The Missional Church - Part 4

Introduction

Gen 38:6-10 NIV Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. (7) But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to death. (8) Then Judah said to Onan, "Lie with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother." (9) But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother. (10) What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so he put him to death also.

Unusual passage of scripture

• Gets a bit racy
• Really mattered what the woman your brother married look like

Not about sex – masturbation or contraception

• Highlights two very different people with two very different attitudes
• And the results are astonishing

Tamar sleeps with her father in-law

• Gets pregnant – gives birth to twins – genealogy of Jesus
• Gods grace

Onan is put to death

• Gods wrath

Every seed is sacred

Gen.1:1 principle – everything was full of seed

• Receive and pass on
• E.g. Fig tree violation of his creational mandate – No substance

Mat 21:19 NIV Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.

• Many Christians like the fig tree
• Nothing being passed on

For Onan to receive and not pass on was a violation

1. God wants us to sow seed not spill it

• Spilling seed – lost potential

Gen 4:10 – spilled blood cries out to me (not vengeance)

Gen 4:10 NIV The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground.

Not the voice of vengeance – But of lost potential

• The destiny that was cut short – Gift and calling not fulfilled

Every seed has a story to tell

• What is spilled will have a voice not just what is sown
• E.g. Every aborted baby will have a voice
• Not of vengeance – but lost potential cut short
• May have a cure for aids by now if not for the abortions

Day of reckoning

• Everything that we didn’t say – there will be a day of Reckoning
• Day to give an account of our words and actions as Christians

Parable of talents

Mat 25:25-27 NIV So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' (26) "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? (27) Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

• Reckoning on what he didn’t sow (Didn’t even play it save)

What have you done with the seed from the conference – prophetic word

Made faith so touchy feely

• No big deal because I didn’t feel anything