ABF 19.25 LN

GOOD MORNING!
Today and for the rest of the month we are going to be studying AGENCY through the person of Jacob
Children were a sign of the fulfillment and promise of God during Isaac’s time. A fulfillment of the promise He made to his father Abraham
Genesis 22
Genesis 16: 1-2
When we pray for God’s fulfillment, are we prepared for how that might be accomplished?
We need to be careful that we don’t put God through our own version of how things should be and be content with a sovereign God
Our prayer should be for God’s will and our willing participation in it … and thankfulness that we are a part of it
When God delivers on something, do we meet it with contempt?
God is not insufficient in his goodness, blessing, grace, mercy, etc.
We are insufficient in recognizing Him for who He is and how He leads
When we recognize that we are equipped by God with what we need, then we are free to act within our agency
Romans 9: 10-12
We are made sufficient through Christ, His victory.
Genesis 25: 27
Jacob and Esau’s conflict shows us two different ways in which God’s provision is met
Esau had disdain for any boundaries that might confine him, for his birthright, for his role in his own family … “…like an untamed wild beast.”
Jacob, ever the opportunist, took inappropriate action to grab that which didn’t belong to him.
Esau is used as the negative standard for being outside of God – Hebrews 12: 16
You are godless when you treat lightly that which was meant to be a blessing to you
Isaac on his deathbed wanted Esau to be given that which was destined for him … but the family’s deception and secrecy carried on
What happens when we set forth on this path of deception? It spirals out of control and you are eventually buried in your sin
Rachel and Jacob were bent on their version of God’s fulfilled promise, and it destroyed relationship in their family
This was an utter misuse of their agency!
There are consequences when you take your own actions, in spite of how God might be working through things
When we use the agency we are given outside of God, opposing Him in this way, we will reap what we sow
Jacob now has a target on his head, put their by his own brother Esau
We are to let God and His Word inform our thoughts and actions
QUESTIONS:
WHEN HAVE YOU TAKEN ACTION ON YOUR OWN TO GET WHAT YOU WANT FROM GOD?
WHEN HAVE YOU DELAYED THAT ACTION THAT GOD CALLED YOU TO TAKE IN ORDER TO TAKE HOLD OF HIS PROMISE/BLESSING?
HOW HAVE YOU VERIFIED THE CALLING YOU’VE RECEIVED FROM GOD?