Encouragement, Enlargement, Esau, Expensive talk (tongue)

 

ESAU’S LIFE- GOD’S PLAN:- Gen 25-28

 

God’s predestined plan & Esau’s actions- both moulded.

Gen 25:23- the Lord said – the elder shall serve the younger

-         despised his birthright for the momentary satisfaction

-         led to a chain of negative events

-         missed his father’s blessing, sorrow-filled, bitter

-         hatred filled man- the philosophy of the world

 

* Esau- a physically hardworking- strong man- appetite- from the father’s nature-(Isaac)

                  

* Man’s responsibility to guard what God has entrusted to him. But the ultimate fruit or reward rest with God.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT:- Barnabas  (Ac 4:36)

 

  1. Everyone needs encouragement:- we’re relational beings
  2. All believers are called to be encouragers- I Thess 5:11; 4:18
  3. God directly or indirectly is the encourager
  4. The Bible is the source book for encouragement- Rom 15:4
  5. You can experience encouragement in adversity. Real, godly encouragement leads to transformation.
  6. The Christian community is designed by God to be an encouraging community.

 

 

EXPENSIVE TALK- TONGUE :- James 3:1-12

 

-         Words have meanings and meanings have power for good or evil

-         Three aspects of the tongue that makes it dangerous

    1. The power of the tongue:- a powerful instrument.

Pr. 18:21- death & life are in the power of the tongue

Pr 21:23- keepeth his soul from troubles

 

    1. The perils of the tongue:-  irritating Pr 15:1; irreverent  Mal 3:13

i.e  slander, gossip, insult, curses, malign, hatred.

 

    1. The perversity  of the tongue:- Mat 15:11- that comes out defiles/

                                                       I Pe 3:10- reproves

We must yield control of our tongue to the Lord Jesus for it is only by the power of His Spirit- that our tongue can be harnessed for good.

Changeless:- Mat 5:37; seasoned:- Col 4:6; In love:- Eph 4:15; delightful:- Pr 15:23; Sweet & health:- Pr 16:24; Divine/ appropriate:- Pr 25:11; comforting:- Isa 50:4

 

ENLARGEMENT-(Growth & prosperity promised) :- Isiah 54:1-4

 

  1. The steps of your feet:- 2 Sa 22:37- stability, standing
  2. The place of your tent:- Isa 54:2- service
  3. The understanding of your heart:- I Kings 4:29- relating
  4. The Extent (area) of your coast:- I Chron 4:10 – outward
  5. The dimensions of your growth:- Eph 3:17-19