In this story Issac finds himself in charge for the first time. The focus has shifted from his father Abraham to Issac who is now the one making the decisions. This is a case of re-orientation. When a person has to shift their understanding of life to fit a new context that has emerged. As we follow Christ we also have to learn to re-orientate our lives around him acknowledging that everything has changed because Jesus is in our lives.
This is the last act of Abraham before the story focuses on His descendants and his focus is to ensure the future of His family and the promise of God by sending His servant to find Issac a wife from amongst His own people. In this story we see how God works in the servants life to help achieve His task and as God worked then we know that through Jesus He is still working. Calling us to have a vision for His Kingdom coupled with an intention to achieve it whilst knowing that Jesus has the ability to bring it about. Genesis 24
Genesis 23 & 25 show the passing of Sarah and of Abraham. A couple who had been called by God to follow Him into the promised land. Throughout there lives they learnt to worship and trust Yahweh. They learnt that they were part of Gods story carrying the hope of the promise that would one day he realised. With there passing we see how vital the promise of God was to their lives, that it was in the very core of who they were. As we follow Jesus today we must ask what are we carrying forward into the new year?
Genesis 22 sees a very challenging command from the Lord which calls Abraham to live by faith in the goodness of God. For as He walked by faith in the waiting for the promise He now is called to live by faith in the fulfilment of the promise. How does he do this? He does it with an attitude of worship as we must do in our day as we live by faith to the Glory of God.
Genesis 21 sees the fulfilment of the promises God made to Abraham. Firstly we see Sarah has Issac the promised child who would see His descendants flourish on the earth according to Gods plan. We then see another promise being confirmed for Hagar the maidservant of Sarah concerning Ishmael. Thus we see the reason for the faith that we have. For if God said it then that is enough for those who believe
Preached in Hope Baptist Cross Keys 17th November
Preached in Hope Baptist Cross Keys 17th November
Genesis 20 flows out of a wonderful moment in Abraham’s life where He knows deep intimacy with the living God who reveals His will to Him allowing Abraham’s prayers to influence the decision of God concerning a the sinful community of Sodom where His nephew Lot lived. Yet now we see Abraham returning to His past mistakes inspired by fear as He tells Sarah His wife to say she is Abraham’s sister. yet the Lord steps in and speaks to the innocent King Abimalec and restores Sarah to Abraham saving Abimalec and His people. This reveals the battle for
Sovereignty in our lives. That as the sovereignty of God begins to reign in our decision making each day the sovereignty of fear comes in opposition. Yet Gods Grace is sufficient to teach us and bring us through the battle to the glory of God.
Preached on 10th November in the evening
Sovereignty in our lives. That as the sovereignty of God begins to reign in our decision making each day the sovereignty of fear comes in opposition. Yet Gods Grace is sufficient to teach us and bring us through the battle to the glory of God.
Preached on 10th November in the evening
Where faithfulness takes you.
Where compromise takes you.
In this passage we see the fruit of Abraham’s commitment in His own life and in His household. That as He welcomes the Lord into His home He also enjoys an intimate life of conversation with God. Lot on the other hand is a story of a man who began so well but compromised and allowed the people’s influence around Him to deep into His own heart.
The story shows that the goal of discipleship and faith is to keep strong right to the end.
Genesis 18 v16 — Gen 19: 38
Where compromise takes you.
In this passage we see the fruit of Abraham’s commitment in His own life and in His household. That as He welcomes the Lord into His home He also enjoys an intimate life of conversation with God. Lot on the other hand is a story of a man who began so well but compromised and allowed the people’s influence around Him to deep into His own heart.
The story shows that the goal of discipleship and faith is to keep strong right to the end.
Genesis 18 v16 — Gen 19: 38
Genesis 18:1-15 shows an encounter between Abraham and the three mysterious travellers. Yet as the story develops Abraham’s hospitality turns as we realise the foundation of the hospitality is based on a relationship that has been developing for many years.
This is the moment when the promises of God are made public as God now includes the community and family of Abram in the covenant that God has initiated and confirmed and will bring about in His perfect time. With the publicising of the promise Abram and Sarai both receive a change of Name as a down payment on the promise.
Lord may we always look to you not to ourselves. For to look to the God who sees us is life to our bodies and water to our souls. Amen.
Melchizedek appears to Abram after the rescue of Lot. In this defining encounter Abram sees the one who is both King and Priest. He is different from any other person He has yet encountered. He is so different Abram gives him 10% of the plunder as an response to the blessing He has given Abram in the Name of the Most High God. Therefore in this one man is both the Kingdom and the Priesthood. Therefore Abram is happy to respond with this gift. Let us pray that as we hear Gods word, and come to know the mystery of Melchizedek and what He tells us about our Hope that is found in Christ alone.
Genesis 14:17-17-24
Genesis 14:17-17-24
Genesis 15 reveals Gods intention to bless Abram. To take that which is broken in His life and restore Him through the perfect sacrifice that gives life all who trust in Him. 13th October 2019
Genesis 13&14 shows a changing relationship between Abram and Lot. After a discussion the two decide to part company but not relationship. As the story goes on we see the commitment between the two who called themselves brothers....................