Mick Roberts - Class 1: Abraham's Faithful Household

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   And quiet attention as we call upon our brother Mick Roberts from the Ashba del Azuz Ecclesia in England to come forward and speak to us on the topic, Abraham's Faithful Household.

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   A very good afternoon, brothers and sisters. That's good. Thank you for that. I have to say that the warmth of the welcome that we've received from the brothers and sisters of Ontario has been significantly higher than the warmth of your temperature since we arrived. We left England with something like 22, 23 degrees.

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   And we couldn't bring it in the case with us. So you have to be content with us bringing the loving greetings of your brothers and sisters in the UK. Not all of them. I haven't spoken to all of them. But those who knew we were coming were very keen that we brought with us their love and fraternal greetings.

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   Particularly those of our own home ecclesia, which as Brother Paul has had a go at saying, Ashba del Azuz, which for those who don't know it, is around about in the middle of England. It's about equidistant between Birmingham and Nottingham. That's where our ecclesia is. It's been there for about 100 years or just over.

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   We're in a ecclesia of around about 54 members with what seems like 375 children. But they tell me there's about 25. But they make the noise of 325 children. But we're blessed and we're glad to have them.

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   It's actually our fourth visit to Ontario. And so Brother Paul is saying he recognizes lots of faces he sees once a year. Well, we recognize some faces here too. And it's a delight for us to see you again so soon. We were across last year. And for those brothers who we've not met before, we look forward to your fellowship and spending some time with you.

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   We actually face our first challenge really getting into the country with immigration for Canada. And it doesn't make it easy for fraternal speakers when you arrive, when you have to fill out the immigration card. Because it actually asks you for the purpose of your visit. And so I had to choose three boxes.

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   So I had a choice of study. I thought, well, we've got an element of study ahead of us. I had personal. Well, there's an element of building our personal relationships. And I had the option of business. And I thought, well, it's the Lord's business. I want to encourage us all to be profitable servants of our Lord.

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   There's an element of business about this visit. So when I faced the young immigration officer and he asked me, what was the purpose of my visit? I think they're trained to spot a millisecond of hesitation. And I said that we were coming to a Bible study.

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    At which point he went straight in to ask me, what was I bringing into the country? So I hesitated at telling him about something which was sharper than any two-edged sword.

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    But they let us through. They let us through. I do hope, brothers and sisters, at the time that we're going to spend together will be profitable. I've certainly enjoyed thinking about this theme of servants. And trying to draw lessons from servants. And of course, Scripture is full of servants. Absolutely full of servants.

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    Those who are required or those who are compelled to serve. Those who voluntarily serve. Whether it's in the Old Testament. We've been reading about Abraham's servant and Abraham's household. We're going to focus our attention shortly. Whether it's in the law. Whether it's in the parables. The teachings of Jesus. Whether it's in the letters.

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    And the time of slavery. And servitude. The time of domestic servants. Scripture is full of servants. So there is plenty to go at. And what I've tried to do is to home in on a couple of elements. That I hope will be profitable for us. And I'm a great believer that whenever we do any sort of study.

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    That we really listen out for and look out for the lessons for ourselves. Particularly given that we're talking about servants. And we are aspiring servants. We aim to be servants of the living God. So we can't spend the time that we're going to spend around scripture. Looking and talking about servants. Without looking out for those things that might apply to me.

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    In my walk. In my discipleship. And I hope that when we look at these things. I might throw out some rhetorical questions. And I want you to also ask yourself questions. As we read these things. And to keep saying to ourselves. Well what does this mean to me? How does that apply to me?

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    How do I measure up in my service? To our Heavenly Father. So it's not just about us spending a few hours. Talking about servants. Filling our head with a bit more knowledge. And walking away. But it's how are we going to apply these things. And serve even better. Maybe that guy from Immigration Canada.

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    Will be there when I'm leaving the country. And he says well how did it go? Study. Personal. Business. And in a way brothers and sisters. That's what we're all about. Over these couple of days. Isn't it? Study. Personal. But also. Business. The Lord's. Business. Those who want to be. Even more profitable. In their service.

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    To their Heavenly Father. So let's begin. By taking a closer look. At Abraham. And I'm going to. Ask you to. Turn back. Not to the reading that we had. We'll just turn in. Genesis 12. Genesis 12.

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    Those of us with. Or who have had the pleasure of. Raising children. Or perhaps as grandparents. Teaching children. If you've got one of those. Illustrated children's Bibles. You'll know when you're looking at Abraham. That there's Abraham. And Sarah.

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    And how many servants. Are in the background. Quite often there's none. Or there might be. One or two. And the picture books. Don't tell the full story. Because when we look closely. And I'm going to remind you. Of things. That I'm sure you already know. But in Genesis. We get this picture. Of an extremely.

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    Wealthy man. With an extremely. Large household. Of servants. We know the story. Well don't we. How things begin. In. Genesis 12. Down at verse 4. So Abraham departed. As the Lord had spoken to him. And Lot went with him. And Abraham was 75 years old. When he departed. From Haran. We know down at verse 14.

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    So it was. When Abraham came into Egypt. That the Egyptians. Saw the woman. It was Sarah. That she was very beautiful. Princes of Pharaoh. Also saw her. And commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken. To Pharaoh's house. And he treated Abraham. Well for her sake. He had sheep. Oxen. Male donkeys.

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    Male. And female. Servants. Female donkeys. And camels. Down at chapter 13. And reading at verse 5. Lot also who went with Abraham. Had flocks. And herds. And tents. Now the land was not able to support them. That they might dwell together. For their possessions. Were so great. That they could not dwell. Together.

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    So we know these verses well. But we get the picture. This is a huge community. On the move. Since Abraham had left. He had acquired these things. There was a growing household. There was a growing household. An entourage. That were around him. And as head of that household. He had great and pressing responsibilities.

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    They had become so great. That they could not dwell together. Interesting too. Interesting too isn't it. In verse 7 of this chapter. That there was a strife. Between the herdsmen of Abraham's livestock. And the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites. Also dwelt. In the land. There was disharmony. And Abraham.

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    Or Abram as he was. Takes the initiative. And settles the matter. And offers to his younger relation. The choice. So here's the questions that start to come. Brothers and sisters. Had we been part of that entourage. And part of that household of Abraham. What questions would start to come into your mind? Why is Abraham doing this?

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    Surely Abraham as the senior partner. Should be usurping his authority. Why is he behaving like this? And allowing Lot to take the choice? You see brothers and sisters. If you're part of Abraham's household. There are always lessons. From the head of the household. How he conducts himself. How he puts his trust. In his heavenly father.

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    Oh to be part of that household. Abraham's household will have seen so many lessons. How often would Abraham have spoken to that household. About the promises. That he was receiving. From God. When he builds an altar. What is it that his household. Would have said. Those servants around him. When they asked him.

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    What is it for? And why are we doing this? What opportunities. What opportunities. He must have taken. To tell them about the God. Whom he has served. Whom he had given up everything. In order. To follow. And when Abraham walked the length. And breadth of the land. Did he do it on his own?

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    Or did he do it with his servants? And as they walked. Did they talk? Did they ask questions? Did he explain why it was that he was so confident. In the choice that he had taken.

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    His household. First hand witnesses. Of a man of God. Trusting in his heavenly father. Worshipping and sacrificing. Looking forward to inheriting a land. Oh to be. Part. Of that. Household. What. Insight. Must they have had. Of the God. That we worship. Learning. From. Abraham. To hear him. Talk about his. Communication. With God.

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    They were a long way from home. But they were close. To the God. Of. Abraham. Just turn with me to Genesis 18. Verse 16.

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    Then the men rose. From there. And looked towards Sodom. And Abraham. Went with them. To send them on their way. And the Lord said. Shall I hide. From Abraham. What I have done. Since Abraham. Shall surely become. A great. And mighty nation. And all the nations. Of the earth. Shall be blessed. In him.

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    For I have known him. In order that he may command. His children. And his. Household. After him. That they keep. The way. Of the Lord. To do righteousness. And justice. That the Lord. May bring to Abraham. What he has spoken. To him.

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    This is interesting. Isn't it. Brothers and sisters. The declaration. That Abraham's faithfulness. Not only towards his own children. But to his. Household. He can be trusted. With. The extended. Household. That he will keep them. In. The way. Just hold that. Phrase. Brothers and sisters. He will keep them. In the way. Servants. Have to keep.

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    The way. Of the Lord. As we would be. Descendants. Wouldn't we. We would seek to be. Part of Abraham's stock. Heirs. According. To the promise. We have to keep the way.

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    Abraham's servants. God was assured. Would be kept in the way. Because of the faithfulness. Of. Abraham. Let's turn back. A little more. To. Genesis 14. The first war. In scripture.

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    Down at verse 13. One who had escaped. Came and told. Abram. The Hebrew. One who had passed over. For he dwelt. By the. Terebinth tree. It. Mamre. The Amorite. Brother of Eshcol. And brother of Aner. And they were allies. With Abram. Now when Abram. He heard. That his brother. Was taken. Captive. He armed.

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    His. Three. Hundred. And. Eighteen. Trained. Servants. Who were born. In. His. Own. House. And went. In pursuit. As far. As Dan. So what are we getting. Brothers and sisters.

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    We're getting here. This picture of a huge. Number. Of. Fighting men. Among his household. His servants. Who were able to. Rise up. And to act. For the head. Of the household.

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    Abraham's. Household. Called. Into action. And that verse 14. Is an interesting one. Isn't it? And maybe like me. You've asked the question. Why. Are we told. How many there are. Numbers in scripture. Normally have some sort of significance. Why are we told. That there are. Three hundred. And eighteen. Trained. Servants. Who were born.

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    In his own house. Now I've seen all sorts of ideas for this. And I'll be. More than happy to hear what. You've heard. What your thoughts are. On the whole. Matter.

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    One of the interesting things. That really. Appealed to me. And I checked this out. Not being a Hebrew scholar. I checked it out. With a brother. Who is a Hebrew scholar. I'd heard that this was a case. And I said. I'd like to know this for sure. But you know how. In the Hebrew alphabet.

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    All of the letters. Of the Hebrew alphabet. Have a numerical value. Well. If you take. Well. If you take. The name. Of. Eliezer. And the. Numerical value. That applies. To the letters. In his name. You get. Your. Three hundred. And eighteen. And that may be significant. It may not be significant. But it's certainly.

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    Interesting. It's certainly. Interesting. Because Eliezer. Is presented to us. I believe is the one. That we read about. In Genesis 24. As the entrusted. Senior. Long serving. Servant.

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    Perhaps the one. Who would have been a part. Of this. Whole. Action. And these. Individuals. That we read about. Are a clearly. Trained. Men. Says. And the same word. Is used of. You know. The Proverbs. Which talks about. Training up a child. And away he should go. And Hebrew. Literally means. To keep in a narrow.

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    Way. To train them. Well. So we start to get the echoes. And the pictures. For ourselves. Brothers and sisters. Abraham's household. Kept in a narrow way. Trained. Well. Responsive. To Abraham's. Word.

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    These are the servants. Who would heard. These things. Who knew. Of the God. Of Israel. Through. Their master. And it presents. Brothers and sisters. This lovely picture. Doesn't it. That we get. Of a household. Of servants. Committed. And loving. The master. Whom they served.

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    Ready. And willing. To even. Die. For their master. And we can see. The spiritual significance. Can't we. Without. Pressing the points. Hard. We can see. Some lessons. That start to emerge. Of what's required. From a faithful. Household. Of servants. The kind of people. That they are required. To be.

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    And among other things. What else. Did these servants witness? Well. Just look with me. While we're here. In. In chapter. 14. Down. Down. At verse. 18.

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    Then. Melchizedek. King. Of Salem. Brought out. Bread. And wine. He was the priest. Of the most high God. And he blessed him. And said. Blessed be Abraham. Of. God. Most high. Possessor of heaven. And earth. Blessed. Be. God. Most high. Who has delivered. Your enemies. Into your hands. And he gave him. Tithes.

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    Of. All. Again. Brothers and sisters. We know he was an extremely rich man. Wasn't it said? That the. The size of their. Campment. Was so big. That they couldn't all be together. When we think of giving. Tithes. Was this Abraham. Just reaching to his back pocket. And taking out a few notes. And putting in.

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    To a collection bag. When he gave. Tithes. I don't think this was just an act. Of. Of individual. Action. Brothers and sisters. Can we imagine. That this may well have involved. His servants. Giving tithes. What did he have? There was so much. That he had. That the land. Couldn't contain them. Giving tithes.

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    Did he call his servants. Into action. What did they learn. When they were. Required. By their master. To give. To Melchizedek. The prince. The prince. The king. Of Salem. What did they think. When they handed these things over. There was bread. There was wine. There was free will. Offerings. Isn't it lovely. Brothers and sisters.

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    The picture. That we get. But I'm just keeping our eyes. If we can. On being one of those servants. And seeing this happening around you. How would it feel. To have a master. Like that. What would it be like. Being part. Of a community. Where there. Was the. King of Salem. And bread.

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    And wine. And free will offerings. The impact. The impact. That there must have been. Upon them. And when we turn to Genesis 17. Having seen these things. We find them entering into a covenant. Relationship.

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    Genesis 17. We have down at verse. 10. This is my covenant. Which. You shall keep. Between me. And you. Your descendants. After you. Every male child. Among you. Shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised. In the flesh. Of your foreskins. And it shall be a sign. Of the covenant. Between me. And you.

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    He. Who is. Eight days. Old. Among you. Shall be. Circumcised. Every male. Child. In your generations. Who is born. In your house. Or bought. With money. From any stranger. Who is not. A descendant. He. Who is born. In your house. And he. Who is bought. With your money. Must be. Circumcised. And my covenant.

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    Shall be. In your flesh. For an everlasting. Covenant. And the. Uncircumcised. Male child. Who is not. Circumcised. In the flesh. Of his foreskin. That person. Shall be. Cut. Off. From his people. He has. Broken. My covenant.

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    Now. Brothers and sisters. Imagine. In the household. Imagine. When this is now. Spoken of. Imagine. When Abram. Comes. And explains. To. These. Hundreds. Of men. That there is now. A requirement. That we enter. Into a special. Relationship. With my God. Who I have told you. About. The one who has given. The promises.

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    The one who is giving us. The land. That we have walked through. Together. Do you remember? This is now. What he wants you to do. As an act of commitment. As a sign of covenant. This. Is what I want you. To do.

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    Verse 23. So Abram. Took Ishmael. His son. All who were born. In his house. And all who were brought. With the money. Every male. Among the men. Of Abraham's house. And. Circumcised. The flesh. Of their foreskin. That. Very. Same. Day.

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    Now brothers and sisters. That implies. There was no resistance. There was no big debate. There was no question. There was no need. For a long engagement. Program. There was absolute. And immediate. Response. In a positive way. That if this is what. The God who. You worship. Abram. Requires of us. And that's what we will do.

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    That. Very. Same. Day. And yet. There we read. In verse 24. Abram. Was 99 years old. When he was circumcised. Verse 26. That. Very. Same. Day. Abram. Was circumcised. And his son. Ishmael. And all the men. Of his house. Born. In the house. Or bought. With money. From a foreigner. Were circumcised. With him.

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    He didn't expect. Anything of them. That he wasn't. Willing. And ready. To do. Himself. He was the role model. He demonstrated. What was required. He did all that was required. To fulfill. All righteousness. We might say. And they followed. Obedience.

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    So. Brothers and sisters. Among these. Great. Men. And among. These lessons. I've hopefully. Helped us to set a bit of a scene. Of. The servants. Within the household. But there is this. Incident. That we've read about. And the servant. That. Is singled out. Really. For a particular job. A special job. A matter of life.

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    And death. Kind of job. You know. Brothers and sisters. Sometimes we are in our workplaces. Those of us. Who are still in workplaces. And. I know. Therefore. It won't apply to all of us. But those of us. Who have paid employment. And we sometimes. Come home. From our paid employment. And we sit down.

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    With our. Sister wife. Or perhaps. With our brother husband. And we pour out. Just how important. Our job is. We tell them. That we're dealing. With a project. That is just. So. Crucial. The business. Is going to stand or fall. By what it is. That I'm working on. At the moment. This could save the company.

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    Thousands of dollars. Or lose us. Thousands of dollars. There's hundreds of people. Going to be affected. By this project. That I'm working on. Brothers and sisters. It's of nothing. Compared to the job. That this man. Is given. In Genesis 24. This is a project. This is a job. Like no other job. It is a matter of life and death.

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    And it's at the heart of God's master plan. In order. That the plan might be fulfilled. We've got to find. The right individual. The right wife. For Abram's son. And if he's not found. Then what's going to happen. And it's quite clear. Brothers and sisters. When you look at. Genesis 24. When Abraham.

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    Old and well advanced. In years. Verse 2. Calls the. Oldest servant. Of the house. The one that's been there. Seen it. Done it. Who knew everything. From start to finish.

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    The one. Perhaps he feels. He could. Trust. Above. All others. The one who knew best. Just what these promises meant. And how God's master plan. Was dependent upon. What he was about to ask him. And there is the oath. Which is taken. It seems quite bizarre. Doesn't it. In our culture. To see what was happening.

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    But the oath. Which was taken. With his. Hands under his thigh. A sign of commitment. And a sign of. Absolute understanding. Of just how important. This. Job is. That is being asked. Of this man. The oldest servant. I believe we're reading here. Of. Eliezer. Whose name. Conveys the idea. Of God. Is. My.

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    Help. If you're going to give a job. To anybody. Give it to a man. Who's called. God. Is. My. Help. Because that's what he was going to need. To fulfill. What was required.

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    Now we know this story so well. And I don't propose to have a Sunday school lesson. In our last few minutes. But I want us just to pause. At one or two points. Brothers and sisters. In the light of what we've said. Of being entrusted servants. I want us to see the Lord Jesus.

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    I want it to prompt our own thoughts. About our discipleship. And we've alluded to this idea of. Being kept in the narrow way. He's entrusted. With a job. To find. A bride. For his master's son. Here we are the brothers and sisters. This is us. Isn't this our job? This is what we're called to do.

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    We're called to go and find. A bride. For the Lord Jesus. For when he comes. He is looking for those. Who are prepared and ready. And that's our job. To go and find a bride. And the first step was our solemn oath. Brothers and sisters. Was it not? When we were baptized. And we declared our belief in these things.

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    And committed ourself. To following in the Lord's way. We knew the responsibility. We are now undertaking a job. For the master. And for the master's son.

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    And we've not been sent out empty handed. What was it that Eliezer was given? This faithful servant. Down in verse 10. Then the servant took. Ten. Of his master's camels. And departed. For all his master's goods. Were in his hand. Hold that phrase. Brothers and sisters. That's going to come up again later for us.

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    In our studies. But he's been given. Ten. Camels worth. Of riches. I don't know how much you think that looks like. Brothers and sisters. But ten. Camels worth. Of riches. And we talk about the riches. In Christ. We talk about Moses having that. Decision to make. Wasn't it? Of whether he would accept the.

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    The wonders. And the beauties. And the gifts. That could be offered in Egypt. Or to choose the riches. That were there in Christ. And we're loaded up with riches. Brothers and sisters. I brought mine. Didn't I? Through immigration. I've got the word here. And all its riches. And you've got it too. And we brought the riches.

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    We've been entrusted with. Ten camels worth. Of riches. To go and find a bride. For our master's son. And we travel like Eliezer. In faith.

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    We travel in prayer. We try and live up to Eliezer's name. Knowing that God is my help. So when we preach. Brothers and sisters. As faithful servants. We can preach knowing that God is my help. Can't we? He is there to help. And sustain us. And to give us what we need. At those crunch moments.

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    Indeed a crunch moment. Is heading Eliezer's way. Isn't it? As the story unfolds. Verse 11. There in Mesopotamia. He comes to the city of Nahor. And verse 11. And he made his camels. Kneel down. Outside the city. By a well of water. At evening time. The time when women go out. To draw water.

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    And then he said. Oh Lord God. Of my master Abraham. Please give me success. This day. And show kindness. Who to? To me? No. Show kindness. To my master. Abraham. He hadn't forgot who he was working for. Brothers and sisters. He was a long way from base. But he hadn't forgotten who he was working for.

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    He is instant in prayer. He's been trained well. Hasn't he? The servant of Abraham. That when faced with choices. And circumstances. Where you know you can't manage on your own. You instantly ask. The Lord God of Abraham. For help. There's a lesson for us all. That's what he does. That we might be of support and value.

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    Not for ourself. But for our master. Who we are serving. He opens his heart. For help. We know the conversation that ensues. We know. That he is blessed. With the encounter. That he has.

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    Verse 18. When she says. Drink my Lord. Then she drank. So she said. Then she quickly. Let her pitcher down. By her hand. And gave him to drink. And when she had finished giving him a drink. She said. I'll draw water for your camels also. Just as he had hoped and prayed for.

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    Until they had finished drinking. And she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough. Ran back to the well to draw water. Drew for all his camels. And the man. Wondering at her. Remained silent. So as to know whether the Lord had made his journey. Prosperous or not. He had said the prayer. He had taken the steps.

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    But he remained silent. Now he may have been in silent prayer. But he was silent. And sometimes brothers and sisters. We have to remain silent. We have to just. Sit and watch and wait. While the Lord answers our prayers. And things unfold. All things will work together. According to the Lord's plan. And sometimes it's hard.

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    And sometimes we give up. Far too fast. Because it's not been as instant. As it was for Eliezer. But we have to ask the prayer. And we have to do the doing. And we have to sit. And watch. And wait. In silence. That's what Eliezer did. He watched. And the prayers were answered in front of him.

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    For when she had finished. He knew. That this. Was the one. And with this. Wonderful demonstration. That God had heard. His prayer. In verse 24. When she says. I am the daughter of Bethuel. Milkar's son. Whom she bought a Nahor. Moreover. She said to him. We have both straw. And food enough. And room to lodge.

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    More evidence. That this was the one. That God's hand had been at work. And if we look. Brothers and sisters. We don't have to look too hard. To see the Lord's hand at work. But are we like Eliezer. As faithful servants. Do we do what he did. Verse 26. Then. The man bowed down his head.

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    And worshipped. The Lord. And said. Blessed be the Lord God. Of my master Abraham. Who was not forsaken. His mercy. And his truth. Towards my master. As for me. Being. On. The way. Some versions may say. In. The way. And the Lord led me. To the house of my master's brethren. So here's a lesson.

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    Brethren and sisters. I believe if we put ourselves. On the way. Or in the way. In faith. And in prayer. Then the Lord will get us. To where we need to be. Taken to. But we've got to be. In the way first. It's no good. It's being back. As it were. Waiting. With Abraham.

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    We've actually got to get out. On the road. We've got to get out there. With our ten camels worth. We've got to be in the way. Asking our prayer. And being found. In the way. The Lord hasn't. Forsaken him. But he's led him. To the right. House. The master plan. Is being worked out.

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    The bride. Is being found. Because the servants. Were in. The way. Isn't that what we have to do. Brethren and sisters. We talk about. Preaching the word. But we've got to be. In the way. To preach the word. We can't do it. Just from our armchairs. We've got to be. In the way.

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    And if we're in the way. The Lord will direct us. To find. The bride. Because it's God's master plan. Not because of. Our brilliance. But blessed be the Lord. God of my father. Abraham. Because he is doing. These things. God is being merciful. To my master. He is helping me. To find. The bride.

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    For. My master. But we have to be. In the way. And having. Seen these things. The passage. Continues. Where we learn more. Of this great servant. And here. I think we can see. The Lord Jesus. Can we not? When we find. Down at verse 31.

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     When he reaches there. With Laban. With Rebecca. We find. Down at verse 31. He said. Come in. Blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? I've prepared the house. And the place. For the camels. Look at this. Verse 32. Then. Then. The man. Came into the house. He unloaded. The camels. And provided.

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     Straw. And feed. For the camels. And water. To wash his feet. And the feet. Of the men. Who were with him. Who do we know. Who washes feet. Brothers and sisters.

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     Who do we know. Who won't lay down his head. Until the work is all done. The servant of the Lord. Brothers and sisters. His job's never done. How easy would it have been. For you and I. To have just sat back. At this point. And thought. Boy. We've done a great job. We went out for Abraham.

103. 40:39

     We found exactly. What he was. Asking us to do. And feel really proud. And when someone says. Oh come in. And put your feet up. That would have been the moment. Just put your feet up. Relax. The work is done. Had Eliezer had a. Had a mobile. He would have been texting back.

104. 40:57

     At that moment. Wouldn't he. Job done. It's okay. We're sorted. But the servant's work. Is never done. And he is still an example. To the others. Who were with him. Who were on that same journey. This is us. Brothers and sisters. We're on the journey. We're in the work. We're in the way.

105. 41:18

     We've got the one. Who couldn't lay down his head. Till the work was done. Who washes the feet. Of those. Who are workers. With him.

106. 41:30

     What a great. Example. He is. Brothers and sisters. And when he meets. With Laban. And when he talks. Of these wonderful things. And retells. The whole. Story. What does he say. Verse 34. He says. I am. Abraham's. Servant. That's how he introduces himself. I am. Abraham's. Servant. Not. I'm Eliezer. Not. I'm actually the.

107. 42:04

     Longest serving member. Of a particular household. That's. Extremely well off. In another part of the. Country. I'm Abraham's. Servant. We too. Brothers and sisters. Are servants. Of our Lord. And master. Wouldn't it be good. If that was our spirit. In our. Interactions. With those. With whom we come into contact. That. Humbleness of mind.

108. 42:26

     That the first thing we. Think. And the first thing. That we may. Not necessarily. Put into words. But that guides us. In our language. And guides us. In our. Thought process. I'm a servant. That's all I am. I'm a servant. And I've been given a job. And part of God's master plan. And it's brilliant.

109. 42:44

     And I've got a small part to play. And I think. If I'm in the right way. The Lord will guide me. In that work. And I've traveled in knowledge. That God would be with me. The Lord. Is my help. Eliezer. The Lord. Is. My help. And down at verse 50. Laban and Bethel answered and said.

110. 43:16

     The thing. Comes. From the Lord. There's no doubt. When you've got a good. Honest. Truthful. Servant. Of Abraham. Declaring what he declares. With such. Conviction. And truth. For Laban. There is no doubt. The thing. Comes. From the Lord. If only we could speak. With that conviction. Brothers sisters. That those to whom we speak.

111. 43:44

     These things. Would say. God. This is. This is the truth. Isn't it. What you're telling me. These are indeed. Incredible things. That have happened to you. That have brought you to me. With this message. And we cannot speak. Against it. For it is God's will. Verse 52. And it came to pass. When Abraham's servant.

112. 44:08

     Heard their words. That he worshipped the Lord. Bowing himself. To the earth. When we see the response. Of those who accept. The truth. Which we share. We have that same spirit. Of gratitude. Brothers sisters. That same. Feeling. Of wonderment. That we must be on our knees. And thank our heavenly father. That his powerful word.

113. 44:35

     Still works. So here's the first of our servants. A household full of them. A group of people. From whom we I believe. Can find some really useful. Practical thoughts. That give us a glimpse. Of the Lord Jesus. That maybe will just encourage us. To think. To think. How we need to be. Really.

114. 45:00

     In the way. Trusted servants. Bearing. Great. Riches. There may indeed. Be found. A bride. For the master. Thank you. In the way.