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Sermon #27: THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD

  “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand …” Exodus 3: 19-20 I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him,” God said to Moses. I rephrase this statement as follows: “I know that the devil will not leave you alone unless a mighty hand compels him.” That sounds totally true. Satan has to be compelled to leave you alone, to let you go. He will never willingly let you go. This goes to show the determination that Satan has when it comes to constraining the children of God; he wants to keep them in bondage forever. Christians, therefore, need to be more determined than the devil to free themselves from his shackles. Unfortunately, a number of Christians are too lukewarm or absent-minded to even think of getting their freedom; such Christians, therefore, remain under Satan’s bondage in various areas of their lives. The devil is determined to bind you forever. If the devil i...
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Sermon #21: SELLING YOUR BIRTHRIGHT

 

“But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.” Genesis 25:33-34

I always encourage Christians by telling them that they live in an excellent place. I tell them so because that’s a fact. Christians are in Christ, glory to God! That’s the excellent place in which we live. Being in Christ is a treasure beyond measure!

So, it is important for every Christian to value the grace placed on them. We were bought not with perishable things but with the blood of Him who saved us. It was by great sacrifice that we now can relate to God in a father-child kind of relationship.

Yet I see many Christians who appear absent-minded, who live like their salvation is an ordinary thing. It breaks my heart!

When I read the opening Bible verses I see one thing – a compromise of unimaginable proportions. I think that’s the undoing of a number of Christians – compromise, a devaluing of the finished work of Christ. Each time they compromise, they go a rung lower in their fellowship with Him who loved and still loves them.

There are various reasons why Christians compromise. Here are a few examples:

  • They are disinterested Christians. Their focus is largely elsewhere;
  • They seek the praise of people, to be considered ‘good’ by family and friends, so they 'cooperate';
  • They are attracted by worldly things more    than they are attracted by godly things;
  • They are greedy for unjust gain;
  • They are vindictive;
  • They lack perseverance; they buckle whenever they face challenges;
  • They belittle the power of God to rescue them.
There definitely are many other reasons why Christians compromise, but whatever they are, the Christian simply does themselves a disservice each time they compromise.

Did Esau ever regret selling his birthright? Certainly! It became a major source of worry maybe for the rest of his life. “How could I be so stupid?” I imagine Esau wondering to himself.

Never sell your birthright. Instead, guard it with all diligence.

Never compromise your Christian values. Each time you do, you slide a rung downwards.

May the good Lord keep you on the narrow path, leading to the narrow gate.

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