“Don’t give up your birthright.”
THE TWINS: ESAU AND JACOB
Esau was the firstborn. That meant he inherited the right to the blessing with all its privileges. He did nothing to deserve this except be born first. Jacob wanted that blessing more than anything else in life. He sought it, went after it, and got it.
Why did this take place?
Esau considered his birthright insignificant to him, sort of like how some Christians consider their birthright, the Holy Scriptures, and the vital role they play for The Church to be filled with God’s glory.
The New Testament gives The Church, each born again Believer in Jesus Christ, authority as Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom. We are to establish The Blessing in every nation. This we inherited, just like Esau when he was born. This was not of works which Esau did, just like our inheritance did not come by good works we did. Our Savior provided all our legal rights and privileges by His work on the cross and His resurrection.
Esau gave up his birthright because:
And so, the trap was set and Esau gave away his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew! Think of that!
Interesting to note, the ancient Hebrews believed one’s birthright represented a high spiritual value.
SOME DECISIONS CANNOT BE REVERSED
“... lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” (Hebrews 12:16-17)
What’s that got to do with the Body of Christ on earth in the year 2017?
The kingdom of darkness is after your birthright!
All things begin in the spiritual realm.
What if Jesus had submitted to the tempter in the desert?
“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
(Matthew 4:3-4)
If Jesus had yielded to that temptation, it would have revealed that He doubted what Father said about Him just before taking His journey into the wilderness. (Matthew 3:17)
If Jesus had given up His birthright, like Adam did, you would not be reading this Bible Lesson today!
“Oh, Lord Jesus, we are SO grateful for everything you overcame and for all we inherited through You! Help us daily to follow in Your footsteps.”
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 15:57)
“Yeah, but for some reason I just haven’t had a good track record of overcoming the enemy. Spiritual things just don’t seem to work out for me.”
THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF GOD’S WORD
The written Word of God will transform weakness of character and affect the decisions you make when you put God’s Word first place in your life.
That means that just as important as eating food is to you everyday, eating the rich living Word of God will transfer supernatural nutrition — power into your spirit man. Reading, studying, meditating, and hearing anointed faith teaching will strengthen you to act on God’s Word and overcome.
To abide in “The Vine” (John 15:5) means that the Holy Spirit, your power supply that is resident in your spirit, will help you overcome the temptation of momentary desires that try to pull you away from obedience to The Word. Memorize Acts 10:38.
If submitting to temptation happens on an ongoing basis, you will not have strength to resist and overcome the enemy. That’s why spiritual things “for some reason haven’t worked for you!”
What you value will be made known by your actions.
Is prayer and fellowship time with Father on the bottom of your “to do” list?
Esau would have inherited the blessing but someone else wanted it more than he did.
Will you have to fight the good fight of faith to keep your birthright and all that comes with it? Yes! “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
ABIDING IN JESUS IS ABIDING IN YOUR INHERITANCE
Jesus paid a debt he didn’t owe, because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay. Before the foundation of the world, Jesus, God’s spotless Lamb, would give His life as the sacrifice for man’s sin. Redemption came as an unearned gift to mankind: our Salvation Package which includes deliverance, health, and prosperity or “life more abundantly” through Him.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:16-17)
If Esau had valued his inheritance he would have chosen to overrule his carnal desire, to suffer a little while longer, rather than trading it for a momentary appetite.
CHOICES
As citizens of God’s Kingdom, there will be times we will have to crucify our flesh as we choose to make decisions that go against our will and follow God’s Word instead.
EXAMPLE: Walking in love and forgiving people that offend you may not be something you really want to do; after all, they hurt you! But when we look at the big picture we can see that unforgiveness will hinder our faith walk. Why?
Faith works through love.
Faith needs to remain active, without being restricted, in order to overcome the enemy. Faith is the catalyst that will bring in desired results — like answered prayer. The spiritual act of forgiving someone is how we “overcome evil with good.” This is one example of obeying scripture and “being a doer of the word.” Right here is how we present our body a living sacrifice and are being transformed by the renewing of our mind, not conforming to the ways of this world. (Romans 12:1-2) Not one Believer can truly walk in the Spirit without yielding our will to follow God’s ways.
“I say then: ‘Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’” (Galatians 5:16)
“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock ....” (Matthew 7:24)
“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:22-23)
Many may call themselves Christians but actions speak louder than words because actions reveal what is in the hidden man of the heart.
We are, after all “in Christ,” and our lives are not our own.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
That’s really good because we want all that Jesus provided for us to be working on our behalf.
Our Salvation Package, the Blessing of Abraham, is our birthright! (Galatians 3:13-14) And there will be times you will have to stand your ground and fight to keep your inheritance ... an inheritance that was bought with precious Blood!
Will you value it?
Those of Christ’s Body who have already finished their race and moved to Heaven have passed the baton to this end-days generation. Certainly they are cheering us on (Hebrews 12:1), for the finish line is much closer now than when we started, and we have a harvest to bring in!
Exercise Your God-Given Authority Every Day
Just like many people who desire to be fit and trim exercise their bodies continually, our spirit man is designed to be actively using our God-given authority to rule and reign (Romans 5:17) every day as Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is our inheritance! (Luke 12:32)
Jesus has given His powerful Spirit to indwell each of us. He has given His Body the keys of Heaven, yet many Christians lack knowledge of them or what to do with them.
EXAMPLE: If you are feeling down-trodden or depressed, that’s an indication that the enemy is trying to steal your inheritance through lying thoughts. Don’t ignore accusations or condemnation. Use God’s Word against the enemy. Stir yourself up, personalize the scripture, and boldly speak:
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17
This is your covenant right, your heritage as a new creation in Christ!
Use your sword of the Spirit, Saints!
This website has several resources that, when you act on them, will transform your life. This is how you prosper. This brings the good fruit of living life abundantly!
This is something no one else can do for you.
SUGGEST ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Here is a recent faith-filled teaching from Keith Moore that will change your life — if you act on it. It's 45 minutes long:
http://www.flcmedia.org/FLCSarasota/MP4/2017/HD/170219Video.mp4
PLANTING YOUR BIRTHRIGHT — IN YOUR HEART (Mark 4:14)
2. Use the following resources several times a week.
Epistle Prayers: Speak them, believe them. The Blessing is transferred by words.
Who I Am in Christ Scriptures: Say them out loud to plant God’s seed into the good ground of your heart that will remove the inferior image placed in you by the world. Your Kingdom identity is wrapped up in these scriptures. This is what you inherited at your second birth. They must be used against lies that come to steal your birthright/blessing!
Overcomer Scriptures: Say them to renew your mind to the truth that you are running a race that has long-term rewards.
Just as a farmer plants seed in his field to get the crop desired, planting God’s word into your heart will bring a lasting crop of rewards for you personally and will help establish God’s Kingdom on earth: the Blessing of being born again!
CHRIST IN YOU — THE HOPE OF GLORY! (Colossians 1:27)
“For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE: See Praying in Agreement
The Glorious Church: to arise in your counties and our nation.
The Lost: Hungry to hear the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom
Elected Leaders: Yielded to do God’s will
Copyright © 2013 – 2017 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org
THE TWINS: ESAU AND JACOB
Esau was the firstborn. That meant he inherited the right to the blessing with all its privileges. He did nothing to deserve this except be born first. Jacob wanted that blessing more than anything else in life. He sought it, went after it, and got it.
Why did this take place?
Esau considered his birthright insignificant to him, sort of like how some Christians consider their birthright, the Holy Scriptures, and the vital role they play for The Church to be filled with God’s glory.
The New Testament gives The Church, each born again Believer in Jesus Christ, authority as Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom. We are to establish The Blessing in every nation. This we inherited, just like Esau when he was born. This was not of works which Esau did, just like our inheritance did not come by good works we did. Our Savior provided all our legal rights and privileges by His work on the cross and His resurrection.
Esau gave up his birthright because:
- He did not value his inheritance, his purpose in life.
- He was dominated by his flesh.
- He was ignorant of the cunning craftiness of someone who knew and recognized the superior advantage of what the birthright meant and what the birthright could do in transferring authority to rule and reign on earth.
And so, the trap was set and Esau gave away his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew! Think of that!
Interesting to note, the ancient Hebrews believed one’s birthright represented a high spiritual value.
SOME DECISIONS CANNOT BE REVERSED
“... lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” (Hebrews 12:16-17)
What’s that got to do with the Body of Christ on earth in the year 2017?
The kingdom of darkness is after your birthright!
All things begin in the spiritual realm.
What if Jesus had submitted to the tempter in the desert?
“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
(Matthew 4:3-4)
If Jesus had yielded to that temptation, it would have revealed that He doubted what Father said about Him just before taking His journey into the wilderness. (Matthew 3:17)
If Jesus had given up His birthright, like Adam did, you would not be reading this Bible Lesson today!
“Oh, Lord Jesus, we are SO grateful for everything you overcame and for all we inherited through You! Help us daily to follow in Your footsteps.”
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 15:57)
“Yeah, but for some reason I just haven’t had a good track record of overcoming the enemy. Spiritual things just don’t seem to work out for me.”
THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF GOD’S WORD
The written Word of God will transform weakness of character and affect the decisions you make when you put God’s Word first place in your life.
That means that just as important as eating food is to you everyday, eating the rich living Word of God will transfer supernatural nutrition — power into your spirit man. Reading, studying, meditating, and hearing anointed faith teaching will strengthen you to act on God’s Word and overcome.
To abide in “The Vine” (John 15:5) means that the Holy Spirit, your power supply that is resident in your spirit, will help you overcome the temptation of momentary desires that try to pull you away from obedience to The Word. Memorize Acts 10:38.
If submitting to temptation happens on an ongoing basis, you will not have strength to resist and overcome the enemy. That’s why spiritual things “for some reason haven’t worked for you!”
What you value will be made known by your actions.
Is prayer and fellowship time with Father on the bottom of your “to do” list?
Esau would have inherited the blessing but someone else wanted it more than he did.
Will you have to fight the good fight of faith to keep your birthright and all that comes with it? Yes! “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
ABIDING IN JESUS IS ABIDING IN YOUR INHERITANCE
Jesus paid a debt he didn’t owe, because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay. Before the foundation of the world, Jesus, God’s spotless Lamb, would give His life as the sacrifice for man’s sin. Redemption came as an unearned gift to mankind: our Salvation Package which includes deliverance, health, and prosperity or “life more abundantly” through Him.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:16-17)
If Esau had valued his inheritance he would have chosen to overrule his carnal desire, to suffer a little while longer, rather than trading it for a momentary appetite.
CHOICES
As citizens of God’s Kingdom, there will be times we will have to crucify our flesh as we choose to make decisions that go against our will and follow God’s Word instead.
EXAMPLE: Walking in love and forgiving people that offend you may not be something you really want to do; after all, they hurt you! But when we look at the big picture we can see that unforgiveness will hinder our faith walk. Why?
Faith works through love.
Faith needs to remain active, without being restricted, in order to overcome the enemy. Faith is the catalyst that will bring in desired results — like answered prayer. The spiritual act of forgiving someone is how we “overcome evil with good.” This is one example of obeying scripture and “being a doer of the word.” Right here is how we present our body a living sacrifice and are being transformed by the renewing of our mind, not conforming to the ways of this world. (Romans 12:1-2) Not one Believer can truly walk in the Spirit without yielding our will to follow God’s ways.
“I say then: ‘Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’” (Galatians 5:16)
“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock ....” (Matthew 7:24)
“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:22-23)
Many may call themselves Christians but actions speak louder than words because actions reveal what is in the hidden man of the heart.
We are, after all “in Christ,” and our lives are not our own.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
That’s really good because we want all that Jesus provided for us to be working on our behalf.
Our Salvation Package, the Blessing of Abraham, is our birthright! (Galatians 3:13-14) And there will be times you will have to stand your ground and fight to keep your inheritance ... an inheritance that was bought with precious Blood!
Will you value it?
Those of Christ’s Body who have already finished their race and moved to Heaven have passed the baton to this end-days generation. Certainly they are cheering us on (Hebrews 12:1), for the finish line is much closer now than when we started, and we have a harvest to bring in!
Exercise Your God-Given Authority Every Day
Just like many people who desire to be fit and trim exercise their bodies continually, our spirit man is designed to be actively using our God-given authority to rule and reign (Romans 5:17) every day as Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is our inheritance! (Luke 12:32)
Jesus has given His powerful Spirit to indwell each of us. He has given His Body the keys of Heaven, yet many Christians lack knowledge of them or what to do with them.
EXAMPLE: If you are feeling down-trodden or depressed, that’s an indication that the enemy is trying to steal your inheritance through lying thoughts. Don’t ignore accusations or condemnation. Use God’s Word against the enemy. Stir yourself up, personalize the scripture, and boldly speak:
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17
This is your covenant right, your heritage as a new creation in Christ!
Use your sword of the Spirit, Saints!
This website has several resources that, when you act on them, will transform your life. This is how you prosper. This brings the good fruit of living life abundantly!
This is something no one else can do for you.
SUGGEST ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Here is a recent faith-filled teaching from Keith Moore that will change your life — if you act on it. It's 45 minutes long:
http://www.flcmedia.org/FLCSarasota/MP4/2017/HD/170219Video.mp4
PLANTING YOUR BIRTHRIGHT — IN YOUR HEART (Mark 4:14)
2. Use the following resources several times a week.
Epistle Prayers: Speak them, believe them. The Blessing is transferred by words.
Who I Am in Christ Scriptures: Say them out loud to plant God’s seed into the good ground of your heart that will remove the inferior image placed in you by the world. Your Kingdom identity is wrapped up in these scriptures. This is what you inherited at your second birth. They must be used against lies that come to steal your birthright/blessing!
Overcomer Scriptures: Say them to renew your mind to the truth that you are running a race that has long-term rewards.
Just as a farmer plants seed in his field to get the crop desired, planting God’s word into your heart will bring a lasting crop of rewards for you personally and will help establish God’s Kingdom on earth: the Blessing of being born again!
CHRIST IN YOU — THE HOPE OF GLORY! (Colossians 1:27)
“For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE: See Praying in Agreement
The Glorious Church: to arise in your counties and our nation.
The Lost: Hungry to hear the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom
Elected Leaders: Yielded to do God’s will
Copyright © 2013 – 2017 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org
