the long term, all things are variable but God is eternal and his word abides forever. Change is the only constant but ultimately God is the real constant. God reserves the right to the last change. He has the last say after all changes have run their courses and cycles.  He promises to once more shake the earth and the heavens to remove things that can be shaken so that those things which are not shaken may remain (Hebrews 12:25-28). Those who obey God receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken.  Everything shall shake except God and the people in His kingdom.  They are like trees planted by streams of water that cannot be moved, as houses built on a rock that shall not be swept away. His grace will always meet the needs in the lives of His people anywhere at any time in any situation.

When God shakes things, there is no recourse except in him. The superficial euphoria goes away and real commitment remains. The mixed crowd disappears and the genuine followers remain. Those following for bread will be stumbled and those following God for who He is will remain.  The opportunists will desert you but the true friends will be there. Pillars you lean on other than God will collapse and expose their false hope.  He is always merciful, faithful, and compassionate.

The process of change is obedience.

‘Get out of your country, and from your relatives, and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you’ (Genesis 12:1b). Change happens as you obey what God says to you. Abraham obeyed and was counted righteous and the father of those who believe outside the Law of Moses (Rom 4:11-13).  Abraham’s obedience was not always perfect. God showed great patience with Abraham as he obeyed. He will also be patient with you. He was supposed to leave his country, which he did. He was also supposed to leave his father’s house and relatives but he instead took them with him. It took a while for him to leave his father and Lot.  He also for a considerable time settled in Haran until his father died there. Later he sought a son through Hagar (Genesis 16) instead of waiting for God’s promise. In another instance, out of fear he lied to king Abimelech that Sarah was only  his sister and not also his wife (Genesis 20:11).  Nevertheless, God dealt favorably with him because he saw that his heart was after Him. Abraham obeyed the command to leave his country (Hebrews 11:8). He trusted God for an heir even when Sarah was beyond childbearing age and was willing to offer the son in obedience to God. He also gave tithes to Melchizedec and trusted in God wholly (Genesis 14:23; 15:1). As a result, he reached the land God promised and obtained a great name and a great nation. 

The power of change is greatness

‘I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you, and make your name great’ (Genesis 12:2). The measure of significance of the change is in line with that of God’s greatness. God is thinking big about you. His dream is higher than your own. Nothing is impossible with Him. God promised Abraham his presence and ability.  The deal was obedience on Abraham’s part and God would do the rest – ‘I will show you, I will make you, I will bless you.’  When God begins to bless, the human response in the process is gratitude. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 100:4; 9:1-2; 1 Chronicle 16:34-35).

 The purpose of change is to become a blessing

‘You will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you. In you will all of the families of the earth be blessed’ (Genesis 12:3).  Even when obedience to God requires change, how you handle relationships matters (Galatians 5:22-23). In the process and product of change, God’s desire is to bless you so that you become a blessing to others. The challenge of an innovator or change agent is not only to be convinced of the change but also to communicate effectively to others the benefit of the change. An innovator like a prophet can be lonely because of seeing things that others cannot see yet.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa