Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

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3. when Isaac became old and blind, he desired to bless his older son, Esau (Genesis 27:2-35)4. once again, Isaac is the passive participant in historyII. Practical LessonsA. Submission1. none of us would want to be taken advantage of the way Isaac was2. but we can learn a lesson from his submission to a will that was higher than hisa. Isaac recognized the will of God and refused to interfere with it, no matter whatb. this attitude keeps us from rebelling against God and allows us to move more easily intothe blessing he has preparedB. Submission to Law1. as Christians, we are to be submissive to the laws of the land in which we live (First Peter2:13-17)a. only a law that conflicts with a divine command could be faithfully ignored and there areprecious few of those, thankfullyb. but quiet submission to human law is necessary that the name of God be not blasphemed asinciting riot and rebellion among its adherents2. for this reason, we submit to tax laws that we find oppressive and confiscatory and we obeytraffic laws that seem overly restrictivea. we submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sakeb. remember that when you are temptedB. Submission to God (Colossians 3:12-17)1. Paul reminds us that we are the elect of God, chosen according to God’s standards andconditions2. because we have set apart by the gospel for salvation, we are expected live our lives a certainwaya. the list in 12-14 sounds like the life of Isaac (merciful, forbearing, humble and meekb. but the key is verse 13 (Isaac was a type of Jesus, whom we have as our own example ofmeekness and humility (Hebrews 5:8-9)3. perfect submission to God is summed up in verse 17 (whatever you do or say, make your wordsand deeds pleasing to GodC. Submission to One Another (Ephesians 5:15-21)1. this passage is quite similar to the one in Colossians, but it adds something2. making the most of every day involves living for others as well as furthering our ownexistences3. we must spend each day seeking wisdom, which is the will of God4. and we must be willing to submit to one anothera. in matters of opinion or conscience, we should be willing to compromise (Philippians2:1-4)b. the same person should not have to compromise every time, though (that responsibilityshould be sharedc. if we share that burden, everyone is better offConclusion36! Jeff S. Smith
Jacoba character study by Jeff S. SmithIntroductionThe list of Jacob’s inadequacies and crimes would be an impressive one, I am afraid. He did great wrongby his brother, even from the womb and earned his name, which means “supplanter” and implies adetermined and obstinate self-reliance. In Jacob, however, we are taught a lesson on reclamation andsecond chances. God recognized a goodness deep in Jacob’s heart and directed it to serve His higherpurpose. The greatest thing that ever happened to me was learning that in Christ, I had the prospect ofstarting my life over. This, my friends, is the greatest gift that you can give another. We will look at theseminal even in Jacob’s life today and take from it a lesson on rebirth, a lesson designed to be shared withthose outside Jesus.DiscussionI. Jacob’s New Beginning (Genesis 32:22-32)A. Wrestling With God1. we are painfully reminded of Jacob’s often heartless opportunism here, for husband and fathersets his family as a human barrier between Esau and himself (cf. the phrase “women and children first”was never intended to send them into harm’s way)2. Jacob was left alone in selfish security, or so he thought3. as the night wore on, God, having taken the appearance of a man, began to wrestle with hima. Jehovah sagely permitted the self-reliant patriarch to hold his own until dawn began tobreak over more than the eastern skyb. just then, God stopped playing and with the slightest touch disabled the self-involved Jacob4. his perceived and proud independence had been dislocated forever and the dawn’s early lightshined upon his and each man’s true and needful estateB. Supplicating the Lord1. God feigns his departure while Jacob writhes in pain and immobility, giving him theimpression that he is to remain hobbled2. but Jacob has learned a lesson without even realizing ita. he does no longer trust in self, but has seen what the hand of God can accomplish, andpetitions the Lord to bless him somewhatb. but first, he must be taught more3. God asks him what his name is, though he knew it alreadya. he is reminding Jacob of more than his name, but his natureb. Jacob is a supplanter, one who looks out for self and has no use for the feelings of others,nor of God abovec. Jacob was a name aptly chosen, but now maturity and a second chance at a better lifebeckonedd. it was a sign of concession to tell an opponent one’s name and when Jacob uttered his, hewas “crying uncle” to more than a wrestling adversary, but to a way of lifeC. Second Start1. with a stroke of grace, God erases the blemished name of Jacob from his tongue and calls hisnew friend, Israel, meaning “Prince with God”2. he asks God to reciprocate and name himself, but the Lord refuses this foolishness (Israelknows to whom he is speaking alreadya. he names this spot after the face of God, which image he had witnessed and praised him forhis preservationb. the sun finally broke over the horizon, shedding light on a newly reborn prince and Israelcrossed over to stand with courage instead of cowardice against Esauc. but he limped as he walked, a reminder of where he had been and what it had taken torescue him3. because of his new humility and courage, he was reconciled to his brother, but moreimportantly, to God<strong>Character</strong> <strong>Studies</strong>! 37
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A. Concern For Others, Even Servant
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II. Some ApplicationsA. Their Chara
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8. afterward, Pilate permitted Jose
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D. A Student1. the eunuch is in fac
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a. it was no more a blessing to dwe
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language, creating different tongue
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. it is not hard to imagine that th
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C. Pointing at The Antichrist1. a f
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Sufficient cause for the unpopulari
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2. and so the wisdom of the magi wa
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courier it to Paul and it became to
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illions of souls from benefiting is
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17:15-21)2. the birth was announced
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. Thomas insisted that he would onl
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2. first, he becomes the epitome of
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esteem, wondering what we will do w
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its soothing aroma and pain-relievi
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3. this is the last that we hear of
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and both began to return once he wa
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led to the execution of innocent Na
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government or of an occupying power
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to cooperate with her scheme; how c
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1. literal slavery like the kind th
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Christ3. they have the mission to t
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a. he is frequently described as a
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a. the other bureaucrats turned him
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21:20-25)a. it is safe to say that
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Ittai)b. as much as he hated what h
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II. Some ApplicationsA. Decisive Th
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or friendship at all (First John 3:
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c. Antipas was part of the tennis m
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3. Silas begins and ends his Bible
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26Brown, Driver, Briggs and Geseniu
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