THE ISHAMEL THE ISHAMEL SYNDROMESYNDROME

Are you settling for Ishamael?Are you settling for Ishamael?Do you have faith to wait for Isaac?Do you have faith to wait for Isaac?

BackgroundBackground• Abraham is promised that his seed would be

greater in number than the stars in the sky• Abraham adopts his servant • God tells him this is not the son of promise• Abraham and Sarah lend God a hand and

Ishamael is born by Hagar, Sarah's maid• Hagar and Ishmael are forced into the desert

Too many settle for IshamelToo many settle for Ishamel• God did not promise you Ishmael• God promised you Isaac• Don't settle for Ishamel no matter how much

you like him or love him• Don't become satisfied with less than God

intended• Don't interfere with God's plan.• You can't help God no matter what !

Too many settle for IshamelToo many settle for Ishamel• Today – many are the same• “God gave me a new car.” Did God give you

the monthly payment ? You have settled for an Ishmael.

• When God gives you the cash for the car – you have an Isaac.

• Many don't have faith to wait for Isaac.

Faith is NeededFaith is NeededHebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith = confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.There is evidence of things we cannot yet see.Faith is an inner conviction based on the Word of God

Faith is NeededFaith is NeededSubstance = assurance (a standing under)Evidence = proofGod cannot lie and cannot change.Therefore, I have the authority to believe for an answer.

Results of FaithResults of FaithGet substance or assurance – Get substance or assurance – Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Results of FaithResults of FaithGet substance or assurance – Get evidence to support – Get evidence to support – Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Results of FaithResults of FaithGet substance or assurance – Get evidence to support – Get a good report – Get a good report – Hebrews 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Results of FaithResults of FaithGet substance or assurance – Get evidence to support – Get a good report – Get understanding – Get understanding – Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Results of FaithResults of FaithGet substance or assurance – Get evidence to support – Get a good report – Get understanding – Become an excellent sacrifice – Become an excellent sacrifice – Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Results of FaithResults of FaithGet substance or assurance – Get evidence to support – Get a good report – Get understanding – Become an excellent sacrifice – Your life is changed – Your life is changed – Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Results of FaithResults of FaithGet substance or assurance – Get evidence to support – Get a good report – Get understanding – Become an excellent sacrifice – Your life is changed – You please God with your obedience – You please God with your obedience – Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Keep the FaithKeep the FaithGOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

DON'T SETTLE FOR ISHMAEL – DON'T SETTLE FOR ISHMAEL – HAVE FAITH THAT ISAAC WILL COME !HAVE FAITH THAT ISAAC WILL COME !