Finding a Spouse Genesis 24

Sermon Nuggets Mon Aug 13 Finding a Spouse

Verse Gen 24:1-4 Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. ² He said to the chief servantin his household, the one in charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh. ³ I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, ⁴ but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac. ”   

Finding a Spouse                               

            How do you find a spouse? I came across some interesting advice given by children. Kally age 9 tells us “You flip a nickel and heads means you stay with him and tails means you try the next one.” I can imagine 10 year old Allan has overheard some conversations at home since he gives this advise “You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.” When asked about finding a spouse Anita age 9 writes’ Its better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need somebody to clean up after them”            Perhaps Kirsten age 10 is on the right track when she write, “No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all the way before, and you got to find out later who you’re stuck with.”

            I’ve already shared some amazement in India where most of the marriages are arranged. I asked John Bushey what happens if a guy likes a girl and vice versa and they want to get married. He told me the story of one of his classmates at the university who was Hindu. He took a liking to one young lady. The family informed him that they would arrange the marriage. But he continued to contact her. One day his body was all chopped up and delivered to his house with no one claiming responsibility. Dating just isn’t done.

            The rate of divorce is greater when Western customs are practiced. Dating isn’t all it’s cracked up to be either. Many in our society think trial marriages are the way to go, but once again statistics show more people break up after living with someone than those who commit to marriage before living together. As Ann Landers said, “A marriage license is not a guarantee that the marriage is going to work, any more than a fishing license assures that you’ll catch fish. It merely gives you the legal right to try.”

Genesis 24 is the longest chapter in this book. It is devoted to finding a wife for Isaac. Some Christians think that God has only one person in the world designed to be their spouse and if they are unhappy in their marriage relationship they didn’t get the right person and should divorce and try again. That certainly is not a Biblical concept. So far as our own partners are concerned, we need to place far more emphasis upon the matter of being the right partner rather than upon finding the right partner.

Although most here are not going to be looking for a spouse, I believe there are transferable principles in terms of seeking God’s will in other matters.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 14 Priority

Gen 24: ⁵ The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from? ”

⁶ “Make sure that you do not take my son back there,” Abraham said. ⁷ “The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’ —he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. ⁸ If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” ⁹ So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

The Right Priorities 

When you seek to make important decisions and especially one as important as whom you are going to marry many people miss out on the most significant of priorities. What is God’s will? When Abraham realized at the age of almost 40 Isaac was to be the one who was going to produce offspring in keeping with the promise of God he wanted to be sure that God’s will was followed. First, it was important not to marry a Canaanite  woman.

I have had people asking me if the Bible teaches you should never marry someone of a different race. (I think it is perfectly fine for Swedes and Norwegians to marry.) One can easily turn to the Old Testament and show verses how the Israelites were instructed not to marry foreign spouses. But as you discover the context it was because this most significant relationship influences spiritual priorities.

There were foreign spouses who were people who believed and followed God and there was a blessing to their marriages. Rehab was both a foreigner and a sinner, as a prostitute, but was converted and honored in the lineage of Jesus. Ruth was a Moabite but in this great love story of the Old Testament she converted and followed the Lord God Jehovah and is honored in the list of women. Scripture shows clearly the priority of marriage is marrying someone who shares the same faith. Following Gods’ will allows for interracial marriages.

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The priority for Abraham was God’s word. It was to be kept obediently to have his blessing. Abraham based his request on God's promise to Him. He knew that God intended to give this land to his children. So it was God’s will for Isaac to have a wife and children. He knew that it was God's intention to judge the Canaanites. So to bring up a people unto himself he was going to start the search by looking for a spouse among his own ancestry. Certainly there were many beautiful women in that area. But Abraham knew that God had called the Jews as His special people. Isaac could not marry a Canaanite woman because it would lead to a compromise of faith. 

In addition, when we think of the right priorities Abraham instructed his servant to seek out a wife for his son with the assurance that God would give divine guidance. “His angel” would be sent on ahead to prepare the way for the servant. In the search for the right one Abraham was ready for God to open some doors and close others so to speak. Leaving the Spirit to direct us involves the circumstances also. If the women of my ancestry will not return with you, then we will have to look someplace else perhaps in a different locate, or family, or even country.

I do not know why Christians think they will find a godly mate in a singles bar or some other such place. I do not fault any Christian for attending a Christian college or attending a church group with the hope of finding a marriage partner there. If we wish a godly mate, let us look where Christians should be. If God does not provide one in this way, He can certainly do so in His own sovereign way. But it makes sense if you’re fishing to go where the right fish are.  Likewise, young people, when dating, date Christians who share the same convictions. There is a natural attraction to girls with boys and boys with girls. Being just close friends for very long begins to work on the hormones. Many people end up in a relationship that could have been prevented. Dating frequently leads to emotional involvement and physical attraction. Romantic love is a wonderful emotional feeling, but it will never sustain a marriage. Do not put yourself in a situation where romantic love can grow until you are certain that you want it to grow.

The Bible is where we get our good start when it comes to finding God's will for our lives. In the Bible we find commands and principles. If you were driving on a road and a sign said "Speed Limit 55" that would be a command. If it said "Use Caution" that would be a principle. The Bible has both kinds of directions in the Bible. God gives us certain commands. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 "It is God's will that you should be sanctified and that you should avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should learn to control his own body." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

The commands and principles of Scripture will point us toward God's will. We find someone we are interested in but they are not believers and we fret over whether this could be the right person for us. But the Bible tells us that we should only get involved with believers. (1 Corinthians 7:39-40)

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 15 Prayer

Gen 24: ¹⁰ Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor. ¹¹ He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water.

¹² Then he prayed, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.¹³ See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. ¹⁴ May it be that when I say to a girl, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’ —let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

¹⁵ Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah,who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. ¹⁶ The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.

¹⁷ The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”

¹⁸ “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

¹⁹ After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking.” ²⁰ So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. ²¹ Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.

²² When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. ²³ Then he asked, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night? ”

 The Right Prayer

If we want God's guidance we have to ask for it.  James tells us if "anyone lacks wisdom he should ask of God who gives to all men liberally". But we must be asking sincerely.

If the priority is seeking God’s will we are lead by his commands and principles and then appropriately directed by prayer. God’s Word give us the path to go. The leading the Holy Spirit by prayer within those clear paths makes it personal to us. For instance, God does not want everyone into full time Christian service. But by prayer and calling he does want some to serve him overseas. If that is the calling of a young man or woman then pray for a spouse that will share in that calling and commitment.

It was very important to me when I knew God was calling me to the ministry that God would provide a wife who would share Christian values, principles to be sure, but also willing to take on the unique role as a minister’s wife. That meant we both did a lot of praying.

If we truly want to find God's will we have to keep all options open. Before we can find God's will we have to trust that God's will is the best. We must understand that what God chooses is always the right choice. It is certainly true that we will never be open to God's direction until we can pray with Jesus, "not my will, but yours be done."

            This servant asked God for a specific sign. Is it appropriate to ask God for a sign? Throughout the Bible we see Biblical characters discerning God's way in many different fashions. Some had God speak directly to them in a dream or vision, Others cast lots (even the disciples in Acts 1) Some asked for other signs (Gideon Judges 6:37-40 and the fleece; Moses was given a miracle (Ex. 4); Hezekiah saw his shadow (2 Kings 20:9; ) But remember these Biblical characters did not have the advantage of God's Word or God's Spirit to guide them. Today we can check God's Word for guidance and we have God's Spirit living within us to guide us into all truth. Asking for a sign when God has spoken clearly is an act of sin . . . not faith.

I will share some personal thoughts of which you may not agree and that is okay. I have asked God for a sign. Sometimes I knew what he wanted but wanted to be sure. That was not a act of faith, but lack of faith since I sensed His Spirit. I would not get a sign, but acted on what I felt was right. Other times some important decisions were confirmed and I was affirmed that was the right thing to do.

 Look at how carefully the servant chose his sign. How could the servant determine quickly which of the girls that would soon be arriving would have the qualities necessary for Isaac? It would be necessary for him to make the first approach toward conversation, and the obvious thing would be for him to ask her for a drink of water from her pitcher. However, almost any girl, out of common courtesy, would agree to such a request as that.. If, however, she would then, offer to help in some further way, going a second mile as it were, this would definitely be a good sign. Perhaps the most severe test would be whether she was willing not only to give him some water, and perhaps even his attendants, but also his ten camels. Surely, if she would do this, without grumbling, it would go far toward proving that she was the kind of wife they were looking for.

There are other times when we "sense" God speaking to us other than signs.  We have an "impression from God." When God gives an impression He almost always also gives some verification. All impressions must be evaluated carefully by the clear and authoritative teaching of Scripture. Scripture wins over feelings. If Scripture does not speak to the issue we should check with godly friends and circumstances, all giving to God in prayer to allow Him to lead. Even without “signs” go with what you want to do after you have given it to the Lord and go with the affirmation that He can “close the door” through circumstances, and that is alright also.

What do you think?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 16 Personality

Gen 24: 15-27  ¹⁶ The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.

¹⁷ The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”

¹⁸ “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

¹⁹ After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking.” ²⁰ So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. ²¹ Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.

²² When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. ²³ Then he asked, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night? ”

²⁴ She answered him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor. ” ²⁵ And she added, “We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.”

²⁶ Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, ²⁷ saying, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”

²⁸ The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things.

The Right Personality

            Well, in making a decision like marriage I want God’s will. Be in God’s word. Be in prayer. Talk to people whom I trust that can give good advice. But I also want the right personality match.

One guy was asked why he never got married. He said, He was looking for the perfect woman. “Haven’t you find her?”

“ Yes, but unfortunately, she was looking for the perfect man”, so she kept looking.

            Let me say there is no such thing as the perfect couple because of sin. There was only one perfect couple in all of history and that was Adam and Eve. They were made for each other and lived in a perfect environment in a perfect relationship with perfect love until Satan came in and goofed everything up. Since sin came into the world marriage changed forever. From that time on there are going to be disagreements, there are going to be adjustments, there will be miscommunication, and frustrations, and all the things that are common in close relationships.

           

I think of Ruth Graham’s comments when asked if she ever considered divorcing Billy Graham. She said, “Never. I never have thought of divorce. Although, I’ve come pretty close to murder a couple of times.” 

            Don’t expect more of your mate than what God intended. Don’t expect your mate to meet all your needs. God doesn’t want your spouse to take His place and the most significant needs in your life can only be met by God not another person. There are some hobbies and interest and conversations that are better with other people. That is why God gives us friends. Don’t expect your spouse to always share your same interests-but it is good to find someone with whom you will remain faithful in love and seek to work on bettering relationship and communication if you will find meaning in your marriage.

           

Some people have the mistaken idea that they will change their fiancée after they get married. It doesn’t happen. Does the one you intend to marry and live with for the rest of your life have the personality and characteristics that you enjoy when you do the mundane things of life? Do you enjoy thing things together when you shop, when you clean house, when you make a decision on a car, or furniture for the house, or where you are going to live and how you decide on priorities for use of money?

            Now character is more important than personality. Character is what you are in your values. Personality is how that character is displayed. A person may have integrity, but be very shy. Personality might include if one is an extrovert or introvert. Character is demonstrated by humbleness. It can be demonstrated in a passive person or in an aggressive person.

Notice the character and personality of Rebekah. She was industrious, not lazy. She was willing worker. She was polite, she was respectful. She was hospitable and humble. She had a good relationship with her parents, and friends among other women and girls. She was generous and sharing. And by the way, she was beautiful. Not bad to look at.

            As Vernon would say, Lord make my wife to be beautiful and dumb. Beautiful so I can find her easy to love and dumb so she can find me easy to love. 

            When all is said and done we must walk by faith. And find that you are compatible in the important values and opinions of marriage and that you will be willing to go with the strengths of the other. If one is a better money manager than the other let that person handle the finances. If one is a better organizer than the other, give those responsibilities to that mate. If one is gifted in certain areas lead with your strengths and seek to minimize the weaknesses. And in a relationship let God do the directing. Keep your eyes wide open before you enter into the relationship and half shut afterwards.          

If we would have a godly mate we must wait for God’s time. How often I have witnessed men and women marrying hastily, fearing that the time for marriage was quickly passing them by. They married those who were unbelievers or uncommitted because they concluded that anyone was better than no one. Isaac was 40 years old when he married. It is well worth waiting for the mate of God’s choice.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 17 Parents

Verses Gen 24:28-33, 49-51

²⁸ The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things. ²⁹ Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he hurried out to the man at the spring. ³⁰ As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring. ³¹ “Come, you who are blessed by the Lord,” he said. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

³² So the man went to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and fodder were brought for the camels, and water for him and his men to wash their feet. ³³ Then food was set before him, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say.”

“Then tell us,” Laban said.

⁴⁹ Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.”

⁵⁰ Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. ⁵¹ Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed. ”

The Right Parents

            Do you notice how little Isaac had to do with the process of finding a wife? Isaac, if left to himself, may never have found Rebekah. The first pretty girl or the first woman to profess a faith in God might have seemed adequate. The servant was unwilling to settle for second rate. Not only were Abraham and his servant a part of the process, but Rebekah’s family also had to be convinced of God’s leading. Anyone who fails to heed the counsel of godly Christians who are older and wiser is on the path to heartache.

We all know that there are times when someone must stand alone to do the will of  God. There are other times when a couple feels alone when they come from families and backgrounds that care very little about spiritual things.

            But one of the big dynamics in any relationship is in laws. It is true, you do not marry only your spouse; you marry the families. Getting along with in-laws will make for a better marriage. Now don’t forget when the Bible says that a man needs to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife that means your spouse gets first priority not your parents. Some parents have also gotten in the way of their sons and daughters relationship to their mates.

            Some of these problems can be worked out if on one side children realize experience of parents can help prevent them from making some big mistakes and get their permission and advice and blessing, but some parents will never think anyone is good enough for their child and interfere in ways that will never be healthy. The apron strings must be cut. They have under God developed their own home and as parents we love and support and guide the best we can, but mostly we give them up to the Lord with our blessing and with our permission.

            There was a marriage I was asked to do with a young couple and there was strong parental objection. I cautioned the couple and tried to do my job of showing them the reality of in-law relationship. There would have enough struggles as it was, and didn’t need that one. They chose to postpone their marriage until some of those problems could be worked out.

Here Laban her brother and Bethuel her father rejoiced in hearing about Abraham their relative and how God had led them. They were believers as well. They worshiped the Lord. It used to be the old school when the man would ask permission of the father for his daughters hand in marriage. Some people cringe at that today in our culture. But there is also something affirming when there is good relationship between the families and the I-laws. If there is concern it is better to find out why and let those with love and experience help in making such important decisions.

Notice vs. 55 they gave permission but also it is hard to say goodbye to their daughter and sister, so they asked that the girl can remain, but the servant was anxious to go. Rebekah was willing. V. 60 shows the blessing of the permission.

            If those whom love you are behind the marriage it has a much better chance of succeeding. That is true in India. The parents have the best in mind for their children usually. And in such circumstances there is desire to see their children happy. This was the situation before them. It also took trust since Rebekah had not seen Isaac yet only she heard about him.

            Seeking advice of other mature Christians is an important part of seeking God’s will. Getting advice will often times let you see options you might not have thought of before. To see the will of God listen to the others question and concerns and let them ask and reflect with you. Those who are the close to you and love you the most will give your straight advice. And when the time comes to marry as much as it is possible, do what you can to make relationship with the in laws the best they can be.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Sat Aug 18 Pledge

Verses Gen 24: ⁵⁷ Then they said, “Let’s call the girl and ask her about it.” ⁵⁸ So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”

“I will go,” she said.

⁵⁹ So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. ⁶⁰ And they blessedRebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you increase
    to thousands upon thousands;
may your offspring possess
    the gates of their enemies.”

⁶¹ Then Rebekah and her maids got ready and mounted their camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.

⁶² Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. ⁶³ He went out to the field one evening to meditate,and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. ⁶⁴ Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel ⁶⁵ and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”

“He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.

⁶⁶ Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. ⁶⁷ Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah.So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

The Right Pledge

Before Abraham’s servant completed the negotiation for Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife there was consultation with the girl and we will see how Isaac responds to the mate provided. In India I asked, what if the girl or boy says no. Then almost always they have the final say. But when the pledge is made it is honored.

I would like to say when you seek the will of God and there is clear directions that it is of God go with that decision and make the very best of that decision. There is no circumstance on this earth that is without problems and struggles. I see that with some of my pastor friends when moving to a new church. They pray about going to a certain church; the church prays about finding a pastor; they believe God directs them and then there are some problems. They immediately think, “Oh, we must have made some mistake. We must not have been in God’s will.” I don’t believe that. Yes. It may be a chance for growth and maturity and learning important lessons, but if you make that pledge then make the best of it relying on God’s power to see it through.

Just like there are no perfect pastors and perfect churches, no perfect parents, no perfect children, no perfect husbands and no perfect wives, there are pledges we keep and promises we make to make such relationships godly and good. It is that commitment that God does his best work.

Rebekkah said yes; Isaac said yes. All were in agreement to the pledge. Now live up to that pledge. Do you notice that love came last, not first, in this chapter? Isaac learned to love his wife in time. Love came after marriage, not before it. That leads me to a principle which many Christian counselors often stress: Romantic love is never the basis for marriage. Marriage is the basis for romantic love.

Verse 66 may seem incidental, but I think it reports a very essential step in the process of seeking a wife for Isaac. Abraham was convinced that Isaac needed a wife like Rebekah. The servant, too, was assured that Rebekah was the one for Isaac and had succeeded in convincing her family of this fact. However, let us not overlook the fact that Isaac, too, needed to be assured that Rebekah was the woman God had provided for him.

Much is compressed into the final verse of this chapter. Isaac took Rebekah into his mother’s tent, and she became his wife. His love for her blossomed and continued to grow. His marriage gave Isaac consolation for the death of his mother.

Perhaps no Old Testament passage illustrates the guiding hand of God as well as this portion in the book of Genesis. The importance of seeking Priorities of Gods’ will through the Word, through prayer, through the leading of an angel or if you will in the New Testament the leading of the Holy Spirit, through wisdom (that was the personality issue in marriage) through advice and counsel and permission of others, and lastly in keeping the pledge and going with the decision in the power and peace of God.

Pastor Dale

Death of a Spouse Genesis 23

Sermon Nuggets Mon July 30   Death of a Spouse                                       

Verses: Gen 23:1 Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. ² She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.

Death of a Spouse-

            The story is told of a couple that didn’t get along very well. They would fight and argue every chance they had. Finally, the wife said, “Henry, all we every do is fight. We never have a decent conversation any more. I am going to pray that the Lord will take one of us home so we can have some peace. And when he does, I’m going to move to Washington to be by my sister.”

            One man died who had been mean to his wife, and ornery to his kids. At the funeral the preacher began to tell about how wonderful the deceased man was, until finally the widow nudged one of her sons and said, “Go up to the casket and see whose that preacher is talking about. We got the wrong funeral.”

            When we went to India I will admit the best meal I had as in the humble home of Dr. Joseph who was a faculty member of a seminary. His daughter, about 20 years old made it for us. He informed us that she was the woman of the house, since his wife died about 15 years ago. He also has two sons who were at seminary. On his wall hung a painting of his wife. He missed her dearly. Two years after her death he remarried but his second wife soon died with cancer also, so he concluded the Lord wanted him to be a single parent as he raised 3 children into adulthood. His tears were a mixture of admiration for his daughter and grief over his loss. 

We know that when a loved one dies life takes on a dramatic turn. Never is that more exemplified than when a spouse dies. I have heard the comment made more than once that when you bury a spouse, it is as if part of yourself is being put into the grave. One of our church members wrote a card of thanks.  “The cards and flowers were beautiful, the memorials, visits, and hugs meant so much to us. I never thought I could accept losing my partner for fifty great years and my best friend, but through your prayers and support, I have felt lifted up and carried to a place of joy and peace…Knowing he is in heaven, I can only be happy for him. God is so good! His grace is sufficient for me!”

            The adjustment to the loss of someone so close as a loving spouse is the hardest experience a person faces. In marriage the Bible describes the relationship as “two become one.” That oneness ins many ways is broken and typically man surviving spouses feel torn and empty. Many can look forward to the journey to heaven especially when the earthly body is experiencing hardship, illness, pain, or suffering. When a loved one passes older saints look forward to seeing them again.

This week we will look at Abraham putting his wife Sarah in the grave and look at different expressions at the passing of a loved one.

Pastor Dale                 

Sermon Nuggets Tues July 31 Expression of Grief

Verses: Gen      23: 1,2 Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. ² She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.

An Expression of Grief          

             Grief is an adjustment to loss. It is the emotional, mental and physical reaction to losing someone or something very close to you. One can experience grief when a loved one dies, but you can experience grief when you move from a home, a son or daughter leaving for college, or getting married. The loss of a job, or even the loss of a item that may be stolen or broken that has sentimental value can produce feelings of grief.

            Elizabeth Kuber Ross, a noted physician who has done much study with terminal patients and their families, noted there are five common experiences when one faces a significant loss or terminal illness. After the initial stage of shock, it is not uncommon to experience a period of denial. There is a closing off of the news that you don’t want to hear or believe. It seems like an unreal dream. It cannot be true. They don’t and won’t accept the fact that someone close has died. They may go through the motions of a funeral service, but emotionally are deadened to accept the fact and refuse to do anything different than before. Some will keep clothes, dresses, and rooms exactly like they were before the death as if somehow the person were coming back.

            Another stage might be bargaining. It can include making promises to God. “If you heal me from Cancer I will serve you faithfully in church, or be a minister.”

 Or if someone dies a sort of bargaining is going over and over in your mind what could be different to prevent the death. You might hear the words expressed “If Only.” If only I did this, or he did that. Blaming can be part of bargaining: blaming God, blaming a doctor, blaming the driver of a car, or the speed of an ambulance or blaming the person himself for not going to doctor sooner. “If only”. But the sad truth is, it doesn’t change.

            Anger- can be a common emotional reaction sooner or later. You may be angry that you cannot do anything to change the situation. One can experience anger at self or others, or even the person who died.  People have emotions that they stuff inside and sometimes come out irritated at circumstances, people or things that normally wouldn’t bother you. It is part of grief.

I know of one pastor who told the story to a group of us that he was at the gravesite and noted that many family members felt anger and anguish toward this father. Some did not want to come to the burial. Without knowing the history he stopped at the conclusion of the prayer and said. “Now perhaps it is significant that when this body is buried you bury with it some of your feelings of anger.” Tears started flowing and stories started coming out of his abuse, and neglect as a father. They shared memories and hurts that they long held. The pastor had a burial service for those hurts. Symbolically they took dirt and put it on the grave symbolizing the dirt they felt. They began to let it go and some healing began

.

            Depression is not uncommon when there is the sense of loss. One can feel self pity and turn inward, not wanting to be part of normal life. Not feeling like doing anything or talking to anyone that might bring life back to normal, because it will never be normal.

            Hopefully, acceptance is also part of grief experience. Some never get to that point. It is the stage when you realize the person is gone. You miss her, but you must go on with life.  Things do get better and it is okay. It is part of coming to emotional grips with the loss when there may be special times and lonely times, and sad times, but one sees that as being part of the normal experience of life. One realizes others have gone on and made it and they can too. Life begins to feel good again and it is okay to laugh or have a good time and not feel guilty about it as if you shouldn’t be. Talking helps a lot in the grief cycle. A burden bearer listens to the tears, the memory of the stories, and most importantly loves. You can’t take the pain away. Time and talking and expressions of grief are the best ways to healing.

            Feelings are normal. We can have a mixture of emotions after someone’s death. Talking and expressing them begins the grieving process. Some wonder if they are going crazy. If there is any a time to “fall apart” it would be at the time when someone loses another they are close to. Remember at the place of Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus wept.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 1 – Remembrance

Verses Gen 23: 3 Then Abraham rose from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. He said, 4 “I am an alien and a stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead. ”

An Expression of Remembrance

           

Why is it a custom to have an obituary? What is purpose of a funeral service? How is it part of grief is remembering of experiences of the loved one?

Abraham mourned, and wept and grieved over the loss of Sarah his wife, who incidentally is the only woman mentioned in the Bible that gives her age when she died. Mourning in that day included the rending the clothes, beating the breasts and sprinkling ashes upon the head. We do not know how long Abraham mourned, but at Jacob's death his children mourned for seven days. Weeping is a personal response of a person undergoing grief, loss, and disbelief.

Part of an expression of a funeral or burial service is an opportunity to grief is a private and public way, which helps with the healing. It is significant at the time of ones passing to have an opportunity to think about the memories of an individual. We have memorials placed around not only to honor, but to remember. The memorial in Hawaii remembers the loss at Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona remains there to remember that tragedy. There is a memorial for 911 victims in NYC. Yesterday was an anniversary of the death and injury to many who were victims of the collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis. We have seen people’s pictures posted on the news who were shot and killed by James Holmes in Aurora, CO. People in a funeral service, or in some tangible way, act out grief by remembering the person.

For many it isn't only the remembrance of a person, but an event or occasion. It might be to remember our freedoms at a memorial day celebration. It might be to remember the beginning of a nation at George Washington's memorial as he symbolized being the father of the country. The tomb of the unknown soldier is not about a person, but many people, unknown to us who served our country and gave of their lives for our liberties.

Dear Abby gives this advice on how to respond to those who are grieving: "How one handles grief is a personal matter. Let the one who has suffered the loss take the lead. If he feels like talking, encourage him to talk. If he prefers to sit in silence, don’t intrude on his silence. Friends should call, bring food, offer to run errands, and do what needs to be done. A hug, a squeeze of the hand, a look which says, "I’m here, if you need me," conveys more than a thousand words.

 There was a place Abraham could go to that he owned and didn’t have to feel guilty or obligated. He could take care of it to work out some of his grief. That tomb has been visited for generations that followed remembering the work of God through Abraham and Sarah and the beginning of the Jewish nation and the redemptive history of God’s intervention with mankind for salvation.

There is something healing to have a spot to go for memories and sharing of private thoughts. Living just outside the cemetery I become aware of visitor who come and think about the family member, or loved one who died. They sometimes offer a prayer and think about the grace and goodness of God as they are flooded with personal memories of a shared life. Recently people gathered around the spot where a neighbor was buried and many told stories about him. Some of the stories were funny, some were of his charity, others talked about his work and others about his hobbies. It helps them to come to say goodbye to one who lived through history of life.

 Even when someone is cremated and wants their ashes placed over a lake, or mountain, I give the family permission to take some of the ashes, and if it is important to them, to have a spot they can go to for reflection and meditation.

Remembering is part of grieving.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 2 Honor

Verses: Gen 23: ⁵ The Hittites replied to Abraham, ⁶ “Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead.”

⁷ Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites. ⁸ He said to them, “If you are willing to let me bury my dead, then listen to me and intercede with Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf ⁹ so he will sell me the cave of Machpelah,which belongs to him and is at the end of his field. Ask him to sell it to me for the full price as a burial site among you.”

¹⁰ Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people and he replied to Abraham in the hearing of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. ¹¹ “No, my lord,” he said. “Listen to me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.”

¹² Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land ¹³ and he said to Ephron in their hearing, “Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there.”

¹⁴ Ephron answered Abraham, ¹⁵ “Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between me and you? Bury your dead.”

¹⁶ Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants.

¹⁷ So Ephron’s field in Machpelah near Mamre —both the field and the cave in it, and all the trees within the borders of the field—was deeded ¹⁸ to Abraham as his property in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of the city. ¹⁹ Afterward Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (which is at Hebron ) in the land of Canaan. ²⁰ So the field and the cave in it were deeded to Abraham by the Hittites as a burial site.

An Expression of Honor

            Abraham wanted to give his wife a proper burial out of honor for her as his loved one. He wanted to have a place he could purchase her grave.

           

 I want to caution you from the two extremes when it comes to funerals and our understanding of them. The one extreme is to make too little of funerals and burials, and the other is to make too much of them.

            It is an increased practice that people don’t have any services of any kind. Some will treat a person’s dead body just like an animal. It is true the Bible teaches the body is temporary. It comes from dust and it shall return to dust.  When the soul leaves it really doesn’t make a lot of difference what you do with the body.

Some people ask me if it is proper for a Christian to be cremated. I remind them of the many saints of God who were burned at the stake, or as the book of Hebrews tells us some bodies were torn into two and thrown to the animals.  It makes no difference if it is cremated, or buried, or tossed in the garbage heap as far as eternity goes for after death we are done with the body  When Jesus returns there will be a resurrection- in 1 Corinthians 15 and I Thes 4 is clear that it will be a new body. 

I have told Judi I could care less what she does with my body when I am gone, but I want her and the family to do what they feel is right for them. Funeral services are for the living not for the dead. I do not see value in extremely expensive funerals to show to others how much we loved the person. There are also times you cannot and should not follow the wishes of the one who died. Sometimes people think their wishes are just as sacred as Scripture and they are not. It’s more meaningful to the living to follow the wishes of the loved one than it is to the loved one. They are not going to return to haunt you. Some people live under tremendous guilt because they were unable to carry out all the wishes of a spouse.

            Why don’t we treat the dead body as we would an animal? It is simply because we are not an animal. Each person was created in the image of God. Because as children of God each of us are created in the image of God and are special part of God’s creation. We are not animals. I believe this is proper as each life is a special creation of God. I have been to funeral service when I was a chaplain in the nursing home where only the funeral director, the director of nurses, and myself were the only ones there at the burial. The funeral director wanted to make it clear that there would be no money involved because there wasn’t enough even to bury the person.

But because we no longer need our bodies does not mean that we treat them with disrespect, but rather with honor. Biblically I noticed how much was related to honoring the life of the person who lived. I read today in the news of a notorious outlaw in the 1800 in Australia was hanged and his body was thrown into a mass grave. A developer wanted to keep the bones but the family petitioned the bones be exhumed and place in a family burial spot.

 Abraham was buried later in this spot, Isaac was buried here, Rachael was buried here and at the end of Genesis Jacob tells his son Joseph not to bury him in Egypt but here in this cave with Abraham and Isaac and their wives. This is the family plot.

            As you might read in other passages about burial like Jezabeel not to be buried is a curse and dishonor. It was a curse of God on a land when those who died were so great they couldn’t be buried, or if one was not buried after an execution it was against the law of Moses and a curse could come upon the land. Eccl 6:3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off.” 

            Because of the relationship he had with Sarah he wanted to give her a proper burial in her own grave and not a borrowed one. Who knows what the immediate future would hold in relationship to the Hittites?         

            I do not see in the Bible where believers treat the dead like the unsaved do. Kings and Pharoahs would have elaborate funerals where sometimes slaves and even family members are killed with them to join them in the afterlife. Some people go all out on expense of a funeral servicing for the sake of other people and what they think with the misguided believe that the more I spend on the casket and flowers the more others will know I love my spouse.

            Abraham paid the right price. It was not inflated, nor was it free. Now it might seem odd that Abraham could have had a free grave. But that wasn’t good enough. Certainly, we know that he had means to provide, but the neighbors would have been proud to just give him the cave and the land as a gift. They wanted to also honor him and her by this act of compassion. It was important to Abraham in honor of his wife to pay the proper price. He didn’t want a professional discount. He didn’t want to take advantage of the situation, nor did the seller. The seller was honest and forthright saying, I want to give it to you. This is what the market price is, not too high not too low, and without any hesitation that is what Abraham was willing to pay.

            I think that is a good policy for business with the unsaved. Be fair in your business dealings. Don’t let them think they hate to see you come because you rip them off. Nor is it right to play into the emotions of the moment and be talked into things that are not needed or wanted. The Biblical example of Abraham is to honor the life that lives.

            I would like to add that I believe the funeral homes in this area do a very fine service and are very helpful to talk through issues with the family to make it as meaningful as possible and within the means and interests of the loved ones.

            A burial is also an expression of honor.                       

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 3 Faith

Verses Gen 23 & Heb 11:  ¹³ All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. ¹⁴ People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

           

An Expression of Faith.

            I think this passage is also an expression of Faith. When we have funeral services I remind the family members that part of what we purpose to do is to remember the person that died. Part of why we have a service is also in a corporate and community way to let the friends know we love them and support them and share with them in their loss and bear their burden. Funeral service and attendance is one way of doing that, flowers, gifts, and acts of kindness assist in that expression of love at a time like this. It is neat to know you are remembered and thought of and prayed for.

            But a service is also an expression of faith. We have the greatest news at that time of a funeral and that is for anyone who is in Jesus Christ there is a passing form this world into the next. We remind ourselves of salvation. It is an opportunity to tell the good news that Jesus Christ died for your sins that you regardless of your past can be forgive of all your sins and by trusting in the works of Jesus on the cross to save you, and forgive you, you turn your life over to the Lord with personal desires and you will be saved.

            Burials become an expression of faith. Christ is our hope beyond the grave. Only Jesus Christ gives us the power of the resurrection, because only Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is alive. We do not worship a dead God but a living savior that is the whole story of Easter.

            What does this have to do with Abraham? It was a faith promise that God would lead Abraham from Ur into a promised land and give him descendants. Now I thought he would have a dozen kids or more, but He only had two, Isaac and Ishmael. Not much of a crowd there and they split up and went different ways. But they were the fruit fruits of the promise,

            Interestingly this is the first land that Abraham staked claim to as being his in the promised land. So far everything had been borrowed, not owned. He lived in tents, never in houses. He never settled. Jis address was a tree outside Mamre. Now he purchased as sole owner land which by faith became the first fruits of the promise of God that land would be theirs. Abraham’s intentions were not yet understood. He desired a permanent possession, not a borrowed tomb. This land of Canaan was to be his home, not a mere stopping-off place. Consequently, Abraham asked the people to urge Ephron to sell him the cave of Machpelah, which was at the end of his field (verse 9). This was not to be a gift but a purchase at full value of the property.

            God would give them possession of that land some 400 years plus later. This is the spot that had the draw on the people of Israel. It was the marker of faith that this land is the promised land of God to the Israelites as a commitment to God. (read Heb11:13-16)

            This becomes a mark of a fulfilled promise and a future inspiration. By determining that Sarah, and later he and his descendants, would be buried in Canaan, Abraham “staked his claim” in the land which God had promised. The land where he would be buried was to be the homeland of his descendants. The place that God had promised him was the place where he must be buried. It became the hope for the generations that followed. It was sacred, not because a dead body was there, but because this was part of the promise of faith by God to the people. It was there and declared their belief in an active, living, and personal God.

Interestingly, the land of Canaan had not yet been possessed when this book (Genesis) was written. But those who received it from the hand of Moses were those who looked forward to its conquest. What motivation this story must have provided for the armies of Israel as they marched into Canaan to possess it!

The cave of Machpelah stood for centuries as a monument to the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The empty tomb of our Lord guarantees the Christian that the grave is not our final resting place but an abode for the body until Christ returns for His own.

What does the grave mean to you  ? Is it the end or only the beginning? Your relationship to the God of Abraham and to His Son, Jesus Christ, makes the difference. The occasion of the death of a loved one should always be viewed as an opportunity for Christian witness. What we say at such times is very important, but let us not forget that what we do is also vital. Abraham’s deeds in chapter 23 are as significant as his declarations. It was a witness of his faith to the nations around him.

It is our goal when we bury our loved ones to remember 1 Cor 15 we do not grieve as those who have no hope, but grief, express you loss and your hurt and heartache, but with the hope that in Christ there is the resurrection. There is faith. We honor our loved ones, but only because we can honor the one who saves from sin and death and brings us to life everlasting. We will see Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob and all who commit their lives to the Lord.

Pastor Dale

Abraham's Test Gen 22

Sermon Nuggets Mon July 23  -Abraham's Test

                                                                               

Gen 22: 1-2 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

² Then God said, “Take your son , your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. ”

Abraham's Test

                You’ve hear the story of a hen and a pig walking around in the farm yard when they saw a hungry little boy. The hen turns to the pig and says, “Let’s offer him breakfast of bacon and eggs. “ The pig looked at the hen and said, “Wait a minute..for you that is an offering. For me it is a sacrifice.”

                Certainly there can be no better understanding of the two options. For we are often called upon to make offerings, but  are we ever called upon to make a total sacrifice? We are going to speak on Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac this morning.

                Our culture does not take very well to infanticide  and rightly so, unless of course it is an abortion then it is perfectly accepted. A child can be throw into the garbage bag soon after this birth and murder is charged. The mother is sent to prison. That same child 5 minutes earlier however can have his head crushed while in the womb of the mother, even if other parts of the body have left the uterus in the birth process and he is killed and then thrown in to the garbage. That is a legal partial abortion, challenged even recently by the courts and declared to be a mother’s choice. You figure out if that makes sense? I cannot.

                Charges of neglect and abuse of parent to child abound in every country becaue society ways we need to take care of children to provide them food, clothing, safety and shelter.

                That is why this story is repulsive when a father is asked to take his son and sacrifice him on an altar. This promised child, Isaac took Abraham 100 years in the making and many decades in the promise and afterwards  God ask him to kill his child. A parent would rather sacrifice himself or herself than see a child go through pain, sickness, or death. God is asking for the ultimate sacrifice.

                But this story is really not about sacrifice;  It’s about love, not only between a father and son, but more importantly- God and mankind.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues July 24 The Love Test

Verses: Gen 22: 1 After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, "Abraham!" "Yes?" answered Abraham. "I'm listening." 2 He said, "Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I'll point out to you." 3Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants and his son Isaac. He had split wood for the burnt offering. He set out for the place God had directed him.

A test of His Love

                The sacrifice of Isaac was a test of Abraham’s Love- the KVJ translates this as tempt, but the in the New Testament James tells us plainly God does not tempt anyone but He does test us. So the newer translations are clearer in using the word test.

                Who does Abraham love most, God or Isaac? That is what is tested. Most would probably fail the test. The things of this earth draw an attraction to people more than God does. There are a multitude of things that churches are trying to do to keep people coming, which borders on consumerism, not love for God. I hope I am not being misunderstood, for indeed there is a place for that and for creative outreach to invite people to hear the good news. But when materialism is the main attraction people are attracted to a materialistic gospel. Jesus fed the 5,000 and healed those who were sick. He did preach good news to the poor and people came from far and wide. Peoples earthly needs were met before they were able to hear about their eternal needs by faith in Jesus.

                   The old time gospel meeting did have entertainment as a means to gather people to hear the truth. When we were planning our meetings in India Bryan was asked to bring his trombone. In many of the villages children haven’t even seen a TV before much less a trombone. Our host Indian couple were excited about the possibility of gathering children by listening to a trombone, then giving them Bible stories. I don’t see anything wrong with that.

                What attracts people to the churches and what keeps them? There are churches that have clinic and blood pressure checks and churches that have ice cream parlors and bowling alleys and comfortable seating, sound and lights. Given the choice of going to a church with air condition or not I would pick the first.

                It is fair to ask, Where is the line that we draw our love for God in the requests that He asks of us? For most the ultimate test is your family. Abraham longed for this promised child and waited so long. Why would God ask to put him on the altar for sacrifice?

                Now there are other matters I don’t have time to go into about the background of this culture of the Canaanites and Chaldeans that did offer human sacrifices. They lived all around Abraham, but that was not the Lord God Jehovah. Up until this time believers in God just practiced animal sacrifice where they were killed and burned on the altar, just as they were from Abel’s day. Blood from the animal was shed for forgiveness of sin as our substitute.

                I am so glad our love isn’t tested today to that extreme, but there are times when people are asked to follow Christ even if it means being separated from their family. There are times when love is tested when thing of this world and our activities are re-evaluated in terms of our commitment.

                Do we really love God first in our attachments to money, to activities and to families? Many times a person overseas is disowned if they embrace Jesus Christ as their savior. For some it is a death sentence even carried out by a Muslim father or a daughter turned into authorities by a Muslim mother.

                The question for us  all is- do we love God more than anything else in this world. What would cause us to give up that love?

 Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds July 25 Obedience

Verses- Gen 22:6-11 ⁶ Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, ⁷ Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

⁸ Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

⁹ When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. ¹¹ But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

The test of Obedience

             Part of this drama was a test, not only of Love for God, but also Obedience to God. How far are we ready to go for obedience?

                One novel I enjoyed reading was “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London.

                Buck, the hero, is a dog. The story is written from a  dog’s point of view. It is an action story of what it is like being a team dog pulling sleds in Alaska and Canadian Yukon in the early century. The book describes how Buck misused and abused and almost killed when Jack Thornton saved him from death. In time this man and dog developed a love relationship. No one could ever harm Thornton as long as Buck was around. He would do whatever his master asked him out of love.

 There was a test given to Buck. Dog and men sat at the edge of the cliff. Buck was tied up on a leash and Thornton told Buck to jump over the cliff. Three men had to hand on to the dog as he started to jump in obedience to his masters command. He kept trying until Thornton told Buck to stop. They were amazed that a dog would be willing to give his life out of blind devotion to his master, who loved him and also didn’t want him to die either but there was the test. He would do anything for his master.

                Blind obedience is not something valued in our society. It’s called stupidity. I have seen many cult leaders rise up and demand blind obedience. If anyone, especially pastors, asks for obedience  and loyalty no matter what- don’t give it. Jim Jones, David Korish, Sung Moon, even Jimmy Bakker are examples. No one is to be followed except Jesus Christ and Him alone.

                But why should Jesus be followed? If belief in Christ is a religion then that is an appropriate question; but if Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, is in personal relationship with you, learn all He says and does is true. There is a record called the Bible that proves it.

                Now I know there are bizarre teachings that need to be challenged  because of atrocities done in the name of obedience and taking Bible verses out of context or incomplete teachings on a doctrine or truth. We’ve seen people handle poisonous snakes in services in the South because the Bible said it would not harm you, but fail look at the context like Paul who was bitten carrying out his ministry, not as a show of his faith. That is tempting the Lord.

                 I see this with faith healers making promises that bring big crowds, (and money) but ignore other passages that talk about caring for the sick and learning through our weaknesses and this outward body is wasting away to achieve for us glory. 

                What does it mean to be in God’s will?  Obedience is putting God and His word first in your life as you read and study and are led by the Holy Spirit regardless of you understand it or not. Miracles do occur, but it has to do with His unmerited grace. We follow and watch Him work His will at His time. 

                Jesus plainly asked his disciples “Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and not do the things I tell you.” When it comes to saying I want to accept Jesus as savior, many say yes; but are you willing to follow Him as Lord? That means obedience. That means Christ like living. That means we are His.

                Abraham had direct conversations with God as prophet, before the Scriptures were written. Moses hadn’t put them down in writing yet since this was before his time. God had spoken directly to Abraham before so there was no confusion regarding who said what to whom. Abraham’s obeyed even though he did not understand.

                What is your test of obedience this week?

               

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs July 26 Faith

Verses Heb 11: ¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, ¹⁸ even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” ¹⁹ Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

The test of Faith

                Taking Isaac to the altar was a test of Faith.  For Abraham,  if God promised one thing and demanded something else, God was still trustworthy.  He was still eager to do what God wanted him to do.  Instead of putting it off as long as possible he got up early that next morning to set  out. We get an insight into what he was thinking from Hebrews. He believed God, who could do anything, would raise Isaac from the dead. That’s why he could tell his servants he would be back after worshipping. That’s why he could tell Isaac, “God will provide.”

 He had faith in two things: God keeps His word and His word said Isaac would be the means of his descendants. Secondly, he believed if God is the God who could bring life out of his dead body (by having a son being 100 years old) God could bring life again after his son was dead. Faith was believing  God would raise him from the dead. He could do the impossible. He didn’t think of the fact there would be a substitute offering in the bushes. He didn’t think God would stop him from the sacrifice of his son. He acted on faith doing what he instructed.

                Testing does not come to us when things are going smoothly but rather when things are causing us to doubt the Word of God. Faith is trusting in the truth of God regardless of the outward circumstance or inward feelings.

                 It doesn’t mean that we can’t be all torn up inside. An angel told Mary and then later Joseph not to fear. In other words they were feeling fear. But they also rested in the fact that God has things under control. That is faith. One of our missionaries said, “I know I can get into the country of Sudan, but I do not have knowledge if I can get out.  I will go in and leave the rest to God.” She rested in faith that God would provide for her even though she did not know how that would happen.

                Perhaps parents need to take a faith step to sacrifice your sons and daughters on a altar before God symbolically when leaving them in His  hands. Would you allow them to go into missions, full time Christian work, leave the country, live by faith? Can you say as part of your worship, “Lord here they are for they are yours, not mine?” Many a parent will love to see their children close to home and going to their church, but fight God if He calls them overseas or to work in hard or dangerous situations. Faith is believing God enough to give them up.

                God says to Abraham “Now I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me.” He past the faith test and has been used as an example for the Kingdom since.

                Could God say that of you and me? What tests are before you to evaluate if you love God with all your heart, your soul, your strength, your might? What does God do to test your obedience to Him? How about your faith zone? Do you really believe God? As you read the account you find God had Abraham all prepared for another sacrifice. This was all part of His plan to provide picture of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who took our place to die for our sins.

 Pastor Dale

Sermon Nugget Fri July 27 Completed

Verses Gen 22: 22-19  ¹² “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. ”

¹³ Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴ So Abraham called that place TheLord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided. ”

¹⁵ The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time ¹⁶ and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, ¹⁷ I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,¹⁸ and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

¹⁹ Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba.

The test Completed

                Now the test of love, faith and sacrifice was completed. Abraham passed. But he did not have to go through the literal sacrifice of his son. A ram was graciously provided.

 There was a picture God was painting to show a story not only about Abraham but about God himself. What this revealed was the extent of the Love of God toward you and me. God did what He asked of Abraham. He loved his Son. But to demonstrate the extent of His love He took his one and only Son and offered him up as a blood offering on the altar called the cross. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin, but only a perfect offering could be acceptable. One without sin took the place of sinners. This mystery wasn’t revealed until after the resurrection of Jesus and showed the amazing love story that let Jesus met the entire legal requirement for our eternal salvation and promise of life forever with God.

                 There is one thing I still do not get.  It is the why question? I do not understand why God would love us to the point of dying for us. But He did, so communion is a reminder of that love so awesome and wonderful.

                The cross is also a test of obedience. Abraham was obedient. Isaac was the obedient son. And we see Jesus was desirous to do the will of the Father. He was willing to carry out the plan just as his father told him to do. It says in Philippians he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death on a cross.

                Abraham led Isaac to a special place called Mt. Moriah. According to Dr. M.R. DeHaan that was the  same Mountain which is Mount Calvary where 1000 of years later Jesus as sacrificed.

]              Isaac was taken from his beast of burden just like Christ rode on a donkey coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Jesus  carried the wood for his sacrifice going with his father. He was bound and tied just like Jesus was later as a lamb before his shears was silent.

                Isaac could have overpowered a 100 years old man and outran him; Jesus could have called 10,000 angels and done away with all his onlookers in a single flash.

At the right time the angel of the Lord stopped the hand of Abraham. There was a ram in the ticket which served the substitute sacrifice on that mountain .When God provided a substitute on the Mt. Calvary He did so in Jesus. “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.”

                But with Jesus there was no ram in the thicket. He was that ram. There was no divine intervention, but what God did not require of Abraham, he required of Himself. The pain and the anguish that Abraham must have felt was felt by the creator of the world when Jesus was crucified and he died alone for you and me.

                “Father, Father, why have you forsaken me?”  That was not the cry of Abraham before the lifeless son on the altar because he never went that far. It was the cry of a son who moments later was died and his body was placed into a real grave for burial.

                When the test was completed Abraham and Isaac returned home. When the test for Jesus was completed he said, “It is finished” He returned home to heaven. When our tests of this life is completed we too will go to a home provided for us by our Father.

Abraham called the place ‘Jehovah Jireh’, the Lord will provide. This is the picture of the story of Abraham and Isaac; God provided the ram as a substitute just as God provided on Mount Calvary. He is our savior, and because of his love, obedience, and sacrifice we can worship an almighty God.

Pastor Dale