Isaac VS Ishmael: Child of Promise VS Child of Flesh

10 Dec Isaac VS Ishmael: Child of Promise VS Child of Flesh

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Pastor Vincent - 25 September 2014

Genuine Confession Of Sin, Denying Self

Today, in our unresolved problems and unhappiness, little do we realise these are actually symptoms of a damaging issue in our lives - Sin. Many think that sin refers to the great crimes such as murdering, stealing or harming others, but actually, from the Word of God, God says that sin is when one does not acknowledge God in his life. Because man is not conscious of God, what ever they do is under the influence of the world, i.e. Satan. As a result, we always live according to our flesh and needs, seeking self-glorification without us knowing. For example, we want to be approved by others in all areas of our lives, we want to feel worthy and thus we work hard to prove something, we care so much about our own feelings rather than paying attention and truly knowing what our Creator says about us. The deceptive pleasure of these sins sometimes cause us to immerse in these fleeting joy so much, causing us to take things into our own hands rather than surrendering our sovereignty to God. When we seek to satisfy our infinite spirit with the tangible finite things, we enter into expectations, unfulfillable enjoyment and eventually being enslaved by the joy we pursue. Therefore, blessed are you who are being touched and awakened by the gospel of God. The gospel reveals the "Big-I" inside us, showing us how powerless and fallen our desires and self-gratification are because we have disregard God in our lives. This is indeed sin. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5 NIV) Today, if the truth we hear expose the big me inside us, respond to God immediately. Confess your sin and do not remain ignorant, wage wars against the self inside you and offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. A man who is truly repentant will constantly deny self even in his weakness, and seek to walk in the will of God. He will find strength in God to reject and fight the sins.

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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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Preacher Hui Jun
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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.

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