July 27, 2008 -- "Family"
“A Pillow Unlike Any Other”
Isaac and Rebekah tried to have children, without success, for 19 years. Isaac prayed fervently during that time, and his request was finally granted. At the age of 60, Isaac became a dad – not of a single son but of twin boys. But trouble was brewing even before the births. Their twins, Esau and Isaac, fought in the womb – so much so that Rebekah asked God, “Why is this happening to me?” (Gen. 25:22). God’s reply: “you have two nations in your womb; they shall be divided; one will be stronger than the other, and the eldest will serve the youngest” (25:23). Esau emerged first, Jacob right behind him holding firmly onto his heel.
Isaac and Rebekah did not help matters, as they each had their favorite – Esau was favored by Isaac – Jacob by Rebekah. It was not hard to see why. Esau was active, loved the outdoors and was a skilled hunter, and as such, gained an immediate bond with his Father. Isaac was a homebody and a mama’s boy, as such, Rebekah favored him.
Do any of you feel that there was a favorite amongst your siblings? How did that make you feel? Do or did any of you favor one child over another? I imagine that you are well aware of the trouble that may follow. I have a friend who took a different approach. He had two daughters, and he would, from time to time, whisper in ach of their ears, “You’re my favorite.” They turned out pretty good, too.
The story begins to take its prophetic route very quickly. The bible skips their childhood and relates a story of youth. One day Esau came home from the hunt starving. He found his brother in the kitchen cooking soup. Esau asked him for some; Jacob replied, “It’s all yours; just trade me your inheritance.” Esau was so overwhelmed by his hunger that he seemed to fear for his life. He reasoned, “If I die of starvation, what good is my inheritance to me. OK.” Jacob made Esau swear an oath. He did. It was a done deal.
Jacob took unfair advantage of his brother –playing the hunger card in order to manipulate Esau. Jacob was not content to be second. He in effect bargained to become the first born (this was the heart of the jealousy). Esau was more concerned about his immediate gratification than a lifetime of trouble. By the way, later in Israel’s history, it became illegal for the eldest son to sell a birthright to anyone else.
The story is not over yet. Isaac was fading. He realized that he must give his fatherly blessing to his oldest son before he would be too old to do it. This would consummate the role of Esau as family leader. Before the ceremony, he asked his favorite son to hunt down some fresh game and to prepare a dish for his dad. Rebekah overheard. She told Jacob to get two young goats from the family heard. She would prepare a conunterfeit dish and deceive her husband into giving his blessing to the youngest. What a family!
Jacob objected, “But if father touches me he will know that it is I and not Esau, for Esau is a hairy man and I smooth. Then Father will curse me.” Rebekah retored, “Then let the curse be on me. Do as I say.” Jacob went after the goats. Mom prepared the meal, and she tied the goat skins onto Jacob’s neck and arms.
Jacob went to Isaac dressed in Esau’s clothes, identified himself as Esau, and served his father the meal. Isaac asked him how he was able to get the game so quick. Jacob said, “The Lord your God put it in my path.” That was a stretch of the truth at best! Isaac called him closer, “Are you really my son, Esau?” Isaac touched him and felt his hairy arm, then replied, “You sound like Jacob, but your arm is hairy like Esau.” So, Isaac prepared to bless him, but asked one more time, “Are you really Esau?” Jacob said yes. Lie #2.
Isaac asked for his food and some wine. After he ate and drank, he called Jacob closer and asked him to kiss him. Isaac was going blind, but his sense of smell still worked well. When Jacob drew close, he noticed the smell of Esaus’s clothes which smelled like the outdoors. He was finally convinced and offered Jacob the blessing due Esau.
From the dew of the heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. May many nations become your servants, and may they bow down to you. May you be the master over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed. (27:28-29)
Almost before Jacob left the room, Esau returned from the hunt with wild game. He had prepared the food for his father and went in to serve him saying, “Father, sit up. Here is the food you asked for. I am ready for your blessing.” Isaac asked him, “Who are you?” Esau responded, “It is I, your first born, your son Esau.” Isaac began to shake uncontrollably. He must have been barely able to speak, “Then who just served me the food? I have already eaten it, and I blessed him before you came in. The blessing must stand.”
Esau uttered a loud and bitter cry. You can hear the anguish in the words, “Oh Father, what about me? Bless me, too!”
Isaac, no doubt with much sadness replied, “Your brother was here. He tricked me. He has taken away your blessing.” Esau pleaded, “Don’t you have even one blessing for me, Father? Just one?” Esau, a broken man, wept.
Finally, Isaac spoke:
You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. You will live by the sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck. (27:39-40)
From that time on, the Bible says, Esau hated his brother Jacob. He began to plot his brother’s death. Rebekah got wind of Esau’s plans and decided that Jacob should go to live with her brother Laban. She figured that she could send for Jacob once Esau cooled off. Rebekah, knowing that Isaac must approve, Rebekah complained bitterly about the local non-Israelite women. Isaac called Jacob, blessed him again, and sent him to his Uncle Laban’s to find a wife.
Esau heard the news. He found out that his father did not approve of the local ladies, some of whom Esau had already married. So, in what must have been an attempt to gain his Father’s favor, he visited his Uncle Ishmael and married one of his daughters. Ishmael was Abraham’s first son, born of Sarah’s handmaid Hagar. Isaac was Abraham’s second son, born of his wife Sarah. The Muslim people descend from Ishmael. Esau, married Ishmael’s daughter. The family feud goes back millennia and is still being fought today.
This infamous background brings us up to today’s passage.
Genesis 28:10-19a
Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
And the LORD stood beside him and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring.
Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!" And he was afraid, and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."
So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel;
What does this story tell us? First and foremost: prayer matters! Isaac spent 19 years committed in prayer for a legacy, backed by the promise to his Father that his descendants would be great. Let’s remind ourselves what prayer is; it is an intimate conversation with God that draws us close to our Maker. It changes things – primarily us!
Second, God always comes through! God always keeps His promises! God can not be outdone. His purpose will be fulfilled. His promises are everlasting. What God says, God will do. Here are some great promises in the Holy Bible:
1. God has promised to supply every need we have. The Bible says: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Phillipians 4:19. Now notice, God has obligated Himself only to the extent of our needs. That would include food, clothing, shelter, companionship, love, and salvation thru Jesus Christ. It would not include the multiplicity of luxuries that we have come to think of as needs.
2. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us. (II Corinthians 12:9).
3. God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation. Instead, He assures us that a way of escape will be provided. This promise is recorded in I Corinthians 10:13.
4. God has promised us victory over death. God has promised us that if we trust in Christ Jesus, we will be saved and live forever in heaven.
5. God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). It is better to live in the promises of God than to have the very best material pleasure. Every earthly pleasure is momentary. God’s promises are eternal. Jacob learned this the hard way. He almost died an early death because of it. God offered Jacob a restart. God does the same for us.
Jacob marked the fresh start with a pillow unlike any other. He stood the rock that was his pillow on end, poured oil upon it, and named the place House of God, changing its name, for it was called Luz. The rock became a memorial – commemorating that place where his life changed. He even pledged to make that place a permanent place for worshiping God. He also agreed to present to God 10% of everything he gave him.
What about you? Do you need a fresh start today? Set up your stone. Mark the day as a day of new beginning. God is great in providing such occasions. Don’t miss them. Every Sunday is such a day. Build your altar. Take advantage of this altar. Come and worship. Give God your past. Give him your hurts and fears. Let him give you a fresh start.
Third, human weaknesses help prove the power of God! Divine will, not human ability, is responsible for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. This theme plays over again and again in the Bible. That is good news, you see, because we are all intended to be vessels of God – no matter how pitiful we may be! God is great, and that is lesson number 1.
Fourth: Jealousy brings a whole pack of trouble with it. Isaac and Rebkah were jealous for attention because they both put their children first even before the nurture of their marriage. By picking favorites, Isaac and Rebekah further alienated themselves with each other and even alienated their children. Jealousy drove Jacob to cheat and lie and Esau to plan a murder.
Fifth: Sin can be handed down from one generation to the next. Great efforts are needed in identifying it and eradicating it!
Isaac must have heard about his brother Ishmael and the complaints of his mother about him and Hagar. He must have felt the hurt this father felt over the son he sent away. Somewhere along the line, Isaac learned that looking out for himself was number one. He told a lie about his wife Rebekah, calling her his sister, in order to protect himself from men whom he feared would kill him to take his wife. Rebekah had great beauty. Isaac was afraid that her beauty would cost him his life. Jacob was not the strong, protective type, it would seem. I can’t help but wonder if Rebekah ever forgave his lack of concern for her. Maybe this even fueld her dinner deception. In addition, naming his wife his sister almost created a situation where Rebekah was taken by another man to be his wife. That would have created dishonor for both Rebekah and her suitor. Those events must have haunted Isaac and Rebekah’s relationship for years. When the boys came along, things may not have been all that good between Mom and Dad. Little wonder then, that the boys were more than a handful.
Last, parents, find a way to bless all of your children equally. There are some blessings even better than physical ones: leading your child to Christ (my Dad led me to Christ), honor their mother or father, be as impartial as possible, check your critical spirit at the door, and, just be there!
God is there for us! God supports us in the comfort of His pillow – a pillow unlike any other!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008 "Hope"
SCRIPTURE Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
13:24 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field;
13:25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away.
13:26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.
13:27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?'
13:28 He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?'
13:29 But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them.
13:30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"
13:36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."
13:37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man;
13:38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one,
13:39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
13:40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
13:41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers,
13:42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
“Good Morning, Sunshine!”
Good morning, folks! We are fresh back from vacation. It is so good to be back with you all. We have seen the world these last 2 weeks – Wheeling, Weirton and Berlin! No, not Berlin, Germany – Berlin, Ohio. The heart of Amish country. Susan and I used the wonderful gift certificate that you gave us to stay at the Amish Inn in Wilmot. Here is a bit of Amish humor for you:
While driving in Ohio, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.
The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... 'Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.' (thanks to Mickey Nardella for this one)
Let’s look out for the exhaust that characterizes so much of life. Perhaps today’s message will help. It is entitled, “Good morning, Sunshine.” Tell me, what is the first thing that you think of when you get up in the morning? Let’s check with our studio audience [interview various people in the congregation.]
You know, there are two kinds of people in this world: those who wake up and say, “Good, Lord, it’s morning” or “Good Lord, it’s morning.”
Each morning is an opportunity for hope to be renewed. It all depends on your mindset. You can get up and say, “Good Lord,” and lament the day, or you can get up and say, “Good, Lord,” another chance to serve you – another chance to make a difference, another chance to spread HOPE – something that people are desperate to have.
From Parade magazine comes the story of self-made millionaire Eugene Land, who greatly changed the lives of a sixth-grade class in East Harlem. Mr. Lang had been asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth-graders. What could he say to inspire these students, most of whom would drop out of school? He wondered how he could get these predominantly black and Puerto Rican children even to look at him. Scrapping his notes, he decided to speak to them from his heart. "Stay in school," he admonished, "and I'll help pay the college tuition for every one of you." At that moment the lives of these students changed. For the first time they had hope. Said one student, "I had something to look forward to, something waiting for me. It was a golden feeling." Nearly 90 percent of that class went on to graduate from high school. Parade Magazine. We all need something to look forward to. We need reminders that there is hope in this world. In the midst of all of life's troubles and failures, We need to remember that is God is still in control.
Our vision statement speaks to this. Our vision, the picture that God wants us to live into, is a community of hope offering hope to the community and beyond. Let’s dig deeper into this parable to find out more about hope.
Jesus told this story and then interpreted the story for his closest disciples. The sower of the good seed was the Son of Man. The Son of Man was a title Jesus used in referring to himself. The field where the seed was sowed was the world. And the good seed were the children of the kingdom. The children of the kingdom are not just good people, not just church people, but the truly saved – those who have given their hearts to Jesus Christ!
The weeds are the children of the evil one. The evil one is the devil himself, that crafty creature who has been tempting the children of God since the Garden. The Harvest is the end of the time, and the repears are the angels. Just as the weeds of the field were collected and burned in Jesus day, so will the weeds – the sons and daughters of evil, be collected at the end of time and punished by everlasting fire. The righteous – those made right by the blood of the lamb – will then shine like the sun in heaven – a morning to end all mornings – “Good morning, sunshine.”
This story raises at least one question in my mind – why does God allow the weeds and the wheat to grow together? The presence of evil creates constant trouble for all the children of the kingdom. Why does God allow that – why does God allow even the worse of suffering. This story provides the answer. If God removed the weeds, there would be danger in also removing the wheat. Weeds and wheat would both be uprooted, which means, among other things, that the wheat would not grow. Weeds challenge the wheat to grow. We are here on planet earth to grow into children of the kingdom.
Even the worse of weeds can bring out the glory of God in wheat. It is often in our darkest times that God makes His presence known most clearly. He uses our sufferings and troubles to show us that He is our only source of strength. And when we see this truth, we receive new hope.
Besides, we don’t get to pick our brand of suffering. Remember, we are not just wheat – we are also the clay. And who is the potter? God. The pot doesn’t get to direct the work of the potter. The very bottom line is that we live, we die, we grow, we hurt, we speak and we pray to the glory of God.
At the same time, the weeds are allowed to grow with the wheat as a benefit to the weeds. The wheat may convert a weed to the way! Friends, there are many weeds in Staley – many weeds in the world – but there are also many wheat! The greatest way to affect a weed is to pray for him or her. The second greatest way to affect a weed is to walk the walk. We don’t need more talkers. We need more walkers! Let me say that again. We don’t need more talkers. We need more walkers. When I was going to Elementary School in Weirton, at good ole Cove School, I was a walker. I think it was about a half of a mile to school. One of the good things about being a walker was you got to leave first when school was over – even before the bussed kids. We tore out of there pretty fast. Those who truly walk the walk of the Christian life will be ushered into the kingdom of heaven. I think that they will be first in line! We need folk who will walk the walk of the Christian life – come heck or high water! It is an issue of faith – faith in Christ and faith in the future.
One night at dinner a man, who had spent many summers in Maine, fascinated his companions by telling of his experiences in a little town named Flagstaff. The town was to be flooded, as part of a large lake for which a dam was being built. In the months before it was to be flooded, all improvements and repairs in the whole town were stopped. What was the use of painting a house if it were to be covered with water in six months? Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the whole town became more and more bedraggled, more gone to seed, more woebegone. Then he added by way of explanation: "Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present." Halford E. Luccock, Unfinished Business.
We have the power – right now – today – thanks to Jesus - the power to right wrongs, the power to be somebody that makes God proud. We need a bucket list – of things that we want to accomplish for God’s sake. Take a good hard look at who you and where you are going. If you are saved, and your hope is in heaven, before you get there, do something great for God – something that couldn’t be done if God weren’t in it. Because the only thing better than going to heaven is taking someone with you. Let us pray!
SCRIPTURE Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
13:24 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field;
13:25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away.
13:26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.
13:27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?'
13:28 He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?'
13:29 But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them.
13:30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"
13:36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."
13:37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man;
13:38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one,
13:39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
13:40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
13:41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers,
13:42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
“Good Morning, Sunshine!”
Good morning, folks! We are fresh back from vacation. It is so good to be back with you all. We have seen the world these last 2 weeks – Wheeling, Weirton and Berlin! No, not Berlin, Germany – Berlin, Ohio. The heart of Amish country. Susan and I used the wonderful gift certificate that you gave us to stay at the Amish Inn in Wilmot. Here is a bit of Amish humor for you:
While driving in Ohio, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.
The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... 'Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.' (thanks to Mickey Nardella for this one)
Let’s look out for the exhaust that characterizes so much of life. Perhaps today’s message will help. It is entitled, “Good morning, Sunshine.” Tell me, what is the first thing that you think of when you get up in the morning? Let’s check with our studio audience [interview various people in the congregation.]
You know, there are two kinds of people in this world: those who wake up and say, “Good, Lord, it’s morning” or “Good Lord, it’s morning.”
Each morning is an opportunity for hope to be renewed. It all depends on your mindset. You can get up and say, “Good Lord,” and lament the day, or you can get up and say, “Good, Lord,” another chance to serve you – another chance to make a difference, another chance to spread HOPE – something that people are desperate to have.
From Parade magazine comes the story of self-made millionaire Eugene Land, who greatly changed the lives of a sixth-grade class in East Harlem. Mr. Lang had been asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth-graders. What could he say to inspire these students, most of whom would drop out of school? He wondered how he could get these predominantly black and Puerto Rican children even to look at him. Scrapping his notes, he decided to speak to them from his heart. "Stay in school," he admonished, "and I'll help pay the college tuition for every one of you." At that moment the lives of these students changed. For the first time they had hope. Said one student, "I had something to look forward to, something waiting for me. It was a golden feeling." Nearly 90 percent of that class went on to graduate from high school. Parade Magazine. We all need something to look forward to. We need reminders that there is hope in this world. In the midst of all of life's troubles and failures, We need to remember that is God is still in control.
Our vision statement speaks to this. Our vision, the picture that God wants us to live into, is a community of hope offering hope to the community and beyond. Let’s dig deeper into this parable to find out more about hope.
Jesus told this story and then interpreted the story for his closest disciples. The sower of the good seed was the Son of Man. The Son of Man was a title Jesus used in referring to himself. The field where the seed was sowed was the world. And the good seed were the children of the kingdom. The children of the kingdom are not just good people, not just church people, but the truly saved – those who have given their hearts to Jesus Christ!
The weeds are the children of the evil one. The evil one is the devil himself, that crafty creature who has been tempting the children of God since the Garden. The Harvest is the end of the time, and the repears are the angels. Just as the weeds of the field were collected and burned in Jesus day, so will the weeds – the sons and daughters of evil, be collected at the end of time and punished by everlasting fire. The righteous – those made right by the blood of the lamb – will then shine like the sun in heaven – a morning to end all mornings – “Good morning, sunshine.”
This story raises at least one question in my mind – why does God allow the weeds and the wheat to grow together? The presence of evil creates constant trouble for all the children of the kingdom. Why does God allow that – why does God allow even the worse of suffering. This story provides the answer. If God removed the weeds, there would be danger in also removing the wheat. Weeds and wheat would both be uprooted, which means, among other things, that the wheat would not grow. Weeds challenge the wheat to grow. We are here on planet earth to grow into children of the kingdom.
Even the worse of weeds can bring out the glory of God in wheat. It is often in our darkest times that God makes His presence known most clearly. He uses our sufferings and troubles to show us that He is our only source of strength. And when we see this truth, we receive new hope.
Besides, we don’t get to pick our brand of suffering. Remember, we are not just wheat – we are also the clay. And who is the potter? God. The pot doesn’t get to direct the work of the potter. The very bottom line is that we live, we die, we grow, we hurt, we speak and we pray to the glory of God.
At the same time, the weeds are allowed to grow with the wheat as a benefit to the weeds. The wheat may convert a weed to the way! Friends, there are many weeds in Staley – many weeds in the world – but there are also many wheat! The greatest way to affect a weed is to pray for him or her. The second greatest way to affect a weed is to walk the walk. We don’t need more talkers. We need more walkers! Let me say that again. We don’t need more talkers. We need more walkers. When I was going to Elementary School in Weirton, at good ole Cove School, I was a walker. I think it was about a half of a mile to school. One of the good things about being a walker was you got to leave first when school was over – even before the bussed kids. We tore out of there pretty fast. Those who truly walk the walk of the Christian life will be ushered into the kingdom of heaven. I think that they will be first in line! We need folk who will walk the walk of the Christian life – come heck or high water! It is an issue of faith – faith in Christ and faith in the future.
One night at dinner a man, who had spent many summers in Maine, fascinated his companions by telling of his experiences in a little town named Flagstaff. The town was to be flooded, as part of a large lake for which a dam was being built. In the months before it was to be flooded, all improvements and repairs in the whole town were stopped. What was the use of painting a house if it were to be covered with water in six months? Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the whole town became more and more bedraggled, more gone to seed, more woebegone. Then he added by way of explanation: "Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present." Halford E. Luccock, Unfinished Business.
We have the power – right now – today – thanks to Jesus - the power to right wrongs, the power to be somebody that makes God proud. We need a bucket list – of things that we want to accomplish for God’s sake. Take a good hard look at who you and where you are going. If you are saved, and your hope is in heaven, before you get there, do something great for God – something that couldn’t be done if God weren’t in it. Because the only thing better than going to heaven is taking someone with you. Let us pray!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
"God Sees It Through"
Genesis 22:1-14
The setting is Ohio State University about six or seven years ago in a huge lecture hall (approximately 1000 students) for a Calculus final.
Apparently this particular calculus teacher wasn't very well liked. He was one of those guys who would stand at the front of the class and yell out how much time was remaining before the end of a test, a real charmer. Since he was so busy gallivanting around the room making sure that nobody cheated and that everyone was aware of how much time they had left before their failure on the test was complete, he had the students stack the completed tests on the huge podium at the front of the room. This made for quite a mess, remember there were 1000 students in the class.
During this particular final, one guy entered the test needing a decent grade to pass the class. His only problem with Calculus was that he did poorly when rushed, and this guy standing in the front of the room barking out how much time was left before the tests had to be handed in didn't help him at all. He figured he wanted to assure himself of a good grade, so he hardly flinched when the professor said "pencils down and submit your scantron sheets and work to piles at the front of the room". Five minutes turned into ten, ten into twenty, twenty into forty...almost an hour after the test was "officially over", our friend finally put down his pencil, gathered up his work, and headed to the front of the hall to submit his final. The whole time, the professor sat at the front of the room, strangely waiting for the student to complete his exam.
"What do you think you're doing?" the professor asked as the student stood in front of him about to put down his exam on one of the neatly stacked piles of exams (the professor had plenty of time to stack the mountain of papers while he waited) It was clear that the professor had waited only to give the student a hard time.
"Turning in my exam," retorted the student confidently. "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you," the professor gloated, "Your exam is an hour late. You've failed it and, consequently, I'll see you next term when you repeat my course."
The student smiled slyly and asked the professor "Do you know who I am?"
"What?" replied the professor gruffly, annoyed that the student showed no sign of emotion.
The student rephrased the question mockingly, "Do you know what my name is?"
"No", snarled the professor.
The student looked the professor dead in the eyes and said slowly, "I didn't think so", as he lifted up one of the stacks half way, shoved his test neatly into the center of the stack, let the stack fall burying his test in the middle, turned around, and walked casually out of the huge lecture hall. Source Unknown. It is pretty safe to assume that his test would turn out ok. We get word right away, in verse one of today’s passage, that there is going to be a test – the kind of test that seems doomed to failure.
Without the warning of a coming test, we would be even more appalled as we travel further into this story. This warning helps us to see God’s real purpose here. God was not going to rub Isaac out in some cruel way. God wanted to see about the quality of Abraham’s faith. What is the quality of your faith today? Would it pass a test?
Tests are not uncommon. Hear these words:
(2 Cor 13:5 NIV) Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
(1 Pet 1:6 NRSV) In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials,
(1 Pet 1:7 NRSV) so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
God is interested in the value of our faith – its roots - its sincerity – its progress!
We find that this incident is STILL A COMPLETE SHOCK TO US. There is no lack of getting our attention in this passage. We might say, what kind of father would even listen to such a voice? Abraham was a godly man. He walked very closely with God. He communicated with God on a regular basis – the key ingredient for a strong faith. What do we find him doing the next day after the news. He gets up very early. I imagine that he went off to pray even before he saddled his donkey and cut the wood. He knew God’s voice. He could discern God’s voice from all the other voices that clamored for his attention. He, too, was probably shocked. But he knew that somehow, God would provide, if he remained obedient to God.
God gave Abraham three orders:
TAKE your son, your only son…
What is most precious to you? Indeed, Isaac was the hinge upon which God’s promise of many descendants swung. Isaac was his precious son, flesh of his flesh, and his legacy. Perhaps Abraham only saw Isaac as a means to keep the family name going.
We must never think of people as a means to an end. We must not use them or treat them as objects – as pawns to be manipulated. This defaces the divine image.
What is most precious to you? Have you committed that person or thing to the great will of God. You can only put him, her or it in its proper place when you do.
GO to the region of Moriah
Abraham left Beersheba and headed to Moriah – about the same distance from Jerusalem as if you were traveling from Clarksburg to Buckhannon. It is believed that Solomon’s temple was built on Mt. Moriah, and that the altar of the temple was the exact spot where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac.
Go. Where is God calling you to go? Is it to go to someone and to offer forgiveness? Is it to strike out in a new direction, one that God has been prompting you to do – a new job, a new ministry? Never be afraid that if you Go for God that you will somehow be unhappy or unable. God will see it through. God will provide joy and ability.
SACRIFICE HIM there as a burnt offering
“You can’t be serious!!! My son, my only on, upon whom all my dreams and hopes rest!” That is how I would have reacted. But Abraham went with quiet trust.
No sacrifice for God ever goes unblessed. Abraham’s faith was rewarded. He heard God’s voice. He received his son. He became a great nation.
Abraham names the sacrificial altar “Yahweh Yireh” - literally “The Lord will provide.” No matter what, god will provide. Do you believe this? I do! Will you help me preach this belief? Respond with me. I’ll give you an example, and you tell me God provides. When a spouse leaves – God provides. When a child dies – God provides. When a job is lost – God provides. When someone is made fun of – God provides. When health is called into question – God provides! When we are hurting – God provides! When we are lost – God provides! When our faith is in God – God provides!
You know, we only truly receive our family when we give them up to God. We only truly receive help when we give up that worry to God – whatever it may be. We gain when we give up and let God have His way. It was true then. It is true now.
Clovis Chappell, a minister from a century back, used to tell the story of two paddleboats. They left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side, sailors from one vessel made a few remarks about the snail's pace of the other.
Words were exchanged. Challenges were made. And the race began. Competition became vicious as the two boats roared through the Deep South.
One boat began falling behind. Not enough fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race. As the boat dropped back, an enterprising young sailor took some of the ship's cargo and tossed it into the ovens. When the sailors saw that the supplies burned as well as the coal, they fueled their boat with the material they had been assigned to transport. They ended up winning the race, but burned their cargo.
God has entrusted cargo to us, too: children, spouses, friends, talents, gifts – even money. Our job is to do our part in seeing that this cargo reaches its destination or that it is managed wisely. But if selfishness takes priority over people, people often suffer. How much cargo do we sacrifice in order to achieve the number one slot? How many people never reach the destination because of the aggressiveness of a competitive captain?
Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, pp. 97-98.
So, who’s the captain of your ship?
God wishes to be the captain. God sacrificed his son for that very purpose. Do you perceive such a love? Dock your ship at His dock. Take him aboard, and let him steer your way in every area of your life. God will see you through!
"God Sees It Through"
Genesis 22:1-14
The setting is Ohio State University about six or seven years ago in a huge lecture hall (approximately 1000 students) for a Calculus final.
Apparently this particular calculus teacher wasn't very well liked. He was one of those guys who would stand at the front of the class and yell out how much time was remaining before the end of a test, a real charmer. Since he was so busy gallivanting around the room making sure that nobody cheated and that everyone was aware of how much time they had left before their failure on the test was complete, he had the students stack the completed tests on the huge podium at the front of the room. This made for quite a mess, remember there were 1000 students in the class.
During this particular final, one guy entered the test needing a decent grade to pass the class. His only problem with Calculus was that he did poorly when rushed, and this guy standing in the front of the room barking out how much time was left before the tests had to be handed in didn't help him at all. He figured he wanted to assure himself of a good grade, so he hardly flinched when the professor said "pencils down and submit your scantron sheets and work to piles at the front of the room". Five minutes turned into ten, ten into twenty, twenty into forty...almost an hour after the test was "officially over", our friend finally put down his pencil, gathered up his work, and headed to the front of the hall to submit his final. The whole time, the professor sat at the front of the room, strangely waiting for the student to complete his exam.
"What do you think you're doing?" the professor asked as the student stood in front of him about to put down his exam on one of the neatly stacked piles of exams (the professor had plenty of time to stack the mountain of papers while he waited) It was clear that the professor had waited only to give the student a hard time.
"Turning in my exam," retorted the student confidently. "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you," the professor gloated, "Your exam is an hour late. You've failed it and, consequently, I'll see you next term when you repeat my course."
The student smiled slyly and asked the professor "Do you know who I am?"
"What?" replied the professor gruffly, annoyed that the student showed no sign of emotion.
The student rephrased the question mockingly, "Do you know what my name is?"
"No", snarled the professor.
The student looked the professor dead in the eyes and said slowly, "I didn't think so", as he lifted up one of the stacks half way, shoved his test neatly into the center of the stack, let the stack fall burying his test in the middle, turned around, and walked casually out of the huge lecture hall. Source Unknown. It is pretty safe to assume that his test would turn out ok. We get word right away, in verse one of today’s passage, that there is going to be a test – the kind of test that seems doomed to failure.
Without the warning of a coming test, we would be even more appalled as we travel further into this story. This warning helps us to see God’s real purpose here. God was not going to rub Isaac out in some cruel way. God wanted to see about the quality of Abraham’s faith. What is the quality of your faith today? Would it pass a test?
Tests are not uncommon. Hear these words:
(2 Cor 13:5 NIV) Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
(1 Pet 1:6 NRSV) In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials,
(1 Pet 1:7 NRSV) so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
God is interested in the value of our faith – its roots - its sincerity – its progress!
We find that this incident is STILL A COMPLETE SHOCK TO US. There is no lack of getting our attention in this passage. We might say, what kind of father would even listen to such a voice? Abraham was a godly man. He walked very closely with God. He communicated with God on a regular basis – the key ingredient for a strong faith. What do we find him doing the next day after the news. He gets up very early. I imagine that he went off to pray even before he saddled his donkey and cut the wood. He knew God’s voice. He could discern God’s voice from all the other voices that clamored for his attention. He, too, was probably shocked. But he knew that somehow, God would provide, if he remained obedient to God.
God gave Abraham three orders:
TAKE your son, your only son…
What is most precious to you? Indeed, Isaac was the hinge upon which God’s promise of many descendants swung. Isaac was his precious son, flesh of his flesh, and his legacy. Perhaps Abraham only saw Isaac as a means to keep the family name going.
We must never think of people as a means to an end. We must not use them or treat them as objects – as pawns to be manipulated. This defaces the divine image.
What is most precious to you? Have you committed that person or thing to the great will of God. You can only put him, her or it in its proper place when you do.
GO to the region of Moriah
Abraham left Beersheba and headed to Moriah – about the same distance from Jerusalem as if you were traveling from Clarksburg to Buckhannon. It is believed that Solomon’s temple was built on Mt. Moriah, and that the altar of the temple was the exact spot where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac.
Go. Where is God calling you to go? Is it to go to someone and to offer forgiveness? Is it to strike out in a new direction, one that God has been prompting you to do – a new job, a new ministry? Never be afraid that if you Go for God that you will somehow be unhappy or unable. God will see it through. God will provide joy and ability.
SACRIFICE HIM there as a burnt offering
“You can’t be serious!!! My son, my only on, upon whom all my dreams and hopes rest!” That is how I would have reacted. But Abraham went with quiet trust.
No sacrifice for God ever goes unblessed. Abraham’s faith was rewarded. He heard God’s voice. He received his son. He became a great nation.
Abraham names the sacrificial altar “Yahweh Yireh” - literally “The Lord will provide.” No matter what, god will provide. Do you believe this? I do! Will you help me preach this belief? Respond with me. I’ll give you an example, and you tell me God provides. When a spouse leaves – God provides. When a child dies – God provides. When a job is lost – God provides. When someone is made fun of – God provides. When health is called into question – God provides! When we are hurting – God provides! When we are lost – God provides! When our faith is in God – God provides!
You know, we only truly receive our family when we give them up to God. We only truly receive help when we give up that worry to God – whatever it may be. We gain when we give up and let God have His way. It was true then. It is true now.
Clovis Chappell, a minister from a century back, used to tell the story of two paddleboats. They left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side, sailors from one vessel made a few remarks about the snail's pace of the other.
Words were exchanged. Challenges were made. And the race began. Competition became vicious as the two boats roared through the Deep South.
One boat began falling behind. Not enough fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race. As the boat dropped back, an enterprising young sailor took some of the ship's cargo and tossed it into the ovens. When the sailors saw that the supplies burned as well as the coal, they fueled their boat with the material they had been assigned to transport. They ended up winning the race, but burned their cargo.
God has entrusted cargo to us, too: children, spouses, friends, talents, gifts – even money. Our job is to do our part in seeing that this cargo reaches its destination or that it is managed wisely. But if selfishness takes priority over people, people often suffer. How much cargo do we sacrifice in order to achieve the number one slot? How many people never reach the destination because of the aggressiveness of a competitive captain?
Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, pp. 97-98.
So, who’s the captain of your ship?
God wishes to be the captain. God sacrificed his son for that very purpose. Do you perceive such a love? Dock your ship at His dock. Take him aboard, and let him steer your way in every area of your life. God will see you through!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)