Post by Les Brewer on Aug 6, 2012 13:41:21 GMT
John Wolf
Calvary's Cross Ministries
Preaching Christ Crucified
From the Pastor's desk....
Good morning in the name above every name,Jesus Christ.
A Bride for Isaac,
A Bride for Christ.
Genesis 24
The story of the un-named servant of Abraham,in chapter twenty-four of Genesis,that he sent to fetch a bride for his son Isaac,is a rather lengthy story.Please read it when you have time.I would just like to make a point or two about the story,in regards to a bride for Christ.
As most of us know and understand,the Old Testament is full of shadows,types and allegories,concerning the coming of the Promised One,Jesus Christ.The story of the bride for Isaac,is no different.Just a short recap of the previous chapters,is in order.
Isaac was born to Abraham from the promise of God that he would have a son.Sarah and Abraham attempted to help God's plan out for them by having a son through Hagar.This was not God's way of course and it failed.Just this story alone should be a lesson to all of us,that when God promises something to us,we need to stay out of His way and let Him do what He does best,and work the promise out in our lives.When the time is right for a fulfillment of the promise,God will bring it to pass.
Fourteen years after the birth of Ishmael,came the fulfillment of the promise of the birth of Isaac.I would hope that I could have the patience that Abraham and Sarah had in waiting this long.Nevertheless,Isaac was born to them in their old age,which was also a miraculous work,their bodies being as good as dead,the Bible says (Heb.11:11-12) in regards to procreating.
Abraham was commanded of God to go and offer up Isaac,his son,his one and only son (Gen.22:2),which is another type given to illustrate God sending His Only Begotten Son,Jesus Christ to offer Himself on the Cross for us.God does not and never will require us to offer up human sacrifice.He did,however,expect Abraham's full and unconditional obedience to His command to offer Isaac,and stopped him just short of actually cutting his throat.This is an illustration of how we should obey God when He gives us a command.Now comes the time for Isaac to receive his bride.
The un-named servant,which I believe is a type of the Holy Spirit,was sent to search out a bride for Isaac.Isaac being a type of the Church,God has sent the Spirit (the un-named servant) of His Son into the world to search out a bride for His Son,Jesus Christ.It is the work of the Spirit of God to search men's hearts,and to find those who desire God more than anything else.
One of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit is to bring conviction into the hearts of those who are looking to fill the God-shaped hole in their hearts,that only God can fill.Jesus said,"when He,the Spirit of truth has come,will convict the world of sin,righteousness and of judgement".God is calling out a bride for His Son in these last days just before He sends Him back to take His Bride,the Church,out of this world.When you lay your head on your pillow at night and you begin to go over the events of the day,and that still small voice is speaking to you about your life and the things you need to change,don't ignore that voice,that's the Holy Spirit calling you to come to Christ and make things right with you and Him.He (the Spirit) is looking for a Bride for the Son of God.God does not condemn,He convicts,therein is the difference.The Scriptures teach that God loves you just the way you are,but He won't leave you like you are.God shows mercy to those who will turn to Him in faith,and realize and then confess to Him,that they are sinners who have broken everyone of the 10 Commandments,at some point.There is something liberating that takes place,when we,with godly sorrow,agree with what God already knows,that we have offended Him.It seems more people are concerned about not offending men,than they are about offending God.We can not ever hope to please all men.But with faith toward God we can always please Him (Heb.11:6).
The next step in the process,is to accept the invitation,as Rebecca did,to become the Bride that God is looking for,for His Son.The way in which we do this ,is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior,and invite Him into your heart to love and cherish,just as any bride would do for her husband.
Don't you want to be a part of the wedding party by becoming part of the Bridal party? The only thing necessary to be a part is to surrender your will to the will of God and say yes,I want to be saved."For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.".....I encourage you to consider the offer of eternal life...and make the right choice!....God bless you all,in Christ,J.W.
Calvary's Cross Ministries
Preaching Christ Crucified
From the Pastor's desk....
Good morning in the name above every name,Jesus Christ.
A Bride for Isaac,
A Bride for Christ.
Genesis 24
The story of the un-named servant of Abraham,in chapter twenty-four of Genesis,that he sent to fetch a bride for his son Isaac,is a rather lengthy story.Please read it when you have time.I would just like to make a point or two about the story,in regards to a bride for Christ.
As most of us know and understand,the Old Testament is full of shadows,types and allegories,concerning the coming of the Promised One,Jesus Christ.The story of the bride for Isaac,is no different.Just a short recap of the previous chapters,is in order.
Isaac was born to Abraham from the promise of God that he would have a son.Sarah and Abraham attempted to help God's plan out for them by having a son through Hagar.This was not God's way of course and it failed.Just this story alone should be a lesson to all of us,that when God promises something to us,we need to stay out of His way and let Him do what He does best,and work the promise out in our lives.When the time is right for a fulfillment of the promise,God will bring it to pass.
Fourteen years after the birth of Ishmael,came the fulfillment of the promise of the birth of Isaac.I would hope that I could have the patience that Abraham and Sarah had in waiting this long.Nevertheless,Isaac was born to them in their old age,which was also a miraculous work,their bodies being as good as dead,the Bible says (Heb.11:11-12) in regards to procreating.
Abraham was commanded of God to go and offer up Isaac,his son,his one and only son (Gen.22:2),which is another type given to illustrate God sending His Only Begotten Son,Jesus Christ to offer Himself on the Cross for us.God does not and never will require us to offer up human sacrifice.He did,however,expect Abraham's full and unconditional obedience to His command to offer Isaac,and stopped him just short of actually cutting his throat.This is an illustration of how we should obey God when He gives us a command.Now comes the time for Isaac to receive his bride.
The un-named servant,which I believe is a type of the Holy Spirit,was sent to search out a bride for Isaac.Isaac being a type of the Church,God has sent the Spirit (the un-named servant) of His Son into the world to search out a bride for His Son,Jesus Christ.It is the work of the Spirit of God to search men's hearts,and to find those who desire God more than anything else.
One of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit is to bring conviction into the hearts of those who are looking to fill the God-shaped hole in their hearts,that only God can fill.Jesus said,"when He,the Spirit of truth has come,will convict the world of sin,righteousness and of judgement".God is calling out a bride for His Son in these last days just before He sends Him back to take His Bride,the Church,out of this world.When you lay your head on your pillow at night and you begin to go over the events of the day,and that still small voice is speaking to you about your life and the things you need to change,don't ignore that voice,that's the Holy Spirit calling you to come to Christ and make things right with you and Him.He (the Spirit) is looking for a Bride for the Son of God.God does not condemn,He convicts,therein is the difference.The Scriptures teach that God loves you just the way you are,but He won't leave you like you are.God shows mercy to those who will turn to Him in faith,and realize and then confess to Him,that they are sinners who have broken everyone of the 10 Commandments,at some point.There is something liberating that takes place,when we,with godly sorrow,agree with what God already knows,that we have offended Him.It seems more people are concerned about not offending men,than they are about offending God.We can not ever hope to please all men.But with faith toward God we can always please Him (Heb.11:6).
The next step in the process,is to accept the invitation,as Rebecca did,to become the Bride that God is looking for,for His Son.The way in which we do this ,is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior,and invite Him into your heart to love and cherish,just as any bride would do for her husband.
Don't you want to be a part of the wedding party by becoming part of the Bridal party? The only thing necessary to be a part is to surrender your will to the will of God and say yes,I want to be saved."For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.".....I encourage you to consider the offer of eternal life...and make the right choice!....God bless you all,in Christ,J.W.
