Part 4 - Genesis 21:22-34 - WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET!
I was talking with a Jewish friend at work the other day. She said "I don’t like evangelicals!" I said that it was unfortunate because I was one, and that she was working for an evangelical organisation. She said "I don’t like people trying to convert me!" I said that as I share with people about Christ in my life and live out my genuine faith in Christ that I hoped that those around me will see in me something they will also want to have in their lives. She accepted that explanation of being an evangelical. She just didn’t want to be FORCED. I can understand that. I hope she understands that I want my influence to have eternal value.
What would it look like if I were to LIVE MY LIFE in such a way that people could see the PRESENCE OF GOD in me? Abraham lived his life like this. At one point a king called Abimelech comes to him and says, "God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do." (Genesis 21:22 NLT)
2 Corinthians 8:21 (NLT) says "We are careful to be honourable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to SEE that we are honourable." What is it that people see in me that indicates the PRESENCE OF GOD?
If you had asked Abimelech about his INITIAL IMPRESSIONS of Abraham were when he first met him, he would say that he was a LIAR and lacked integrity, untrustworthy and a believer who didn’t seem to have much trust in God, someone willing to put everyone in danger to save his own neck. Proverbs 12:19-20 (NLT) says "TRUTHFUL WORDS stand the test of time, but LIES are soon exposed. DECEIT fills hearts that are plotting evil; JOY fills hearts that are planning peace!" Proverbs 11:11 (NLT) says "Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, .."
1. I want people to SEE GOD IN ME as they see how committed I am to living a life of INTEGRITY.
I really like the way there’s an HONEST EXCHANGE here. Abimelech is so HONEST with Abraham. He comes right out and says, "Swear to me in God’s name that you will NEVER DECEIVE ME, my children, or any of my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner." (Genesis 21:23 NLT) Abimelech has already been on the other end of Abraham’s deception. He wants some ASSURANCE OF ENDURANCE. He doesn’t want to be under God’s death sentence again. He also sees the benefit of connection with Abraham, a rich and powerful man. Abraham replies, "Yes, I swear to it!" (Genesis 21:24 NLT) What else could you say? This is a great way to MAKE AMENDS for being such a jerk.
2. I also hope that people see that I serve and honour God by the way I am willing to DEAL WITH CONFLICT head on. Let’s get things OUT IN THE OPEN before they cause a rift in my relationships. Abraham does this. He complains "to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants." (Genesis 21:25 NLT) Abimelech can then do something about it.
3. I also want people to see God in me through my GENEROSITY. They make a covenant, a peace treaty, a business deal, but Abraham’s generosity goes beyond just making a legal agreement (Genesis 21:27). He gives a special gift to establish their relationship even more firmly. Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) says, "The GENEROUS will prosper; those who REFRESH OTHERS will themselves be refreshed." 1 Timothy 6:17-18 (NLT) says "Teach those who are rich in this world ... to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others."
4. Abraham plants a tamarisk tree "and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God." (Genesis 21:33 NLT). God is eternal and connecting with Him has eternal consequences. John 3:36 (NLT) says "...anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life."
I want people to see God in me by the way I WORSHIP HIM. I don’t need to go around planting tamarisk trees but I do need to leave a LEGACY OF WORSHIP and look back on the times and places where God has met with me. Jesus used wine and bread once with His discipes to say, "Remember me".
God bless you Church as people see your integrity, your willingness to deal with conflict, your generosity and mostly how you acknowledge and worship our eternal God. May people know through your words and actions that God offers eternal life through Christ. Make a difference that counts for eternity today.
Pastor Ross
