Oh That Ishmael Might Live Before You

Reiterating the Promise

Responding to God

Receiving of Grace

Resorting to Obey

1. Reiterating the Promise

2. Responding to God

Romans 4:17–21 “17 (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.”

Nonetheless his faith is struggling!

Hard to take in and to believe.

And it’s important for us as we look at this father of faith, to see how HE struggled with faith

Lord cant you just allow Ishmael to live before you?

Allow him to be the covenant bearer?

We are old, Sarah is Barren, make Ishmael adequate enough for us

The temper in which he speaks:

The very existence of Ishmael was a memorial of Abraham’s failure in faith and patience

He thought he could “help” God

13 years The boys been alive

First son, loved, cherished, taught, nurtured

Then comes the divine message: This is not the son of the covenant

How does he respond?

Oh that Ishmael might live before you

Why can’t he be enough?

Why can’t he be the child, the heir of the promise?

Use him!

Abraham thinks himself smarter than God

Anyone who believes themselves smarter than God is a fool

Who are we to tell God to put a seal of approval on what WE want for our life?

Gen 15!! 1-5

Think about this, in your life

When God sends you Isaac, do you not often say… take Ishmael?

When all of our hopes and efforts are poured into one arena and God requires another?

But who are we to prescribe anything to God? Not only the means but the end to the means

What am I saying?

I’m saying how ARROGANT we are if we think we can live how we want to and assume God’s pleased with it, rather than yielding our life to GOD’s narrow gate and narrow path.

And when we pray, we should never dictate “terms” with God! …

Look carefully at the intent of your own heart. are you praying… or grumbling?

Ishmael represents the path that the heart wants. It’s the path Abraham wants. His heart is set and hopes secure that God will use Ishmael!

But he wont

So too we need to get back to God’s word.

In worship

In life

3. Receiving of Grace

Blindness to Blessings

After 100 years nearly, God has finally given the glorious news, you shall bear a son!!!

Instead of falling down in submission and joy, he falls down laughing and grumbling

I’d rather you did it another way Lord

Id rather you not skip over my precious Ishmael and use Him instead

The greatest blessing became the sleepless night for Abraham

You can either look at the scriptures as a curse and be utterly miserable, or look at the scriptures as a blessings, and be richly blessed by goodness that God has in store for you.

God’s Grace

Far greater than our wildest imaginations.

And his grace isn’t just when he says yes… but when he says no.

4. Resorting to Obey

Conc.

Deuteronomy 10:16 “16 “So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.”

Galatians 5:2 “2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.”

What we need, is a heart circumcision! … flesh cut away, sin removed, and a heart for Christ

Therefore…

Do not believe you are too young, or too old… to carry out God’s purpose

Do not believe that your thoughts are always RIGHT…

Do not stop praying for God’s will to be done…

And obey him!!

We are victorious in Christ! Our faith is demonstrated by our works of obedience James 2.

Trust God… completely

Pray to him but in complete submission and reverence!

Live your life in obedience to Him.

Serve the local church… teach the lost people you know about Christ… love your neighbor… comfort the hurting… worship! Worship. Pray, at all times be in prayer. Read… and obey