10 Dec Isaac VS Ishmael: Child of Promise VS Child of Flesh
Pastor Vincent - 19 March 2015
Seek The Lord While He May Be Found
At some points of our lives, we often come to a spiritual stupor- we find ourselves in a state of not seeking God, because He just feels so far away from us - remotely related to our feelings, needs, and critical situations we're in. It's easy to say a prayer of "Lord, please give me the strength and wisdom to face this episode...", but how often do we consciously seek God's voice in our situation and His perfect will (not our ways) after we've prayed? We often think that it's suffice - we've prayed, we've come to church, we've done something good to others, but through it all, do we seek to meet Him face to face, hear His advices and rebukes, and receives approvals and praises from Him? Have we stopped anticipating from Him? Or have we become disheartened because of the many unanswered prayers? God said, " as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields see for the sower and bread for the eater, So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." [Is 55:10-11] God is a God who keeps His covenant with His people. Today, regardless of how overwhelmed we are, He is still leading the entire history of mankind and you with His covenant, achieving His ultimate purpose here on earth. Let us not harden our hearts and continue on our rebellious ways. Turn to Him today, put to stop the fictional faith living we have and seek Him while He may be found. While the current thoughts, feelings and situations may seem real to you, God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, and His way is the one that truly set us free from our deadlocks. The presence of the Lord comes alive when you seek Him today, may we be the seeker of God in all things and at all times!
From Series: "All English Service"
More From "All English Service"
 |
The Covenant To The New Generation19 September 2013 |
|
|
Answers We Need To Receive For Evangelism26 September 2013 |
|
|
The Way Of Evangelism: Christ Convictions3 October 2013 |
|
|
Follow The Lord's Instruction Closely In Spiritual Battle10 October 2013 |
|
|
Beware Of The Influence Of Sin17 October 2013 |
|
|
Pray To Receive Transcending Power24 October 2013 |
|
|
The Undeserved Became The Deserving31 October 2013 |
|
|
Great Victory Comes Through Partnership With God7 November 2013 |
|
|
No Problem Too Big If You Obey14 November 2013 |
|
|
A Different Spirit That Follows The Lord Wholeheartedly21 November 2013 |
|
Powered by Series Engine
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!
No Comments