TYPES OF CHRISTIANS Genesis 49 This is Jacob’s dying and prophetic benediction, “I will tell you what shall befall you in the last days.” Taught by the Holy Spirit, he is able to declare the consequences that will surely follow certain well-defined characteristics that had already appeared among his own family. The features of Jacob’s sons, with their results, are still being manifested among the children of God. We have with us still the— I. Unstable Reubens. Reuben had many excellencies, “excellency of dignity and of power,” the first-born, and the child of great hope, but being “unstable as water” he did not excel. Reuben is a type of those Christians who have many excellent gifts, but who have one besetting sin that acts like a fly in the ointment. Reuben’s sin cost him his birthright (1 Chron. 5:1). Sin always engenders instability, and leads to the loss of our birthright, of spiritual power, and progress. Stand fast. II. Self-Willed Simeons and Levis. “In their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall.” Jacob had to say of them, “Ye have troubled me” (chap. 34:30). How much of the trouble that comes upon ourselves, and others, has its root and cause in the same evil source, self-will. No wonder Jacob said, “O my soul, come thou not into their secret.” The conduct of these sons led to division and scattering (v. 7). There are always the fruits of a self-seeking spirit. Let the cursed self-will go to the Cross. “I delight to do Thy will, O my God” (Psa. 40:8). III. Praising and Courageous Judahs. Judah means the “praise of Jehovah.” Judah is a lion’s whelp. “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah.” The praising and courageous Christian will always possess the sceptre of power. Like Judah, we shall be able to put the foot of victory on the neck of the enemy when we have more of the nature of the lion of the tribe of Judah in our lives and the praise of Jehovah on our lips. The sceptre of spiritual power has departed from many a once Judah-Christian because of cowardliness and unfaithfulness to God. The true Judahs are always leaders (Num. 10:14). IV. Comforting and Consoling Zebuluns. “Zebulun shall be for a haven.” The words means “dwelling,” or a place of refuge for the distressed. “Zebulun’s border went up toward the sea.” This son of Jacob may be taken as a type of the modern sons of consolation—ready to offer a hand of help or a word of comfort to souls who, like ships, are seeking refuge from the crushing tempest. Zebuluns are always in great demand. The ministry of kindness is always acceptable. “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God” (Isa. 40:1). “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9). V. Timid and Self-Oppressed Issachars. “He saw that rest was good, and that the land was pleasant,” and, being afraid to offend the enemy, “he bowed and became a servant to tribute.” And so the dying father characterises him as a “strong ass.” Strong, but stupid; one who possesses the power, but, through the fear of man, gets ensnared and enslaved. Issachar is typical of those who, though they have all the strength of Christ at their disposal, yet remain timid and weak and helpless, bowing to the yoke of every passion, the bond-slaves of the world, strong asses. VI. Cunning and Sharp-Dealing Dans. “Dan shall judge, and shall be a serpent that biteth the horse heels, so that the rider shall fall.” This is close, personal dealing. Dan may represent those Christians who have the wisdom of the serpent, or rather the cunning way of the adder, in knowing how to bring down the pride of the enemy. The spiritual Danites can discern and judge. They know how to apply the truth, so that the enemies of God are brought low. Such can serve God best through personal dealing. VII. Overcoming Gads. Gad shall be overcome, “but he shall overcome at last.” Every Christian who would be an overcoming Gad must first himself be overcome. We must be vanquished if we would be victors in the cause of God. Those who overcome by the blood of the Lamb have been overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Lives conquered by the grace of God become conquerors through grace. VIII. Blissful Ashers. Asher means “blessed.” “His bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.” He is a type of those blessed ones, so few in number, who are themselves satisfied with good things, and who are able to bring out of their treasures rich dainties for others. They have received the unsearchable riches of Christ; they are filled with the fulness of God, and so can minister kindly portions to others. Those who do not eat fat things will groan in their leanness. IX. Joyful Naphtalis. “He is a hind let loose; he giveth goodly words.” The happy, skipping hind escaped from bondage, and now, growing goodly antlers, is a fit figure of those bright, joyful Christians who always delight in the liberty wherewith Christ has made them free. They continue to revel in their first love; their words are goodly, and their appearance attractive. X. Fruitful Josephs. “Joseph is a fruitful bough, whose branches run over the wall.” Here we have the type of an ideal Christian. As a branch he abode by the well, kept within touch of the source of supply. He was fruitful, an evidence that as a bough he was fully satisfied. He was shot at, persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Those fruitful for God are sure to be hated by the ungodly. His branches ran over the wall. The fruitful life is a blessing to others, even to those outside the wall of salvation. His bough abides in strength. Power for service remains as long as we abide by the well. XI. Discontented Benjamins. “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: he shall devour and divide.” Alas! that he should have so many successors in the camp of Christ; they are known by their fault-finding spirit. They are the tittle-tattle tale-bearers, always dividing the spoil, delighting to pass round the faults and failings of their brethren. From such, good Lord, save us!
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK STUDY.
Eveerlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
2 Corinthians 13:5 says: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” Here are some cross-references that connect with the theme of self-examination and faith: Psalm 26:2 – “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.” Lamentations 3:40 – “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Galatians 6:4 – “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” James 1:23-24 – “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” Philippians 2:12 – “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OVERTAKEN BY BLESSINGS DEUTERONOMY 28:2 These are all the blessings that will come to you and stay close to you because you obey the LORD your God:
What a great difference there is between blessings following and overtaking us! It is one thing to follow a person, but quite another to catch up with them. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.” Yes, that is good, but will they overtake me? The Psalmist knew what it was to be overtaken with blessings, for he could say: “Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with blessings.” The chariot of God’s gracious benevolence had daily caught up with him, discharging its blessings. If His blessings are to overtake us, studying this verse and context, we note that certain conditions must be kept. I. Redeemed Ones only are overtaken with blessings. Israel were in that happy position and condition, being the redeemed of the Lord. If we have not yet come under the shadow of the Cross of Christ, and under the safety of the Sprinkling of Blood, the Avenger of Blood is after us; we are bidden to flee to our Refuge. “lest the avenger of blood overtake the slayer” (Deut. 19:6). Remember that later on in this chapter we read of curses following and overtaking the sinner. Dread, dread business! II. Learners. Only those who hearken diligently to the Lord and His message are overtaken with blessings. Hearken to the Voice of the Lord as we have it in the Word of God, for the Holy Spirit will make the Written Word a living Voice in our hearts. III. Obedient Ones. The overtaken ones must be “observers of the law of God.” You know what an observer is? Take a walk in an Art Gallery, and watch the art expert gazing at the works of art, and you will learn what observing is. Watch a mother looking at her firstborn sleeping in his cradle, and you learn what observation really is. IV. Serving Ones. Only they who “do” are overtaken by blessings. It is not sufficient to become acquainted with His will; we must— “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.” In another place the Psalmist could say, “My soul followeth hard after Thee.” Is that your attitude? Then you will catch up with Him, for He will suddenly reveal Himself to you.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED GREATLY FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Romans 10:9, NIV. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
True “believing” in the Bible is a relationship with God, not just an opinion. John 14:15, NIV “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.”
God says we’re right with Him if we believe. Genesis 15:6, NIV. “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”
Psalm 31:23 “Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
1 John 2:4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
1 John 3:6 Those who live in Christ don’t go on sinning. Those who go on sinning haven’t seen or known Christ.
Matthew 15:8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Isaiah 29:13 And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.
1 John 2:9 Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark.
Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.
1 John 3:8-10 The person who practices sin belongs to the evil one, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason that the Son of God was revealed was to destroy what the Devil has been doing. No one who has been born from God practices sin, because God’s seed abides in him. Indeed, he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born from God. This is how God’s children and the Devil’s children are distinguished. No person who fails to practice righteousness and to love his brother is from God.
Fake Christians sin on purpose saying, “I’ll just repent later” and disobey God’s teachings. Even though we are all sinners and we still struggle with sin, Christians don’t live a lifestyle of willfully and deliberately sin.
DON’T BE A FAKE CHRISTIAN A FAKE CHRISTIAN IS NOT A CHRISTIAN FOOD FOR THOUGHT
ALLOW THE WORD OF GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Titus 3:2 Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.
Ephesians 4:30 Don’t give God’s Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free ⸤from the world of sin⸥.
Philippians 2:3–5 Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves. Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others. Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Deuteronomy 11:1 Love the LORD your God, and do what he wants you to do. Always obey his laws, rules, and commands.
Mark 12:33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 Keep in mind that the LORD your God is ⸤the only⸥ God. He is a faithful God, who keeps his promise and is merciful to thousands of generations of those who love him and obey his commands.
Psalm 91:14-16 Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name. When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. I will save you and honor you. I will satisfy you with a long life. I will show you how I will save you.
Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan.
THINK ABOUT HOW GOOD IT IS TO LOVE GOD. DO YOU LOVE GOD?
Believers should exhibit evidence of their conversion
James 3:13 Do any of you have wisdom and insight? Show this by living the right way with the humility that comes from wisdom.
Matthew 3:8 Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act.
Luke 3:8–9 Do those things that prove that you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. Don’t say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. The ax is now ready to cut the roots of the trees. Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.”
Matthew 12:33 “Make a tree good, and then its fruit will be good. Or make a tree rotten, and then its fruit will be rotten. A person can recognize a tree by its fruit. John 15:16-17 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you. I have appointed you to go, to produce fruit that will last, and to ask the Father in my name to give you whatever you ask for. Love each other. This is what I’m commanding you to do.
Titus 3:14 Our people should also learn how to set an example by doing good things when urgent needs arise so that they can live productive lives.
ALLOW THIS WORD OF GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
COMMUNITY LIFE Next Paul deals with community life. There is no place for pride. Christian living is humble giving. We belong to one another like different parts of the same body. We each contribute our gifts—speaking God’s word, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, caring. These are God’s gifts to us for one another. Instead of pride there is faith, humility, encouragement, generosity, hard work and good humor. Romans 12:3–8 Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers. Our bodies have many parts, but these parts don’t all do the same thing. In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other. God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking what God has revealed, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith. If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
God is true to his character and his word. Psalm 33:4 The LORD’s word is correct, and everything he does is trustworthy. Psalm 119:160 There is nothing but truth in your word, and all of your righteous regulations endure forever. Numbers 23:19 God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. Isaiah 45:19 I haven’t spoken privately or in some dark corner of the world. I didn’t say to Jacob’s descendants, “Search for me in vain!” I, the LORD, speak what is fair and say what is right. WE CAN TRUST OUR GOD. WE CAN DEPEND ON OUR GOD. OUR GOD IS TRUSTWORTHY. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
