Knowing And Listening To God's Voice

SERMON

BY BRO. SETH A. ARYEE

LOCAL PREACHER, BETHANY METHODIST CHURCH, DZORWULU, ACCRA-GHANA

THEME: KNOWING AND LISTENING TO GOD’S VOICE

GENESIS 22: 1-14

TEXT: “AND ABRAHAM CALLED THE NAME OF THAT PLACE JEHOVAH JIREH" - GENESIS 22:14

This evening, I want us to examine the faith Abraham had in the Lord to yield to God’s command to sacrifice his only son. How did he get such tremendous faith? The Scriptures confirms in 1 John 5:4: "For whatever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith"

The very first war that ever recorded in the Scriptures is recounted in Genesis 14. The invaders were four kings. The invaded were the kings of five cities that lay near together in the plain of Jordan - Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zebolim, and Zoar

These five kings had revolted against the government of Chedorlasmer (King of Elam) after serving him and paying tribute to him for twelve years. They little enjoyed the fruits of their own land and there was nothing they could call their own; rather, a foreign power took possession of the good of their land

In the thirteenth year, beginning to be weary of their continued subjection to a foreign power, they objected; in fact, the rebelled, refused to pay the tribute and made efforts to shake off the yoke of slavery and retrieve their lost sovereignty and past glory and liberty

In consequence, Chedorlaomer recognised the predicament, which he faced - the denial of payment of tribute would bring down his government financially and materially. In the fourteenth year, in connection with his allies - Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar, and Tidal, king of nations - set himself to quell down the rebellion and the rebels

They invaded Canaan, fought with and routed the forces of the kings of the five cities, laid the neighbouring countries waste and enriched themselves with the spoils of the war - gold, silver, animals and people including Lot, the nephew of Abram as a captive. Many an honest man fares the worse for his wicked neighbours. It is, therefore, our wisdom to separate ourselves

In like manner, those who serve under the banner of the devil would one day stand up against him for their freedom. When you have been saved, when you are right with God, when you have resounding victory over the devil and robbed the devil of his spoils, he will definitely attack us

The king of Sodom and his allies revolted in their own strength; that is the reason why they were defeated in battle. But when you go in the strength of the Lord and under the banner of the Lord, "a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shall thou behold and see the reward of the wicked" (Psalm 91:7,8).

It is the Lord who fights our battles. The Scriptures confirm this: "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident" (Psalm 27:3)

Even in our Christian life, we may be serving the devil by our attitude and compromise to the worldly standards. The world represents darkness, loneliness, poverty and distress. The devil glories to see the children of God in this state of despair.

When you come to the realisation, like the prodigal son, and say: "I will arise and go to my father . . ." the devil will not leave you alone. He will continue to impress upon you that the old nature is better than the newfound freedom. The need for you to stand firm in the Lord cannot be overemphasised

When we go out of the way of our duty we put ourselves from the arm and protection of the Lord and should not expect that the choices we make by our lusts should issue to our comfort

When Abram heard of the capture of Lot, he armed his trained servants - 318 in number - who were considered and treated as members of the family, and waged war against the confederates of the victorious soldiery. It required both considerable courage and address in Abram to lead him to attack the victorious armies of these four kings with so small a number of troops. His affection for Lot appears to have his chief motive; and Abram risked his life to save him.

Lot had lately chosen the best part of the land and left his uncle to live as he might, on what he did not think worthy his own acceptance. The invaders did not only capture Lot but they took his goods which he selfishly took from Abram