GENESIS

TRADING YOUR SOUL – FOR WHAT?

Art Davison GENESIS 0 Comment
TRADING YOUR SOUL – FOR WHAT?
Genesis 25:27-34
(A QUICK DEVOTIONAL OUTLINE)
Mark 8:37, Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Introduction:

The birthright was the most cherished possession given to the oldest male in the days of Jacob. Esau didn’t appreciate what was his as the first born son.
So he exchanged it for a bowl of stew.
In that sense the soul of man is his most precious possession and the Lord asked, “what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
The Birthright was a position of dignity and power, Genesis 49:3, Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
The Birthright was a position of a double portion, Deuteronomy 21:17, But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
The birthright was a spiritual heritage.
The birthright was the privilege of being a descendant in the line of the Messiah – Jesus Christ.
Esau’s lack of interest in the future
The blessing of the future did not appeal to Esau.
He was concerned entirely with this PRESENT, FLESHY LIFE, and INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
Do we not see this desire in today’s society – people want INSTANT EVERYTHING!
Esau preferred present, instant GRATIFICATION over SPIRITUAL/ETERNAL SATISFACTION/BLESSEDNESS.
Please also read Hebrews 12:16-17, Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears, and Matthew 16:26, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of stew!
Spiritually, for what price would you sell your soul?
What is it that you would allow to come between you and Christ?
That is your birthright price!
My prayer is that there is no price for which you would sell our soul!!!
Make that decision afresh TODAY that you will NOT sell out to this world for ANY PRICE, that NOTHING is worth losing CHRIST!

HOW GOD SOLVED ADAM’S SIN PROBLEM–GENESIS 3:6-7, 21

Art Davison GENESIS 0 Comment
How God Solved Adam’s Sin Problem
Genesis 3:6-7, 21
I. The Fall

 A. Eve is deceived by the serpent, Genesis 3:4-5, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
1. Satan took advantage by finding Eve near the tree.
2. Satan tempted her.
B. Adam is not deceived, Genesis 3:6, And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
1. Eve’s sin effected only herself.
2. But Adam’s sin affected the entire human race for he is the father of the race.1 Corinthians 15:22, For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

II. The Finality

Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

A. Adam’s sin brought death.

1. God had warned Adam,Genesis 2:17, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

2. The Bible speaks of two kinds of death.

a. Physical death.

b. Spiritual death or the “second death.”  Revelation 20:14, And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

B. Death is final.
III. The Farce
A. Adam’s attempt to cover his sin.
1. Sudden knowledge of things they did not need to know, Genesis 3:7, “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”
IV. The Future
A. God’s plan was ready.Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
1. The Lord is not surprised by Adam’s fall into sin.
2. God’s plan of redemption was planned before the world began. Revelation 13:8, And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
B. God puts His plan into action, v. 21.

1. God rejects Adam’s plan of salvation by works.
a. Adam and Eve tried to hide their nakedness by the works of their hands — fig leaves.

b. The Lord refused to accept Adam’s remedy for his sin.

2. God kills an animal or animals.
a. He provides tunics made from the skins of these animals.

b. The Lord himself clothed Adam and Eve.  Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
(1) God “clothed me with the garments of salvation.”

(2) God “covered me with the robe of righteousness.”

C. God’s plan works perfectly because it is not contaminated with sin.

1. Adam’s works were contaminated because of his sin; Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

2. The works of Jesus Christ are perfect, without sin; 2 Corinthians 5:21, “ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Conclusion:
Adam’s solution for his sin was contaminated by his own sin.  Romans 8:8, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Therefore, the Lord stepped in and solved Adam’s sin problem. The only solution is God’s solution which is Faith in Christ.  Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
Adam devises a plan in fear of God’s displeasure, “and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”
We see God’s rejection of Adam’s attempt to cover his sin in, Genesis 3:21, Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

GOING BACK TO BETHEL–GENESIS 12:1-13:4

Art Davison GENESIS 0 Comment
GOING BACK TO BETHEL
GENESIS 12:1-13:4
Introduction:
God called Abraham from unbelief to be a son of God and also to be the father of the nation of Israel. Many times the believer lives his life in a self-centered way thinking only of himself. Our life has a purpose much greater, that is, to glorify our God.
Abraham was the chosen of God to create a new nation; a people only for the LORD. He was like us many times, blind to the purpose of God and thus, disobedient. Bethel was a place of worship where Abraham encountered with the LORD.
I. ARRIVING AT BETHEL.

A. Abraham raised up an altar there, v. 8.
1. A place of worship.
2. Years later in this same place his grandson, Jacob, came to know the LORD, GENESIS 28:10-22.
B. Abraham called on the name of the LORD, v. 8.
1. Bethel was the place to meet with the LORD.
a. He did not understand the work that God gave him to do, but he was ready to try.
b. Later under the pressure of life, Bethel was his shelter from his difficulties.
2. Bethel was the place where he found strength to continue with the work that God had given him.
a. Prayer was made there.
b. Communion with God was found there.
c. Understanding was found there.
II. LEAVING BETHEL.

A. When things became difficult, v. 9-10.

1. A great famine was in the land, v. 10.
a. America has a great famine of the Word of God.
b. Life is more difficult because of that.
2. Running away is not the solution to the problem.
a. Abraham fled to Egypt and intered into more difficulties than before.
b. He lied about his wife, vs. 11-13.
c. His problems became more serious, vs. 14-17.
3. Abraham was thrown out of Egypt, vs. 18-20.
B. THE GRACE OF GOD IS YET SEEN IN ALL OF THIS, Genesis 13:2.
1. Even with Abraham’s disobedience, God still blessed.
2. But not to glorify Abraham, but rather to realize God’s purpose.
III. GOING BACK TO BETHEL.

A. HAVING BEEN FORCED OUT OF EGYPT ABRAHAM RETURNS TO BETHEL, Genesis 13:3-4.

1. At times the believer goes a long way from the LORD, but it is worth returning to the LORD.
a. Communion was restored.
b. Peace came back.
2. To remain away from the LORD only brings more problems.
a. To those close to you it brings problems because you are a disobedient son of God.
b. To you yourself it brings problems because you are losing the blessings that God wants to give to you.
B. ABRAHAM BECAME ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.
1. He believed in God, Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
2. He became the Friend of God, James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
CONCLUSION

Abraham returned to Bethel. He learned his lesson. He learned to trust and depend on the LORD for everything in life.
Now the only thing lacking is for you to do the same. Now are you the rebel? Are you against everything and everybody? My brother, everything would be much more agreeable if you submitted to the will of God.
Don’t remain long away from Bethel (the house of God). Return!! Return to the communion of the Father and to your brethren in Christ.  Matthew 11:28 is for the believer just as much as it is for the unbeliever.

BACK TO THE HOUSE OF GOD–GENESIS 12:1 – 13:4

Art Davison GENESIS 0 Comment
BACK TO THE HOUSE OF GOD
Genesis 12:1 – 13:4
Introduction:
God called Abraham from paganism to become a son of God. God chose this man to be the father of the nation of Israel.
Many times the believer lives his life in a self-centered way thinking only of himself. Our life has a greater purpose than to live for oneself. It is to glorify our God.
Abraham was chosen by God to engender a new nation, a people only for the Lord. He was like us in that he was blind to God’s purpose, and thus, disobedient.
Bethel was a place of worship where he met with God. At times, Abraham left doing God’s will and had to return to Bethel where he had left God.

I. ARRIVING AT BETHEL.

A. Abraham builds an Alter there, Gen. 12:8: “And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.”

1. This was a place of worship.

2. Later at this same place, Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, came to know God.

B. Abraham calls on the name of the LORD.

1. Bethel was a place to meet with God. Abraham did not understand the work that God had given him to do, but he was willing.

2. Later, under the pressures of life, Bethel became a place of refuge from his difficulties.

3. Bethel (the house of God) was the place where Abraham found strength to continue with the work that God had given him.

a. Prayer was made there.

b. Communion was enjoyed there.

c. Understanding was found there.

II. LEAVING THE HOUSE OF GOD.

A. When things became difficult, Genesis 12:9-10.

1. A great famine in the land, v. 10.

a. America has a great famine of the Word of God today.


b. Life is more difficult for this.

1) Crime is greater

2) Drug and alcohol use is epidemic.

2. Running from the problem does no good.

a. Abraham fled to Egypt.

b. He lied about his wife.

3. He is forced to leave Egypt because of his conduct.

B. The Grace of God is manifest in Abraham’s life, Genesis 13:2, “And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”

1. Even in disobedience God blessed Abraham.

2. However, this was in order to fulfill God will in his life.

III. RETURNING TO THE HOUSE OF GOD.

A. After being forced out of Egypt, Abraham returns to Bethel. Genesis 13:3-4, “And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; 4Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.”

1. At times the believer strays away from the LORD, but it is always a blessing to return.

a. Communion is restored, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

b. Peace with God returns.

2. To remain away from God only brings more problems…

a. To those close to you because you are a disobedient son of God.

b. To you yourself because you are losing the rewards that God wants to give you.

B. Abraham became one of most important men in the history of the world.

1. He believed God, Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

2. He became the friend of God, James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
CONCLUSION

Coming back to the house of God always pays dividends. God blessed Abraham greatly when he obeyed God. He suffered the consequences when he disobeyed. Ultimately, he realized that obedience to God was easier than going against the Lord. He came back to Bethel (the house of God).