DIGGING DEEP NO. 992 – JULY 4, 2023                                                              ABRAHAM – A STUDY OF FAITH IN GOD (PART 10)                                                                                                 Gen.18: 1 – 8.

Abraham was given a special title of being a friend of God and he is the only person in the Bible to have it 2Chron.20: 7, Is.41: 8, Jam.2: 23. Jesus called Lazarus His friend Jh.11: 11 and He calls all who believe on Him friends Jh.15: 13- 15. As His friends, we can share His love and fellowship. Friendship involves ministry and, in this chapter, you will find Abraham ministering in three different areas.

He ministered to the Lord – Gen.1: 1- 8 all ministry must first be to the Lord, for if we fail to be a blessing to the Lord, we will never be a blessing to others Ex.28: 1- 4 and 41, Ex.29: 1, Col.3: 23- 24. Abraham was taking a rest during the heat of the day when he saw three strangers approaching. There was nothing about their appearance that told Abraham who they were; but as he fellowshipped with them, he learned that he was entertaining royal visitors. His ministry to the Lord was so acceptable that we ought to follow his example.

1. He ministered personally. Abraham was ninety-nine years old and a wealthy man, he could have entrusted this task to his chief steward or one of his more than 300 servants. Instead, he decided to minister to the Lord personally.
2. He ministered immediately. Abraham could have ignored them by pretending to be asleep, or he could have asked them to sit down and wait until he had finished his siesta.
3. He ministered speedily Gen 18: 2 and 6. He ran to meet the visitors and hastened to tell Sarah to bake some bread. He ran to get a tender calf and saw to it that the young man hastened to dress the meatGen.18: 7. Keep in mind that this is an old man (ninety-nine-year-old man) running around in the heat of the day. Only after he had served his guests did Abraham stand still Gen.18: 8.
4. He ministered generously. Abraham served the Lord generously and gave the best that he had. Sarah baked bread from fine meal Vs.6, and the meat was tender and good Vs.7; no leftovers for such important guests. What a contrast to the priests in Malachi’s day who did not give God their best Mal.1: 6- 14
5. He ministered with humility. He bowed to his guestsVs.2. called himself a servant Vs.3 and 5 and called the feast only a morsel of bread. He served the three visitors and then stood near to be available if needed. He interrupted a comfortable afternoon nap to become a servant to three strangers; but because of that service, he received tremendous blessings for himself and his wife.
6. He is involved in the ministry of others. Sarah baked the bread; a young man dressed the meat; servants brought Abraham the butter and milk.  D. L Moody said, “I would rather put ten men to work than do the work of ten men”. When we serve ourselves or our own ministries, our work perishes; but when we serve the Lord, He gives lasting and abundant fruit Jh.12: 20- 26. 

Importance of Christian hospitality – In this day of convenient motels and hotels, we rarely think about what it means to entertain strangers Heb.13: 1- 2; but hospitality is an important part of Christian ministry Rom.12: 13; 1Pet.4: 9. In fact “Given to hospitality” is one of the requirements for leadership in the local church 1Tim.3: 2, Tit.1: 8.

In Conclusion – By lovingly serving others, we serve the Lord Jesus Christ Math.25: 34- 40 and we promote the spread of God’s truth 3Jh. 5- 8.