Turning Points:The Call That Changed Everything

 Turning Points

Introduction:

Good morning Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Happy New Year to all of you. This morning we are starting a new series entitled “Turning Points”. Over the last several months I have become inspired by figures who were at one point far from God. They were living very carnal lives. They were seeking selfish gains, hedonistic lifestyles. In many cases, these men and women were seeking only pleasure, chasing fame and fortune. In some respects, some of the recent testimonies I have read about are of men and women who were actively thumbing their noses at God. 

One of those stories is Nala Ray. Nala grew up in pastor’s home. When she moved out she abandoned her faith. She turned her back on God. In many ways, her life mimicked “The Prodigal Son”. She went to the city where she turned herself over to wild living. A man recruited her to post videos and images of herself to a sadly popular adult website. She immediately became a hit. She was making close to $200,000 a month. She was a millionaire by the end of her first year. She was driving fancy cars, sleeping in huge mansions, and taking lavish trips around the world. 

When she was at the top of her earning potential, she explains that she had a change of heart. She was empty. Void. She turned back to her faith. She met a young man who was a devout Christian. He reintroduced her to the Bible, began to pray for her. His witnessed opened her eyes to Jesus. For the first time in a long time, a man was not after what she produced. Rather, this man believed in her potential. She gave her life to Christ and was baptized as a believer in Jesus Christ. 

She turned everything over to Christ. She shut down her adult media empire and today she is an evangelist, sharing the Gospel. She also helps young women escape the brutal world of adult media industry. 

Here is a direct quote from Nala Ray. 

“I can’t even tell you how much my life has changed since then. Everything in my life has just kind of come to this place where something was going to give. I decided, I don’t really want to do this anymore. I was longing for transformation and I knew that this isn’t what God wanted me to do with my life.”

And friends, that’s what turning points is all about. It’s about characters who had an encounter with the one true living God and their lives of sin, shame, lust and living for themselves evaporated in the light of God’s goodness. 

Over the next few weeks we are going to be observing some Bible characters who had their own turning points with God. These characters were going one day. They see or hear from God. Then the next thing we know, their lives are transformed. 

I love doing series like this because is reveals to us modern day readers that these Bible characters are more like us than we thought. They were human beings. Flesh and blood. Normal people with normal lives. They lived. They experienced joy and sadness. They had ups and downs. Ins and outs. Still, God used them do to some pretty extraordinary and sometimes extreme things. 

Today’s message is one of those instances. This morning we are going to be looking at Abraham’s story. We are going to look at Abraham’s disappointing start and then Abraham will receive a call that changed everything. 

In fact friends, that is the title of today’s message. “The Call That Changed Everything”.

Today’s Message:

“The Call That Changed Everything”

This morning we are going to be reading from Genesis 12:1-9 but our story actually begins in Genesis 11:27-32. It is in Genesis 11 that we are introduced to Abram, who we know to be Abraham. 

Abram’s father, Terah, decides to leave their hometown of Ur, a city in Mesopotamia, and head toward Canaan. But they don’t make it all the way—they stop and settle in a place called Haran. It’s there that Terah eventually dies. During this time, we also learn about Abram’s wife, Sarai, who is unable to have children, which seems like an impossible obstacle for what’s coming next.

Jump to Genesis 12:1-9, and everything changes! God speaks directly to Abram and tells him to leave Haran, leave his family, and go to a new land that God will show him. The crazy part? God doesn’t tell Abram exactly where this land is—He just says, “Go.” Along with this call, God makes an incredible promise: Abram will become a great nation, his name will be famous, and through him, all the families of the earth will be blessed. Despite not knowing all the details, Abram trusts God and takes a massive leap of faith. He, Sarai, and his nephew Lot pack up everything and go. They eventually arrive in Canaan, where God tells Abram, “This is the land I’m giving to your descendants.” Abram builds an altar there to worship God, showing his trust and gratitude.

Here is what you need to remember before we read God’s Word together. You can fill out these blanks under “Today’s Thought”. Abraham’s faith in God changed the forecast of his future. 

By the way, not only are we going to look at Abraham’s future, we are also going to talk about his past this morning. 

Today’s Thought:

Abraham’s Faith In God Changed The Forecast of His Future!

Have you ever had a moment where God told you to do something that just didn’t make sense? Oh boy have I heard stories about God’s unexpected calls. Turning points. I’ll never forget the call that changed everything in the Davidson home. I was in Montgomery, AL. I was on a treadmill at the Bell Road YMCA. It was as if God was running right next to me. 

“Stuart, I want you to adopt a child from China.”

Come again Lord! I had all the excuses. What about Jay and Jack? I’ll take care of them Stuart. I want you to adopt. What will Angela think? I have already planted a seed in her spirit Stuart. What will my family think? What about my parents and in-laws? They will support you Stuart. Don’t worry. 

I thought, boy God sure does have all the answers. I’ll get Him with this one. No defense for what I am about to throw at Him. 

But God, we don’t have the money.

You see, I knew that would get Him. No answer for that one. 

Stuart, I own everything. Be obedient and the money will come. Trust me. 

Well turns out He had the answer and every question that I posed He had the correct answer. 

What about Brenda and Johnathen? A couple in our church just living life. They were on the border of retirement. They were doing great ministry here at ESBC. Then they get the unexpected life altering call to leave America and plant their lives in France. 

I want you to leave everything and be missionaries. 

That didn’t make a lick of sense. It didn’t make sense but they responded in faith. Selling everything they owned they set out to be obedient to the Father. 

What call did God bring to you? Have you responded in faith?

I was reading a blog the other day and I love what it said about Abraham’s faith. 

“Abraham's story begins with God's command to leave his homeland and set out for a land that God would show him. Without hesitation, Abraham, then known as Abram, obediently embarked on a journey of faith, trusting in the promise of God's blessings.”

Today’s Quote:

“Abraham's story begins with God's command to leave his homeland and set out for a land that God would show him. Without hesitation, Abraham, then known as Abram, obediently embarked on a journey of faith, trusting in the promise of God's blessings.”

Cooper Kunz from “A Story of Faith: Abraham’s Journey”

At the end of the day friends, that is our ultimate desire. We should desire to trust in the promise of God’s blessings. Do you believe in Him?

Open your Bibles to Genesis 12:1-9. Im reading this morning from the New Living Translation. 

Statement of Faith:

I do want to remind you this morning that…

We believe the Bible is inspired, infallible, and authoritative. It is vital for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. God’s Word brings life, peace, and protection, and it profoundly touches the human soul. As a unique and powerful book, let us stand in reverence and respect for it.

Today’s Scripture:

Genesis 12:1-9 NLT

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. [2] I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. [3] I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you." [4] So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. [5] He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth-his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran-and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, [6] Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. [7] Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I will give this land to your descendants." And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the LORD, who had appeared to him. [8] After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the LORD, and he worshiped the LORD. [9] Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev.

Pastor: “This is the Word of the Lord.”

Congregation: “Praise His Name, Praise His Holy Name.”

How Can Abraham’s Story Inspire You?

First We See…Abraham’s Disappointment Genesis 11:27-32

So, here we all are at the start of the New Year. By the way, there is always such hope and optimism when we start new things. A new job. A new career. A new relationship. It is always so fun when we get new things. A new car. A new outfit. I tell you what, add the word “new” to just about anything and it makes it better. Honestly, is there a better adjective in the world better than the word “new”? 

Still, when you are standing on the doorstep of the “new”, the world reminds us quickly that it is still fallen and flawed. New Year’s Day we all awoke to the horrible news out of New Orleans. An American born Islamic terrorist drove his truck through a crowd of New Year’s Eve celebrators. He killed 15 people and wounded dozens more. New Year’s Day we saw a man commit suicide outside the Trump building in Las Vegas. 17 seconds later his Cyber Truck exploded with a timed detonation. 

Friends these are evil times. Satan is in control of this world, for a time, and he is constantly and continually inventing “new” and dark ways to destroy lives. 

It is easy to dwell on these issues. It is easy to focus on these losses. I was taking to Chris Turner on Friday. He was asking me to pray for one of his friends. This man has had a hard life. He has made some poor decisions. He has been in and out of jail. Addicted to drugs. Struggling with his health. Chris told me it was a wonder that his friend is still here. 

In my office, my brother Chris said that…and these are his words…”it’s all so disappointing”. 

What about you friend? Are you disappointed? Have you gone through hardship in 2024 and 2025 looks to be no better? Perhaps 2024 was a year of loneliness and despair. Maybe 2024 was not a year of newness but rather it was a year of loss. Sometimes it is difficult to leave that place. It is easier to just be disappointed. 

Do me a favor this morning. Fill in the first blank under “How Can Abraham’s Story Inspire You”. 

First we see Abraham’s disappointment. 

If you were to flip backward in your Bibles a page or two, you will come to Genesis 11:27-32. Here we are introduced to Abram, soon to be Abraham. We are given his story. 

Abram is a man surrounded by grief, uncertainty, and challenges. The story begins with the death of his brother Haran, a tragic loss that left Abram not only grieving but also burdened with the responsibility of caring for Haran’s family. Imagine the weight of that. Abram had no safety net—no church community, no government programs, no food pantry to turn to. He relied solely on his wits and ingenuity to feed, clothe, and house his extended family. It was an immense responsibility in a world where survival depended on hard work, resourcefulness, and God’s provision.

In the midst of this, Abram finds a glimmer of joy—he meets Sarai, the love of his life. It was a new chapter, a fresh start. But the excitement of their union is soon met with crushing disappointment when they discover Sarai is barren. In a culture where children were seen as both a blessing from God and a way to secure the family’s legacy, this was devastating. How could Abram, now the guardian of his brother’s family, carry on the family name when he and Sarai couldn’t have children? This must have felt like a cruel twist in an already difficult life.

Then Terah, Abram’s father, decides to move the family—Abram, Sarai, and his grandson Lot—to Canaan, a land of promise. The prospect of a new beginning was exciting, but it was no small task. Moving wasn’t just about packing a suitcase; it meant uprooting their entire household—servants, animals, belongings. The journey was long and grueling. Yet just as they near their destination, they stop short in a place called Haran. Perhaps the weight of grief, exhaustion, or uncertainty led Terah to settle there instead. What they thought would be a new chapter in Canaan turned into yet another disappointment.

Finally, the chapter ends with Terah’s death at 205 years old. For decades, Terah had been the patriarch, the steady leader of the family. His passing left a void. Abram was now without his brother, without the leadership of his father, and without the hope of children to carry on his legacy. He was a man in a strange land, surrounded by uncertainty, loss, and unmet expectations.

And yet, this is where Abram’s story begins. The Bible tells us in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Maybe you are in a season of turmoil. A season of disappointment. If that is where you are, it’s ok. It doesn’t feel ok but it is ok. I will tell you right now, some of the times where I have seen God move the most are when I have have had to endure the greatest sadness, the most disappointment, and the greatest hardship. Think about it like this, when you come to the end of yourself, that is where God starts. When you finally admit that you are weak, that is when God says, “I’m strong”. Abram’s challenges weren’t the end of his story—they were the backdrop for God’s call and plan to unfold. 

You can see that the supporting verse for this point comes from Habakkuk. Habakkuk 2:2-3. 

Habakkuk’s heart was broken, and he cried out to God in desperation: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?” (Habakkuk 1:2). Do you feel the weight of that? The prophet wasn’t just frustrated—he was deeply disappointed. He knew God’s character, His holiness, and His justice, yet it seemed like God was allowing evil to thrive while the righteous suffered. Habakkuk was wrestling with the tension between what he believed about God and what he saw in the world around him.

And then, when God finally answered, the news wasn’t what Habakkuk wanted to hear. God told him that He was going to use the Babylonians—a cruel, wicked, and violent nation—to bring judgment on Judah. Imagine hearing that. It’s like asking God to fix your broken house, only for Him to say He’s sending a wrecking ball first. Habakkuk was crushed. This wasn’t the solution he wanted, and it certainly didn’t make sense to him. His disappointment deepened, and he brought it all before God.

But church, here’s what we need to understand: God moves in disappointment. Right there, in the middle of Habakkuk’s questions and confusion, God speaks again. And what does He say? He tells the prophet to “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:2-3).

What is God saying? He’s reminding Habakkuk—and us—that His plans are bigger than our perspective. Even when life feels disappointing, even when we can’t see what God is doing, He is still at work. The vision, the promise, the solution—it’s coming. It may feel slow to us, but God’s timing is always perfect. He doesn’t move on our schedule; He moves according to His divine plan.

Next We Witness…Abraham’s Departure vs. 4

So, let’s talk about our second point. How can Abraham’s story inspire us? Next we witness Abraham’s departure. Go back to verse 4 of chapter 12. 

“So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.”

One of the things that I have loved about the start of the new year is seeing the accomplishments of my friends and family. Did you know that Candace Raybon read over 60 books this year. That’s more than a book a week. Amazing. I have tried to be a better reader in 2024 as well. I love reading biographies. I think it is amazing to read the stories of regular people doing extraordinary things. Early in the year I read the biography of William Carey. 

Carey is known by contemporary audiences as the “Father of Modern Missions”. William Carey was not a deeply educated man. He grew up and lived in the late 1700’s. He was not from a rich family. His father was not a Duke and his mother was not a duchess. He was however a man born with a burden. After becoming a Christian he was struck by the final words of our Lord, the Great Commission, “go therefore into the world making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. You must remember that the idea of global outreach was something novel to people living in the 1700’s. The idea of traveling around the globe to share the Gospel was daunting, expensive, and seemingly impossible. After all, William Carey was a simple cobbler. 

But Carey believed in the command of Christ to “go and tell”,  and famously declared, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Despite fear, rejection, his family trying to talk him out of going, and the very real dangers of traveling to an unknown land, Carey and his family stepped out in faith and set sail for India in 1793.

The journey was filled with hardships—poverty, illness, and personal loss—but Carey persevered. Over time, God honored his faith. Carey learned the local languages, translated the Bible into multiple Indian dialects, and established schools and ministries that impacted countless lives. His work sparked a global missions movement that continues today. Carey’s story is a powerful reminder that when we step out in faith, even when it’s scary, God can use our obedience to do something remarkable. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Abraham, or Abram as he is called in the text, had a similar choice to make. Would he obey God’s call to go? Would Abram leave the place that he knew? Would he leave his comfort, his security, to go to a new land? Would he trade the familiar trappings of his surroundings for the unfamiliar? Abram was safe. He was secure. He knew that he could not only survive where he was but he could also provide for his growing family. Who knew what laid out in the great unknown. These were dangerous times. Brutal times. Ancient civilization was not…well…so civilized. Abram and his family could be robbed, stripped of everything they own and cherish, they could be rounded up and killed. They would pass through territory that did not belong to them and they would try to settle in a land that had already been marked by other groups. Im sure that Abram’s family tried to discourage him from making this choice. It didn’t make sense. The numbers were simply not adding up. 

Have you ever sat down and done a pro’s and con’s list? I have. I have even told my boys to do the same when they are making a big decision. Sit down, think about the benefits and ask yourself what are the drawbacks? Write them all down and make the call. 

Chances are Abram did the same thing. Honestly, there were a lot more cons on Abram’s list. 

Here is the only thing that ultimately mattered. Are you ready? I am going to share with you. The only thing that ultimately mattered was GOD TOLD HIM TO GO!

That’s it. Take all the cons out of the equation. If God tells you to do something, you better do it. Don’t ask questions. Don’t doubt. Do it. Do it without hesitation. I firmly believe that when God speaks you will know it from blood to bone. 

God told me 14 years ago to leave my hometown, the place where I grew up, the place where everyone knew me, and God told me to move to Daphne, AL. God told me to leave the town where my parents were, where my in-laws where, to leave the church where I met my wife, felt my call to ministry, where I was licensed to ministry and where I was ordained, to move to Daphne, AL. I knew in my bones that is what God told me to do and that’s what we did. 

6 months in I was teetering on resigning. I was over my head and overwhelmed. I felt like a failure. I doubted my future in ministry and I thought that my time here was over. Angela reminded me, “but didn’t God call you here Stuart”? Yes. If the answer is yes then you cannot quit. Youll be sinning against God. You have to keep pressing on. 

6 years ago our church was in a very rough place. The spirit was very different here. I found myself again doubting myself. I felt like a failure…again. I had a fella who was a long term member here, someone that I really respect, I still do respect by the way, come and meet with me in my office. He told me that I was the worst leader, the worst pastor, that he had ever seen. He told me that more than 100 families were heading for the exit. I was broken hearted. I felt shattered. 

Have you ever felt that way? Shattered? Broken? Alone?

If you have, you are not alone. 

I told my ministry assistant Becky that I was not going to make it. There was no way that I was going to be able to stay. Phillip Webb, the chairman of deacons, called me on a Wednesday. It was a business meeting Wednesday. He told me that there was a large group of people that would demand from me my resignation. It was the darkest, most bleak moment of my life. I remember praying. Honestly, truly, hitting my knees and just praying. 

God you called me here. You told me that you wanted me here. Why am I failing?

Ever felt that way?

It felt like I was on the edge of a tall building. My toes over the edge of the side of the building. You could look over the edge and all you could see was the darkest nothing you could ever imagine. 

I have a wife. I have children. I remember thinking to myself that I all I know how to do is church work. I have no other discernible skills outside of ministry. Who would hire me? What church would want me? A failure? How would I put food on my table?

Then I went through all the emotions. I was angry. Angry at myself. Angry at God. Then angry at myself again. It was all just so hard. So I prayed. 

The business meeting happened and boy it was a doozy. It lasted nearly 3 hours. However, at the end of the meeting, I was still here. No resignation was demanded. I had survived. I honestly didn’t know if I should thank God or not. 

Friends, sometimes God is going to call you to do something that doesn’t make sense. He will tell you to go somewhere. He will tell you to sell something. He will call you to give something to someone. You’ll see a stranger on a street corner and you will feel that twinge of motion to give that person some money or to buy them some food. You can’t describe the call, God’s voice, but you know it was Him who just spoke to you. It will be undeniable. It will be unmistakable. 

I call those moment fiery faith moments. When your faith is tested by the fire. It is one of those “what is your faith made of” moments. It is scary. It is hard. It is worth it. 

Now, all these years later and our church has never been more healthy. Our church has never been in a better position to reach Lake Forest for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our church has never been healthier, happier, more joyful, and unified, and more at peace. That is all to God’s glory, all to His credit. 

During that time when your faith is tested, go to I Corinthians 16:13. I found that passage during the times in my life when my faith was tested. 

“Be on guard, stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men (or women) and be courageous; be strong.”

Be courageous! Be strong. Stand in your faith and trust the Lord. 

Lastly We Observe…Abraham’s Dedication vs. 7

So, how can Abraham’s faith inspire us? Lastly we observe Abraham’s dedication. Go to verse 7. 

Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I will give this land to your descendants." And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

Abram built and alter. 

An altar is a place of worship, a sacred space where people meet with God. In the Bible, altars were often built to mark a moment when God spoke, revealed Himself, or made a promise. They were physical reminders of God’s faithfulness, His presence, and His promises. Altars were places where sacrifices were offered, prayers were lifted, and worship took place. For Abram, the altar he built in Genesis 12:7 wasn’t just about piling stones together—it was about creating a lasting declaration that God was here, and His promise was real.

When God appeared to Abram and made the promise to give the land of Canaan to his descendants, Abram responded with worship. The altar he built was his way of saying, “God, I believe You. I trust You. I will honor You.” It was an act of faith. Abram was in a foreign land, surrounded by uncertainty, but he paused to acknowledge the God who called him and promised him something that, at the time, seemed impossible. Building that altar was Abram’s way of anchoring his faith in God’s promises, even when the fulfillment of those promises was far beyond what he could see.

Now, you might say, “Well, we don’t go out and stack stones anymore, so how do we build altars?” Church, we build altars in our lives through moments of worship, prayer, and intentional acts of faith. When you set aside time to read God’s Word, that’s an altar. When you gather your family for prayer, that’s an altar. When you trust God in the middle of a crisis and say, “God, I still believe You,” that’s an altar. These moments are where we meet with God, remember His promises, and declare His faithfulness.

Abram’s altar wasn’t just for him—it was a testimony to future generations. Church, the altars you build today, the moments where you honor God’s promises, are leaving a legacy of faith for those who come after you. Think about Psalm 78:2-4 (NASB), which says: “I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, but we will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His power and His wondrous works that He has done.” What you do today impacts generations to come.

God’s promise to Abram in Genesis 12:7 was extraordinary: “To your descendants, I will give this land.” Abram didn’t have a single child yet, and Sarai was barren. But God’s promise went beyond Abram’s immediate reality—it was a promise to his descendants, a promise that stretched into the future. Abram didn’t see the fulfillment of that promise in his lifetime, but he trusted God. And church, let’s not miss this: God’s promises to Abram weren’t just about him—they were about his family and an entire nation yet to be born.

Here’s the truth: God still makes promises to us, and His promises extend beyond what we can see. He makes promises to us, our families, and even to generations of people we’ll never know. Your faithfulness today matters. The way you live, the way you trust God, the way you share His Word—it’s planting seeds for generations to come. You may not see the full harvest, but God will be faithful to bring it to pass.

Psalm 78 reminds us of our responsibility: “We will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord.” Church, the legacy you’re building today is not just for you. It’s for your children, your grandchildren, and even those who will live long after you’re gone. Abram built an altar to mark God’s promise, and we are called to build altars of faith in our lives that will echo into eternity.

So, church, as we look at Abram’s life and his altar, let’s learn from his example. Let’s build our own altars—not with stones, but with acts of worship, faith, and obedience. Let’s trust God’s promises, not just for us but for the generations to come. When we don’t understand the “how” or the “when,” let’s remember this: Have F.A.I.T.H. – Forsaking All I Trust Him.

Have F.A.I.T.H.,Forsaking All I Trust Him!

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your faithfulness and Your promises. Thank You for the example of Abram, who trusted You even when the path was uncertain. Lord, help us to build altars in our lives—moments of worship and faith that honor You and remind us of Your goodness. Teach us to trust You, not just for ourselves but for the generations to come.

We pray for boldness to live out our faith in a way that points others to You. Help us to declare Your praises, tell of Your works, and leave a legacy that honors Your name. Lord, when we face doubt or fear, remind us to have F.A.I.T.H.—Forsaking All I Trust You. You are good, You are faithful, and Your promises never fail.

In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.