I. EXORDIUM:
Do you want to be prosperous, successful and victorious in everything in your life? Copy Abram's attitude
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To display Abram's inner attitude of prosperity and benefit from it.
IV. TEXT:
Genesis 14:23 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’
V. THESIS:
Enumerate Abram's attitudes of prosperity, develop and make it a habit for ourselves.
VI. TITLE:
Abram's Attitude of Prosperity
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Moses
B. Time: Uncertain
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Abram's attitude of Prosperity:
1. Decide for yourself that GOD is the Provider and no one else. (Genesis 22:14)
Genesis 22:14 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
a. Decide and conclude for yourself that GOD is the Provider not your job, overtime, your wisdom, your latest project from your richest customer, your abilities or inabilities, but only GOD is the Provider, our Jehovah Jireh.
"...that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you."
2. Start with little things in your life. (Proverbs 24:33,Matthew 25:14-30 )
"single thread or sandal thong"
Proverbs 24:33 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
Matthew 25:14-30 (New International Version)
"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.
To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.
So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.
But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
"'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
a. Don't ignore little things in your life, remember the lazy sleeps little, slumbers, little folding, and poverty comes like a thief to them. Don't belittle little things, these are the things that make you poor.
b. The one who has been trustworthy of little received much from the LORD.
3. Consider what people may say even at your back (1 Thessalonians 4:12,Colossians 4:5, 1 Timothy 3:7)
"Otherwise you might say,"
1 Thessalonians 4:12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
Colossians 4:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
1 Timothy 3:7 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
a. The name we're carrying is very important to us, because we're carrying the name of CHRIST, even unbelievers have to say good about us, even if they don't join our church. (Acts 5:13)
Acts 5:13 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them.
It's the world's thought that says, "I don't care even if I'm homosexual because I'm not hurting anyone even if I live immoral, perverted life." I'm only hurting myself not anyone." but in fact.. you're hurting GOD..
4. Show people that GOD made you wealthy not men. (Genesis 24:35, Ecclesiastes 2:26)
"Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ "
Abram was thinking "Genesis 22:8 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. "
Genesis 24:35 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
“And the Lord has greatly blessed my master; he has become a wealthy man. The Lord has given him flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, a fortune in silver and gold, and many male and female servants and camels and donkeys.
Ecclesiastes 2:26 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Go for Abram, eliminate Lot in our lives.
