The Minister’s Workshop: The God of the Chosen Family

In autumn make a new beginning. Be-forehand make ready to guide laymen in reading Genesis. Commentary, H. C. Leupold. Opening message (1:1). Topic as above. Seeing God—in the Home—with its Sin—and the Covenant. In Genesis, as now, the home, not state or church, the most important place on earth. Interpret parts of Genesis in light of the New Covenant (New Testament).

“The Creation in God’s Likeness” (1:27). For headings often use sentences: In the beginning God made his children like himself in goodness. By sin they lost perfect likeness. By grace he now waits to restore such likeness.

“The Meaning of a Man’s Religion” (5:24). In a passage not for public reading, a word picture! Here and now, a Deepening Friendship with God. Hereafter, an Endless Fellowship with God. Ideally, God teaches us to think of goodness in terms of home and its friendship.

“The Gospel in the Rainbow” (9:13). After the direst disaster, due to sin, a symbol: “The Goodness of Our God”; “The Nearness of Our Neighbors”; “The Worthwhileness of Our Work”; “The Heavenliness of Our Hopes.” “The Gospel, the Gift of God to the Imagination!” Learn to see!

“The Meaning of a Man’s Faith” (Heb. 11:8). In a practical sense, faith means courage to Start Doing the Will of God; Perseverance to Keep On at Any Cost; Willingness to Make a Supreme Sacrifice for God. Before this, one needs saving faith.

“The Ideals of a Godly Father” (18:19). This means to be like God in the Home; show Godlikeness in Training Children; receive God’s Blessing as Their Father. Ideally, such a home, earth’s nearest approach to heaven. Actually so by faith.

“With God on His Proving Ground” (22:1, RSV). On a proving ground men test a new auto, hoping it will come through with triumph. For the best of men God has his proving ground. There he subjects a man to grueling tests. To a good man he gives power to meet every test. Then he makes a good man a blessing to others.

“A Marriage Made in Heaven” (24:67). God sets up lofty ideals about marriage, the normal state of a man and a woman. He intends them for each other, brings them together, waits to bless the union. But every marriage has to be carried out on earth by two persons far from angelic. A message about putting God first.

“The God of an Average Man” (Ex. 3:6). Preach at times about a man like the one in the pew. Isaac was always second to somebody else: father, mother, wife, son. But God Loves this Average Man—Selects Him—Blesses Him—Makes Him an Agent of Blessing. A “good and faithful servant,” not great and famous. What a message for a man who feels inferior!

“The Meaning of a Man’s Worship” (Gen. 28:12, 13). In a place that seems God-forsaken, a worldling learns about worship. Behold the Steps unto Heaven—some way of access to God. The Angels Ascending and Descending—bearing human aspirations and bringing God’s blessing. The Lord, to whom all worship goes; from whom all blessings flow. Or else, “When a Strong Man Discovers God.” Imagination!

“The Conversion in Middle Age” (Gen. 32:28). In present tenses, a man of middle age Comes Face to Face with God’s Angel; Resists All Night; Submits with the Rising Sun; Becomes a New Man, with a new name. “Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race!”

“The God of a Worldly Man” (Ex. 3:6). As with Jacob, God often Chooses a Young Worldling; Blesses Him for Twenty Years; Transforms Him when No Longer Young; then Uses Him as an Agent of Mercy. What a God!

“The Way to Deal with Temptation” (Gen. 39:9c). To a young man far from home temptation comes in a bewitching guise. He meets it by Loyalty to God—the Other Person—and Self. Also by Prudence: keeping away from a certain Place—Person—Peril. What a message to one obsessed with sex!

“The Forgiveness of Deadly Wrongs” (45:5). A case from life. The Meaning of Deadly Wrongs: serious offenses between man and man. Forgiveness, like God’s dealing with sin confessed. Secret—love for God, for parent, for brothers. Preach often hard duty and high privilege!

“The Tokens of God’s Loving Care” (45:27). A thanksgiving message, with reference to your church this year. Visible signs of his invisible grace. Single out a few, and bid God’s people rejoice.

“The Wonders of God’s Providence” (50:20). Stress here either doctrine or duty. Doctrine: as with Joseph, God has a plan for each of his children; in the end God overrules evil deeds of men, like “the sins that crucified Jesus.” Surely “the wrath of man shall praise thee” (Ps. 76:10a).

Dedicated, to assisting the clergy in the preparation of sermons, the feature titled The Minister’s Workshop will appear in the first issue of each month. The section’s introductory essay will be contributed alternately by Dr. Andrew W. Blackwood and by Dr. Paul S. Rees. In addition, the feature will include Dr. Blackwood’s abridgments of expository-topical sermons, outlines of significant messages by great preachers of the past, or of messages by expository preachers of our own time.—ED.

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