Encouragement, Enlargement, Esau, Esteeming others better, Exhortation, Expensive talk (tongue)

 

ESAU’S LIFE- GOD’S PLAN:- Gen 25-28

God’s predestined plan & Esau’s actions- both moulded.

Gen 25:23- the Lord said – the elder shall serve the younger

-         despised his birthright for the momentary satisfaction

-         led to a chain of negative events

-         missed his father’s blessing, sorrow-filled, bitter

-         hatred filled man- the philosophy of the world

* Esau- a physically hardworking- strong man- appetite- from the father’s nature-(Isaac)

* Man’s responsibility to guard what God has entrusted to him. But the ultimate fruit or reward rest with God.

ENCOURAGEMENT:- Barnabas  (Ac 4:36)

  1. Everyone needs encouragement:- we’re relational beings
  2. All believers are called to be encouragers- I Thess 5:11; 4:18
  3. God directly or indirectly is the encourager
  4. The Bible is the source book for encouragement- Rom 15:4
  5. You can experience encouragement in adversity. Real, godly encouragement leads to transformation.
  6. The Christian community is designed by God to be an encouraging community.

EXPENSIVE TALK- TONGUE :- James 3:1-12

-         Words have meanings and meanings have power for good or evil

-         Three aspects of the tongue that makes it dangerous

    1. The power of the tongue:- a powerful instrument.

Pr. 18:21- death & life are in the power of the tongue

Pr 21:23- keepeth his soul from troubles

    1. The perils of the tongue:-  irritating Pr 15:1; irreverent  Mal 3:13

i.e  slander, gossip, insult, curses, malign, hatred.

    1. The perversity  of the tongue:- Mat 15:11- that comes out defiles/

                                                       I Pe 3:10- reproves

We must yield control of our tongue to the Lord Jesus for it is only by the power of His Spirit- that our tongue can be harnessed for good.

Changeless:- Mat 5:37; seasoned:- Col 4:6; In love:- Eph 4:15; delightful:- Pr 15:23; Sweet & health:- Pr 16:24; Divine/ appropriate:- Pr 25:11; comforting:- Isa 50:4

ENLARGEMENT-(Growth & prosperity promised) :- Isiah 54:1-4

  1. The steps of your feet:- 2 Sa 22:37- stability, standing
  2. The place of your tent:- Isa 54:2- service
  3. The understanding of your heart:- I Kings 4:29- relating
  4. The Extent (area) of your coast:- I Chron 4:10 – outward
  5. The dimensions of your growth:- Eph 3:17-19

EXHORTATION OR CORRECTION

Mark 7:7 – people holding traditions more than God’s word

Mat 23:1 – Jesus rebuking Pharisees & pointing out disciples

Mat 8:21 (15)- false preachers (Jesus warning about)

Gal 6:1- Spiritual to restore the backslider

I Thess 5:14- Exhort, warn the unruly- (reference for all)

I Thess 5:12,13) – leader to exhort (admonish)

I Tim 4:11-12 – command & teach

I Tim 5:20 – rebuke those sinning leaders in front of all

2 Tim 4:2- convince, rebuke, exhort..

2 Tim3:16-17 – The word of God is profitable for reproof, corrections

Titus 1:10-13 – about Cretains, rebuke sharply.

Titus 2:15- exhort & rebuke with all authority

Titus 3:10 – after first & second admonition, reject a contentions man

Heb 3:12 – exhort one another daily

Heb 10:24,25 – exhorting another the more

James 5:19,20- someone turns him (backslider) back.

Prov 22:6- train up a child in the way…

“Esteem others better than yourself” Phil 2:1-11; 1Thess. 5:12-13.

How to esteem others better than yourself?

1. By having lowliness of mind: (Phil. 2:3): in humility: thinking low of yourself: the best example is the Lord Jesus.

2. By Not being selfishly concerned about yourself: not to seek self-interest always. But to see the good and interest of others   

                                                                              too. (V 4). By showing concern for others.

3.  By honoring others: Rom. 12:10. giving due respect to each one. It starts in the family.

                                    Eph. 5- Husband and wife to respect one another, so also children.

                                    1Tim. 5:17. Elders/ teachers are due of double honor.

                                     Heb. 13:7, 17. b obeying and submitting to the leaders.

4. By Preferring others Rom. 12:10. putting them first. Giving priority to others. Expressing genuine appreciation.

5. By Serving others in love: Gal. 5:13-15. not fighting, backbiting. But building up one another. Seeking to serve.

6. By Submitting to one another: Eph. 5:21. in reverence to the Lord. Submission is a sign of maturity.

7. By Speaking properly: James 3:1-3, 4:11-12. Not slandering, not speaking evil of others.

                                       Ex.23:1; Ps. 101:5; Prov. 11:9, 17:9,26:20; Rom. 1:30; Eph. 4:31; 1Tim. 3:11; Tit. 2:3, 3:2.

* About Correcting the erring believers: Gal. 6:1; James 5:19-20; 1Thess. 5:14-15.