THEME: BEGINNING OF
UNCOMMON REWARD
TEXT: GEN.15:1
TOPIC: OBEDIENCE; THE
BEGINNING OF UNCOMMON REWARD
TEXT:GEN.12:1-4, GEN.13:1-6,
GEN.15:1-6, ROM.4:1-6, 2Cor.5:21, MATT.20:1-15
INTRODUCTION
Brethren, while many thinks Abraham’s
uncommon reward was Isaac and some according to their faith believes it is
Ishmael, and others thinks it’s a combination of sons, their seeds and wealth,
the truth of the matter is that Abraham’s uncommon reward was not in any way
related to the above mentioned.It was unique in the sense that the rewarder
(GOD)actually became the reward (an uncommon occurrence) – Gen.15:1, 6,
Rom.4:1-6, 2Cor.5:21. Every other blessing received by Abraham; silver, gold,
cattle, sheep, sons, servants etc, were just an addendum to the exceeding great
rewardwhich is God Himself– Matt.6:33(Use the employee/employer analogy).
The word reward can be defined as the
payment for service or the product of an effort. This can either be positive or
negative – Rev.22:12, Eccl.12:13-14, Gal.6:7-8. By God’s divine calendar of
things according to Gen.8:22, there is always a time of sowing and a time for
reaping and this can never be broken as long as the earth remains.
Brethren, it was Abraham’s obedience to this
principle that translated into an exceedingly great reward – Gen.12:1-4(NOW), Gen.15:1(AFTER).
My question here according to Gal.6:9 goes thus; as youths whom the bible
describes in 1Jn.2:14 as the epitome of strength, what act of well doing do you
have in your account that the Lord can reward in due season? What exactly do
you do with your strength?
But I have good news for you, in the sense
that it is still not too late to join others and take up your task so that you
can receive also a bountiful reward as they that started early. All you need is
obedience by submitting to His precepts – Matt.20:1-15.
SOME KEY
AREAS OF OBEDIENCE IN 2016
1.
In Obedience, you
must give all to God i.e your obedience must be total – 1Sam.15:1-3; 7-11;
17-23, 2Tim.4:10(Demas).
In Gen.12 the bible
recorded in verse 5 that Abraham did not leave anything behind that would have
made him return to Haran. Even when there was famine in the new land and God’s
promises were yet to be made manifest he chose to obey God and stick to the
initial instruction.
The question here is; what is that thing you left in
your Haran that you so desire to go back and get?Is it friendship or
relationship?Is it companionship or acquaintanceship? Is it kinship or
fellowship?
Brethren, am sorry to inform you that these ships can only take you to Tarshish
(Away from God – Jonah 1:1-3).
2.
In Obedience you
must maintain constant fellowship with God – Gen.12:6-7, Gen.12:8, Gen.13:18.
In every city Abram
got to as he journeyed from Haran the bible recorded that he built an altar
unto the Lord. When he got toMoreh, he built an altar, when he left Moreh for
east of Bethel he built another and when he got to Mamre after leaving Egypt he
built also another. This goes to signify constant fellowship with God.
The question here is; are you among those that are
Christians only when you are close to your home but monsterswhile away?Remember that God
cannot be mocked, so choose you this day, whom you will serve.
3.
In Obedience always
wait for God’s instruction; do not make hasty decisions for all that glitters
is not gold – Gen.13:7-15, 1Sam.30:7-8, 1Sam.5:17-25.
In making hasty
decisions many have found themselves in unpleasant situation contrary to their
desires. Example of such was Lot who was carried away by the beauty of the
plains of Jordan as some of us do today in our relationships not knowing the
end of all was destruction if not for the interventions of his uncle Abraham.
As Christians let
us unsure we seek God’s face for clearance over all things to avoid us running
into irreversible problems.
4.
In Obedience be
patient; don’t try and help God, you may end up destroying so many things –
Gen.15:1-4, Gen.16:1-12, Gen.17:15-21.
In trying to help God many has ended up
creating more problems either for themselves or for others. Some have even
created global problems as did our father Abraham and our mother Sarah that has
no remedy.
CONCLUSION
It is expedient
that we all put our hands back on the plough so that we can work the work of
the Lord while it is day for the night cometh when no man can work. As the
saying goes; the best time to have planted a tree was 20years ago and the other
best time to plant a tree is now. Let us all arise as the clock is ticking for
all events that would precede His coming are already at hand. Be warned.
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