Sibling Rivalry
In terms of themes, this coming Sunday will center around jealousy as a source of problems for siblings and more generally in the family.
Outline
- Some misbehaving brothers
- Highlights in the Cain-and-Abel story
- When it was time for harvest
- To obey is better than sacrifice
- This made cain very angry
- Where is your brother?
- The core problem: jealousy
- The heart of the matter - Jealousy
- Jealousy in Genesis
- Isaac and Ishmael can't live in the same house - because of jealousy (Genesis 21)
- Jacob decives and defrauds Esau, and spends years running away as a result - because of Jealousy (Genesis 25-27)
- SRachel and Leah complete for Jacob's affection and created a permanently divided family - because of jealousy (Genesis 29-30)
- Joseph's brothers plot to kill him, then sell him into slavery instead - because of jealousy (Genesis 37)
- Jealousy - can happen anywhere
- Jealousy - is a sin
- Some practical suggestions
- Suggestions: watch for symptoms
- Constant comparison
- Chronic disappointment
- Frequent anger
- Difficulty loving, giving, and caring for someone
- Suggestions : Things to do
- Practice thankfulness
- Pray for that person or group
- Build a gifts-in-the-body perspective
- Cultivate true worship
- Suggestions: watch for symptoms