FORWARD THINKING FOR THE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST
Genesis 23:1-20
INTRODUCTION: SOMEONE ONCE SAID, “FAITH SEES THE INVISIBLE, BELIEVES THE INCREDIBLE, AND RECEIVES THE IMPOSSIBLE”. HERE IN OUR PASSAGE TODAY, WE SEE ABRAHAM LIVING AND ACTING OUT THE REALITY OF THIS STATEMENT. EVERYTHING ABRAHAM DOES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEATH OF SARAH REVEALS HIS FAITH IN GOD, AND HIS CONFIDENCE THAT GOD WOULD FULFILL HIS PROMISE, EVEN AFTER HIS DEATH.
THIS MORNING, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE THE MOTIVES AND RESULTS OF ABRAHAM’S PURCHASE OF A BURIAL SIGHT FOR SARAH, HIMSELF, AND ULTIMATELY FOR HIS FAMILY.
I. THE VISIONARY ACTION OF ABRAHAM
A. THE PROMISE OF GOD
1. FOR ABRAHAM THE PROMISE OF GOD WAS YET UNFULFILLED
2. SALVATION FOR ABRAHAM WOULD BE APPLIED BACKWARD FROM THE CROSS OF CHRIST
3. ABRAHAM WAS BASING HIS ACTIONS ON THE PROMISES OF GOD
B. THE PRESENT CONDITION OF ABRAHAM
1. WELL OVER 125 YEARS OLD
2. LEFT EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW GOD
3. NOW AT A DECISIVE POINT IN HIS LIFE
4. ABRAHAM DETERMINED BY HIS ACTIONS THAT WHERE HE WAS WOULD BE HIS HOME. THE CULTURE OF THIS TIME WAS TO BURY YOUR DEAD IN THEIR HOMELAND.
5. ABRAHAM’S ACTIONS WERE A TESTIMONY TO HIS FAITHFULNESS IN THE PROMISE OF GOD! A PROMISE HE WOULD NOT LIVE TO SEE!!!!
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND AS ABRAHAM DID THAT OUR ACTIONS AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST HAVE SIGNIFICANCE LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE. GOD’S PROMISES DO NOT END WITH OUR LIFE. OUR ACTIONS AFFECT THOSE WHO COME AFTER US!
WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW THAT WILL IMPACT OTHERS FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE?
IS WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW GOING TO IMPACT SOMEONE POSITIVELY, OR NEGATIVELY?
WHAT KIND OF “SPIRITUAL” FOOTPRINT ARE WE LEAVING?
II. THE DECISIVE ACTION OF ABRAHAM
A. REFUSING THE GIFT
1. NOW IT IS ONE THING TO REFUSE A GIFT FROM AN ENEMY – YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING.
2. ABRAHAM WAS HIGHLY HONORED
3. GIFT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIGHLY VALUED AND PRIZED.
4. ABRAHAM DID NOT WANT A GIFT!
B. BUYING THE LAND
1. AGAIN THIS IS STRANGE!
2. HOW MANY OF YOU START YOUR NEGOTIATION AT THE FULL PRICE.
3. ABRAHAM DID NOT SEEK TO “GET OVER” ON THE SELLER
4. ABRAHAM SOUGHT TO DO WHAT WAS RIGHT
5. ABRAHAM WAS WEALTHY AND RESPECTED, BUT HAD NO RIGHTS IN THE LAND.
6. HIS PURCHASE ESTABLISHED HIS LEGAL RIGHT TO BE THERE
THE REASON ABRAHAM DID THIS WAS TO PROVIDE PERMANENCE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. ABRAHAM WAS BASING HIS ACTIONS ON THE FUTURE.
HOW MANY OF US TODAY ARE SO CAUGHT WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE AND NOW THAT WE DO NOT CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF THE PRESENT ON THE FUTURE?
III. THE POSITIVE ACTION OF ABRAHAM
A. PREVENTING COMPROMISE
1. BUYING THE LAND MEANT THAT ABRAHAM DID NOT HAVE TO SHARE BURIAL PRACTICES WITH THE HITTITES.
2. ABRAHAM DID NOT HAVE TO COMPROMISE HIS PRACTICES OR FAITH.
B. PREVENTING LOSS
1. AT THE DEATH OF EPHRON, IS SONS COULD HAVE RECLAIMED THE LAND HAD ABRAHAM OBTAINED IT ANY OTHER WAY THAT THROUGH PURCHASE.
2. ABRAHAM WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE OF GOD CONCERNING THE LAND
C. PROCLAIMING FAITH
1. FOCUS ON THE PRESENT PREVENTS FOCUS ON THE FUTURE.
2. ABRAHAMS ACTIONS WERE MEANT TO SECURE GOD’S PROMISES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
WHERE ARE OUR ULTIMATE THOUGHTS? HERE AND NOW, OR HERE AND AFTER?
ARE WE LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE OR TRYING TO SURVIVE THE PRESENT?
