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http://www.iccbrisbane.org/xmas2011

Special Combined Prayer Service will be held on the 24th of August (Wednesday), 7:30pm, ICC Main Auditorium. Let us come with a united spirit to worship, pray and intercede for ICC. See you this Wednesday at 7:30pm.

There are spaces available for students wanting to perform and a chance to win a $500 Myer voucher. To register, download and fill in the form below.

CHAPTERS 15-18:

RECORD THE STORY OF GOD’S MESSAGE TO ABRAHAM AND SARAH, AND ALSO RECORD THEIR IMPATIENCE-16

¢ God does not always impart His gifts immediately

—  He knows the best time for his benefits.

—  Abraham does not believe it possible at first -17:17

—  Sarah does not either – 18:12

—  They have to learn that nothing is too hard for the God of all power -18:14

 ¢ In these chapters Abraham was portrayed as someone

—  Who lacks faith at times

—  Who demonstrates serious impatience

—  But a man concerned about fellows -18:22

—  Also pleads with God for sinners like himself

 Similarly in our journey with God, we have to learn as God teaches us. Sometimes we learn the lessons quite speedily but at other times we appear to learn very slowly. In the main points I have jotted down – I said ‘lack of faith’ and ‘impatience’ This is best summarise by James 1:2-4

‘My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.’

‘Enjoy’ the trials by praising God that sooner or latter youwill be more than a conqueror

¢ How slow man learn his lesson

¢ Abraham makes the same mistake in chapter 20 as in chapter 12

¢ His desire for prayer is noted – 15:2, 18:22-33; 20:17

¢ Abraham is still on the scene, but of course, the focus is on Isaac – the promised son.

¢ The theme here is the UNDESERVED mercy of God.

¢ He is not only merciful in providing them with a son and thus fulfilling their dreams, but he is merciful to Hagar and her son 21:9-20

¢ He is merciful in providing a lamb at a time when Abraham’s faith was put to test

¢ He even provide a bride for Isaac 24:12 à ‘Show kindness’ and giving them children!

¢ Notice how easily the child can repeat the father’s sins 26:7 (Isaac and Rebecca) compare to (Abraham 12:13 at Egypt and 20:5 Abimelech)

¢ God:

—  Spared Isaac’s life 22

—  Provides Isaac’s partner 24

—  Answers Isaac’s prayer 25:21

¢ Parental example is a repeated theme in this section.

¢ Isaac commits the same sin as his father 26:7.

¢ Note it is Rebekah who leads her son Jacob astray 27:6-13

¢ Sin costs a heavy price.

¢ Rebekah’s action brings

—  grief to their home 27:41.

—  To her heart 27:46

—  Jacob becomes a self centred person like the mother 28:20 –’If …then…) Thinking only for his own gains

¢ The power of the spoken word is very important in Hebrew thought – once blessing is given it cannot be revoked 27:37

¢ The Picture of God’s Patience:

¢ His people are self seeking, unkind to one another, Greed (31:1-33), Lies (31:34), Strife (31:51), Fear (32:4-33), Deceit (34:13-15), Murder (34:24-31)Robbery (34:2), Idolatry (35:2)

¢ They are not happy chapters, but throughout it all God communes and pleads with his servant (28:13; 31:11) and is PATIENT with Jacob’s family.

¢ It’s thrilling to see how he triumphs over his unhappy family background.

¢ All the scheming of the previous chapters drops away.

¢ Here we have a story of:

¢ Holiness 39:9; 41:38; 50:15-21

¢ Heroism 39:20; 40:15

¢ Hope 50:24

¢ God is sovereign and his providential care is illustrated throughout the Joseph story 39:21, 23; 45:5-7

¢ Joseph sums it up magnificently:

¢ ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good 50:20’

(Chinese Questionnaire)

Time:7:00 to 9:15pm

Four Classes each week

• Lifetrack One (available in English and Chinese)—suitable for new believers
• Lifetrack Two (available in English and Chinese)—Suitable for those who have finished Lifetrack One
• Connect—for those who have done Lifetrack One and Two or all four previous Lifetracks but not in leadership positions.
• Leadership Track—for all existing leaders

CLICK HERE to print Classes @ ICC Brochure

WEEK ONE (2/2)

WEEK TWO (9/2)

WEEK THREE(16/2)

WEEK THREE(23/2)