SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2018
GUARD YOUR SALVATION JEALOUSLY
????TEXT: GENESIS 25:27-34
_????Key Verse: “And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” (Genesis 25:32)
When King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard and requested to take it, Naboth declined, saying: “The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee” (1 Kings 21:1-3). Though he eventually lost his life through Jezebel’s plot, it was a noble act of bravery and protection of his inheritance.
Isaac’s family was marred by ungodly preferences-Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah preferred Jacob. The children on their own did not help matters either, as the struggle for headship started from the womb. Esau’s request for pottage from his brother would have been uneventful were it not for this deep-seated rivalry. So, Jacob demanded for Esau’s birthright as an exchange for the food. Surprisingly, Esau acceded to the request and even swore to it. He got the food but lost the birthright. Today, Satan still makes demands on people, including believers, to surrender their “birthright” to him in exchange for some kind of “pottage of lentils” in the form of position, wealth or fame.
The salvation from sin that Christ brought is the greatest gift ever given by God to man. As a believer, rejoice that your name is written in heaven. Paul counted all things “but dung”, and all his sufferings as “light affliction”, because he understood what salvation meant. He was ready to pay any price to keep it.
The sad story of Esau should be an eye-opener to every heaven-bound citizen to preserve his “birthright” through watchfulness, constant prayer and obedience to the counsel of God.
✍ THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Keep your “birthright” with all diligence.
_???????????? COVER to COVER: JEREMIAH 18-22.
PONDER: Birthright for Sale?
1. What is the petty reason why Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob? v28.
2. V28 shows the power and the influence of good food in a family, to our visitors and the hungry. What lessons can we learn concerning meals served during our retreats and outreach meetings?
3. The birthright entitles the firstborn to be the priest of the family, lineage recipient of Abraham blessing and the coming Messiah.
4. Why do you think Esau despised all these and sold it?
a. He was fundamentally a profane person by nature Hebrews 12:16. He never took eternal or spiritual things serious.
b. Self denial and endurance of temporary hardships were not part of his lifestyle v32.
c. He lacked practical faith in God. Will someone die of hunger when God never forget to feed the sparrows? Matthew 6:26.
d. He gave in to FEAR: False Experiences Appearing Real vv30, 32.
e. He did not conquer the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. They conquered him instead vv32,34.
f. In sum, he ignored the need to have a personal relationship with God.
5. Observe that after selling his birthright, it was as if nothing happened v34. He went his way. Yet, an irreversible spiritual transaction took place. He realized it after many years. He cried bitterly for it, but it was too late.
6. Enummerate the possible losses as consequences of Esau's choice.
HYMN: Have you counted the cost?
1 There's a line that is drawn by rejecting our Lord,
Where the call of His Spirit is lost,
And you hurry along with the pleasure-mad throng -
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?
Chorus:
Have you counted the cost, if your soul should be lost
Tho' you gain the whole world for your own?
Even now it may be that the line you have crossed,
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?
2 You may barter your hope of eternity's morn,
For a moment of joy at the most,
For the glitter of sin and the things it will win -
Have you counted, have you counted the cost? [Chorus]
3 While the door of His mercy is open to you,
Ere the depth of His love you exhaust,
Won't you come and be healed, won't you whisper, I yield -
I have counted, I have counted the cost. [Chorus]
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord of mercy, remove every arrow of profanity and eternal carelessness programmed into my nature.
2. Lord, I stand committed to conquering any lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life. Help me and deliver me.
3. Lord of mercy, don't permit me to loose my birthright in the kingdom. Don't transfer my great destinies to another.
4. Pray for all the youths in the Church and outside the church to be delivered from every tendencies of Esau's character.
[10:54 PM, 8/11/2018] +234 805 560 4803: +Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God :..as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Heb. 12:15,16.(KJV) The grace to guard jealously our salvation(birthright) and hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering to the end is bestowed unto us in JESUS name. Good morning and a glorious Sunday worship service.