He is Faithful
The Book of Beginnings • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 47:02
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· 205 viewsEven when we find ourselves in a barren land we can rest in His faithfulness!
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INTRO
Last Week
Esau Hungry
Your hunger
real hunger
starvation
Sahara Desert
Sahara = “the Greatest Desert” it is the largest hot desert and the third largest desert in the world after Antarctica and the Arctic. Its area of (3,600,000 sq mi) is comparable to the area of China or the United States.
Famine
Types of famine = no food...
spouse in loveless mariage
employee in dead end / unfulfilling job
long term illness or disability
tight financial burdens
spiritual famine
Illustration of need addressed.
Illustration of need addressed.
Connect illustration to present day hearers.
Transition = Show this need or similar issue was also the question behind the biblical text.
Clearly state the theme of the text/sermon.
Title & Text
He is Faithful
Theme
Theme
God confirms His promises to Abraham with Isaac
Pray
God promises to provide for Isaac during the famine.
Pray
Pray
xxx
THE SERMON BODY
Ch 26 Outline
Ch 26 Outline
In this chapter we have, I. Isaac in adversity, by reason of a famine in the land, which, 1. Obliges him to change his quarters (v. 1). But, 2. God visits him with direction and comfort (v. 2–5). 3. He foolishly denies his wife, being in distress and is reproved for it by Abimelech (v. 6–11). II. Isaac in prosperity, by the blessing of God upon him (v. 12–14). And, 1. The Philistines were envious at him (v. 14–17). 2. He continued industrious in his business (v. 18–23). 3. God appeared to him, and encouraged him, and he devoutly acknowledged God (v. 24, 25). 4. The Philistines, at length, made court to him, and made a covenant with him (v. 26–33). 5. The disagreeable marriage of his son Esau was an alloy to the comfort of his prosperity (v. 34, 35).
In this chapter we have,
In this chapter we have,
Isaac in adversity, by reason of a famine in the land, which,
Obliges him to change his quarters (v. 1).
Obliges him to change his quarters (v. 1).
But, God visits him with direction and comfort (v. 2–5).
But, God visits him with direction and comfort (v. 2–5).
3. He foolishly denies his wife, being in distress and is reproved for it by Abimelech (v. 6–11).
He foolishly denies his wife, being in distress and is reproved for it by Abimelech (v. 6–11).
Isaac in prosperity, by the blessing of God upon him (v. 12–14). And,
II. Isaac in prosperity, by the blessing of God upon him (v. 12–14).
And,
The Philistines were envious at him (v. 14–17).
The Philistines were envious at him (v. 14–17).
He continued industrious in his business (v. 18–23).
2. He continued industrious in his business (v. 18–23).
God appeared to him, and encouraged him, and he devoutly acknowledged God (v. 24, 25).
3. God appeared to him, and encouraged him, and he devoutly acknowledged God (v. 24, 25).
The Philistines, at length, made court to him, and made a covenant with him (v. 26–33).
4. The Philistines, at length, made court to him, and made a covenant with him (v. 26–33).
The disagreeable marriage of his son Esau was an alloy to the comfort of his prosperity (v. 34, 35).
5. The disagreeable marriage of his son Esau was an alloy to the comfort of his prosperity (v. 34, 35).
vv 1-6
Similarities With Previous
& 20
Homework for this week… Review!
Main Points Today
God’s promises are not dependent on our circumstances.
Sometimes reviewing and repeating God’s promises is the best way to find rest.
Our comfort in the covenant is found as we seek to tread in the steps of the obedient.
points should follow textual sequence unless good reason to change.
Main points should support the theme.
1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” 6 So Isaac settled in Gerar.
points should follow textual sequence unless good reason to change.
Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines.
THE SERMON BODY
Dispute between Jacob & Esau hinges on 26
Land
Promise
famine? = no good!
Isaac life parallel to Abraham
1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines.
vv1
Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham.
Parallel - Famine
10 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.
different yet devastating
famine = 2x in 12.10 - again here
Parallel Life
follow in footsteps of those before us
Isaac - Abraham
Jacob
Joseph
Israel
Church
The Question!!! - Isaac / us
Will we trust the LORD and be faithful in what He is asking us to do or not?
God Set the Stage
famine in land
Isaacs faithfulness
What will he do when faced with adversity?
how about us?
And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines.
Same as Abraham!
Abimelech - same / not?
Ceaser / Pharo
Time passage
Title
Regardless = similarities!!!
Isaacs circumstances are not good at this point are they? But that does not change Gods faithfulness to us does it. No indeed,
God’s promises are not dependent on our circumstances.
God’s promises are not dependent on our circumstances.
So as we move to the next verse we are confronted with the question.
Will Isaac be obedient to the God of his father knowing that His promises are not dependent on our circumstances or will he lack the trust and faith of his father?
The question is also our own to ask.
When we are in the famines, and deserts of our life will we cling to the promises of God knowing that they are dependent on Him and not our circumstances or will we lack the faith to do so?
2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.
And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.
And the Lord appeared to him
Abraham before / Isaac now
Abraham before / Isaac now
Isaac going toward Egypt like Abraham
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
first recorded physical appearance
Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.
Isaac no
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
similar type of call
deep distress - famine
difficulty of trust
faith = trust in the unseen
Isaac NOT going to Gerar / Egypt...
Same as Abraham
God’s Call / Human Obedience...
3 Requests
1 = Do not go down to Egypt
mecca!
don’t trust in the world for provision
don’t trust your interpretation of events
2 = dwell in the land of which I shall tell you
dwell = put down roots
dwell = tabernacle of God
8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
if not Egypt where?
First two not too bad right… No Egypt, check. Land you tell of, check. Where then? So where are we going Lord!? Hawaii, Aruba, Bahamas, or maybe some place less tropical. Italy, England, France?
90% is not 100%!!
3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.
Sojourn in this land
Stop & Stay!
Famine!!
nothing
promise
Gerar = Southernmost border of land
What would you do? Would you stay?
and I will be with you and will bless you
we may go any where with comfort when God’s blessing goes with us, so we may stay any where contentedly if that blessing rest upon us.
Do you feel that way? Do you believe that? Will you remain faithful even in the face of adversity? Will your faith see you through the times of famine?
3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.
for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.
The Goal
offspring
lands
plural
Every Earthly Reason to Leave
one heavenly reason to stay!
sometimes we are called to dwell in famine!
Oath to Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Israel
Us = Christ
I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.
for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.
4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,
I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.
Why Remind Isaac Now?
Sometimes reviewing and repeating God’s promises is the best way to find rest.
We must do the same!
the promises of God to us
the implications of the gospel
victorious
inheritance
loved
children
security
job to do
life of purpose
Dwelling in famished land
call
fall
reminding each other
Every person in scripture needed this…!!
Will you do that for me? Will you remind me of the promises I have in Christ when I feel hopeless? Will you do that for one another? Will we speak to each other with the power of God reviewing and repeating the promises of God to one another so that we too might be edified, encouraged, rebuked and steadfast in our walk with Christ!?
Even Isaac needs this!!
5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Why Trust God?
God’s Oath
because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge
Obeyed His voice - Kept His Charge - Kept His Commandments - Kept His Statutes - Kept His Laws
listened when called
left family
went where directed
practiced circumcision
sacrifice of son
Isaac / Moriah
18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
Moses - Exodus
16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
Dut 30.16
Deut 30.16
because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge
Abraham imperfect
Israel imperfect
all fail
all sin
all need Christ!
seed of Abraham
obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
We needed Christ to be obedient because we so often fail to be.
Isaac was told and we too must hear from God that:
God’s promises are not dependent on our circumstances.
Therefore even when the circumstances seem insurmountable or the sin to deep or the conditions to dark we like Isaac need to know:
Sometimes reviewing and repeating God’s promises is the best way to find rest.
And as we review and repeat God’s promises to each other and ourselves and seek to find the strength to continue on even in the trials of this life we like Isaac can find that:
Our comfort in the covenant is found as we seek to tread in the steps of the obedient.
The whole of the dispute in Ch 25 & 27 is hinged upon here in Ch 26. The future of the land of the promise. Both of the boys Jacob and Esau are at present dependent on the promises made to their forefather Abraham regarding the land of which they now live. The very land that is now unable to sustain them! What good is a promised land when it yields no harvest?
God is setting Isaac up to fulfill a life parallel with that of his father Abraham for the same purpose that he did with Abraham. We can see the author highlighting these parallels even here in the first verse as he tells us the readers of the famine in the land stating that it was different then in the former years of his father Abraham. The author forces the parallels on us at the onset so as to focus our attentions on them.
Look at
Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.
The famine for Isaac is different then that for Abraham but the devastating effects are still the same. The word “Famine” occurring twice in 12.10 and not again until here in 26.1 also points us to the similarities for Isaac and Abraham. For better or worse Isaac will be required to follow in the footsteps of his father. Not only will this be the requirement of Isaac but as we unfold the rest of biblical history we could say the same of Jacob, the same of Joseph, the same of Israel as a whole, the same of the Christ and His church. Isaac will be asked to trust God in the face of adverse circumstances, so will Israel, so will the church! We are for better or worse destined to walk in the footsteps of those who came before us.
6 So Isaac settled in Gerar.
The question for Isaac then is the same for us…
Will we trust the LORD and be faithful in what He is asking us to do or not?
At the beginning of this chapter God has set the stage to beg the question of Isaacs faithfulness aside from the faithfulness of Abraham before him. What will he do when faced with adversity? What will we do?
The text tells us what Isaacs immediate plans were… He goes to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. This Abimelech may or may not be the same man who had correspondence with his father. Scholars differ on there thoughts because of 3 reasons. Firstly that the name Abimelech could simply be a title and not a name like that of Ceaser or Pharo. Secondly because of the amount of time that passed between these two men and their meetings with this Abimelech. Thirdly although small there is a difference in the titles of his authority one was just the king of Gerar and her it is extended to the king of all the Philistines. Regardless if this is the same man as Abraham had dealings with or not we will continue to see similarities between the dealings of Abraham and Isaac with this individual.
This is however not the desired end destination but is the end of verse 1. We will see in the next verse that his intentions were the same as his fathers before him.
Isaacs circumstances are not good at this point are they? But that does not change Gods faithfulness to us does it. No indeed,
Isaac stayed because he made it his goal to tread in the steps of the obedient so far as he was able.
God’s promises are not dependent on our circumstances.
Are we doing that? Are we seeking 100% obedience or just to be good enough?
So as we move to the next verse we are confronted with the question.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Will Isaac be obedient to the God of his father knowing that His promises are not dependent on our circumstances or will he lack the trust and faith of his father? The question is also our own to ask. When we are in the famines, and deserts of our life will we cling to the promises of God knowing that they are dependent on Him and not our circumstances or will we lack the faith to do so?
sdf
Just as God appeared to his father so he appears to him also now. This is the first recorded time that the LORD has physically appear to Isaac. It is here in his deep distress that he finds the crossroads toward or away from God. Beloved this is often the case for us as well. We often feel God’s presence most when we are at our lowest! God appears to Isaac as Isaac is seeking to make a major move for survival.
Just as he did with Abraham he appears and asks Isaac to trust Him rather then his eyes alone. He asks Isaac to stay in a land that at present is providing another for him. This is equivalent to the request God makes of his father to go to a land that he has never even seen.
Look at
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
Perhaps Abraham had told Isaac of some of his adventures before his birth. Perhaps Abraham had told him of the famine that drove them to Egypt and that is why Isaac had that as a destination for his family now. Egypt was always seen as a rich and powerful nation during the patriarchal period and so maybe it is simply its size and security that makes it a favorite destination for the patriarchs. Whatever the reason, Isaac was on his way to Egypt and God appears to him to stop him from his travels and redirects him to stay. To stay in the land which God would show him. To stay in the land of the promise regardless of its current state. To stay and trust God even when survival seemed impossible.
Like all those before him human responsibility is required in true obedience to the LORD and to which we will be held accountable to God by. As God appears to Isaac he is commanded to do three things.
The first is not to go down to Egypt. Do not trust in this world and its provision for you but instead trust in me and my provisions for you! Do not trust in your own interpretation of events and in what you see but instead trust in me the God who truly sees! By not leaving this means that Isaac and his family will have to endure the famine!
The second command is dwell in the land of which he will tell him. To dwell meaning to put down roots and make a home for ones self. This is a mirror image of the command list there in . This same word is also often used of God making habitation with His people in the tabernacle. [] These first two might not have been so hard if it were not for the third.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
Don’t go to Egypt, check, dwell in the land you tell me, check… so where are we going Lord!? Hawaii, Aruba, Bahamas, or maybe some place less tropical. Italy, England, France?
Don’t go to Egypt, check, dwell in the land you tell me, check… so where are we going Lord!? Hawaii, Aruba, Bahamas, or maybe some place less tropical. Italy, England, France?
The third command is found in the very next verse.
vv3
“Sojourn in this land”… Wait what? This land, THIS LAND! This land’s got nothing! This land’s got nothing… but the promise. Gerar is the southernmost border of the land of Canaan. Eventually by the end of the chapter Isaac will end up staying in Beersheba. Stay in this land God says, for this is the land that I have promised to Abraham, and to you! Look farther with me. “and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.” Isaac had no reason to stay other then God’s promise to him. But because he trust in God and His promises to Him he will stay.
“I will be with you and bless you” God says to him.
“we may go any where with comfort when God’s blessing goes with us, so we may stay any where contentedly if that blessing rest upon us.” Matthew Henry
Do you feel that way? Do you believe that? Will you remain faithful even in the face of adversity? Will your faith see you through the times of famine?
use simple and clear transitions to give structure to movement.
Don’t miss this, in the immediate context he is talking about the promised land of Canaan and now he is expanding to Isaac all the neighboring lands and then eventually to Christ he gives all the earth even the ends of the earth! These lands will be redeemed by God for His people! God says to Isaac I will establish the oath He swore to Abraham! He continues to re-affirm this blessing in Isaac in vv4
vv4
Your offspring will be multiplied as the stars of heaven and to them will be given all these lands again plural. And all the nations will be blessed in you. This is the same promise given to his father Abraham! God tells him this and reminds him of this because He knows that…
Sometimes reviewing and repeating God’s promises is the best way to find rest.
God reminds Isaac of these things and confirms them again to him because He knows that remaining in a desolate land is counter intuitive to survival. Beloved, sometimes we are called to dwell in a desolate land! Sometimes we are called to hardship. Sometimes we are going to feel as if God has abandoned us. In those times, remind yourselves of the promises and past faithfulness of God. Find rest in who He is when you cannot see for yourself.
Will you do that for me? Will you remind me of the promises I have in Christ when I feel hopeless? Will you do that for one another? Will we speak to each other with the power of God reviewing and repeating the promises of God to one another so that we too might be edified, encouraged, rebuked and steadfast in our walk with Christ!?
vv5
This end of God’s speech to Isaac gives great insight into why Isaac is able to rest in the LORD. God in effect tells Isaac that he will surely do all these things for Isaac because of his fathers faithfulness. Look at the words that God uses to describe Abrahams faithfulness to Him. Each of these words speaks of a slightly different form of obedience.
Obeyed His voice - Kept His Charge - Kept His Commandments - Kept His Statutes - Kept His Laws
Think what it was that Abraham did to follow God. He listened to the voice of God, he followed Him leaving his family and his home, he and all of his household were circumcised, he did not withhold his only son from death. The verbiage used here is almost identical to that previous in “because you have obeyed my voice.” after the offering up of his son at mount Moriah. This also is similar to what Moses tells Israel many years later:
16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
“16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.”
“16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.”
“16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.”
Abraham was not perfect though was he? Abraham did sin, Abraham did screw up didn’t he? Israel sinned didn’t they? We sin don’t we? Therefore we needed more then just the Law and statutes to obey we needed a Savior! We need Jesus! We need the seed of Abraham by which all the nations of the earth will be blessed! We needed Christ to be obedient because we so often fail to be.
Abraham was not perfect though was he? Abraham did sin, Abraham did screw up didn’t he? Israel sinned didn’t they? We sin don’t we? Therefore we needed more then just the Law and statutes to obey we needed a Savior! We need Jesus! We need the seed of Abraham by which all the nations of the earth will be blessed! We needed Christ to be obedient because we so often fail to be.
Isaac was told and we too must hear from God that:
God’s promises are not dependent on our circumstances.
Therefore even when the circumstances seem insurmountable or the sin to deep or the conditions to dark we like Isaac need to know:
Sometimes reviewing and repeating God’s promises is the best way to find rest.
And as we review and repeat God’s promises to each other and ourselves and seek to find the strength to continue on even in the trials of this life we like Isaac can find that:
Our comfort in the covenant is found as we seek to tread in the steps of the obedient.
because of these facts vv6 says:
vv6
Isaac stayed because he made it his goal to tread in the steps of the obedient so far as he was able.
Walk therefore in the steps of those who came before you. Walk in the steps of Noah who sought to be faithful to God even when the whole world around him was going the other way. Walk in the steps of Abraham who was willing to leave everything behind in order to follow God. Walk in the steps of Jacob who experienced adversity and accusations as he sought to fulfill God’s will. Walk in the steps of the prophets who were ostracized for their differences and outspokenness against what was sin. Walk in the steps of David as he was a man after God’s own heart. Walk in the steps of Solomon who sought after the wisdom of the most high. Walk in the steps of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as they sought to give an accurate account of the salvation of the Christ to a people who did not want to hear it. Walk in the steps of Paul who was infirm, imprisoned, and eventually impaled for following Jesus. Walk in the steps our LORD and Savior Jesus the Messiah who by His obedience, death and resurrection we have been given victory.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
sdf
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
vv1
Use verse references before quoting so that listeners can read along.
Famine in the Land of Promise
10 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.
asdf
vv2
Gen 12.
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
vv3
9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.
16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
22:16–18
20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
7 He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 8 He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 9 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, 10 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, 11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.” 12 When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, 13 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, 14 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”
vv4
vv5
15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
vv6
, , = Abraham believed God - righteousness
CONCLUSION
Use personal observances to illustrate difficult concepts.
Walk therefore in the steps of those who came before you.
CONCLUSION
Walk in the steps of Noah who sought to be faithful to God even when the whole world around him was going the other way.
Walk in the steps of Abraham who was willing to leave everything behind in order to follow God.
Walk in the steps of Jacob who experienced adversity and accusations as he sought to fulfill God’s will.
Walk in the steps of the prophets who were ostracized for their differences and outspokenness against what was sin.
Walk in the steps of David as he was a man after God’s own heart. Walk in the steps of Solomon who sought after the wisdom of the most high.
Walk in the steps of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as they sought to give an accurate account of the salvation of the Christ to a people who did not want to hear it.
Walk in the steps of Paul who was infirm, imprisoned, and eventually impaled for following Jesus.
Walk in the steps our LORD and Savior Jesus the Messiah who by His obedience, death and resurrection we have been given victory.
do not be discouraged as we walk in the land of famine, rather...
Be brief.
Don’t introduce new material.
narrow the focus don’t expand it.
Clinch the goal.
Give concrete applications.
Goal
Goal
Have confidence in God’s provision for you no matter what.
Application
Famine
spouse in loveless mariage
spouse in loveless mariage
Christ loves you and gave himself up for you and will allow His love to dwell in you
employee in dead end / unfulfilling job
Your work is unto the LORD and He notices and He will reward you
long term illness or disability
God will one day redeem your body and perfect it for eternity and there will no longer be pain, injury or tears
tight financial burdens
Our treasures are not in this world and when we are seeking to be faithful stewards He will provide for our needs
spiritual famine
He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you, neither can anyone or anything pluck you from His hand
Therefore = GOAL
CLOSE
CLOSE
xxx
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COMMUNION
What it stands for
Warning
Communion Verses
COMMUNION TOGETHER
Fellowship With Each Other