10 Dec Isaac VS Ishmael: Child of Promise VS Child of Flesh
Preacher Huijun - 16 January 2014
Winning Formula Vs Recipe For Failure
Many times, we often live in disheartenment. We get defeated by situations, information and thoughts about things yet to come. The truth is, we do not need to wait for things to become better, bad news to subside and good feelings to come before we feel good and victorious. In Christ, we are already victorious. When we believe right, Holy Spirit will lead us into doing the right thing and the outcomes will surely be right! How often do we go back to the truth in this world that constantly engulf our faith in Christ? Today, restore the 5 Solas (Only) of a believer. When you hold onto Sola Scriptura (Only Bible), Solus Christus (Only Christ), Sola Fide (Only Faith) , Sola Gratia (Only grace), and Soli Deo Gloria (All glory to God alone), victory is not an outcome but a state of our living. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. [Mt 16:25] Paradox it may seem, yet such is the power of Holy Spirit, and everyone who believes in Him will never be ashamed. You are already victorious in Christ. Cling onto the right anchor point today!
From Series: "All English Service"
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Respond In Faith To God's Faithfulness28 November 2013 |
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Winning Formula Vs Recipe For Failure16 January 2014 |
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Let The Pure Gospel Transform Your Inclinations20 March 2014 |
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Match Your Spiritual State With The Truth27 March 2014 |
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Go Deeper Into A Gospel-Directed Life19 June 2014 |
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Receive Added Grace By Responding To God-Given Grace26 June 2014 |
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Find Hope In Hopelessness14 August 2014 |
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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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