Studies

Genesis 23

Thank you for serving today - I know it has been a busy weekend with graduations, birthdays and weddings
At Elisha's graduation - Mark Stephenson - knew 13 seniors graduating

Reading the Bible a chapter or less at a time / read bible in a year before
 

Communion

Genesis 23:1-16 - Recap
Today people can actually send their loved one back to their home county - not back then
Nothing reveals our hearts like pain, suffering, and challenging situations

v6 - Listen, my lord, you are an honored prince
A. Consistant - Abraham's reputation was above reproach.
Maybe is was the test with his son Isaac or something else
Those who invest their time and money in serving God often earn a good return on their investment - a good reputation and the respect of others.

What kind of reputation do I have at work, at home, and at church? What do others say about me? How has that helped or hindered me?

B. Humble request
After calling him a prince (v6) and lord (v6,11,15), did not let it get to his head.
Bowed low v7 and v12 before everyone

C. Faith - He had great faith - He waited on God to fulfill his promise.
Just went through being tested about Isaac
Unlike Jesus' disciples, Abraham did not have a battle plan on how He would take the land. - Matthew 26:52

Do I become impatient in waiting for God's promises? Do I try to fulfill God's promises for him?

Contribution

Genesis 23:14-16 - first ever bibical transaction

v15 - Land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends?
He simply paid the initial price even after refusing the land as a gift. He was not trying to take anything he didn’t deserve. Even though God had promised the land to Abraham, he was did come with a attitude that he owned the place. Instead, he waited for God's timing and will to fulfill his promise. Like David, he did not want to take what was someone else's and give it the Lord.

v16 - He was in front of the elders of the land to witness this as a legit transaction.
No one could say Abraham stole and cheated someone in this first recorded real estate transaction.

Do we avoid giving when it really costs us something?