This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "God Favors Those He Loves", 7/14/2019. Genesis 21:1-10

    

GOD FAVORS THOSE HE LOVES

Gen 21:1-10

A NEW WOMAN IN CHRIST

1 Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.

A. Our past does not affect our future with the Lord.

    1. Fifteen years earlier, Sarah stop trusting God’s promise of a son to

        her and Abraham.

    2. She decided to help God out by given Abraham her maiden to have

        a son. Thus Ishmael was born.

    3. Hagar, Sarah maiden, decided that her son Ishmael would be the heir

        to Abraham.

    4. For fifteen years, Sarah had been troubled by the attitude of her

        maiden.

    5. Sarah’s lack of faith caused her fifteen years of agony.

B. Even though Sarah and Abraham went out side the will of God,

    His promise of a son did not change.

1.     90 year old Sarai was baren, but Sarah a new woman in Christ  

conceived and had a son.

   2. Any man in Christ is a new creation.

   3. God changes our insides, so we function according to His Will,

   3. When God starts working in our lives, anything is possible.

   4. Like Jesus, Isaac was a miracle birth.

   5. Abraham and Sarah needed to understand that they served a God

       in whom all things are possible.

A MIRACLE BABY IS BORN

 3 Abraham gave the name Isaaca to the son Sarah bore him. 4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

A. God gave Abraham the name Isaac for his son which means laughter.

    When he and his wife was told they would have a son at their old age,

    They laugh.

1.     God has a way making us remember the miracles He has done in our

lives for a testimony to Him.

2.     When we look back over our lives we can see our mistakes and how

God continued to correct and bless us.

3.     We are not perfect but God’s plan for us is perfect.

B. Sometimes God allows us mess up so He can grow us up.

     1. Sometimes our mistakes puts us in predicaments where we

         have to call or wait on the Lord.

C. The circumcision of the baby at 8 days was a sign of the covenant

     God made with Abraham of the blessing of many nations and the

     Promise of the land of Canaan.   

 GIVING GOD THE CREDIT

6 Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." 7 And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

A. Sarah understood finally that the God she serves could do anything to

    Anybody He pleases, anytime He wants to.

  1. When she look at her old and the fact that She and Abraham had a

      child she saw the miracle work of God.

  2. It was a matter she could discuss with her friends and relatives with

      great pleasure.

B. The God we serve is an awesome God.

  1. He keeps His promises regardless of our faithlessness.

  2. He keeps His promises regardless of the errors of our ways.

SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM YOUR DISTRACTIONS

8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac."

A. After the birth of Isaac, Sarah regained her confidence in herself and

    the position as wife of Abraham.

1.     It is obvious  that Hagar, Sarah’s maiden had been mocking her

for her lack of a son for 16 years.

  2. Hagar had been the thorn in Sarah side for the last time.

  3. Instead of blessing Sarah for the birth of Isaac, Hagar continued

      to despise  her. 

  4. It is oblivious that Hagar’s  attitude had been passed on to her son.

  5. It was Ishmael who mocked Sarah in disrespect to her position.

B. This time Sarah was justified in getting Hagar and her son out of her camp.

   1. Hagar wanted Ishmael to claim the birthright as Abraham heir because he

       was the first born of Abraham.

   2. God had made it plain to Abraham and Sarah that Isaac was the intended

        heir of the covenant with them.

WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU IS FOR YOU

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons follow me on facebook and visit my blogs

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

Bible Basics: What We Can Learn From The Mountain"

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD


Between Chapter Matthew 14 and 15, Jesus gives us 5 stories that has
Faith in common.

WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE HANDS OF JESUS IS ENOUGH
(Working Faith)
Starting in Matthew 14:14, 5000 men plus women and children follow
Jesus to a desert place.  This was a Jewish crowd.
Jesus had compassion and heals their sick
When evening came, He want to feed them. The disciple said send them                                away, we can’t do it. We don’t have enough.
Jesus answered, what do you have?  5 loaves and a few fish (a loaf was the size
Of a pie crust but thick as your thumb) . After the feeding, they picked up
12 baskets of leftovers. (5 represents the 5 book of the Jewish law and the
12 baskets represented the12 disciples )

YOU CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE TRUSTING JESUS.
(Little  Faith)
In Matthew 14:25, Jesus walks on water just before daylight toward
 A boat containing His disciples. Peter steps out of the boat on Jesus
Command and walks on water until he looked down at the water and
Began to sink.  O you of little faith.

REACHING OUT TO JESUS IN FAITH
(Extraordinary Faith)
In Matthew 14:36, The people of a town of Genesaret and surrounding
 Countries brought all their sick and begged Jesus to let them
 touch the hem of His garment and all who touch his garment were all healed.

DON’T GIVE UP ON JESUS
(Persistence Faith)
In Matthew 15:22, a woman from Cannan comes to Jesus and begs for mercy for
Her daughter to be healed. Because of her persistence and  her faith, Jesus
Heals her daughter from a distance.

IF JESUS DID IT ONCE, YOU CAN BE SURE HE CAN DO IT AGAIN
Matthew  15:29
(Inability to apply faith)
Jesus Goes to the mountain and sits down on the mountain side
4000 men plus women and children follows him for three days.
This was a Gentile crowd. He had compassion and heal their sick.
Jesus decided to feed the crowd. The disciples said they didn’t have
Enough to feed the crowd. What do you have? Seven loaves and few
Small fish. Enough for us, but not them.

Notice; Seeing is not always believing
The disciples saw and witnessed, but still did not believe.
They didn’t know how to see the miracles that they had witnessed
in  applicable to their personal situation.

    They had witnessed Jesus feeding five thousand with five loaves
    And a few fish.

   Now they had the same situation but couldn’t see Jesus involvement.
   If God did it one time, He could do it again.. If God did it for someone
   Else, He can do it for you.

HOW DO YOU SEE JESUS IN YOUR SITUATION
   1. When you look at a problem, do you see Jesus or do you see yourself?
   2. When you look at a problem do you see your limitations or do you see
       all possibilities with Jesus?
   3. When you look at a problem, do you see your abilities or do you see
        unlimited possibilities with Jesus.

  4.The disciples had many examples of blind faith in their background, but couldn't
     apply any faith to their situation.
  5. They witness many miracles in one day at the hand of Jesus, but couldn't find
      it in their hearts to ask Jesus for a miracle.
  6. They had many examples of prayer working in front of them but couldn't
      go in prayer for themselves.

YOUR MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE   
1. Jesus is the light on your mountain.
    a. We should look to Jesus in all our circumstances
    b. If we develop a habit of looking to Jesus, we will
        never have a problem to big to handle
 2. Use  the mountain as a learning experience.
    a. Jesus didn't move the mountain.
    b. Jesus didn't go around the mountain.
    c. Jesus didn't go through the mountain.
    d. Jesus taught from the mountain.

3. Jesus healed from the mountain
   a. The lame was made  to walk
   b. The blind was given their sight.
   c. The dumb  was giving the ability to talk.
   b. The maimed healed of their hurt.
4. The rest healed  Jesus is everything you need him to be.
5. What Jesus did on the mountain is what He does for us
     Before we met Jesus:
     a. We were lame, walking after the world.
     b. We were spiritually blind
     c. We dumb to the righteousness of the Lord.
    d. We were broken in many ways in need of a doctor.

Lessons from the Mountain
1.Defn of a mountain: A problem to big for you.
   a. Jesus is the master of family.
   b.  Look to the hill from which I get my strength
   c. He sits high and looks low
   d.  He was transfigured on the mountain so His disciples could see
       His glory.
   
2. Purpose of the mountain in your life
    To develop your faith
3. Why God used the mountain.
    The mountain was His platform for teaching
    The mountain was His pulpit.
4. What God has done on the mountain
    He gave us His Word from the mountain
    He set the example of faith in action from the mountain.
5. Why you need to go to the mountain
    a. To get out of the valley
        1)  In the valley there are walls around you
        2) The valley is a dark place
        3)   It is in the valley where people decide to do nothing
    b. To get closer to God.
        1) We need to communicate with God.
        2) We need to dedicate ourselves to God
        3) Dedication is taking the responsibility to be obedient
        4) Dedication is taking the responsibility to serve.
    c. To get away from valley people
    d. If you hang around people who show no faith, your faith will
        Be affected
6. Why God want move the mountain
    a. We need the mountain so we learn that we need God’s help
    b. We need the mountain so we can learn to trust God.
    c. We need the mountains to build a faith profile.
    d. We need the mountain for out testimony to the authority of God
          Over our lives.

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "God's Timing Is The Right Time", Genesis 17:1-19

    

THE LORD’S TIMING IS THE RIGHT TIME

Gen 17:1-9

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS IN HIS TIME

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord  appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty;a walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."

A. God timing is always the best time.

   1. All of us need a personal relationship with the Lord.

   2. Our relationship ought to be so strong that we know His

       when He speaks to us.

   3. Satan, the devil has a voice. He also speaks to us.

       a. If you don’t believe me, ask Adam and Eve.

       b. You must be able to distinguish difference between God’s

            talk and the,  devil’s talk.

       c. God will confirm His Word, but devil will contradict God’s

           Word.

B. God will give you directions that will lead you to His  

    Righteousness.

1.    Walk before me.

a. Follow God’s commands

b. Walk like Jesus

    2, Be blameless

        b. Don’t do anything that is against God’s Will.

        c. Act like Jesus.

C. God will always confirm His Word.

    1. At 75 years God promised Abraham that he would be the

        father of many nations.

    2, At 85 years old, God confirmed the same covenant

       reassuring Abram that he and Sarai would have a son.

2.    At 99 nears old, God comes to Abram with the same

Covenant.

a.    God does not express doubt, but love and confidence.

b.   God keeps his promises in His time, not ours

WORSHIP THE LORD AT ALL TIMES   

V:3.  Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram;b your name will be Abraham,c for I have made you a father of many nations.

A. When God’s speaks, we should reverence Him in humble

    submission.

 1. The Word gives us insight into the future.

 2. In order to understand the insight God gives, we must believe

     He is in charge of our lives.

 3. What we can’t see with our eyes, we must believe in our   

     hearts.

B. Any man in Christ is a new creation.

   1. Our Christian name in God’s book of life may be different

       from our birth name.

   2. God changed Abram’s name to be inline with his commission.

   3. Abram means high father.

   4. Abraham means father of a great multitude.

BELIEVE GOD’S PROMISES

V:6-8.  I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God."

A.   In Christ, God has taken possession of us and our lives.

1. We are no longer our own, but His.

2. Once in Christ we cannot be taken out of Christ.

3. The covenant through Jesus Christ is eternal.

B.   Although we may not realize it at this moment, God has given us an everlasting place of residence.

1. Not only does God promise to bless us but our children

from generations to come.

2. Our job is to continue to walk before God as role models

Of His Son. 

GOD CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE    

Gen 17:15-27

A: 15-16.  God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."

A. The Change God makes in our lives has a direct effect  

     on our immediate families.

   1. The Sarai was barren, but the Sarah would not be

       barren.

       a. The name Sarai means my lady, my princess.

       b. The name Sarah means princess of a multitude.

   2. In Christ we affect the body of Christ.

   3. With God nothing is impossible for us.

   4. Sarah well pass the child bearing age was put

      back in the child bearing age.

    5. That which is dead to the world is made alive in the 

        Spirit.

NEVER TO OLD FOR GOD’S USE

17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?" 18 And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!"

A. You can’t think in the natural when you are directed by a

     Supernatural God.

1. As much as Abraham knew about God, he could not

Immediately  grasp the truth in God’s Word.

2. We have to remember that our ways are not God’s   

Ways, and our thoughts are not His thoughts.

   B. Abraham was speaking physical limitations in front of a

       Unlimited God.

1.   Don’t limit the blessing of God for your life based

your limited thinking.

2.   What you know is nothing compared to God’s

knowledge.

          3. What is impossible for man is never impossible for God.

 NEVER UNDERESTIMATE GOD’S POWER

19 Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac.d I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year

A. We serve a God of all possibilities.

    1. Abraham was trying to put Ishmael into the covenant

        with God.

a.    Ishmael would now be 15 years old and Abraham

D3eesidn’t want him left out.

B. The promise son and descendants would come from the

     union between Abraham and Sarah.

1.    The everlasting covenant would be with Isaac, the

Son of Abraham and Sarah.

2.    Ishmael and his descendants would be blessed, but

They were not part of God’s divine plan of salvation

the for man.

WHAT GOD HAS FOR US IS FOR US.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

Follow me on facebook and my blogs:

Revmmitichell.com and goodnewsremitc.blogspot.com