Abraham

A Patriarch in Panorama

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Though born in a culture that had all but forgotten the God of the flood and the ark, the man first known as Abram came to know the one, true God so intimately that he was called God's “friend.” To truly learn from Abraham's life, we must think what he thought, hear what he heard, feel what he felt, go where he went, and most of all, learn what he learned. Among the many benefits of studying the life of a man of God is the opportunity to discover truths about the God of that man.

Going . . . Not Knowing

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Moving isn't easy . . . especially when we've lived in the same place for a long time. Besides all the packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking, we face the difficulty of saying goodbye to those we love, leaving the familiar, and adjusting to the unfamiliar. But what about moving, not just to the unfamiliar, but to the unknown? For most, that would be downright terrifying. Yet this is exactly what God called Abram to do. How could he do it? Why would he want to? The answer is found in one word: obedience.

Never-to-Be-Forgotten Promises

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Unlike most individuals, governments, and institutions in the world, God keeps His word. He doesn't forget His promises. He doesn't back out of agreements. He doesn't break contracts. He doesn't renege on covenants. Though He may not fulfill His promises according to our human timetables, we can always count on this: God's character is marked by veracity and integrity. When God promised to accomplish specific things for certain individuals and people groups in biblical times, those promises were unbreakable. God's unconditional promises to a man named Abram stand as an enduring example of God's faithfulness to His own word.

When the Faithful Fail

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 12:7–20

What courage it must have taken for a 75-year-old man to pull up his tent pegs and strike out by faith. What a model of faith! But we must not forget that he was still fully human. When we look more closely at Abram, we begin to see his imperfections. We realize this icon of faith had feet of clay. When a famine hit, rather than standing firm in faith and trusting his God to sustain him and his wife, he fled to Egypt. We can learn lessons from faithful Abram's temporary and tragic slump into deceit and disobedience.

A Decision That Led to a Disaster

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 13:1–13

Throughout his life, Abram faced a variety of tests that stretched his faith and deepened his dependence on God. Though the patriarch didn't always ace the tests, God—like a master teacher—restored His apprentice and prepared Abram for the next trial. When surrounded by famine, Abram acted in the flesh when he fled to Egypt rather than trusting in God's promise of blessing. But when faced with his next challenge, Abram followed the Spirit. This time, his nephew Lot, failing to learn from his uncle's mistake, was the one who made a decision that led to disaster.

Abram, the Greathearted

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Countless small-hearted people keep score, hold grudges, and look down on others with critical, envious eyes. They manipulate and control people. Sadly, in our fallen world, small-hearted people are the norm, making the few genuinely greathearted people stand out all the more. They look beyond the past, sacrifice for others, and overflow with humility. All the while, they shun the limelight and give God alone the glory. Among their thin ranks stands Abram, who not only gave his shortsighted nephew the choicest land but also rescued him when his choice got him into trouble! We can learn a lot from Abram, the greathearted.

Can We Talk?

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Unprecedented in all of Scripture, Abram was called “the friend of God” (James 2:23). Abram learned to talk with Him, listen to Him, and trust Him. In heart-to-heart conversations, Abram shared with transparency his fears, his worries, and his doubts. One of these dialogues between God and Abram is found in Genesis 15. Not only is the truth of this conversation significant but so is its tone and timing. By listening in on this chat and examining the dynamics of the relationship between these two friends, we can discover important dimensions in our own intimate relationships with the Almighty.

Running ahead of God

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Impatience allows the enthusiasm of the flesh to eclipse the work of the Spirit. God often says, “Wait,” but our flesh always says, “Now!” This tension creates the perfect condition for believers to run ahead of God. God has a plan, but we struggle with His timing. Instead of waiting on Him, we take matters into our own hands. Genesis 16 records a classic example of running ahead of God. Abram and Sarai devised a scheme to “help” God fulfill His promises. This episode in Abram's life should remind us to wait on the Lord, not only believing His promises but also trusting His timing.

Deepening Our Roots with God

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

After 13 years of silence, during which Abram had to learn to wait on God's timing, the Lord finally appeared with changes and challenges. God changed Abram's and Sarai's names to Abraham and Sarah, instituted the mark of circumcision, and extended promises that would make any levelheaded person laugh in disbelief. Yet Abraham's faith and obedience reflected a man who had cultivated deep roots in his relationship with God. The Patriarch's time in silence wasn't wasted. Through his example, we can learn how to quiet ourselves, listen to God's voice, overcome doubts, and step out in obedience.

One of Those Upper-Downer Days

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

“Upper” days lift our spirits and send them soaring. “Downer” days leave us sad and discouraged. On a few occasions, we get both extremes on the same day! We start the day elated, but as the day wears on, everything turns upside down. The events recorded in Genesis 18 represent one of those “upper-downer” days for Abraham. By the end of it, Abraham must have felt mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted! As we face our own upper-downer days, we can learn from Abraham's experience how to put things in proper perspective and find our balance.

What Happens When We Pray?

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 18:22–33

We've all heard it said that we never stand taller than when we kneel before God. But what happens when we offer our prayers and petitions to God? Does He change His mind? Can we alter His plan or reverse His course? If not, then why pray? In this message, we analyze Abraham's passionate intercession on behalf of Lot and his family in the face of the imminent destruction of Sodom. We can understand the struggle that occurs between petition (what we ask for) and desire (why we ask) and gain insight into the important role prayer plays in our lives.

When the Cesspool Overflows

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 19:1–14

Scripture gives ample warnings and shocking examples of the effects of godly people who become contaminated by close friendships with the immoral world. The account of Lot's behavior on the night of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah provides a vivid example of the tragic consequences of such moral compromise. Rather than standing as a lighthouse of godly convictions, Lot became tolerant of the immorality around him and led his entire family into peril. The disturbing events in Sodom in Genesis 19 remind us that we cannot remain healthy—and we might not stay afloat—if we swim in a cesspool of sin.

A Wail of Two Cities

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 19:15–29

The total annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah reminds us that God's gracious patience and merciful long-suffering have their limits. Though He delays judgment for the sake of the salvation of those who will believe and repent, He never dismisses His wrath against unrepentant wickedness. Many today presume upon the grace and mercy of a forgiving God, assuming that these characteristics define His total character. Such people have failed to learn the lesson of Sodom and Gomorrah: eventually God will say, “Enough!”

Overcoming Depravity's Dangerous Undertow

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 19:30–38

The deep depravity of our culture constantly threatens to sweep us away into gross indecency and shameless immorality. All around us, lives are being shattered, families ripped apart, and whole communities destroyed. We tend to think this is a modern malady, that depravity has recently begun its relentless deluge. Wrong. The account of Lot's dysfunctional family affair teaches us that the tragic effects of sin have been with us since the beginning. This embarrassing scene in Genesis 19 reminds us of just how deeply an immoral culture can affect our sense of right and wrong, prompting us to remember our weaknesses and God's unwavering standard.

Disobedience Déjà Vu

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Who hasn't felt the painful sting of regret after committing a particular sin again . . . and again . . . and again? That seemingly endless cycle of sin, guilt, shame, repentance, confidence, and sin again—what we might call our disobedience déjà vu—can be downright sickening and humiliating! Abraham's life presents a realistic picture of a saint instantly saved by grace but constantly struggling with repeat offenses and carnal thinking, but the Lord was always merciful, gracious, and willing to pick up Abraham, brush him off, and help him learn through his experiences. Our loving God will do the same for us.

22 Sermons on the Life of Abraham

A Patriarch in Panorama

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Going . . . Not Knowing

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Never-to-Be-Forgotten Promises

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

When the Faithful Fail

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 12:7–20

A Decision That Led to a Disaster

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 13:1–13

Abram, the Greathearted

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Can We Talk?

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Running ahead of God

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Deepening Our Roots with God

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

One of Those Upper-Downer Days

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

What Happens When We Pray?

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 18:22–33

When the Cesspool Overflows

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 19:1–14

A Wail of Two Cities

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 19:15–29

Overcoming Depravity's Dangerous Undertow

Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 19:30–38

Disobedience Déjà Vu

Pastor Chuck Swindoll