Sermon Central
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12 Christians With No Inheritance
Contributed by Antonio Silveira on Nov 23, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: After the death of Sarah Abraham took Keturah as his wife. Isaac received the promise and the inheritance of Abraham. From this wife Abraham had 6 children and 7 grand children. We will try to understand that the meanings of their names represent sins o
Galatians 3:9,29 - We are spiritual descendants of Abraham
After the death of Sarah Abraham took Keturah as his wife. Isaac received the promise and the inheritance of Abraham. From this wife Abraham had 6 children and 7 grand children.
The meanings of their names represent sins of the church.
Keturah means incense. According to Arab tradition she died close to Mecca.
1 Abraham married another wife, whose name was Keturah.
2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurim, the Letushim, and the Leummim.
4 The descendants of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All of these were descendants of Keturah.
5 Abraham deeded everything that he owned to his son Isaac.
6 To his sons by concubinage, however, he made grants while he was still living, as he sent them away eastward, to the land of Kedem, away from his son Isaac.
THE 13 DESCENDENTS OF KETURAH
SONS GRAND SONS MEANING OF THEIR NAMES
Zimran Celebrated– but didn’t leave descendents
Jokshan Flesh used for bait
SHEBAH Promises made to God
DEDAN Low
MEDAN Judgmental
MIDIAN Challenger that makes judgments
EPHA Obscure
EPHER Deer –one who jumps
HANOCH Dedicated *(only good name)
ABIDA Father of knowledge – knows everything
ELDAAH God Called me
ISBHAK I’m leaving
SHUAH Depressed
The names of these 13 descendants are all bad with the exception of one. This is a direct opposite of the spiritual descendants of Jesus. The 12 apostles of the Lord where in essence all good with the exception of Judas.
6 Children – Number six in the Bible represents the flesh, these six children where Abraham’s kids but had no part in his inheritance.
7 Grandchildren – Number seven in the Bible represents perfection or establishing. The fact that they where seven children demonstrates that their families were established and that they prevailed as a people.
Zimran - Celebrated– but didn’t leave descendents
Many Christians are like this; they accept and celebrate people around them but don’t leave spiritual descendants. Even if you don’t bring people to Christ you should take care of those that come to Church. We must be fruitful by sharing the gospel and bringing new people to the Lord.
Jokshan - Flesh used for bait
People would put meat in traps in order to capture a prey. Some people in church don’t understand we are called to be holy and they may cause others to fall into a trap. How many of us fell into the bait of Satan? Jesus said that we have to crucify our flesh in order to be disciples. If we walk in the flesh we may cause others to fall.
SHEBAH - Promises made to God
Some Christians will promise things to God and they quickly forget them. They promise giving their tithes and then they decide to keep it, they promise they will quit drinking but soon they forget. Be careful of what you commit doing for the Lord because He will hold you accountable for your own words,
DEDAN – Low
How many times we see Christians having bad attitudes and low standards. We need to raise to the full measure of Christ!
MEDAN – Judgmental
Our role is church is to love one another and to respect each other.
2 Peter 2:3,10
MIDIAN - Challenger that makes judgments
The Midianites were enemies of God’s people. They practiced sexual immorality and destroyed the harvests of Israel. They hired a prophet named Balaham to curse Israel. Some people today try to judge, criticize and by doing so cause new Christians to backslide by their bad attitudes. They challenge the Pastors, talk bad about deacons and board members and cause many to stumble.
2 Peter 2:14-17 gives a warning about those who fall into the ways of Balaham.
The 5 Children of Midian are mentioned as descendants of Ketura because they where probably raised by her.
EPHA – Obscure
Some Christians do things in darkness but we are called to live in the Light.
EFER – DEER – One who jumps
This is typical of Christians that are always jumping from one place to another. Sometimes is not from Church to Church, but they are always going from place to place without finding any peace in what they do.
HANOCH - Dedicated *(only good name)
Finally a good name! This is the same root name as Enoch, the only man in the Bible that didn’t die but was taken *(raptured) by the Lord.
ABIDA - Father of knowledge – knows everything
Have you ever met someone that knows everything? We will always come across people that think they know all things. The Bible tell us to be humble and not to desire knowing more than what we should.
