(Genesis) Genesis 25:33-34
The sermon highlights the importance of spiritual value and the consequences of neglecting it, using the story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob as an example.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and Esau from the Bible. He highlights how Esau, without valuing his birthright, easily gives it up to Jacob in exchange for a bowl of soup. The preacher draws a parallel between Esau's lack of spiritual understanding and the presence of church members who also lack spiritual capacity. He emphasizes the importance of having a spiritual mindset and being receptive to the teachings of the Holy Spirit. The sermon concludes by hinting at Jacob's deceptive nature, which will be explored further in the next chapter.
Full Transcript
Verse 33 now, And Jacob said, Swear to me this day. And he swore unto him, and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils, and he did eat and drink, and rose up, went his way.
Thus Esau despised his birthright. That's the important thing to see at this juncture. This man just sits down, eats a bowl of soup, and for that bowl of soup he surrendered his birthright, just like that.
It meant nothing to him. It had no spiritual value to him whatsoever, because nothing that was spiritual meant anything to him. Now, you meet a great many people that are that way.
And unfortunately, I'm afraid, we've got church members that are like that, have no spiritual capacity whatsoever, no understanding of spiritual truth. And that, I think, is the mark of a Christian today, is that one that the Spirit of God can teach and lead and guide. This is quite a revelation now of the two boys.
Actually, here he's deceiving no one. He's just taking advantage of a man that doesn't attach any value to it at all. It's just like a man today that has a very valuable heirloom, say, an old Bible that belonged to his grandfather.
And another grandson wants it, and he pays him 25 cents for it. And the fellow says, Well, give me your 25 cents. I don't care for it at all.
And I was going to throw it away anyway. And that's exactly what Esau would have done. But this boy Jacob did this very cleverly.
But now in this next chapter, and we're going to have to save that till next time, we're going to see he's really a rascal, by the way.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Birthright Sold
- A. Esau's lack of spiritual value
- B. Jacob's cleverness in taking advantage
- II. The Importance of Spiritual Value
- A. Spiritual truth has value
- B. Christians should have spiritual capacity
- III. A Warning to Church Members
- A. Some church members lack spiritual understanding
- B. The Spirit of God can teach and lead
- IV. A Cautionary Tale
- A. Esau's mistake and its consequences
Key Quotes
“Thus Esau despised his birthright. That's the important thing to see at this juncture.” — J. Vernon McGee
“It meant nothing to him. It had no spiritual value to him whatsoever, because nothing that was spiritual meant anything to him.” — J. Vernon McGee
“Actually, here he's deceiving no one. He's just taking advantage of a man that doesn't attach any value to it at all.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We should prioritize our relationship with God and understand the spiritual value of our inheritance.
- Church members should be taught and led by the Spirit of God to understand spiritual truth.
- We should be cautious of taking advantage of others who lack spiritual understanding.