10 Dec Isaac VS Ishmael: Child of Promise VS Child of Flesh
Pastor Vincent - 16 October 2014
Faith And Its Hidden Dynamics
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” [Lk 17:3-5] Often, we are troubled by the gigantic tasks we’re called to do, and we know that we lack the faith to accomplish it. However, before one has faith, he needs to know that faith comes from the Word of God. A man with faith is a man having the word of God in him so much so that he is living in a state of constant spiritual conviction. That moment, the enabling power of God will compel him to do things beyond his inclination and ability. Therefore, it is not the quantity of our faith but God's initiative power and sovereignty that achieve the great and impossible things in our lives. So in the difficult process and impossible hurdles in life, don't feel crippled by your little faith. Use the little faith you have to look to God's power and truth. Our faith is not the condition required to achieve God’s purpose, instead, it is the conditions (big and small, good and bad) surrounding us, driving us God-relying and dependent on His grace that shape our faith.
From Series: "All English Service"
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Isaac VS Ishmael:
Child of Promise VS Child of Flesh
One key message of the Bible is God does not desire His people to rely on themselves but trust Him faithfully, for He will surely deliver His promises and prove His love for us ultimately. Anything in our lives which is incompatible with this gospel will have to go. Although the process of giving up human pride, sins and desires is distressing, it is still wise to obey God, for obedience will be rewarded but disobedience comes with an agonizing price. Moreover, in our faith journey, God’s ever-present grace is with us. However, unbelief often darkens our eyes and prevents us from seeing God. Yet, even in times when we cannot see God’s help, continue to cry out to Him, for He will certainly hear and act.
Verses to read:
<Gen 21:8-21>
1. Our “Ishmaels” must go!
1) We tend to prefer Ishmael, but it is not the best.
2) Isaac Vs Ishmael.
- Ishmael: Human efforts, lack of faith [above the line]
- Isaac: God’s power and faithfulness
<Gal 4> 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.
28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.
30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”
31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Rivalry between “Isaac” and “Ishmael”
- “Grace/faith vs works”
- “God’s works vs human efforts”
- “Spiritual” vs “flesh”
Isaac: Son of the free woman >>> What is true freedom?
(1) Ability to do what we like [below line]
(2) Final outcome of perfect joy [below line]
- Ishmael: Son of slave woman [above line]
- Bound by humanism, not freed from sin’s curse [below line]
“Get rid of the slave woman and her son”:
- Get rid of all human dependency and pride.
- Do not add anything to the gospel of “salvation by faith alone in Christ”.
Instead, have the “heart of a son:
- Assurance of forgiveness and justification.
- Interpret and go through all things by God’s promises.
- Spirit of loving God and men.
- Heart of obedience.
*** Not every church-goer is true child of God.
*** When God’s time comes, the true and counterfeit believers will be distinguished.
2. Obey God despite our distress.
- Obedience to God is always rewarded.
- Sin has agonizing price.
- Merciful God defers punishment.
- In painfully sending away Ishmael, Abraham gained greater blessing in Isaac.
- Our distress in giving up sins will lead to greater joy from God.
3. God (Grace) is always present, just that we cannot see.
1) Unbelief dims our eyes.
2) Once eyes are opened, will know what to do without being pushed.
3) Even if cannot see, keep calling out to Him >>>He hears and acts!
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