Kerwin Baptist Church Daily Broadcast

Welcome to the Kerwin Baptist Church broadcast today. Our desire is for the word of God spread throughout so that all may know Christ. Join us now for a portion of one of our services here at Kerwin Baptist Church located in Kernersville, North Carolina is 51 after these things the word of the Lord came and Abraham and divisions notices you're not Abram I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. I've always wondered a little bit in this passage why God didn't give us a couple of adjectives for shield you know he describes the fact that he is in exceeding great reward, but he just simply says I am thy shield you say will what you think preacher I don't know where can open up in prayer are. I just wanted give you that thought and make you think a little bit. We'll talk about it. Lord I love and the Lord we have nothing to fear because of who you are and what you are to us in Lord I pray that you would bless and thank you for this passage.

How it has encouraged me the things I needed to hear once again. We love you in Jesus name we pray.

Amen I had today instead of kinda giving you an alliterative outline.

I want to kind of just look at some phrases and point them out.

Let's just talk about them for little bit. As we approach the subject. If God has laid this on my heart.

I would dare say that he didn't do it because nobody needed it. He just needed to fill a message for Sunday morning I would dare say this is probably because someone or some group or some different individuals have some things going on in their life right now, be it in the past or in the future that is bringing some fear that is bringing some doubt. And so really talk about these things. Notice the first phrase that if you if you read quickly override over it and yet the volumes in this phrases this phrase after these things after these things God came to Abram after these things I assume that God knew that Abraham needed him to come to Abraham after what he had been through. After these things you say well what were those things. What were those circumstances and I'll try to make it real quick and brief. It's in the chapter before literally that there were some kings that decided to kinda go to battle against some other kings. And that's where it all starts. It seems, and one of those kings was the king of Sodom and Abraham's family lived there and they lived in that kingdom. His brother and his brother's son, whose name was locked and you all are familiar with that and so Abraham obviously hearing that this war was going on and as this war transpired. It kinda caught Abraham's family in the middle and as it did.

Not only was Abraham's family kidnapped but a lot of Abraham's property was taken.

It was stolen and part of his land was compensated know what state they kind of took it over and Abraham realized that something had to be done and so Abraham decided with the Lord's help to go into battle and he was going to go back he was going to get his stuff. He was going to get his family and he was going to get what belonged to him because it wasn't right and so that's exactly what transpired and as this war raged. God didn't give Abraham the victory and his brother was killed but lot. His nephew ended up coming with Abraham and Lot ended up being a great hardship to Abraham and in many ways and in this is another whole story, but it would've been prevented if Abraham had listened specifically to God. God told him to leave his country and leave his family but he didn't quite listen all the way and because of that there was some horrible things that happened in Abraham's life and by the way, anytime you and I disobey God.

It's you might not feel it right then and it might not happen at that moment, but eventually there's gonna be some things in your life and in the what is going to be there. No luck with the ruler rated snap your hand and let you know what you did, God will quietly let you know this is because of this decision and so Abraham gets the victory brings back lot brings back his goods and comes back and then the king of Solomon comes to Abraham and and he wants to give Abraham some things in I guess to be thankful and Abraham said I don't want one thing you have to offer. And not only that you I don't want you to take her touch. One thing that's mine. I want us separated.

You don't owe me anything. I don't feel I don't owe you anything. I don't want have anything to do with you. Sodom.

But if Abraham had gone back to get his step so that brings us Genesis chapter 15 verse one so Abraham had fought a long hard battle. Abraham had been done wrong. Abraham had taken some hits he had lost some family some family had been killed, some servants had been killed some friends had been killed and so there was some damage he got back some things that were his, but he lost a lot of things in the process and so this is the setting of Genesis chapter 15 verse one after these things then God came to him you say what your point preacher, may I ask you today.

What are the these things that you have been through what are the battles that you have fought what are a few of the victories that God has given you over the years.

I am for all of you today that are here in your breathing and your alive. I want you to understand you have experienced the after these things. It shows that God brought you through it. It shows that somehow, someway, God gave you the victory were not saying that all of us have done everything exactly right were not saying that maybe we haven't suffered, but this very phrase after these things that the Lord of the word of the Lord came means that somehow God brought Abraham through it and I want you to understand today whatever God leads you to God can lead you through word of God says a phrase.

This too shall pass. It means that there are there is always an after these things there is always a set of circumstances and difficulties that you and I sometimes have to go through but isn't it nice to know that God is there that he brings us through now. There's always a skeptic in every crowd. Even at home. I have it. So there's always a skeptic could have two dogs and they just are very you might want to debate my interpretation of this verse today and you might want to say preacher. I have some love ones that operate or in God, did not bring them through their was not an after these things for them.

It may be that your argument is they died anyway. Although I pray it may be that will preacher I've asked God for some things and not I haven't seen it happen. There is no after these things for me and I would maybe beg to differ with you a little bit.

Some would say that victory was not given by God when you pray for level I and maybe they don't pull through and maybe there's a success, but I am here to tell you that I believe differently you're looking at a son that prayed faithfully for his mom for three years that God would heal her wasn't like my mom was out getting drunk. My mom was faithfully every night that my dad would preach singing behind a pulpit.

Somewhere in some town in some church every night of their life and for over 40 years in evangelism at faithfully serving God. Many of you knew her many of you love her. Many of you heard her testimony last week.

Whatever the case might be, it wasn't like she wasn't giving every breath to the Lord and to the ministry of God. When she was alive and and yet cancer came her way, as it does so many and we prayed for three years and some would say see preacher you pray for three years and there is no after these things for you and I don't see it that way.

I see heaven as ultimate victory. I see heaven as the ultimate healing I've met many people that after these things. They walked out of the hospital. Some of you are sitting right in front some of you were told there is going to be no after these things, and yet you're here and sometimes there are folks that pray in that love one walks out of the hospital or gets out of that bed. And maybe there is some miraculous healing. In some cases, God was there. She is older over sickness, but in my family's case, God was our shield over death.

I'm here to tell you when you're a child of God. It really doesn't matter. The end result, there is always an after these things stay patient is when you're God's child.

There is always an after after these things. That is the second phrase the word of the Lord came the word of the Lord came as you look at the phrase you could say this, the Lord came the Lord came is that statement is that not true what you and I need the most were facing our battles facing our own personal wars facing our own personal losses. What we need more than anything is a word from God's amazing all the places that you and I run to to get what we need to hear what we need and yet what we really need after these things is a word from God how badly we need how desperate we should be for it.

You and I should always be ready and starving for a word from the Lord. When you come to church. You don't need a word from your pastor.

We all know that when you come to church you to work from the Lord. But you know what Monday morning when you're driving your car to work you need a word from the Lord, you better make sure that the word from the Lord you're getting is not only on Sunday morning and maybe only on Sunday night and and therefore fortunate on a Wednesday night you and I should be so desperate as were facing these battles like Abraham was fighting it should refresh us in and it should remind us that even in the midst of these things that the word of the Lord, may I explain this. If I can.

There are many times in God's word where the word of the Lord came in this verse.

If you'll notice that the word of the Lord came the Bible says in a vision. It means that literally Abraham could physically see the Lord some form or fashion. I don't know if it was spirit form physical form. Whatever the case might be, I know the Lord of the Lord came not through a voice that verse says, but in a vision.

Now you say preacher.

What is your point about this.

Do you know that you and I have the word of the Lord now just like Abraham had the word of the Lord then listen to me. I want you to get this please we know and believe now that God does not show up in a vision to us you say yeah why is that why do we read in the Bible and and if you haven't been here on Wednesday nights.

Many of your ministries as we been teaching the last for five weeks. On dispensational truth in the Bible and in the ministry of Christ, truth in the Bible and all that got get the CDs get things so you can understand your Bible better. But why is it that it seems that God would show up to somebody and tell them something here and and and and why is it that God did not. Be careful you're gonna find somebody on TV that says that Jesus showed up and on the foot of their bed and they saw him at and whatever the case might be, and they had nothing more than the wrong pizza on the wrong night. Is it we are being rude all not I have a right as a pastor until he was about his lying to you is and why does God not show up in the vision. Nowadays will me tell you why, because God's word is now complete.

What we call the canon of Scripture.

Everything that God has to say say to man is now in here so God does not have the bodily show up to tell you something or reveal to you something because it's already been revealed. Everything you and I need to know or hear from God is in here. So while Abraham had to wait till after these things for God to show up and encourage him you and I can get a word from the Lord before these things during these things, and after these things look at me. God showed up Abraham in a vision he shows up to you and I and a verse number one excited about that.

You and I don't have to wait till we go through all the struggles to find out what God's purpose wasn't to find out that God was our shield and to find out that God is our reward.

We know it already.

Before we go through because it's already been followed.

The word of the Lord has come to you physically, the word of the Lord came to Abraham spiritually, visually, but it comes to us daily. God would show up every once a while to Abraham. God shows up to you anytime of the day you want him. We are willing to open this up, which means that you get a word from the Lord is much as you I've had.

I've met people say why just really need a word from God will that says that you have been reading your Bible say what you do you say preacher I need a working Lord today will. Here's how we do it get that Bible blow the dust off the Lord. You don't have to get you not turn on the TV program you want to send an hundred dollars to get a word from the Lord for you know that Christ has made it possible for you and I to confidently daily. Go to him to get a word, the word of the Lord came.

His is great to Abraham the word of the Lord came to you and I the Lord came in and he died and was buried, and rose again. Think about this. Here in verse one and I want you to get this for move on our next phrase please get this in verse one.

Do you know it it in in this put on your thinking caps just for second Abraham would not have known that God was his shield unless God had told him the look at me. It's not like Abraham have the complete canon of Scripture.

So Abraham goes to these battles. God gives him victory, but Abraham might not a fully realize that it was all God and that it was all God's doing. But after these things God shows up Abraham and in no and and literally in a vision and he tells them Abraham, fear not, I am your shield, he would not have known that if he didn't hear God's, do you understand the difference in our day. In his day. The only thing he could know is what God told him how would Abraham know that God was going to be his reward. He did know unless God told him that so God showed up and told him yes how you and I know it's already there. Imagine how many things God has told you that you are not even aware of because you haven't been in here word of the Lord came to this next phrase he says this as he shows up.

Fear not, Abram. Abram obviously is Abraham we call it same person same don't don't get confused by that says fear not, Abram. Now that's a bit blunt and a bit abrupt. I think you say what you that that's encouraging. What will wait a minute, Abraham had just had to fight a battle along with the stress of trying to save his own family trying to save his own possessions, having lost family having lost. It was a rough day. Anybody ever had a rough day. He was probably stressed out physically worn out.

He was victory doubt is like ordering at a drive-through for five people.

Somebody made funny one day because I said I'd rather go snorkeling in a septic tank than do that in the next question to be like how do you know I don't know okay I don't know. Probably a bit of an exaggeration, but why they can understand no tomatoes.

I don't understand what goes on in a microphone from a dry on the committee get off on things and I'm sorry about that, don't you find it at a restaurant I put a speaker on both sides of the car.

So if you're not by your self than the other person. Your job you order Alden Young is in the back.

You order. They don't want anyone onions and I don't like that I don't like that you know us guys like me number one would you like to many questions. Number one that is not in the woman's makeup. There is no way that is too simple.

Fear not, I'm really need to shield when I get home, you know, this is the first time in Scripture chronologically written that God ever looks at an individual and says fear not, so there must you go member the principal first mentions he always gone the Bible the first place.

Something is mentioned. And that's how you learn about it. So God must have something he wants us to learn about this thing of fear not the first thing I want you to see for you, only furthers how personal God is it just show up and say fear not, shows up after a rough rough day and says fear not Abraham, it means you could put your name in there that's exactly what he does to you every day were not a number were not a statistic were not just an illustration. It's personal. Fear not, I mean, you would think God, the creator of the universe could show up and just the message, she would give him should be something that's applicable to all mankind, fear not, that's not God's personal fear, not a BJ.

I think not only is it personal but it's it's pointed it's it's literally full of principles.

In other words, Abraham, fear not, but let me tell you why you see, God understands us and he knows that right after fighting the battle that he just faced what you really need is somebody coming up. I like you should be scared.

It's like you being at the doctor's office and then telling you is as my my mother-in-law Carol, her sister if we found that your steak called and and the doctor says hey you have lung cancer. It's like getting that news and in the office as you walk out of the office. Here's brother Daniel having heard the news that you're going to receive and you come out of the office on sit there like you should be scared of that. Get a little faith, why don't you come on and got already been good to you hasn't got Artie been good. You but is that what you need right.

You need somebody that has really no clue what you're feeling right now to show up and say fear not, God shows up when Abraham needed most and not a why I show you the end Abraham wasn't just nervous and worn out and frustrated because of the battle he had just bought Abraham was concerned about the future because God had told Abraham that he would make a great nation out of him. But Abraham did not have children.

He had no air.

So all this stuff that he had just taken back and all the family. He had just reclaimed. He is thinking it is mine who is going to take care of this now.

I just fought this battle and you know what without an error is probably just go to be taken back. Eventually, there's a lot going on in Abraham's mind and God shows up and says fear not the why would God tell him that notice this next phrase as he begins in this of the reasons he gives him one. He says I am thy for some reason at this time God knew that Abraham needed to know that God was his shield. Now I if if you if you're thinking and if you think logically looking at this passage I think what you know what a bit late. I mean did he justify all this battle and now God shows up and says hey I'm your shield. Hey, I would've liked to have known that before I took off you see it. Why does God's why didn't God show up in a vision beforehand and say hey Abraham, guess what you get ready to go out to be your shield. Look at me because that would've required faith would come in God shows up visually and says hey listen to your guy going to battle on the take care of all this going to be okay. Just want you to know that. But Abraham had to step off in the battle. Without that vision without that confirmation because without faith it's impossible to please God, so God shows up after in this vision, and says Abraham I am your shield. Now here's what is interesting and this word shield doesn't mean all that I thought it meant. Now this word shield does mean as I didn't think that it meant that it literally means our protector of buckler.

Our defense something that you know she holds us stop something from getting to us, that's exactly what it means, but but here's what I did not know, and in Strong's concordance and there was others to buy the way on their definition of this word. This Hebrew word, it literally means the scaly hide of a crocodile as I thought about that more I got really really excited because I'm from Florida.

The scaly hide of a crocodile protects the crocodile for many things, protects them from water brush leaves trees even animals literally things roll right off a crocodile skin.

In fact there in high demand because people want alligator skin boots and alligator skin clothing and belts.

All this other stuff, why because it's so tough and God was telling Abraham is not just get a be there in this battle.

I'm your shield with with with my help him with the strength that I'm to give you Abraham. Whatever you face and whoever you face and whatever criticism comes your way. It can all off your skin like water off a crocodile that you can be tough. You don't have to be the kind of individual that every time something said that hurt your feelings, your wounded when it then apparently God is not a very good shield me people all the time.

Well really go to church and morbid, with the church. Somebody did something somebody said something to the mother woman apparently are telling me that God is not a very good shield made of golf is a good shield would take a lot to discourage you.

If God was a good shield when the take a lot a lot of comments to really hurt your feelings but boy we walk around like we have rice paper and skin.

God said, Abraham I'm to be your shield, you know, like water that bounces off and alligator skin or tree or brush words can bounce off your skin, the fear of today's burdens and tomorrow's battles can be repelled because God my shield, thank you for listening to you received a blessing from our broadcast.

The current Baptist Church is located at 4520 Old Hollow Rd. in Kernersville, NC may also contact us by phone at 33699351924 Kerwin Baptist Church.com enjoy our services live molar medium on her website and church. Thank you for listening.

Kerwin broadcast God bless you