Malcolm Cox

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 27

Today we start chapter 17

“Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.” Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations. “No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. “I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. “I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”” (Genesis 17:1–8 NAS95)

What are we seeing here? A watershed event.

Chapters 12-16 all point towards this moment.

In the preceding chapters, the land becomes 'this land', then, 'all the land which you can see' then 'from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, and now, 'I shall give to you . . . the whole land of Canaan as a permanent holding'.

Abraham was told he would become a “great nation.” Then his descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth; then as many as the stars, then too many to count, now a 'multitude of nations' and 'kings shall be descended from you'.

Small wonder that Abram falls flat on his face!

The Word Biblical Commentary notes this:

"From this point in Genesis, divine speeches become rarer and little new content is added to the promises, but the fulfilment of these promises becomes more visible."

Devotional thought for today

In some ways God is acting here rather like a parent. He is setting out the future of his 'son'. Indeed, he is naming him. The meaning morphs from "the father is exalted" to, "the father of a multitude".

Why he is chosen for this is hard to say. The same question arises for you and me. Why did God choose to reveal himself to you, and not your sister, your Uncle, your school friend, your work-mate?

We may never know in this life. But, that is not meant to stop us rejoicing.

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (1 Peter 1:1–2 NIV11)

We have been chosen by Grace, and appointed for obedience. For what purpose? So the world will know. Gods purpose for Abraham was never that his relationship with Abraham should be exclusive. Rather, it was intended to be as inclusive as possible.

Rejoice you are chosen, and rejoice that you are free to invite others to be chosen.

Prayer point for today

Ask God to help you rejoice at being chosen, and to rejoice at the opportunity to invite others to be chosen

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 26

Today we finish chapter 16

“The angel of the LORD said to her further, “Behold, you are with child, And you will bear a son; And you shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction. “He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone’s hand will be against him; And he will live to the east of all his brothers.” Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees”; for she said, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?” Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.” (Genesis 16:11–16 NAS95)

What are we seeing here? When we feel seen by God we are given the courage to live by faith.

God gives wonderful promises to Hagar. How does she feel? She feels seen. The way it is expressed is almost like an astonished question, "He sees even me - even me?"

The well called 'Beer Lahai Roi' means, “well of the living who sees me”. The name is a reminder of the caring God Hagar encountered in her times of desperation.

Devotional thought for today

When we feel seen by God, we live by greater faith. It is interesting that the one person in this narrative who is a model of faith is not Sarai nor Abram, but Hagar.

She listens to the Lord, feels seen and heard by him, and obeys him. She goes back to the household of the one who abused her (by no means does this imply there are any extenuating excuses for domestic violence, by the way).

She trusts that God will sort out a messy situation. She has a confidence that God is with her.

What helps you to feel "seen" by God? What convinces you that he is paying attention to you, personally, all the time?

Just before giving his followers the words of what we now call "the Lord's prayer", Jesus says this:

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:7–8 NIV11)

He knows what you need. We have the right to ask him for our "daily bread". He will give to those who make requests (Matt 7:7,11).

Do you want greater faith? The place to begin is discovering how to feel seen by God.

Prayer point for today

Ask God to give you the assurance that you are seen

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

In this part of the newsletter I would ordinarily talk about something different from my broadcasting output. However, this week I was so taken by the topic of my "what we are reading" episode that I thought I would reproduce it. You can listen to the full recording on my YouTube channel or podcast feed and find the full text of the article on the website. However, for those of you that might not normally look at those, here is a shorter version.

I have been reading the book, 'Character and virtue in theological education', by Marvin Oxenham. One of the chapters contains a summary of what he describes as the five models of church commonly found today. As you read the following descriptions, ask yourself the following questions:

Let's have a brief look at a description of each model.

"In this kind of church, leaders express love in all its dimensions, ranging from pastoral care to the transformation of culture." p87

““A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (John 13:34–35 NAS95)It is hard to argue with the primary nature of this model. If this is how the world will know that we are truly the followers of Jesus, then why would we want to prioritise anything above love?

"This vision embraces moral and social reform and those in leadership serve as agents of change, freeing both individuals and collectives from bondage." p87

“...the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVOURABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”” (Luke 4:17–21 NAS95)If this was the vision of Jesus for his ministry, should it not also be the vision for the contemporary church? It certainly sounds like good news, and was viewed that way on the day Jesus visited the synagogue.

"For this tradition, maintaining identity is considered an urgent and important task in the midst of a quickly changing, pluralistic and syncretistic world, and the role of the minister is to revive and redefine the distinctive identity of the church." p88

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” (1 Peter 2:9–10 NAS95)If we do not know who we are, we cannot know our mission. If we do not protect and purify our identity, we cannot be distinctive in this world.

"Here, the church is mostly seen as an agent of salvation that rescues the world from sin through the gospel and builds the personal lives of believers according to biblical discipleship patterns." p88

““All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18–20 NAS95)Disciple-making is the activity towards which all other functions in the church are subservient. What is the point of all the other things a church can do, if people are not becoming Christians?

"In this model, the purpose of the church is to help people find their spiritual and mental health. It is, in a way, a vocation to human fullness." p88

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 NAS95)Surely Jesus does not want us simply to be saved, but to grow into all we can be as a child of God. Our connection with God needs healing, but so does much more than that. If we are to be the Church of Christ on Earth, we must become a model of what is possible with the Spirit of Christ healing us from within.

If we do not examine our own local model we may unwittingly omit some aspects of church life dear to the heart of God.

Your thoughts, please.

God bless, Malcolm

If you'd like to pray for me I'd be very grateful. Here are some of my plans:

Until the next time, 

God bless, Malcolm

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 25

Today we move further into chapter 16

““Now the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from and where are you going?” And she said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” Then the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.” Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.”” (Genesis 16:7–10 NAS95)

What are we seeing here? God goes looking for the lost.

The angel of the LORD or the angel of God are mentioned a total of 69 times in the Old Testament. Mostly from the books of Genesis to Judges.

The angel of the LORD appears at moments of personal crisis in Genesis (Gen 21:17; 22:11, 15). He either is the LORD in human form, or speaks for God and with his authority.

Devotional thought for today

How did Hagar feel? We will get a better picture of that tomorrow. But for now, let's think about what we're learning about God.

Firstly, he goes looking for the lost. Just like God in Genesis 3. Just like Jesus, Luke 19:10. He wants to create connection and offer support where it is most needed.

Secondly, he is personal. Notice that he uses Hagar's name. Her husband has not used her name, nor has her mistress. This is the first time her name is used in the chapter. Hagar now knows she is not nameless and insignificant, but known and loved.

Thirdly, he is corrective. He sent Hagar back to the way she came, in a direction she does not want to go. He knows what's best for her.

Fourthly, he is visionary. He tells her of wonderful blessings to come.

Which of these four aspects of the angel of the LORD connect for you the most? We see all of them in Jesus. Which passages in the New Testament come to mind when you think of these characteristics of Jesus?

Prayer point for today

Ask God to help you yearn for a better understanding of him and a deeper connection with him

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

Why I read this book

I am planning to begin a Master in theological education in April. The course leader is Marvin Oxenham. I always think it's a good idea to get to know your course leaders and lecturers before starting a course, so I looked Marvin up online and discovered he had written, "Character and virtue in theological education".

At some point I will do a full review of the book, but that will have to wait. It's not the sort of book I read quickly. Currently I'm consuming one chapter a day (19 so far). There are 40 in total.

However, I was so taken with a section from chapter 11 ("What churches want") that I thought I'd bring it to you in advance of the full review.

The heading is, "Five church models". Each of these models sees its particular emphasis as the main purpose of the church. As you read the following descriptions, ask yourself the following questions:

Let's have a brief look at a description of each model.

1. Love God and neighbour

"In this kind of church, leaders express love in all its dimensions, ranging from pastoral care to the transformation of culture." p87

The primary scripture in support of this model could be from John 13:

““A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (John 13:34–35 NAS95)

Love being "the Queen of the theological virtues", it is hard to argue with the primary nature of this model. If this is how the world will know that we are truly the followers of Jesus, then why would we want to prioritise anything above love?

2. Liberating persons and societies from oppression

"This vision embraces moral and social reform and those in leadership serve as agents of change, freeing both individuals and collectives from bondage." p87

The scripture that comes to my mind when considering this model is one Jesus himself quoted at the beginning of his mission:

“...the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVOURABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”” (Luke 4:17–21 NAS95)

If this was the vision of Jesus for his ministry, should it not also be the vision for the contemporary church? It certainly sounds like good news, and was viewed that way on the day Jesus visited the synagogue.

3. Creating and sustaining Christian identity

"For this tradition, maintaining identity is considered an urgent and important task in the midst of a quickly changing, pluralistic and syncretistic world, and the role of the minister is to revive and redefine the distinctive identity of the church." p88

Perhaps this was the kind of church model Peter had in mind when he wrote his first Epistle:

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” (1 Peter 2:9–10 NAS95)

If we do not know who we are, we cannot know our mission. If we do not protect and purify our identity, we cannot be distinctive in this world.

4. Pursuit of an evangelical mission

"Here, the church is mostly seen as an agent of salvation that rescues the world from sin through the gospel and builds the personal lives of believers according to biblical discipleship patterns." p88

When Jesus was about to depart this world, he left his followers with a command which becomes the motto for this model of church:

““All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18–20 NAS95)

Disciple-making is the activity towards which all other functions in the church are subservient. What is the point of all the other things a church can do, if people are not becoming Christians?

5. Pastoral care

"In this model, the purpose of the church is to help people find their spiritual and mental health. It is, in a way, a vocation to human fullness." p88

The strap-line for this church model could well be:

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 NAS95)

Surely Jesus does not want us simply to be saved, but to grow into all we can be as a child of God. Our connection with God needs healing, but so does much more than that. If we are to be the Church of Christ on Earth, we must become a model of what is possible with the Spirit of Christ healing us from within.

Conclusion

Many other Scriptures could be cited in support of each model.

In this brief overview of five church models I wonder what has struck you? My childhood was spent primarily in churches broadly inhabiting the third model - that of creating and sustaining Christian identity. Those of us in the church building on a Sunday knew who we were. The hymns, scripture readings, rituals and the buildings themselves set us apart from the world.

In some ways I benefited from this. I knew why I was there. I knew what was distinctive about me compared to people who did not sing those hymns, read those Scriptures, perform those rituals or enter those buildings.

In other ways the model was problematic. To those not of the Christian faith the church looked exclusivist, irrelevant and unsympathetic.

I have spent the majority of my adult Christian life inhabiting the fourth model - the pursuit of an evangelical mission.

There have been many benefits. The, "strong emphasis on practical theology and on field experiences that relate to evangelism, church planting, communication, pastoral care and discipleship" (p88) have given me many wonderful experiences of helping people to be united with God through Christ.

Sadly, as with every model, any over-emphasis on one aspect of church life has diminished the significance of other edifying and nurturing emphases. Those gifted at evangelism were too often promoted to positions of significant influence on the basis of their gifts and skills, rather than spirituality. My spiritual life suffered from a lack of attention being paid to the depth of my connection with God.

My point in producing this summary article is not to point fingers. I have led others with an imbalanced understanding of these models. For that, I apologise.

The issue may not be to attempt to denigrate one model, but to discover that which is valuable in each of them, and find a way, by the grace of God, to blend them into something which, varied as it will be according to cultural and temporal context, will best reveal our heavenly father to this world.

Your thoughts, please.

Have you read this book? If so, please let me know what you think of it. Have you read other books on church models? Please tell me what they are and in what way they have helped you.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 24

Today we move further into chapter 16

““And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done me be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. May the LORD judge between you and me.” But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.” So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.” (Genesis 16:5–6 NAS95)

What are we seeing here? The consequences of impatience.

Sarai feels wronged. The word for "wrong" can be translated "violence". It is the same word used to describe what was going on that caused the flood (Genesis 6:11,13). Hagar might be giving her former mistress a hard time, but it cannot possibly as bad as all that!

Sarai now treats Hagar "harshly", a word used to describe the experience of the Israelite slaves in Egypt (Exodus 1:12). Hagar is from Egypt (16:1). Hence, we have a frightening prefigured reversal of the oppression prophesied in Genesis 15:13.

Devotional thought for today

Some kind of combination of hurt, anger, disappointment and resentment has twisted Sarai's heart. Her behaviour is out of all proportion to her treatment. Rarely has the phrase, "be careful what you wish for" been more apt.

When we manipulate circumstances in our favour, we invite all kinds of 'demons' into our heart.

The Word biblical commentary put it this way:

"...the first scene ends in total disaster for all concerned. Hagar has lost her home, Sarai her maid, and Abram his second wife and newborn child."

Is there any area of your life at the moment where you are struggling with impatience? Here is a scripture for you to meditate on today:

“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32 NIV11)

Prayer point for today

Ask God to grant you the patience you need in the specific areas where you feel impatient.

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

Introduction

"Those who are willing to be vulnerable move among mysteries." Theodore Roethke Parsons, Rob. The Heart of Communication: How to really connect with an audience . John Murray Press. Kindle Edition.

1. Speak to individuals

"..the greatest compliment you can pay another person when you are talking with them is to look in their eyes."

2. Imagine it's a dialogue

"...an effective public speaker has to imagine the comments and questions coursing through their listeners’ minds and try to address them."

Spend some time before your talk imagining the questions people might have regarding your topic. If you're speaking on prayer, you will need to be aware of the fact that some people in the congregation will have prayed sincerely but not seen their prayers answered. What will you say if you talk about answered prayer, when you are 'hearing' the objections from those who have not seen their prayers answered?

It is wise to prepare for this, but also to remain spiritually sensitive during your lesson. The Spirit will speak to you and help you to hear what people are thinking and feeling.

"Good public speaking is a two-way conversation with the speaker playing both parts."

It's a much healthier perspective to see your talk as a conversation than a monologue.

3. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable

".. it is extremely powerful when a speaker allows an audience to see some inner part of their life; people admire you for your strengths but connect with you in your weaknesses."

Vulnerability is a valuable tool, but must be used with sensitivity. Do not use openness about your personal life to make your audience feel sorry for you. Or, even worse, intimidated by you. It will not help those in the congregation if you are the person with the best story or the worst story in the room.

Be vulnerable as a way to make your content meaningful, applicable and clearly useful in a personal sense. Your openness will create intimacy, and help people to see you as a human being, not as a "Speaker".

Some further observations

Conclusion

Questions: What in your experience helps create intimacy with an audience?

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 23

Today we start chapter 16

““Now Sarai, Abram’s wife had borne him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight.” (Genesis 16:1–4 NAS95)

What are we seeing here? The consequences of impatience. How does this play out? First of all, let's set the scene.

Abram is more in the background in chapter 16. The women take centre stage. The implication is that Abram is willing to wait, whilst Sarai is not. However, Abram agrees with his wife's plan. A plan which reminds us of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. The same Hebrew word for 'listened', 'shamar', is used in Genesis 3:17 and here. Things did not turn out well then, and they do not turn out well now.

Surrogate motherhood for rich women was not unusual in the culture of the day. However, the outcome makes it clear that God's people should not take their cues from the norms of society.

Devotional thought for today

We will tackle the theme of impatience in another podcast, but, for today, let's talk about cultural assimilation.

However distasteful we might think of it today, Sarai's solution would have made perfect sense to her friends and extended family. Surrogate motherhood and polygamy were, if not the norm, certainly not unusual.

Paul wrote about the temptation to fit in:

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1–2 NAS95)

Is there any place in your life where you're tempted to compromise? Is there any current challenge where you are tempted to cut corners to get what you feel you deserve or need?

Sarah uses Hagar to get what she wants. Hagar gets more than a pregnancy. She also gets an attitude. This will not end well.

Prayer point for today

Ask God to give you sufficient insight to notice when you're been conformed to the world, and sufficient courage to resist its gravitational pull

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 22

Today we pause for a moment before going onto the next chapter

In chapter 15 Abram is significant, but God is the focus. He is the one taking initiative, giving a vision, answering questions, dealing with doubts, giving instructions, causing Abraham to fall into a deep sleep, making the covenant and walking between the carcasses.

God is the shield, the reward, the one to bless Abraham and his descendants.

What of Abram? Commentators have pointed out that he fulfils three functions which are very significant in the history of Israel. He is priest, prophet and king.

The Word Biblical Commentary puts it like this:

"In these scenes Abram is portrayed not merely as the archetypal Israelite who has faith in God, but as a conquering king who has been promised victory over his foes and a great territory. As often noted, there are many resemblances in the form and content between the covenant with Abram and that with David (2 Samuel 7). However, the paradigmatic character of the father of the nation is also seen in the way he is viewed as a prophet enjoying a vision (v 1) of God and insight into the future (vv 13–16). Finally Abram appears as a sort of priest: the description of the bird-rite suggests it, and the mention of his sacrifices and altar-building points in the same direction. Within the OT these same features reappear in the figure of Moses, and the NT sees our Lord as prophet, priest, and king. In exercising faith, the people of the new covenant both imitate Christ and also walk in the footsteps of our forefather Abram."

Devotional thought for today

Christians today have similar identities and functions.

“[He] has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 1:6 NIV11)

Who are we?

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” (1 Peter 2:9–10 NAS95)

We are a priesthood serving our heavenly father. We are royal because we are related to the king by blood. We are profits in that we are declaring and proclaiming the will of God to the world.

How is it possible that we - weak, sinful, flesh-bound - are able to inhabit such an identity and exhibit such activities? It is because we have "received mercy".

Prayer point for today

Ask God to fill you with gratitude for his mercy, and ask him to help you to fulfil your functions as priest, prophet and royalty

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ

Introduction

God more a focus than Abram

What's going on?!

Chapter 13/14 context:

Explanation

v1

vv2-3

vv4-6

Lays out fundamental way God relates to humankind: trusting relationship. Both parties committed. Humans to do what they can. God to do what only he can.

v7

v8

vv9-11

“and he said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a calf, a bull, for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without defect, and offer them before the LORD. “Then to the sons of Israel you shall speak, saying, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both one year old, without defect, for a burnt offering,” (Leviticus 9:2–3 NAS95)

v12

“Abban (King) swore to YarimLim (vassal) The oath of the gods And cut the neck of a lamb (saying): "(May I be cursed) If I take back What I gave you." If ever in the future YarimLim sins against Abban If he lets go of the hem of Abban’s garment And takes hold of the hem Of another king’s garment He shall forfeit his cities and territories.” DJ Wiseman, ‘Abban and Alalakh’ JCS 12 (1958) 124-129vv13-16

v17-20

Discussion Section 1: God

Discussion Section 2: Abram

Conclusion

What does this mean for us?

“Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE” — in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:7–14 NAS95)Let's pray before we take bread and wine.......

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 

God bless, Malcolm