Living For The Moment
Genesis 25: 29-34 nkjv
29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called [g]Edom.31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” 32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” 33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
❓What have you ever sold or given away that you later regretted doing❓
➤💥 The real sin of Esau was allowing his physical desires to govern his spiritual decisions.
- We may live in a different time and era now, where we don’t necessarily have a “birthright” to give up, but we remain just as guilty as Esau when it comes to allowing our physical desires to govern our spiritual decisions.
⭐ The “Birthright” in the Hebrew tradition simply meant the firstborn son was entitled to a double share of the father’s estate compared to the rest of his family.
➤ Why?
1. The firstborn was to support the family ( especially in cases where something happened to the father)
- He was to support the family and care for his mother and unmarried sisters.
2. He was to assume the role of family head after his father’s death. He was to be the head of the household and tribe.
3. Before Exodus, he was to serve as the family priest, offering sacrifices and representing his family before God. ( Later became the role of the Levites in the land of promise)
4. Most important, the birthright carried a spiritual significance that linked the firstborn to the line of promise in the Abrahamic covenant. ( The lineage was important!)
⭐ The birthright was tied to the natural birth order but could be transferred, sold or reassigned by the father under certain circumstances such as misconduct, handicaps, sin and immorality.
➤ We may not have to deal with the complexities of the “Birth Right” process today, but nonetheless, we have to deal with spiritual things that are far more important today than the birth right decisions of yesterday.
➤ We still have God-given decisions we must make today that carry huge eternal significance and consequences for ourselves and others.
⭐ Today, the decision to accept Christ and become His disciple carries far greater eternal significance than the responsibilities and choices that once accompanied the rights of the firstborn in ancient times.
💥 When we allow our desires to become stronger than our devotion to God, we become vulnerable to compromise.
⭐ We live today in a world that thrives on fleshly fulfillment and worldly gratification, where Satan tempts us to put off the spiritual matters of grace, salvation, discipleship and living for God, for the immediate satisfaction of our flesh.
- Convincing us that obedience and God’s promises can wait until later.
💥 Esau's sin is common today. 💥 Most people don’t have a birthright to sell today, but many surrender their God-given rights through Christ of eternal blessings for temporary satisfaction or relief.
💥💥 Esau’s sin was not HUNGER. It was despising what God offered him over what the flesh desired in the moment.
A. Believers follow the same sin by choosing:
1. Sexual immorality over purity
2. Dishonest gain over integrity
3. Entertainment over time with God
4. Popularity over obedience
5. Comfort and convenience over faithful service.
B. We follow Esau’s sin when we become casual about:
- Worship ➤ God's Word ➤ Prayer ➤ Communion ➤ The church ➤ The Lord's Day ➤ Our calling as disciples
C. We allow our desires and passions to rule us. Esau's stomach became his master.Our desires may be for: ➤ Food ➤ Money ➤ Success ➤ Pleasure ➤ Recognition ➤ Entertainment ➤ Social media ➤ Comfort Acceptance
💥 Anything that controls us more than the Holy Spirit has become an idol.
1. Adam and Eve desired forbidden fruit.
2. Israel craved the food of Egypt.
3. Samson pursued forbidden relationships.
4. David yielded to lust.
5. Judas traded Jesus for money.
6. People followed Jesus, not for His teachings but for the food (blessings) He could give them.
💥 What does this teach?
I. Don’t let your flesh exaggerate your needs!v 32) 32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” OUR FLESH CAN EXAGGERATE OUR GAINS. I WILL LIVE!➤ "Just this once won't matter." ➤ "Everyone else is doing it." ➤ "This is what I need to make life better for ME." ➤ "This isn't really that bad." ➤ Someone else is making me do this! ➤ "God will understand." ➤ "I have no other choice." ➤ "I'll repent later." ➤ "No one will ever know." ➤ "This will solve my problem."💥 Reality: Sin may offer temporary relief, but it never provides lasting peace.
II. Think beyond the moment! v32) 32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” WHAT GOOD IS THIS BIRTHRIGHT TO ME NOW?
➤ How many mistakes have we made by reacting impulsively instead of responding thoughtfully?➤ How many times have we said and done things we later regretted because of our quick, emotional reactions?
- Esau lived for the moment. Didn’t see, think or realize how the decisions he made today would affect tomorrow.
➤ Faith opens our eyes to see eternity. (2 Corinthians 4:18) "For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." vRomans 8:18) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
💥 Being faithful in the least may sometimes seem unimportant when they are!
💥 In every temptation we need to ask ourselves one question: Will I live for this moment or for eternity?
III. Watch out for the fleshly lies! THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE! V32) I’m about to die!
➤ Esau said, "I am about to die." ➤ He wasn't dying. He simply felt desperate. ➤ We often justify sin by convincing ourselves: “It’s too hard!” "I deserve this." > "I can't help myself." > "Just this once." > "God will understand."
💥 Our emotions become louder than God's truth.
💥 1.Value God’s blessings above temporary satisfaction.
2. Learn God’s truth and follow it.
3. Learn to wait on God. You won’t regret it.
4. Think beyond today. (who will this affect) Treasure what God calls holy.
