FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!

GENESIS 20

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. WE ARE EASILY BESET BY SIN [12:11-20, 20:1-2]

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about ° with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us...

1. TO SIN IS HUMAN... [v. 1-2a]

Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

2. TO FEAR IS HUMAN... [v. 2a]

Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

3. TO FAIL IS HUMAN... [v. 2]

Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

II. WE ARE ENCOMPASSED BY THE LORD [v. 2-7]

Psalm 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalm 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

1. THE LORD KEEPS HIS PROMISES [v. 2-6]

2. THE LORD CONTINUES HIS PLAN [v. 7a]

3. THE LORD CAUTIONS HIS PROPERTY [v. 7b]

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 89:11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

III. WE ARE EMBARASSED BY THE WORLD [v. 8-18]

Luke 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

1. CHRISTIANS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LIVE RIGHT [v. 8-10]

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

2. CHRISTIANS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THINK RIGHT [v. 11-13]

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

3. CHRISTIAN HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PRAY RIGHT [v. 14-18]

Matthew 5:43-46 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?