leship
Matt Richards
(FB Memory June 19, 2020)
Genesis 38: 6-10 Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother's wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother's wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also.
I preached this sermon Sunday (I have preached it twice before) probably the most absurd title for a preach ever.
The custom in those days (Genesis) was that if your brother died without having an heir, you had to marry your brother's wife and give her a baby.
Onan refused to do this. He accepted the marriage and had the sex. But just before Tamar was to get pregnant he pulled away.
Don't get upset with me it's more graphic in the book, it's all in the bible right there in Genesis chapter 38. (Cert 18)
You see today the danger with modern Christianity, with modern 'Church' is that everyone wants sex; but no one wants children.
No one wants to be a father.
People love attending church, people love the feeling they get, the goose bumps, the joy, but it can be a selfish lifestyle where we pull away before conception.
Nothing wrong with those feelings, but intimacy should lead to fruitfulness.
You see we are called to be fathers (and mothers).
To have children. To have responsibility. To look after the new believers. To disciple people.
Can be messy, can cost money, and time but we are called to be fathers to a generation that is fatherless.
(Too many boys, not enough fathers).
Church, and my Christian lifestyle should be so much more than just me. Should be so much more than just attending a theatre, three fast songs, three slow songs, greet one another, offering, sermonette, coffee, and home.
It should result in commitment, in responsibility, in bringing forth children that get discipled, and it should be all of our jobs.
I don't want us to be an Onan the barbarian church. I want us to Father hundreds in the faith. And raise up mothers and fathers that become an authentic community, a family.
Someone once said in church if you treat church as a business you will raise up managers. If you treat church as a family you will raise up sons.
I don't want just attendance to a church. I want family. I don't want just sex. I want children.
We need sons and daughters in church.
These sons and daughters will then raise up sons and daughters.
We have such a long way to go to achieving this, but I am trying to change a culture.
I've got to change, the church has got to change, to be a disciple-making family.
Are you being discipled?
Are you discipling anyone?
Prayer:
Father forgive me for being so selfish and just thinking about me. I want to disciple people, father people, and encourage people. Help me to be a blessing. Help me to take responsibility and raise up heirs in Jesus' Name Amen.