Sermon Outline Title: Five Changes Faith Adds to Your Life
Bible Text: Genesis 12:1-9
Theme: The Call of God and the Courage of Faith
Big Idea: When God calls, faith moves us to follow. Abraham’s journey shows that real faith doesn’t just believe — it obeys, follows, and changes everything.
1. The Call That Tested Abraham’s Faith (Genesis 12:1-3)
a. God called Abraham to leave his home, his family, and everything familiar, to go to a place He would show him.
b. Abraham wasn’t given a map, only a promise — he had to walk by faith and trust God step by step.
c. Faith means moving forward even when you don’t know the destination.
d. Abraham believed God and packed up everything he owned to follow the Lord’s call.
a. When Jesus calls us, we rarely see the full road ahead — we take it one day at a time, trusting His plan.
b. The call of God often leads us out of comfort and into change; it is not the easy road, but it is the right road.
c. Faith is for those who won’t quit when life gets hard — those who keep walking with God through good times and bad.
d. Make no mistake about it — real and sincere faith will change a person’s life!
2. The Nature of True Faith (Genesis 12:4)
a. Abraham’s obedience shows what genuine faith looks like — it doesn’t wait for proof, it acts on God’s word.
b. He stepped out not knowing where he was going, but trusting the One who was leading.
c. God uses faith to move us from the familiar into the fruitful.
d. Every act of obedience becomes another step closer to God’s purpose for our lives.
a. Following Jesus is not for the faint of heart — it takes endurance, strength, and courage.
b. Like Paul, who refused to quit after being stoned; Joseph, who stayed faithful through betrayal; and Jeremiah, who preached through persecution — faith keeps going.
c. Christianity is an endurance race, not a sprint — and the finish line is glory.
3. The Five Changes Faith Brings
a. Faith Produces Reverence
a. True faith gives a deep, holy fear and respect for God.
b. Psalm 53:1 says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.”
c. Real faith reminds us that we will one day stand before Him and give account.
d. Faith motivates the believer to live ready for that day.
b. Faith Produces Love
a. Faith leads us to live out the two great commandments — love God and love people.
b. It’s easy to love God; harder to love those who wrong us.
c. But true faith enables us to forgive, show grace, and love even the unlovable.
d. Jesus in our hearts leaves us no choice but to love others.
c. Faith Produces Sanctification
a. Faith separates the believer from sin and prepares them for service.
b. Salvation is not a license to indulge ourselves — it’s a call to holiness.
c. Sanctification makes us useful in the hands of the Master.
d. True faith motivates us to live differently from the world.
d. Faith Produces Obedience
a. If faith had another name, it would be obedience.
b. A believer may fall, but faith causes them to rise and do better next time.
c. Obedience is the visible fruit of faith.
d. The goal of faith is to make us more like Jesus.
e. Faith Produces Faithfulness
a. Faithfulness to God and His Church is a mark of real belief.
b. Jesus loved the Church enough to die for it — how can we love Him and neglect it?
c. True faith makes us steadfast, dependable, and devoted.
d. Faithful believers are the backbone of God’s kingdom work.
Illustration / Example
Solomon once sent his servant Benaiah to find a ring that could make a happy man sad and a sad man happy.
After a long search, the servant returned with a simple gold band engraved with the Hebrew words, “Gam zeh ya’avor” — “This too shall pass.”
What a picture of faith and hope! Like Abraham, we learn that life’s trials are temporary — and God’s promises are eternal.
Alliterated Main Points
Call – Faith steps out when God speaks.
Change – Faith transforms who we are.
Character – Faith makes us holy and obedient.
Commitment – Faith makes us steadfast and faithful.
Confidence – Faith reminds us this world will pass, but God’s promises remain.
Conclusion / Invitation
Real faith moves, molds, and matures us.
It makes us trust when we can’t see, obey when it’s hard, and stay faithful when it’s lonely.
Abraham’s faith made him a friend of God — may ours do the same.
If your faith has grown weak, step out again and trust the God who never fails.
He’s still calling people today to walk by faith, not by sight.