LOSING THE SUBSTANCE BY GRASPING THE SHADOWS

Genesis . 25:29-34

Pleasures of sin seasonable

·         Story about Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:29-34

·         Esau willing to trade in the thing that is the most valuable of all to him, for a "quick fix," something of little value. Something that will last only minutes. Or short time.

We must remember that our adversary, the devil is not as stupid as we think. 1 Pet 5:8 

I -ESAU SLIPPED. He grabbed at something of no lasting value, something that he wasn't in dire need of; and was willing to give up his own birthright in the process.

II - ESAU SCOFFED AT HIS BIRTHRIGHT: Was not as important to him as it should have been. Scoff- To speak of or treat with contemptuous mirth

III  ESAU STAGGERED IN THE FACE OF TEMPTATION:

Stagger- To begin to lose confidence or strength of purpose;

·         Are you at that point today?

·         How do we make sure we don't cross that line?

·         The place to start is by identifying those things in your life that are the most important of all to you.

Make a list of the things that are not negotiable.

·         SPIRITUAL STATUS: Compromising can cause, dullness, dryness, death.

·         (I Cor.3:1)- And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ)

·         OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD: (I Sam. 15:22b- ..to obey is better than sacrifice)

·         YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD:

·         YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR CHURCH;

·         YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR FAMILY

·         COMMITMENT TO SPEND TIME WITH GOD IN PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY;

THE NEXT STEP IN AVOIDING THE PATH THAT ESAU TOOK

1.      Is to watch out.

{Matt.26:41- Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.}

Watch out, knowing that somewhere, sometime, when you least expect it, you'll be confronted with the decision of whether or not to compromise or even sacrifice completely one of these "essential" things for something that's temporary but so very appealing.

<>Teenagers may be tempted to throw away their witness for Christ among their friends for the appeal of one night of intense partying.

<>Adults may be tempted to throw away a lifetime of commitment to a spouse and children, for a single evening with an attractive coworker.

WATCH OUT FOR:

[1] Satan's Snares  { A trapping device, used for capturing Something that serves to entangle the unwary}1 Pet.5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Luke 22: 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

[2]  Society's Seduction { entice,To attract by arousing desire;} Prov. 1:10- My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.) I’ve read where most people who have gone into sin have done so because of influence of others, {friends}.

[3] Sin's Shame-

*Sin robs of:  Influence, Testimony, Joy, Peace, Prayer, Praise

*Sin ruins: Our walk with God, Our Worship, Our Witness

*Sin has its rewards:  Num.32:23-  ye have sinned against the

LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out

* Sin Blocks the Prayer Line- Isa.59:1,2-  Jer.33:3, 2 Chr.7:14

* Sin Blinds Your Perception-{ discernment, understanding }

·         Sin Brings Punishment- Ask those who have gone off into sin

WHAT IS ON YOUR LIST OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE BE READY TO DEFEND IT!

Don't wait until you're at the place of decision to think about what is really that important to you!

Work that out beforehand--work it out right now, before you leave here now. Don't risk making the kind of bad choice that Esau made. He never got over it!

What does Esau get in return for his terrible sacrifice? vs. 34, Jacob gives him a bowl of "lentil soup," or "pottage." Just a plain old bowl of lentil soup.

After Esau sacrificed his own birthright to get what was so appealing to him in the heat of the moment, he realizes that what he's getting isn't nearly what he expected it to be.

Whenever we give up the essential things to go grasping after the things that are "appealing" at the moment: We're setting ourselves up for disappointment.

The things that the world tells us we "must" have turn out to be so much less than the hype would have us believe.

And we're left standing there, wondering to ourselves, "Did I really give up all that, for this?"

"Did I really throw away my witness for Christ that I've worked so long and hard to build, just for one day, or one night, of 'fun'?

And it really wasn't that much fun after all?..."

Was it worth it?

When we stand before the righteous judge, and see everything go up in smoke, then we will know, It Was Not Worth It!

When we see those who were influenced by our living cast into the Lake of Fire, We will know, It Was Not Worth It!

·         <>Ask Lot, was it worth it?

·         <>Ask David, was it worth it?

To grasp after a shadow and lose the substance:

·         The Joy of Salvation

·         Presence of the Spirit

·          Testimony

·         <>Ask Samson, was it worth it?

·         <>Ask the used to be…

·         Prayer Warriors

·         Powerful Witnesses

·         Popular Preachers

·         The washed out Parents,

Was it worth it to grasp at Shadows and lose the Substance?

OH DEAR GOD, FORGIVE ME FOR GRASPING AFTER SHADOWS AND TAKING THE RISK OF LOSING THE SUBSTANCE!

Substance: That which is solid and practical, quality, or importance. The main part, major part,

Shadow: An imperfect imitation or copy