Driving Away the Vultures
By Assistant Pastor Dr. Jaden Fitzpatrick | August 31, 2025
Turn to Genesis 15:1-11. After these things, the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward… And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Let’s pray: Father, thank You for Your house and word. Fix our hearts on You, remove distractions, and grant unction to preach. Bless the unsaved to trust You fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
On August 31, 2025, Assistant Pastor Dr. Jaden Fitzpatrick delivers a powerful sermon titled "Driving Away the Vultures" at Mission Baptist Church, preaching from Genesis 15:1-11. The passage details God’s ratification of the Abrahamic covenant, promising Abraham a seed and land after his call, separation from Lot, and rescue of Lot from warring kings. Childless, Abraham questions God but hears His voice, believes His promise, and obeys by preparing a sacrifice. When vultures descend, Abraham drives them away (when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away). Dr. Fitzpatrick, drawing from his rural Ohio roots and ministry experiences, identifies three “vultures” threatening believers’ sacrifices: negative people, sin, and Satan. He urges Christians to hear God’s voice, believe His promises, obey His commands, and protect their sacrifices—purity, family, and faith—to secure God’s blessings.
The Vulture of Somebody’s
Dr. Fitzpatrick warns of the “vulture of somebody’s”—people who steal joy or betray trust, like vultures preying on Abraham’s sacrifice. He shares a story of his brother-in-law throwing him under the bus in a staff meeting, showing how some prioritize self-interest. Citing Nehemiah’s expulsion of Tobiah (Nehemiah 13:7-8, I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah), he emphasizes distancing from toxic influences, even family, to protect the family you’re building. Dr. Fitzpatrick advises saying “no” to harmful relationships, stating, “Don’t let the family you came from destroy the one you’re trying to build.” Believers must guard their hearts against gossip and negativity to keep their sacrifices pure for God.
The Vulture of Sin
The “vulture of sin” threatens to steal God’s blessings. Dr. Fitzpatrick stresses that sin’s greatest tragedy is not punishment but missed opportunities (Romans 6:23, the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life). He recounts denying a sex offender youth ministry access, affirming that while sins are forgivable in heaven, earthly consequences persist. Sin must be defined by God, not human opinion, avoiding both legalism and leniency. Dr. Fitzpatrick warns against watering down sin with grace, as it encourages disobedience. Like Abraham driving away vultures, believers must reject sin to protect their spiritual vitality and God’s purpose for their lives.
The Vulture of Satan
Finally, Dr. Fitzpatrick addresses the “vulture of Satan,” who seeks to devour faith (1 Peter 5:8, your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour). While Satan targeted Job and Peter, not every struggle is his fault—sometimes it’s personal mistakes. However, believers must remain vigilant, as Satan attacks those alive in Christ, not the spiritually “dead.” Dr. Fitzpatrick notes vultures prey on vulnerable things, urging believers to strengthen themselves through worship and obedience. Like Abraham, who drove them away, Christians must reject excuses, fortify their defenses, and fight to keep their sacrifices—time, talents, and faith—on God’s altar, trusting His promise to never forsake them (Hebrews 13:5, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee).