Young Guns Jacob/Esau/John the Baptist

Young Guns Jacob/Esau John the Baptist

This series takes on such a cool feel to me for when you begin to talk about young leaders who are dangerous to hell, dangerous to the Devil, dangerous to everything evil and destructive that fires me up like no other.

Genesis 25:27-34 (NLT)

"As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. [28] Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. [29] One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. [30] Esau said to Jacob, "I'm starved! Give me some of that red stew!" [31] "All right," Jacob replied, "but trade me your rights as the firstborn son." [32] "Look, I'm dying of starvation!" said Esau. "What good is my birthright to me now?" [33] But Jacob said, "First you must swear that your birthright is mine." So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. [34] Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn."

• A birthright was a special honor given to the firstborn son.
• It included a double portion of the family inheritance along with the honor of one day becoming the family's leader.
• The oldest son could sell his birthright or give it away if he chose, but in so doing, he would lose both material goods and his leadership position.
• By trading his birthright, Esau showed complete disregard for the blessings that would have come his way if he had kept it.
• Esau traded the lasting benefits of his birthright for the immediate pleasure of food.
• Esau exaggerated his hunger. "I'm dying of starvation!" he said.
• The pressure of the moment distorted his perspective and made his decision seem urgent.
• He acted on impulse, satisfying his immediate desires without considering the long-range consequences.
• We can fall into the same trap.
• When we see something we want, our first impulse is to get it and we can exaggerate its importance in the moment.
• We can avoid making Esau's mistake by comparing the short-term satisfaction with the long-range consequences.
• We often experience pressures like Esau did.
• For example, when we feel sexual temptation, a purity vow, a marriage vow may seem unimportant.
• Maybe you haven't prepared for a big test and cheating seems like now the only option you got, resisting that urge builds character, cheating destroys it.
• Maybe you choose to do things feeling as if no one is looking, no one is paying a attention, no one cares.
• When I begin hearing that voice immediately I rebuke it knowing that I will know, I will see, I will experience the pain, shame and guilt of doing wrong and that it will disappoint my God.
• Perspective is everything.
• Your attitude and the way you regard life, your calling, your relationships, and others is everything.
• Getting through that short, pressure-filled moment is often the most difficult part of overcoming temptation.
• Ask God to help you see life from His perspective and to help you resist making Esau-like choices.
•  Instead of selling our birthright we need to embrace it.
• Embrace that God has called, destined, and designed you for this purpose. 
•  It's choice not chance that determines your destiny in life.
• My birthright is what God has planned for me.
• It's what He has designed, blueprinted, and planed for me.
• This is so special to me.
• This is something I will protect even if it were to cost my life, my birthright.
• My freedoms, God's exceptional purpose through me.

 

Illustrate here: Blue Prints. 

• God has constructed me in such a manner and He built everyone of us with great thought, with great design, with greatness deposited inside of each area of our lives.
• Why would I ever disregard, dismantle, or destroy that?
• I wouldn't trade that for anything this world would ever have to offer.

 
Speaking of that another Young Gun comes to mind named John the Baptist.
 
Luke 1:8-17 (NLT)
"One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. [9] As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. [10] While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. [11] While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. [12] Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. [13] But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. [14] You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, [15] for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. [16] And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. [17] He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly."

• Filled with the Holy Spirit within his mothers womb God had a plan for this Young Gun.
• While Zechariah was in the "House of God" representing and serving the people of God an angel came and spoke to him about his family.
• God is personal, His design is personal, His plan is personal, His presence is personal, His dream and mission for you is personal.

 
John 1:6,7 (NLT)
"God sent a man, John the Baptist, [7] to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony."
 

• You talk about being blueprinted, the scripture stated that "God sent a man" I love this God sent, John went.
• We need to have this mindset built into our psyche that we will hear from God, then do what He says.
• Don't make excuses, don't waste time, don't procrastinate, just execute.
• Execute His plan for us.

 
John 1:17,32-37 (NLT)
"[17] For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. [32] Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. [33] I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' [34] I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God." [35] The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. [36] As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" [37] When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus."
 

• A great leader of God will always point all to Jesus.

Next month at Youthrock: 

 

What's your price?

Intro: “Let’s make a deal.”
Illustrate here: Challenge students to do different things even crazy things for a dollar as an opener to the sermon. 

In life—the enemy will continuously try to find out your price.

• What do I mean when I say “Price?”
• The point at which you exchange (or sell out) your destiny for a lesser, more convenient calling or lifestyle.

Bible says: “Count the cost!”

Example of the wedding ring: There’s something more important than monetary value…it’s the purpose
and meaning!!

Genesis 39:2-12 “The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused, “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants were inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”


4 requirements in Resisting Temptation to sell out in your life’s journey.

1. As a Christian living life’s journey:
You must not be weakened by your situation!

• Joseph had it made!
• Economically, he was secure.
• Vocationally, he was trusted and respected.
• Personally, he was handsome and charming.
• He could have said to himself…”Do I really want to ‘Rock the Boat’ and risk losing all this?”
• You may be popular, influential and everybody’s friend—but one thing I've found out:

“If everyone likes you and you have no enemies –You probably aren't taking a stand for much of anything!”

Even Jesus has enemies!

Problem with most Christians: They never want to “Rock the boat” with their lifestyles or cause any problems in their life’s journey because they love their compromised existence too much.

Joseph said to himself… “I love my life, but my price is much higher!”

2. As a Christian living life’s journey:

• You must not be deceived by the persuasion!
• Your Tempter, temptress or the voice in your mind will say all the right things!
• “Just this once, never, never again.” (Pregnant example-drug example-drinking example-sex example-fight example)
• “All my friends get away with it.”
• “It doesn't really affect me.”
• “I’m so terribly lonely-God understands. That’s why he brought you in to my life.”
• “What’s grace all about if it won’t cover something as meaningless as this.”
• “Look, we’re gonna get married soon, why wait. What does it matter?”
• “Who will ever find out?”
• “I will still be happy.”
• “I will still go to Heaven.”
• “I can still be successful and not pay the price of purity.” 
• WRONG!

The enemy will bait you things, people, or situations that feel very right!

Don’t be deceived by the persuasion, no matter how beautiful and appealing the offer or the words may sound.

Remember that it is all a lie!

• If you believe that somehow temptations, once resisted, will vanish. YOU are deceived!
• Day after day Joseph was tempted!!

The enemy wants influential people to fail he desires our complete annihilation!

• Realize; there is no sin in the bait, the sin is in the bite!
• Sources of bait: TV, Internet, opposite sex, same sex, friends, career, sports, magazines, and coworkers.

3. As a Christian living life’s journey:

• You must not be gentle with your emotions!
• Your inner feelings will plead to take the road of least resistance and self-satisfaction!
• Your emotions are where rationalization resides.

American Heritage Dictionary- “Rationalize” – to devise reasonable, but untrue explanations. To justify one’s weakness or failures.

It is the process of telling yourself “its okay” so many times, that you actually condone or believe a lie!

• What did Joseph do? He ran!!!
• He didn’t linger in her presence!
• He didn’t take time to pray for a sign!!
• HE RAN!!

4. Finally, as a Christian living life’s journey:
You must not be confused with the immediate results!

Genesis 39:16-21 “She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the King’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in prison, the Lord was with him.”

Remember: Joseph obeyed God and was thrown into prison!

• “God may not pay on Friday, but He always pays on time.
• Realize; things may not all “line up” immediately after you obey, but in time, the payoff will come.

I Peter 2:20 “Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”


AT WHAT PRICE will you sell out?

• The enemy never offers things that won’t destroy you! 
• He will always lead you down a path of addiction.
• He will leave you in the height of your life.
• He will desert you just when you need him.
• His addictions will never run out.
• He always offers things and promises things but always delivers death.
• His promises and all his earthly things will only last a season.
• The enemy doesn’t care about your future, your family, or your agenda he just cares about your complete annihilation.
• He’s selling and you are bartering with him.
• The only thing he accepts is your surrender and your soul.

You can’t win against him alone.

You have to realize that the battle is not yours but it is the Lord’s and He always wins!


Join us next week for our series final: 

Magnify the solution

Galatians 3:23-26 (NLT)

"Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. [24] Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. [25] And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. [26] For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

1.Magnify the problem.

•      The testimony, the proof of changed lives, is in your own words.

•      Through belief in Jesus Christ.

Illustrate here: magnifying glass to show how we magnify EVERYTHING but God.

•      Our God came to us.

•                  Didn't have to.

•                  Wasn't paid to.

•                  Gave no thought for His own life, gave no demands.

•                  Gave no ultimatums, produced no stereotypes, just laid down His life to rescue mankind.

•      Hatred has many faces.

•                  It wears anger and intolerance, pride and impatience, insults and gossiping.

•                  The same seed that blossoms into murder begins with small bits of jealousy, rudeness, and neglect.

•                  The same root that makes us argue with our neighbors is what matures into war and genocide.

•                  The same lack of love that causes abuse and slavery comes from those simple, quiet, but hateful thoughts in our heads.

•                  While few of us will ever commit murder, all of us carry the seed from which it springs.

•      Peace will only rule our lives when the love of God finds a place in our hearts, our homes, and our relationships.

•                  So let us begin the process of changing hate to love.

•      We can start with a kind word or an honest apology.

•      We can start with humbleness or respect.

•                  But wherever we start, love is the medicine for our lives and the prescription for our predicaments.

•                  Talk with God.

•      Forgive my lack of love, God.

•      Help me to love others as you have loved me.

•      God remind me that love is an action, a verb, a lifestyle.

•                  Magnified problems.

•                  God my past is too bad.

•                  God my situation is too hard.

•                  My parents didn't love me enough.

•                  My parents love me too much.

•                  My situation is too different.

•                  My circumstances are just too difficult.

•                  God I prayed a prayer and it wasn't answered the way I wanted it, or thought it should be so now I'm mad at the world.

•                  I'm not talented enough.

•                  I'm too talented.

•                  He broke up with me for another girl.

•                  I'm not that smart, rich, or gifted.

•                  But my parents deserted me, but my friends forgot about me, but, but, but.

•                  When we magnify the problem, essentially we're saying with our mouth, our life, and our faith, and belief, God you're not strong enough, God you're not wise enough, you're not big enough, to handle my problem.

•      I can't trust You.

•      I refuse to trust you.

•                  I would rather handle it on my own, carry it by myself, and concoct a solution of my liking because you are incapable.

2. Magnify the solution.

Psalm 34:1-4 (NLT)

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. [2] I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. [3] Come, let us magnify the Lord's greatness; let us exalt His name together. [4] I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces."

•                  Jesus Christ is the solution, magnify Him!

•      He is our reason, magnify Him.

•      He is the creator, magnify Him.

•      He is the forgiver, the fire baptizer, the rescuer, magnify Him.

•                  Magnify His soon return and encourage each other with these words.

•      Magnify His greatness, magnify His power over death, hell, and the grave.

•      Magnify His blessings over your life, and His mercy over your soul.

•      Magnify His forgiving, rescuing work in mankind.

•      Magnify His life, His miracles, His love.

•                  Magnify Him instead of your problems, your lack, your situation and circumstances.

Illustrate here: Cardboard testimonies begin. (Live music with Alec, Marissa)

Stacy to finalize the cardboard testimonies with reading hers.

Altar: Pastor Mike

•      God let us magnify You above all things, magnify You above all problems, above all sickness, above all lack, above all inabilities, above all powers, above all authority, above all talents, above all sin, above all death, above all enemies, God we magnify you, we focus on You.

•                  God You are greater.

•                  God You are wiser.

•                  God nothing is too big for you, nothing is too hard for You.

•                  God You gave Your life in exchange for mine.

•                  God You offer eternal life to mankind.

•                  God You heal sickness.

•                  You restore.

•                  You redeem.

•                  You rescue.

•                  You give, you fill, you overflow.

•                  Resources are nothing to You.

•                  Problems are solved by You.

•      I magnify You.

Joshua 3:5,7 (NLT)

"Then Joshua told the people, "Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you." [7] The Lord told Joshua, "Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses."

Live Second

We are asking that you each buy the book Live Second-365 ways to make Jesus first by Doug Bender. It will be a daily reader for the year of 2013.

• Yes we are asking that you invest in your God relationship with money, time, education, energy and prayer.

Genesis 1:27 (NLT) "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them."

• We look like God.
• We resemble the Creator of the universe.
• When we ignore the hurting, oppose the neglected, and forget the unwanted, we are not just sinning against some vague moral code; we insult God’s masterpiece—the one thing on this planet, and perhaps the universe, made to look like Him.
• Violence, prejudice, selfishness, hateful language, they stain the canvasses painted to reflect God.
• We honor a few, our favorites.
• We construct museums for the art worlds greats, Halls of Fame for our athlete superstars.
• But what have we done for everyone else?
• What have we done for the artwork living next door or sitting in the adjacent cubicle?
• Have we looked the beggar on the street corner in his eyes and treated him with the respect he deserves?
• Do we see the thousands of people around us each day and stand in awe at God’s creation?
• We must choose to be passionate after God despite circumstances, despite what others do, despite what others think, feel, or criticize me into thinking.
• Living out our belief in Jesus Christ, living out our trust in His eternal love and promise for mankind.
• Stay determined this year not to back down, not to quit, not to get cold, indifferent, ashamed, or fearful of being a Christian.
• Live second by allowing God to guide, allowing God to speak, allowing God to love and live through you.

Live second-a demonstration.

Daniel 6:3-4,10-11,26-27 (NLT)
"Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel's great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. [4] Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn't find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. [10] But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. [11] Then the officials went together to Daniel's house and found him praying and asking for God's help. [26] "I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. [27] He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

• Daniel stood alone.
• Although he knew about the law against praying to anyone except the king, he continued to pray three times a day as he always had.
• Daniel had a disciplined prayer life.
• Your prayer life is to show God, yourself, and the world about your strong, undeniable, unbreakable belief in and love for Him.
• It shows who's first in your life.
• Daniel lived second.
• Second to others, second to his calling, second to his passion, second to his friends, enemies, relatives, & neighbors.
• Second to his leaders, second to his mission, second to his God.
• The world needs to hear about hope, peace, life.
• That's the kind of presence we need to be in the life of others, everywhere we go, and in everything we do.
• It's imperative that we hear what God is speaking to us, the world lives without it, the church, Christianity, and Christians can not.

Acts 10:42-43 (NLT) "And He ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all-the living and the dead. [43] He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name.

• Preach and testify.
• Testify-Serve as evidence or proof of something's existence.
• I am to testify that Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus was virgin born, that Jesus came to save people from their sins, and that Jesus is coming back for the church in the rapture.
• I am to testify to people, I am to the world what God has done in me to declare to the world that God still exists, God still forgives, and that God still embodies hope and love.
• Living second is living out that existence.
• God created humanity to be kind, wise, and good rulers of the earth, to love our neighbors and our God. 
• But too often we hurt rather than heal.
• We create disunity and strife rather than love and goodness.
• We use our mouths to gossip rather than defend or encourage.
• We spend our thoughts on vengeance and greed instead of forgiveness and contentment.
• But how would our lives and even our world change if God were First, if we thought of his love before we swung our fists, waged our wars, or sought our glory, wealth, and comfort?
• How would our lives change if the concerns of others and the will of God came before our own?

Prayers:

God, teach me to make you my first thought and your love my highest concern.

God, so often I forget the love and passion you poured into making my neighbors and coworkers, my friends and even my enemies. Help me see them and love them the same way you do.

God show me how to love like you love, forgive as you forgive and teach me to live second to the world.