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And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. Genesis 25:21 (ESV)

We see two really good things here, firstly the faith and dependance on God displayed by Isaac and secondly his love, spiritual covering and care for his wife as a godly husband.

Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. Genesis 25:33–34 (ESV)

The lesson here is that we should not despise and sell as it were our inheritance and rewards in Christ to satisfy the cravings of our flesh.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. Genesis 25:34 (ESV)

God’s choice of Jacob over Esau was in God’s preordained plan but was also in line with the desires of the two brothers, one seeking the birthright while the other did not value it. There is no injustice in God’s plans, He is wise beyond our comprehension.

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 (ESV)

Genuine humility in both attitude and service is the pathway to greatness in God’s kingdom. We should all want to be great in Gods eyes (humble, faithful servants).

And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. Matthew 18:8 (ESV)

contrary to the teaching of Jehovah Witnesses and authors like Rob Bell, Jesus clearly taught that hell is eternal.

And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. Matthew 18:9 (ESV)

Jesus’ point here is not that we should mutilate our bodies but uses the picture to help us understand the extent to which we need to resist sin, kill the desire of the flesh, and pursue holiness. Like John Owen said “be killing sin, or sin be killing you”

So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:14 (ESV)

God will not sit passively and allow those he has lovingly elected and who believe in him to go astray permanently and perish. This is why God restores those who belong to him. We should be grateful for Gods care, concern and faithful protection and patience with us his little ones.

So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:35 (ESV)

We do not earn God’s favour by showing mercy and granting forgiveness however if we do not show mercy and forgivenesses then we can not receive it and show evidence that we are either going astray or were never truly converted. We should pursue this “command” to show mercy can forgiveness every day.

This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger. Ecclesiastes 5:16–17 (ESV)

We should seek to leave a legacy for our children in this life but most importantly we should build true treasure in heaven

For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. Ecclesiastes 5:20 (ESV)

Thankfully we now know that the things of this world are not our entire lot, there is also eternal life in heaven. We should enjoy with hearts filled with gratefulness and joy all that God has given us in this life. We should find great pleasure in God, he should be our most precious treasure and we should have a richer sense of his blessings all around us and glorify him for it all.

and said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.” Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things. Genesis 24:27–28 (ESV)

A great account of God’s providence, which should lead us to worship and strengthen our faith

But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” Genesis 24:56 (ESV)

In light of Gods providence and provision we should not procrastinate

An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. Matthew 16:4 (ESV)

We should not need sign to believe God, we should have the quality of faith that takes him at his word. Faith that needs a sign or miracle to believe is weaker, immature and in some cases is not faith at all.

Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 16:12 (ESV)

We must beware false and erroneous teaching, it is dangerous and Jesus told us to be aware of it and avoid it.

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16 (ESV)

A definitive statement on who Jesus is. Pamela Suran taught us that using this full title of Jesus is very important

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 (ESV)

The rock is not Peter but the confession that Peter just made that Jesus is “The Christ, the Son of the living God”, our faiths core and principle doctrine. So in this sense Jesus was calling himself the rock on which the church would be built.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 (ESV)

The amplified bible is useful here, as Gods people we confirm as bound or loosed what has already been done in heaven, this is why we have authority because we confirm the work of the kingdom. We accomplish this binding and loosing most clearly by proclaiming the Gospel and living and praying in accordance to Gods will revealed in his word.

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27 (ESV)

Payment is coming, lets work accordingly

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5 (ESV)

The Father’s testimony and command concerning His Son, Jesus. This is further evidence of the nature of the trinity (The Modalism of Oneness Pentecostals and other who say that there is no trinity it is just God the Father changing form as Father, then as Son, then as Spirit is wrong)

However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Matthew 17:27 (ESV)

This actually happened but is also symbolic of the supernatural provision God makes available for us.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Ecclesiastes 5:10–11 (ESV)

We should as God to search our hearts, it is easy to get caught up in the materialism and constant dissatisfaction of our age and culture. We need a renewed understanding of enough, contentment, gratitude and generosity when it comes to money.

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. Genesis 21:33 (ESV)

Our God (Father, Son and Spirit) had no beginning and will have no end, God is everlasting, what an awesome attribute which belongs to God alone.

And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. Genesis 22:6 (ESV)

While this is a factual account, like much of the old testament we see a shadow here too. Isaac foreshadows Christ as the sacrifice for our sins and the wood for the sacrifice is in place of the cross Jesus bore.

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:14 (ESV)

…. and the Lord did provide, on the same mountain Jesus was provided as the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for the many who would put their faith in him.

he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. Matthew 15:6 (ESV)

All our traditions and cultural ways must be subject to the truth and authority of God’s word and not directly or subtly against it. Lord keep us from man centred thinking, help us to treasure you and your word above everything.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Matthew 15:19–20 (ESV)

This is why we need new hearts through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. We must be born again and then continually transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ.

Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? Ecclesiastes 5:6 (ESV)

This is why Jesus taught us that our communication should simply be a straight yes or no, we should not bind ourselves with vows that we may not be able to keep

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. Genesis 20:6 (ESV)

Even in the middle of Abraham’s lack of faith, God remained in sovereign control of the situation by keeping the king from sinning

who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:46 (ESV)

As disciples of Jesus Christ we should serve God with everything, don’t hold anything back

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Matthew 14:19–20 (ESV)

This is an amazing miracle, it is also a picture of how our leaders receive God’s word and pass it on to us, without this we would not be truly satisfied in God.

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33 (ESV)

A clear biblical account of the deity of Christ and of Christ receiving worship

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV)

None of us should be isolated, we should all engage in active fellowship and agreement in prayer and work for the Lord