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Prayer
Hymn: Victory in Jesus
Memory Verse: Philippians 4:6 Don’t
worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need,
and thank Him for all He has done. (The New Living Translation)
Lesson: The Extra Mile
Bible Character: Rebekah
Background: We see Rebekah
willing to go out of her way to help a stranger. God often blesses someone who
is willing to be a blessing.
Opening Remarks: Genesis 24
First Principle: The First Mile
Meaning: Our willingness to
positively respond to those in need can position us for blessing from God.
Scripture Reference:
Genesis 24
18 “Yes, my lord,” she answered,
“have a drink.” And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and gave him
a drink.
Question: Rebekah was
prepared to be able to contribute to the request made of her. How can we ensure
that daily we are prepared to meet needs asked of us?
Follow-up Question: Is it equally
important to prepare physically as well as spiritually to meet needs?
Follow-up Question: How can we train our
family and others around us to be need-meeters?
Conclusion: Rebekah was
properly positioned that day by actually being at the well. She was at the
right place at the right time, and she had a jug! But as well as being prepared
physically she had the right heart and attitude and was prepared spiritually.
She was willing to help, to respond positively to what was asked of her.
Second Principle: The Second Mile
Meaning: More than just
doing the absolute minimum, Rebekah looked for more she could do to be a
blessing.
Scripture Reference:
Genesis 24
19 When she had
given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they
have had enough to drink.” 20 So she quickly emptied her
jug into the watering trough and ran back to the well to draw water for all his
camels.
Question: What do you think
motivated Rebekah to go the extra mile?
Follow-up Question: Can you think of
any incidents in your life when going the extra mile had positive results?
Follow-up Question: How can we
discipline ourselves to look for places where we can be a blessing?
Conclusion: Becoming a
blessing to those around us by contributing in abundance and beyond what is
asked should be our way of life and not just an occasional occurrence. It
should become natural and a pattern of habit in our daily life. In doing so, it
positions us to not only be a blessing but to then be blessed.
Genesis 24
67 And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became
his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the
death of his mother.
Pastor Ron and the
Rest of the Story …
Matthew 5:41 "And
whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Hebrews 13:2 Don’t forget to
show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained
angels without realizing it!
Sometimes
before God can bless us He needs to position us for that blessing and that is
often where He needs our cooperation. Work with God!
Pre-Praise &
Worship Prayer
will be hosted by one of our Elders, John and Fronnie LeBlanc in the Sanctuary
Studio. Worship will begin in just a few minutes.
Background Notes for
SC032314
Genesis
24 picks up with Abraham living in Hebron after the death of his wife Sarah.
Isaac was 40 and Abraham was 140. Abraham would live another 35 years up until
Jacob and Esau were about 15 years old. He would have many more sons and
daughters by his second wife.
The
city of Nahor is Haran in Syria by the rivers, approximately 450 miles from
Hebron. The trip would normally take about 21 days or 3 full weeks by laden
camel.
Rebekah
was the daughter of a wealthy man descended from two of Abraham’s brothers.
Rebekah’s grandmother was Milcah, the daughter of Haran and wife to Nahor.
Milcah’s eighth son was Rebekah’s father. Rebekah’s father was evidently dead
and her oldest brother, Laban, was the male head of the family.
Although
wealthy, Rebehah was not too proud, spoiled or lazy to hold a habit of doing
her part and even going beyond her part to do more.
Rebekah
and Isaac were both second and third cousins by birth
Abraham
and haran brothers
Abraham
and milcah were uncle and niece by birth to haran
Abraham
and nahor were brothers
Abraham
and milcah were brother and sister-in-laws by marriage to nahor
Isaac
and Milcah were first cousins by birth to haran
Isaac
and Milcah were nephew and aunt by marriage to nahor
Isaac
and Bethuel were second cousins by birth through milcah to nahor
Isaac
and Bethuel were also first cousins by birth through nahor to milcah
Isaac
and Rebekah were both second and third cousins by birth
The
well of Beer Lahai-Roi = The well of the One who lives and sees me and has a
vision for my life. This is the well where Hagar talked with God before
returning to Sarah and submitting herself. Isaac lived near this well. It is in
the Negev, southwest of Beersheba and approximately 12 miles west of Kadesh
Barnea.
