WE MUST LEARN HOW TO RESPOND TO GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY. (Genesis 25:1-18, Hebrews 11:8-19)
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SERMON NOTES:
Responding to God’s Sovereignty
Genesis 25:1-18, Hebrews 11:8-19
We must learn how to respond to God’s Sovereignty.
God chose Isaac to receive Abraham’s inheritance. (Genesis 25:1-6)
God chose Isaac to receive Abraham’s covenantal blessings. (Genesis 25:7-11)
God chose Ishmael to receive a lesser blessing. (Genesis 25:12-18)
How should we respond to God’s sovereignty?
- Submit to God’s authority. (Hebrews 11:8)
- Endure as an outsider. (Hebrews 11:9)
- Anticipate our homecoming. (Hebrews 11:10-16)
- Trust no matter what.(Hebrews 11:17-19)
study questions:
For the Next Lesson - Genesis 25:1-18
1. Warm-up. What helps you to feel close to God? A place, a practice, a passage, a promise, a person? Do you return to this often to help you feel close to God? Why or why not?
2. Read verses 1-6. Is Keturah a wife or a concubine, and what is the difference (see also 1 Chronicles 1:32)? Why is it important for us to know that Abraham had these other sons? Think about what Abraham did with these sons in vs. 6, and what God promised and instructed regarding Isaac in Genesis 17:15-19.
3. Read verses 7-11. Who buried Abraham, and where was he buried? What did God do to/for Isaac in verse 11? Why is it important for us to know what God did for Isaac above and beyond what God did for Isaac’s brothers (Consider again Genesis 17:15-19)? What did Isaac do to deserve this? How does God treat us similarly to how he treats Isaac (see Galatians 4:28-5:1)? Read Ephesians 1:3-6. What did we do to deserve or earn God’s favor, forgiveness and grace? Why is this important for us to understand? How does this make you feel? Why do you think Isaac settled in Beer-lahai-roi (consider the meaning of the name and the circumstances of its naming in Genesis 16:13-14)?
4. Read verses 12-18. What happened to the descendants of Ishmael? Why is it important to note that “twelve princes” were born to Ishmael (see Genesis 17:20)? Why is the last line of verse 18 important (see Genesis 16:12)? So, did God keep his promises regarding Ishmael? Why is this important to note when thinking about God’s promises to Isaac and to us as Christians?
5. So what. What have you been reminded about God from this passage that encourages you? What have you been reminded about God’s disposition and attitude toward you that encourages you? What is one thing you can do that will help you to grow closer to God?