Our Intentional Actions &
God's Power and Presence, Part II
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Sermon Notes | Genesis 24:29-67
I. Posture of the Heart (vv. 29-32, 18-20)
II. Praiseworthy Proposal (vv. 33-53)
III. Provision of God (vv. 54-67)
II. Praiseworthy Proposal (vv. 33-53)
III. Provision of God (vv. 54-67)
Reflection & Response
Content
Contemplate
Take some time to read over the below passages that describe how God demonstrated His love to you through Jesus. Receive these truths in a personal way. Soak them in. Write down any reflections that stand out to you. After your time of reflection, take a moment to praise God through either prayer or worship.
Abraham sent a servant for the benefit of his son. (vv. 1-4)
God sends His Son for the benefit of sinners like me. (John 3:16)
Abraham’s son was required to remain in his homeland. (vv. 5-9)
God’s Son was required to leave His home to bring me home. (Phil. 2:6-7; John 1:14)
Abraham’s servant had a way out of the oath. (vv. 8-9)
God’s Son would not be given an alternate plan in order to redeem me. (Luke 23:34)
Abraham’s servant traveled with a caravan of wealth. (vv. 10-11)
God’s Son left all of His possessions and became poor so that I might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9)
Abraham’s son was given a beautiful, pure, and generous bride. (vv. 16-21)
God’s Son would generously give Himself so that an adulterous bride, like me, would be made pure and beautiful. (1 John 4:10;
Rom. 5:8)
Abraham’s servant would be welcomed with hospitality. (vv. 22-33)
God’s Son would be rejected and treated with hostility in order to show me hospitality. (Is. 53:1-5; John 1:10-13)
Abraham’s servant drank a cup that was refreshing. (vv. 34-49)
God’s Son would drink the bitter cup of divine judgment that I was supposed to drink. (Matt. 26:39; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 4:10)
Abraham’s son received a willing bride that was paid for by his father’s monetary wealth. (vv. 50-67)
God’s Son received a resistant bride, like me, that would cost Him His very life. (Rom. 5:7-10; 1 Cor. 6:20)
Abraham’s son was brought comfort by his bride. (v. 67)
God’s Son brings comfort to His bride, the Church, of which I am a part. (2 Cor. 1:3-5; Matt. 11:28-30)
Connect
Use the “Community” reflection but instead of sharing with someone outside of the faith community, consider someone from Grace Church with whom you can share.
Community
Use this graph to help you consider how God might be working through current events, situations, or experiences in your life. You will need to set aside at least 30 minutes to work through these questions and you will need to write down your reflections. After finishing, prayerfully ask God with whom you can share these reflections. For the community reflection you will want to choose friends or family who are unbelievers.
- What stands out concerning Rebekah’s treatment of Abraham’s servant? Consider how she treats him before she realizes who he is.
- What stands out concerning the hospitality of Laban to Abraham’s servant? What does this reveal about Laban’s heart posture?
- What does Jeremiah 17:9-10 say about the heart? How can you practically take steps to make sure you are not being deceived by ungodly heart desires and motivations?
- How is the servant’s proposal divided into two parts (vv. 34-48)? What do the two parts emphasize?
- How is the servant’s report and proposal an example of not only sharing the details but also the divine work of God?
- In what way did Pastor Austin suggest that Rebekah acted as a “female Abraham”? Are there any other examples of Rebekah living out an Abraham-like faith? Why do you think this passage connects Rebekah’s faith with Abraham’s faith?
Contemplate
Take some time to read over the below passages that describe how God demonstrated His love to you through Jesus. Receive these truths in a personal way. Soak them in. Write down any reflections that stand out to you. After your time of reflection, take a moment to praise God through either prayer or worship.
Abraham sent a servant for the benefit of his son. (vv. 1-4)
God sends His Son for the benefit of sinners like me. (John 3:16)
Abraham’s son was required to remain in his homeland. (vv. 5-9)
God’s Son was required to leave His home to bring me home. (Phil. 2:6-7; John 1:14)
Abraham’s servant had a way out of the oath. (vv. 8-9)
God’s Son would not be given an alternate plan in order to redeem me. (Luke 23:34)
Abraham’s servant traveled with a caravan of wealth. (vv. 10-11)
God’s Son left all of His possessions and became poor so that I might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9)
Abraham’s son was given a beautiful, pure, and generous bride. (vv. 16-21)
God’s Son would generously give Himself so that an adulterous bride, like me, would be made pure and beautiful. (1 John 4:10;
Rom. 5:8)
Abraham’s servant would be welcomed with hospitality. (vv. 22-33)
God’s Son would be rejected and treated with hostility in order to show me hospitality. (Is. 53:1-5; John 1:10-13)
Abraham’s servant drank a cup that was refreshing. (vv. 34-49)
God’s Son would drink the bitter cup of divine judgment that I was supposed to drink. (Matt. 26:39; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 4:10)
Abraham’s son received a willing bride that was paid for by his father’s monetary wealth. (vv. 50-67)
God’s Son received a resistant bride, like me, that would cost Him His very life. (Rom. 5:7-10; 1 Cor. 6:20)
Abraham’s son was brought comfort by his bride. (v. 67)
God’s Son brings comfort to His bride, the Church, of which I am a part. (2 Cor. 1:3-5; Matt. 11:28-30)
Connect
Use the “Community” reflection but instead of sharing with someone outside of the faith community, consider someone from Grace Church with whom you can share.
Community
Use this graph to help you consider how God might be working through current events, situations, or experiences in your life. You will need to set aside at least 30 minutes to work through these questions and you will need to write down your reflections. After finishing, prayerfully ask God with whom you can share these reflections. For the community reflection you will want to choose friends or family who are unbelievers.
