What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Fruits of Faith Tales of Two Sons Concerning Birthrights 1

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NASB) 5  Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6  and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7  and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Fruits of Faith Moral excellence – goodness Natural fruit of faith where you become increasingly like the one you follow Unselfishness of Genesis 13 God is always the source of victory – Genesis 14. Nothing of God’s is for personal gain – Genesis 14. 2

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Fruits of Faith Knowing God – knowledge Not a worldly knowledge, but a knowledge of God and His Divine Nature to be sought after Special revelations to Abraham – God’s Word Self-control Submission to the Sovereign Will of God Destruction of Sodom – Genesis 18, 19 Near sacrifice of Isaac – Genesis 22 3

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Fruits of Faith Sustained obedience Continuous, lifelong obedience without delay Perseverance – Genesis 12, 22 Godliness – God likeness Only comes from spending time with God Abraham constantly built altars. Abraham had a constant sense of God’s presence in his life. 4

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Fruits of Faith Brotherly kindness – family love Nephew Lot’s journey and rescue Ishmael might live under the blessing. Death of Sarah Love – self-sacrificing love Giving all for others Sacrifice of Isaac – Genesis 22 5

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Tales of Two Sons Toledoth – generations or “account” Abraham Ishmael has a physical blessing. Isaac has a physical and spiritual blessing. Isaac Esau has a physical blessing. Jacob has a physical and spiritual blessing. 6

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Tales of Two Sons Romans 9:6-13 explains this. 7

Romans 9:6-13 (NASB) 6  But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7  nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be named.” 8  That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.  9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”

10  And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11  for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12  it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.”  13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Tales of Two Sons Romans 9:6-13 explains this. God chose Abraham apart from any merit on his part. Abraham had many sons of which only one passed on “the promise.” God even chose between twin sons. 7

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Tales of Two Sons All about Grace Adam and Eve – the promise in Gen. 3:15 Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. World goes to pot and Abraham is called. Isaac by grace and grace alone Jacob is chosen over Esau by grace. Salvation depends on nothing with us and only with God! 8

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Tales of Two Sons Practical results of Grace No boasting on our part – faith is a gift! Encourages love and thankfulness for God Encourages evangelism – 1 Corinthians 1:21 9

1 Corinthians 1:21 (NASB) 21  For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Tales of Two Sons Practical results of Grace No boasting on our part – faith is a gift! Encourages love and thankfulness for God Encourages evangelism – 1 Corinthians 1:21 God uses us for others’ salvation process. But God ultimately does all the work! 9

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Concerning Birthrights What good is the birthright? Double portion of the material blessing Spiritual blessing and leadership of family Esau throws his birthright away. He ate, drank, and left. Spiritual matters slid. Not a heathen nor born of a slave woman A godly heritage, yet despised his birthright 10

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Concerning Birthrights Are you forfeiting your birthright? The benefits of Jesus’ death The benefits of God’s Word The benefits of Gospel preaching The benefits of the ministry of the Church The benefits of leisure 11

What’s Your Epitaph? Genesis 25 Application What is going to be your epitaph? Do you really understand Grace? Are you choosing the savory food of the world or the spiritual permanence of Christ? 12