Virtual Church Consulting

Introduction

In this week’s sermon, we delved into the complex family dynamics of Isaac, Rebecca, Esau, and Jacob, exploring the profound implications of the birthright and its relevance to our spiritual inheritance today. As we unpack the story, we’ll see how the choices made by these biblical figures resonate with our own lives and the eternal perspective we’re called to embrace.

The Significance of the Birthright

The birthright (Hebrew: Bakora) in ancient culture was a privilege reserved for the firstborn son, entailing a major portion of the family inheritance and leadership responsibilities. However, the Bible often showcases God’s work through younger siblings, challenging cultural norms and inviting us to consider His sovereignty in choosing whom to bless.

Esau’s Despising of His Birthright

In Genesis 25, we witness Esau’s impulsive decision to trade his birthright for a bowl of stew, demonstrating a disregard for his future inheritance for the sake of immediate gratification. This pivotal moment raises a critical question for us: What are we willing to trade for our immediate comfort, and at what cost?

The Spiritual Birthright for Believers

Transitioning to the New Testament, we see the concept of birthright shift from a physical inheritance to a spiritual one. Through Jesus Christ, the firstborn over all creation, we are adopted into God’s family and become heirs to an eternal kingdom. This spiritual birthright includes redemption, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life, sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Living Out Our Spiritual Birthright

As heirs with Christ, we are called to live with an eternal perspective, shifting our focus from the temporary to the eternal. This means embracing our identity as God’s children, serving and loving others, and walking in the spiritual inheritance we’ve received.

Conclusion: Embracing Our Inheritance

The story of Jacob and Esau challenges us to consider the value we place on our spiritual birthright. As we reflect on the sermon, let’s ask ourselves:

• How am I prioritizing my spiritual inheritance over temporary pleasures?
• In what ways can I live out my identity as a child of God this week?
• How can I serve and bless others as a reflection of the spiritual birthright I’ve received?

This week, let’s challenge ourselves to live with an eternal perspective, valuing our spiritual birthright and walking in the fullness of what God has for us. As we do so, may we experience the richness of His blessings and the joy of His kingdom.

This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Introduction

In our ongoing series, “Kingdom Covenant,” we delve into the life of Isaac, a pivotal figure in Genesis. This week, we explore the lessons Isaac’s story imparts about faith, trust, and the generational impact of our actions.

Praying for Our Neighbors

Our community is committed to praying for our neighbors, reinforcing the power of daily intercession for those around us. We seek God’s movement in their lives and strive to be loving neighbors ourselves.

The Main Characters of Genesis

Genesis chapters 12 through 50 focus on four key individuals: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. While other characters play significant roles, these four are central to understanding the unfolding biblical narrative.

Isaac: The Relatable Patriarch

Isaac’s life is documented in just three chapters of Genesis (25, 26, 27), yet his experiences are incredibly relatable. He embodies the human condition of sometimes succeeding and sometimes failing in our walk with God.

The Importance of Trusting God

A recurring theme in Isaac’s story is the importance of trusting God, especially in times of difficulty. Isaac demonstrates this when he prays for his wife Rebekah’s fertility, and God answers his prayers, contrasting with Abraham’s earlier attempts to take matters into his own hands.

The Dangers of Repeat Failures

Isaac’s life also warns us of the dangers of repeat failures. His decision to lie about his wife’s identity, mimicking Abraham’s past mistakes, highlights the need to confront and repent from cyclical sins to prevent generational repercussions.

Communication and Encouragement in Faith

The story of Isaac and Rebekah emphasizes the critical role of communication and mutual encouragement in faith. Asking the question, “What would it look like to trust God in this situation?” can guide us toward God-honoring decisions.

Children of Promise

Like Isaac, we are children of promise. Isaac’s willingness to trust God foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. As believers, we are called to set aside our own desires and pursue God’s will, trusting Him to fulfill His promises in His timing.

Pursuing God Over Happiness

One obstacle to living a life of faith is the pursuit of happiness as our highest goal. Isaac’s life teaches us that true happiness is found not in our own efforts but in trusting and following God’s direction.

Conclusion: Living Out the Lessons of Isaac’s Life

Isaac’s story challenges us to examine our own lives and the cycles we need to break. This week, let’s apply the lessons from Isaac by:

1. Praying for our neighbors and being intentional in our community.
2. Reflecting on areas where we need to trust God more deeply.
3. Communicating openly with loved ones about our faith and decisions.
4. Confronting repeat failures with repentance and seeking God’s guidance.

Ask yourself these questions:

• In what situations do I need to trust God more?
• How can I improve communication about my faith with those around me?
• What repeat failures do I need to confront and seek God’s help to overcome?

Let Isaac’s life inspire you to pursue God’s will, trust in His timing, and find true happiness in His promises.

This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Embracing the Covenant with Abraham

In our journey through the Bible, we’ve arrived at a pivotal moment in Genesis 12 through 50, where God establishes a covenant with Abraham. This covenant is not just a promise to Abraham but a declaration that through him, all nations will be blessed. The essence of this blessing is the experience of heaven on earth, a foretaste of the Kingdom of God breaking into our reality.

The Power of Prayer and Community

Our church community emphasizes the importance of prayer, especially for our neighbors. We believe in the transformative power of lifting each other up in prayer, seeking renewal, revival, and breakthroughs in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The Main Characters of Genesis

As we delve into this section of Genesis, we focus on four key figures: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Their stories intertwine with themes of covenant, faith, and the unfolding plan of God.

The Challenge of Faith and Trust in God

Abraham’s journey is marked by moments of both faith and failure. His repeated mistakes, such as misrepresenting his wife Sarah to protect himself, highlight our own tendencies to fall back into familiar sins. Yet, Abraham’s story also shows us the importance of growing in trust and obedience to God.

The Miraculous Birth of Isaac

Isaac’s birth is a testament to God’s faithfulness. Despite Abraham and Sarah’s old age, God fulfills His promise, reminding us that He is the God of the impossible.

The Prophetic Reenactment of Sacrifice

Genesis 22 presents one of the most challenging narratives in the Bible: God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. This story is not about endorsing child sacrifice but is a prophetic reenactment pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It raises profound questions about the nature of sacrifice and God’s redemptive plan.

The Significance of Mount Moriah

The location of Isaac’s near-sacrifice, Mount Moriah, is deeply significant. It is not only the future site of the temple in Jerusalem but also the place where Jesus would be crucified. The parallels between Isaac and Jesus are striking and intentional, revealing the depth of God’s love and the extent of His provision.

The Heart of Sacrifice

Sacrifice, as we come to understand it through this story, is the death of one thing so that something else can have new life. It is about choosing God’s way over our own and recognizing that Jesus is the ultimate sacrificial Lamb provided by God.

Conclusion: Embracing the Gospel and Living It Out

The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder of the gospel message: Jesus has defeated sin and death, and through Him, we are invited into a life-transforming relationship with God. Our response is to accept this invitation and allow the blessings of God to flow through us to others.

Life Application Challenge

This week, reflect on the areas of your life where you need to grow in trust and obedience to God. Consider the following questions:

• How can I demonstrate faith in God’s promises, even when circumstances are challenging?
• In what ways can I be a blessing to my neighbors and community?
• How can I more fully embrace the sacrifice of Jesus and live out the gospel in my daily life?

Let this challenge inspire you to deepen your relationship with God and to be a conduit of His love and blessings to those around you.

This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.