Too Little, Too Late Genesis 28:1-9

Introduction Ups and downs in Esau’s life –Oldest of Isaac’s twins –Very different from Jacob Serious mistake –Sold his birthright (Genesis 25:27-34) –Precious right belonging to the eldest

Shortsighted Did not look ahead –I–In doing other things as well –A–All he saw was a bowl of stew –I–In marrying, just what he wanted then –I–In losing his blessing, only hatred

Us today –See only the here and now –Need to see as Jesus did (Hebrews 12:1, 2) –Look to the end (2 Peter 3:11-14) –Don’t look back (Luke 9:62)

Shortsighted Avoid shortsightedness –Captain of the Titanic refused to believe the ship was in trouble until water was ankle deep in the mailroom –Grow spiritually (2 Peter 1:5-9) –Result: “Too little, too late”

Thoughtless Didn’t think about what he was doing –In selling his birthright –In marrying an ungodly, unbeliever –When filled with hatred toward Jacob and vowed to murder him

Thoughtless We can be the same –If we think like a child (1 Corinthians 13:11) –If we think only of self (Romans 12:3) –Need to concentrate on heavenly things (Colossians 3:2, 19)

Thoughtless Plan ahead –Recall the plaque –Wasn’t raining when ark was built –Control our thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8) –Henry Ford’s comment on thinking

Henry Ford “Thinking is the hardest work there is which is the probable reason why so few engage in it.” (1929)

Careless He didn’t care –Cost him dearly –Didn’t consider the value –Didn’t care about what others wanted for him –Didn’t care about the proper love toward others

Careless Ways of being careless –“Do it my way,” not the Lord’s (Deuteronomy 15:4, 5) –Seeking a good time instead of good works (Titus 3:8) –No care for others (1 Corinthians 12:25) –Cares of this world only (Luke 8:14)

Careless Tragic consequences –Denied the blessing (Hebrews 12:17) –Careful later on –Ben Franklin’s statement

Ben Franklin “For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost; and for want of a horse, the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy; and for want of care about a horseshoe nail.”

Careless Tragic consequences –Denied the blessing (Hebrews 12:17) –Careful later on –Ben Franklin’s statement –Result: “Too little, too late”

Conclusion Act before it is too late Otherwise, it will be “too little, too late”