October 15, 2006

The Continual Keeping Power of God
Gen 20: 1-18

Let me ask you something; do you ever repeat an old sin because you are afraid or have forgotten that God is sufficient? Abraham is the FATHER of faith, so many promises received, so many lessons about walking with God, belief against hope that God will perform an impossible task and give this older couple a child, does it surprise you that Abraham, powerful intercessor with God for Sodom, still falls into this lack of trust? It should not. Oh we’d expect a greater commitment to God now, we’d expect maturity and growth, but we better not be surprised. The nature of mankind is corrupt. The flesh is still the flesh. Don’t be shocked when you blow it.

Man, I have learned my lesson, I'll never do that again.

Here's a point: No matter how great your spiritual experience you still are where you are only by grace and are still liable to fall into the same snares and temptations you were when you first began your walk with God. You still get discouraged, still get self righteous, still get judgmental, still fail to tell friends about the good news. Abraham forgot something here and we do too. His and our safety does not depend on our great experience or progress in the Christian life. It depends on God alone.

Our safety and keeping from sin doesn't depend on our spiritual growth, though growth does create and increase a habit of trust in God. But all we are and have depends on this one thing: The continual keeping power of God. That's it nothing else.

I could focus on Abraham's lack here, but I rather choose to focus on another aspect today Jesus NEVER Lacks, Jesus NEVER Fails. God is always Faithful! I don't know why Abraham was traveling at this time; maybe the smoke of judgment bothered Him? But He traveled at any rate. He re-lied..(You may emphasize that 2 ways) or relied on his own clever tricks to keep himself safe. At any rate Abraham headed down across the Negev south of Judah into what a few generations later would be Philistine land.

It was along the road to Egypt and a rather dangerous trip.

Again His willingness to save his own skin at Sarah's expense must have caused Sarah bitter distress. He feared the hand of the ruler of the land and forgot to trust God. What followed showed that Abraham's fears were groundless. God intervened. Here the hand of God reaches out, as always, and makes sure his plan goes on; even though the vessel of his choosing is flawed.

I find a great deal of comfort here in noticing that Abraham was not abandoned to the consequences of His foolish act. Folly and sin did not rob him of Gods protection and did not thwart the promise and plan of God. Gods’ faithfulness goes on even in times of our folly.

Now GET this: do not forget it: Abraham did not lose Gods blessing when He blew it because He had not merited it in the first place. The blessing of God was given totally by an act of God, Not based on Abraham's innate goodness, he had none. Not based on His great trust because he lacked that at this time. It was only based on Gods mercy.

You and I, if we have come to Christ, have that same standing. Paul wrote to Titus in chapter 3: these powerful words:

5-8 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Also please note the following references:

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Ephesians 2: 4 -10 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

1Peter 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

It is the number one thing in the Christian life. If you can get this then you will begin to be rooted and grounded, not tossed to and fro by every wind of teaching. You did not come to Jesus because of your value; you came because of HIS value. Jesus did not die because of your worth, but to give you worth. He died in spite of your worth which was at that time small. You were termed “enemies of God” under judicial condemnation from God, aliens and strangers; now you are termed Children of God.

We are the workmanship, of God.

Titus three showed us that as God’s workmanship in us by faith takes hold that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Also we have this in Ephesians “Good works are produced in us as fruit if we are in the vine”

God says we are His workmanship, created unto good works. That term is “Poema” We are God’s poem if you will. God ordained that we should be conformed to the image of His Son in Romans 8.

Grace does not teach license to sin, but listen! Unless you understand it is all of God you will still feel superior to others and blow it just like Abraham did. You can easily say “He should have known” But people, so should you. When a brother blows it and falls, you should not be surprised but rather glorify God that God is faithful, and then help that brother back on His feet.

Look with me at Matt 14:22-33 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Look at v 31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

EVEN when Peter listened to his doubts and fears, Jesus never failed. Even when he was trapped into feeling that Jesus wasn't enough, Jesus never failed. Even if your friends turn away, Jesus never fails, even if your business suffers, Jesus never fails, even if you are thought of as "Narrow" Jesus never fails.

Get the message? Jesus had a 40 foot arm right? I mean he immediately stretched forth His hand and caught him. No it doesn't mean that Jesus has a 40 foot arm.

It Just means that no matter how far away you think HE is, HE is never far at all. He is faithful. But here is something else I want you to get here as we finish up,(we think we need success to glorify God)

Look at verse 33: Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Jesus Got glory in Peter’s failure. He also got glory from Abraham's failure. He never had to resort to a plan B with Abraham, or with Peter or with You because He is God and He never makes mistakes. He whose counsels are far superior to ours is a God of Grace and none of us has any standing in or with Him that didn't come from Him.

Is that simple enough? Is it clear? It is of Gods Mercies that we are not consumed. Our standing, and acceptance are based on His goodness, you have but to rejoice and live in that freedom.

A large prosperous church in London had three downtown mission churches that it had started. It was their custom each year they would join for a communion service at the Mother Church .

The pastor looked down and he saw kneeling side by side a former burglar and a Judge of England's Supreme Court. The judge who had sentenced the man to 7 yrs. After release the man had been converted and become a Christian worker. And there they knelt.

After the service the pastor and the judge were talking and the judge said “did you notice who was kneeling beside me at the rail today?”

Yes, said the pastor, but I wondered if you noticed. The judge nodded and then said “what a miracle of grace” Yes, the pastor replied, what a miracle. The judge looked at him and asked “To Whom do you refer? Why to that convict of course.

Oh, I wasn't referring to him, I was thinking of me.”

“I don't understand, said the pastor.”

“It didn't cost that burglar a lot to get converted. He had nothing but a history of crime and when he saw Jesus as His savior he knew there was salvation and hope for him. And he knew how much he needed help.

I on the other hand was taught from childhood to live as a gentleman; that my word was to be my bond; that I as to say my prayers, go to church take communion and so on. I went to Oxford , took my degrees and eventually became a judge. Pastor, Nothing but the Grace of God could have caused me to admit I was a sinner on a level with that burglar. It took more grace to forgive me for all my pride and self deception to get me to admit I was no better in Gods eyes than a convict whom I had sentenced.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,

That is the real story of Abraham’s lack: Now you think about that, Amen