Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of May 24, 2009:
1. Genesis 36 traces the family line of Esau.
2. Esau lived for the moment, consequently he: didn’t consider the consequences of his actions; did not delay gratification; had no spiritual interest or desire; indulged his appetites; and was willing to trade spiritual riches for fulfillment of physical appetites.
3. Matthew Henry states: “Esau’s blood becomes royal long before any of Jacob’s did. We may suppose it was a great trial to the faith of God’s Israel to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God must be content to wait for them; God’s time is the best time.”
4. When we are perplexed about why those who have no interest in godly things seem to succeed beyond those who are righteous: we must align our perspective with God’s perspective; we must value spiritual things over earthly/material things; we must not envy the unrighteous; finally, we must pray for them for they have not eternal hope.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Birth, Death & Betrayal
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the sermon from May 17, 2009:
1. Many, like Jacob and his family, are in need of a new beginning. For the believer that means dealing with sin, being single-minded toward God, and being holy (set apart to God, from sin, purified, cleansed). It also means being fully committed to the Word of God (in obedience, in accurate interpretation), to the Holy Spirit (yielding to His control in our lives, when we do He lives out the Word of God through us), and to ministry using our unique resources, gifts and heartbeat.
2. Jacob’s newfound commitment to God did not keep him from sorrow and trials. Soon after his recommitment his beloved Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin.
3. God calls Himself God Almighty (El Shaddai) in renewing His promises to Jacob, which pictures God as the overpowering One standing on a mountain triumphantly. In other places God is named: El Olam, the Everlasting God, used in connection with His inexhaustible strength; Jehovah Jireh, meaning the Lord provides; Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is peace; Jehovah Sabbaoth, the Lord of Heaven’s Hosts, the protector of Israel; and Jehovah Roi, the Lord my Shepherd.
Recap of the sermon from May 17, 2009:
1. Many, like Jacob and his family, are in need of a new beginning. For the believer that means dealing with sin, being single-minded toward God, and being holy (set apart to God, from sin, purified, cleansed). It also means being fully committed to the Word of God (in obedience, in accurate interpretation), to the Holy Spirit (yielding to His control in our lives, when we do He lives out the Word of God through us), and to ministry using our unique resources, gifts and heartbeat.
2. Jacob’s newfound commitment to God did not keep him from sorrow and trials. Soon after his recommitment his beloved Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin.
3. God calls Himself God Almighty (El Shaddai) in renewing His promises to Jacob, which pictures God as the overpowering One standing on a mountain triumphantly. In other places God is named: El Olam, the Everlasting God, used in connection with His inexhaustible strength; Jehovah Jireh, meaning the Lord provides; Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is peace; Jehovah Sabbaoth, the Lord of Heaven’s Hosts, the protector of Israel; and Jehovah Roi, the Lord my Shepherd.
Monday, May 11, 2009
What's Holding You Back? Pt 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the sermon from Sunday, May 10, 2009:
1. Jacob’s family had drifted away from God; before he could fulfill his promise to God he had to deal with the idolatry in his own family.
2. To deal with their defection from God, Jacob called them:
- to be single-minded in their devotion to God (to put away their idols and charms). James 4:4-10
-to be holy (to purify themselves, to put away sin) Ephesians 4:22-5:15; Colossians 3:9-14
-to bury the idols and charms (even as they buried the idols and charms associated with their idolatry, we must bury the old life of self and sin.) Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:22
3. One author called the years from Jacob’s leaving the land until his return to Bethel, “lost time.” Lost years, “blanks” in which he was not living by faith. Years of “so much wood, hay, and stubble,” a reference to Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 which challenge believers about the quality of their Christian lives and work. That which is done by faith will bring reward.
Recap of the sermon from Sunday, May 10, 2009:
1. Jacob’s family had drifted away from God; before he could fulfill his promise to God he had to deal with the idolatry in his own family.
2. To deal with their defection from God, Jacob called them:
- to be single-minded in their devotion to God (to put away their idols and charms). James 4:4-10
-to be holy (to purify themselves, to put away sin) Ephesians 4:22-5:15; Colossians 3:9-14
-to bury the idols and charms (even as they buried the idols and charms associated with their idolatry, we must bury the old life of self and sin.) Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:22
3. One author called the years from Jacob’s leaving the land until his return to Bethel, “lost time.” Lost years, “blanks” in which he was not living by faith. Years of “so much wood, hay, and stubble,” a reference to Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 which challenge believers about the quality of their Christian lives and work. That which is done by faith will bring reward.
Monday, May 04, 2009
What's Holding You Back?
Click here to download the sermon file.
Re-cap of the sermon from May 3, 2009:
1. God’s instructions to Jacob in 35:1 are, in effect, a rebuke - a call for him to complete the vows he made earlier at Bethel when he was leaving the land (28:20-22). God was admonishing him because he had unfinished business which was keeping him from full obedience.
2. Jacob’s return to Bethel was unwisely delayed by 7-10 years, time which he spent in Succoth in Shechem - an action which put his family in jeopardy.
3. Part of the reason for the delay was the fact that there was idolatry in Jacob’s family. Along with the household idols which Rachel brought back from Paddam Aram were the false gods of the area of Shechem,
4. We must be careful about divided allegiance. God’s Spirit jealously desires to have our full devotion. (James 4:4-6).
5. A. W. Pink wisely said: “The moral is evident: spiritual neglect and trifling with temptation can issue only in evil and disaster. Let us not neglect God’s house, nor delay to keep His commandments.”
Re-cap of the sermon from May 3, 2009:
1. God’s instructions to Jacob in 35:1 are, in effect, a rebuke - a call for him to complete the vows he made earlier at Bethel when he was leaving the land (28:20-22). God was admonishing him because he had unfinished business which was keeping him from full obedience.
2. Jacob’s return to Bethel was unwisely delayed by 7-10 years, time which he spent in Succoth in Shechem - an action which put his family in jeopardy.
3. Part of the reason for the delay was the fact that there was idolatry in Jacob’s family. Along with the household idols which Rachel brought back from Paddam Aram were the false gods of the area of Shechem,
4. We must be careful about divided allegiance. God’s Spirit jealously desires to have our full devotion. (James 4:4-6).
5. A. W. Pink wisely said: “The moral is evident: spiritual neglect and trifling with temptation can issue only in evil and disaster. Let us not neglect God’s house, nor delay to keep His commandments.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)