H. L. Sheppard

Bulletin

July 2009

THE ISAAC

SPIRIT

He was not one of the more heralded of the Patriarchs. More often than not, he is maligned as being merely a shadow standing in the reflected glory of his father Abraham, and his son Jacob.

But, Isaac's greatness rested not in being associated with men the in Faith's "Hall of Fame." Isaac will forever be remembered as the Old Testament's "MOST WILLING SACRIFICE!"

He took in his arms the materials to build his own funeral pyre, then, willingly climbed Moriah with an old gray haired father. Isaac was not the small unassuming child some have pictured him to be. He was a young man in his late teens or early twenties who could have ably resisted the request of Abraham to accompany him to his own predetermined immolation. With an entire lifetime before him, Isaac chose to become his father's sacrificial lamb. This willingness to offer himself as a sacrifice enables Isaac to stand as an equal with the greatest men of the Scripture.

Isaac discovered early in life a lesson that God is trying to teach you and I now. That is simply: "NOTHING IS WORTH LIVING FOR, IF SOMETHING IS NOT WORTH DYING FOR."

"John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."

If Jesus Christ made the salvation of the lost His sole preoccupation in life; then for Christ's sake we'd better re-rearrange our priorities to include soul-winning or we will have lived and died without purpose!

Isaac placed his life in the hands of his father Abraham, to sacrifice on the altar of Moriah. Jesus Christ placed his life in the hands of the Spirit, to present His Body on the sacrificial altar of Calvary. We must present our lives to the Lord Jesus to use for His glory; whether by setting an example to the unbeliever, or reaching out to the lost and committing our time and resources for their salvation.

May God give us more men with the "SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE,"

"THE ISAAC SPIRIT!"

"Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

I challenge every member of The Church of Columbus to “Rise Up, Reach Out and Embrace the lost” with the self-sacrificing spirit of an Isaac!

H. L. Sheppard Bulletin July 2009 THE ISAAC SPIRIT He was not one of the more heralded of the Patriarchs. More often than not, he is maligned as being merely a shadow standing in the reflected glory of his father Abraham, and his son Jacob. But, Isaac's greatness rested not in being associated with men the in Faith's "Hall of Fame." Isaac will forever be remembered as the Old Testament's "MOST WILLING SACRIFICE!" He took in his arms the materials to build his own funeral pyre, then, willingly climbed Moriah with an old gray haired father. Isaac was not the small unassuming child some have pictured him to be. He was a young man in his late teens or early twenties who could have ably resisted the request of Abraham to accompany him to his own predetermined immolation. With an entire lifetime before him, Isaac chose to become his father's sacrificial lamb. This willingness to offer himself as a sacrifice enables Isaac to stand as an equal with the greatest men of the Scripture. Isaac discovered early in life a lesson that God is trying to teach you and I now. That is simply: "NOTHING IS WORTH LIVING FOR, IF SOMETHING IS NOT WORTH DYING FOR." "John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." If Jesus Christ made the salvation of the lost His sole preoccupation in life; then for Christ's sake we'd better re-rearrange our priorities to include soul-winning or we will have lived and died without purpose! Isaac placed his life in the hands of his father Abraham, to sacrifice on the altar of Moriah. Jesus Christ placed his life in the hands of the Spirit, to present His Body on the sacrificial altar of Calvary. We must present our lives to the Lord Jesus to use for His glory; whether by setting an example to the unbeliever, or reaching out to the lost and committing our time and resources for their salvation. May God give us more men with the "SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE," "THE ISAAC SPIRIT!" "Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." I challenge every member of The Church of Columbus to “Rise Up, Reach Out and Embrace the lost” with the self-sacrificing spirit of an Isaac!
Pastor H. L. Sheppard