Who's Territory is it?

Who was Jabez?(Past/Problem)

In terms of the man Jabez or יַעְבֵּץ, ya'bets as the Hebrew Bible states; there is not much know about the man. The name occurs three times in the whole Bible one of which is the name of a place JABEZ OF JUDAH (יַעְבֵּץ, ya'bets). A city in Judah near Bethlehem, which is mentioned as the home of several scribal families (1 Chr 2:55). The other Two places where we find Jabez the man are 1 Chr 4:9 where Jabez was said to be more honorable than his brothers; and His mother names him Jabez because she said I bore him with Pain

Why was Jabez more honorable than his brother? we don’t know for sure no details were provided. Some commentators have suggested that because he was eminent. 1. In learning, because we find that the families of the scribes dwelt at Jabez (ch. 2:55), a city which, it is likely, took its name from him. The Jews say that he was a famous doctor of the law and left many disciples behind him. And it should seem, by the mentioning of him so abruptly here, that his name was well known when Ezra wrote this. 2. In piety, because we find here that he was a praying man. His inclination to devotion made him truly honourable, and by prayer he obtained those blessings from God which added much to his honour. The way to be truly great is to be truly good and to pray much. This brings me to the point who are you? better yet who are we? do you know who we are? Are we Honorable or are we causing pain; are we simple or are we eminent. Are we just existing or are we making a difference in society and world we live in. who are we? Well we are Seventh-day Adventist Christian.

Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 563.

John D. Barry et al., eds., “Jabez of Judah,” The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Jabez calls on God.(Past/Problem)

Now the Bible said that Jabez called on the God of Israel. Now that sounds like Jebez was a praying man. As The head of a family of the tribe of Judah (1 Ch. 4:9–10), an ‘honourable’ man whose prayer God answered. We’ll get to the part where God answered his prayer soon. His name is only mentioned twice and that’s it. what could we truly learn for this guy? no details are given about his life were don’t know if he was a great warrior; we don’t know if He was a skilled artizan; we don’t know if he was a prominent teacher. What we do know is that he was honorable so much so that a city was named after Him. what we also know is that he was a praying man, that means he had faith he believed in God. When you faced with a crisis who do you call on, do you call on the God of Israel. 2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2Ch 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. . . . {CSA 27.1}

There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him. . . . The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received. . . . {CSA 27.2}

Another element of prevailing prayer is faith. . . . Jesus said to His disciples, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. . . . {CSA 27.3}

J. D. Douglas, “Jabez,” ed. D. R. W. Wood et al., New Bible Dictionary (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 535.

Kingdom building. (Present/Solution)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

10 Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!”

Enlarge my territory, expand my borders. Grow my Kingdom but who’s Kingdom is it? well here we are in the 21st century A.D. Internal evidence points to the fact that the book was written or at least completed in the Persian period, abut 400 B.C. Jabez has been dead for a long time now and we are not preaching prosperity doctrine but surely the Kingdom of God is at hand. We need to expand the Kingdom we need to make disciples we need to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Francis D. Nichol, ed., The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3 (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1977), 116.

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. We need to Go to Fletchers Land and Darling Street; We need to Go to Love Lane and Church Street; We need to go to Sutton Street and Johns Lane; we need to Go to Georges Lane and Laws Street; we need to go to Rum Lane; we need to go to Emmaville Crescent; we need to go to Central Avenue,East Avenue, West Avenue Mid Avenue, North Avenue, South Avenue; We have to go to every Avenues, Street and Lane;

Why? It’s God’s Borders we are enlarging and His Kingdom is at hand it is very near it was very near over two thousand years ago when Jesus said in Matthew 4:17 ... Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. it is nearer than we think we must Go, but how?

We must make disciples who make disciples Who make disciples it a multiplication effect, and it is every member involved.

We will give all Knowledge; We will pray for the Holy Spirits Power, to cast out demons, to heal the sick, and proclaim the Gospel with clarity and power. We will baptize people in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. We will spend enough time to nurture new believer and long-time believers. We will utilize the gifts of every believer. We will make God’s school a place where True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come. {Ed 13.1}

We must Go out two by two to every nuk and Cranny of our district but remembering that it is not our district it’s God’s District; it’s not our territory it’s God’s territory; it’s not our borders it God’s borders. and we must enlarge them through God’s Holy Spirit, because the Kingdom of God is at hand and like Jabez we have been assured of God’s Aproval

Gods approval. (Future/Transformation)

And the Bible said that God granted him what he requested. Take some to digest that kingdom building can’t fail. God’s church can’t fail, God’s people can’t fail-not when we are honorable, not when we pray, not when are faithful, not when we call upon the God of Israel to carry out His will. we can’t fail. we will prevail the Devil will be assailed. We can take back this community for God’s Kingdom.

Appeal:

for Committment:

To learn

To pray

To Depend on God

To make disciples