Sunday Morning – Page 14 – Idaville Church

Non-Covenant Care

Origins

Non-Covenant Care

(Genesis 25:12-18)

INTRODUCTION

“When I picture God's rejoicing over his people with singing, I think of Snowflake Bentley. Wilson ‘Snowflake’ Bentley, a New England farmer born in 1865, couldn't get enough of snowflakes. For forty years, he ran around in the snow, raucously joyful, catching snowflakes on chilled slides and photographing them, seeking to capture for others the beauty he saw in those one-of-a-kind masterpieces of frozen crystals. Over his lifetime, he photographed more than five thousand individual snowflakes. His notes were effusive: ‘No. 785 is so rarely beautiful.’ He wrote of the ‘feast of [their] beauty.’ As I imagine Snowflake careening in the snow, giddy with joy, I marvel with the psalmist, ‘LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow’ (Psalm 144:3-4). I'm like a vanishing, vaporous breath, and God cares for me.”

Source: Jean Fleming, Pursue the Intentional Life (NavPress, 2013), page 50.

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2015/november/8110915.html].

BODY

ME
- Overcoming obstacles
  - - I could have entered college with scholarships to help pay for my schooling, but instead I entered college on academic probation
    - My grades in high school were passing, simply because I did not apply myself
    - I had to take a required, none credit, class my first semester that taught me how to study and held me accountable
    - I graduated college with a much better GPA that was much higher than just passing
    - I graduated seminary with almost a 4.0 GPA. I had one class that I did not complete perfectly
    - While maturity played a role in my developing educational success, I know that God was taking care of me
- God’s care
  - - God has taken care of me throughout my life in many ways
      - He provided safety for me as I experienced culture shock with our move to Birmingham, AL as a Junior in High School
      - He protected me from many of the teenage pitfalls
      - He led me to Judy in college and has provided wisdom and guidance for both of us through nearly 31 years of marriage
      - He has shown great care in waiting for me to be obedient to His calling for my life – pastoral ministry
      - I have seen God’s care for me through various illnesses I have experienced over the years
      - God has cared for me by answering prayers
    - I know that He will continue to take care of me until He calls me home or sends Jesus again

WE
- Every one of us has probably experienced obstacles that we have had to overcome with the Lord’s help
- We can all share ways in which we have seen God taking care of us or of our family members
  - - We may be able to recall times that God took care of us even before we were His disciples
    - We can probably recount times that God took care of family members, friends, and coworkers who are not His disciples

These seven verses are the shortest toledot (“the account of . . .”) section in Genesis. It is a transitional section that prepares us for the section on Isaac’s family line. It focuses on the genealogy and obituary of Ishmael, the non-covenant son of Abraham and Hagar. This is a continued featured of the narrator of Genesis, to provide information about the non-covenant people before addressing the covenant people. What we will see from this section is that . . .

BIG IDEA – God cares for all people. (this includes covenant and non-covenant people)

Let’s pray

GOD (Genesis 25:12-18)
- The Genealogy (vv. 12-16)
  - - Abraham’s son
      - “This is the account of . . .” is the seventh statement like this in Genesis
        This the shortest one in Genesis (only 7 verses)
        Verse 19 begins the eighth section beginning with, “this is the account of . . .”
      - This is the account of Ishmael
        He is Abraham and Hagar’s son
        Hagar was Sarah’s maidservant from Egypt
        As was mentioned earlier in Genesis (12:16), Hagar perhaps was one of the maidservants that the Egyptian Pharaoh gave to Abram when he and Sarai went there during the famine in Canaan
      - Now that we know who Ishmael’s parents are, the narrator lists his sons
    - Ishmael’s sons
      - We find all of these names listed in the ancestry of the nation section of 1 Chronicles 1:29-31
      - We are told that Ishmael’s sons are listed in birth order
        Nebaioth (nev-ah-aw’/nev-aw-yoth’) = “heights”
        Firstborn
        Isaiah 60:7 tells us that this tribe was rich in rams
        They were located in what is modern Ha’il [show map 1]
        Kedar (kay-dawr’) = “dark”
        Isaiah 60:7 also mentions the richness of their flocks
        They were nomads that lived between Egypt and Dedan-Edom [Waltke, Genesis: A Commentary, 345]
        Isaiah mentions them as warriors, skilled with the bow and arrow (Isaiah 21:17)
        They were “the most influential tribe during the first millennium until the Nabateans.” [Mathews, The New American Commentary, Volume 1B, Genesis 11:27-50:26, 360]
        Adbeel (ad-beh-ale’/ade-bee-el’) = “chastened of God”
        Mibsam (mib-sawm’/miv-sawm’) = “sweet odour”
        Mishma (mish-maw’) = “a hearing”
        Dumah (doo-maw’) = “silence”
        Isaiah has an oracle about Dumah (Isaiah 21:11-12)
        They were located in northern Arabia [show map 2]
        This oasis town was a key point in the incense trade between Babylon and Palestine [Mathews, 361]
        Massa (mas-saw’) = “burden” or “oracle”
        Hadad (khad-ad’/kha-dad’) = “mighty”
        Tema (tay-maw’) = “desert”
        “Tema is also mentioned in Isa. 21:14 along with Dedan (v. 13) and Kedar (v. 16), and they are urged to provide water and bread for Arabian refugees who have been ravaged by Syrian forces.” [Hamilton, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18-50, 172]
        Tema also appears in Job 6:19 and Jeremiah 25:23
        There is an oasis town named after Tema in northwest Arabia [show map 2]
        Jetur (yet-oor’/yet-tour’) = “enclosed”
        Found together with the tribe of Naphish in the Transjordan (1 Chronicles 5:18-19)
        The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh went to war against them and Nodab
        These three tribes were considered the Hagrites
        Naphish (naw-feesh’) = “refreshment” or “precious”
        Kedemah (kayd’-maw/kayd’-de-maw) = “original” or “toward the east”
      - The narrator tells us that these are the sons of Ishmael
        The names are also the names of the twelve princes
        They settled in villages and set up camps according to the tribes/clans named after them
        Settlements – unwalled villages near towns (without protection) [Mathews, 362; Waltke, 346]
        Camps – it has the idea of tents related to towns [Mathews, 362]
        The sons of Ishmael were nomadic/transient, so they lived in unprotected structures
        Twelve tribal rulers
        God cares for all people.
        We see the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham concerning Ishmael
        Genesis 17:17-20, Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under you blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
        PRINCIPLE #1 – God fulfills His promises.
        We talked about this last week, that God fulfills His promises to us also
        It is a great reminder again this week that we can claim the promises of God for peace, provision, protection, presence, and so much more
    - In verse 17 we are told of Ishmael’s death
- The Obituary (v. 17)
  - - Age
      - He was 137 years old
      - He lived another 48 years after his father, Abraham’s, death
    - Death
      - We are told that he breathed his last and died
      - He was gathered to his people
      - He was not buried with his father in Machpelah near Mamre
      - While it is not stated, it can be implied that Ishmael had secured his own family burial location
    - The narrator concludes this toledot section with the destiny of Ishmael’s sons and their tribes
- The Destiny (v. 18)
  - - Where they settled
      - They were nomads, so they traveled throughout eastern and south-eastern Arabia
        [show map 3]
        [show map 4]
      - PRINCIPLE #2 – God can overcome our lack of faith.
        We don’t really see the removal of Ishmael from Canaan, in this statement about where they settled
        Ishmael and Hagar had already been sent away many years earlier
        God had promised to bless Ishmael and make him into a great nation also, but He was not the son through whom His covenant would be fulfilled
        Abraham and Sarah had tried to take matters into their own hands, but God was able to overcome their impatience and lack of faith
        Application
        Past
        Have you ever gotten impatient with God’s timing?
        Have you ever lacked faith in God’s ability to accomplish something?
        Did your impatience or lack of faith create obstacles that God overcame in order to accomplish His plan and purpose for your life?
        Present
        Is there currently a situation where you are struggling with God’s timing?
        Is there a current circumstance where your faith is lacking?
        Are you in danger of creating an obstacle that God will have to overcome?
        #1 – My Next Step Today Is To: Ask God to strengthen my faith in Him and wait patiently on His timing.
      - God had overcome Abraham and Sarah’s lack of faith by providing a region where Ishmael and his descendants could live and thrive and where the promises of God would be fulfilled
      - The final half of verse 18 shows us that God’s Word never fails
    - How they lived
      - Ishmael’s descendants lived in hostility toward all their brothers
        This fulfilled what the angel of the Lord told Hagar when she was expecting Ishmael and had fled from Sarah
        Genesis 16:11-12, The angel of the Lord also said to her: “You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”
        In hostility
        The original Hebrew can be translated two ways
        “Against the face,” which means in defiance or in hostility
        “Opposite, east of,” meaning dwelt alongside of
        While both translations would make sense here, the one that speaks of them living in defiance/hostility fits better with the context of Genesis 16:12 where Ishmael’s hand will be against everyone
        That is what is being referenced in Genesis 25:18b
        While this narrative note is not positive, it still shows that God’s Word never fails
      - PRINCIPLE #3 – God’s Word never fails.
        There are hard sayings in Scripture (Read John 6:53-66)
        There are difficult concepts for us to grapple with in God’s Word
        There are things that God calls us to do that we do not always want to do (Read Luke 14:25-27)
        There is discipline that God promises for our disobedience that we do not want to think about
        And yet, God’s Word never fails (Read Joshua 21:43-46)
        His Word provides guidance and direction for our lives
        #2 – My Next Step Today Is To: Know and submit to God’s unfailing Word whether or not I understand it or agree with it.
      - God’s Word did not fail when He told Hagar that Ishmael would live in hostility towards his brothers – it happened even though it was not a positive revelation/word
    - Even though Ishmael’s line was not the chosen covenant line, God still cared about him and his descendants
    - God cares for all people, whether or not they believe in Him or are disciples of His Son, Jesus

YOU
- Do not forget that God fulfills His promises!
- Do you need to patiently wait for the Lord to strengthen your faith about the difficult situation you are currently facing?
- Are you ready to submit to God’s unfailing Word?

WE
- As a body of believers, we can help to support one another as we patiently wait for God’s perfect timing
- We can also help support one another as we submit to God’s unfailing Word

CONCLUSION

“During the recent uprisings in the Middle East, Ron and Joke Jones, who serve with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Israel, communicated the following in their prayer letter:

The result of the fighting and killing has left a profound sense of discouragement that hovers over the country. Several times we have come into closer contact with this conflict than our comfort zone allowed.

Yesterday a friend shared with us something she observed that was a delightful reminder of God's care for us. She watched a shepherd caring for his flock near the area where guns are fired. Every time the shots rang out the sheep scattered in fright. The shepherd then touched each of them with his staff and spoke calmly to them, and the sheep settled down immediately because they trusted the shepherd. And then another shot sounded, and the same routine happened again. Each time, the sheep needed the shepherd to orient them again and to reassure them they were safe.

We are like those sheep, and our Shepherd reaches out and touches us with his staff, speaking words of calm and comfort.”

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2001/january/12813.html]

May 22, 2022/by Office

Covenant Continued

Origins Genesis Sunday Morning Stuart Johns Faithfulness, Promises, Righteousness, Salvation

Origins

Covenant Continued

(Genesis 25:1-11)

INTRODUCTION

“Witnessing to the holy love of God was always in John Wesley's mind. Even in death.

Here was a man who had preached more than 45,000 sermons, traveled (mostly on horseback) a distance equivalent to nine times around the world, written 233 books and pamphlets, and helped with the writing of 100 more.

But for Wesley, this was not enough. Even in death he witnessed to the love of God. Among Wesley's funeral instructions was the request that his body be buried in nothing more costly than wool. No silk or satin was to adorn the corpse from which his spirit had fled. And his last will and testament gave final seal to the gospel he had so long and courageously preached. He directed that ‘whatever remains in my bureau and pockets at my decease,’ was to be equally divided among four poor itinerants. He specially requested that neither hearse nor coach take any part in his funeral, and he desired that six poor men in need of employment be given a pound each to carry his body to the grave.”

Source: Adapted from J. Wesley Bready, "The Passing of a Prophet," Good News Magazine (July/Aug 1991).

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2003/october/14655.html].

BODY

ME
- Will, Power of Attorney, and Living Will
  - - After having the Life Institute come for the Stewardship Lifestyle Seminar, Judy and I decided that we needed to update our will
    - We did not have a Power of Attorney or a Living Will previously, so we added those to the list
    - Just last week we received the draft by email for our review
    - We are looking forward to having those documents up-to-date
- Obituary
  - - I have not really put any thought into what I would want in my obituary
    - The standard items will probably be there, like who has survived my death, who has preceded me in death, who my parents and wife were, and when and where I died.
    - Perhaps it will have what church I was a member of
    - I would like everyone to know that I was passionate about following Jesus as my Master
    - I would want people to know that I loved my wife, children, and grandchildren will all my heart
    - I would also hope that people would remember me for being passionate about teaching God’s Word and the importance of prayer

WE
- We all should have a Will, Power of Attorney, and Living Will – have you all done that?
- Has anyone thought about his or her obituary?
  - - What would you like it to contain?
    - Are you going to write it yourself or leave that responsibility to the Funeral Director and surviving family members?

Abraham has lived a good long life and has experienced the faithfulness of God. Isaac is married to Rebekah and they have twin sons. In the first eleven verses of Genesis 25, we see Abraham’s last will and testament and his obituary. Abraham has remained faithful to the covenant that God began with him and instructed him to continue through Isaac. Abraham establishes that covenant in such a way that no one will question that Isaac is the covenant heir. Through Abraham’s example, we learn that . . .

BIG IDEA – Obedience to God’s covenant brings blessing.

Let’s pray

GOD (Genesis 25:1-11)
- The Will (vv. 1-6)
  - - Genealogy with Keturah [ket-oo-raw’] (vv. 1-4)
      - Abraham took another wife
        Scholars are split on whether Abraham married Keturah before or after Sarah’s death
        Both sides have compelling arguments
        After Sarah’s death
        The sentence structure seems to indicate that Abraham married Keturah after Sarah died
        Abraham lived another 37 years after Sarah’s death, so he certainly could have fathered six more sons during that time
        God had renewed his vital powers in order to father Isaac in his old age (100 years old), so certainly God could have allowed those vital powers to continue after Isaac’s birth and Sarah’s death
        If Abraham waited until Isaac was married, to take Keturah as his wife, there would have been 35 years until his death, which would have been plenty of time for the youngest son to be twenty or twenty-five when he is given gifts and sent away (Ishmael and Hagar were dismissed when he was about 15 years old) [Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the Old Testament, Accordance electronic ed. (Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2006), paragraph 1832.]
        Before Sarah’s death
        She is identified as a concubine in verse 6, which could indicate that Abraham took her as another wife while Sarah was still alive
        The Hebrew word for “took” can also be translated as “had taken,” which could leave room for the possibility that Keturah became his wife while Sarah was still living
        The narrator has not put everything in chronological order, so perhaps the mention of Abraham taking another wife, happens prior to Sarah’s death
        In Genesis 25:19-34 the narrator will share the details of Jacob and Esau’s birth
        Abraham is still alive when the twins are born
        In fact Jacob and Esau are 15 years old when Abraham dies [Isaac married at 40 (Abraham is 140); Jacob and Esau are born when Isaac is 60 (Abraham is 160); Abraham dies at 175 (Jacob and Esau would have been 15)]
        So the narrative about Abraham’s death precedes the narrative about the birth of Jacob and Esau (the narratives are not in chronological order)
        Fortunately, the main point of this passage does not stand or fall on whether or not we can determine if Abraham married Keturah before or after Sarah’s death
      - Abraham’s sons, grandsons, and great grandsons
        Sons
        Zimran [zim-rawn’] = musician
        Jokshan [yok-shawn’] = snarer
        Medan [med-awn’] = contention
        Midian [mid-yawn’] = strife
        Located east of the Gulf of Aqaba
        They traded in gold and incense
        “In the Pentateuch the Midianites initially have neutral standing as the traders who transport Joseph to Egypt, then a favorable standing because Moses marries into the family of the priest of Midian, Jethro. By the end of the period, however, they are in collusion with the Moabites in the disaster at Baal Peor – an event that places them firmly in the category of antagonists to Israel.” [Walton, The NIV Application Commentary, Genesis, 533]
        Ishbak [yish-bawk’] = he releases
        Shuah [shoo-aw’] = wealth
        Grandsons
        Jokshan’s sons
        Sheba [sheb-aw’/shev-vaw’] = seven or an oath
        Dedan [ded-awn’] = low country
        Midian’s sons
        Ephah [ay-faw’] = gloomy
        Epher [ay’-fer] = a calf
        Hanoch [khan-oke’] = dedicated
        Abida [ab-ee-daw’/av-ee-daw’] = my father knows
        Eldaah [el-daw-aw’] = God has known
        Great Grandsons
        Descendants of Dedan
        Asshurites [ash-oo-ree’] = steps
        Letushites [let-oo-sheem’] = hammered
        Leummites [leh-oom-meem’] = peoples
        All of these are in the plural, probably referring to people groups
      - PRINCIPLE #1 – God keeps His promises.
        God had made a covenant with Abraham as we saw in Genesis 17:4-6
        “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.”
        The Lord changed Abram’s name to Abraham to reflect this covenant with him
        What we see with the genealogy through Keturah is God keeping His promise to Abraham
        These additional six sons and their descendants would be nations of people
        Obedience to God’s covenant brings blessing.
        Abraham was experiencing God’s blessing
        Application
        God continues to keep His promises today
        He has not failed to keep every promise that He has made in Scripture
        There are some promises that are waiting to be fulfilled when Jesus returns a second time
        How have you seen God keep His promises to you? (take a moment to write those down)
        Are there some promises, from His Word, that you need to claim for yourself today?
        Peace (Isaiah 26:3, You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.)
        Provision (Philippians 4:19, And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.)
        Protection (Psalm 91:4, He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.)
        Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.)
        There are many more promises that you can claim from God’s Word
        #1 – My Next Step Today Is To: Claim God’s promise of ____________ (peace, provision, protection, presence, etc.) in my life.
      - This genealogy is important because of what happens in verses 5-6
    - Last will and testament (vv. 5-6)
      - Abraham left everything to Isaac
        This should not come as a surprise to us
        The narrator already mentioned this in Genesis 24:36, My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns.
        While Isaac was not Abraham’s first-born son, he was the first-born son to Abraham and Sarah, which was the covenant couple in God’s eyes
        As the first-born son of covenant, Isaac receives all of his father’s possessions
        Genesis 13:2, Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold
        Genesis 23:6, “Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tomb. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead.”
        This does not mean that Abraham did not love his other sons or provide for them from his wealth
      - He gave gifts to everyone else
        While Abraham was still alive, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines
        The word “concubines” is in the plural
        To our knowledge, through Scripture, the only two concubines that Abraham had were Hagar and Keturah
        Hagar is only referred to as a “maidservant” (Gen. 16:2) and a “slave woman” (Gen. 21:10). Waltke states, “she probably could be designated ‘a concubine.’ Similarly, Bilhah is called both a ‘maidservant’ (30:3) and ‘concubine’ (35:22).” [Waltke, Genesis: A Commentary, 338]
        Keturah is designated as a concubine in 1 Chronicles 1:32 when Ezra lists the ancestry of the nations
        Neither of these women were the covenant or first wife of Abraham, that honor rested with Sarah
        Abraham still provided for them
        When Hagar and Ishmael are sent away they were given some food and a skin of water (Gen. 21:14)
        My guess, from this passage, is that Abraham provided more than just food and water for Ishmael – perhaps he gave him livestock and flocks, gold, silver, and other possessions
        Keturah’s sons probably received some of the same kinds of gifts, although, we are not told exactly what gifts were given
      - He sent them away to the east
        “Abraham recognized his other children by giving them gifts and sending them away, thereby making sure they couldn’t supplant Isaac as the rightful heir.” [Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Pentateuch, 115]
        The imagery of going east, in Genesis, is not only a geographical location, but also the physical separation from God and His blessing
        Adam and Eve went east when they were evicted from the Garden of Eden
        Lot went east when he separated from Abraham
        The inhabitants of Babel had traveled east to build their tower
        Jacob will flee to the east
        All of Isaac’s potential rivals are dismissed to the east
        God has chosen Isaac and his descendants as the covenant people to fulfill His covenant and purpose
        Jesus will come through the line of Isaac
    - The will has been “executed” prior to Abraham’s death – Isaac gets everything and the other sons get gifts from their father’s estate
    - What comes next in the narrative is Abraham’s obituary
- The Obituary (vv. 7-10)
  - - Age
      - The narrator tells us Abraham’s age when he died
        He was 175 years old
        During Abraham’s time period, that was considered old
        He had lived in Canaan for a century (100 years)
        Isaac is now 75 years old
        Jacob and Esau are 15 years old
      - PRINCIPLE #1 – God keeps His promises.
        This was a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham
        Genesis 15:15, You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age.
        Abram was not told at that point what a good old age was, but we know now that it was 175 years old
      - We not only know how old Abraham was, but we also know a little about his frame of mind
    - Frame of mind
      - The phrase “full of years” includes both quantity and quality of life
        “This obituary notice about Abraham draws attention to the fact that Abraham died not only at an elderly age but in a frame of mind filled with inner shalom and satisfaction.” [Hamilton, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18-50, 167]
        “Several years ago I was talking with some lay people about a problem in one of our American denominations, and I asked why there had not been any progress in a certain area. One person [Gen, p. 724] replied, ‘There is not going to be any progress until some people die.’ Later I reflected on how sad it is when someone is such a problem that people actually wait for that person’s death and inevitably greet the news of it with thanksgiving.
        
        How different with those who have walked close to the Lord, having been a blessing to others by the quality of their life and testimony! Then, people are thankful for the life and not for the fact that it has ended.” [James Montgomery Boice, Genesis 12–36, vol. 2 of Boice Expositional Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998), 723-724.]
        “How few people really experience joy and satisfaction when they reach old age! When they look back, it is with regret; when they look ahead, it is with fear; and when they look around, it is with complaint.” [Wiersbe, 113]
        I am reminded of something my father said several years ago, when he was reflecting on his life. He told me that he is ready to go home and be with the Lord. There is not anything else on a “bucket list” or any other thing he needs to accomplish in his life to feel fulfilled, satisfied, or at peace
        How many of us know of family members who have expressed the same feelings?
        That was the same frame of mind that Abraham had as he breathed his last
      - PRINCIPLE #2 – Living a faithful, righteous life brings joy and satisfaction.
        Psalm 92:12-15, The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
        Where are you at today?
        Frame of mind
        Are you aging gracefully?
        Are you at peace with God and with other people?
        Are you looking forward to death with joy?
        Are you satisfied with how your life has gone?
        You have a choice!
        Are you living a faithful, righteous life?
        That kind of life brings joy and satisfaction
        You can experience inner peace and satisfaction
        You can say, like my father and many others, that you are fulfilled, satisfied, and at peace with your life
        #2 – My Next Step Today Is To: Strive to live a faithful, righteous life, so that I can experience inner peace and satisfaction, as I grow old.
        Some of us have more time than others to accomplish this
        Embrace the time you have to live a life that is faithful and righteous
      - The final part of Abraham’s obituary is the location of his burial
    - Location of burial
      - Isaac and Ishmael come together to bury their father
      - It should not come as a surprise that he is buried in the same location as his wife, Sarah
        It is the cave of Machpelah near Mamre
        The cave was part of the field that Abraham had purchased from Ephron son of Zoar the Hittite
    - The final verse of this section transitions us from Abraham to Isaac
- The Blessing (v. 11)
  - - Isaac is living in Beer Lahai Roi, [be-ayr’ lakh-ah’ee ro-ee’] which is where Hagar had fled after being mistreated by Sarah
      - The name of the well there means, “well of the Living One who sees me”
      - That was how Hagar felt after being visited by the Lord at the well (Genesis 16:13-14)
    - God blessed Isaac
      - PRINCIPLE #3 – God blesses His covenant people.
        Isaac was the covenant son through whom the Messiah would come
        He and his descendants had been set apart by God
        As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are God’s covenant people, too
      - Obedience to God’s covenant brings blessing.
        We can experience God’s blessing when we obey His covenant
        There is a new covenant that God has given to us through Jesus Christ
        Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 (also found in Hebrews 8:7-13)
        We see four promises here [https://www.inversebible.org/assets/inverse/lessons/Covenants/INV-D-2021-Q2-L02.pdf]
        “He [God] promises that He will write His laws in their hearts (Heb. 8:10), to sanctify them, to make them holy, aligning their hearts and characters with His.”
        “He [God] promises to be their God and make them His people (Heb. 8:10) to reconcile them to Himself.”
        “God promises to reveal Himself to the whole world , and He promises that the day is coming when that will not be necessary anymore, because everyone will know Him, from the least the greatest (Heb. 8:11)—the harmony of Eden will be restored.”
        “God promises to forgive our sins and remember them no more (Heb. 8:12), in order to justify us so that we stand before God as though we had never sinned.”
        1 Corinthians 11:23-26, For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
        After Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit to live within His disciples
        That is how we have God’s law in our minds and written on our hearts
        We have God’s Word, the Bible, so we can know the Lord
        God has forgiven our wickedness and sin through Jesus Christ
        John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
        #3 – My Next Step Today Is To: Believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior, so I can experience the blessing of eternal life.
        Obedience to God’s covenant brings blessing.

YOU
- Is there a promise from God that you need to claim today?
- Do you need to strive to live a faithful and righteous life, so you can experience inner peace and satisfaction?
- Are you ready to experience the blessing of eternal life by believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior?

WE
- We can encourage one another to claim the promises of God
- We need to urge one another on in living a faithful and righteous life

CONCLUSION

“Ken Fuson actually wrote his own tribute before passing:

Ken Fuson, born June 23, 1956, died Jan. 3, 2020 in a Nebraska Medical Center, of liver cirrhosis, and is stunned to learn that the world is somehow able to go on without him. Ken attended the University of Missouri-Columbia’s famous School of Journalism, which is a clever way of saying, ‘almost graduated but didn't.’ Facing a choice between covering a story for the newspaper or taking his final exams, Ken went for the story. He never claimed to be smart, just committed.

In 1981, Ken landed his dream job, working as a reporter for The Des Moines Register. Ken won several national feature-writing awards. No, he didn't win a Pulitzer Prize, but he's dead now, so get off his back.

In 2011, Ken accepted a job in the marketing department at Simpson College, where he remained until 2018. He was diagnosed with liver disease at the beginning of 2019, which is pretty ironic given how little he drank. He is survived by his sons who all brought Ken unsurpassed joy. He hopes they will forgive him for not making the point more often. He loved his boys and was (and is) extraordinarily proud to be their father.

Ken had many character flaws - if he still owes you money, he's sorry, sincerely. He prided himself on letting other drivers cut in line. For most of his life, Ken suffered from a compulsive gambling addiction that nearly destroyed him. But his church friends never gave up on him. Ken last placed a bet on Sept. 5, 2009. He died clean. He hopes that anyone who needs help will seek it. Miracles abound.

Ken's pastor says God can work miracles for you and through you. Skepticism may be cool, and for too many years Ken embraced it, but it was faith in Jesus Christ that transformed his life. That was the one thing he never regretted. It changed everything. God is good. Embrace every moment, even the bad ones. See you in heaven. Ken promises to let you cut in line.”

Source:

Ken Fuson, Des Moines Register (1-8-9-20); Joseph Wulfsohn, Obituary goes viral after journalist pens his own funny, touching tribute,” Fox News (1-10-20).

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2020/april/mans-own-hilarious-obituary-points-to-christ.html]

May 15, 2022/by Office

In Good Hands

Origins Genesis Sunday Morning Marc Webb Character, God's Will, Praise, Prayer

In Good Hands

You’re in Good Hands with – All State. That’s right, you are in good hands with All State. Probably all of us have seen the commercials for All State with these guys. The “You’re in Good Hands” slogan started in the 1950’s when a general sales manager at the insurance company rushed home after learning his daughter was ill. His wife, comforting him, noted that the girl was “in good hands” with the doctor. The manager recalled the incident at a sales meeting, and the slogan, “You’re in good hands with Allstate” was born. What are the qualities that All State wants their customers to believe they have that means they are in good hands? They want their customers to believe that they are knowledgeable, approachable and leaders in the field of insurance. They also want their customers to believe they are trustworthy, reliable and dependable, that they will take care of them when there is a problem and that there is nothing to worry about if you are insured by them.

Character is defined as attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual; moral excellence and firmness. Your character, good or bad, is made up of different qualities and we all have the choice as to what our character will be. I think we all probably strive for the same qualities that All State wants their customers to believe they have. Those qualities also remind me of the character of God. God is trustworthy, reliable, dependable, he takes care of us and we have nothing to fear or worry when we are “in his good hands.” As Christ-followers we know from scripture and from our own experiences that we are “in good hands” with God. Psalm 33:4 says, “For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Matthew 6:25-26 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

As we think about the character of God, I believe it is important to evaluate our own character. We should ask ourselves: Am I trustworthy, reliable and dependable? Do my loved ones feel cared for by me? Do people feel like they don’t have to worry if they have been placed in my hands or if a task is left in my hands? Do I possess the same character qualities as God? This brings us to the big idea we will explore this morning that God is pleased when we exhibit his character. We want to emulate the character of God. We want to be more like his son, Jesus. I believe that God will use us for his purposes when we exhibit his character and it is important for our witness as Christ-followers that others would say that they are in “good hands” with us.

Two weeks ago, Pastor Stuart, opened up the beginning of chapter 24 to us which tells the story of Abraham sending his servant to Mesopotamia to find Isaac a wife from his family/clan and not from among the Canaanite women. The servant was led by God to find Rebekah, who was the granddaughter of Nahor, the brother of Abraham. When Rebekah tells her family about what the servant had said and done, her brother, Laban, invites the servant into his house, gives his camels a place to stay and be taken care of, and places food before the servant and his men. But the servant would not eat until his story was told and that is where we pick up the passage this morning.

The phrase, “in good hands” will be important as we study this passage and see how the character qualities of the main players fit in with it. Before we begin, let’s pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you for your many attributes. You are trustworthy, reliable and dependable. You care for us and we don’t not need to worry about anything because we are being held in your good hands. Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us this morning. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear what you want us to understand from this passage. Give us opportunities to share your good news with those in our spheres of influence who do not know you as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

There are three points to the message this morning. The first is Witness, this is the witness of the Servant, found in Genesis 24: 34-49. This is what God’s Word says, “So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns. And my master made me swear an oath, and said, ‘You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, but go to my father’s family and to my own clan, and get a wife for my son.’ “Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’ “He replied, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked faithfully, will send his angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you can get a wife for my son from my own clan and from my father’s family. You will be released from my oath if, when you go to my clan, they refuse to give her to you—then you will be released from my oath.’ “When I came to the spring today, I said, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come. See, I am standing beside this spring. If a young woman comes out to draw water and I say to her, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar,” and if she says to me, “Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too,” let her be the one the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.’ “Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ “She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too.’ So I drank, and she watered the camels also. “I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ “She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milkah bore to him.’ “Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms, and I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.”

The servant is giving witness to Rebekah’s family about everything that has happened from the time that Abraham has commissioned him to find a wife for his son until the present, with a couple variants. There is a lot going on and a lot to notice in this long narrative. The length, the detail and the retelling of the story shows how important this story is to the continuation of God’s promises to Abraham. The servant begins by identifying himself as Abraham’s servant and informing the family of his master’s abundant wealth. He is not modest as he lists all that Abraham owns such as sheep, cattle, silver and gold, etc. This list reflects what Abraham acquired in Egypt and Gerar and is a more comprehensive list of his wealth then we have seen before. He also tells them that Sarah has borne a son to Abraham in her old age and that the son has been given all that Abraham has. He is enticing Rebekah’s family to agree to allow her to marry Isaac. Why does he begin with Abraham’s wealth? He wants her family to believe that the son of Abraham has the wealth to take care of Rebekah. I also believe that the servant noticed that his gifts to Rebekah brought out the materialistic character in Laban. In verse 30 we notice that as soon as Laban saw the nose ring and bracelets on his sister’s arms and heard her story he makes a great show of hospitality towards the servant. He’s probably thinking there was more where that came from.

The servant twice mentions the oath he took to find a wife from Abraham’s family and not from among the Canaanite women. This shows the importance of finding a wife from Abraham’s family. Baldwin says, “The success of this enterprise was depended on the separateness of the people of God, a necessary condition for developing a counter-culture that would reflect their walk with God.” Notice that servant never mentions that Abraham commanded him not to bring Isaac to Mesopotamia. He probably thought it would give the family the idea they needed to meet the son first before giving their ok.

Up to now the servant has focused on Abraham’s wealth and his kinship with Rebekah’s family. Now he turns to how the providence of God led him directly to Rebekah. He recounts his prayer to God to show him the right woman and how God answered that prayer. The servant knew that God had led him to Rebekah because even before he was done praying she came to the well and gave the servant a drink when he asked her. Then the sign that he was waiting for was fulfilled when she offered voluntarily to water his camels. Further verification came when he asks Rebekah whose daughter she was and she answered that she was the granddaughter of Nahor who just happened to be Abraham’s brother. The servant knew that the Lord had led him to exactly the right place at the right time to find the right woman. He knew God was in control of all that happened and he bowed low and worshipped the Lord. Now the servant asks Laban and Bethuel to show him the same kindness and faithfulness that the Lord showed Abraham’s servant in finding Rebekah in the first place. He wants them to act in good faith the same way the Lord has and make a decision one way of the other. If they say “yes” then he can take her back to Isaac or if they say “no” he can move on to find someone else.

We see certain character qualities in the servant and Rebekah that are the reason why the Lord chose them to play such a huge part in the next installment of the blessing to Abraham and his descendants. The servant was loyal, patient, determined, and humble. He had integrity and a heart for prayer, thanksgiving and praise. He praises and worships God every time he answers his prayers. That brings us to the first next step on the back of your communication card. My next step is to be a person who prays before I act and to praise and thank the Lord for answered prayers. Rebekah was generous, kind, friendly, hospitable, practical and hard working as seen in volunteering to water the servant’s camels. Their character showed that the blessing was in “good hands.” The servant and Rebekah were able to be used by God for his purposes because they exhibited his character and I believe that God will use us as well for his purposes when we exhibit his character in our daily lives. (Big Idea).

Our next point is willingness and we will see this in the willingness of the bride to go back with the servant to Canaan. It is found in Genesis 24: 50-61. This is what God’s Word says, “Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.” When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord. Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.” But her brother and her mother replied, “Let the young woman remain with us ten days or so; then you may go.” But he said to them, “Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master.” Then they said, “Let’s call the young woman and ask her about it.” So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she said. So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.” Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready and mounted the camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.”

Laban and Bethuel say they realize that the Lord has been at work in this matter and give their consent for the servant to take Rebekah to become Isaac’s wife as the Lord has directed. It is interesting because this part of Abraham’s family was probably not following the one true God as Abraham had been for close to a hundred years. Stenberg says, “The Mesopotamians undergo a process of discovery that brings home to them God’s management of the world.” And Hamilton says, “It is not the servant, Abraham or Isaac, but rather their God that Laban and Bethuel find persuasive.” God was in total control of this situation.

The servant worships the Lord for their. He provides the bride and her family with costly gifts. This would have been seen as the bride price and the “mohar” which would compensate the bride’s family for taking her away from her family. We notice that the servants gives the gifts to Rebekah’s brother and mother and not to the father. It seems that the father may had been ill and only brought out for the initial negotiations with the servant. Or it is also possible that it was normal for the brother and mother of the bride to take the lead in these types of negotiations. Finally, after the servant had recounted the story, after Rebekah’s hand in marriage had been given and the gifts handed out the servant and his men now eat, rest and spend the night knowing that the task was satisfactorily completed.

The next morning the servant announces that he is ready to leave and take Rebekah back to marry Isaac. This seems abrupt but he may have been worried that Abraham would not live long enough to see his new daughter-in-law. The family pushes back wanting Rebekah to stay with them for ten days before leaving. This was probably normal so the woman could spend some final days with her family knowing that they may never see each other again. It would have also made sure that the marriage arrangement was on the up and up. The servant though pushes back as well and plays the “God” card. Now that the Lord has granted him success in his journey he wants them to send him on his way. It was important for the servant to return to his master to report on the success of the mission. We see a determination to finish the task at hand as another of the servant’s character qualities.

The family leaves the matter in Rebekah’s hands and without hesitation she says she will go with the servant. Rebekah recognized the will of God for her life and was willing to follow that will wherever it led. Discernment and obedience to the will of God were other character qualities of Rebekah. We also need to be discerning the will of God for our lives and then be obedient to that will. That brings us to the second next step on the back of your communication card which is to listen, discern and obey the will of God for my life. When our character aligns with the character of God, we can be better equipped to listen, discern and obey God’s will for our lives. Once Rebekah has decided to go, her family sends her and her nurse with Abraham’s servant and his men. It is interesting that neither Abraham’s servant nor Rebekah’s nurse is specifically named in this passage. As Pastor Stuart said two weeks ago, Abraham’s servant may have been Eliezer, but we aren’t told for sure. Rebekah’s nurse is named later in Genesis as Deborah. This anonymity may be so we focus on the major characters in this passage which are Rebekah and later on Isaac.

The last thing that Rebekah’s family does is bless her. Notice they did not invoke the name of the Lord with this blessing. They bless her to increase in numbers, to thousands upon thousands, and that her offspring would possess the gates of their enemies, meaning they would conquer their enemies. It is significant that these blessings mirror the blessings that God promised to Abraham. Mathews says, “The author (of Genesis) is declaring Rebekah the divinely chosen instrument who helps realize the promise made to Abraham and his descendants.” Rebekah’s character is equal to Abraham’s and she exhibits the character of God which means the fulfillment of the divine blessing is in “good hands.” After the blessing we see Rebekah, her maids, Abraham’s servant and his men mount their camels and leave for Canaan.

The final point this morning is welcome talking about the welcome of the bridegroom. We see this in Genesis 24: 62-66. This is what God’s Word says, “Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

The narrative now turns to Isaac. It seems since we saw him last he has changed locations from Beer Lahai Roi to the Negev. What has probably happened is that in the time it took for the servant to go to Mesopotamia and back, Abraham has set Isaac up with his own homestead, in the hopes that the servant’s mission is successful. We notice that one night Isaac is out in the fields “meditating.” This word could mean “prayerful” or “contemplative” or even “lamenting.” We can only wonder what is going through Isaac’s mind. He has lost his mother who he was very close to. He is awaiting news of whether the servant has found a bride for him or not. It’s possible that he is lonely in that Abraham has set him up with a home but has not stayed with him there. He is probably regularly calling out to God in the pain of his mother’s loss, in his loneliness and in the uncertainty of what the future holds for his life.

Isaac “looks up” and sees the camels approaching and Rebekah also “looks up” and sees Isaac. To “look up and see” indicates that what is about to be seen is important. What is important is that Isaac and Rebekah get their first glimpse of each other. We are told that Rebekah gets off her camel. It seems in that time and place it was unladylike for a woman to be on a camel in the presence of a strange man. She asks the servant who is the man that is coming to meet them and when he tells her that the man is his master she covers herself with her veil. Notice that the servant now refers to Isaac as his master. We already heard that Abraham had given everything he had to Isaac, and this now includes his servant. She puts on her veil which was a mark of chastity, modesty and submission. Her face would now be covered until their wedding night.

The servant reports to Isaac all that had transpired and a number of things happen as we end the story and the chapter. One, Isaac brings Rebekah into the tent of her mother and marries her. This signified that just as Isaac has replaced Abraham within the blessing, so has Rebekah replaced Sarah. Rebekah now becomes the next mother in line to fulfill God’s promise to Abraham that he will become a great nation. Two, Isaac loved Rebekah. As with any arranged marriage the couple doesn’t start out loving one another but Isaac and Rebekah fell in love with each other and their marriage was more than a marriage of convenience. Lastly, Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. It is clear that Sarah’s death deeply affected her son. Rebekah’s arrival would prove to be a source of solace and support. There would be a good balance and compliment in their home.

Other character qualities of Rebekah in this section are that she was alert and expectant. She was waiting to see the man whom she would spend the rest of her life with and when she saw him she obeyed God’s will for her and became his wife and a comfort to him after Sarah’s death. She was also chaste, modest and submissive. We also notice some character qualities of Isaac. He had a quiet and patient faith. He was seeking after the Lord as he meditated in the field. He showed grace and humility as he humbled himself to take Rebekah as his wife because the Lord had arranged and ordained it.

In his sermon titled "Think Hard, Stay Humble," Francis Chan told about a man named Vaughn who radiated the love of Christ to everyone around him: There were a couple of guys who came to his church who said they were inspired by their former youth pastor, a guy named Vaughn. The next week another person named Dan told Francis "I know Vaughn. He's a pastor in San Diego now, and he takes people into the dumps in Tijuana where kids are picking through the garbage. I was just with Vaughn in Tijuana. We would walk in the city, and these kids would run up to him, and he would show such deep love and affection for them. He'd hug them and have gifts and food for them. He'd figure out how to get them showers. Francis, it was eerie: the whole time I was walking with Vaughn, I kept thinking, If Jesus was on earth, I think this is what it would feel like to walk with him. He just loved everyone he ran into, and he would tell them about God. People were just drawn to his love and affection." And then Dan said this, "The day I spent with Vaughn was the closest thing I've ever experienced to walking with Jesus." Hearing this made me think, “Would anyone in their right mind say that about me? Would anyone say that about you? … As I thought about all this, I prayed, "Lord, that's what I want. I don't want to be the best speaker in the world. That doesn't matter. I don't want to be the most intelligent person on the planet. That's not what I want to be known for. I want to be known for someone saying, "Wow, he's a lot like Jesus."

God is pleased when we want to and strive to be more like Jesus. He is pleased when we exhibit his character. (Big Idea). Earlier I put forth that each of us need to look into our own hearts and evaluate our character. Does our character fall in line with God’s Word? Do we daily exhibit the character of God in our lives? That brings us to the last next step on the back of your communication card. My next step is to evaluate my character to see if I am exhibiting God’s character in my life. If we are that’s great and we must keep it up. If we aren’t then it is time we make the necessary changes to align our character with his.

As the praise team comes to lead us in a final song, let’s pray: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to be praying people and a thankful people for answered prayer. Help us to listen, discern and obey your will for our lives. And help us to evaluate our character and align it with yours. As we leave this place today give us divine appointments with those who do not know you as their Lord and Savior and use each of us as witnesses to your love, your holiness and your salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May 8, 2022/by Office

Special Worship & Prayer Service

Worship & Prayer 1 Peter, 1 Timothy, 2 Corinthians, Colossians, Ephesians, Exodus, James, Malachi, Philippians, Romans Sunday Morning Stuart Johns Healing

Sunday

May 1, 2022

Preparation
- SONG – Too Good To Not Believe
- SCRIPTURE – Exodus 17:8-16
- PRAYER
  - Reverence
    - Thank You for providing ______ (name) to support me in the battle of ______.
    - Father, I worship You for being my banner over _______.
    - Lord, I worship You for the miracle of _______.
  - Response
    - Lord, I confess that when I am _______ the enemy is winning.
    - God, please forgive me for my weakness of _______.
  - Request
    - Savior, I raise my hands in victory over _______, so that Your Name will be glorified.
    - Father, please provide support for me/us as I/we go through the battle of _______.
  - Readiness
    - I lift my hands in worship of Your _______.

Emotional
- SONG – In Jesus Name (God Of Possible)
- SCRIPTURES
  - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
  - Philippians 4:4-7
- PRAYER
  - Reverence
    - Father, I am grateful for Your comfort when I went through . . .
    - Lord, thank You for being near to me when . . .
    - Jesus, I worship You, because Your name is . . .
  - Response
    - God, I confess that I have not passed on Your comfort to others, because . . .
    - Lord, please forgive me for being anxious about . . .
    - Father, I confess that I am desperate about _______ right now.
  - Request
    - Christ, help my comfort, from You, to overflow to _______ (name/group) today.
    - Father, I present my request of ________ to You, with thanksgiving.
    - Lord, please bring emotional healing from __________ (loss/fear/anxiety/depression/etc.)
  - Readiness
    - Lord, I embrace Your peace that transcends all understanding. Please guard my heart and mind from ________ this week.
    - Jesus, I claim Your _______ (hope/freedom/healing/Name/etc.) as I begin this week.

Relational
- SONG – I Speak Jesus
- SCRIPTURES
  - Philippians 2:1-8
  - Ephesians 4:1-6.
  - 1 Peter 4:7-11
- PRAYER
  - Reverence
    - Jesus, thank You for _______ (making Yourself nothing/becoming a servant/becoming human/humbling Yourself/dying on the cross/etc.), so that . . .
  - Response
    - Father, I confess that in my relationships I have not been ________ (like-minded/loving/one in spirit and purpose/etc.).
    - Lord, please forgive me for being ________ (selfish/conceited/unloving/impatient/harsh/unforgiving/etc.) with/towards _______ (family member/coworker/neighbor/etc.).
  - Request
    - Father, I speak Your powerful Name over ________ (family situation).
    - God, please help me to be patient with, love, and look to the interests of ________ (individual/group), instead of my own interests.
  - Readiness
    - Lord, may my ________ (speech/service/etc.) bring praise to You this week.

Financial
- SONG – It Is Well
- SCRIPTURES
  - Malachi 3:1-12
  - 1 Timothy 6:17-19
- PRAYER
  - Reverence
    - Lord, we worship You because You do not change, even when . . .
    - God, I am grateful for Your provision of . . .
  - Response
    - Father, I repent for robbing You of Your tithes and offerings, because of _______ (fear/lack of faith/arrogance/worldliness/etc.).
    - Lord, I confess that I have been arrogant and have put my hope in ________.
  - Request
    - God, help me to trust You by faith for ________ as I commit to giving You Your tithes and offerings.
    - Gracious Father, please provide a way out of the financial burden of ________.
  - Readiness
    - I claim Your promise, that when I am faithful to give, You will provide _________, so that the nations will call me blessed.
    - Lord, I want to lay up treasures in heaven by _________, so that I can experience life that is truly life.

Physical
- SONG – Healer
- SCRIPTURE – James 5:13-16
- SONG – Jesus Over Everything
- PRAYER
  - Reverence
    - All powerful Lord, I worship You for healing me from . . .
    - God, I praise You because . . .
    - Jesus, thank You that Your Name is over _________ (shame, anxiety, troubles, pain, sickness, disease, death, sin, hell, the grave, etc).
  - Response
    - Father, I confess my sin of . . .
  - Request
    - [Invite anyone who would like to be anointed with oil and prayed over to come forward].
    - Lord, please bring healing to _________ (name) as they struggle with _________.
  - Readiness
    - Gracious Father, we worship You for the healings that are taking place this morning.

Spiritual
- SONG – Way Maker
- SCRIPTURES
  - James 4:4-10
  - Colossians 3:1-11
  - Romans 10:9-10
- SONG – In Christ Alone
- PRAYER
  - Reverence
    - God, thank You for showing me Your grace through . . .
    - Jesus, I worship You for taking my place on the cross, so that . . .
  - Response
    - Father, I confess that I have befriended the world by . . .
    - Lord, please forgive me for setting my mind on _________ (sexual immorality/impurity/lust/evil desires/greed/etc.).
  - Request
    - Lord, today, I __________ (submit to You/resist the devil/come near to You/wash my hands/purify my heart/humble myself/etc.).
    - Father, today, I rid myself of ___________ (anger/rage/malice/slander/filthy language/lying/etc.).
    - Jesus, I confess that You are Lord and I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. Please save me from _______ (sin/doubt/fear/etc.).
  - Readiness
    - Way Maker, thank You for healing my heart from . . .

May 1, 2022/by Office

Led by the Lord

Origins Genesis Sunday Morning Stuart Johns Obedience, Worship

Origins

Led by the Lord

(Genesis 24:1-33)

INTRODUCTION

“I made my pastoral calls in the county hospital and walked back to my car in the parking lot. Just as I reached out to the car door to get inside, I heard, ‘Go see Bob.’ Bob was a retired fireman, seriously ill with heart problems and confined to a bed because of his ailment. He had recently made a decision to accept Christ and was making wonderful spiritual progress. I took what I heard to be the prompting of the Holy Spirit, but I protested, saying, ‘I was there not long ago. It's not time yet to go back again.’ The prompting persisted, so I got into the car, pulled out of the lot, and headed for Bob's place. It was just a few minutes away, up a rural road winding through beautiful, northern California hills.

I came to Bob's house, pulled into the driveway, and looked over to the big front window of the living room where Bob usually lay in a hospital bed.

Bob was lying there, but he looked different. I thought to myself, "He looks dead." I hurried to the front door and knocked. Evelyn, his wife, came to the door breathless and distraught. "Oh, I'm so glad you're here. Bob just died a few minutes ago!"

We sat together in the kitchen, not saying too much to each other as the man from the funeral home did his work in the other room, getting ready to remove my friend from the home. Quietly, when the time was right, I read from the Scripture, and Evelyn and I prayed, seeking God in the loss of her husband.

I've thought back many times to that afternoon, and I am so glad that I followed the leading of the Spirit. I got there just as someone needed me most.”

Source: Unknown.

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2008/april/10040907.html].

BODY

ME
- Divine prompting
  - - I have experienced divine promptings throughout my life
    - Most of you know the story about my divine calling to pastoral ministry and how that was confirmed by multiple people in the weeks following that calling
    - There have been times when I have sensed the Lord prompting me to pray for or call certain individuals
      - It’s amazing to hear what those individuals were going through when I was prompted to pray for them
      - It gives me chills when I call someone and they need to talk about a situation they are going through
- Obedience shows true faith
  - - I had befriended another man who worked in the suite beside the one I worked in
    - During a break, one day, he was telling me that he was considering moving in with his girlfriend to save on expenses
    - The Lord prompted me to challenge him not to do that, but I chickened out
    - When I went back to my office, I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit for not being obedient
    - So, I prayed and asked the Lord to give me another opportunity to challenge this man
    - That opportunity came about a week later
      - We were standing outside chatting and I mentioned his comment about considering moving in with his girlfriend
      - I challenged him to trust God and not move in with his girlfriend
      - His response was something like this, “Thank you, I needed someone to challenge me on that.”
    - He claimed the name of Christ, yet he was considering doing something that he knew would tarnish that claim and witness

WE
- Divine prompting
  - - As disciples of Jesus Christ we all have probably experienced a divine prompting at one time or another?
    - How do we respond when those promptings come?
- Obedience
  - - Perhaps, like me, we all have experienced the conviction of the Holy Spirit for not being obedient to that prompting
    - Hopefully, we have all experienced the blessing of obedience, too

Abraham is getting older and is probably realizing that in order for God’s promise to be fulfilled, his son Isaac was going to have to get married and start having children. Abraham had a couple of criteria for this bride search that he had his chief servant swear to abide by. The servant understood the criteria, but asked what he should do if the woman refused. Abraham reassured him that . . .

BIG IDEA – Where God guides, He provides.

Abraham’s faith had developed into a strong faith that trusted God to do what seemed humanly impossible.

Let’s pray

GOD (Genesis 24:1-33)
- Promise (vv. 1-9)
  - - Abraham’s state (v. 1)
      - His age
        The narrator tells us that Abraham is now old
        Well advanced in years
        It is believed that Abraham is almost 140 years
        Isaac would be 40 years
        Sarah has been gone two or three years
      - His status
        God has blessed him abundantly
        “Age and wealth are often signs of a blessed life (e.g., Job 42:12).” [Mathews, The New American Commentary, Volume 1B, Genesis 11:27-50:26, 326]
        God had blessed Abraham in every way
        Long life
        Flocks and herds
        Gold and silver
        Male and female servants
        Promised covenant son
        Promise of land (a country)
      - The narrator moves from Abraham’s state to a conversation that he has with his chief servant
    - Instruction (vv. 2-4)
      - Chief servant
        Most Bible translations have “oldest/eldest servant”
        From that translation, many scholars believe that it could be Eliezer, who was his most trusted servant and household administrator
        Genesis 15:2, But Abram said, “O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”
        We are not told if it is Eliezer, but if it is, he would also be old and advanced in years
      - Put your hand under my thigh
        This must have been the customary way for oaths to be sworn in the Ancient Near East
        The hand would actually be put under the male reproductive organ, since that was the source of life/offspring
        “Westermann says, ‘The rite of touching the generative organ when taking an oath occurs elsewhere only in Gen. 47:29 where the circumstances are the same, namely, imminent death. The one who is facing death secures his last will by an ‘oath at the source of life.’’ (Westermann, 384” [Gangel & Bramer, Holman Old Testament Commentary, Genesis, 201]
      - Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth
        This was not a deity that the Canaanites or Abraham’s relatives in Mesopotamia worship
        This is the only God who deserves to be called God
        He is the God of the Creation and the Cosmos
      - Ethnic purity
        Abraham urges his servant to not choose a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites
        He instructs him to go back to Mesopotamia to find a wife from among his own relatives
        NOTE: Abraham’s relatives were also polytheistic in their beliefs, so perhaps Abraham is more concerned about ethnic purity than religious practice
      - The instructions given by Abraham cause his servant to ask two legitimate questions
    - Question & Answer (vv. 5-8)
      - Questions
        What if the woman does not want to come back to Canaan with me?
        Keep in mind that the distance from Canaan to Mesopotamia is around 400 miles
        It would take about a month for the servant to travel to Abraham’s home area
        The woman would be leaving everything she knows and embracing her new family
        There wouldn’t be any weekend trips home to visit her mom and sisters
        She would be making a life-changing decision to accept the marriage proposal
        The servant wants to know Abraham’s wishes in case Abraham passed away while he was gone
        Do you want me to take Isaac back to Mesopotamia?
        If the woman is unwilling to return with him, do you want me to take Isaac back to Mesopotamia?
        The servant wants to know which criteria is most important to his master – wife from his own people or remaining in Canaan
        We see Abraham’s answer to the two questions
      - Answers
        Don’t take Isaac back to Mesopotamia!
        God promised to establish my offspring in Canaan
        Perhaps Abraham was concerned that if Isaac left Canaan that he would never return
        Abraham believed God’s promise with all of his heart and never looked back
        PRINCIPLE #1 – “True faith always results in obedience.” [Wiersbe]
        It would have been easy for Abraham to abandon Canaan and return to what was familiar, but he held to God’s promise by faith
        This is true for us as well
        When God calls us out of our comfort zone
        When He asks us to follow Him to a place that is far away from family and friends
        Do we follow in faith or resist in doubt and fear
        I declined the offer, twice, to move from Ohio to Missouri, to work at the headquarters of Child Evangelism Fellowship in the USA Ministries department
        We did not have any family in Missouri (I did have a cousin and her family in Kansas, but they were not close)
        Moving from Missouri to California took us further away from family
        We had faith that God was calling us to both of those places, so we obeyed in faith, trusting Him
        He blessed us with incredible friends and neighbors who became our surrogate family
        Is God calling you to obey Him, by faith, in a particular area?
        Are you resisting that calling?
        #1 – My Next Step Today Is To: Obey the Lord’s calling on my life and follow Him by faith.
        Abraham knew from past experiences that God would provide and so he encourages his chief servant
        God will provide
        Abraham reassures his servant that God would send His angel before him to prepare the way for his success
        Where God guides, He provides.
        Abraham was confident in God’s ability to transform the heart and mind of a young woman to accept the adventure of a lifetime
        Abraham then helps to put his servant’s mind at ease
        Release from oath
        If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from the oath
        Abraham reiterates again that he does not want Isaac to go back to Mesopotamia
      - With his questions answered and his mind at ease, Abraham’s servant is willing to swear the oath
    - Oath (v. 9)
      - Abraham’s servant places his hand under his master’s thigh
      - While doing that he promises to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s family in Mesopotamia and not to take Isaac back there
    - Once the oath is sworn, it is time to prepare for the trip
- Preparation (vv. 10-11)
  - - Before (v. 10)
      - The servant took ten camels and loaded them down with all kinds of good things (choice things, expensive things)
      - We are not told what these good, choice, expensive things are
      - In verse 22 we find out that there was a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets
      - The narrator leaves us in suspense as to other items that the servant took as a bride price
      - The location in Mesopotamia
        We are told that the servant goes to the town of Nahor in the region of Aram Naharaim
        The town of Nahor can either refer to the actual name of the town or to the town where Abraham’s brother Nahor lived (perhaps Haran)
        Aram Naharaim means “Aram of the two rivers” [Mathews, 332]
        Northwestern Mesopotamia [northern Syria and Iraq today]
        The two rivers would have been the Euphrates and its tributary the Habor/Habur/Khabur
      - This was the preparation for the trip
    - PRINCIPLE #2 – God will direct us when we trust and obey His Word.
      - Abraham’s servant has a general idea of where he is supposed to go
        This is more than Abraham had when he left Haran
        If this chief servant has been with Abraham since he left Haran, then he would know where to go, but we are not given that information here
        He has to trust and obey God’s word of guidance as he travels north
        When we obey God’s leading by faith, He will direct us – where to go and what to do
        We can claim that truth for our lives today – God will direct us when we trust and obey His Word
      - About one month passes between verses 10 and 11
    - After (v. 11)
      - In verse 11 we see the preparations of the servant after he arrives in the town
      - He has the camels kneel down near the well outside the town
        This was strategic on the servants part
        He was preparing to watch the evening trek to the well by the young women of the town
        What better way to encounter women who could be potential wife material for Isaac
    - There is one more vital part of his preparation – prayer!
- Prayer (vv. 12-21)

- - - Prayer (vv. 12-14)

- - - - He addresses the Lord
        Since he is Abraham’s liaison, he addresses the Lord as the God of my master, Abraham
        This is does not mean that the servant does not have faith in the Lord
      - Requests
        Give me success
        Show kindness to my master Abraham
        The servant needs to know which young woman is God’s choice for Isaac, so he asks for two specific things to identify her
        First, when I ask a girl for a drink, she will lower her jar and give me a drink
        Second, without prompting, she will recognize that my camels need water and offer to give them water too
        He petitions the Lord again to show kindness to his master, Abraham
      - Aren’t you glad that the Lord knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8) and because He knows before we ask, He is already acting on our behalf

- - - Answer (vv. 15-21)
      - The Lord had already prompted Rebekah to leave her house and head to the well while Abraham’s servant is praying
      - The narrator gives us some key pieces of information
        Genealogy
        He does not keep us in suspense about whether or not Rebekah is part of Abraham’s family
        While the servant does not know it yet, we are given insider information
        Rebekah is the daughter of Bethuel
        She is the granddaughter of Nahor and Milcah, Abraham’s brother and sister-in-law
        Attributes
        Rebekah is very beautiful – probably referring to her appearance
        She is a virgin – in the Ancient Near East it does not necessarily means she has not been sexually active, but rather it means that she is of marriageable age
        She is pure – no man had ever lain with her (which in our modern culture means she was a virgin, she had not been sexually active)
        Again, the servant is not aware of these attributes when he sees her
        At the moment, the servant is relying on the criteria he has asked the Lord about
      - Rebekah went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again
      - The servant is hopeful, so he hurries over to meet her
        I’m assuming that Rebekah is the first woman to come to the well, which is why he hurries over to meet her
        He is hopeful and enthusiastic about the Lord’s ability to answer his prayer
        Just imagine if he had already approached multiple women and they had rejected his request for a drink or, if they gave him a drink, but didn’t offer to water his camels
        I think his demeanor would have been less hurried with Rebekah
        When he asks her for a drink, she lowers her jar and gives him a drink, then she offers to draw water for his camels until they are satisfied
        She doesn’t waste time, but empties her jar into the trough
        Then she ran back down to the well to get more water and continues this process until the camels were taken care of
        Camels who have not had a drink for a couple of days could consume as much as 25 gallons of water to rehydrate
        Multiply that by 10 camels and you have 250 gallons of water
        On average, a water jar in the Ancient Near East, could hold up to 3 gallons
        That would be a potential of 83 trips down to the well and back – talk about water aerobics
        “When you see a man or a woman going out of his or her way to minister, you have found someone very special.” [Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament, Volume 1: Genesis-Job, 113]
        While she is serving the needs of the camels, the servant is quietly watching her to discern if the Lord had made his journey a success
    - We can assume that he felt certain that the Lord had made his journey a success by what he does next

- Presentation (vv. 22-25)
  - - Gifts
      - The camels are satisfied and the servant is satisfied
      - So, he takes out a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets
      - It is apparent that he gives these items to her, because in verse 30, Laban saw her wearing them
    - Request
      - He then asks her whose daughter she is and if there was room in her father’s house for he and his companions to spend the night
      - She tells him that she is the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah and Nahor
      - She answers his second request by telling him that they have plenty of resources and space to house them for the night
    - PRINCIPLE #3 – God answers prayer!
      - We see that God answered the prayer of the servant through Rebekah
      - She willingly gave him a drink of water and then offered to water his camels
      - I am a huge proponent of praying specific prayers, because then we know when God answers them
        I’m not talking about praying specific prayers that try to corner God or prosper individuals
        I believe we can pray specific prayers according to God’s will and purposes and He will answer
        Each week we share praise reports for answered prayer
      - We have to remember that God answers prayer in three ways
        Yes, No, and Wait
        There are times when we feel like God has not answered our prayers, because we did not get the answer we wanted or hoped for (so we actually missed His answer)
      - How we react to answered prayer is so important
    - That is what we see next in verses 26 and 27
- Praise (vv. 26-27)
  - - The servant bowed down and worshiped the Lord right in front of Rebekah, presumably
    - He again addresses his praise to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham
      - He acknowledges that the Lord has been kind and faithful to Abraham
      - PRINCIPLE #4 – God is faithful!
        We can trust in the faithfulness of God
        That is His character and His character never changes
        How have we seen the faithfulness of God?
        At Idaville Church, we have seen the faithfulness of God through His provision for our finances, through salvations and baptisms, through spiritual growth, through the revitalization of the church, and so much more
        Personally, we have seen God’s faithfulness through answered prayer for family members, through God’s provision for us financially, through healings, through His protection, and so much more
        How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life? (take a moment and write a couple of things down)
      - The servant also recognized the Lord’s faithfulness to him
        He acknowledges that the Lord had led him to the house of his master’s relatives
        This was Abraham’s nephew’s family that the servant would be staying with
    - PRINCIPLE #5 – Worship is the right response to God’s faithfulness.
      - When is the last time you have bowed down before the Lord and worshiped Him for His faithfulness?
      - In our busyness we may neglect to even thank the Lord for His faithfulness and answers to our prayers, let alone bow down before Him and worship Him
      - #2 – My Next Step Today Is To: Bow down before the Lord in worship for His faithfulness to me.
      - We are going to give everyone the opportunity to bow down before the Lord in worship during the closing song this morning
    - Rebekah understands the significance of what is taking place, so she runs back to her house
- Provision (vv. 28-33)
  - - Pronouncement (v. 28)
      - Rebekah told her family what had happened when she went to draw water at the well
      - Perhaps they were wondering where she was, since it probably took her a long time to water the camels
      - We learn that Rebekah has a brother named Laban (that name should sound familiar and he will play a significant role with Isaac and Rebekah’s son, Jacob)
    - Hospitality (vv. 29-33)
      - Perhaps Laban was running the household at this point, which is why Bethuel does not go out to greet the servant
      - It is probable that Laban either made preparations prior to going to the spring or gave instructions to the household servants to make preparations for the entourage
      - Laban hurried out to meet Abraham’s servant and invited him to stay with them
      - Perhaps the gifts that he gave Rebekah and his worship of the Lord, prompted Laban to address him as “blessed by the Lord”
      - The servant followed Laban back to Bethuel’s house
      - Hospitality shared
        The camels were unloaded and given bedding and food
        Water was brought for the travelers to wash their feet
        Food was brought out for the men to eat
      - Urgency message
        Since the Lord had so graciously and faithfully answered his prayer, the servant did not want to eat first
        He wanted to share the purpose of his trip
        Laban encourages him to tell them, but that’s a narrative for another time

YOU
- Are you ready to obey the Lord’s calling on your life and follow Him by faith?
- Are you ready to bow down before the Lord, in worship, for His faithfulness to you?

WE
- We can encourage those in our congregation by affirming the calling God has place on their lives
- We can model worship for God’s faithfulness by bowing down before Him

CONCLUSION

As the worship team leads us in the closing song this morning, I want to encourage everyone to come forward and bow down to the Lord in worship of His faithfulness.

April 24, 2022/by Office

Authentic Believing

Easter John Sunday Morning Stuart Johns Gospel, Omnipresent, Salvation

Easter 2022

Authentic Believing

(John 20:24-31)

INTRODUCTION

“Thomas A. Miller, a surgeon and researcher, explores the miracle of Christ's resurrection from a medical angle. Dr. Miller notes that the body contains trillions and maybe even 100 trillion cells. Each one of these cells carries out thousands of different chemical reactions. Thus a bodily resurrection would require ‘some phenomenal power to energize life into all these individual cells, but it would have to do so in such a way that specialized nerve cells could resume their unique function, heart cells perform theirs, blood cells and bone cells do theirs, and so on.’

Dr. Miller continues:

Consider the heart as just one example. It beats on average 70 times a minute, 4,200 times an hour, 100,800 times a day … and 36,288,000 times a year …. And for that to happen, thousands of processes within each cell must act in a coordinated way to ensure that the blood entering the right side of the heart is effectively propelled into the lungs, where the red blood cells contained in it discharge carbon dioxide and pick up oxygen, following which it returns to the left side of the heart where it is propelled to the tissues of the rest of the body, do that they might receive precious oxygen they need to sustain their many functions. This all happens at least every second in such a smooth fashion that we are not even aware of it. And at the moment we die, all these processes came to a screeching halt.

A bodily resurrection implies that thousands of processes in trillions of cells must be restarted with the unique intricacy and inter-coordination that existed before death. Dr. Miller notes that this would require not just incredible power but also unimaginable knowledge. He writes:

Even the latest science has not unraveled the complete mystery of each of the cells of our bodies, and how they interact and "talk" with one another …. But for the resurrection of Jesus to occur, all of that information had to be known in its completeness and totality, and known some two thousand years ago.”

Source: Thomas A. Miller, MD, Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? (Crossway, 2013), pp. 133-136.

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2013/march/1031113.html].

BODY

ME
- Third party authentication
  - - The push to protect our online accounts is never ending
    - In recent years, there has been a push for third party authentication, especially for financial accounts and even email accounts
    - The idea is that every time I login to one of these accounts, they will either text or email me a code that I enter to prove that I am the owner of the account and to protect my account
    - I am not put off by this authentication, because I want to make sure my accounts are secure

WE
- Third party authentication
  - - How many of us have had to do that recently?
    - Perhaps some of us do not want to be bothered with receiving a code and entering it in order to gain access to our accounts
- Banking
  - - Some of us don’t use a computer, but we’ve probably been to the bank to withdrawal money or cash a check
    - When we do that, the teller asks us for our ID, so we can prove that we are who we say we are

Jesus appeared to ten of His disciples on the day He came alive again. There was one disciple who was missing from that initial meeting. As we learned in the sunrise service, the wound made by the spear would have been a unique identifying factor that it was Jesus who was appearing to them. No other person, who was crucified, had that unique mark. We’ll see today that the disciple, who missed the initial meeting, says he’ll never believe that Jesus is alive unless he can put his fingers in the nail holes in Jesus’ hands, and place his hand in the spear hole in Jesus’ side. He wanted physical proof before he would believe. Jesus challenges him on this and speaks a blessing over those who believe without seeing. John wants us to know that . . .

BIG IDEA – Jesus is pleased when we believe without seeing.

Let’s pray

GOD (John 20:24-31)
- Thomas’ Unbelief (vv. 24-25)
  - - Who is Thomas
      - A twin
        The name Thomas is Aramaic
        The name Didymus is Greek
        They both mean “twin”
        We’re not told who his twin was
      - A disciple
        He is one of the Twelve
        Jesus had chosen him as one of His closest disciples
        We know from church history that Thomas took the message of Jesus Christ to India and gave his life for the Gospel while there [Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, New Testament, 596]
      - A realist
        John 11:16, Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (this was in response to Jesus encouraging His disciples to come with Him to see Lazarus, who had died – Thomas realized the volatility of going back to Judea so soon after the Jews had tried to stone Jesus)
        John 14:1-6, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
      - As a realist, he would have been skeptical about the possibility of Jesus’ resurrection, which is why he may not have been together with the other disciples on that first day of the week – for Thomas, the three-year journey of faith was done – perhaps he was feeling hopeless and just wanted to be alone
    - Thomas absent
      - During the sunrise service, we looked at the episode that Thomas missed
        It was on the evening of that first day of the week – the day that Jesus came alive again
        The disciples were behind locked doors for fear of the Jews and Jesus miraculously appeared to them and greeted them with “peace”
        He showed them His hands and side
      - Thomas wasn’t with them when Jesus appeared to them
        “Thomas is a good warning to all of us not to miss meeting together with God’s people on the Lord’s Day.” [Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, New Testament, Volume 1, 394]
        Hebrews 10:22-25, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
        “Remember Thomas when you are tempted to stay home from church. You never know what special blessing you might miss!” [Wiersbe, 394]
        Application
        Think about a time when you didn’t “feel” like coming to church, but after you came, you left feeling refreshed, renewed, filled with joy, peace, comfort, and contentment
        Early in my tenure here, we had a movement of the Holy Spirit that happened during second service that was powerful. A young man was listening to the message and as I was finishing up, he fell to his knees and began to flail around, knocking down some of the metal chairs. He stood up and came towards me. I embraced him as he kept repeating a man’s name. I asked him what we needed to know about that man. He eventually looked at me, blinked his eyes, and then said, “what just happened?” This young man had spoken with me, earlier in the week, about the man, whose name he was repeating. That man had been going through a difficult time and this young man was trying to help him. Something supernatural happened that day and not everyone in the church was there to experience it. The Holy Spirit of God was speaking through this young man and it was powerful!
      - Thomas had missed something supernatural and powerful and the other disciples tried to explain it to him
    - The disciples’ witness
      - Told
        In the Greek this verb is in the imperfect tense, which means it is a continual or repeated action [Blue Letter Bible, https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jhn/20/1/t_concf_1017025]
        The other disciples didn’t just mention it to Thomas once, they kept on telling him
        I can only imagine that the reason they kept on telling him is because he was shaking his head from side to side in disbelief
        This didn’t make logical sense to Thomas, the realist
        “My aunt and uncle had a missionary family visiting. When the missionary children were called in for dinner, their mother said, ‘Be sure to wash your hands.’
        
        The little boy scowled and said, ‘Germs and Jesus. Germs and Jesus. That's all I hear, and I've never seen either one of them.’”
        
        Source: Vesper Bauer, Audubon, Iowa, Christian Reader (Sep/Oct 1998).
        
        [https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2000/february/12256.html]
        The little boy did not understand the importance of washing his hands, because he had never seen a germ
        Thomas did not understand the importance of Jesus’ resurrection, because he had not seen Jesus like the other disciples had
      - Seen
        This Greek verb is in the perfect tense, meaning that it was an action completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated [Blue Letter Bible, https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jhn/20/1/t_concf_1017025]
        The disciples were telling Thomas again and again that they had seen the Lord – it was a fact – He was alive!
        Application
        PRINCIPLE #1 – God is pleased when we tell others about Jesus.
        “The disciples who had experienced the surprising appearance of Jesus and his empowering commissioning were apparently enthusiastically ready to share the details of their postresurrection experience of ‘the Lord.’” [Borchert, The New American Commentary, John 12-21, 312]
        I always enjoy being around new believers, because their enthusiasm for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is contagious
        They aren’t complacent, apprehensive, or fearful about sharing it with anyone and everyone
        For long-time believers, the enthusiasm seems to wear off, because they have been confronted with those who are skeptical and those who refuse to believe in Jesus – we are no longer enthusiastic and excited about sharing the Gospel
        I believe the reason this happens in our lives is because we have a false idea of our role as messengers of the Gospel
        We have this incorrect belief that if people don’t believe in Jesus, after we share the Gospel with them, that we have somehow failed God and Jesus
        Our responsibility is not to convert and convince, but to communicate
        1 Corinthians 3:6-7, I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters in anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
        Planting and watering are both forms of communicating
        The planter is the one who shares the Gospel with an individual for the first time
        The waterer is the one who shares the Gospel with an individual a second, third, fourth, fifth, or more times
        Whether or not someone believes in Jesus, when you share the Gospel with them, does not define success or failure
        When we simply communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ with someone, we succeed in God’s eyes – He is pleased!
        That should change everything for us
        We should be excited and enthusiastic about sharing the Gospel
        #1 – My Next Step Today Is To: Enthusiastically share the Gospel with my family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
        Now that we know, success is simply communicating and not convincing or converting, let’s plant and water with enthusiasm and watch as God makes it grow!
        Who will you plan to share the Gospel with this week?
        The other disciples were enthusiastically and repeatedly telling Thomas that they had seen the Lord – He was alive!
      - What we see with Thomas’ response is that he probably got tired of the other disciples repeatedly telling him they had seen the Lord
    - Thomas’ demands
      - Thomas wanted proof – he wanted to experience what the other disciples had experienced and even more
        He didn’t just want to see Jesus’ hands and side
        He wanted to put his fingers in the holes where the nails had been
        He wanted to put his hand in the whole created by the spear
      - “Thomas’ words help to understand the difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt says, ‘I cannot believe! There are too many problems!’ Unbelief says, ‘I will not believe unless you give me the evidence I ask for!’” [Wiersbe, 394]
        Some people are right there, right now
        They are telling us that they will not believe in Jesus unless He gives them the evidence they are asking for
        They want all their questions answered to their satisfaction
        If God is all-loving, then why does He allow bad things to happen?
        If God is all-powerful, then why doesn’t He stop bad things from happening?
        God is both all-loving and all-powerful in addition to being sovereign, all-knowing, ever present, unchanging, infinite, holy, righteous, and so much more
        It’s the arrogance of humanity to believe that we can understand all of who God is and how He operates as an infinite God
        They want physical proof that God and Jesus exist
        It’s the arrogance of humanity to demand that God provide the evidence we ask for before we will believe in Him
        Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
        1 Corinthians 1:27-29, But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
        Ephesians 3:20-21, Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
        Jesus is pleased when we believe without seeing.
      - Thomas’ declaration
        Thomas tells the other disciples that he will not believe it without his demands being fulfilled
        In the Greek there is a double negative, ou mē, which gives his declaration an emphatic push
        It could be translated, “I’ll never believe it!” [Milne, The Bible Speaks Today, The Message of John, 302] or “I positively will not believe!” [Wiersbe, 394]
        Thomas is saying, in no uncertain terms, that if his demands for proof are not met, he will never believe that Jesus is alive
    - Jesus is gracious with Thomas, and his demands, and does the supernatural again, within the week
- Thomas’ Belief (vv. 26-29)
  - - Thomas present
      - All of the eleven disciples were together in the same house one week later
      - Perhaps the other ten disciples told Thomas not to miss this Sunday gathering
      - Jesus again appears to His disciples, even though they are behind locked doors
      - He greeted them again with “peace be with you”
      - I’m sure they needed peace as he supernaturally gained access to the room they thought was secure
      - Jesus doesn’t waste any time in challenging Thomas
    - Jesus’ challenge
      - Jesus basically repeats Thomas’ demands back to him
      - “Here you go, Thomas! Put your fingers in the nail holes in my wrists. Put your hand in the spear whole in my side.”
        PRINCIPLE #2 – Jesus is omnipresent
        “Here Jesus is teaching a lesson of great import, for in repeating Thomas’s ultimatum, it’s as if He’s saying, ‘Boys, even though you don’t see Me, I’m with you always.’” [Courson, 597]
        Because Jesus is omnipresent, He hears and knows our deepest desires
        Application
        This is a foundational truth principle for us as believers – Jesus is always present with us
        No matter what we are going through, we can trust that He is here
        Maybe you’re feeling lonely, anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, worried, fearful, unsure, or concerned
        You may be struggling physically, emotionally, financially, relationally, and/or spiritually
        Jesus is right there with you
        Even if you can’t see Him or feel His presence with you, He is there
        Hebrews 13:5-6, Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
        #2 – My Next Step Today Is To: Claim the truth promise that Jesus is always present with me.
        The second part of Jesus’ challenge is His exhortation for Thomas to stop doubting and believe
      - Stop doubting and believe
        The literal translation of the Greek text would be, “Do not become unbelieving [apistos] but believing [pistos].” [Burge, The NIV Application Commentary, John, 562] or “Do not be unbelieving but believing.” [Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Gospel According to John, 657]
        Thomas wasn’t saying that he couldn’t believe, because there were too many problems (doubt), but rather that he would not believe (unbelief), without physical proof
        “Authentic believing was the issue,” not doubt [Borchert, 314]
        Hebrews 3:12-13, See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
      - Jesus’ presence, challenge, and exhortation was enough for Thomas
    - Thomas’ confession
      - The only response that Thomas could have at this point was to confess who Jesus was – “My Lord and my God!”
      - Thomas’ confession accomplished two things
        It recognized Jesus’ authority
        Confessing that Jesus was his Lord, meant that Thomas was submitting to His authority as Master
        We must do the same thing when we come to believe in Jesus – submit to Him as our Master
        It recognized Jesus’ deity
        PRINCIPLE #3 – Jesus is God!
        Thomas knew that only God had the power to do the supernatural
        God is the only One who is always present with us and knows everything about us, including our thoughts and desires
      - Thomas wanted physical, material proof that Jesus was alive
        Most of the time we refer to Thomas as “Doubting Thomas” and can be pretty critical of him
        He was in good company though, because Peter, John, and the other disciples didn’t believe the testimony of the women, including Mary Magdalene
        Peter and John had to see the empty tomb for themselves – they wanted physical and material proof
      - Jesus then offers a blessing over those who would never experience the physical and material proof that Thomas and the other disciples did
    - Jesus’ blessing
      - Jesus tells Thomas that he believed, because He was granted the physical and material proof he had demanded
      - Jesus then blesses those who have not seen and yet have believed
        If you have believed in Jesus, He was talking about you!
        You can personalize that part of verse 29 today
        “Blessed is _______ (your name) who has not seen and yet has believed.” [have everyone repeat the verse with their name in it]
        Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
        Jesus is pleased when we believe without seeing.
    - This naturally transitions to our belief
- Our Belief (vv. 30-31)
  - - More miraculous signs
      - John gives us some concluding remarks, which includes the theme verse for the entire Gospel of John
      - John lets us know that Jesus obviously did many other miraculous signs while His disciples were with Him
      - We don’t know how many miraculous signs Jesus did while on earth
      - It’s also probable that He did miraculous signs when His disciples were not with Him
      - John does not record the other miraculous signs
    - John’s witness
      - John records eight miraculous signs in his Gospel
        Turning the water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1-11)
        Healing of the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54)
        Healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-17)
        Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14)
        Jesus walking on the water (John 6:15-21)
        Healing the man born blind (John 9:1-12)
        Death and resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:1-45)
        Catching of fish (John 21:1-11)
      - These eight miraculous signs, that John records, are for the purpose of helping us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
      - When we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, then we can have life in His name
        The life that John is talking about is eternal life
        He says it this way in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
        We are all born in sin, Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned – for before the law was given, sin was in the world. (Romans 5:12-13a)
        God sent Jesus to take our punishment for sin
        God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)
        He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
        #3 – My Next Step Today Is To: Believe in Jesus and receive God’s eternal life.
        We have to believe without seeing the physical and material proof of Jesus’ resurrected body
        We have to believe the eye witness accounts that are recorded in the Bible
      - Jesus is pleased when we believe without seeing.

YOU
- Are you ready to enthusiastically share the Gospel?
- Do you need to claim the promise that Jesus is present with you?
- Are you ready to believe in Jesus without seeing Him and receive eternal life?

- Our mission is to pursue, grow, and multiple disciples for Jesus

CONCLUSION

“Tim Keller tells the following story about the power of Christ's resurrection:

A minister was in Italy, and there he saw the grave of a man who had died centuries before who was an unbeliever and completely against Christianity, but a little afraid of it too. So the man had a huge stone slab put over his grave so he would not have to be raised from the dead in case there is a resurrection from the dead. He had insignias put all over the slab saying, ‘I do not want to be raised from the dead. I don't believe in it.’ Evidently, when he was buried, an acorn must have fallen into the grave. So a hundred years later the acorn had grown up through the grave and split that slab. It was now a tall towering oak tree. The minister looked at it and asked, ‘If an acorn, which has power of biological life in it, can split a slab of that magnitude, what can the acorn of God's resurrection power do in a person's life?’

Keller comments:

The minute you decide to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, the power of the Holy Spirit comes into your life. It's the power of the resurrection—the same thing that raised Jesus from the dead …. Think of the things you see as immovable slabs in your life—your bitterness, your insecurity, your fears, your self-doubts. Those things can be split and rolled off. The more you know him, the more you grow into the power of the resurrection.”

Source: Nancy Guthrie, editor, Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (Crossway, 2009), p. 136.

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2012/march/7032612.html].

April 17, 2022/by Office

The Deed Dance

Origins Genesis Sunday Morning Stuart Johns Glorifying God, Rejoice, Trust

Origins

The Deed Dance

(Genesis 23:1-20)

INTRODUCTION

Walt Disney made a statement that is the premise behind the animated movie Meet the Robinsons.

He said, “Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors, doing new things, because we’re curious . . . and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

BODY

ME
- Moving a lot
  - - Since Judy and I have moved around a lot during our 30 years of marriage, we have not really thought about where we would be buried when we die
    - Most people don’t like to talk about death to begin with, much less, about burial plots
    - We have discussed it a couple of times over the past 30 years, but I’m not sure we have settled on anything yet
    - We haven’t purchased burial plots
    - We haven’t met with the funeral home to discuss their services
- Wills, estates, and burial plots
  - - I have started thinking more about it, especially after the Stewardship Lifestyle Seminar and meeting with the lawyer to discuss our will and estate planning
    - My family
      - Salem Cemetery in Chambersburg, PA (Johns and Rife) – my parents will be buried there
      - Browns Mill Presbyterian Cemetery in Chambersburg, PA – behind Rhodes Grove Camp & Conference Center (Hykes and Kennedy)
    - Grove family
      - With Mabel Groves’ funeral this week, I was reminded again that Judy and I do not have burial plots
      - When we had the burial service at Barrens Salem Union Cemetery, the family was showing me the other headstones where extended family has been buried

WE
- How about you and your family?
  - - Most families have a particular cemetery where most of them have been buried or will be buried
    - This is usually the case with most families
- Long standing tradition
  - - This is not a recent tradition in our lifetime or even the generation before us
    - The idea of a family burial place comes to us from the Patriarchs
    - Abraham was just as concerned about securing a family burial space
    - I’m in good in company, because Abraham did not plan ahead for this either
    - It wasn’t until his wife Sarah’s death that he secured the family burial plot

Abraham was fully committed to God’s divine plan for him and his descendants. Once he entered the Promised Land, he didn’t look back – he kept moving forward. As we will see in Genesis 23:1-20, today, Abraham doesn’t take Sarah back to Mesopotamia to bury her. Rather, he purchases property in Canaan. What we will learn from Abraham’s example is that . . .

BIG IDEA – Faith in God’s divine word gives us strength and confidence to keep moving forward.

Let’s pray

GOD (Genesis 23:1-20)
- Death (vv. 1-2)
  - - Sarah’s age
      - Sarah is the only woman in the Bible whose age is revealed
        Fun note: perhaps this is why we never ask a woman her age
        We know she is 127 years old when she dies
      - “All that we know of Sarah’s activities between the age of 90 and 127 is that she gave birth to Isaac and died thirty-seven years later.” [Hamilton, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18-50, 125]
      - It is three years before Isaac’s marriage to Rebekah
      - Abraham is 137 years old
      - They have been in Canaan for sixty-two years
    - Where she died
      - Kiriath Arba
        This would have been the name of the town when Abraham and Sarah lived there
        The narrator gives the audience the modern city name to help them know where he is talking about
        Joshua 14:15, (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)
        “‘Kiriath Arba’ means ‘city of four’ (qiryat ʾarbaʿ), which may originally have referred to a group of four related cities (Aner, Eschcol, Mamre, and Hebron, see comments on 14:14).” [Mathews, The New American Commentary, Volume 1B, Genesis 11:27-50:26, 315]
      - In the land of Canaan – the Promised Land
    - Abraham’s grief
      - The passage makes it sound like Abraham was somewhere else when Sarah passed away
      - He was not in Hebron at the time, so where was he?
        Genesis 22:19, Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba.
        This was just after Abraham and Isaac returned from the top of Mt. Moriah, where the Lord tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac
        If you remember, it was a three-day journey from Beersheba to Mt. Moriah (close to Jerusalem) [50-60 miles]
        Beersheba is 26.4 miles south of Hebron (it would have been about a day and half journey)
        Perhaps Sarah remained in a clan community in the grove of Mamre near Hebron while Abraham and Isaac helped with the flocks and herds in Beersheba
        Abraham had dug a well in Beersheba when he and Abimelech struck a contract
        It would have been a natural place for them to shepherd their herds and flocks, since the well was there
        Abraham followed the mourning rites of the ancient Near East as he mourned and wept for Sarah
      - Mourning and weeping
        The mourning rites would have included “loud weeping, tearing clothes, sitting in dirt, wearing sackcloth, and shaving the head.” [Mathews, 315]
        Mourning would “involve crying out, exclamations of grief that may be a ritual lament, although not the cries of a formal poetic lament.” [Mathews, 315]
        It was not uncommon in Biblical times for the surviving family members to mourn loudly
        The neighbors would have known immediately that someone had died, because of the loud laments of the family
        In some cases, there were professional mourners who would join the family in their grief
        Our grief today is much more subdued, though I have experienced family members who have wept openly and loudly
        There is certainly nothing wrong with expressing our grief openly and loudly
        Weeping was how a person would express their grief either over the death of a loved one or a difficult situation – it has the idea of shedding tears
        Warren Wiersbe relates this encounter, “The late Vance Havner had a wife named Sarah. Shortly after her untimely death, I was with Dr. Havner at the Moody Bible Institute, and I shared my condolences with him. ‘I’m sorry to hear you lost your wife,’ I said to him when we met in the dining room. He smiled and replied, ‘Son, when you know where something is, you haven’t lost it.’” [Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Pentateuch, 111]
        What a great reminder for us today
        Philippians 1:21-23, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
        Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
        Revelation 14:13, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
        When our loved ones, who have a personal relationship with Jesus, depart from this world, we can rejoice, because they are not lost – they are with Jesus!
        #1 – My Next Step Today Is To: Rejoice over my loved ones who have passed away and had a personal relationship with Jesus, because they are with Him now.
        This is the hope we have as disciples of Jesus Christ – we will one day be with Him also
        Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
    - As soon as Abraham completes his mourning and weeping, he sets his sights on purchasing a burial location for Sarah
- Deed (vv. 3-18)

- - - This section is broken into three movements that all begin the same Hebrew word, qûm or wayyāqom in the Qal form
      - It is translated “rose” in verses 3 and 7 (arise: after lying down; from bending over the dead)
      - It is translated “was deeded” in verses 17 and 20 (stand: especially figuratively; be established, confirmed, of purchase)
    - First movement (vv. 3-6)
      - It includes the initial round of negotiations with the Hittites
        Abraham rose (qûm) – he got up from beside Sarah’s body after mourning and weeping
        Abraham’s request
        Alien and a stranger
        Abraham addresses the Hittites (the sons of Heth)
        “A ‘resident alien’ (gēr; cf. 15:13) is someone who does not belong by right in a place; a ‘settler’ (tûšāb) is someone who is nevertheless staying there semi-permanently.” [Goldingay, Baker Commentary on the Old Testament, Pentateuch, Genesis, 367]
        Abraham had tenant status with them, since he had been living among them for years (settler idea)
        A stranger had some recognition in the community, but could not own property of his own [Kidner cited by Gangel & Bramer, Holman Old Testament Commentary, Genesis, 200]
        “The truth was that Abraham owned the whole land. God had given it to him, but there was no way he could convince his neighbors of that.” [Wiersbe, 111]
        Imagine going to the current residents of a home and telling them that God has given you their home
        How do you think that conversation is going to go?
        Instead, Abraham comes humbly before the Hittite people
        Sell me some property
        Abraham humbles himself before the Hittites and asks for permission to buy property in their land, which would give him a permanent foothold in Canaan
        Abraham would no longer be an alien and stranger, but rather a land owner and a permanent part of the community
        From this little parcel of land, the descendants of Abraham would fill the whole land
        “The man has no land of his own, but by acquiring Hittite property he demonstrates his reliance on the prior promise of the Lord (cp. Jer 32:6-15).” [Mathews, 317]
        PRINCIPLE #1 – God is pleased when we have faith in His divine promises.
        Abraham believed God for the birth of Isaac and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6)
        Abraham had faith that God would establish his descendants in Canaan and therefore he asked to purchase land in Canaan to bury his dead
        God always keeps His promises
        He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Matt. 28:20)
        He promises to always love us (Jer. 31:3)
        He promises to forgive our sins when we confess and repent (1 John 1:9)
        He promises to provide for us – supply all our needs according to His riches (Phil. 4:19); He will add all these things to us when we seek His kingdom and righteousness first (Matt. 6:33); God, who didn’t spare His own Son, will also graciously give us all things (Rom. 8:32)
        There are so many more promises of God found in His Word
        Where do we need to exercise our faith in God’s promises?
        #2 – My Next Step Today Is To: Trust by faith that God will fulfill His divine promises in my life.
        Faith in God’s divine word gives us strength and confidence to keep moving forward.
        Abraham needed some land with a cave on it to bury his dead
        Hittites’ response
        Mighty prince
        The Hittites recognized Abraham’s status within their community
        They called him a mighty prince
        In Hebrew it means, “a prince with God,” “a prince of God,”
        They see Abraham as “God’s elect one” [Hamilton, 129]
        They recognized God’s protection and provision for Abraham (He was given animals and slaves from Pharaoh and Abimelech and Sarah received a thousand shekels of silver from Abimelech)
        Abraham had defeated the five kings that had attacked the region where Sodom and Gomorrah were located and returned all of the people to that region
        Abraham had become very wealthy with silver, gold, and animals
        Abraham was well known throughout Canaan
        Overall he had a good reputation with the people of Canaan
        PRINCIPLE #2 – God is glorified when our lives testify about Him.
        We have the same opportunity that Abraham did, but in our own communities
        Do our lives testify about the Lord’s protection and provision?
        Do our lives testify about how awesome God is?
        Do our lives show others the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
        #3 – My Next Step Today Is To: Glorify God by living a life that testifies about Him.
        Because of Abraham’s reputation in Canaan the Hittites inform him that he can have his pick of any of their tombs
        Have your choice of our tombs
        The Hittites offer their choicest tombs to Abraham
        They are willing to have Sarah buried in any of their tombs
        Important note: The offer does not include land ownership, but simply space in their tombs
        There was normally a preparation table in each tomb where the bodies were prepared for burial
        There were other chambers where the most recently deceased person was laid
        Eventually, the remaining bones were piled up in the back of the tomb
        So, we see why the Hittites were amiable in offering their tombs to Abraham
        Perhaps they assumed that Abraham would take her bones when he moved on [Goldingay, 367]
      - The first movement ends with the offer of any tomb, but Abraham has a specific cave in mind
    - Second movement (vv. 7-16)
      - It includes two additional rounds of speeches
        First round is addressed to the “people of the land,” but also includes the specific piece of land that Abraham is desiring from Ephron (vv. 7-11)
        Abraham rose (qûm) – he got up from sitting in the gate of the city (v. 7)
        Abraham continues to be respectful and humble as he makes his specific request
        He stands up only to bow down before the Hittite people, in respect
        Abraham’s request (vv. 8-9)
        Abraham is still feeling out the situation with the Hittites when he says, “If you are willing to let me bury my dead . . .”
        He asks the Hittite leaders to intercede on his behalf with Ephron son of Zohar
        Ephron owns a field that has a cave at the end of it
        The cave is named Machpelah
        The name actually means “double-cave” or “split-cave”
        Perhaps there were to chambers in this cave, either side-by-side or one on top of the other
        Abraham is only interested in the cave at the end of the field, and is willing to pay the fair market value for it
        Ephron’s response (vv. 10-11)
        Ephron was sitting among the Hittites that were gathered
        At the end of verse 10 the city is identified as his city
        Perhaps Ephron was the main leader of the city where he lived
        Ephron offers both the field and the cave that is on it to Abraham as a gift
        We have to understand that this was the typical bargaining process in the ancient Near East
        Ephron was not really offering the field and cave for free
        “If Abraham had accepted the land as a gift when it was offered, he would have insulted Ephron, who then would have rescinded his offer. Many Middle Eastern shopkeepers still follow this ritual with their customers.” [NIV Life Application Bible, footnote for Genesis 23:10-15]
        Had Abraham accepted the free offer, Ephron’s family could potentially come back after his death and reclaim the field and cave
        Abraham understood the bargaining ritual, so he continues his dialogue with Ephron
        Second round addresses Ephron directly and the payment for the field and cave (vv. 12-16)
        Abraham once again bows before the people of the land in respect
        Abraham offers to buy the field that the cave sits on
        Ephron continues the bargaining process by stating that the land is worth 400 shekels of silver
        This was an exorbitant price for the field, especially based on other land transactions found in Scripture
        “David paid only one-eighth that amount—50 shekels of silver—for the purchase of the temple site from Araunah (2 Sam. 24:24). Jeremiah paid 17 shekels of silver for his cousin’s field in Anathoth (Jer. 32:9). Omri paid fifteen times as much as Abraham—two talents of silver (6,000 shekels)—for the large hill of Samaria (1 K. 16:24).” [Hamilton, 135]
        Ephron didn’t consider the price exorbitant, because he states, but what is that between me and you?
        He probably knew how wealthy Abraham was
        “The custom of the day was to ask double the fair market value of the land, fully expecting the buyer to offer half the stated price.” [NIV Life Application Bible, footnote for Genesis 23:16]
        Abraham agrees to the price without haggling and weighs out the 400 shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants
        The transaction was done in the presence of the people of the land, so that there were plenty of witnesses
      - With the purchase complete, the final movement summarizes everything that just happened
    - Third movement (vv. 17-18)
      - The property and location
        The field, cave, and trees within the borders of the field
        Machpelah near Mamre
      - The people
        Ephron
        Abraham
        This is the third time that (qûm) is used
        Here it is translated as “was deeded,” “made sure,” “established,” “secured”
        “Literally, the phrase is ‘rose [and went over] to.’ That is, the deed ‘rose and went to Abraham.’” [Waltke, Genesis: A Commentary, 321]
        Plenty of witnesses – all the Hittites that had come to the gate of the city
    - The transaction is complete and Abraham can finally bury Sarah

- Done (vv. 19-20)
  - - I’m sure that Abraham didn’t waste any time in completing the burial process
    - The location of the cave is mentioned again
    - The transfer of ownership is mentioned one last time

YOU
- You don’t have to weep like those who have no hope
  - - When your family members, who have a personal relationship with Jesus, pass away, you can rejoice, because they are with Jesus
    - They are not lost
- God keeps His promises
  - - He will never leave you or forsake you
    - He will always love you and forgive you, when you repent
    - He will always provide for you, and so much more
    - So, you can trust by faith that God will fulfill His divine promises in your life
- Glorifying God with your life is an incredible way to testify about Him with others

WE
- We can rejoice with friends who have believing family that have passed away, because we know where they are at (we can also mourn with them as they grieve)
- We can encourage each other with the promises of God, found in Scripture
- We can urge each other on in living lives that glorify God

CONCLUSION

“In November 1858, missionary John Paton landed in the New Hebrides to establish a ministry among the people. On February 12, 1859, his wife gave birth to a son; and on March 3, his wife died. Seventeen days later, the baby died. ‘But for Jesus and the fellowship He gave me there,’ said Paton, ‘I must have gone mad and died beside that lonely grave.’

But we do not sorrow as those who have no hope! We have been born again, ‘to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead’ (1 Peter 1:3, NKJV), and we are ‘looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ’ (Titus 2:13).”

[Wiersbe, 113]

April 10, 2022/by Office

All In The Family

Origins Genesis Sunday Morning Stuart Johns Obedience, Provides

Origins

All In The Family

(Genesis 22:20-24)

INTRODUCTION

“My parents, Salvation Army officers, were out on a miserable December night for an open-air meeting. Not another person was around, but my dad said that ‘God didn't need people to be out listening--he only needed us to be faithful.’ So they played a few carols and Dad gave a short message before everyone retreated inside.

A few weeks later, Dad was ringing the bell at a mall when a lady asked him if he had been on that street corner two weeks earlier. She explained: ‘My father had been in a coma for six months. We were dreading the holidays since Dad was not really with us. But then we heard the carols, and to our amazement, my father sat up and said, ‘That's God's music.’ And with that he died.’ What an encouraging proof of God's faithfulness to those who are faithful.”

Source: Pauline Hylton, Christian Reader, Vol. 33, no. 6.

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/1998/september/3989.html]

BODY

ME
- God’s provision in FL
  - - When we were expecting Wade, we had decided to live off of my income and put Judy’s income into savings
    - So, the last year she taught before Wade was born, we put her income into savings
    - After Wade was born, we moved back to Ohio and it took me several months to get a job
    - I began serving with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Hardin and Hancock Counties
    - Before I began serving with CEF, we were living off of the savings that we had put aside from Judy’s last year of teaching
    - God knew our future and He provided what we needed for the interim
- God’s provision in CA
  - - He did the same thing when I resigned from Every Generation Ministries in CA and we took several months to travel across the country and visit with family
    - We were able to live off of income that we had saved
    - God had prepared us once again for a major transition and had provided
    - God was faithful through our obedience

WE
- How have we seen God’s faithfulness when we have been obedient?
  - - Take a moment to think about that for yourself
    - When has God asked you to obediently follow Him?
    - Did you listen?
    - What was the result? How did you experience His faithfulness?

Abraham had obediently followed the Lord’s direction in sacrificing his only son Isaac. We saw last week that God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac. In the final five verses of chapter 22, we see the genealogy of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. God knew just what Isaac would need in the future and He was already preparing the way for him. Through this short transitional section, we will see that . . .

BIG IDEA – God is faithful when we are obedient.

Let’s pray

GOD (Genesis 22:20-24)
- News from home (v. 20a)
  - - Some time later
      - These are the exact same words that are used in Genesis 22:1
      - It simply lets us know that time has passed
      - It is an indefinite amount of time – we do not know how much time has passed
    - Abraham was told
      - In verse 1 we know that God is the one who spoke to Abraham
      - Here in verse 20 we do not know who told Abraham about his brother
      - It is probable that one of Nahor’s children came from the East to visit Abraham and shared the news about his siblings
      - It is all speculation, because God’s Word does not identify who told Abraham
    - What is shared next is Nahor’s genealogy
- Nahor’s sons (vv. 20b-24)

- - - Notes about the genealogy
      - Why is Nahor’s genealogy shared here?
        “[This] is the start of the narrative’s epilogue (22:20-25:11). With the question of Abraham’s faithfulness and the identity of the heir settled (22:1-19), the epilogue transitions Abraham’s story to the Jacob narrative (25:19-35:29) by establishing the union of Isaac and Rebekah who parent Jacob and his brother (25:21-26). . . . Reporting the productivity of the Nahor clan after the promise of blessing for ‘all nations’ (v. 18) implies that the Nahor history is part of the beginning fulfillment; . . .” [Mathews, The New American Commentary, Volume 1B, Genesis 11:27-50:26, 306]
        “. . . it prepares the way for the history of the marriage of the heir of the promise.” [Keil & Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, Volume 1, The Pentateuch, 162]
      - The genealogy is important for the narrative that follows in Genesis 24
      - Nahor’s genealogy includes twelve sons by two women
    - Through his wife, Milcah (mil-kaw’)
      - Milcah was Nahor’s niece
        She was the daughter of Haran, Nahor’s brother
        She was the sister of Lot
        [Show the family tree]
        The intermarrying of family was not considered taboo in the ancient Near East
        The mention of Milcah also bearing children, perhaps gives us insight into the conversation that Abraham was having with this unidentified individual
        They were catching up on each other’s lives
        Abraham had shared about Sarah giving birth to Isaac
        He probably shared about Hagar having Ishmael
        This prompted the individual to inform Abraham that Nahor’s wife, Milcah had also borne sons to his brother
        Who were these sons? [show more of the family tree]
      - Sons by Milcah (mil-kaw’)
        It begins with a statement about Milcah also being a mother and bearing sons to Abraham’s brother Nahor (opens the inclusio)
        Uz (oots) “wooded”
        Firstborn
        Jeremiah 25:20 and Lamentations 4:21 refer to a city named Uz located in Arabia [Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18-50, 118]
        Buz (booz) “contempt”
        “Places or tribes named Buz and Hazo were probably located in the mountainous region of northern Arabia, evidenced by the fact that in Jer. 25:23 Buz is mentioned along with Dedan and Tema, which are Arabian tribes or territories.” [Hamilton, 118]
        Kemuel (kem-oo-ale’) “raised of God”
        Father of Aram
        Kesed (keh’-sed) “increase”
        “Chesed may represent the Chaldeans of Lower Mesopotamia.” [Hamilton, 118]
        Hazo (khaz-o’) “vision”
        Pildash (pil-dawsh’) “flame of fire”
        Jidlaph (yid-lawf’) “weeping”
        Bethuel (beth-oo-ale’) “God destroys” or “man of God” or “dweller in God”
        Became the father of Rebekah
        “. . . noting ‘Rebekah’ in the genealogy (v. 23) refers to the future matriarch by whom blessing will occur for Abraham’s family and, ultimately, all nations.” [Mathews, 306-307]
        The inclusio is completed/closed with a nearly identical statement about Milcah bearing eight sons to Abraham’s brother Nahor
      - Then the visitor tells Abraham about the sons born to Nahor’s concubine
    - Through his concubine, Reumah (reh-oo-maw’)
      - “A concubine was a secondary wife, whose position was not considered disreputable in the East.” [Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the Old Testament, Accordance electronic ed. (Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2006), paragraph 1765.]
      - Sons of Reumah [show the rest of the family tree]
        Tebah (teh’-bakh/teh’-vac) “a slaughter”
        Gaham (gah’-kham) “burning”
        “Gaham appears on a sixth-century inscription from Arad as one of eight persons from whom grain is either distributed to or collected from.” [Hamilton, 118]
        Tahash (takh’-ash) “dugong”
        Maacah (mah-ak-aw’) “oppression”
        “A place named Maacah is located between Gilead on the south, Bashan on the east, and Mt. Hermon to the north, that is, in southern Syria.” [Hamilton, 118]
      - Not much else is known about the other two sons born to Reumah
    - What can we learn from the passage that applies to our lives?

- Application
  - - PRINCIPLE #1 – “The Lord is faithful to all who love and obey Him from the heart.” (Boice)
      - We saw last week that Abraham obeyed the Lord by willingly offering his son as a sacrifice to the Lord
        The Lord provided a substitute for Isaac, so that Abraham’s line would continue through this promised son
        In this passage we see that the Lord is faithfully preparing the way for Abraham’s line to continue through Isaac and Rebekah
      - As followers/disciples of Jesus Christ and children of God, we can count on His faithfulness also
        Read Hebrews 11:1-40
        Abraham and many others obeyed God by faith and while none of them received what had been promised, they knew that God would faithfully complete what He had promised
      - What are you trusting the Lord to faithfully complete?
      - Are you loving and obeying Him from the heart?
      - My Next Step Today Is To: Love and obey the Lord from my heart and trust Him to faithfully complete His plan in my life.
    - PRINCIPLE #2 – “God provides for our needs before we even recognize them.” (Wenham)
      - God knew Abraham and Isaac’s need
        The Lord already knew that Isaac would need a wife
        The Lord also knew that Abraham would require his chief servant to swear an oath not to get a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites, but rather from his own relatives back east
        We see in this text that Rebekah is already named as one of Abraham’s relatives
        The stage is set for Genesis 24
      - God knows your every need
        He knows about your financial needs
        He knows about your emotional needs
        He knows about your physical needs
        He knows about your spiritual needs
        “If you let your need drive you to God, God will meet your deepest need.” [Craig Groeschel, Fight, Study Guide, 48]
        He knows about the needs you will have in the future
      - God is ready and willing to meet your needs when you seek His face
        Read Matthew 6:25-34
        Jesus reminds us that in our greatest need, our first response should be to seek His kingdom and His righteousness
        Too often we seek the kingdom of this world and our own strength and wisdom
        My Next Step Today Is To: Seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness and trust Him to provide for my every need.

CONCLUSION

“German pastor Martin Rinkart served in the walled town of Eilenburg during the horrors of the Thirty Years War of 1618-1648. Eilenburg became an overcrowded refuge for the surrounding area. The fugitives suffered from epidemic and famine. At the beginning of 1637, the year of the Great Pestilence, there were four ministers in Eilenburg. But one abandoned his post for healthier areas and could not be persuaded to return. Pastor Rinkart officiated at the funerals of the other two. As the only pastor left, he often conducted services for as many as 40 to 50 persons a day—some 4,480 in all. In May of that year, his own wife died. By the end of the year, the refugees had to be buried in trenches without services.

Yet living in a world dominated by death, Pastor Rinkart wrote the following prayer for his children to offer to the Lord:

Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom this world rejoices.
Who, from our mother's arms,
Hath led us on our way,
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.”

Source: Harry Genet, "The Unlikely Thanker," Men of Integrity (3-3-00)

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2009/november/3110909.html]

April 3, 2022/by Office

Jehovah-Jireh

Origins Genesis Sunday Morning Marc Webb Faith, Trust

Jehovah-Jireh

Who thinks about the products you buy before purchasing them? Who checks to see if they are tested for safety or how they will work under extreme conditions? As you probably know most everything is tested in some way, shape or form. It might be cars and planes tested for safety. It might be food tested for taste or quality. It might be cell phones tested for durability. I would bet that some of us just buy things and don’t really worry or seek out the results of the testing done to them. There are four reasons why product testing is important. One, testing gives insight into system level functions. This means each part is checked to make sure it will work properly with the whole. The product is only as good as the sum of all parts working together. Two, testing catches product defects early on. Product defects have the potential to cause serious injury, so, in order to protect users, company reputation and integrity, it is important to minimize the risk of defects by thoroughly testing products before they are sold. Third, testing is important for quality assurance. There are certain standards that products need to meet in order to be distributed and applied which ensures they are safe, reliable and of high-quality. Four, testing is important to find out what the product can endure. Stress testing is important in order to figure out how the product will function under extreme temperature, weather, pressure, or other harmful conditions.

This morning we are going to be looking at another kind of testing – the testing of a human being. We can be tested in many ways and by many things. We go through testing or trials because of the choices we make or the sins we commit. We may be put through tests and trials by the world or by Satan. We may also be tested by God. We should not be surprised that God will test his children. He will test us as a means to reveal our obedience. He will test us so we will “fear” or reverence him in order to keep us from sinning. He will test us to humble us, to know what is in our hearts and whether we will keep his commands. He will test us to bring about our good and he will test us to bring glory to himself. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

God’s purpose for testing us is to bring us to spiritual maturity; a spiritual maturity that brings about obedience, trust and total submission to Him. We must have occasional tests or we will never know if we are maturing spiritually or not. Briscoe says, “Faith is matured through the experience of stressful testing in the same way the cardiovascular system is strengthened through exercise and the muscles are developed by lifting weights. (Faith) often demonstrates itself more fully by its responses to the furnace of affliction than the warm shallow waters of ease and prosperity.” It would be good for us to remember that we are never too old to be tested, that God tests the faithful and that being tested by God is a compliment.

This morning in Genesis 22:1-19, we will see Abraham being tested once again. Weirsbe gives us insight into Abraham’s previous testing: He passed the “family test” when God told him to leave his family and step out in faith to go to a new land. He failed the “famine test” going to Egypt doubting God would provide for him. He also failed by not trusting God to protect Sarah and himself from Pharoah. Abraham then passes the “fellowship test” when he gave Lot first choice of the land. He also passed the “fight test” when he defeated the kings and passed the “fortune test” when he said no to Sodom’s wealth. He failed the “fatherhood test” when he went along with Sarah’s plan to have a child by Hagar. And he passed the “farewell test” when it came time to send Ishmael away even though it broke his heart.

Up to this point, Abraham’s faith has been wishy-washy or timid. Today we are going to see that his faith will be rigorously tested in the most extreme conditions. When we come to the end of this story, we will see that his faith has been transformed into a triumphant faith. His life of testing by God has produced a spiritual maturity of obedience and trust in Him. The question we want to ask ourselves as we study this passage this morning is what does it take to transform our faith from timid to triumphant? How does God require us to respond when he tests our faith? We find the answers in the example of Abraham, which brings us to our big idea this morning which is timid faith, when it becomes tested faith, is transformed into triumphant faith. Before we dive into our scripture this morning, let’s pray: Heavenly Father, pour out your Holy Spirit on us. Help us to open our hearts and minds to your Word. Let us glean your truths from our passage and put us in positions this week to share those truths with those who desperately need to hear them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our first point this morning is TEST and is found in Genesis 22:1-2. This is what God’s Word says, “Sometime later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

Our passage begins with “sometime later” and we need to go back to chapter 21 to see what happened before. We see three events happening. One, Isaac is born. Two, Isaac is weaned and there is a great feast. It is at this feast that Ismael was mocking, maybe Isaac. Sarah saw Ishmael as a potential threat to Isaac’s inheritance and she told Abraham to get rid of the Hagar and Ishmael. This greatly distressed Abraham but God told him to do as Sarah had said. Three, we see a treaty being made between Abimelech and Abraham. Abraham now owns a well and settles down in the land of promise. We are told that Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time. As chapter 22 opens, most commentators believe that Isaac is now at least a teenager so it is probably ten to fifteen years later.

We are told that God is going to test Abraham. God calls to Abraham and tells him to take his only son, Isaac, whom he loves, and go to the region of Moriah and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. The intensity of this story is seen in two ways. One, the narrator uses the word, God “Elohim” instead of the more personal name “the Lord” to show who is speaking to Abraham. This is the narrator’s way of emphasizing that it is the Most High God, Abraham’s God, the one who gives and takes away who was testing him. There is no doubt as to who is asking this of Abraham. Two, in the original language God says, “please, take your son.” We have seen this before and in each instance he is asking the person to do something extraordinary, something that defies rational explanation or understanding. We can know that God is fully aware of the magnitude of this test for Abraham.

A burnt offering was the language of tabernacle sacrifice. It was a sacrifice where the entire animal was burned on the altar. With this type of sacrifice, the offerer is saying they were completely submitting themselves to the Lord. We can only wonder what Abraham must have been feeling. It had taken a hundred years for him to have a son born to him by Sarah. And this son was to be the promised son which would give Abraham descendants like the stars in the sky. This is the son through which his descendants would possess the Promised Land. We don’t know what Abraham thought but we do know what he did next.

Our second point this morning is OBEDIENCE and is found in verses 3-10. This is what God’s word says, “Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”

The first thing we notice is that “early the next morning,” Abraham got up and prepared to do what God had commanded him. We have seen a couple times as we have studied the life of Abraham that he gets up “early the next morning.” In chapter 19, he gets up “early the next morning” to see if Sodom had been destroyed or not. In chapter 21, he gets up “early the next morning” to send Hagar and Ishmael into to the wilderness. Here Abraham gets up “early the next morning” to set out to sacrifice his son as the Lord commanded. “Early the next morning” means he was resolute, he was decided and his obedience was prompt. His mind was made up that he was going to obey God no matter what. He was going to trust God no matter the outcome.

Next we notice Abraham preparing for the trip. He saddles the donkey, gets the servants and Isaac together and he cuts the wood for the burnt offering. Most commentators feel the order in which he prepared to leave shows a hesitation especially the cutting of the wood for the burnt offering. Normally, if you were traveling to make a sacrifice, you would chop the wood once you got to your destination. You also wouldn’t want to carry all that excessive weight on the journey. But it is also possible that Abraham didn’t want to cut the wood once he got there because any hesitation on that end could cause him to change his mind. I believe everything Abraham did was part of God’s sovereign plan and we will see that later in the story. Next we notice that the journey took three days. Imagine what that must have been like for Abraham. To walk side by side with his only son knowing that when they get to their destination he was going to sacrifice him as a burnt offering. This was God taking Abraham’s timid faith, making it a tested faith, so that it would become a triumphant faith (BIG IDEA).

As they come close to the place God told him to go, Abraham does and says some things that probably seemed strange. He tells his servants to stay with the donkey. He tells them he and Isaac are going to go worship and then “we” will come back to you. He takes the wood that was on the donkey and placed it on Isaac. Again, this begs some questions. Why did he tell the servants to stay back? Why did he say that both of them would return to them after worshipping? Why did he take the wood off the donkey and make Isaac carry it? Maybe he didn’t want to have to worry about the servants trying to stop him from sacrificing Isaac. Maybe he was trying to deceive the servants and Isaac by saying they both would return. Or maybe his faith was so strong that he knew even if he sacrificed Isaac on that mountain God would be able to raise him from the dead and both of them would return to the servants? This is what the writer of Hebrews believed in Hebrews 11:17-19. “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.”

We can see Isaac as a type of Christ in this story. Isaac carrying the wood may be seen as the equivalent to Jesus carrying his cross. Or at the very least a picture of Jesus carrying the weight of our sin to the cross. So with the wood being carried by Isaac and Abraham carrying the fire and the knife it says they “went on together.” Again, we can only imagine what is going through Abraham mind as he walks side by side with Isaac. They probably walked in silence most of the way, Abraham thinking about what is to come. Isaac finally asked his father where the lamb was for the burnt offering. Abraham answers his son that God will provide it. And we are again told again they “went on together.” We are reminded with this exchange between “father” and “son” that there is a deep affection and love for each other which makes what Abraham is going to do that much harder. We are also reminded of God, the Father, sending Jesus, his son, to the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

When they reached the place God had told him about Abraham again didn’t hesitate; he built the altar, put the wood on it, bound his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar. He then reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. We can notice that it seems Isaac went onto the altar willingly as the burnt offering. Abraham is over 100 years old and Isaac’s a teenager. We have to believe that at some point Isaac must have realized he was to be the offering and could have ran away or overpowered his father and got away. Commentators mention this as a picture of Isaiah 53:7, 10 that talks about Jesus being like a lamb led to slaughter who did not open his mouth and that the Lord made his life an offering for sin. We notice that Isaac exhibits the same qualities of perfection looked for in sacrificial victims. We see why Isaac was seen as a type of Christ.

Our third point this morning is DIVINE PROVISION and is found in verses 11-14. This is what God’s word says, “But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

Abraham is fully submitted to God’s will and is about to plunge the knife into his son. At the last possible moment the Angel the Lord calls Abraham’s name to stay the execution. God’s timing is never early and never late; it is always perfect. We notice that the name “Lord” is now used. The same Lord, who is our savior, father and friend is “the Most High God” holy, sovereign, and creator God. The God who tested Abraham once again shows himself to be the gracious Lord who keeps his promises. The angel calls his name twice because he urgently needed to get Abraham’s attention. Abraham was to not lay a hand on the boy nor do anything to him. The angel’s “now I know” is an admission that the ordeal was a test and a confirmation of Abraham’s depth of loyalty to God. Then the Angel tells us what triumphant faith is. Triumphant faith is a faith that “fears God” and is willing to give up everything (even an only son) in submissive obedience to the Lord. (BIG IDEA) Ross says, “The fear of the Lord is drawing near to the Lord in love, adoration and reverence but never forgets that the Lord is the most High God and shrinks in fear at such an awesome deity.”

Next, we see the truth of Abraham’s words, “God will provide.” He looks up and sees a ram caught in the thicket. Abraham was surprised and recognized this was a miracle from the Lord; one second there was no ram and the next second there it was. God had truly provided the sacrifice for the burnt offering and Abraham sacrifices the ram as a substitute for his son. Then Abraham does something we have seen him do before. He commemorates the place and calls it, Jehovah-Jireh. Jehovah-Jireh has a dual meaning, which are literally, “The Lord Sees” and “The Lord Will Provide.” He is celebrating that God not only saw him but provided for him. I found something interesting which I only would have found by studying God’s Word in context and verse-by-verse. At the end of chapter 21, when Abraham made the treaty with Abimelech, Abraham planted a tamarisk tree to commemorate that place and he calls the Lord, “El Olam” or “the Eternal God.” Abraham was praising the God of the long-term and of the future. In this chapter when Abraham names this place “Jehovah-Jireh” he is celebrating the God of the short-term; the God of the details of our lives. God will “see” to it that even the littlest details of our lives are cared for. We can trust God for the future but we can also trust him for the here and now.

Our last point this morning is DIVINE BLESSING and is found in verses 15-19. This is what God’s word says, “The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba.

The Angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time. This tells us that something important is about to be said. God emphatically reiterates the promises he has already made to Abraham. We can notice some interesting things. One, God swears by himself. This is first and only time in Genesis that God does this. There is no one higher to swear by and it affirmed the promises on the integrity of God’s own name and reputation. Abraham could depend on God to keep his promises; he could take these promises to the bank. Two, the reason for the blessings is because he did not withhold his only son from the Lord. He was willing to give up the promised descendants and the Promised Land that they would inherit. He was willing to give up all worldly things including his son for the Lord.

Abraham’s relationship with God was the most important thing to Him and God would “surely” or “really” bless him. These promises were going to be better than all the others. We see in the earlier promises that Abraham’s descendants were compared to “the stars in the sky” but now they are compared to the “sand on the seashore.” His descendants were now promised to “possess the gates of their enemies” meaning they will conquer their enemies’ cities not merely inherit the land. It is promised that through his descendants “all nations on earth will be blessed.” This implies that the world had already been blessed through Abraham but more blessing is to come through his descendants all because of Abraham’s obedience. Imagine how we could bless the people and the world around us today if we would just be obedient.

Finally, as we come to the end of the passage it says that Abraham returned to his servants and they set off together for Beer-sheba where Abraham stayed. Isaac is not mentioned as returning with them but we can surmise that he did. We have seen this before in Genesis as the most important character is mentioned and the secondary ones are not even though we know they are involved. What the narrator wants us to remember here is that Abraham is the central figure. It was Abraham’s faith that was tested and was found triumphant (BIG IDEA). But we should come away from this story more impressed with God’s faithfulness than with Abraham’s compliance.

There are many things we can take away from this passage. What truths does this passage have for our lives today? What next steps can we take? First, I think each of us should evaluate our faith. Is our faith timid? Has our faith been tested? And has our faith been found triumphant or something less? After evaluation if you determine that you have a timid faith it would be important to ask God to move you toward a triumphant faith. But, know that if you ask for a triumphant faith, then your faith will be tested. That is the process we all must go through to mature spiritually and to take our faith from timid to triumphant. So maybe this next step is for you. My next step is to ask God to move me toward a triumphant faith knowing that my faith will be tested by him.

Next, maybe after evaluating your faith, you can say that you’re faith has been tested and found triumphant. Great!!! But we know from Abraham’s life that we are never too old for testing as God wants to continue to mature us spiritually. As long as we live on this earth there is possibility of testing. God wants our faith to keep on growing and that requires testing. There are also times that our faith may waver as hard testing comes and we may fall back into a timid faith. We must be ready and on guard for all the tests and trials that come our way. We must be resolute and decided (just like Abraham was) in how we are going to react to them when they come. Our reaction must be obedience and a complete trust in the Lord. So maybe this next step may be for you. My next step is to be obedient to and completely trusting in the Lord when testing comes so my faith will continue to be triumphant.

Second, I feel this passage is asking us to dwell on a major question this morning. That question is what is your motivation for being a Christ-follower? Why do you love God? Why do you take up your cross daily and follow him? We are promised so much as we follow Christ. Is it because of the promises that God has given you that you follow and serve Him? I would say that this is a wrong motivation for being a Christ-follower. Look again at Abraham. He had been promised many great things for being in obedience to God. And in the end Abraham was totally ready to give up all those promises. Abraham “feared God” and was totally committed to and submitted to God. God was number one in Abraham’s life; not the promises that he was given and not even the child of promise that was given to him in his old age. In the end, the only motivation that Abraham had for following God was to “get God.” To know God more. To surrender to God more. To fall deeper in love with God more.

Andre Crouch wrote a song called, “If Heaven Was Never Promised To Me.” In it he asks “Is it just for heaven’s gain?” “But if heaven never were promised to me; neither God’s promise to live eternally; it’s been worth just having the Lord in my life – living in a world of darkness he came and brought me the light.” The question is would we be willing to give up eternity in Heaven for God? Would we be willing to follow God if there were nothing in it for us? Would we willing to follow God only for the benefit of living a life loving God with all our heart, minds and souls and loving others? This is what Paul is saying in Philippians 3:7-8. I am reading from the Living Bible translation: “But all these things that I once thought very worthwhile—now I’ve thrown them all away so that I can put my trust and hope in Christ alone. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ. This is the place that we need to be as followers of Christ. Every single day of our lives should be in the pursuit of getting more of Christ. That brings us to the last next step, which is to Spend the rest of my life in the pursuit of knowing Christ better every day.

Now lastly, I don’t want to forget another important part of the passage seen in the title I chose for this sermon, Jehovah-Jireh, “The Lord Will Provide.” First, we all have stories of times and ways that God has provided for us all through our lives. The question is: What do we do when God provides for us? Do we even see or acknowledge it? Do we rejoice and praise him for it? Two, we all may have things coming up in your lives that we need God’s provision to get through it? Maybe you need God to provide physical, spiritual or emotional healing for you or a loved one. Maybe it’s your circumstances. Maybe you need God to provide financially for you and your family? You’re struggling to make ends meet and without God’s provision you don’t know what you will do. Maybe you are dealing with fear and/or anxiety and you need God to provide peace and his presence to quiet those fears and anxieties in your heart. We need to go to God in prayer for his provision for whatever struggles we are going through today.

As the praise team comes forward to lead us in a final song I invite and encourage you to come to the altar this morning. Come rejoicing and praising God for his provision in your life or come praying for the provision you need this morning. Coming to the altar is not a silver bullet. You most definitely can do the same where you are sitting. But what coming to the altar does is allows us to rejoice with you and praise God with you for his provision in your life. It also allows us to pray with and for you for the provision you need from God today. Our final song is called “You Always Provide.” As you sing or listen think about the words. Some of it says, “God, you see us every moment” “You always provide every season of our lives” “You always provide every moment every time.” Powerful words that I hope you will take with you this morning and share with those you come in contact with this week.

March 27, 2022/by Office

The Sent & Scattered Church

8 Marks Of The Church 1 Peter, Acts, Matthew Sunday Morning Stuart Johns Discipleship, Evangelism

8 Marks Of The Church

The Sent & Scattered Church

INTRODUCTION

Urban Legends

Lecture given by Bill Mounce about the Top Ten Myths about Missions

“Another part of our educational task in working with local churches is to realize that many people have myths about the missionary enterprise. I call this lecture, “Dispelling the Top Ten Myths about Missions.” We have many, many faulty ideas about missions that must be separated from our thinking so that we can be better equipped to think appropriately about the great missionary cause.

Unreached means gospel-resistant – many people in the world today who are unreached are unreached, not because they have been offered the gospel and were then resistant to it, but simply because they have never been offered the good news of Jesus Christ. They need to hear the Christian gospel.
Evangelism always leads to church planting – people somehow believe that if we just evangelize – if we just get the word out through radio broadcasts, through the internet, through whatever means – that we will somehow be able to win the world for Christ. . . . I believe that ultimately it takes churches to ultimately spawn other churches.
Missions means going to live in jungles somewhere – we have a tremendous growth in the number of people in the world that are actually living in urban areas. So the mission field today is much more likely to not be a remote jungle area – though we have missionaries who work in those areas – but actually more likely to be in a large urban setting.
The remaining work of missions can be done by national Christians – the idea is that what really needs to be done is to send our money, our checks, and let the national workers do it. If we are talking about a people among whom there are no Christians, or there is no viable church, then we simply are irresponsible if we say, ‘Oh, we’ll let the nationals do it,’ because there are no nationals who can do it.
Missionaries have destroyed cultures – somehow or another assumes that missionaries have gone out, have been a destructive force, and have in many ways been critical of the national, indigenous cultures that are there. What we actually find is missionaries have empowered cultures.
There are no job opportunities in missions – missionary work is probably the most diverse group of people in the world, doing every conceivable professional task, as well as all of the traditional Christian ministry tasks, from preaching, to counseling, church-planting, and so forth. There are many, many job opportunities.
Missions is only for the super spiritual – missionaries are quite ordinary people with quite ordinary tasks that they’re involved in around the world . . . missionaries have problems like everybody else. Missionaries go through difficulties like everybody else. Missionaries get discouraged like everybody else. Missionaries wonder at times whether they really are truly called by God or not, just like anybody else in ministry.
Short-term mission projects are sufficient to fulfill the Great Commission – I believe that short-term missions is a part of a larger strategy of missionary activity. . . . There is not replacement for the difficult, challenging, and sometimes arduous task of language learning and cultural adaptation.
Missionary commitment is mainly about giving money – we have to see that the financial support, though while it’s important, should be seen as a part of the larger commitment to send workers. Jesus says, ‘The harvest is ripe, the laborers are few, therefore, pray the Lord would send out laborers into his harvest.’
Hearing the Gospel is the same as being reached by the gospel – because someone can hear the gospel does not mean that they have been reached by the gospel.

[https://www.biblicaltraining.org/transcriptions/lecture-9-top-ten-myths-about-missions]

There are many common myths about the church that are misguided at best and dangerous at worst.

BODY

Myth
- You can gather as a church without going as a church and be a healthy church
- This myth, if believed, can be dangerous because:
  - - It gives a local church the false sense of security that they can holistically be the church without being with people who are not yet part of the church
    - It gives the church a distorted view of the heart of Jesus, who desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth
- We know this is a myth because Jesus said a clear mark of a healthy church would be a church filled with people who want to tell people outside the church about Him

Let’s pray

GOD
- MARK: The Sent & Scattered Church
  - - The Sent & Scattered Church and the Teaching of Jesus (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20)
      - Acts 1:8
        Background
        Luke reminds Theophilus that he wrote about, in his former book (Gospel of Luke), all that Jesus began to do and to teach until He was taken up to heaven
        Luke tells Theophilus that Jesus appeared to His apostles and disciples over a 40 day period, speaking about the kingdom of God and giving them commands
        When they were meeting together with Jesus, they asked Him when he was going to restore the kingdom to Israel
        This question probably arises from what Jesus tells them in Matthew 28:18, that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him
        If Jesus had all authority, then surely He would be able to restore the kingdom to Israel
        They were thinking about shedding Roman rule
        Jesus was not talking about an earthly kingdom, but about a spiritual kingdom
        Jesus told them that they were not to know the times or dates that God has set for that to take place
        He wanted them to focus on spreading the Gospel (spiritual), instead of when the kingdom would be restored (physical/earthly)
        They had work to do, prior to God’s kingdom being restored on earth
        Then we see Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8
        Power
        The Greek word for power is dynamis
        “The Greek word dynamis entered the English language when the Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Bernhard Nobel (1833–96) made the discovery that became his fortune. He discovered a power stronger than anything the world had known up to that time. He asked a friend of his who was a Greek scholar what the word for ‘explosive power’ was in Greek. His friend answered, ‘Dynamis.’
        
        Nobel said, ‘Well, I am going to call my discovery by that name.’ So he called his explosive power ‘dynamite.’” [James Montgomery Boice, Acts, vol. 20 of Boice Expositional Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1997), 25.]
        They apostles were going to have power from the Holy Spirit to do several things:
        To know and truth of the Gospel and preach it with boldness
        The ability to speak other languages that they did not already know
        The ability to do miracles as proof of their commissioning
        The ability to endure many trials
        The power of the Holy Spirit would enable them to be Jesus’ witnesses
        Witnesses

- - - - The Greek word for “witness” is martys (mar’-toos)
        We get our English word for martyr from this Greek word
        In the historical sense the Greek word simply means, “one who testifies for one” or “to be a witness for one, serve him by testimony” [https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3144/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/]
        That is how it is used in Acts 1:8
        In an ethical sense it has the meaning that we associate with it in the English language – someone who gives their life as proof of the strength and genuineness of their faith – a martyr
        “. . . while some of God’s people have a calling to evangelism (Eph. 4:11), all of God’s people are expected to be witnesses and tell the lost about the Savior.” [Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Dynamic, BE Series Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010), 23.]
        “Every believer should be a ‘world Christian,’ able to function for the Savior from the other side of the street to the other side of the world.” [Kenneth O. Gangel, Acts, ed. Max Anders, vol. 5 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 1998), 10.]

- - - - Ever larger circles/outreach
        The apostles are to start in Jerusalem, then move to Judea and Samaria, and eventually to the ends of the earth
        The book of Acts really outlines this increasing outreach
        Acts 1-7 (Jerusalem)
        Acts 8-9 (Judea and Samaria)
        Acts 10-28 (ends of the earth)
        Judea & Samaria
        Acts 8:1, On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (NIV)
        Acts 8:4-5, 14, Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there . . . When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. (NIV)
        Ends of the earth
        Paul’s missionary journeys took the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the known world
        “The uttermost parts of the earth have been given to the Saviour, (Psa. 2:8) and churches should not rest until He whose right it is shall come and reign, Ezek. 21:27.” [Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Accordance electronic ed. (Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2006), paragraph 9119.]

- - - - Jesus encouraged His apostles to wait for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and then to spread the Gospel in ever larger circles
        In Matthew 28, He tells them what the Gospel outreach should look like

- - - - Matthew 28:19-20
        Therefore
        What is the therefore, there for?
        It points back to what Jesus just said
        “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
        Because all authority has been given to Jesus, He is commanding them to make disciples
        Make disciples
        This is the only command in these verses and it is an imperative
        Disciples
        “Being a disciple meant more than being a convert or a church member. Apprentice might be an equivalent term. A disciple attached himself to a teacher, identified with him, learned from him, and lived with him. He learned, not simply by listening, but also by doing.” [Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Loyal, BE Series Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010), 269.]
        “At the heart of our mission is the reproduction in others of what Jesus has produced in us: faith, obedience, growth, authority, compassion, love, and a bold, truthful message as his witnesses. They were learners commanded to produce more learners.” [Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, ed. Max Anders, vol. 1 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2000), 484.]
        What is a disciple of Jesus Christ then? It is someone who: [Wiersbe, 269]
        Has believed on Jesus
        Has been baptized as an expression of their faith
        Is connected with a body of believers where they are learning God’s Word (truths of the faith)
        Is then able to go out and win others and teach them
        “How much faster our churches would grow, and how much stronger and happier our church members would be, if each one were discipling another believer.” [Wiersbe, 270.]
        As disciples of Jesus Christ, that begs the question, who am I discipling?
        It also begs the question, whom am I being discipled by?
        We are learners who are commanded to make more learners
        This model of disciples making disciples is part of revitalizing and strengthening the church
        Every one of us can share what God is teaching us through our own personal devotional time
        There are three participles that help us understand the imperative command of making disciples
        Going (aorist passive)
        It can mean “while you are going” or “when you have gone”
        It is an ongoing action, not a one-time thing
        “The point is that we believers are active; we are not inert. Going means crossing boundaries to make disciples—going across the street, going to dinner with an unbelieving friend, going into the inner city, going beyond one’s comfort zone to make the gospel accessible to the lost.” [Weber, 484-485.]
        Baptizing (present active)
        In the present tense and active voice, it means an ongoing process – as individuals believe on Jesus for salvation, they are to be baptized
        Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision
        Baptism does not save you, it is an expression, publicly, that you are saved – that you are adopting and receiving the system of religion that is Christianity
        “So to be baptized in the name of the Father, etc., means publicly, by a significant rite, to receive the system of religion, to bind the soul to obey his laws; to be devoted to him; to receive, as the guide and comforter of the life, his system of religion; to obey his laws, and trust to his promises. To be baptized unto the Son, in like manner, is to receive him as the Messiah—our Prophet, Priest, and King; to submit to his laws, and to receive him as the Saviour of the soul. To be baptized unto the Holy Ghost is to receive him publicly as the Sanctifier, Comforter, and Guide of the soul.” [Barnes, paragraph 3272.]
        Teaching (present active)
        The present tense and active voice again mean ongoing teaching – “keep on teaching them”
        “By fulfilling the teaching portion of the Great Commission, we take believers at every stage of spiritual maturity to the next stage of growth.” [Weber, 486.]
        With you always
        Jesus tells us that He will be with us always as we accomplish His Great Commission
        This fact of His presence with us is something that will last until He returns
      - Jesus teaches us that we have the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to make disciples in every part the world until He returns
    - The Sent & Scattered Church and the Teaching of the Early Church (Acts 2:42-47)

- - - - Background
        We have been looking at Acts 2 quite a bit as it pertains to the teaching of the early church and the 8 marks of the church
        This was the establishment of the early church, so it very important for us to study
        We see in Acts 2:42-47 the apostles doing just what Jesus had commanded them to do, beginning in Jerusalem
        They were making disciples of all nations, especially in Jerusalem – remember, people from all over the known world were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks (one of three major annual feasts for the Jews)
        Three thousand had already been added to their number after Peter spoke at Pentecost
        We see the fellowship of the believers in Acts 2:42-47
      - Fellowship of the believers
        Devoted to
        Apostles’ teaching
        Fellowship (agape meals)
        Breaking of bread (communion)
        Prayer
        Miraculous signs were done by the apostles by the power of the Holy Spirit
        Everything in common
        They were spending time together – lots of time together
        They were selling their possessions and goods
        They used the proceeds from those sales to provide for the needs of one another
        Daily commitment
        Met together in the temple courts for teaching
        They shared meals together in their homes with joy
        They praised God!
        Enjoyed each other’s company
        Growth happened
        The Lord added to their number daily
        Notice that the work of salvation is the Lord’s work
        The Apostles were faithful to preach and teach the Word of God, the Holy Spirit did the work in the hearts and minds of unbelievers, and Jesus provided salvation
        “A healthy Christian community attracts people to Christ. The Jerusalem church’s zeal for worship and brotherly love was contagious. A healthy, loving church will grow in numbers. What are you doing to make your church the kind of place that will attract others to Christ?” [NIV Life Application Bible, footnote for Acts 2:47]
        “Instead of a humble and subdued group of Christians praying quietly in an upper room, we now have over three thousand people all over the city praising, praying, and witnessing for Jesus. The early church was a healthy church, a veritable model of what congregations can be in our day when they take seriously the biblical qualifications of what it means to be the church.” [Kenneth O. Gangel, Acts, ed. Max Anders, vol. 5 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 1998), 32.]
      - The early church modeled what Jesus had taught

- - - The Sent & Scattered Church and the Teaching of the Apostles (1 Peter 2:12)
      - Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (NIV)
      - “Peter’s readers were scattered among unbelieving Gentiles who were inclined to believe and spread vicious lies about Christians.” [NIV Life Application Bible, footnote for 1 Peter 2:12]
      - As disciples of Jesus Christ, our actions are just as powerful and important as our words (preaching/teaching)
    - We not only see this mark proclaimed to us through teaching, but also through a picture
- METAPHOR: The Light Of The World (Matthew 5:13-16)

- - - Living in the world
      - Jesus uses two word pictures to help us understand our role as His disciples in this world
      - Salt
        Three purposes of salt
        Preservation
        In the ancient world they used salt to preserve food, especially meat (it kept it from getting rotten)
        “Just as salt prevents or kills bacteria in food, the kingdom servant prevents or confronts corruption in the world.” [Weber, Matthew, 61.]
        Flavor
        Colossians 4:5-6, Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
        “‘Seasoned with salt’ means that what we say should be ‘tasty’ and should encourage further dialogue.” [NIV Life Application Bible, footnote for Colossians 4:6]
        Thirst – do we make anyone thirsty for Jesus Christ?
        Jesus also used the word picture of light
      - Light
        We are already the light of the world through Jesus Christ; it is not something we have to become [Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, 62.]
        The city on a hill and the lamp on a lamp stand were for the purpose of being seen and providing a point of focus
        As disciples of Jesus Christ we need to be seen as we reflect the light of Jesus to our world
        “The function of light is to make reality or truth visible, thereby giving direction and guidance by what is seen.” [Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, 62.]
        “Let your holy life, your pure conversation, and your faithful instruction, be everywhere seen and known, always, in all societies, in all business, at home and abroad, in prosperity and adversity, let it be seen that you are real Christians.” [Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Accordance electronic ed. (Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2006), paragraph 596.]
    - The metaphor shows us that we are to be sent and scattered, seen and not hidden, so that the world might see our good works and praise our Father in heaven
    - So, how does this apply to our lives?
- APPLICATION (how will we know if this mark of The Church marks Our Church?)
  - - We will go to them through God’s great mandate (Mark 16:15-16)

- - - - He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (NIV)
      - We are called to scatter throughout our communities, our state, our nation, and our world to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone
    - We will love them through God’s great commandment (Matthew 22:39)
      - And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (NIV)
      - This goes well with our theme for 2022, “Love One Another”
    - We will share with them God’s great exchange (2 Corinthians 5:21)
      - God made him who had not sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)
      - This is what we are to witness to others about concerning Jesus and the Gospel
      - Jesus came down from heaven, grew up to be a man, lived a perfect life, and willingly died on a cross to take our punishment for sin
      - Our right standing before God is through the blood of Jesus Christ
      - [Share the Gospel]
    - We will disciple them through God’s great commission (Matthew 28:19-20)
      - Read Matthew 28:19-20
    - Our desire is to have a church filled with people who want to tell people outside the church about Him

- Idaville Member Survey from RESTOR Renewal Ministries
  - - There was one of the five survey questions that were in the top fifteen of the least difficult for us as a church
      - “Our church consistently teaches on evangelism, outreach and missions.” (13 out of 15)
        We definitely strive to teach on evangelism, outreach and missions
        It is encouraging to know that you all feel like we are doing that
      - That was the least difficult for us, but how about the most difficult?
    - One of the remaining four questions was in the top 10 of most difficult for us
      - “The people in our church know and understand our church’s plan for reaching the people in our community and the world.” (8 out of 10)
        I know that some people struggled with questions like this, because they felt like they didn’t know what other people in the church were thinking
        Our model for quite a few years now has been three-fold (perhaps it just was not communicated enough)
        Locally – we are always serving locally (food pantries, other service projects, etc.)
        Domestically – we try to do a domestic mission trip every other year
        Globally – we try to plan an international mission trip every other year
      - That leaves three final questions
    - The three remaining questions fell in the middle
      - “The mission of our church is clearly in line with the mission of God in the world.”
        Mission – Pursue, Grow, and Multiply Disciples
        Our mission statement comes directly from Matthew 28:19-20
        That should be mission statement of every church
      - “Our church consistently encourages the members of our church to engage in evangelism, outreach and missions.”
        We provide opportunities locally, domestically, and globally
        One of the goals for this year is to create a team that will intentionally and actively share the Gospel in our community
        The Revival on the Farm is coming this summer (June 5-8, 2022) and each church, that is participating, will be doing prayer walks through their community to pray for and invite individuals to attend the revival services
        This will be an incredible opportunity for all of us to engage in evangelism, outreach and missions
      - “Our church consistently provides opportunities to participate and grow in evangelism, outreach and missions.”
        This is closely connected to the previous survey question
        We are providing some opportunities, but we would also like to provide additional opportunities to consistently be in our community with the specific goal of sharing the Gospel
    - What are our next steps?
- Next Steps
  - - Discipleship
      - Who are you discipling?
      - Who is discipling you?
      - The amazing thing about discipleship is that both people learn from one another, so while you are discipling someone you are also being discipled by them
      - My Next Step Today Is To: Begin a discipleship relationship with one other person.
      - The best model for this is to be in a discipling relationship with someone of the same gender (male-to-male; female-to-female)
      - Let’s see how God will use this to grow His church and bring joy and happiness to everyone
    - Fellowship of the believers
      - We saw in Acts 2:42-47 that the early church was devoted to several things including fellowship
      - They enjoyed each other’s company, they shared everything, they took care of one another – their hearts were glad and sincere
      - They were praising, praying, and witnessing for Jesus
      - Their zeal and brotherly love were contagious and the result was a healthy growing church
      - My Next Step Today Is To: Examine my zeal and brotherly love for Idaville Church, so we will be a church that attracts others to Christ.
    - Sent & Scattered
      - We are working towards creating a Gospel Team that will consistently and actively share the Gospel in our community
      - We are also planning prayer walks for the Revival on the Farm
      - We will continue to provide domestic and global mission opportunities
      - These are just a few ways we are encouraging you and providing opportunities for you to be sent and scattered
      - My Next Step Today Is To: Commit to participating in the opportunities provided by Idaville Church to make disciples.

WE
- Vision
  - - Core Values
      - “We are a church that reaches out, spreading God's Word, God's glory, and God's promises to those that do not know Him.”
      - “We are a church who encourages our members to discover, develop, and use their spiritual gifts.”
    - Core Focus
      - Purpose (why we exist): “Pursue, Grow, and Multiply Disciples.”
    - Growth Strategy
      - Three+ Uniques – “Reaching outside our walls (warm/fellowship).”
      - Proven Process:
        “Intentional group to welcome and direct people.”
        “Reinstitute meal teams.”
    - Value Proposition (Promise): “Within 90 days, guests should be comfortable, connected, and committed to Idaville Church.”
- Traction
  - - “Have a Welcome Team established and functioning.”
    - “Short-term domestic mission trip in 2022.”
    - “Have a 10% increase in the number of individuals serving in missions.”
    - “Have a 10% increase in the pursuit of holiness as evidenced through salvations, baptisms, and accountability.” (annual)
      - “Create a team that will intentionally and actively share the Gospel in our community.” (quarterly)
      - “Plan specific dates, times, and locations to have the Gospel Team in the community.” (quarterly)

CONCLUSION

“Robert Bellah, a sociologist who teaches at the University of California at Berkeley, is very interested in the influence of religion on the community. In an interview in Psychology Today he said, "We should not underestimate the significance of the small group of people who have a new vision of a just and gentle world. The quality of a culture may be changed when 2 percent of its people have a new vision."

There are many more than 2 percent Christians in your country and mine. Then why aren't we having more effect? Why aren't we having more influence? I pray that God will call you to permeate non-Christian society for Christ, to take your stand there uncompromisingly with the value system and moral standards of Jesus.”

Source: John Stott, "Christians: Salt and Light," Preaching Today, Tape No. 109.

[https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/1996/december/432.html]

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