Podcasts about ishmaels

In this episode we talk about how God sees us in whatever it is we may be facing and how He cares.Other episodes mentioned in this one:Episode 24: The GospelEpisode 66: Isaacs or Ishmaels?Scriptures referenced:Genesis 12:1-3Genesis 16Psalm 30:11-12Matthew 6:31-33Romans 12:1-2Matthew 6:8Matthew 7:7Luke 12:6-7Psalm 139:1-18Psalm 42:11John 1:12-13John 14:6Romans 15:13Feel free to email the podcast at ijustwanttotalkabout@gmail.com, and we will respond as soon as we are able!I WANT TO BE DISCIPLEDI am on staff with another ministry called Mentoring Men for the Master (M3). M3 is a discipleship ministry; so, if you are interested in being discipled and having someone come alongside you to invest in you and your walk with Jesus, or if you would like to do this in someone else's life, feel free to email us at info@mentoringmen.net. You can also check out M3's website by clicking "I want to be discipled". Also note that despite the ministry's name, M3 disciples both men and women; so, the offer is open to all!I WANT TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTERIf you would like to sign up to receive newsletter updates, simply click "I want to sign up for the newsletter" and fill out the form. Also, feel free to check out our most recent newsletter.I WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCASTIf you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking "I want to support the podcast". I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!...

Bearing the Fruit of Christ (3) (audio) David Eells – 4/30/25 I'm going to pick up where I left off in part 2 and continue speaking about bearing the fruit of Christ in part 3. The “love” chapter in 1 Corinthians has a lot to say about perfection and, while we won't delve too deeply into all of that now, I would like to point out a couple of things there to you: (1Co.13:9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; (10) but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. Notice, “when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.” What is he talking about? A lot of people say, “Oh, this is talking about the Gospel, when He came”; or “When Jesus comes again.” No, he's talking about you. You put away childish things “when that which is perfect is come,” as you mature. (12) For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face…. There it is, right there. “When that which is perfect is come,” you see in the mirror clearly, “face to face,” Jesus Christ. As we are told, But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit (2Co.3:18). We see Jesus face to face by faith now, but the more we grow, the more we see Him maturely, purely and perfectly. It's definitely not talking about the physical coming of Jesus. It's talking about Him coming in you. And he goes on to say, (1Co.13:12) … Now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. And we were fully known before the foundation of the world. Remember, Jesus says to those who don't arrive at any form of fruit, “I never knew you” (Mat.7:23). He didn't know them before the foundation of the world. But Paul says, “When that which is perfect is come, I'm going to know, even as I was fully known.” He's talking about you coming into the pure, true revelation of Christ. (1Co.13:13) But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three: and the greatest of these is love. We're coming into His image, we're looking into His love, we're coming into His faith and we're coming into His hope because it's all been given to us from the foundation of the world. God is going to finish the good work He started in us. We should continue to hold fast the glorying of our hope firm unto the end because this is His plan. We're just entering into it. First, with our understanding, because we have to know what to exercise our faith in, we have to seek the Word to know what our opportunity is. Then, once we're convinced of the Will of God, we can stand in the faith and stay firm. If a person is not convinced that something is the Word of God, they're not going to be able to endure in their faith unto the end. They're not going to be patient in their faith to receive perfection, as James 1 says. We need to be convinced from the Scriptures that it's the Will of God for us to be perfect; what the Bible calls perfect, not necessarily what men call perfect. That's why I like to look at a lot of Scriptures and study them. I don't have to be a great preacher because God already said it very well. So I think that as we continue to look at what He said and put that in our heart, He's able to bring it to pass through our faith. He'll bring it to our remembrance, and faith cometh of hearing and hearing by the Word. (1Co.2:6) We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown (or “perfect”; it's the same word): yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought. The rulers of God's people didn't understand this wisdom, either. Remember the Pharisees, reputed to be the leaders of God's people, who were supposed to be leading God's people in the Word, didn't know it or Him. (7) But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, [even] the [wisdom] that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: (8) which none of the rulers of this world hath known; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Amazingly, the leaders of God's people did not know this hidden mystery of “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” but those poor, ignorant disciples walked with Jesus. They had this mystery of the Kingdom. The leaders of Judaism crucified Him, but those simple men had this revelation because they walked with Jesus. And history is going to repeat. I tell you right now that the majority of the leaders of Christianity will do exactly as they have done throughout history. They will lead God's people astray. They don't understand the mystery that has been hidden for ages. Paul spoke about “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” That's the real and true Gospel. It's our opportunity to come into perfection, and the leaders don't understand it. Once again, they will crucify the Lord of glory. (Heb.6:6) … They crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. They will do it again because history always repeats: (Ecc.1:9) That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Because they don't know the Lord, they don't know this mystery and don't understand perfection, they will come against the ones in whom Jesus lives. They will crucify Jesus again in our day because history always repeats, so that we have “the word of prophecy [made] more sure” (2Pe.1:19). The word of prophecy made more sure is the Word of God. The Bible is teaching us how the history of Christianity, which is a prophecy, will be fulfilled in our day. We just have to read and see what has already happened to know what will happen. There's been a cycle for God's people, as we just read in James chapter three, the cycle of life. Well, we're coming to the last cycle here, and the history that happened in the days of Jesus is going to be repeated. The Lord spoke that to me many years ago – that everything that happened in the time of Christ and His disciples, in the time of the Gospels and in the Book of Acts, is going to happen again. Today, however, it will take place on a worldwide stage, with the New Testament people of God, who are worldwide. Do you want God's perfection? He is the One Who is going to manifest His sons in these days. (Rom.8:19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. And what is the manifestation of the sons of God, except Christ, the Son of God, manifested in you? That is perfection. This is God's promise. We don't live anymore; Christ lives in us. That's “the good confession in the sight of many witnesses” (1Ti.6:12). This is what the world is waiting to see. The world sees a lot of lukewarm Christians and, for that reason, they don't have much respect for Christianity. But, if they see Christ, you know “the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light” (Luk.16:8). They see right through a lot of things Christians don't see. They see the hypocrisy in God's people. With our busy life we need to remind ourselves regularly of the principles of perfection through Christ: (Heb.5:11) Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. (12) For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. (13) For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. (14) But solid food is for fullgrown (or “perfect”) men, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. What is “solid food”? I remember the Lord saying, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me” (Joh.4:34). The meat is not just to understand, but to do His Will. The people who are on the “milk” are people who have not experienced “the word of righteousness.” To put it another way, they have not experienced walking in it, obeying it and doing it. But solid food is for the mature. Mature people are able to take the Word and put it to use. It's being manifested in their actions, in their will, in their motives, and so on. It's for “perfect” men. Here is a similar verse: (Rev.3:1) And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead. (2) Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God. Last time we saw that the works were only perfected in the people who were being perfected. Of course, imperfect or immature people cannot do perfect works. So He's condemning this group of people because, according to their works, they have “a name that … livest,” which is obviously “Christian,” but they're dead. These people are not living up to the name that was given unto them, and their works are not perfect. He said, “I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.” (3) Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep [it], and repent. God expects perfect works out of His people. We know we were perfected by Christ at the cross and now we're walking into it because it's our opportunity; it's ours to lose, too, by the way. What are works? Galatians chapter five speaks about the “works of the flesh” (verse 19) and the “fruit of the Spirit” (verse 22). Why compare the “works of the flesh” with the “fruit of the Spirit,” unless the fruit of the Spirit is also the “works” of the Spirit? The truth is that the fruit of the Spirit is our works. It's a manifestation of the Spirit through us. If we are Spirit-led, we will have Spirit-works. (Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Let me remind you of one of the verses that we emphasized earlier: (Luk.8:14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. In Galatians, we have the fruit of “perfect works” and in Luke we have “perfect fruit,” so, as we see, these are synonymous terms here. We have learned that this word “perfection,” or telesphoreo, actually means “to bring to completion or perfection, with the end in view.” In other words, we have discovered that, as we “calleth the things that are not, as though they were” (Rom.4:17), as we viewed the end and claimed the end, that it was ours! (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord (which is the end in view), are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. We see here the end in view is Jesus in us. the power by we are receiving what God gave to us at the cross, which is perfection. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” We've received this by faith and this gives us the power and ability to enter into it “from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.” Another verse that talks about arriving at the end that you've viewed as yours is (1Th.5:23) And the God of peace himself sanctify you (talking to Christians) wholly (holoteles, which means “perfection or completeness, unto the end”); and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it. There is perfection. The Lord promised to do it because “faith is assurance of [things] hoped for, a conviction of things not seen” (Heb.11:1). As we believe and as we walk by faith, we arrive at that end in view, which is Christ Himself. God will bring it to pass. The Lord Jesus Himself said, “According to your faith be it done unto you” (Mat.9:29). We are trusting Him to bring us to that place. The most important thing is not to walk by sight, not to see your natural face in the mirror, but to accept what the Lord did for you. Repent when you see anything contrary to the face of Christ. Repent and turn your heart toward Him in faith. He will do the work. So, what is perfection? What is maturity? What is full salvation? What is the end in view? (Luk.6:40) The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when (notice its “when,” not “if”) he is perfected shall be as his teacher. Who is the teacher here? Jesus! Notice that when he is perfected he shall be as his teacher, so we have something wonderful to believe for, don't we? (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. The Lord is the One Who's going to do this, but it's through our faith, and even that's a gift from Him. We have to renew our mind to see the gift of Jesus Christ that God has given to us. We're accepting His free gift, not on the grounds that we've earned it or have any ability or power to partake of it, but on the grounds that God has given Him to us, as a gift. And now Jesus is telling us that when we are perfected, we'll be as our Teacher. This tells us that it's very important who our teacher is. If we make religion our teacher, we're going to fall far short. If we make a certain denomination our teacher, we're only going to go to that level and we're going to stop, because they won't let us go beyond them. They'll judge us pretty harshly if we try. But if we make Jesus, the Word of God our Teacher then we can come into that image. So the best thing to do is to dig and study the Word, to find out exactly what it is to be like Him and to be a disciple. The disciple is not above his Teacher. He promised that a disciple, when he is perfected, shall be as his Teacher. Not all people called Christians will ever be perfected, but disciples will, because they're learners and followers, mathetes. They study the Master. They want to walk as the Master walked. Notice the promise is “when.” But that's for a disciple. There are many, many Christians, but not many disciples. Jesus made conditions for discipleship, and we need to study those conditions, too. Here's a similar verse: (Mat.10:24) A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. (25) It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord.  Again, an awesome word that the Lord has given unto us. Many people would call that blasphemy, but the Lord Himself is the One Who spoke it and therefore we must speak it to confess Him and His power. We see that Jesus is “the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom.8:29), who also will become sons and daughters of God. We, too, are being “born” into His image: spirit, soul, and, ultimately, body. (Mat.10:25) It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his Lord. (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. To abide in Christ means to be coming into that place where you are walking as He walked, more and more. You're growing in the image and stature of Christ, and you're coming into that place. Let me also point out another verse: (Joh.8:34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. (35) And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever…. So there are some who are considered bondservants who will not enter the Kingdom; they will not be “in the house for ever.” They will not have eternal life because they're also bondservants of sin; only “the son abideth for ever.” Therefore we must be sons by faith or by manifestation. “Faith is accounted as righteousness.” There's a difference between a bondservant and a son. Let me explain something to you that the Lord explained to me. Every son is a bondservant and every son serves his Lord diligently, but not every bondservant is a son. A son is a special relationship. This is the heir we're talking about; they're not just a slave. Servants serve for one reason; sons serve for quite another reason. Sons want to promote their father's kingdom because they're also heirs of that kingdom, and they want to please their Father. He's their Father! Bondservants serve, many times, because they have to. Sometimes it might be just fire insurance to them. But to a son, it's different; it's personal when you're a son. And there are far fewer sons than there are bondservants. We see here that the bondservant is not going to abide in the house forever, but the sons abide forever. A son is a servant who has that relationship to the Father. I'd like to further point out the difference between a servant and a son: (Gal.4:1) But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all. Let's say that all who are called Christians are heirs. Some are children, and some are more and more manifesting sonship. Right now, he says, so long as the heir is a child, he's no different than a bondservant, even though, in reality and according to position, he's lord of everything. God has given us perfection at the very beginning of our walk. It's a free gift He's given unto us, and because we accept it by faith, we walk more and more in that position. What is perfection? It's Christ, it's sonship, it's the manifestation of the Son in you. This is God's plan. Reconciliation is an exchange of Christ's life on the cross for your life. “Reconciliation” means “an exchange.” God has given you His life and His blessings and taken your curse and your sin and put it upon the cross. Now we are entering into this because we believe in this. (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. The Lord is manifesting this in us freely because we believe that we've been given sonship and not just the position of a servant. Here's another confirmation: (Pro.29:21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become a son at the last. Servants and children are equal, but the end result, which we're looking in the mirror to see, is sonship.  (Gal.4:1) But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; (2) but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. That's true; we all start out in kindergarten, which is a lot of religions out there. They are just kindergarten. The Lord told me one time that religions are like playpens that are meant to be outgrown – we're supposed to climb over the bars. They build all kinds of bars around you to keep you in, but you can outgrow them. You can be mature, but in the meantime, there are “guardians and stewards” who keep the baby from getting in trouble. (3) So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world. “Rudiments” here means “elements.” The Greek word stoicheion means “first principles in a series.” Many people are really hung up under the “first principles,” as we read in Hebrews chapter five. They're staying right there; they're not moving from the “first principles.” But if you stay there, you're not going to grow up, and you won't bear fruit. Some people are going around in little religious circles with the same old things, not stretching forth to grow in the fullness of the Word of God. (Gal.4:4) But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Heb.7:19) (For the law made nothing perfect)….If you're under the Law, you'll never come to perfection. We're all in a relationship with God, brethren. Grace is the right relationship. We need His grace and His power to work in us. The Law is actuated by our own works, but we receive grace through faith, and then God works the work in us. (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. We need to get out from under the Law, otherwise, we'll always stay a child and bondservant. (Gal.4:6) And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Now, what does “because ye are sons” mean? The answer is here: (Gal.3:25) But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. (26) For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. (Rom.8:19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. That's the manifestation of the sons of God. This is the son of God by faith. We're sons of God by faith because now, in the New Testament, out from under the Law, we're justified by faith in believing that we don't live anymore – Christ lives in us. (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Remember, He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last (Pro.29:21). This comes from both the Jews and the Romans. They had a procedure whereby they would adopt servants in whom they had particular pleasure, maybe if they didn't have a child of their own. They would adopt them as sons, the point being that the word for “child,” teknon, only emphasizes a birth, but the word “son,” huios, emphasizes a particular relationship with the Father. There are many people born into the Kingdom, but they never manifest sonship. They remain children all their lives. They never mature and don't bear fruit. If they believe the Gospel they will bear fruit. One thing that keeps children from bearing fruit is the Law, living under legalism. This is illustrated here: (Gal.4:7) So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. So we see that, by faith, we are no longer bondservants; we're no longer children. We're sons because we come out from under the Law and into grace to enter into this. (8) Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: (9) but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments (there's “first principles” again), whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? (10) Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. (11) I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain. They were going back under the Law and seeking to be justified by the Law, through their own self-efforts to keep the Law, instead of by faith. (Gal.3:11) Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith. So our life comes from faith. Now Paul was worried because going back under the Law cannot manifest Christ in us and it is not the nature of Jesus Christ to begin with. The Law is just “our tutor to bring us to Christ.” He has to take us from that point on. (Gal.4:19) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you (in other words, until sonship is formed in you). You're a child if you're under the Law in any form. If your religion is putting you under legalism, whether it's the legalism of the Old Testament Law or their own laws, rather than being able to follow the Spirit, you're going to stay a child. You're never going to grow up. He goes on to talk about the “son of the handmaid” and the “son of the freewoman”: (21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. Now that's clear. If you're under legalism, you're not free to hear the voice of Christ and follow Him, and to submit to all that Scripture has to say – not just the little box that your religion has made for you. It doesn't matter whether it's man's legalism or of your own church rules, or even as far as going back under the Old Testament Law. You're not free, and you're not justified by faith like that. Paul goes on to talk about the difference between the sons of the handmaid and the sons of the freewoman. Sons of the handmaid are servants; sons of the freewoman are sons. He warns us in the next verse, (30) Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. Yes, they were both children of Abraham, but Paul is making a type and a shadow here to show us that the bondservant who is not a son will not have the eternal life like the son will. The devil has a lot of people walking in bondage, thinking that they're justified by their works, thinking nobody else is obeying this particular part of the Law but them and they're seeking to be justified by that. They're not free and it's sad. (Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. The Spirit of God is not going to lead you back under the law, a covenant that God never made with you. The Spirit of God is going to lead you under grace because you are justified by faith. If you can't find your doctrine in the New Testament, brethren, be careful. And if you're twisting the New Testament to fit the Old, be careful because the New is the fulfillment of the Old. The Old was a parable, a type and a shadow of the New. You don't want to go back under the type or the shadow. You want to live under the fulfillment and that is, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Gal.4:31) Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman. Yes, that's exactly right by faith, not necessarily by manifestation, but by faith. So we need to repent. If you are listening to men who are dragging you back under a Law, you need to repent because this is going to stunt your growth. You will be called a son of the handmaid and not of the freewoman. You'll be a bondservant, but you'll never be a son. A bondservant is a child, the Bible says. We're waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. The whole of creation waits. The whole purpose of God is to create His children into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. That's the manifestation of the sons of God. There are false doctrines about the manifestation out there and some are scaring away people from the very words “manifestation of the sons of God,” but it's in the Book. It was taught by the Lord and by the apostle Paul. We need an understanding of what “manifestation of the sons of God” means, which is what we're entering into. I'd like to point out that John says exactly what we read in Galatians: (Joh.8:34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. (35) And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever. “Ishmaels” do not have eternal life; “Isaacs” do. We are the seed of promise, through Isaac. Ishmael wasn't; that was a work of Abraham. By type and shadow, we understand what this means. The Parable of the Talents is very clear: (Mat.25:14) For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants (these are not the people of the world; these are the people of the Kingdom), and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. So he gave forth his talents, and he expected them to bear the fruit of this. (16) Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents. (17) In like manner he also that [received] the two gained other two. (18) But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth (in the flesh), and hid his lord's money. (19) Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. (20) And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents. (21) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22) And he also that [received] the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (24) And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow (This man is like those who claims Gods works were their own, For the Lord did sow the gift unto them and He expected them to bear fruit.), and gathering where thou didst not scatter (But He did scatter); (25) and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth (He consumed the gift for his flesh.): lo, thou hast thine own. (26) But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; (27) thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest. So when the Lord returned, He judged the two who brought forth fruit and they entered into the kingdom and were blessed abundantly. But he also judged the servant who had only one talent and didn't bear any fruit: (28) Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away. (Mat.25:30) And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. The unprofitable servant who doesn't bear the fruit, the servant who doesn't manifest sonship 30-, 60- and 100- fold, is cast forth into the outer darkness.  They took the one talent away from that person and gave it to the servant who had 10 talents. Remember that because we're going to see it again. In other words, if you have fruit, you'll get more. If you have less, you'll get less. So, great talents have been given to us through the promises, and we should bear their fruit. Matthew gives us another parable that ends up in the exact same place: (22:2) The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son. Jesus. The marriage feast is the time when the Bride and the Groom celebrate for seven days, while on this earth.  We see that He invited the Jews to come to that marriage feast, but they mostly refused and mistreated His servants, as happened then. So He sent his armies to destroy their city in 70 AD. He turned away from them and invited strangers, speaking of the gentiles in the Church now. At that time, when the Jews were rejected because of their unbelief in Jesus Christ, He turned and invited the Church, the early Jewish Christians and the gentiles, to His marriage feast. However, the time is coming now when many gentiles will have worldly excuses not to go to the marriage feast and they also will be rejected as the parables show. And then a remnant of the Jews will return. The marriage feast, by the way, is at the bride's home (on earth). At the end of the seven day feast is the marriage supper which is at the Groom's home (in heaven). All are escorted by the wise virgins. The marriage feast was seven days, and we have seven days/years called the Tribulation period that's coming. That will be our marriage feast, where the Bride and the Groom are going to feast upon the bread (the Word of God) and wine (the nature of Jesus Christ). (Lev.17:14) … For the life of all flesh is the blood thereof…. There's going to be a great feast in the last seven days – the last seven years; a great feast upon the very nature and life of Jesus Christ and upon the true Word of God. Jesus will attend as Groom and teach in the Man-child body. We read on: (Mat.22:11) But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding-garment. The wedding garment is the brilliant garment that's given to the Bride in Revelation 19:8. That garment is described as lampros, “bright”, and is described as “the righteous acts of the saints.” whereas the leukos, “white,” garment was on all the rest of those invited to the marriage feast (Revelation 19:14). If you don't have on one of those garments, which represent various stages of manifesting sonship or the righteousness of God, then you're going to be rejected. God is not going to accept people who are justified by works or by the Law. Self-righteousness is not the kind of righteousness He wants. He wants the righteousness of grace through faith. (Mat.22:12) And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. (Because he was lied to by religion.) (13) Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few chosen. Notice there are many people called who are not going to be putting on the wedding garment. The chosen are the people who are wearing the wedding garment. The previous parable we just read gives the same ending, but in that case, the one with the one talent lost his talent, his reward. His reward was instead given to the servant who had the 10 talents. Trust the Lord. Read your Bible and don't trust in any man. Hold fast. Be willing to give up your old life. Be perfect, in the Name of Jesus.

A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent Galatians 4:21-31 by the Rev'd Dr. Matthew Colvin Our epistle lesson this morning comes from Galatians 4. I know that Pastor Bill preached on it just recently, but I would like to look at it too, from a different angle. It is one of the most controversial chapters in the NT, both for its view of Judaism and for its hermeneutical maneuvers. Paul is concerned for Christians in Galatia. The Judaizers were taunting Gentile Christians with the manifest visible superiority of Judaism: its splendid temple; its priesthood; its Torah; all the society's esteem and honor. And against this, what did Christians have to show? They were hiding for fear of the Jews; they were subjected to persecution and arrest; they had been kicked out of the synagogue and subjected to the ban, excommunication. Above all, there was the disgrace of worshipping a criminal who had been killed by the most shameful sort of execution, crucifixion by the Romans. All this was exploited by Paul's enemies in Galatia, the Judaizers or the circumcision party. Their strategy was to exalt themselves by trying to get the Gentiles to envy them - “They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.” – The verb zeloō means both to be zealous and to be jealous. Paul's enemies are behaving like spiteful middle school girls — not like the righteous women of this church, but like the ones I knew when I was in school — trying to exclude a hated rival by social shunning, in order to magnify their own status. To stop them and shut them down, Paul needs to do more than just answer their case logically. He also needs to undermine their ethos; he needs to subvert the system of value that makes their case so plausible at first glance. They are counting on Paul's readers sharing their value system. Paul wants to make sure his readers do not share it. It is a task that he undertakes in many of his letters. In Romans he addresses the Jews as those who “rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.” He is setting forth the Jewish system of value, the grounds of their boasting. And it was a very good grounds for boasting. The longest book in the Bible, Psalm 119, is one continuing paean of praise to the Law, the Torah. It is full of statements like, “I love thy commandments above gold and precious stones” and “The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” But Paul rips this point of boasting away by asking, “Yes, the Law is wonderful — but do you actually obey it?” In Philippians 3, Paul gathers together all the things that he could have been proud of as a Jew: “If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;” That stuff that the Jews think is so valuable? Their circumcision, their membership in one of the two faithful tribes (Benjamin and Judah)? Their zeal, their lawkeeping? It's all worthless. In fact, it's so worthless that I threw it all away. I have something of real value that none of that stuff can give you. In the book of Hebrews, Paul or someone from his circles who thought an awful lot like him has the difficult task of undermining Jewish boasting about the Temple, the priesthood, and the sacrifices — a task that might seem impossible, since these things were instituted by God and everybody knew it. The temple was imposing, gleaming with gold. Paul calls it a “tent”, the sort of makeshift, flimsy structure that you go camping in, and you lie down in it, and there's nothing but a thin layer of cloth between you and the outside, and if it's too windy, the thing is in danger of collapsing; and anyway, it's that way because you're going to take it down and pack it up anyway. That's what he thinks of your fancy temple. Besides, the real temple is in heaven. Your tent is made by human hands; the only Temple worthy of the name is made by God. The priests' ministry was observable; they were dressed in robes; everyone could see their work, and that they had been instituted by God. Paul says, “They keep on dying, which is proof that their work isn't much good. And they have to offer sacrifices for their own sins, not just the people's.” The sacrifices were there for all to see: they had been commanded by God himself. The blood of the sacrifices flowed continually at the temple, on a daily basis. Paul says, “See how they have to do it over and over again? That's because it doesn't really work. They need Jesus. That's the only sacrifice that works, and that's why Jesus only needed to be sacrificed once.” Yes, Paul is a genius at overthrowing his opponents' strongest arguments. He loves to take their most powerful evidence and use it against them. He is a master of rhetorical jujitsu, throwing his opponents to the mat by using the momentum and force of their own attacks. He is like Elijah in the contest with the prophets of Baal, one man against 450, “And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.” Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water.” In Galatians 4, it is a terribly difficult rhetorical task that Paul faces: his opponents appear to have the Torah, the OT, on their side. It does, after all, command circumcision; it does prohibit the eating of unclean foods; it does tell the stories of Ishmael, Moab, and Ben-Ammi, the ancestors of the rival nations surrounding Israel, all of whom are deprecated as the offspring of incest, slave marriage, or concubinage. These stories account for the origins of the Gentiles around Israel. Israel itself, however, was descended from Isaac, the legitimate son and heir of Abraham. These stories underscore the chosenness of Israel, and the fact that these other nations were not chosen. “Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated” was not just a statement about two sons. It was a statement about two nations: the Edomites and Israel. It says that Israel is the covenant people that God loves, and Edom is not. So it is Paul's opponents, not Paul, who have the easier case to make here: Jewish people are (most of them) descended from Jacob (Israel) and Gentiles are not. And they might have made this case most plainly from the story of Isaac, Abraham's son miraculously conceived by the power of God in Abraham's old age. This is strong rhetorical ground for the circumcision advocates in Galatia. Circumcision is commanded in the Torah for God's people. It is breathtakingly audacious for Paul to argue that a proper understanding of the Torah will lead you to the conclusion that circumcision doesn't matter. Paul calls the Torah a yoke of bondage. I'm not sure we appreciate how bold a move this is. The exodus was Israel's independence day. It's when they came out of slavery in Egypt and became a free nation. Paul says that the circumcizers advocating Torah-obedience in Galatia are like those who wanted to go back to Egypt. It would be like an American saying that the Declaration of Independence is the document in American history that made everyone slaves. But that is what Paul says about the Torah, given on Mount Sinai: that covenant has led to the present state of affairs: Jerusalem that now is, and is in bondage with her children. Now, we know from elsewhere in Paul's letters, especially Romans, that he considered the Law a good gift of God and the reason why the Law was now leading to slavery was because Israel was using it wrongly, not because the Law was bad. The slavery results from Israel's sinfulness, not something wrong with the Law. But here, he doesn't go into that, because he is focused not on the Law as it was given by God, but on the Law as it was used rhetorically by his opponents. You have heard the expression, “He is wrapping himself in the flag”? That is what the Judaizers in Galatia are doing with the Torah: using it as a uniform to distinguish true, Jewish Christians from second-rate, Gentile Christians. And Paul says: You think that you look cool with your bling; but it's really chains to keep you enslaved. Above all, Paul takes the bull by the horns and uses an audacious maneuver to deal with the Judaizers' most powerful weapon: the taunt of illegitimacy. That is the point of the Ishmael story as used by Jews: the Ishmaelites, the Arabs, are illegitimate offspring of Abraham, just as the Moabites and Ammonites were stigmatized as the offspring of Lot's daughters after the destruction of Sodom. Only Jews were the children of Isaac; they had been called into existence by the power of YHWH himself. They were not the product of an ill-conceived attempt at surrogate pregnancy, and with a slave wife. Be aware that the Judaizers have centuries and centuries of social and legal precedent for their view. That line that Paul quotes from Sarah — “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman” — that was a line that Paul's opponents loved to quote. When Sarah said it to Abraham, she wasn't just being mean. The lawcodes of Ur-Nammu and Lipit-Ishtar, from around the same time as Abraham, contained rules about exactly this sort of situation, and they are formulated with exactly the same sort of phrasing: “If a man has a wife a free woman who has born children to him, and he takes a slave wife and she also bears children to him, the children of the slave wife shall not share in the inheritance with the children of the free wife.” Sarah is saying, “Husband, you know the law from when we lived in Ur. This is what we have to do.” And the heretics in Galatia were taking up this two-thousand year tradition of legal and social stigma against children of slavery, and applying it to Gentile Christians. It's a powerful tool of shaming and social marginalization, and it is based on a very foundational text of the covenant: the story of the birth of Isaac. Both the Judaizers and their Galatian Gentile victims believed this text was the word of God. Both believed that the Jews were descendants of Isaac. Paul knows all this. He has chosen to fight them on their strongest ground; he gives them home field advantage. He pours water so that it fills up the trench. And then he incinerates their whole argument like Elijah. The stigma of illegitimacy? He turns it back on the Judaizers. They are the bastards now, the “children of the flesh”; they are “in bondage” with their slave-mother. The Gentile Galatian Christians? They are “children of the promise.” And just as it was back then, the child of the slave woman is persecuting the child of the promise. The two sons are marked not by their circumcised or uncircumcised status but by the slave/free polarity that distinguishes their mothers. Paul has to reach a little bit here. The LXX Greek translation that Paul used here doesn't actually say, “persecuting”. What the LXX says is that Sarah “saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian who had been born to Abraham playing with her son Isaac (paizonta meta Isaac tou huiou autes).” That's the most straightforward way to take it. But the word “playing” can also mean “mocking”. And that's probably how Paul took it. And then he magnifies it into the sibling rivalry from hell by glossing “mocking” as “persecuting”. Where did he get this from? It is transferred from the situation between the Judaizers and the Gentile Christians in Galatia. By casting the rivalry as a conflict between the flesh and the promise, Paul undercuts the Judaizers' use of the Torah. That is why he says, “These are two covenants” — the boldest piece of clever interpretation in the Bible. It is all part of his rhetorical strategy concerning the Torah that he has laid in the previous chapter, Galatians 3. The two covenants are NOT the Old and the New. They are the Torah covenant and the covenant with Abraham (which turns out to find its fulfillment in Christ). And the covenant with Abraham is more original, more foundational, more important, more primary. The law was added 430 years later. The Torah was a stop-gap measure to keep things under control until the fulfillment of the covenant with Abraham. And for Paul, Gentile Christians are that fulfillment: “in you, all the nations — the ethnê — shall be blessed.” This aligns the Gentile Christians with the whole purpose of the Covenant with Abraham, and means that Paul can cast them as the true children of the promise. They are citizens of the only Jerusalem that counts, the “Jerusalem above”. And by citing the line of Sarah, “cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman”, Paul makes clear what the stakes are here: the Judaizers and those who trust in the Torah to be their badge of membership in the covenant are not merely mistaken. They are Ishmaels and they will not inherit. They will be cast out. The Gentile Christians — and faithful Jewish Christians who did not pressure them to get circumcized — will be counted as true members of the covenant with Abraham, and the Judaizing circumcision-pushers will not. Who are the bastards now? Paul revels in what God has done. It is perfectly in accordance with his way of working: "He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is brought to a quick end.” (Job 5). The Judaizers have fallen into the pit that they have dug: their taunts of illegitimacy rebound on their own heads; the glory of the title of “true children of Abraham” is wrapped around the Gentile believers whom they had stigmatized. Paul's jujitsu victory is complete and total, because it is the victory of Christ, who led captivity captive and triumphed by being crucified. In the end, Paul's fierce warfare over the Galatians has to do with vindicating the honor of Christ, with proving that He has really accomplished all that Paul says he has; with showing that the covenant with Abraham is truly fulfilled in Jesus, because he is the yes and amen. To go back to the Torah is to turn the clock back and engage in historical reenactment; to live a life of live-action-role-playing instead of reality. It is a costly and foolish attempt to gain privilege and honor by denying the completeness and finality of Jesus' work, and attempting to supplement it with another identity in terms of the Torah. The true Exodus is via Christ, not via the Torah. That is part of the meaning of our gospel lesson this morning from John 6. Here the true bread from heaven, Jesus, works a miraculous feeding like the manna of old. But he does it not in order to cause the crowd to envy his disciples; he has no desire for his followers to act like the Judaizers, zealous courting others to provoke them envy. No, his disciples are to be the means by which the bread of life is given to the multitudes — and the two small fish, symbol of Gentiles and of fishing for men, of the fulfillment of Jeremiah 16:16: “Behold, I am sending for many fishers, declares the Lord, and they shall catch them.” In the end, the nations are to be blessed through the disobedience of Israel. Our time is short, so I will not try to prove this exhaustively, but I want you to see the pattern: Joseph's brothers disobey and sell him into slavery, so that he is carried off to a Gentile land, Egypt, and becomes assimilated to Egyptian ways. But God works it all out so that Joseph's imprisonment in an Egyptian prison works out for the salvation of Joseph's brothers and all Egypt, “to save many alive.” When Jesus touches dead bodies, a woman with a 12 year flow of bleeding that made her unclean, or a leper, what happens? The usual laws of uncleanness work backward: rather than becoming unclean, Jesus makes these people clean. That is the way God has designed the exile of Israel to work: rather than the exiled members of Israel becoming lost and destroyed, they have mingled with the nations and thereby brought it about that in order to keep His promises to Israel, God will save the Gentiles as well. As a result, “In Abraham's seed, all the nations shall be blessed.” Isn't it funny how Satan's schemes always backfire? He is truly the Wile E. Coyote of the Bible. He will have his church be Israel for the sake of the world; thus we are to be true heirs of Abraham, fulfilling the purpose for which He was called. Amen.

Today we look at a crucial principle from the life of Abraham that we should all seek to emulate.Other episodes referenced in this one:Episode 66: Isaacs or Ishmaels?Episode 24: The GospelEpisode 7: Meditating on the Scriptures, Part 1Episode 91: HupomenōScriptures referenced:Genesis 12:1-3Genesis 15:1-6Genesis 17:1-7Genesis 12:4Genesis 18:10-15Genesis 21:1-3, 6Proverbs 13:12Romans 4:18-25Psalm 23:6aRomans 12:1-2John 3:16John 1:11-13Matthew 8:5-13Matthew 6:33Matthew 15:7-9Matthew 4:4Psalm 1:1-32 Timothy 2:7Hebrews 13:5Psalm 27:13-14James 1:2-42 Corinthians 12:8-10Matthew 11:28I WANT TO BE DISCIPLEDI am on staff with another ministry called Mentoring Men for the Master (M3). M3 is a discipleship ministry; so, if you are interested in being discipled and having someone come alongside you to invest in you and your walk with Jesus, feel free to email us at info@mentoringmen.net. You can also check out M3's website by clicking "I want to be discipled" above. Please also note that despite the ministry's name, M3 disciples both men and women; so, the offer is open to all!I WANT TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTERIf you would like to sign up to receive newsletter updates, simply click "I want to sign up for the newsletter" above and fill out the form. Also, feel free to check out our most recent newsletter.I WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCASTIf you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking "I want to support the podcast" above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!Take care!

Introduction to series; God sometimes speaks in dreams or visions. What can we learn from these moments of strange communication? In this story, we see the differences between the “Isaacs” of our lives (miracles God plans for us) and the “Ishmaels” (the things we settle for and/or try to manufacture ourselves). Are you ready to trust God enough to dream a little dream? (Note: passages read will be Ge 15:1-6; 16:1-6,15; 17:1-6, 15-22)

Sunday, April 28, 2024

You may have seen Ross Raines leading worship at Mercy Culture Church or you may have seen him preaching at Thread Church, but today you will see him opening up about his life and the pursuit of God's heart on the I Like Birds Podcast. Ross shares insights about spiritual gifts, birthing Isaacs instead of Ishmaels, spiritual covering, being sent by Pastor Landon Schott, prophetic dreams, and being in unity as a church! Zach also shares a healing testimony about his wife after multiple seasons of praying and protocols! Then One DAY at Church, BAM! HEALED! Hear the story and more in this life-giving convo with my new friend Ross Raines! Bro, this episode is spiritually smooth. Share it once you see what i mean. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Partner with us on Patreon

Christian Maturity (audio) David Eells 1/7/24 (Heb.10:18) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. That is, through the offering up of Christ, all of those who were separated from their sins were sanctified. So, in this we see what we have by faith, what we have by position in Christ. Now God is expecting us to bear the fruit of what we have in Christ. He's given it to us as a gift. We have to reach out and take it by faith, and accept it, and confess it! We have to believe with our heart and confess with our mouth unto this salvation that we're speaking about.   We can see that sanctification has already been given and that's our position. But look at 1 Thessalonians 3:11, where it speaks about the manifestation of sanctification, or holiness. In most places in the Bible, “sanctification” and “holiness” come from the same word – hagiasmos. (1Th.3:11) Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you: (12) and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also [do] toward you; (1Th.3:13) to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness….   “Holiness” here is one of the words for “sanctification.” Well, if there's an “end” that we're coming to and it is to be established in holiness, or sanctification, then this is not the same thing he was just talking about in Hebrews 10. There he says we “have been sanctified.” Here he is saying that we're looking forward to being sanctified. This is talking about the manifestation of sanctification, or the manifestation of holiness. As a matter of fact, this particular word for “holiness” is hagiosune and it means “sanctification manifested” in our actions, in our works. That's what God desires, not just sanctification in heavenly places, which was given to us as a gift from Christ, but manifested in our works.     So He has commanded us to partake of what He's already provided, as our position in Christ. This is hagiosune. (1Th.3:13) To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. What he's saying is, “You have to be ready for that time, when the Lord comes with all of His saints.” He's talking about those who have passed on before, the dead in Christ. He's saying, “You have to be unblameable and in holiness at that time, sanctified to the purpose that God has for His Church, that spotless, blemishless Church.” We have to be ready for the Lord when He comes. Now we're seeing that this happens through the manifestation of sanctification, this word hagiosune, which is a derivative of hagiasmos. It specifically addresses the manifestation of the works of sanctification in a person's life.     Let's look at another place where hagiosune is used: (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. This verse uses the same word hagiosune. (Heb.12:14) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord…. Holiness, sanctification: this is something that God has given us to do. We exercise our faith in the promises and through this we perfect sanctification.  So we see that there is a way in which we've been given sanctification and holiness by position, and there is a way in which God is telling us, “Okay, since I've given this to you, now take it by faith.” The only way we can apprehend what God has given unto us is to take it by faith.     1 Thessalonians agrees with this: (1Th.4:1) Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk, that ye abound more and more. (2) For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus. (3) For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification…. But we just read in Hebrews 10 that this has already been given to us as a gift. We need to understand that God is proving who the true believers are. Many people are religious and quite content to say, “Okay, I'm holy.” That's simple. But they don't realize that God wants that holiness of Christ, that hagiosune that we just read about to be manifested in our life, in our heart and in our works.    God has called us in sanctification and He wants us to apprehend all of what sanctification is. (1Th.5:23) And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly … (or “completely” or “perfectly”). It's the same word. This is what perfection is, friends. (23) … May your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire (in other words, no garment spotted by the flesh), without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you (that is, invites you to partake of this), who will also do it. In other words, the Lord will manifest it. He expects us to walk by faith, but He will manifest this in us. He will manifest the gift that He has given us through Jesus Christ.     This same truth is “manifested” in quite a few other places, for instance, where Paul speaks of our Passover, Who is Christ. (1Co.5:7) Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our Passover also hath been sacrificed, [even] Christ: (8) wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.   He goes on to question, “What are we to do if we're to be unleavened and leaven comes into our midst?” Malice and wickedness come into our midst, which he was talking about in the previous text, when he spoke of a man who had his father's wife. Paul turned him over to the devil for the destruction of his flesh so that the spirit might be saved in the Day of the Lord, so he's telling us to cast out these people.    In other words, God is expecting a manifestation of sanctification for those who have faith. He's making these people responsible. (9) I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; (10) not at all [meaning] with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: (11) but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. He's talking about eating the Passover. He's talking about partaking of the Word of God.   People who are coming to God, who repent, who change their mind and believe the Gospel, walk away from immorality. His warning is here: (1Co.6:9) Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. He's talking to Christians; he's not talking about the people in the world. He said the church judges those who are within.    I'd like to point out another Scripture, as well: (2Th.2:13) But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation (Here it is again!) in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. This is the way to manifest our salvation. We've been saved by faith, but now it has to be manifested. Salvation is Jesus Christ. If we want to know what it looks like, it looks like Jesus Christ. (Col.1:27) … Christ in you, the hope of glory. The only hope of glory is “Christ in you,” 30-, 60- and 100-fold.   He says here, He “chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” This is part of it. We can't have sanctification by the Spirit unless we believe the truth. Believing the truth is what gives us grace. Grace is what gives us sanctification.     Grace is God's unmerited favor. We don't take one step toward God without His favor, and that comes by exercising faith in the truth. It's very important whom we sit under, whom we believe, whom we let sit next to us. The Bible is very plain that [a] little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Gal.5:9). If you're sitting in a church where they permit the grossest of sinners in there, and they call it grace, what they're doing is “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (Jud.1:4), a license to do what you want to do. ‘If it's okay for the next guy to do it, it's okay for me to do it.' And everything that comes out his mouth, and everything that witnesses to me of his life is going into me. He says, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Gal.5:9). So He's warning us.     (2Th.2:14) Whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We've been given this glory from the sacrifice of Christ, but He wants us to obtain the glory, or, in other words, for it to be manifested in this realm. “Manifestation” means “becoming seen; becoming visible” in this realm. The Lord is demanding that we obtain His glory. It can only come through the truth and our faith in the truth, which brings us sanctification. (Heb.12:14) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification (or “holiness,” hagiasmos) without which no man shall see the Lord.     So now he speaks to Christians, to whom he just got through telling, “By which will we have been sanctified” (Heb.10:10). (14) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Sanctification is this process of perfection. He's saying that this has been given to us freely, and now we are to follow after this, to Follow after … the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb.12:14).     It's not good enough for us to just believe in the position that we have in Christ, although that position affords us great benefits, and without that, we have no way to obtain sanctification. (15) Looking carefully lest [there be] any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you,] and thereby the many be defiled; (16) lest [there be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright.   What was his birthright? Well, obviously, according to the text, sanctification, but because of following after the flesh, or meat, he sold his birthright. He was a son of Abraham, he had birthright, but he lost it. That's what Esau represents, a Christian who lost his birthright. Some don't believe that can happen, but they're wrong. (17) For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind [in his father], though he sought it diligently with tears. He found no place for a change of mind. He desired it, he knew that he needed it. He wanted fire insurance, but God wouldn't give it to him.   In the Parable of the Sower, it was the seed, which was the Word, that brought forth the fruit. (17) Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. Not man's theology, nothing other than His pure Word is truth. (18) As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. (19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. What is Jesus saying? He was saying that He was sanctifying Himself so that His disciples could be sanctified in the truth that was manifested through Him.     We can't get sanctification from someone who doesn't speak the truth, or someone who's not walking in sanctification themselves. They're just leaven and they're going to leaven you. Don't sit underneath them and don't fellowship with those who are walking in sin. Fellowship is giving and receiving, and you don't want to receive things from these people. It's like partaking of unclean beasts. We're forbidden to do this. So Jesus said, “I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in the truth.” While walking with Jesus, it sanctified those disciples pretty quickly.  We have a method given to us by God to help us be able to imagine sanctification, to imagine that it is our gift and that we can walk in it. (Rom.6:1) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? I tell you, a lot of people believe that. They believe, “Oh, it's the grace of God. I'm a sinner saved by grace and my sins just magnify His grace.” But He says, not so. If you were sanctified, you'd better walk in it. (2) God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? (3) Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?   That's for the death of the old man. When you went down in that water, the old “you” died. The One that came up was Jesus Christ. (4) We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. So when you come up, you should be able to walk in newness of life. You have the authority over sin that you didn't have before, by this act of faith.     Baptism is an act of faith. It's a way in which our imagination can connect our faith with what God has given. It's the faith that does the work, not the water. The water represents the washing with the Word of God, but it's not the water that cleanses you physically. It's your faith that does it, you see, (Rom.6:4) … so we also might walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have become united with [him] in the likeness of his death (the likeness being baptism, buried in water, the Word of God, which puts to death the old man), we shall be also [in the likeness] of his resurrection.     We're accepting this gift by faith when we're baptized. (6) Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin. Notice that he said it “might be done away.” It's not a surety that it will be done, even though this gift has been given to all of the saints. All of God's people have received this gift, but we have to fight to grasp it. (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.     (Rom.6:7) [F]or he that hath died is justified from sin. (8) But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; (9) knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him. (and neither does it with us) (10) For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God. (11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin (in other words, consider it done, accept it by faith), but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof. So we see we have the authority to say no to sin; and notice that it's through our faith because we “reckon” that we're “dead unto sin” and “alive unto God.”    Are you a believer? Do you believe that Jesus took away the sin that you're struggling with right now? Do you believe that you can cast this thing down by faith in Jesus Christ? (18) And being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. You don't have to “any longer live therein” (Rom.6:2). You can cast it down. (19) … Present your members [as] servants to righteousness unto sanctification. … (22) But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification…. You have it already. It's been given to you. Glory be to God!    Usually I study the Parable of the Sower out of Matthew 13, but I would like us to look at Luke this time. (Luk.8:4) And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable: (5) The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it. (6) And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. (7) And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.   (8) And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (9) And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. (10) And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. (11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.   (12) And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. (13) And those on the rock [are] they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.   So obviously, we're talking about the manifestation of perfection, which is to bring fruit to perfection. Notice, even though they were receiving the seed, they didn't bring the fruit to perfection. (15) And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience. These bring forth fruit unto perfection. Glory to God! That's our hope, that the Lord Himself will manifest His fruit in us.   It's the seed that brings forth the fruit unto perfection; it's not us. It's the seed, the Word of God in us, that has power. One of the points is that we have to hold it fast, hold fast the seed. We see that the seed is being sown in the heart (verse 11) and the seed is the Word of God. If the heart holds it fast, it will bring forth fruit unto perfection. (12) And those by the wayside are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. Here the Word is not held fast so that it bears fruit; this is a miscarrying womb.   The heart is the womb that brings forth the fruit, just like the womb of a woman has to hold fast the seed in order for that seed to come to birth. (1Jn.3:9) Whosoever is begotten (the word “begotten” here is the same word for “born”) of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him…. In other words, it stays, it's being held fast, it “abideth in him.” He cannot sin because he is born of God. So, when the seed abides, it can come to birth, it can bring the fruit to perfection. And we know, since the seed is the Word of God, and Jesus is the Word of God, that the fruit that is born in us is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col.1:27); that is, Christ manifested in His people.     We know that we were perfected at the cross, that His life was given for ours, and that we don't live anymore – Christ lives in us by faith. But as we hold fast the promise in the midst of the many trials of riches, temptations, and so on, as we hold on to the Word, that Word will bear fruit. Many times in the trial, our mind wants to revert back to the things of the world. Our mind wants to walk by sight instead of by faith, but in the trial, we have opportunity to hold on to the Word and not turn it loose, so that it bears the same fruit of Jesus Christ in us, the same faith, the same miraculous power, the same sanctifying power, manifested through His saints.     When we're in the midst of the trial, we are tempted to go back to our old thinking, but what we have to do is hold fast to the Word and cast down everything else. (2Co.10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. That's the whole point: we are to hold fast to the Word and cast down everything else. Cast down the seed of the devil, which is his word. Cast it down, cast it out of our mind. We only want the one seed that can bring forth the fruit of Christ. That's the only seed we want to accept and we have to hold fast to it, because the devil is seeking to take away the seed that's been sown in our heart. He desperately has to do that, or we will bear fruit and it will be too late.     When you're in the fiery trial and you know what the promise is, remember, that promise is the seed that you have to hold to in order to bear the fruit. We don't want to have a spiritually-miscarrying womb. Remember, Jesus said, The words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life (Joh.6:63). Any other word besides the Word of God is also spirit and is also life, but not the spirit and life of Christ. We don't want another life.   We don't want to have “strange children,” as the prophet spoke: (Hos.5:7) “They have borne strange children”. We read the Scriptures in order to become familiar with the Father, Jesus said, He that hath seen me hath seen the Father (Joh.14:9). In other words, He Himself manifested His Father. He was a seed which was in line with His Father, and we have to also be a seed. The fruit in us has to also be a seed which is in line with our Father.   Remember the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? The word there for “seed” is the word sperma, letting us know this is not just talking about plants here. The Word, sperma, is what's going to bring forth this wheat. When a person sows good seed in their field, the Lord's sperma is there. Who sowed those tares among the wheat? Jesus said, “an enemy hath done this” (Mat.13:28). Two seeds sown in the same field is not supposed to be. The field He is talking about is in the Kingdom of God on this earth. But in our life, it's up to us to make sure we cast down the bad seed, which is, “imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God” (2Co.10:5). Receive only and hold fast to the good seed because the good seed will bring forth the birth.    Belief gives fertile ground to the seed, which will bear fruit when a person agrees with it, accepts it and walks in it by faith. We fight a battle with the devil, who has an ally, the old carnal nature, working with him and against us. The devil can steal the seed because he has agreement in the carnal nature, which washes the seed away. The carnal nature won't let that seed be held fast, so that it can bear fruit. We must hold to the Word of God, as 2 Thessalonians says: (1:10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. Why? “Our testimony unto you was believed.” Jesus is coming to be glorified in His people because that testimony of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” will be believed “in that day.”     When was this spoken? This is talking about the time immediately before the coming of the Lord; look at the text. So, right before the coming of the Lord, God's people are once again going to believe in the Gospel that has been spoken to the “woman” church. Remember what Jesus said: (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. (Mat.8:13) … As thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. Do you believe that the seed of the promise of the Word of God can bring forth Jesus Christ in you? If you do, it will happen.     Also, we have this word: (Luk.8:14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. The word “perfection” here is a strange word not used anywhere else in the Bible. It's the word telesphoreo. There's a common word for “perfection” – teleios – but this word is telesphoreo and it means “to bring to perfection” or “end in view.” In other words, we have to see the end from the beginning. We have to call these things that be not as though they were.   We're “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord” (to look in the mirror and see Jesus; that's having farsightedness) and “are transformed into” that “same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.” And Paul prefaces that with, “But we all, with unveiled face,” so this telesphoreo we see from the beginning. We're seeing it, accepting it and we're walking toward it, and we're going to receive it by faith. Cast down the words of man.  This revelation of perfection will be restored. (Luk.8:14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (15) And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.    This phrase, “They … bring no fruit to perfection,” obviously implies that that's the end result, this bringing forth “fruit to perfection.” The common word in Greek for “perfection” is teleios, which means “having reached its end; finished; complete; perfect.” But the particular word here in this passage is the only word in the Bible like this (and this is the “perfect” place for it, by the way). It's the word telesphoreo and it means “to bring to completion, or perfection, with an end in view.” This is the key to manifesting God's perfection. It's nothing that we in ourselves have any possibility of doing, but the Father is giving us the key to take hold of His power, so that He Himself is the One Who perfects us.     This key has been hidden for many generations, as it was, according to Paul, before him for many generations. In these days, it's being revealed again, not that it ever was snuffed out, but in large communities of God's people, it has been snuffed out for the last 2000 years. The key is “the end in view,” seeing the end as something that God already provided for you. You are accepting as a free gift the finished work of Christ.  Now let's look again at: (Heb.10:10) By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. We have sanctification both by faith and by manifestation. The Scriptures speak of both things: (14) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. So He sanctified us and perfected us by that one offering up of the body of Christ. The Lord wants us to accept His free gift that we've been delivered from sin, that we've been separated from the world and that we've been perfected. That's what the Bible says. To deny that is to deny the Gospel.     What is perfection? What is maturity? What is salvation? What is the end in view? (Luk.6:40) The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when (notice that “when,” not “if”) he is perfected shall be as his teacher. Who was the teacher here? Obviously, the teacher was Jesus. He really means “when he is perfected shall be as his teacher,” so we have something to look forward to, don't we? (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. God is the One Who's going to do this through our faith (and even that's a gift from Him).     We have to renew our mind first and see the gift of Jesus Christ that God has given to us. We're accepting His free gift, not on the grounds that we've earned it or have any ability or power to partake of it, but on the grounds that God has promised to give it to us, as a gift. And now Jesus is telling us that when we are perfected, we'll be as our Teacher. This tells us that it's very important who our teacher is.    If we make religion our teacher, we're going to be far short. If we make a certain denomination our teacher, we're only going to go to that level and we're going to stop, because they won't let us go beyond them. They'll judge us pretty harshly if we try. But if we make the Word of God our Teacher, and “Word of God” is just another name for Jesus Christ, then we can come into that image. So the best thing to do, of course, is to dig and study the Word, to find out exactly what it is to be like Him and to be a disciple.     The disciple is not above his Teacher. He promised that a disciple, when he is perfected, shall be as his Teacher. Not all people called Christians will ever be perfected, but disciples will, because they're learners and followers, mathetes. They study the master. They want to walk as the Master walked. Notice the promise is “when.” But that's for a disciple. There are many, many Christians, but not many disciples. Jesus made conditions for discipleship and we need to study those conditions, too.    Here's a similar verse: (Mat.10:24) A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. (25) It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. Wow! Again, an awesome word that the Lord has given unto us. Many people would call that blasphemy, but the Lord Himself is the One Who spoke it. It's not our power.     See, Jesus is “the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom.8:29). We, too, are being “born” into His image: spirit, soul and, ultimately, body. But while we're here, we're called to come into His image in spirit and soul. (Mat.10:25) It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. To abide in Christ means to be coming into that place where you are walking as He walked, more and more. You're growing in the image and stature of Christ and you're coming into that place.     Let me also point out another verse: (Joh.8:34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. (35) And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever…. So there are some people who are considered bondservants who will not enter the Kingdom; they will not be “in the house forever.” They will not have eternal life because they're also bondservants of sin; only “the son abideth forever.”     There's a difference between a bondservant and a son. Let me explain something to you that the Lord explained to me. Every son is a bondservant and every son serves his lord diligently, but not every bondservant is a son. A son is a special relationship. This is the heir we're talking about; they're not just a slave. Servants serve for one reason; sons serve for quite another reason. Sons want to promote their father's kingdom because they're also heirs of that kingdom, and they want to please their father. He's their father!    Bondservants serve, many times, because they have to. Sometimes it might be just fire insurance to them. But to a son, it's different; it's personal when you're a son. And there are far fewer sons than there are bondservants.     I'd like to further point out the difference between a servant and a son: (Gal.4:1) But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all. Let's say that all who are called Christians are heirs. Some are children and some are more and more manifesting sonship. Right now, he says, so long as the heir is a child, he's no different than a bondservant, even though, in reality and according to position, he's lord of everything.     God has given us perfection at the very beginning of our walk. It's a free gift He's given unto us and because we accept it by faith, we walk more and more in that position. What is perfection? It's Christ, it's sonship, it's the manifestation of the Son in you. This is God's plan. Reconciliation is an exchange of Christ's life on the cross for your life. “Reconciliation” means “an exchange.” God has given you His life and His blessings and taken your curse and your sin and put it upon the cross. Now we are entering into this because we believe in this. (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. The Lord is manifesting this in us freely because we believe that we've been given sonship and not just the position of a servant.  Here's another confirmation: (Pro.29:21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. Servants and children are equal, but the end result, which we're looking in the mirror to see, is sonship. (Gal.4:1) But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; (2) but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. That's true; we all start out in kindergarten, which is a lot of religions out there, friends. They are just kindergarten.   The Lord told me one time that religions are like playpens that are meant to be outgrown – we're supposed to climb over the bars. They build all kinds of bars around you to keep you in, but you can outgrow them. You can be mature, but in the meantime, there are “guardians and stewards” who keep the baby from getting in trouble. (3) So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world. “Rudiments” here means “elements.” The Greek word stoicheion means “first principles in a series.” Many people are really hung up under the “first principles.” They're staying right there; they're not moving from the “first principles.” But if you stay there, you're not going to bear fruit. Some people are going around in little religious circles with the same old things, not stretching forth to grow in the fullness of the Word of God.     (Gal.4:4) But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Heb.7:19) (For the law made nothing perfect)….If you're under the Law, you'll never come to perfection. We're all in a relationship with God, brethren. Grace is the right relationship. We need His grace and His power to work in us.    The Law is actuated by our own works, but we receive grace through faith and then God works the work in us. (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. We need to get out from under the Law, otherwise, we'll always stay a child and bondservant. (Gal.4:6) And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Now, what does “because ye are sons” mean?   The answer is here: (Gal.3:25) But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. (26) For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. (Rom.8:19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. That's the manifestation of the sons of God. This is the son of God by faith. We're sons of God by faith because now, in the New Testament, out from under the Law, we're justified by faith in believing that we don't live anymore – Christ lives in us.   (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Remember, He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last (Pro.29:21).    This comes from both the Jews and the Romans. They had a procedure whereby they would adopt servants in whom they had particular pleasure, maybe if they didn't have a child of their own. They would adopt them as sons, the point being that the word for “child,” teknon, only emphasizes a birth, but the word “son,” huios, emphasizes a particular relationship with the father. There are many people born into the Kingdom, but they never manifest sonship. They remain children all their lives. They never mature and don't bear fruit.     One thing that keeps us from bearing fruit is the Law, living under legalism. This is illustrated here: (Gal.4:7) So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. So we see that, by faith, we are no longer bondservants; we're no longer children. We're sons because we come out from under the Law and into grace to enter into this.   (8) Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: (9) but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments (there's “first principles” again), whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? (10) Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. (11) I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.    They were going back under the Law and seeking to be justified by the Law, through their own self-efforts to keep the Law, instead of by faith. (Gal.3:11) Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith. So our life comes from faith. The Law is just our tutor to bring us to Christ. He has to take us from that point on.   (Gal.4:19) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you (in other words, until sonship is formed in you). You're a child if you're under the Law in any form. If your religion is putting you under legalism, whether it's the legalism of the Old Testament Law or their own laws, rather than being able to follow the Spirit, you're going to stay a child. You're never going to grow up.     He goes on to talk about the “son of the handmaid” and the “son of the freewoman”: (21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. Now that's clear. If you're under legalism, you're not free to hear the voice of Christ and follow Him, and to submit to all that Scripture has to say – not just the little box that your religion has made. It doesn't matter whether it's man's legalism or of your own church rules, or even as far as going back under the Old Testament Law. You're not free and you're not justified by faith like that.    Sons of the handmaid are servants; sons of the freewoman are sons. He warns us in the next verse, (30) Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. Yes, they were both children of Abraham, but Paul is making a type and a shadow here to show us that the bondservant who is not a son will not have the eternal life like the son will.     The devil has a lot of people walking in bondage, thinking that they're justified by their works, thinking nobody else is obeying this particular part of the Law but them and they're seeking to be justified by that. They're not free and it's sad. (Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. The Spirit of God is not going to lead you back under the law, a covenant that God never made with you. The Spirit of God is going to lead you under grace.     (Gal.4:31) Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman. Yes, that's exactly right by faith, not necessarily by manifestation, but by faith. So we need to repent. If you are listening to men who are dragging you back under the Law, you need to repent because this is going to stunt your growth. You will be called a son of the handmaid and not of the freewoman. You'll be a bondservant, but you'll never be a son. A bondservant is a child, the Bible says.    We're waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. The whole of creation waits. The whole purpose of God is to create His children into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. That's the manifestation of the sons of God. There are false doctrines about the manifestation out there and some are scaring away people from the very words “manifestation of the sons of God,” but it's in the Book. It was taught by the Lord and taught by the apostle Paul. We need an understanding of what “manifestation of the sons of God” means, which is what we're entering into.     I'd like to remind you that John says exactly what we read in Galatians: (Joh.8:34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. (35) And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth forever. Ishmaels do not have eternal life; Isaacs do. We are the seed of promise, through Isaac. Ishmael wasn't; that was a work of Abraham. By type and shadow, we understand what this means.    The Parable of the Talents is very clear: (Mat.25:14) For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants (these are not the people of the world; these are the people of the Kingdom), and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. So he gave forth his talents, and he expected them to bear the fruit of this.     (16) Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents. (17) In like manner he also that [received] the two gained other two. (18) But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth (in the flesh), and hid his lord's money. (19) Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. (20) And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents.   (21) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22) And he also that [received] the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.   (24) And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter; (25) and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. (26) But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; (27) thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest. So when the lord returned, he judged the two who brought forth fruit and they entered into the kingdom and were blessed abundantly.     But he also judged the servant who had only one talent and didn't bear any fruit: (28) Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away. (Mat.25:30) And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.     The unprofitable servant who doesn't bear the fruit, the servant who doesn't manifest sonship 30-, 60- and 100- fold, is cast forth into the outer darkness. They took the one talent away from that person and gave it to the servant who had 10 talents. Remember that because we're going to see it again. In other words, if you have fruit, you'll get more. If you have less, you'll get less.    If we go to Ezekiel, we see a revelation concerning the rewards given to the sons, not to the servants: (Eze.46:16) Thus saith the Lord God: If the prince (“Prince” was the name given to the High Priest and we know that's Jesus Christ) give a gift unto any of his sons, it is his inheritance (whatever the Lord gives to a son here, it's theirs and they will keep it forever), it shall belong to his sons; it is their possession by inheritance. (17) But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants…. Some people think that because they have the gift, they're a shoe-in: “I'm going to be in the Kingdom. I got these gifts. I got the Holy Spirit. I got this; I got that.” No, it doesn't mean any such thing.    A person has to bear the fruit of sonship; Jesus said 30-, 60- and 100-fold. Just because a person has the gift means nothing. There are actual religions out there that believe a person is a shoe-in if they speak in tongues, but there are a lot of tongue-talkers who are going to split hell wide open because they're not bearing the fruit of Jesus Christ. Whatever God has given to them, He can take it back just as easily as He gave it to them. It's because they're a servant, a perpetual child.     Of course, one thing that makes you a servant and a child is being under the Law and not faith. You see, faith is accounted as righteousness. Even as young in the faith as you are, you walk in that righteousness because you walk by faith. In other words, faith “calleth the things that are not, as though they were” (Rom.4:17). Faith receives the end from the beginning. God calls you “righteous” because of your faith. There's a blood covering on you because of your faith.     But some will be perpetual children – bondservants and never sons, because of religion, because of a wrong relationship with God. (Eze.46:17) But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; (So you see, God can take back every gift that He's given to you, if you're not going to bear fruit, if you're not going to walk by faith.) but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons.   Remember that the one talent was given to the bondservant with the 10 talents. It was taken away from the unprofitable bondservant who had the one talent, and who was then cast forth into outer darkness where there's weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. His talent, his reward, his gift, was given to the one who had 10, the one who had manifested sonship.   I believe the 10 talents in that parable represents those who have come completely into the image of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that the servant will become as his lord (Matthew 10:25) and Jesus promises 30-, 60- and 100-fold fruit. Paul also talks about the star glory, the moon glory and the sun glory. He speaks about the three different kinds of bodies that will be given to the saints because of the fruit that they've manifested on the earth (1 Corinthians 15).   What we see in Ezekiel 46 is the same thing we just read in Matthew, chapters 22 and 25. There are differences of reward, depending upon whether you are a child as a bondservant, or whether you are as a son. (Pro.29:21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. So we're seeing the end from the beginning, seeing sonship, seeing in a mirror and, guess what? You're believing it's yours, you're continuing to walk in this faith and, if you consider it to be yours, God considers it to be yours.     Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Mat.9:29). In other words, He was adding His faith to your faith. If you're believing something, He added His faith to your faith and it was done! It's the same today. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. If you're walking by faith in a free gift, not something you could earn by your own self-righteousness, He's going to add His faith to your faith and it'll be yours. You don't have to worry about losing it. Don't worry about the time we have left. Don't worry about anything. The only thing you're supposed to do is behold “in a mirror the glory of the Lord,” so that you're transformed into that same image, “from glory to glory.”   According to Leviticus 25, this all happens at the year of liberty, the Jubilee, when the inheritance is divided up. This is when all the land goes back to the original owner, meaning when “The kingdom of the world is become [the kingdom] of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev.11:15). At the end of the Tribulation period, this is all going to be divided up and those who walk as servants and not as sons are not going to abide in the house forever, because they're bondservants of sin.   There's only one thing that keeps a person from partaking of this gift of God: it's to continue to walk in their sins when they don't have to because Jesus was the Lamb of God Who took away the sins of the world. Believe that you don't have any sin anymore because Jesus took it away. You can say no to the devil because Jesus delivered you out of the power of darkness. You can say no now because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Look at this verse: (Isa.65:9) And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains (out of Jacob – not all of Jacob, just a seed out of Jacob); and my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. There's a difference between dwelling there for a time and inheriting it. “My chosen.” “Many are called, but few chosen” (Mat.22:14). The chosen were the ones in Matthew chapters 22 and 25 who inherited.    Let me show you something from Psalms: (Psa.37:9) For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for the Lord, they shall inherit the land. We see the Bible says evildoers from among God's people will be cut off from the land, too. (10) For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be. (11) But the meek shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.    This is also repeated further on down: (29) The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell there forever. (34) Wait for the Lord, and keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. (37) Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; For there is a [happy] end to the man of peace. (38) As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: The end of the wicked shall be cut off.   Let me bring this passage to your attention: (Rom.8:12) So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: (13) for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Notice it's “by the Spirit” of God and not our power. When a person has faith they have the power of the Spirit of God. Faith is just believing that God is true to His Word. It's just believing and reforming our mind to believe that what God says is true and what He's given us is ours. It's believing you are who He says you are.     (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. We can be led by the Spirit of God. We can love the truth. We can renounce evil. It's all a gift from God and we accept it freely, by faith.    The Spirit of God is the Spirit of adoption and He is the One Who brings us to the adoption of sons. (15) For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Many of you probably read or watched Ben-Hur and know how he was adopted by the Roman centurion. He's a good example and the Jews did the same thing. (16) The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: (17) and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified with [him].    Many don't want to suffer. They just walk by faith but they don't want to suffer the death of the old man. (2Co.4:16) Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. You walk by faith for the new man and that's correct and right, but you have to be willing to give up the old man, to deny yourself and bear your cross, or there's no new man who can take his place in the Kingdom.     The Bible says that the outer man is decaying while the inner man is being renewed. As the old man is dying, the new man is taking his place. There's no other way. So, we have to cooperate with God in the death, as well. We accept and we believe in the death. That's why we're baptized – for the death, burial and resurrection. If you don't cooperate with God in the death, how are you going to get to the resurrection? The death is still God's gift.    (Rom.8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. These are the days for which God has put this earth here to begin with, to manifest His sons. He knows that this is a small portion of humanity on planet Earth, but He considers it worth it to have these manifested sons. Jesus was “the firstborn among many brethren” (29). These brethren are growing up in His likeness, by the grace of God.     (20) For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected, in hope (21) that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for [our] adoption (That will be a wonderful day!), [to wit,] the redemption of our body. The full manifestation of our adoption is when we get our new body. I want to tell you, however, that only those who bear the fruit in spirit and soul will get that new body.    The manifestation, of course, is not children, but sons. (1Jn.3:2) Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested (manifested in us is what he's talking about), we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. The person who sees the true Jesus in the mirror is the one who will be manifested in His likeness, who will come into manifesting Him from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).   Then we're told in the next verse, (3) And every one that hath this hope [set] on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. There it is again – sonship, “even as he is pure.” You may say, “That's not a possibility,” but think again. It's the Word of God. Take this free gift of Jesus, the life of Christ, the sonship that the Lord has given unto you. Accept it freely. Give up your old life, your sinful ways and turn to God. Amen.     This is so awesome! This is God's promise to us! Get in the Word for it is the only thing that brings forth Jesus! 

How come Issac tells Jacob not marry any canaanite women?And why does Eisov run to get a girl from Ishmaels family. ?

How come Issac tells Jacob not marry any canaanite women?And why does Eisov run to get a girl from Ishmaels family. ?

Last time I checked, Palestinians were Ishmaelites, and Ishmaels dad was Abraham the Semite. Am I correct?Then that would make the Palestinians Semites correct?So Why are they being labeled Anti Semite?Talk with mewww.sbcmovement.com

Gods goodness and grace repeatedly overrules His fairness.[1] I read a version of that statement in a commentary on Malachi in preparation for this sermon. The story of Esau and Jacob reveals how true that statement really is. This is also one of the reasons Jacob and Esau are used as an example throughout Scripture in the way their story is used in Malachi to highlight Gods prerogative to love whom He wills. When God told Abraham that he would bless him, He promised that through his descendants, a child would be born who would bless the nations. To Abraham and Sarah was born Isaac. After Isaac and Rebecca were married, they wanted children together, but for some time Rebekah could not get pregnant; out of desperation Isaac prayed that God would allow his wife to become pregnant, so this is how God answered: Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger (Genesis 25:2123). God blessed Isaac and Rebekah with Esau and Jacob. God told Isaac and Rebecca specifically that the child whom God would choose in the same way that He chose Abraham and Isaac would not be the older son, but the younger. When Rachel gave birth to her two babies, we are told: The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esaus heel, so his name was called Jacob (vv. 25-26). Jacob literally means heel grabber. Yet, regardless of what God said of Jacob, Isaac favored Esau more while Rebecca favored Jacob; in fact, we are told in Genesis 25:28, Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. The sad thing about the way Isaac and Rebekah treated their sons is that Esau grew up to be a willful, proud, self-centered man who exercised little self-control, while Jacob grew up to be a self-centered deceiver and manipulator. We see Esaus lack of self-control and the manipulative skill of Jacob in the last paragraph of Genesis 25; one day Esau was hungry and exhausted so he asked Jacob for some of what he was cooking that day: Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted! (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, Sell me your birthright now. Esau said, I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me? Jacob said, Swear to me now. So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright (Gen. 25:2934). Esau cared more about his stomach than he did his identity in Abraham; he was willing to trade in what was eternal for what was temporarya bowl of stew! Jacob was no better, for he manipulated his brother in a moment of weakness. Jacobs lying, deceiving, manipulating character reached its climax when he and his mother conspired together to deceive Isaac after he planned to give Esau the blessing of the firstborn, even though God said it would be Jacob who would receive it: When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, My son; and he answered, Here I am. He said, Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die. (Genesis 27:14) After Esau went out as instructed by his father, Rebekah pulled Jacob aside and plotted against both her son and husband by telling Isaac to do the following: Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies. Because Esau was so hairy, Rebekah told Jacob to cover his arms and neck with the skins of the goats so that his nearly blind father would think it was Esau he was blessing (see Gen. 27:5-13). So, Jacob did as his mother instructed, deceived his father into blessing him while Esau was hunting, and Esau hated his brother for it and even planned to murder Jacob after their father died (see Gen. 27:30-45). Anyone who reads Jacob and Esaus story will discover that Jacob was a deeply flawed man, and that Gods love of complacency had nothing to do with his moral character. Why Did God Love Jacob? What was it that inspired God to choose Jacob over Esau? Was there something about him that God liked more than Esau? Was it because Esau was a mans man and Jacob wasnt? Did God look down the corridors of time and see how he would grow tenderhearted towards God or that he would have a wrestling match with Jacob all night because the heel grabber wanted Gods blessing more than anything else? Did God choose Jacob over Esau because He thought Esau was too difficult, and that Jacob was easier to work with? The answer is no to all of these questions. What we know of Jacobs life is that it would mirror the life of the Hebrew people throughout the ages. When we compare Jacobs life with what we know of Esaus, Jacob looks worse morally. Most of Jacobs life is characterized by a lack of trust and a compulsion to use deception to get what he wanted. Jacob deceived his father and lied to him to his face in order to rob his older brother of what culturally belonged to the firstborn. However, before he lied to his father, he conned Esau into selling him his birthright for a bowl of stew. The birthright was something Jacob wanted all along, although God had told his parents that he was to receive the blessing instead of Esau, he took matters into his own hands to get what was only Gods to give. Jacob would spend a lifetime living with the consequences of his own actions. What were the consequences of Jacobs sins? Although he received the blessing from Isaac, he was driven from his home and forced to live in exile away from his family with his uncle Laban because his brother wanted to kill him. One of the reasons Jacob lived with his uncle is because his parents told him to seek a wife from one of his daughters. When Laban learned that his nephew had come to see him, he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house (Gen. 29:13). Jacob stayed with his uncle for a month and fell in love with Rachel, the younger daughter of Laban (v. 18). Why did Jacob love Rachel? We are told why in Genesis 29:16-18, Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. I am not sure exactly what is meant by Leahs eyes being weak; some commentators think that she was cross-eyed, others think that they were sunken, baggy, or even bulging. I think that compared to Rachel; Leah was average while Rachel was gorgeous. Laban recognized the difference in his daughters by the names he had given to them; the Hebrew meaning for Leah can mean wild cow or gazelle while the Hebrew meaning for Rachel is ewe or lamb, which was more of a term of endearment? Leah was average at best, and Rachel was beautiful; Jacob wanted Rachel and would do anything to have her. Jacob agreed to work for Laban for seven years in order to have Rachels hand in marriage, then when he finished his seven-year commitment to spend a lifetime with what he hoped would be the love of his life, Laban threw a wedding party, and gave Jacob his older daughter Leah when it was dark and her face was veiled. Listen to what happened: So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didnt I? Why have you deceived me (Gen. 29:2225, NIV)? What was Labans excuse for deceiving Jacob? This is what he said: It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years (vv. 26-27). Laban manipulated Jacob to serve another seven years of free labor for Rachels hand in marriage. So did the three live happily ever after? Hardly! After only a week of being married to Leah, Rachel was given to Jacob and so we are told: Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years (Gen. 29:30, NIV). The deceiving heel-grabber was deceived, and for the rest of his life Leah and Rachel would fight for Jacobs attention. Right after we are told that Jacob received Rachel and loved her more than Leah, we hear the broken heart of Leah in the verses that follow and the two words used in Malachi 1:2-3; listen carefully: When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me. She conceived again and bore a son, and said, Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also. And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise the Lord. Therefore she called his name Judah. (Genesis 29:3135) Isnt it interesting that Leah used the same word for love and hate that Malachi used to remind a used-up, beat-up, ragtag Israel that he loved them! Leah would go on to have three more sons, but notice that although Leah was hated by her father, her husband, and even her younger sister, God loved her, God saw her, and God blessed her. He didnt just bless her with children, of the seven biological children she mothered, Levi would become the father of the priestly tribe in Israel and Judah would become the father of the tribe where the line of the kings would come through leading ultimately to Jesus! But wait, there is more! Malachi specifically addresses the former exiles at the beginning of his book as Israel, but in Gods explanation for how he has loved Israel, Jacobs birth name is used: Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. The question remains unanswered. Why did God love Jacob? The best answer we have is the one that is repeated of Gods redeemed throughout the pages of Holy Scripture; it may not be satisfactory to you, but it will have to do! Here is the answer he gave to Jacobs descendants the Twelve Tribes of Israel: It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt (Deut. 7:78). The reason why Malachi uses Jacobs birth name, in my opinion, is because the exiles were aware of Jacobs jaded past as a very flawed man. Malachi identifies the exiles whom God preserved through both the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, all with the second name that Yahweh gave to Jacob, which was Israel. How Did God Love Jacob? Between the day Jacob deceived his father into giving him the birthright and his reunion and reconciliation with Esau was about twenty years. For twenty years, Jacob lived in exile, in fear that Esau would one day kill him. Within those twenty years 14 years were spent as an indentured servantsome may even interpret his years under Laban as a type of slavery. Jacob was deceived into a covenant with Leah he never wanted to be in and robbed of the life he was promised with Rachel. There are two very significant events in Jacobs life that will help you feel the weight of Malachis words: I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. The first event happened just after Jacob was sent into exile where God spoke to him through a dream in the midst of his failure, fear, and loneliness: And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it. And he was afraid and said, How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. (Gen. 28:1217) Just before Jacob entered into a difficult 20-year detour from the life he thought he would have as a result of his fathers blessing, God reminded him of something that he would hold close to his heart throughout the years, and that something was the faithfulness of God and the assurance of his promises. There was no way Jacob could have known that he would be the victim of a master manipulator such as himself for a good part of his 20 years with his uncle. He planned for one wife, but was deceived into marrying the older daughter of Laban who would long for the kind of delight of her husband that her younger sister took for granted. Although Jacob did eventually get the woman he wanted, he would have to live with the dysfunction of his family until the day of his death. Leading up to his second and most significant encounter with God, He spoke to Jacob and told him to, Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you (31:3), but to do that Jacob would need to break free from his bondage to Laban. The other problem in going back to the land promised to him, Jacob would need to encounter the brother he spent a lifetime hiding from out of fear. After Jacob is freed from the tyranny of his uncle and just before he encounters his brother, Jacob encounters a man while alone and fearful and entered into a wrestling match that lasted all night and into the morning hours (see Gen. 32:22-32). Jacob would not let the man go unless the man blessed him. The man then asked Jacob: What is your name? (v. 27) The heel-grabber answered: I am Jacob. Here is what happened next: Then the man said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed. Then Jacob asked him, Please tell me your name. But he said, Why is it that you ask my name? And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered. The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. (Gen. 32:2831) Jacob wrestled with a man who was also God, and the two things he walked way with is a limp that would forever remind him of the other thing, and that other thing is that he received a new name. The name Jacob received was Israel, which literally means: He strives with God. Jacob received a new identity as a result of having a face-to-face encounter with God who appeared to him as man! As a changed man, Israel was able to meet his brother and was reconciled to him. Conclusion So, how did God love Jacob? God pursued Jacob, found him, disciplined him, and wounded him deeply for the purpose of using him greatly before he could enter what was promised to him. Sound familiar? Jacobs story reminds me of something we read in the book of Hebrews in the New Testament: Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (Heb. 12:37) How did God love Israel? Throughout her history as a nation, her sins that were many and great, and in her exile God remained faithful to his promises to her, He was with her in the midst of her suffering, and He was sustaining Her through it all. However, Israel did not get away without a limp, but even the limp was evidence that He loved her. Just as Jacobs exile and suffering was not the end of his story, so Israels exile and suffering was not the end of her story. Esaus descendants were Edomites. During Israels exile and suffering Edom allied themselves with Babylon for the destruction of Jerusalem, but this was not the end of Edoms story, for her destruction would eventually come. Edoms comfort and security was only for a season, just as Israels suffering and exile was only for a season. Because of the promises of Yahweh and His faithfulness to Israel a redeemer would eventually be born through the tribe of Judah, and redemption would be made available beyond the borders of Israel to all the nations! Just as God proved his love and faithfulness to a heel-grabber like Jacob, he will bless the nations through Israel: Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel! The promised seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was born to a young teenage girl by the name of Mary, who was a descendant of Abraham. To Mary was given the following promise: behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:3133). Jesus was born, he then lived a life in perfect obedience to the Law of God, died for our sins on a cross, was buried, and then rose from the grave on the third day. Because of Jesus, the Christian can look beyond the sufferings of this world and claim with the apostle Paul: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18). How can we say that? Because of the truth of Romans 8:28-32, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Rom. 8:2832) Listen, just as it was true of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel. You have been given a new identity that is wrapped up with the same Man who wrestled with Jacob and gave him a limp to remind him of who he was and to whom he belonged. Your name is wrapped up in that Man the God-Man who is the Lord Jesus Christ! Whatever form you limp comes in, you can claim with absolute confidence what every Christ-redeemed saint has been able to say before you: Who shall bring any charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who diedmore than that, who was raisedwho is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:3339) Amen. Group Questions: Ask your group members to take turns reading Genesis 28:1-10 and have them answer the following questions: a. What significance do you think there is in the women Jacob and Esau married? b. Why do you think Isaac told Jacob not to marry from the Canaanite women? c. Ishmael was Abrahams firstborn son (see Genesis 25:13), but not the son of promise like Isaac; why do you think Esau decided to marry a daughter from Ishmaels descendants? d. Do you find it ironic that Esau, in an effort to gain the approval of his parents, married a descendant of the firstborn son of Abraham that God passed over in favor of Isaac? Jacob was sent into exile away from his home, family, and the land promised to him to live with Laban; during his time in exile God visited with Jacob through a dream. Read Genesis 28:10-22 and discuss the following: a. What parallels do you see with Jacobs story and the story of Israel in Malachis day? b. Based on what you know of Jacobs story in the Bible, did God keep his promise to Jacob even though he was once exiled from his home, family, and land due to his own sins against Esau, his father, and ultimately against God? Read Genesis 33:1-11. What did Jacob attribute his prosperity to? What did Esau attribute his prosperity to? How does the example of Gods love and faithfulness to His promises in Jacobs life assure Israel in Malachis day that their exile would not be the end of their story? Read Romans 8:18-39 and discuss the following questions as a group: a. How do you know that your sufferings are not the end of your story? b. According to verses 28-30, how do you know that God is working all things (even the bad things) out for your good? c. Paul states that God, did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all (v. 32). According to John 3:16, why did he do that for you? What significance does Malachi 1:1-5 have for you as a Christian who is experiencing Gods love of complacency through Jesus Christ? [1] Iain M. Doguid; Matthew P. Harmon. Reformed Expository Commentary: Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing; 2018), p. 104.

Gods goodness and grace repeatedly overrules His fairness.[1] I read a version of that statement in a commentary on Malachi in preparation for this sermon. The story of Esau and Jacob reveals how true that statement really is. This is also one of the reasons Jacob and Esau are used as an example throughout Scripture in the way their story is used in Malachi to highlight Gods prerogative to love whom He wills. When God told Abraham that he would bless him, He promised that through his descendants, a child would be born who would bless the nations. To Abraham and Sarah was born Isaac. After Isaac and Rebecca were married, they wanted children together, but for some time Rebekah could not get pregnant; out of desperation Isaac prayed that God would allow his wife to become pregnant, so this is how God answered: Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger (Genesis 25:2123). God blessed Isaac and Rebekah with Esau and Jacob. God told Isaac and Rebecca specifically that the child whom God would choose in the same way that He chose Abraham and Isaac would not be the older son, but the younger. When Rachel gave birth to her two babies, we are told: The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esaus heel, so his name was called Jacob (vv. 25-26). Jacob literally means heel grabber. Yet, regardless of what God said of Jacob, Isaac favored Esau more while Rebecca favored Jacob; in fact, we are told in Genesis 25:28, Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. The sad thing about the way Isaac and Rebekah treated their sons is that Esau grew up to be a willful, proud, self-centered man who exercised little self-control, while Jacob grew up to be a self-centered deceiver and manipulator. We see Esaus lack of self-control and the manipulative skill of Jacob in the last paragraph of Genesis 25; one day Esau was hungry and exhausted so he asked Jacob for some of what he was cooking that day: Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted! (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, Sell me your birthright now. Esau said, I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me? Jacob said, Swear to me now. So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright (Gen. 25:2934). Esau cared more about his stomach than he did his identity in Abraham; he was willing to trade in what was eternal for what was temporarya bowl of stew! Jacob was no better, for he manipulated his brother in a moment of weakness. Jacobs lying, deceiving, manipulating character reached its climax when he and his mother conspired together to deceive Isaac after he planned to give Esau the blessing of the firstborn, even though God said it would be Jacob who would receive it: When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, My son; and he answered, Here I am. He said, Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die. (Genesis 27:14) After Esau went out as instructed by his father, Rebekah pulled Jacob aside and plotted against both her son and husband by telling Isaac to do the following: Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies. Because Esau was so hairy, Rebekah told Jacob to cover his arms and neck with the skins of the goats so that his nearly blind father would think it was Esau he was blessing (see Gen. 27:5-13). So, Jacob did as his mother instructed, deceived his father into blessing him while Esau was hunting, and Esau hated his brother for it and even planned to murder Jacob after their father died (see Gen. 27:30-45). Anyone who reads Jacob and Esaus story will discover that Jacob was a deeply flawed man, and that Gods love of complacency had nothing to do with his moral character. Why Did God Love Jacob? What was it that inspired God to choose Jacob over Esau? Was there something about him that God liked more than Esau? Was it because Esau was a mans man and Jacob wasnt? Did God look down the corridors of time and see how he would grow tenderhearted towards God or that he would have a wrestling match with Jacob all night because the heel grabber wanted Gods blessing more than anything else? Did God choose Jacob over Esau because He thought Esau was too difficult, and that Jacob was easier to work with? The answer is no to all of these questions. What we know of Jacobs life is that it would mirror the life of the Hebrew people throughout the ages. When we compare Jacobs life with what we know of Esaus, Jacob looks worse morally. Most of Jacobs life is characterized by a lack of trust and a compulsion to use deception to get what he wanted. Jacob deceived his father and lied to him to his face in order to rob his older brother of what culturally belonged to the firstborn. However, before he lied to his father, he conned Esau into selling him his birthright for a bowl of stew. The birthright was something Jacob wanted all along, although God had told his parents that he was to receive the blessing instead of Esau, he took matters into his own hands to get what was only Gods to give. Jacob would spend a lifetime living with the consequences of his own actions. What were the consequences of Jacobs sins? Although he received the blessing from Isaac, he was driven from his home and forced to live in exile away from his family with his uncle Laban because his brother wanted to kill him. One of the reasons Jacob lived with his uncle is because his parents told him to seek a wife from one of his daughters. When Laban learned that his nephew had come to see him, he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house (Gen. 29:13). Jacob stayed with his uncle for a month and fell in love with Rachel, the younger daughter of Laban (v. 18). Why did Jacob love Rachel? We are told why in Genesis 29:16-18, Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. I am not sure exactly what is meant by Leahs eyes being weak; some commentators think that she was cross-eyed, others think that they were sunken, baggy, or even bulging. I think that compared to Rachel; Leah was average while Rachel was gorgeous. Laban recognized the difference in his daughters by the names he had given to them; the Hebrew meaning for Leah can mean wild cow or gazelle while the Hebrew meaning for Rachel is ewe or lamb, which was more of a term of endearment? Leah was average at best, and Rachel was beautiful; Jacob wanted Rachel and would do anything to have her. Jacob agreed to work for Laban for seven years in order to have Rachels hand in marriage, then when he finished his seven-year commitment to spend a lifetime with what he hoped would be the love of his life, Laban threw a wedding party, and gave Jacob his older daughter Leah when it was dark and her face was veiled. Listen to what happened: So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didnt I? Why have you deceived me (Gen. 29:2225, NIV)? What was Labans excuse for deceiving Jacob? This is what he said: It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years (vv. 26-27). Laban manipulated Jacob to serve another seven years of free labor for Rachels hand in marriage. So did the three live happily ever after? Hardly! After only a week of being married to Leah, Rachel was given to Jacob and so we are told: Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years (Gen. 29:30, NIV). The deceiving heel-grabber was deceived, and for the rest of his life Leah and Rachel would fight for Jacobs attention. Right after we are told that Jacob received Rachel and loved her more than Leah, we hear the broken heart of Leah in the verses that follow and the two words used in Malachi 1:2-3; listen carefully: When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me. She conceived again and bore a son, and said, Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also. And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise the Lord. Therefore she called his name Judah. (Genesis 29:3135) Isnt it interesting that Leah used the same word for love and hate that Malachi used to remind a used-up, beat-up, ragtag Israel that he loved them! Leah would go on to have three more sons, but notice that although Leah was hated by her father, her husband, and even her younger sister, God loved her, God saw her, and God blessed her. He didnt just bless her with children, of the seven biological children she mothered, Levi would become the father of the priestly tribe in Israel and Judah would become the father of the tribe where the line of the kings would come through leading ultimately to Jesus! But wait, there is more! Malachi specifically addresses the former exiles at the beginning of his book as Israel, but in Gods explanation for how he has loved Israel, Jacobs birth name is used: Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. The question remains unanswered. Why did God love Jacob? The best answer we have is the one that is repeated of Gods redeemed throughout the pages of Holy Scripture; it may not be satisfactory to you, but it will have to do! Here is the answer he gave to Jacobs descendants the Twelve Tribes of Israel: It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt (Deut. 7:78). The reason why Malachi uses Jacobs birth name, in my opinion, is because the exiles were aware of Jacobs jaded past as a very flawed man. Malachi identifies the exiles whom God preserved through both the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, all with the second name that Yahweh gave to Jacob, which was Israel. How Did God Love Jacob? Between the day Jacob deceived his father into giving him the birthright and his reunion and reconciliation with Esau was about twenty years. For twenty years, Jacob lived in exile, in fear that Esau would one day kill him. Within those twenty years 14 years were spent as an indentured servantsome may even interpret his years under Laban as a type of slavery. Jacob was deceived into a covenant with Leah he never wanted to be in and robbed of the life he was promised with Rachel. There are two very significant events in Jacobs life that will help you feel the weight of Malachis words: I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. The first event happened just after Jacob was sent into exile where God spoke to him through a dream in the midst of his failure, fear, and loneliness: And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it. And he was afraid and said, How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. (Gen. 28:1217) Just before Jacob entered into a difficult 20-year detour from the life he thought he would have as a result of his fathers blessing, God reminded him of something that he would hold close to his heart throughout the years, and that something was the faithfulness of God and the assurance of his promises. There was no way Jacob could have known that he would be the victim of a master manipulator such as himself for a good part of his 20 years with his uncle. He planned for one wife, but was deceived into marrying the older daughter of Laban who would long for the kind of delight of her husband that her younger sister took for granted. Although Jacob did eventually get the woman he wanted, he would have to live with the dysfunction of his family until the day of his death. Leading up to his second and most significant encounter with God, He spoke to Jacob and told him to, Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you (31:3), but to do that Jacob would need to break free from his bondage to Laban. The other problem in going back to the land promised to him, Jacob would need to encounter the brother he spent a lifetime hiding from out of fear. After Jacob is freed from the tyranny of his uncle and just before he encounters his brother, Jacob encounters a man while alone and fearful and entered into a wrestling match that lasted all night and into the morning hours (see Gen. 32:22-32). Jacob would not let the man go unless the man blessed him. The man then asked Jacob: What is your name? (v. 27) The heel-grabber answered: I am Jacob. Here is what happened next: Then the man said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed. Then Jacob asked him, Please tell me your name. But he said, Why is it that you ask my name? And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered. The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. (Gen. 32:2831) Jacob wrestled with a man who was also God, and the two things he walked way with is a limp that would forever remind him of the other thing, and that other thing is that he received a new name. The name Jacob received was Israel, which literally means: He strives with God. Jacob received a new identity as a result of having a face-to-face encounter with God who appeared to him as man! As a changed man, Israel was able to meet his brother and was reconciled to him. Conclusion So, how did God love Jacob? God pursued Jacob, found him, disciplined him, and wounded him deeply for the purpose of using him greatly before he could enter what was promised to him. Sound familiar? Jacobs story reminds me of something we read in the book of Hebrews in the New Testament: Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (Heb. 12:37) How did God love Israel? Throughout her history as a nation, her sins that were many and great, and in her exile God remained faithful to his promises to her, He was with her in the midst of her suffering, and He was sustaining Her through it all. However, Israel did not get away without a limp, but even the limp was evidence that He loved her. Just as Jacobs exile and suffering was not the end of his story, so Israels exile and suffering was not the end of her story. Esaus descendants were Edomites. During Israels exile and suffering Edom allied themselves with Babylon for the destruction of Jerusalem, but this was not the end of Edoms story, for her destruction would eventually come. Edoms comfort and security was only for a season, just as Israels suffering and exile was only for a season. Because of the promises of Yahweh and His faithfulness to Israel a redeemer would eventually be born through the tribe of Judah, and redemption would be made available beyond the borders of Israel to all the nations! Just as God proved his love and faithfulness to a heel-grabber like Jacob, he will bless the nations through Israel: Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel! The promised seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was born to a young teenage girl by the name of Mary, who was a descendant of Abraham. To Mary was given the following promise: behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:3133). Jesus was born, he then lived a life in perfect obedience to the Law of God, died for our sins on a cross, was buried, and then rose from the grave on the third day. Because of Jesus, the Christian can look beyond the sufferings of this world and claim with the apostle Paul: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18). How can we say that? Because of the truth of Romans 8:28-32, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Rom. 8:2832) Listen, just as it was true of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel. You have been given a new identity that is wrapped up with the same Man who wrestled with Jacob and gave him a limp to remind him of who he was and to whom he belonged. Your name is wrapped up in that Man the God-Man who is the Lord Jesus Christ! Whatever form you limp comes in, you can claim with absolute confidence what every Christ-redeemed saint has been able to say before you: Who shall bring any charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who diedmore than that, who was raisedwho is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:3339) Amen. Group Questions: Ask your group members to take turns reading Genesis 28:1-10 and have them answer the following questions: a. What significance do you think there is in the women Jacob and Esau married? b. Why do you think Isaac told Jacob not to marry from the Canaanite women? c. Ishmael was Abrahams firstborn son (see Genesis 25:13), but not the son of promise like Isaac; why do you think Esau decided to marry a daughter from Ishmaels descendants? d. Do you find it ironic that Esau, in an effort to gain the approval of his parents, married a descendant of the firstborn son of Abraham that God passed over in favor of Isaac? Jacob was sent into exile away from his home, family, and the land promised to him to live with Laban; during his time in exile God visited with Jacob through a dream. Read Genesis 28:10-22 and discuss the following: a. What parallels do you see with Jacobs story and the story of Israel in Malachis day? b. Based on what you know of Jacobs story in the Bible, did God keep his promise to Jacob even though he was once exiled from his home, family, and land due to his own sins against Esau, his father, and ultimately against God? Read Genesis 33:1-11. What did Jacob attribute his prosperity to? What did Esau attribute his prosperity to? How does the example of Gods love and faithfulness to His promises in Jacobs life assure Israel in Malachis day that their exile would not be the end of their story? Read Romans 8:18-39 and discuss the following questions as a group: a. How do you know that your sufferings are not the end of your story? b. According to verses 28-30, how do you know that God is working all things (even the bad things) out for your good? c. Paul states that God, did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all (v. 32). According to John 3:16, why did he do that for you? What significance does Malachi 1:1-5 have for you as a Christian who is experiencing Gods love of complacency through Jesus Christ? [1] Iain M. Doguid; Matthew P. Harmon. Reformed Expository Commentary: Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing; 2018), p. 104.

In Part 2 of “Work Your Miracle," Pastor Nathan Miller shares the story of Abram and Sarai–later Abraham and Sarah–and how they tried to see their miracle come to pass in their own strength, in turn birthing Ishmael, while God's plans involved Isaac. This week's message stresses the importance of not falling out of step with the Holy Spirit, either from falling behind or pushing ahead. As seen in Genesis 16, stepping out of divine alignment with the Holy Spirit runs you the risk of working a mess, instead of a miracle! Stay in step with the Holy Spirit, remaining obedient to God, and ask yourself– what are the “Ishmaels” you need to get rid of to make room for the “Isaacs”?

In Part 2 of “Work Your Miracle," Pastor Nathan Miller shares the story of Abram and Sarai–later Abraham and Sarah–and how they tried to see their miracle come to pass in their own strength, in turn birthing Ishmael, while God's plans involved Isaac. This week's message stresses the importance of not falling out of step with the Holy Spirit, either from falling behind or pushing ahead. As seen in Genesis 16, stepping out of divine alignment with the Holy Spirit runs you the risk of working a mess, instead of a miracle! Stay in step with the Holy Spirit, remaining obedient to God, and ask yourself– what are the “Ishmaels” you need to get rid of to make room for the “Isaacs”?

In Part 2 of “Work Your Miracle," Pastor Nathan Miller shares the story of Abram and Sarai–later Abraham and Sarah–and how they tried to see their miracle come to pass in their own strength, in turn birthing Ishmael, while God's plans involved Isaac. This week's message stresses the importance of not falling out of step with the Holy Spirit, either from falling behind or pushing ahead. As seen in Genesis 16, stepping out of divine alignment with the Holy Spirit runs you the risk of working a mess, instead of a miracle! Stay in step with the Holy Spirit, remaining obedient to God, and ask yourself– what are the “Ishmaels” you need to get rid of to make room for the “Isaacs”?

In Part 2 of “Work Your Miracle," Pastor Nathan Miller shares the story of Abram and Sarai–later Abraham and Sarah–and how they tried to see their miracle come to pass in their own strength, in turn birthing Ishmael, while God's plans involved Isaac. This week's message stresses the importance of not falling out of step with the Holy Spirit, either from falling behind or pushing ahead. As seen in Genesis 16, stepping out of divine alignment with the Holy Spirit runs you the risk of working a mess, instead of a miracle! Stay in step with the Holy Spirit, remaining obedient to God, and ask yourself– what are the “Ishmaels” you need to get rid of to make room for the “Isaacs”?

In this episode we talk about the importance of trusting God's timing and not taking matters into our own hands.Quote used: "The monogamy ideal of original creation is lost, surprisingly in an attempt to 'help' God!" (Free Bible Commentary)"God's will, God's way, and in God's timing (Andy Stanley)Scriptures referenced:Psalm 56:3Genesis 12:1-5Genesis 15:1-6Genesis 16:1-16Genesis 17:1-5, 15-21Genesis 21:1-7Hebrews 11:8-12James 1:5-6Proverbs 12:15Psalm 27:14Support the showIf you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!Take care!

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"For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise...." These are two simple verses, in theory. But we got lost in them—good and deep. Join Jeff & Steph for the latest conversation in THE BETTER FREEDOM: "Isaacs, Ishmaels, & Rabbit Trails (Gal. 4:22-23)," live now in the FAI App.

"For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise...." These are two simple verses, in theory. But we got lost in them—good and deep. Join Jeff & Steph for the latest conversation in THE BETTER FREEDOM: "Isaacs, Ishmaels, & Rabbit Trails (Gal. 4:22-23)," live now in the FAI App.

When you get what you are promised there is cause for rejoicing. This is the case when Isaac is born. However, when he is around 2 year old he is mocked by his older brother Ishmael. This prompts Ishmaels removal from the house of Abraham. Abimelech and Abraham make a covenant to not have strife between one another after Abimelech's servants seize one of Abraham's wells. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/christianboy/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christianboy/support

No Fear Here - Part 22

No Fear Here - Part 20

Some people remain in a state of spiritual infancy and do not come to the maturity required to take the whole counsel of God. Instead, they persecute those who are born in the Spirit, as Ishmael persecuted Isaac. If you walk in the Spirit and are led by Him, you will encounter Ishmaels until the day you die. Recognize that the power of the One who has given you His Spirit is greater than the power of the spirit of Ishmael and those who come against. The Spirit of God is able to overcome. VF-2118 Galatians 4:29 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2022 Pastor Melissa Scott, All Rights Reserved

Sermon outline: 1. The ones relying on works are not better sons butslaves 2. Impossible birth is the only way to be an heir of God 3. Those born supernaturally will be hated by those who consider themselves children of God by the flesh Family Discussion Questions: 1. What was the difference in how Isaac was born compared to Ishmael? What point was God making with that? 2. Which stories in the bible involve a woman who cannot have a baby? How is this a very lovely illustration of the Gospel? 3. What are the two different Jerusalems that the Bible speaks of? What is the difference between the two? 4. Is the Jerusalem above one that is only spiritual and not earthly at all? 5. Does the bible ever teach that to be real part of Gods family you must be born to a certain family? 6. How does a person join the family of God? 7. How is Ishmaels treatment of Isaac helpful for understanding how the ones who consider themselves children of God but arent - persecute those who are children of God? 8. What is to be done with those who will not stop teaching that God saves people based on something about them (instead of something about Jesus)? 9. Paul teaches us that we now should enjoy living as children of God rather than thinking like slaves. What does that mean?

Some people remain in a state of spiritual infancy and do not come to the maturity required to take the whole counsel of God. Instead, they persecute those who are born in the Spirit, as Ishmael persecuted Isaac. If you walk in the Spirit and are led by Him, you will encounter Ishmaels until the day you die. Recognize that the power of the One who has given you His Spirit is greater than the power of the spirit of Ishmael and those who come against. The Spirit of God is able to overcome. VF-2118 Galatians 4:29 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2021 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D., All Rights Reserved

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Join Havilah in the last of a relationship series for those who are in a season of waiting or singleness. This week, Havilah invited Courtney Cruz, a Truth To Table staff member to share her story of not waiting well and how that played out in her life. Married at 21, Courtney's dream life of doing ministry and starting a family was turned upside down pretty quickly. What transpired after that was messy. Single parenthood, more than one marriage and divorce, the consequences of chasing her dreams over God's best carried a heavy price. Hear Courtney's journey of trying to write her own love story and chasing after her own romantic dreams and what it took for God to get her fully to Himself. Listen in as Havilah chats with her about how Ishmaels get created when we aren't willing to wait for our Isaac and the beauty and hope that await those that truly surrender to allow God to write the story for their lives. Learn more and connect with Havilah: + havilahcunnington.com + truthtotable.com + theinfluencertable.com

"For (any/every/ALL) rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king." I SAMUEL 15:23 PURE EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS SPIRITUALLY, CALMLY ASSESSED See Ode to WELP top of https://www.onlinefellowship.us ONLY REASONS: For the sake of the attending Expats..newbies..curious unbelievers..angels unawares. And Sane Everyday Innocents. "IT EFFECTS, WOUNDS, MAINS GOD'S HARVEST".. Here's hoping to call attention to ISHMAEL ministry teachings...for the Raising up for Future Church ministry ISAACS.. (ISAAC translates into "laughter") May God help each one of us..meaning this myself included. Again..Leader Christian MAKE NO MORE stereotypes , NO lessening "TYPE CASTS" (this more in Mega TV famous ministry)..just a one by one professing to be "a Christian Ministry" EORR Relationship Pure Fruit Character Assessment!! WHY Advertise a Ministry as a grand Fellowship if it only Wants Select Preferred Types of Persons .. ALL Ephesians 1:6/2:14/ 4. John 1:7/James 3:17, up front Matthew 18:15-16 Galatians 6:1 or just quit. And too many times it may be hazardous to your health.

As we continue our look at the seven churches of Asia, we focus on ancient Smyrna, where persecution came in the form of the requirement that everyone must sacrifice to the deity of the Roman emperor. All one needed do was burn a piece of paper before the emperor's bust, declaring Caesar is Lord.--Smyrna was the home of the Christian martyr Polycarp, who knew the Apostle John and who, being offered an easy way of escape from being burned alive, famously responded- -Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury- how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior----Ancient Smyrna is modern Izmir, where EPC missionary, Andrew Brunson, served the Izmir Resurrection Church before he was arrested under the authority of the Islamicist Turkish leader, Erdo-an.--This persecution in Asia minor near the end of the first century also involved an intensification of the conflict among the Jewish people, with those who rejected Jesus as Messiah stirring up persecution against believers -Acts 13-50- 14-2, 5, 19- 17-5- 1 Thessalonians 2-14-16-.--As we look at places such as Romans 2-28-29, we understand what it is to be a true Jew. Galatians 4-25 underscores the basic truth that those who do not trust in Jesus Christ are -Ishmaels- rather than -Isaacs.---The current conflict in Israel is between two groups of -Ishmaels- fighting over a shadow of the true Jerusalem in heaven that will soon come to earth -Revelation 21-9-10-. She is the mother of all believers -Galatians 4-26-.--In Jesus Christ, as with the poor believers at Smyrna, we must confess, -I am rich- -Revelation 2-9-, because we belong to him and are heirs of all God's promises -Galatians 3-26-29-.

Do you want God's "Full Experience"? Have you seen some Ishmaels birthed in your life? This sermon goes through the account of Abram and God's covenant, focusing on how we can "Choose the Isaac", or make the choice to receive the fullness God has for you!

Do you want God's "Full Experience"? Have you seen some Ishmaels birthed in your life? This sermon goes through the account of Abram and God's covenant, focusing on how we can "Choose the Isaac", or make the choice to receive the fullness God has for you! To watch the full service, click here: https://livestream.com/celebrationlife/events/9470344/videos/216920963

Sometimes our prayers, plans, and hopes of seeing our own "promised lands" are delayed because we have developed our own plans and have inadvertently birthed our own "Ishmaels". Don't let yourself fall into this trap...don't miss this message!

Sometimes our prayers, plans, and hopes of seeing our own "promised lands" are delayed because we have developed our own plans and have inadvertently birthed our own "Ishmaels". Don't let yourself fall into this trap...don't miss this message!

Today, I want to talk about the value of ducks. Also, I want to talk about how God never asks you to lay down something without promising something better in return. He is faithful to His Word. If you have said goodbye to an Ishmael in your life ( I'm so sorry if your name is Ishmael ), then God has an Isaac to take its place. However, If you have said goodbye to an Isaac, then God will replace it...with an Isaac. Let's dive in.

Discipleship series #7 - A disciple responds positively to testing. “The time test” By Pastor George Lehman    It’s really a trust test; from the time you prayed, till the answer comes. What do you do in the space of time? “When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  - Job 23:10 Something beautiful happens in us when we respond well to a time test. (We need to wait for God’s timing on issues of life) Galatians 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. – If I’m not in faith I’m in bondage Job 23:2-11 (Amp) - Even today is my complaint rebellious and bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat! I would lay my cause before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me. Would He plead against me with His great power? No, He would give heed to me. There the righteous [one who is upright and in right standing with God] could reason with Him; so I should be acquitted by my Judge forever. Behold, I go forward [and to the east], but He is not there; I go backward [and to the west], but I cannot perceive Him; On the left hand [and to the north] where He works [I seek Him], but I cannot behold Him; He turns Himself to the right hand [and to the south], but I cannot see Him.  But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside. We feel so intitled; God is not our bell boy. There are so many pack-up Christians, a small crisis we pack-up. We want the breakthrough to land now, but God is still preparing the landing strip. Psalm 139:23 (Msg) - Investigate my life O God, find out everything about me, cross-examine me and TEST me, get a clear picture of what I’m about. Definition:  In the time test, by all outward appearances, God does not seem to be fulfilling the word He gave to you!! The time test tries your patience; forcing you to trust God to fulfil your call and spiritual development in His own time and way. Purpose:  The test is to give you an opportunity to grow in faith. God has given each one of us a measure of trust and confidence to believe in Him for every detail of our lives. Job 42:2 – “I know that you can do all things: No purpose of yours can be thwarted.”(Accomplished / Gedwarsboom) The time test also purifies and motivates us to check our attitudes. The truth is, if you find a path with no test, it’s probably a path that doesn’t lead anywhere important or very significant. Man’s adversity is always God’s opportunity. It’s during a time delay we can see how our own impure, selfish or proud motives and attitudes can cloud our desires and commitment before the Lord. They show what’s really in you. God desires transparent motives and attitudes in each of us. He wants us to live what we say we truly believe. What I have learnt the hard way, is in the time test, God will always prove Himself to be a miracle-working, faithful God - to those He has called into the service of His Kingdom. Whatever you are going through – it too will pass. God never made a promise that was too good to be true.  D.L. Moody Luke 18:27 (Amp) - The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. You may trust the Lord too little, but you can never trust Him too much. Be careful that you don’t try take matters in your own hands by being impatient. They inevitably lead to dead ends.  The more haste, the less speed. Impatience is one big ‘get-ahead-ache’. You never realize how patient you can be until the fellow who is arguing with you is your boss. Patience is often bitter – but its fruit is sweet. A biblical illustration – Abraham. The time test at work Genesis 12-18. Abraham at 75 years of age – God called him out of Haran to Canaan. God promises him he would possess all of Canaan. But God promised Abraham that he would have a child of his own. At the age of 86 he had a son Ishmael, through Hagar, an Egyptian maid. How many Ishmaels have you created in your life that today you still struggle because of impatience and taking things into your own hands? Not until Abraham was 100 did God bring His promise to pass when Isaac was born. It took 25 years before he received God’s promise of a son to be his heir.  (We can’t even wait a week or a month!) We could talk about David, it took about 15 years for him to become King What about Joseph? Psalm 105:19 (NLT) “Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the Lord tested his Character.” The devil wants you to think there’s nothing more permanent than your temporary situation. Time tests reveal what we truly believe and who we really are. They introduce you to yourself. Can I encourage you, your time test may be lasting but it is not everlasting. In times of testing some people grow wings, others buy crutches. If you will trust Him, your problem will be your promotion. -o0o-

Quote From Eugene Peterson The interrelated births of Isaac and Ishmael are treated carefully and meditatively in Genesis. Out of the multiple meanings in the stories of the two sons, Paul selects a single truth and uses it to drive home his message on freedom: one son was born because God promised, the other son was born because Abraham and Sarah doubted. Ishmael was a product of human impatience, the human trying to do gods work for him; Isaac was the result of God doing his own work in his own time. Ishmael caused nothing but trouble; Isaac continued in the faithful covenant of the freely loving God. The great disaster of Abrahams life was that he used Hagar to get what he thought God wanted for him; the great achievement of this life was what God did for him apart from any programs or plans that he put into action. The lesson of that old piece of history is clear enough: the moment we begin manipulating lives in order to get control of circumstances, we become enslaved in our own plans, tangled up in our own red tape, and have tho live with grievous, unintended consequences Ishmaels descendants complicated the life of faith enormously for centuries. The life of freedom is a life of receiving, of believing, of accepting, of hoping. Because God freely keeps his promises, we are free to trust. Traveling Light - Modern Meditations on St. Pauls Letter of Fredom by Eugene H. Peterson - P 131-132

Abraham and Sarah, out of their impatience, birthed a physical son - Ishmael. We too, out of our own impatience, often birth “Ishmaels” as well. This podcast explores The Ishmael Test, four questions to ask ourselves before we launch large decisions for God and his work. To download a free e-book on Six Marks of a Church Culture that Deeply Changes Lives visit www.emotionallyhealthy.org/churchculture.

Waiting is hard. Personally, between the two of us we could get frustrated waiting for our oatmeal water to boil, or waiting on other people to be ready to eat when we're reaaallly hungry. So basically most of our patience issues are food related. BUT, what happens when the Lord requires for us to wait to see a promise fulfilled, or a dream realized? Do we allow our impatience to drive us to take matters into our own hands? Or do we use the time to prepare our nets for the season to come? This week, we dig into our own personal struggles with waiting, and lessons we've learned along the way. We discover that The Bible is full of examples that give us hope, and warning on how to wait well.

Í þættinum er að þessu sinni sagt frá fjölmörgum bókum sem tilnefndar eru til bókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandaráðs. Þetta eru tilnefningar Svía sem og Færeyinga og Álendinga til hinna gamalgrónu bókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandaráðs. Einnig er sagt frá tilnefningum Finna og Álendinga til Barna - og unglingabókmenntaverðlauna Noðurlandaráðs. Þá er einnig lítillega fjallað um tilnefningar Íslendingar en um þær bækur allar hefur áður verið fjallað í þættinum Orð um bæku. Þetta eru Ör eftir Auði Övu Ólafsdóttur og ljóðabókin Ljóð muna rödd eftir Sigurð Pálsson. Til Barna - og unglingabókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandráðs tilnefna Íslendingar Vertu ósynilegur - Flóttasaga Ishmaels eftir Kristínu Helgu Gunnarsdóttur og Skrýmsli í vanda eftir Áslaugu Jónsdóttur, Kalle Güettler og Rakel Helmsdal. Svíar tilnefna til Bókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandaráðs ljóðabókina Tapeshavet eftir Gunnar D. Hansson og skáldsöguna eða öllu heldur endurminningarnar eða sjálfsævisöguna Doften av en mann eftir Angete Pleijel. Álendingar tilnefna sögulega skáldsögu um glæp Algot eftir Carinu Carlsson og Færeyingar ljóðabókina Gudahovud eftir Jóanes Nielsen. Barnabækurnar sem Finnar tilnefna eru Kisan með garnirnar gaulandi eftir Magdalenu Hai og Teemu Juhani, sem teiknar myndirnar. Finnar tilnefna einnig Pärlfiskaren eftir Karin Erlandsson og er sú bók einnig tilnefnd af Állendingum. Umsjónarmenn þáttarins eru Jórunn Sigurðardóttir og Brynhildur Heiðar- og Ómarsdóttir. Lesarar: Þórhildur Ólafsdóttir og Jóhannes Ólafsson.

Í þættinum er að þessu sinni sagt frá fjölmörgum bókum sem tilnefndar eru til bókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandaráðs. Þetta eru tilnefningar Svía sem og Færeyinga og Álendinga til hinna gamalgrónu bókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandaráðs. Einnig er sagt frá tilnefningum Finna og Álendinga til Barna - og unglingabókmenntaverðlauna Noðurlandaráðs. Þá er einnig lítillega fjallað um tilnefningar Íslendingar en um þær bækur allar hefur áður verið fjallað í þættinum Orð um bæku. Þetta eru Ör eftir Auði Övu Ólafsdóttur og ljóðabókin Ljóð muna rödd eftir Sigurð Pálsson. Til Barna - og unglingabókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandráðs tilnefna Íslendingar Vertu ósynilegur - Flóttasaga Ishmaels eftir Kristínu Helgu Gunnarsdóttur og Skrýmsli í vanda eftir Áslaugu Jónsdóttur, Kalle Güettler og Rakel Helmsdal. Svíar tilnefna til Bókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandaráðs ljóðabókina Tapeshavet eftir Gunnar D. Hansson og skáldsöguna eða öllu heldur endurminningarnar eða sjálfsævisöguna Doften av en mann eftir Angete Pleijel. Álendingar tilnefna sögulega skáldsögu um glæp Algot eftir Carinu Carlsson og Færeyingar ljóðabókina Gudahovud eftir Jóanes Nielsen. Barnabækurnar sem Finnar tilnefna eru Kisan með garnirnar gaulandi eftir Magdalenu Hai og Teemu Juhani, sem teiknar myndirnar. Finnar tilnefna einnig Pärlfiskaren eftir Karin Erlandsson og er sú bók einnig tilnefnd af Állendingum. Umsjónarmenn þáttarins eru Jórunn Sigurðardóttir og Brynhildur Heiðar- og Ómarsdóttir. Lesarar: Þórhildur Ólafsdóttir og Jóhannes Ólafsson.

Í þættinum er að þessu sinni sagt frá fjölmörgum bókum sem tilnefndar eru til bókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandaráðs. Þetta eru tilnefningar Svía sem og Færeyinga og Álendinga til hinna gamalgrónu bókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandaráðs. Einnig er sagt frá tilnefningum Finna og Álendinga til Barna - og unglingabókmenntaverðlauna Noðurlandaráðs. Þá er einnig lítillega fjallað um tilnefningar Íslendingar en um þær bækur allar hefur áður verið fjallað í þættinum Orð um bæku. Þetta eru Ör eftir Auði Övu Ólafsdóttur og ljóðabókin Ljóð muna rödd eftir Sigurð Pálsson. Til Barna - og unglingabókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandráðs tilnefna Íslendingar Vertu ósynilegur - Flóttasaga Ishmaels eftir Kristínu Helgu Gunnarsdóttur og Skrýmsli í vanda eftir Áslaugu Jónsdóttur, Kalle Güettler og Rakel Helmsdal. Svíar tilnefna til Bókmenntaverðlauna Norðurlandaráðs ljóðabókina Tapeshavet eftir Gunnar D. Hansson og skáldsöguna eða öllu heldur endurminningarnar eða sjálfsævisöguna Doften av en mann eftir Angete Pleijel. Álendingar tilnefna sögulega skáldsögu um glæp Algot eftir Carinu Carlsson og Færeyingar ljóðabókina Gudahovud eftir Jóanes Nielsen. Barnabækurnar sem Finnar tilnefna eru Kisan með garnirnar gaulandi eftir Magdalenu Hai og Teemu Juhani, sem teiknar myndirnar. Finnar tilnefna einnig Pärlfiskaren eftir Karin Erlandsson og er sú bók einnig tilnefnd af Állendingum. Umsjónarmenn þáttarins eru Jórunn Sigurðardóttir og Brynhildur Heiðar- og Ómarsdóttir. Lesarar: Þórhildur Ólafsdóttir og Jóhannes Ólafsson.

Special Guest Dr. James O. Davis.

Bíðið þið jafn spennt eftir Bókatíðindum og við? Merkið þið við bækurnar sem þið viljið helst finna í pökkunum undir trénu? Eða eruð þið að velta því fyrir ykkur hvaða bók þið ættuð að gefa krökkunum í kringum ykkur?Í Jólabarnabókaspjallinu heyrum við beint frá lestrarhestum á aldrinum 8-11 ára sem hafa tekið að sér að lesa jólabækurnar fyrir Borgarbókasafnið, sem og barnabókavörðum safnsins.Í þættinum koma fram:Axel Daðason, 5. bekk í AusturbæjarskólaHannes Þórður Hafstein, 3. bekk í AusturbæjarskólaSunna Dís MásdóttirÓlöf SverrisdóttirIngibjörg Ösp ÓttarsdóttirSpjallað er um eftirfarandi bækur:Getur Doktor Proktor bjargað jólunum? eftir Jo Nesbø Henri hittir í mark eftir Þorgrím ÞráinssonAmma óþekka - Klandur á Klambratúni eftir Jenný Kolsöe, Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir myndskreytir Vertu ósýnilegur - Flóttasaga Ishmaels eftir Kristínu Helgu GunnarsdótturMuggur, saga af strák eftir Elfar Loga Hannesson og Marsibil G. KristjánsdótturFjölskyldan mín eftir Ástu Rún Valgerðardóttur og Láru GarðarsdótturGulbrandur Snati og nammisjúku njósnararnir eftir Brynhildi Þórarinsdóttur, Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir myndskreytirÁfram Sigurfljóð eftir Sigrúnu Eldjárn.Hljóðmaður: Ingi Þórisson

Pastor Andy Davis preaches a verse-by-verse expository sermon on Galatians 4:21-31. The main subject of the sermon is the distinction between the ones born of the Law and the ones born of the Spirit. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - Two passages are on my mind today as we open our Bibles to Galatians 4. We're looking for the second week at verses 21-31. As you do that, there are two great scriptures in my mind as we look at this topic of Paul's allegory and the deeper meaning of scripture. The first is Isaiah 55:8-9 which says, "My ways are not your ways, neither are my thoughts your thoughts says the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts says the Lord." God's mind is infinitely above ours. The second scripture goes the opposite direction but the same basic idea. In Romans 11, after three of the deepest most doctrinally-challenging chapters in the entire Bible, Paul writes, "Oh, the depths of the riches the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgements, and His paths beyond tracing out. Who is known the mind of the Lord?" So God's mind is infinitely higher than ours and the things that he communicates are so deep we could never fathom them all. I. Review: Last Week’s Lesson from Isaac and Ishmael For the second week, we are looking at some incredible verses of scripture that bring us now to consider the deeper truths of the Bible, the depths of scripture. We are looking at Paul's allegory and the deeper meaning of the Old Testament. This is in the book of Galatians, and just by way of brief review, the Apostle Paul went to Asia Minor to a place in modern day Turkey and preached the Gospel. He preached the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected for the forgiveness of sins. God blessed the Galatians by his sovereign grace and by his spirit, and Galatian Gentiles came to faith in Christ, and believed in Jesus and became adopted sons of Abraham. Even more significantly, they became adopted sons and daughters of the living God. And so those churches were planted in Galatia and then Paul left, because that was his ministry, to go to other places and preach. And after he left, some false teachers came in and they preached a false gospel. A mingling of Christ and Moses, of faith and works, which Paul would basically say is poison, not the real Gospel. Now Paul is writing this epistle back to those churches to teach them again the foundational facts of the Gospel and how it is that sinners like us can be made right with such a Holy God, whose eyes are two pure to look on evil. He cannot tolerate wrong. Here is the question: How can sinners like us be made right with such a God? And we are, Paul says in Galatians 2:16 "Justified by faith alone apart from works of the law." This is really the theological center of what he is trying to say. And then for two chapters in Galatians 3 and 4, he proves this doctrine of Justification by faith alone from the Old Testament Scripture. And this is the final section of that argument. He is going back and speaking to these Galatian, Gentile Christians (believers in Jesus), and asking them, "Why would you want to be under the law?" Verse 21 says, "Tell me you who want to be under the law." Why would you want to live under the law? Aren't you aware of what the law says? And then he goes into this whole allegory, this whole teaching from the story of Isaac and Ishmael, Sarah and Hagar, and Abraham and all of these things that we talked about last week. Last week I gave you what I consider to be the “milk” of the passage, the central main idea. And if you don't get any of the things I say this week, you need to get this main idea. Paul is buttressing what he has been saying, that "we are justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law." And the point I made last week from this language, is that we are all like Isaac, children of the promise, that's verse 29 in our text. Each one of you who's a Christian, you are miracles of God's grace by his spirit. You are miracles! It's a miracle of God's grace that you love Jesus and that you repented of your sin and trusted in him. You are born of the spirit, a supernatural birth. And so you should live like it, and we will get into that in the last two chapters of Galatians, but you are born by the spirit. "Each one of you who's a Christian, you are miracles of God's grace by his spirit. You are miracles! It's a miracle of God's grace that you love Jesus and that you repented of your sin and trusted in him." Now, what I want to say today is the Scripture itself is a miracle of God's grace born by the spirit. And it contains deep unsearchable things that will swallow up the mind of the greatest genius on earth. So if you get nothing out of what I'm saying today about today's message, get this. The Bible is very deep and requires special and skillful handling. I want to zero-in on this issue of allegory. We get this right from what Paul says. We wouldn't even be talking about this today except that Paul does it. He brings up Isaac and Ishmael, Hagar and Sarah, and Abraham from Genesis 15-17. You can listen to the message from last week if you want to review, or just read Genesis 15-17 and find out from those chapters what Paul is talking about. But we're not going to go into the basic details, you heard that last week. But he turns to allegory, the story of Isaac, Abraham's son by grace, his son by the promise, his son by his wife Sarah. This is a picture of every genuine believer, every Christian, of sovereign grace born by the spirit. Its a picture of all of us Christians. II. Deeper Spiritual Meaning: Essential, But Dangerous Ishmael is an allegorical representation of unbelievers who are trying to earn favor with God by their works. They're acting like slaves. They're thinking like slaves, and they will be cast out as Hagar and Ishmael were. They will not receive the inheritance. You cannot receive the Kingdom of God by your own works. So that's what we got from last time. But we have to go deep, we have to go into these allegorical meanings. And what I'm going to say is there are two basic ideas in the sermon today. When it comes to the Scripture generally, but specifically the Old Testament, searching out deeper spiritual meanings is essential to right interpretation. We must do it. But, secondly, from history, it's dangerous. You can go too far, and get into some excesses that we must seek to avoid. So that's kind of a two part outline of what we're doing. After that, I'm going to go back into the text, and we're going to find some more details in this allegory that are worth studying. We are going to discuss missions. We are going to discuss the fact that physical Isaacs can be like spiritual Ishmaels, and physical Ishmaels can be like spiritual Isaacs, and how that is marvelous and amazing. We will also talk about the warning to each one of us who are spiritual Isaacs, to not live like Ishmaels, like those under the law. We will talk about the warning that all unconverted people face: eternal condemnation in hell. I think that is the warning at the end when he says, "Cast out the slave woman with her son." So that's where we're going. Whether we get there or not, who knows? But we'll do the best that we can. Let's begin with this idea of deeper spiritual meanings. Look at verse 24 and following. Paul says, "These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants." So Paul literally says, "These things are allegories or this is allegorizing," that's literally what he says here. What does allegory mean? Well, that means to say something other than what one appears to be saying, or that there is a deeper meaning. Or, you could say more technically, an allegory is a big metaphor made up by a lot of smaller metaphors that go into the bigger metaphor. It's an extended metaphor of representational language, where this doesn't really mean that, but it means something deeper. That's what an allegory is. The most famous allegory in church history is Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress,' in which the Christian life of conversion, and then sanctification, and death, and being welcomed into heaven, is likened to a pilgrimage, from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, with all kinds of things that happen along the way. That's an allegory. And so Paul uses this language, speaking of these things as allegories or representations of a deeper truth. So my first point is that, perceiving deeper spiritual meanings in Scripture, generally, but specifically in the Old Testament, is essential to right interpretation. Why do I say that? Because if you don't do it, you won't find Jesus there. If you don't find deeper spiritual meanings in the Old Testament, you will not find the prophecies that refer to Christ. Now, how do we know they are there? Because Jesus told us that they are there. Let's just go to one. In John 5:46, Jesus is speaking to his Jewish enemies, and he is talking about different testimonies to himself, and he spoke them saying, "If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me." Now, do you realize, that should just give you goosebumps. How could a man say that? Fifteen centuries after Moses died, that "Moses wrote about me?" Well, Jesus was the Son of God, and what he's saying is that God had predicted the coming of the Messiah through the writings of Moses. Now, if you look at the first five books of the Bible, which we know Moses wrote (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), you're not going to find, for the most part, I don't think you'll find verbally predicted prophecies about the Messiah. You have to look deeper and find predictions about the Messiah in symbolic language. And if you know what to look for, then there actually many places that Moses wrote about Jesus. Jesus alludes to one himself a few chapters before that in John's Gospel. In John Chapter 3:14 he says, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." Yes, that's the context of John 3:16. And the context is in the same way that Moses lifted up the bronze serpent, so Jesus will be lifted up. How? On the cross. "That everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life." By the way, that's what the word, "so" means in John 3:16. It means "in the same way." So it's a comparison. If you don't understand the bronze serpent, you won't understand John 3:16. So what was the bronze serpent? Well, the bronze serpent is a story in Numbers 21:9 when the Israelites were wandering in the desert. They had failed to enter the promised land. They were getting sick and tired of manna and even complaining about the manna. You remember that whole story? In fact, they wouldn't have had to eat the manna except for a very short time, if they would have just crossed over by faith into the promised land. I'm starting to get upset at them again. You wouldn't have to eat the manna day after day if you just entered the land flowing with milk and honey, but they wouldn't do it. And so, now they got sick of eating manna day after day and started to complain. Well, God doesn't take complaining lightly, and he sends poisonous desert serpents in and they bit Israelites, and many died. Many of them died and they cried out to Moses saying, "We're sorry, tell God we're sorry!" And then God said, "I'm not going to remove the serpents but I'm going to put up this bronze serpent. And you send that message throughout the camp. For everyone who is bitten with the poisonous serpent bite, all you have to do is look to the bronze serpent and I will see and heal you." It was a picture of looking to Jesus by faith. So I cry out to any of you who are here who have been bitten by the serpent of sin, and you've got the poison flowing through your spiritual bloodstreams. You have limited time before you drop dead and go to hell. Cry out to Jesus and by looking to Jesus, you will find forgiveness of sins. You trust in Jesus because that's why God lifted him up on the cross. And I'm pleading with you, don't leave this sanctuary here unconverted. But do you see what I've done? I've seen a deeper spiritual meaning in something that actually happened historically back then. And if you don't do that, you won't find Christ in the Old Testament. After Jesus died, and was buried and on the third day, he was raised from the dead, he began to appear to his own disciples, to give them many convincing proofs that he was alive. And he was with them over a period of 40 days and He taught them many things about the Kingdom of God. And one of the number one things he taught them was how the Scriptures, the Old Testament testified everything concerning himself. So you remember Luke 24? Jesus is walking with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. You remember that story? And his appearance is somehow changed and they don't recognize him. And they're walking down together, and this stranger (Jesus) is talking to them and he doesn't seem to have any idea about current events, about what happened with Jesus. These two disciples were so discouraged and so downcast as they walked with the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus, not knowing it was Jesus. But they were so discouraged and downcast, "We had hoped He would be the one." And Jesus said, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken. Did not the Christ have to suffer many things and then after that enter into His glory? "Then he showed them, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, everything that was explained in the scriptures about himself." And after he was taken away from them, they said, "Were not our hearts burning within us when He opened the Scriptures to us?" Do you see that word "open"? Or do you hear it? He opened the scriptures, He opened the scriptures and they hadn't seen these things before. Later that same day Jesus appears in the upper room and he's with the disciples and he gives the many convincing proofs of his resurrection. And he says, "Touch me and see." And eats some broiled fish in front of them, and he just proves his resurrection. And then he says this, in Luke 24:44 and following, "This is what I told you when I was still with you. Everything must be fulfilled, that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." [This is Luke 24:45] "Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Same idea, open, open. It was closed before, now do you see? Do you see it? It's here. "Do you see it? Do you see how these verses testify about me?" And he told them, "This is what is written, that Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem." That's all in the prophecy. Missions is also in the prophecy and we'll see it later in this message this morning. It's right in the prophecy. The spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. You are witnesses of these things. And so the Old Testament is filled with this kind of typology or symbolism, pictures of Jesus, deeper spiritual meanings. Noah's Ark, the only place of refuge, as the wrath of God comes pouring down on the earth. The only place of refuge is Noah's Ark. It's a picture of Christ. The Exodus is a picture of salvation in Jesus, how we were in bondage to sin and we are brought out through the wilderness and we are brought into the promised land by the sovereign grace of God, led by the pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud to the promised land. It’s a picture of our salvation journey. The Passover lamb, its blood painted on the door posts and the angel of death moving over, looks down and sees the blood and passes over and they don't die. Everyone inside the house, (like inside Christ) is saved under the blood. Everyone else perishes (all the first born). Indeed, every animal sacrifice in the Levitical system, all of the animal sacrifices were types or pictures of Jesus. All of them were. As a matter of fact, the book of Hebrews does a great job of elucidating and opening these things up to us. It says in Hebrews 8:5 that at the tabernacle/temple, the Levitical priests serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and a shadow of the reality. So these deeper symbolic meanings point to the reality, but they weren't the thing itself, they were just symbolic. As it says later, in Hebrews 10:1 "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming, not the realities themselves." The book of Hebrews goes into a lot of details, you remember the place where he talks about Psalm 110, "You're a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek." And Jesus has become a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5). And then he stops himself and says, "You know, I have a lot to say on this topic. But I can't, because you're slow to learn. By this time you should be further along, but you need milk not meat. I want tell you about Melchizedek, but it's meat and you need spiritual teeth to get it." You see, it's a deeper meaning. And then he goes on in Hebrews 7 and just unfolds all of the analogies about Melchizedek and how is it picture of Christ. So let me just sum up. Finding deeper spiritual meanings in the Old Testament is essential to right interpretation of the Old Testament. Without it, you will not find Jesus. Now, you may ask, "If that's so, then why don't the Jews, who don't believe in Jesus, but who study Moses and study these things all the time, why don't they see Christ in the Old Testament? I don't understand. If he's there, then why can't they see it?" And Paul answered that question in 2 Corinthians 3, you remember how Moses went up and spent time with God, and he came away and his face was shining and radiant? Remember that? And he put a veil over his face, because the people were afraid of him and they didn't want look and they were afraid to talk to him and so he put a veil over his face. Paul says that veil is a symbol of the hardness of heart of the Jews in perceiving the truth in the Bible, specifically in Moses. He wrote in 2 Corinthians 3, "Their minds were made dull, for even to this day the same veil remains whenever the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts, but whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the spirit and where the spirit is, there's freedom." And so the spirit comes in the new covenant and takes the veil away and you can see Jesus there. And your heart burns in the Scriptures like, "Wow, God's been working on this a long time. Wow, this is deep. Wow, these themes are rich and full." And you see it for the first time. And it's powerful, but if that hasn't happened to you yet, if your mind is dull, if your heart is hard, you're not going to see these things. You'll think they're ridiculous. "Finding deeper spiritual meanings in the Old Testament is essential to right interpretation of the Old Testament. Without it, you will not find Jesus." Now, generally, Christian interpreters, pastors don't use the world allegory. We generally stay away from it. We usually talk about types. Types are things acted out in history, in the Old Testament. They really happened, space and time, they actually did. But they also act out aspects of spiritual truth as well. So we believe there was a literal flood, a literal arc, a literal Noah, but it's also a metaphorical picture of salvation in Jesus. That's the way typology tends to work. We believe that animals really were sacrificed. Their blood really was poured out. It really was commanded by the law of Moses to do this, but it's a picture of Jesus. Allegorical interpretation is a different pattern. There, what you're doing is you're looking for deep spiritual meanings in every paragraph, every sentence, perhaps every word. I might say actually even every letter. At that point then, the Bible becomes like a hidden code book and you need the secret decoder ring. And if you got the secret decoder ring, and you get all the right things lined up, you can see it. But if you don't have the ring, you're not going to be able to see what I see. How can I get the ring? Well, you have to earn it. You have to become really spiritual like I am. And then I might give you the ring, and then you can see these deeper meanings. That's the allegorizing tendency. So now, we move into the second main heading of what I want to say. That finding deeper spiritual meanings in the Old Testament is also dangerous. Historically, it's been dangerous. There's some people that go too far. They go off the road, somewhat. Now, what do I mean by that? Well, allegory was based in the ancient world, right before the time of Christ in the city named Alexandria in Egypt. It was named after it's founder, Alexander the Great who left Alexandria(s) everywhere. He just loved himself. He was just filled with a love for himself and his own name. And he set up the most famous of all of them is in Egypt. Alexandria, Egypt. Greeks were there and there was a flourishing Greek culture. And one of the two intellectual products that Greece gave to the ancient world is their extraordinary philosophers (Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, ect.), and their fascinating Greek myths, their religion. Well, the myths were weird actually. They were almost insulting to some level. They were embarrassing at certain levels. But if you're a real Hellenist, you love Greek culture, you're going to try to find a way to make them a little more seemly. And so they began to allegorize and combine their philosophies with their religion and explain the awkward or embarrassing aspects of their religion by means of allegory. Deeper spiritual meanings. Well, there was a Jew, living centuries before Christ, named Philo and he did this kind of thing. He actually did it with the Old Testament. He started doing lots of this allegorizing with the Old Testament. Now, it didn't really, in the end, catch on among the Jews, but it really caught on with Christians. And why? Well, for the reasons I've been saying since I've been up here today. There are deeper spiritual meanings. They do point to Christ. There's a whole different way of looking at the prophecies than you ever saw before. And so certain Christian teachers began just swimming in a sea of allegory and looking for allegories all the time. Beginning with Clement of Alexandria and then his disciple Origen, but then it continued after them. It flourished. It took off. Augustin and others always looking for the fourfold meaning of the text. The simple physical meaning which gave you just everyday life principles. And then on down to moral meanings and horizontal among Christian meanings. And then eternal meanings and all that. They're looking for deeper meanings in everything all the time. The basic idea of this allegorizing approach is that God has hidden the true meaning of the Old Testament, and only the spiritual can search it out. Some likened it to the threefold aspect of the human being. You know how some say humans are body, soul, and spirit? So the text has a body, that's just the simple literal historical physical side. And it also has a soul and that's the moral side. And then it has a spirit and that's the Christ-centered or eternal side. So they're looking for these three aspects all the time in Scripture. So what were the kind of things they would do? Origen was one of the best, he was a genius, an absolute genius. He was a heretical genius but he was a genius. And did amazing things with Scripture, alright? Some of them are kind of straightforward, similar to the things we've already done. Like the battle of Jericho. Joshua equals, come on you can figure this out, Jesus, right? The walled city of Jericho represents the world, it's opposition to Christ, okay? The seven priests who carry the ark, so Origen said, are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Jude, James and Peter. Got that? Those are all Scripture writers, so I guess that's what he came up with. Rahab, the prostitute, represents the church, sinner saved by grace. The scarlet cord represents the blood of Jesus. So that's what he did with that. Even better is Origen's 27th homily on Numbers. He gets to the book of Numbers in the Old Testament. In Numbers 33, there is basically a travel log of the Jews as they travel from Egypt to the brink of the Jordan River. There are 42 places mentioned there. Oh, what Origen can do with that? 42 levels of spiritual ascent to full perfection in Christ, step by step. And he's got names and each level has this characteristic to it. Sounds almost gnostic or secret hidden religion but that's the kind of stuff they were doing. Or Joshua, as he fought the battle against the five kings, in Joshua 10, who attacked the Gibeonites. There are these five kings, and they captured these five kings, and put them in a cave, and put a stone in front of that. Well, the five kings represent the five senses of sight, sound, hearing, taste, and smell, obviously. And they are enemies to the things of God, ect. So this is the kind of allegorizing. They love numbers too. If you want to hear a bunch of stuff about numbers, come and ask me later, I don't have time now. The question you would ask here is, "Why would Paul then use allegory if it's dangerous?" Well there's two different answers we can give to that. First is, it's what I call the "because I'm an apostle, that's why" approach, alright? So that would be kind of like a policeman with a siren going, or a fire truck with a siren going, or the presidential motorcade with its siren going, they can run any red light they want. Any red light. The rest of us, peons, we have to stop at red lights. So the apostle can do things that we're not allowed to do under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I don't think that's a great answer though. I think what I'd want to say is, is Paul really allegorizing like Origen was allegorizing? Or is he doing the standard typological approach of finding connections with the story of Isaac and Ishmael, that are helpful for us to elucidate spiritual principles? That's the question. Now for us, how then should we approach the Old Testament? We must read it grammatically, understand its basic grammar, understand its context, especially its historical context, understand the flow of redemptive history. Where does this story fit in? Try to see what God was doing in redemptive history at that point. Understand God never changes and basically people don't change either. So we can draw out lasting principles about God's nature and about human nature without resorting to that kind of weird allegory. Don't get attracted to weird allegorizing. Look for deeper meanings and connections to Christ, they are there, more than are just listed. But don't get into the whole Da Vinci Code or numerology approach. I actually have a book in which somebody counted every 50th letter in the book of Genesis and found the word Torah, every 50th letter in Genesis… apparently it's in there. And they went through with all of this computer analysis and found all kinds of things in there. Like the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, in the letters of the... Don't do that! I know that's fascinating but don't do that, okay? What are the dangers of doing this, what are the dangers of this kind of approach? Well, I think first and foremost is the text, the Scripture starts to float away from the common everyday believer. Alright? You, as an ordinary regular person under this kind of teaching, would have no hope whatsoever of understanding the text. And so why read it? It puts a wedge between the people of God and the word of God. It also is arrogant for the teachers to say, "I know and you don't. And the reason you don't, is you're not as spiritual as I am." It becomes like the emperor's new clothes where if you're as spiritual as I am, you can see what I see in the texts. If you can't see what I see in the texts, then you're not as spiritual as I am. Also there was no rhyme or reason, how did you know that the number two represented the two covenants, the number three represented the trinity, or the three days Christ was in the tomb, or the three different ways that humans can sin? How do you know that that's what it means? Where are you getting your information? And it becomes pretty scary at that point, you're under impressions from spirits and it's hard to know that that's actually even coming from the text. And it denigrates the physical world and history. History doesn't matter anymore. What matters is the deeper spiritual meaning. You're forgetting that God has ordained an orchestrated history, really doesn't matter whether there was a literal Adam or a literal Joshua, a battle of Jericho, that those things really matter. III. Digging into this Particular “Allegory” and Applying Its Lessons Alright, now what I want do with the final couple of minutes I have is I want draw out a few more deeper connections here that perhaps you haven't seen before. Again let me reiterate the main idea. If you are a Christian, you are like Isaac, a child of the promise. You are born again by the spirit. You are not under the law, so therefore you shouldn't live under the law. What does it mean to live under the law? Well, at the simple level, you don't have to keep its meticulous requirements, the dietary regulations, circumcision, the ceremonies, the special days and months, and seasons and years. You're not under that anymore. You're free from that. But deeper than that, deeper than that, you are free from sin itself. The old covenant had no power to free anybody from sin. The mind of the flesh is death. The old covenant could only diagnose and condemn. It couldn't transform. But the new covenant can give birth to children who are born of the spirit, who have a whole new mind, made new in the heart and the spirit. The new covenant has transformed you, not the old covenant. So why live under the old covenant that had no power to do that? You're not under the law, meaning you're not under the law's ability to condemn you and send you to hell. Praise God, the accusations that were written out against you were nailed to the cross and you're free from them. Christ became a curse for you and you're not under the laws condemning power. "The old covenant had no power to free anybody from sin. The mind of the flesh is death. The old covenant could only diagnose and condemn. It couldn't transform. But the new covenant can give birth to children who are born of the spirit, who have a whole new mind, made new in the heart and the spirit." Therefore, look at Galatians 5:1, we'll get to it in April, but it says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm then, and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery." Alright, so that's the essential idea, but there are some other powerful lessons. Take a minute and go back to Isaiah 54. Take your Bibles and go back to Isaiah 54, and there you will find what Paul quotes in verse 27. What does he quote in verse 27? Well he says, "Sing, oh barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband, says the LORD." That's what Paul reaches for in the middle of his allegory. He reaches for Isaiah 54:1. Yes, what's amazing to me, look at it on the page. And I want you, just for a moment, to just lift off the chapter and verse divisions and set them aside, and just consider it a flowing prophecy from Isaiah. And find out where this celebration comes, where and why this barren woman celebrates. Go back to end of Isaiah 52, and what do you see at the end of the Isaiah 52:13-15. "Behold my servant," the servant of Yahweh. This is Jesus, listen, "Behold my servant will act wisely; He'll be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there are many who are appalled at Him, His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred by human likeness so will He sprinkle many nations." The servant of the Lord, disfigured beyond human likeness sprinkles the nations. If you can't find Jesus there, you don't know what you're looking for. That is the atoning work of Jesus Christ that is going to be proclaimed among the nations. Jesus said it was written that this would happen and there it is. "And so will He sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand." Then it just rolls on into the most famous chapter maybe in the Old Testament. The clearest prophecy of Jesus. "He was pierced," verses Five-Six, "He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our inequities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we were healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Clearly talking about the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Go to the end of the chapter, to verses 11-12. "After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied," speaking of the resurrection of Jesus. "By His knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many," very thing we've been saying in Galatians. Jesus justifies us by his work, by faith in his work and "he will bear their inequities therefore, I will give them a portion among the great and He will divide the spoils with the strong because He poured out His life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors." That's Christ's atoning work. Finished now. Christ dead and has been resurrected. And now comes 54:1. "Break forth into song old Zion, old Jerusalem. Sing because now at last you can bear you children for God." Do you see the flow? Do you see the context? Now that Jesus has come, finally barren Zion, barren Jerusalem, barren people of Israel can at least bear children for God. That's why Paul reached for this verse. Wow, that's awesome. It's awesome. Keep going though, look at Verse Two. "Enlarge the place of your tent," it's Isaiah 54:2, "Enlarge the place of your tent. Stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back. Lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes." Okay barren woman? Hey barren woman, you're going to have so many children, you won't know where to put them. You're going to have to get a bigger tent. We need it bigger, we need longer ropes, we need bigger tents. Why? You know why… Because the Gentiles are coming. Not a few of them, lots of them. They're coming like a river. Now, she couldn't bear children to God in the old covenant. The old covenant never bore children for God. But now that Jesus has come, the blood of the new covenant has been poured out. Now at last, she (the Jerusalem that's above) can bear children for God. And that is awesome. It fulfills the promises made to Abraham. Just listen, Genesis 12: 2-3, "I will make you [Abraham] into a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you, I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." As He says in Genesis 15:5, "Look up at the heavens and see all the stars. If you can count them, so shall your offspring be." As He says in Genesis 17, "I'm going to change your name from Abram to Abraham because I've made you the father of many nations. Nations of people will come and be. They will look on you as their spiritual father and you will be their father and they will be your children. I'm going to make you the father of nations." He says it again in Genesis 22:17-18, "I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as stars in the sky and the sand of the sea shore, and your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed." That did not happen until Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 53. "Now at last, the people of God based in Jerusalem can bear fruit for God." And this is exactly what Paul has been saying in Galatians, isn't it? He's been talking to Gentiles and saying "You're all children of Abraham through faith in Christ." Read about it at the end of Galatians 3. I'm not going to read it now, but he says "You're all a children of Abraham. You're sons of Abraham through faith in Jesus Christ." As he says in 4:28, "Now, you brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise." "You are Abraham's children." And so now this woman has at last expanded her tent. Paul's speaking of missions. He's speaking of the advance of the Gospel from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth, to the Gentiles. Can I give you a beautiful historical note here? Just because I love church history. One of the greatest sermons ever preached (better than this sermon, trust me), was on Isaiah 54:2 by William Carey. William Carey went to this very text, Isaiah 54:2. It was called, “The Deathless Sermon,” a sermon that will never die by those who heard it. May 30th, 1792 at Friar Lane Baptist Chapel in Nottingham, England. On this text "Enlarge the place of thy tent and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy inhabitations, spare a knot, lengthen thy cord, strengthen thy stakes, for you shall, thou shall break forth on the right hand on the left and thy seeds shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited." The sermon broke into two main headings. There are two main points to the sermon. And they were: 1) Expect great things from God. And 2) Attempt great things for God. FBC, let's do that. Amen? Let's expect that God will do great things and fulfillment of these kinds of prophecies. Let's expect that he intends to save people through our witness. Let's expect great things from him and then let's attempt great things for him. By the way, as a result of that sermon, he started the first Protestant missions agency in England and he went from that to India. Right from Isaiah 54:2. A second new application I've already noted before has to do with physical Isaacs who are actually spiritual Ishmaels. Okay? So the physical descendants of Abraham, the Jews of Paul's day, they were based in the physical earthly city of Jerusalem. And he said, that Jerusalem (the physical one) is below, she's in slavery with her children. They're in bondage because they have not believed in Jesus. They're under the Law of Moses. They're in bondage, they're slaves. They may be physical Isaacs but they are spiritual Ishmaels. How do you know that Paul? Well, I'll tell you why. Why don't you just go try to preach the Gospel there in Jerusalem. Just go and preach the Gospel of Jesus and find out what happens to you. "Do you know what happened to me?" said Paul, "They beat me and would have beat me to death if the Romans hadn't intervened." Why? Because they're in bondage. They're in slavery. They're in blindness. And it's the very thing he's saying. It corresponds to Mount Sinai in Arabia. They're like Ishmaels even though they're physically descended from Abraham. But on the other hand, some physical Ishmaels maybe spiritual Isaacs. Now, this is interesting. What do you mean? Well whatever happened to Hagar and Ishmael. They got cast out, remember? And have you ever read that and thought, "Wow was that cold," that's cold. And God told them to do it. What did Hagar and her little son get sent out with only a skin of water and some bread or something, and that was it? And it's quoted in our text here, "Cast out the slave woman with her son." Cast her out. It's a picture of eternal condemnation. And so I was talking to a brother last week at home fellowship. He said, "Does this mean that all the Ishmaels are going to hell?" And he's clearly talking about people who live in Arabia, right? "Are we talking about all the Arabs? What do we do with that?" Well, here's the amazing thing. Abraham prayed for Ishmael. Do you remember that? He said, "Oh, that Ishmael would live before you." That's in Genesis 17:18. God answered that prayer. God didn't let Hagar and her son die. God opened Hagar’s eyes to a well that saved their lives, and in the course of time, Ishmael became very fruitful. As a matter of fact, he had 12 sons and they are listed in Genesis 25:13. I want to read part of that genealogy. "These are the names that the sons of Ishmael listed in the order of their birth, Nebaioth, the first born of Ishmael, and Kedar. Nebaioth and Kedar." Now, take your Bibles and go over to Isaiah 60. Isaiah 60 is similar to Isaiah 54, it talks about spiritual Zion, the Jerusalem that's above. This future city, this glorious radiant city. Now, millennialist say this is the millennial kingdom, we won't talk about today, except that I just mentioned it. But, I think this is talking about the heavenly Jerusalem, the new Jerusalem that bears children for God. "Arise and shine oh, Zion for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Behold, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you and nations will come to your light." If you can't hear missions on that, you don't know what to listen to. "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around you. All assemble and come to you; your sons will come from afar, your daughters from the ends of the earth carried on the arm." This is missions. These are the sons and daughters of Abraham, sons and daughters of God through faith. "Then you will look and be radiant. Your heart will throb and swell with joy and the wealth on the seas will be brought to you and the riches of the nations will come." Verse Six, "Herds of camels will cover your land. Young camels of Midian and Ephah and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord." Now look at Verse Seven, "All Kedar's flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you. They will be accepted as offerings on my altar and I will adorn my glorious temple." Wow. God has elect people who are physically descended from Ishmael that's why he didn't let Ishmael die out on the desert. Because some of his descendants would someday believe in Jesus and be drawn into this glorious radiant Zion. Amen and amen. So let's expect great things from God and attempt great things for God. There are Arabs coming to faith in Christ right now, Ishmaelites who are repenting and becoming spiritual Isaacs. This is going on right now and it's awesome. Finally, the new Jerusalem is our home and we are going there, so set your heart on it. The Jerusalem that's above is our mother, and that is our future home. So set your heart on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God and not on things below. Live as an alien and a stranger here. Read about it on Hebrews 11:13. Set your heart on a city whose architect and builder is God. That's the new Jerusalem. Read about it in Revelation 21 and 22, it is a beautiful place. It has streets of gold and it's radiant and it doesn't need the light of the lamp or the light of sun to shine on for the glory of Christ will radiate that place and you will live there. But woe to you, woe to you, if you are a spiritual Ishmael. Not a physical Ishmael, that's not the issue. It doesn't matter. But the matter is, are you a spiritual Ishmael? And what that means is trying to earn your salvation by works and by effort and cleverness and by paying for your sins yourself. Woe to you because you'll be cast out with these words, "depart from me, you who are cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angel." Now, we have come to the time of preparation for the Lord's Supper. Have I given you some things to think about? And I'm giving it all to you. If you want the number stuff, it's right here. Anybody who wants it, come and grab it. There is always more to talk about. But we have the chance now to turn to a very rich and full symbol that the Lord has given to us of his death and his resurrection and his second coming, the Lord's Supper. I'm going to close this sermon in prayer and ask the Deacons to come help serve table. Father, I thank you for the depths and the riches of your wisdom and scripture and I pray that now, as we turn our attention to the Lord's Supper that you would bless it with the power of the spirit. The way to understand it, symbolism properly, we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Pastor Andy Davis preaches a verse-by-verse expository sermon on Galatians 4:21-31. By the allegory from Sarah and Hagar we are reminded to trust in the Lord and not in ourselves or the Law. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - So this text is very deep, very difficult, very complex. It mentions an allegory, it mentions women in labor, so this morning this sermon gave birth to two sermons. What I want to do is go through the text all the way through and give you what I consider the simple interpretation of these words. Next week I want to go deeper and look more at the meat or the difficulties and the allegory that Paul brings us. I'm going to mention allegory this time, I'm going to touch on it lightly but I'm not going to go into detail this time on what Paul is doing with this allegory. What I want to do is make very plain and clear the simple lesson of these verses, what is Paul saying to you, to each one of us. And I'll just say it straight out. I believe what Paul is saying here is that, every single one of us who are genuine Christians, we are miracles of grace. We are Christians because God has interfered with our lives, has stepped into time and space by his sovereign grace and changed everything, and we have been made children of the living God by sovereign grace, and we ought to live like it. Look with me at verse 29 this is where I'm getting it from, at the end in verse 29 he says, "At that time the son born in the ordinary way... " That's NIV. Son born according to the flesh in the simple straightforward natural way. "The ordinary son persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit." So we see the Ishmael symbolism and the Isaac symbolism leading to two realities they're just two different kinds of people in this world. There are people who are born in the natural way and then there are people who are born supernaturally. And if you're a child of God, you have been born supernaturally and you ought to know it, and you ought to give thanks for it every day and you ought to live according to that birth. So that's the simple straightforward message. Now Paul roots it in very deep things. But I want you to understand this message, if you're a Christian you're a miracle of grace, and I say it directly to you it doesn't matter how you came to faith in Christ. I've spoken to people at the time of baptism and they need to give a testimony of how they came to faith and some who are born in good Christian families who were raised under the hearing of the gospel who never knew a time that they didn't know Jesus. Maybe their parents spoke the gospel to them while they were still in the womb, I did. Please don't think that's weird, but I did that with all five of my kids, I told them to repent and believe in Jesus... All of them. And that they needed to come to faith, and I wanted them to come to an early conversion. I wanted them to come to faith in Christ early and so it's easy for someone raised in that circumstance say, "I have no testimony." Let me tell you something if you believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God, that God raised him from the dead, if you've called on him because you know that you're a sinner, you're a child of grace, it doesn't matter how you came to those convictions, I think it's better to come to an early conversion and not run in sin for a while. Sin never does us any good. If on the other hand like me, you're converted in your adult years and you remember distinctly times when you were dead in your transgressions and sins. And you also have a testimony of grace and you're no less or more a child of sovereign grace and someone born in that other circumstance and living through that. I just want you to know if you believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of living God, and he died on the cross, in your place for your sins, and that you have called on him, "For everyone who calls in the name of the Lord will be saved." You've called on him for forgiveness of sins and you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, the testimony that you are a child of God, you are a miracle of grace. "You've called on Him for forgiveness of sins and you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, the testimony that you are a child of God, you are a miracle of grace." And you ought to know it. And you ought to live like an Isaac and not like an Ishmael. Alright that's the simple lesson of these verses. But there's nothing simple about this text. I hope some of you are having some pity and compassion on me as Taylor was reading that text, well I'm glad I'm not the Pastor. What's he going to do with this allegory? What's he going to do? What indeed? So I actually bought another week of time to answer that question, but I have some ideas. Paul in verse 21 is speaking directly to some people who apparently seem to want to live under the law. Do you see it? Verse 21, "You who want to be under the law tell me... " He is speaking them to these Galatians to be under the law. What does that mean to be under the law? Well it means to rely on self-effort at keeping the law to rely on yourself to get into or maintain a right relationship with God, that's what it means to be under the law. John Piper puts it this way, “to look on the law as a job description for earning the wages of God's favor.” You know what a job description is? When you get a job there's some bulleted things you're going to be responsible for, if you do these things you can be a good employee of this company. You won't get fired, this is what you're supposed to do in this position. And so the legalist, a person who is under the law has in the law a job description in order to maintain a good relationship with God. You have to earn God's smile, you have to earn His favor you have earn his approval, you have to earn right standing with God. You have to come in to it by your own efforts and you have to keep it or maintain it by your own efforts that's what it means to be under the law. Paul here calls it slavery, it's slavery, it's bondage. Why would you want to live in that kind of bondage? Why would you want to live as a slave like that? Tim Keller in commenting on this text says, I think he does a great job of just diagnosing the kind of people there are in this world. He says there are four types of people when it comes to these issues. First there are law abiding, law relying people. Law abiding, law relying people. They live in constant reliance on their own obedience to the moral standard. That has been given by God, the law of Moses. They tend to me smug, self-righteous and superior, but they also ironically tend to be deep down insecure. So they're touchy and sensitive to criticism. They're irritable. They tend to shoot the messenger if anyone comes and says there's anything wrong with them. They're devastated when their prayers go unanswered. This could be people from other religions actually who are living up to some moral standard, but also people who go to church can live like this. This describes a lot of the Pharisees of Jesus' day. Secondly, you've got law disobeying, law relying people. Law disobeying, law relying people. These are people who have a developed religious conscience based on strong works righteousness, but they're failing to live up to it consistently. Therefore they're more humble and broken hearted than the first group, more tolerant of others, but they're guilt ridden and they're given to despair. They may attend church, but they stay on the outskirts, on the periphery of church life because they feel so worthless spiritually. They know that they're sinners, but their only remedy is to try harder and that only leads to more depression. Third category, law disobeying, not law relying. Law disobeying, not law relying. These people have thrown off the concept of God's holy laws. They've thrown off the idea of a moral standard coming from God. They are totally secular and relativistic or they are vague spiritually. They invent and choose their own moral standards. They put it together a la carte, like a Golden Coral just putting on the tray what they want and so they put their own moral system together and then they try to live up to that standard. Thus, they are often in many ways just as judgmental as the Pharisees. By the way, are you feeling that? We're judged if we don't live up to their odd moral standards these days. If you don't stand up and give a standing ovation at key moments as it has happened even this week, you're wicked, you're evil, you're judged by this new kind of Pharisee. They're trying to earn their own version of salvation by feeling morally superior to others, but their system of righteousness is self-invented, it's self-defined, self-assessed. It's the third category. Then the fourth category, you're hoping you're in here somewhere right? Fourth category, law obeying, not law relying. These are spiritual Christians who understand the gospel and are living out the freedom of the gospel. They obey God's moral law by the power of the spirit and the grateful joy of knowing that they're totally secure, they're adopted sons and daughters of God. They know that their failures and they do fail, but their failures are covered by the grace of God in Christ. However, most Christians in this category still struggle and tend to see the world from time to time either as a number one, a Pharisee or as a number two, a law relying failure or number three, a secular moralist. We all struggle and go back in some ways to that from time to time and the degree to which they have these false views is the degree to which they are impoverished spiritually. That's Tim Keller. I think he does a great job of analyzing these things. Where do you fit in that matrix? And what do you struggle with even if you are in number four? So we're coming to the issue here in which Paul is addressing directly, those who apparently want to live under the law. And he uses an allegory based on the Old Testament to teach the same principle that he's been teaching, which is that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ. It's not based on self-effort in the law. So let's give a little bit of review here and let's try to get our bearings. Some of you maybe haven't been with us through all the time we've been preaching in Galatians. Galatians, one of the most powerful writings in the history of the human race. It's only a 147 verses. It's a very very short writing and yet explosive in its implications and its ramifications for the human race. It searches out some of the deepest issues of human experience, maybe the deepest one. How can a sinner like me stand in a right relationship with the holy God? How can we be in a right relationship with God? So Paul is writing to Galatian churches that he planted. He was there sharing the gospel and he proclaimed the clear pure gospel of Jesus Christ, of him crucified, resurrected of repentance and faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. They heard the gospel, these Galatians. They believed it. They repented and believed it by grace. They received the gift of the outpoured holy spirit and they began living a joy filled, fruitful, powerful Christian life. Paul left town because he was a traveling itinerating church planting evangelist and missionary and apostle. He wasn't going to stay there forever. "Galatians, one of the most powerful writings in the history of the human race, ... searches out some of the deepest issues of human experience, maybe the deepest one. How can a sinner like me stand in a right relationship with the holy God?" And after he left, some other teachers came along claiming to be Christians, but really who weren't. They're called by many theologians or interpreters the "Judaizers" and they came with a toxic brew of combination of faith in Christ crucified and resurrected plus obedience to the law of Moses equal salvation. That's what it takes. You have to obey the laws of Moses. You have to become Jewish basically. Circumcision just the beginning of that journey. So if you will be circumcised and then obey the law of Moses, you can be saved. Paul calls this a different gospel, which is no gospel at all. In Galatians chapter 1, it says evidently some people are throwing you into confusion or trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Paul then spends almost two full chapters establishing his own supernatural calling from God, how God called him by grace and how God gave him the gospel from heaven. And this isn't a message that man made up, it's something that God gave to him directly and not only to him, but also to those who are reputed to be pillars in Jerusalem, they're preaching the same gospel. And when it comes down to the key issue, justification. How can a sinner be made right with almighty God? He says so plainly in Galatians 2:16, "We know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we too have put our faith in Christ Jesus so that we maybe justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law, no one will be justified." It couldn't be clearer. That's Galatians 2:16. In many ways that's the pinnacle of the doctrine of this book. And he says plainly with his own relationship with Christ is in Galatians 2:20, says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me and the life that I now live and the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." Having established his own proclamation of the gospel, his own walk with Christ, he then launches in in Galatians three and four to support this idea from scripture. He supports it first from their own experience saying, "Hey, you received the holy spirit when you heard and believed." But then he goes from that into a scriptural support of this. This isn't a new idea, this isn't a new doctrine. This is something that God established long ago. And he brings up the case of Abraham in verse 5 of Galatians 3. He says, "Consider Abraham, he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness." So all you have to do is just believe in God, believe in Jesus Christ and righteousness will be given to you as a gift. This is not a new idea he's saying. Conversely, he says, "Everyone who relies on the law is under a curse. [Galatians 3:10] for it is written, ‘Cursed it is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law.’" As we said all the law all the time or you're cursed. Cursed with death, cursed with hell. So if you're trying to live under the law, that's what you have. But Christ redeemed us from that kind of life. He redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. He absorbed the punishment we deserved on the cross. Galatians 3:13 and 14, as it is written, "Curse it is everyone who's hung on a tree." He redeemed us, verse 14, "In order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the spirit." Now why was the law given while it wasn't given to justify us? And it doesn't change the promise. The law was giving as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ and at the right time then once we have come to faith in Christ, we become heirs of the whole estate. All of these things he's been saying, this is scriptural support. Now in many ways these verses culminate or finish his scriptural appeal. So Galatians 4:21-31 as he goes back one more time to the old testament, he's finishing up his old testament support of this idea, justification by faith alone. Now Galatians 5 and 6 is going to bring us into some awesome practical applications. And we're going to learn in those chapters how we can live out a life of faith. I. The Historical Background: Isaac and Ishmael, Sarah and Hagar (verses 21-23) How we can live out a fruitful life not doing whatever we want as people accuse those that believe in justification by faith apart from works of doing. They say that we throw off the law, we're antinomian. We do whatever we want. No, no, no we're going to find out Galatians 5 and 6 is really the answer to that. Walking by the power of the spirit, we live holy and godly lives characterized by the fruit of the spirit. We put to death the deeds of the flesh, we make a live fruit in the spirit, it's a whole different kind of life. We're going to talk about that, God willing. Alright, now let's look back at some of the historical facts that Paul is bringing us to here. The historical background, he's bringing us to the story of Hagar and Sarah and Abraham of course and their sons, Hagar's son, Ishmael and Sarah's son, Isaac, and he's drawing some spiritual principles from this history. So first of all he speaks directly to the Galatians in verse 21. "Tell me, [he says] You who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?" So he's speaking very directly, somewhat in your face here. Very concerned about these Galatians, he's making a direct appeal to them, these drifting brothers and sisters in Christ who are breaking his heart and he appeals to them very directly here. And he says, "It seemed like you want to be slaves. I don't understand it, but it seems like you want to be slaves under the law. Why would you want to do that?" But now he makes his appeal, he says, "Aren't you aware of what the law says?" Isn't it amazing how often this happens? Jesus did this a lot. They'd come to Jesus with a problem and he'd say "Haven't you read? Are we reading the same book here? Haven't you read?" This and that. Jesus does that again and again, "Haven't you read, what David did when he and his companions were hungry? How he took the consecrated bread and he ate it." Or, "Haven't you read, that in the law those in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet they're held innocent." Or, "Haven't you read, that at the beginning the creator made them male and female…" instead of the question on divorce? Or about resurrection, you're asking me about resurrection, "Haven't you read, in the passage about the burning bush? What God says to you? "‘I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’" Haven't you read these things? And so Paul's doing this, "You who want to be under the law, aren't you aware of what the law says?" You could almost say, this is like a friendly lawyer saying, "Have you read the fine print here." "Do you realize what's in this contract? Do you know what you're signing on for?" "Before you put your signature at the bottom, let me tell you. I'm your friend, I'm a friend of the family and I'm a lawyer and I'm telling you what's going to happen if you sign this." "So if you go off in this direction, I just want to tell you what the law says." That's how he's arguing here. And what he's saying here is, the big picture is, being a physical descendant of Abraham was never enough for the Jews. It doesn't save you. There are different sons of Abraham. He has two sons in this case, we're going to look at Ishmael and Isaac. But what really matters is to be an elect son or daughter of the living God, a child of promise, a child of the spirit, that's what he's getting at here. John the Baptist, remember when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to where he was baptized? You remember he said "You brood of vipers. Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourself, 'We have Abraham as our Father' For I tell you out of these stones God can rise up children for Abraham." Very strong word isn't it? Don't rely on just being Jewish. Don't rely on the fact that you have Abraham as your Father. Jesus said the same thing in John 8 to his enemies, the Jews that were in his face and opposing his ministry. Very strong. "Abraham is our Father," they said to Jesus, remember that? And Jesus said, "If Abraham were your father, you would do the works of Abraham. You would walk in the steps that Abraham walked, but as it is you're trying to kill me. Someone who's told you the truth from God, Abraham didn't do those kinds of things. You are of your father the devil." So both John the Baptist and Jesus speaking very plainly to Jewish people that it's not enough to be physically descendant from Abraham. It's not enough. And so Paul reminds us here what the law says, Abraham had two sons, and he's going to draw some spiritual lessons from that. We now need to go back to the tragic story of Abraham and Sarah, and Hagar and what happened with them. Look at verse 22 and 23, it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way, but his son by the free woman was born as a result of the promise. We have to go back a little bit again to that great chapter Genesis 15 in which God makes that beautiful promise to Abraham. As you remember, the word of the Lord came to him, "This man Eliezer of Damascus would not be your heir but a son coming from your own body will be you heir." Then he took him outside and he said, "Now, look up at the heavens, look at the stars and count them if you can." Then he makes this incredible promise, "So shall your offspring be." It's going to be like that. And Abraham believed the promise and it was credited to him as righteousness. Key moment, redemptive history so that's the promise. But then comes Genesis 16, the story unfolds. One of the great beauties of the bible as it tells us the truth. Even about its great heroes, and we could wish that Genesis 16 didn't happen but it did. So what happens there? Well, some years are passing. Many years had passed from the starry night and nothing's going on. God is very patient, we're not so patient. And God is waiting and then nothing's happening. God apparently is not acting on what he had promised and Sarah saw that she continued to be barren and by then she is 76 and Abraham was 86. Back then, the ages were different than they are now. People died at age 175, Abraham did and now things are different but even then pretty much Sarah said the time for me bearing children is long passed. It's over. She was barren anyway, they were barren and they couldn't have children and that have been proven for years. But now even just in the normal course of things as a woman, she's passed that time and so, it's over. What are we going to do? I believe the Lord is waiting for that. I do believe He was waiting for her to be well beyond the time of bearing children and for Abraham to be well beyond even that even an expectation, he was waiting so that the child born could be so clearly a miracle baby. He wanted the baby to be a miracle of grace. But what happens now in Genesis 16? Sarah gets an idea. She has a thought, "I think I'm going to help the situation along." And what's so amazing here is that we think God actually needs our help. he needs our cleverness, he needs us to intervene, he needs us to get involved. This is the mind of the flesh. And so, she says in Genesis 16:2, "The Lord has kept me from having children." That is true. It's true. But she drew the wrong conclusion. "Go sleep with my maidservant. Perhaps, I can build a family through her. And Abraham agreed to what Sarai said." Now, Abraham himself, at that point, acted in self-reliance according to self-wisdom. God did not commend this. Abraham was not looking to God to fulfill his promise and, as a result, Abraham lay with Hagar, she conceived and gave birth to a son, Ishmael. What the text says, what Galatians 4:29 says, "The son born in the ordinary way or born according to the flesh." It's just a normal course of events. It's the son of the flesh, the son born in the ordinary way, the son of the slave woman. Now, the essence of the life under the law is: I'm on my own. I must think. I must act. I must choose. I must make this happen. If it's going to happen, I've got to do it. And take that to the nth degree. If I'm going to heaven, I need to do something about it, I need to change… It's the mind of the flesh. And so, this is a very tragic venture into the flesh. And Ishmael was the son born of that way of thinking. Human power on its own, unaided, doing that. And trouble came into Abraham's family immediately because of it. As soon as Hagar was pregnant, she saw that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress, Sarai. Think lowly ever, "I don't have to do that. Do you know who I am now? This is Abraham's baby I'm carrying. Who are you?" And so, there's some disrespect going on there. Where upon then Sarai starts to mistreat her and so is trouble immediately. Son of the flesh immediately bringing distress into the world. By contrast, we have Isaac. Isaac is the child of the promise. God waits sometime. Genesis 17, God speaks very plainly. If you know what to look for, Genesis 17:1, I think is the verse very clear rebuke. "I am God Almighty," he says to Abraham, "Walk before me and be holy." So, if you know what to look for, that's a rebuke. He says, "Don't do that. Trust me and do holy things and walk before me." And he changes his name to Abraham. And then he says this in Genesis 17, God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai, your wife. You're no longer to call her Sarai, her name will be Sarah. And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of Nations. Kings of peoples will come from her." See, very clear about what woman is going to give birth to the miracle baby. Very, very clear. Genesis 18 is even clearer about the time frame. Remember when the three visitors came and Abraham entertained angels unaware? He didn't know who they were. And God Almighty there and the Lord said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year and Sarah will have a son." So now, we've even got the time frame set. We got the woman and then you've got the time frame. So then, the fulfillment comes in Genesis 21. God fulfilled his promise by his sovereign power. By the power of his grace, he fulfilled his promise in Sarah's life. I don't know if you're there, but just listen, just listen, don't turn there, it won't take too long. But Genesis 21:1 is a God saturated verse if you know what to look for. "Now, the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised. [Verse 2] Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age at the very time God had promised him. And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son, Sarah bore him." Alright, let me reread Genesis 21:1 emphasizing God, emphasizing the Lord's activity. "Now, the Lord was gracious to Sarah." The sovereign Lord gave her grace. Just "as the Lord had said to her." In other words, based on the promise he had made. "And the Lord did for Sarah, [sovereign grace] what the Lord had promised her." It's like four times he says, "This is something I am doing." This is a supernatural, this is a miracle baby being born here. He would not be born if I weren't involved. And so the Lord showed her grace and she gave birth to Isaac. And Abraham we are told in Romans 4, through this time, was filled with faith about all of this. And this is really the whole point here. Listen to the words of Romans 4:19-21: "Without weakening in his faith, Abraham faced the fact that his body was as good as dead since he was about 100 years old and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." And if you go even a few verses before that in Romans, Romans 4:17, it speaks of the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Now, this is the whole point. What is Jesus doing for you? You know what He's doing? He's rescuing you from sin and death. He's going to raise you from the dead. He's going to give you a resurrection body. You're going to live forever and ever. Now what can the arm of flesh do to achieve that? Nothing. As we said before, what are your plans on raising yourself from the dead? This is important. I want to sit down with you like an insurance salesman. I want to say this is important. It's more important than any financial planning you'll do. What are your plans? You're going to die. How are you going to raise yourself from the dead? What do you think about doing about that? I want each of you to face that question. What are your plans on raising yourself from the dead? Various strategies I could suggest to you, friends. Don't you see the point? You can't raise yourself from the dead. You need to trust in the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Only God can raise the dead. And so Isaac was born. He's a miracle baby. He's a fulfillment of the promise. He's born as a direct result of the supernatural work of God's grace by the Holy Spirit. He was born only to the glory of God, not to the cleverness of some human scheme or plot, or plan or act of the will. Born only to the glory of God, and this is exactly what God has said Christians are. This is what we are. "You can't raise yourself from the dead. You need to trust in the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Only God can raise the dead." Think about John 1. "He came to His own and His own did not receive Him" [Speaking about the Jews] "But as many as did receive Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but born of God." That's exactly what this text is all about. We're not born in the natural way. We're born by God and by his grace. As it says in John three, Jesus saying to Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Whatever is born of flesh is flesh, but whatever is born of the Spirit is Spirit." And then he says in verse eight of John 3, "The wind blows wherever it wishes, wherever it wills, and you hear the sound of it, you cannot tell where it comes from and where it is going." So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. That's what he's talking about here. Ishmael then is a type of a normal human being, normal passions, normal pleasures, normal appetite, normal drives, and he will die. Unless he's converted, he will die as a slave. But Isaac is a miracle baby, supernaturally born, supernaturally sustained by the Grace of God and by the Grace of God, and by the promise of God, he is an heir of the kingdom. So what are you? What are you? Next week, we're going to talk about this allegory. We're going to talk about allegorical interpretation. We're going to give a little bit of the history of it. This is why I said, look, I practice a sermon this morning. There is no hope of us getting an allegory right now. No hope, whatsoever. I'm on page eight of a 20-page sermon. II. The Allegorical Meaning: Two Covenants, Law vs. Grace (verses 24-27) But let me just give you a general sense of the allegory, okay? Hagar represents the old covenant which gives birth, law gives birth to law children who are slaves for the rest of their lives and they're condemned. They're under the curse of the law. Sarah who's actually not mentioned, but she's implied here. The free woman is the Jerusalem that's above and she is our mother. And our true home is heaven, the heavenly Jerusalem. Paul actually presses it. We'll go into this next week, but he says, "The Jerusalem that's below, the physical Jerusalem, she's in bondage. She's in slavery." Do you realize what he's saying there? He's saying, "Jews who have not come to faith in Christ are no different than Ishmael." Wow, that's not going to be very popular, but that's exactly what he's saying, "Spiritually, they are Ishmaels. They are Esaus." In another verse. Alright? There's no difference. They are unbelievers and they're in bondage. This Jerusalem that's below is earthly and law-oriented and bonders, and he's speaking to these gentiles. "Why would you want to live there?" "Let's live above, in the Jerusalem that's above. Let's live in the heavenly home that is our country. Our citizenship is where it's in heaven," And we're looking forward Hebrews 11 "To a city with foundations whose architect and builder is God." That's the heavenly Jerusalem. If I'm not careful I'll preach next week's sermon. I'm going to stop. Alright? We'll talk about the allegory. III. The Application: Living Like Free People, Enduring Persecution (verses 28-31) Now application for us, verse 28, "You brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise." I gave it to you at the beginning. I'll give it to you here at the end. You are supernaturally born if you're truly a Christian, truly a Christian. Understand who you are. Understand how you got here. How did you get to believe in Jesus? It wasn't as an act of your will. It wasn't because you had more cleverness or more as God gave you birth. He sovereignly worked in your life. He took out your heart of stone and he gave you a heart of flesh. That's what happened. You should know that. You should know that. But I want to stop and say, has that happened to you? I'm speaking to a large group here. I'm speaking to a mixed group. I'm speaking even to you people on the balcony. I know I forget to look at you but I love you. And I want, I just... But I know you're there, but there's a group up and below, a big group, I don't know you all and I don't know necessarily what's happening in your hearts even if I do know you. Has this happened to you? Have you been born again by the Spirit? Are you clinging to the promises of God and not to your own works? Are you saying, "I am saved by grace and there's nothing I can do to pay for my sins. I know I'm a sinner. I know the law has convinced me I'm a sinner, but there is no remedy for me other than Jesus, I trust in him." Has that happen to you? Are you born again? Born again by sovereign grace? And how do you fit in into Tim Keller's Matrix? How are you living? Are you living as, as a law relying so called law abiding (nobody is that way), but you think you are. Are you pharisaical, trusting in your own obedience to a legalistic standard, is that you? Are you law relying, but law disobeying? You're miserable, you think "I've got to earn my way, I've got to earn, earn, earn but I'm not and I'm failing, I'm so depressed and so discouraged all the time." Is that you? Or maybe you have friends, coworkers or neighbors who make up their own moral standards and live up to them as best they can, but they are very judgmental if you don't live up to their moral standards. Are we reaching them with the gospel? Are you truly law obeying, but not law relying? That's a Christian, right? In order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us. Romans 8, "We do not live by the flesh, but by the Spirit." We'll get into that in Galatians 5. Is that the life you're living? And Keller says very wisely, "You have tendencies toward the others." What are your tendencies? Are you legalistic? Are you depressed? Because you're not living up to that standard? Do you just not care that much what the law says, it doesn't matter to you because you're Christian and we're saved by grace anyway. What are you living like? I know you cling into the promises, do you realize how rich we are in the promise? I've got a listing here of promises. These are amazing, and I'm not going to read them all, but think about a full forgiveness of sins is promised to us, we're clinging to that, our sins are forgiven, God's promised that. He's promised that we will be have been adopted into his family, he's promise that we will be heirs of the world, the righteous will be heirs of the world. The meek will inherit the earth. Are you clinging to that? Do you have the Holy Spirit in your heart as a deposit guarantee in your full inheritance, do you feel how rich you are as a child of God? That you're an heir of a coming kingdom. Do you have your heart set fully on that coming kingdom, even though you can't see it with your eyes, can you read it in Revelation 21? The new Jerusalem coming down from heaven as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband, and it's described in those two magnificent chapters and it's just a radiant beautiful perfect place and you know you're going to go there, you're qualified to go there because of imputed righteousness, trusting in Jesus. Praise God. Is that the kind of life you're living? Now I'm going to talk more about this next time, but do you expect to be persecuted by Ishmael? Look at verse 29, “At that time, the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit, it is the same now.” Now we'll talk about this more next week, but the most vicious and the bitterest persecutors of true Christians in history have been religious people, religious people. Again and again right away it was the Sanhedrin that cracked down in Jerusalem and started beating and killing, who was it that killed Steven? Religious people, who stoned Steven to death and on it's gone since that time all of history has seen this pattern again and again. The bitterest attacks have come from those who have fiercely committed to religion and it's been going on all the way through. Nowadays, the most vicious persecutions of true Christians are done by religious committed people mostly Muslims, mostly Muslims. I think, nine of the top 10 most viciously persecuting nations, political nations on earth are Muslim nations. I think that's the ultimate fulfillment of the things this chapter is talking about. We'll talk about this next time, but this is the Spirit of Ishmael, the Spirit of self-salvation through legalistic works righteousness flowing right from Arabia and from the law that comes from that mountain. It's the Spirit of Ishmael and it's what is persecuting the church today. So, what does that have to do with us? Well, just understand what it says about the present and what it says about the future. At present, your brothers and sisters are suffering at the hands of religious zealots, not just the Muslim countries but also in India. There's zealotry there as well. Let's be faithful to pray for them, let's be faithful to know their suffering, to understand what their going through and then what does it say about our future? Just expect, to be persecuted more and more here in this country because we just don't fit in, and we're going to fit in last 25, 50 years from now if the Lord tarries, we do not expect that persecution. And then finally if I could just urge you live like a free born son and daughter of the living God. Let's not have that legalistic mindset, when you sin bring it to the cross, receive by grace forgiveness and restoration, don't go legal at that moment that's our tendency, "I've done wrong, I've sinned, what can I do to make it right?" Repent and believe. Come again to the flow, the blood of Christ for forgiveness and then by the Spirit allow that supernatural life to be working in you. Now, next time we're going to talk about allegory, we're going to talk about allegorical interpretation. We're going to say what it is, when it's appropriate, when it's not. Pray for me that I'd have better insight and clarity, but we'll have some time next time to discuss. Let's close in prayer. Father, we thank you for the time we've had today to study your word and I pray that you would help each one of us to take to heart the things that we've learned here. Help us to realize that if we're Christians we are miracles of your grace and help us to live by the power of the Spirit, not out of the acts of the flesh, In Jesus's name. Amen!

Sunday, November 18, 2012: Galatians 4 v. 21 - 31 "Giving Births to Ishmaels", taught by Pastor John Eastwood, Calvary Chapel Southbury, CT.