In last weekend’s message. Pastor Dave looked at Abraham’s encounter with God as recorded in Genesis 17:1-14. It was an experience that changed Abraham forever. We discussed 3 ways of pointing to the Reign of God: Sign, Signpost, and Signature. Use this week’s Life Action Points (LAPs) to help you apply the message to your life.
LAP 1: Read Gen. 17:1. God asked two things of Abraham in order to be in a covenant relationship. These two requirements are the same true of followers of Jesus today. 1) “Walk before me”. This is a spiritual requirement and is all about closeness of relationship with God. Don’t try to hide from God, be honest with Him all through your day. 2) “Be blameless”. This is a character requirement and and is someone who cannot be accused before God or people because they’ve done nothing worthy of blame. Go back an correct any wrong-doing in your life by admitting your fault and doing what you need to make amends.
LAP 2: Read Gen. 17:3. Our actions (DOING) can be a Sign Post of the Reign of God. Abraham met God and took a posture of falling on his face before the Lord. This was an act of worship which required humility, trust, respect, and awe. Do you ever fall on your face before God? This is a healthy posture of followers of Jesus to take. Whether in your prayer closet or during a worship service adopt this posture as one of your expressions of worshiping God.
LAP 3: Read Gen. 17:4-6. Verbal proclamation (ANNOUNCING) can be the Signature of the Reign of God. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham by injecting part of the Lord’s own name into a human name. From that day forward Abraham’s very name announced God’s Reign on heaven and earth. Become accustomed to proclaiming the Reign of God by speaking the truth of Scripture in your life and the lives of those in your influence: You – Your Family – Your Work – Your Church – Your Community.
LAP 4: Read Gen. 17:9-13. Physical presence (BEING) can be a Sign of the Reign of God. God had Abraham be circumcised and to do the same to every male in his household for all generations as sign of the Lord’s Reign. While circumcision is not required to be a follower of Jesus, the presence of God-fearing people is a sign of the Reign of God. Your physical presence is a sign when you are filled with the Spirit of God. The righteousness of God is on you as a follower of Jesus. Life a life worthy of this cause. When you look in the mirror, see yourself as a son/daughter of the Almighty. You are meant for this kind of life.
LAP 5: Read Gen. 17:1-4. Agreements called “covenants” are a big part of God’s work. We see it throughout the Bible. In a covenant both parties are obligated to contribute part of the agreement. God created humans with the power to make agreements. And keeping of those agreements says everything about the kind of person you are. You were meant to make and keep agreements in cooperation with God to fulfill His good purposes in the world. Evaluate your agreements. Are you the kind of person who keeps your agreements with your spouse? Family? Employer? Church? Make sure you are. And if not, make a commitment to yourself an with God to become a covenant-ready person.
