A Worshipping Community (2) (Genesis 15)

Abraham is one who has called out of his land, away from his father, and away from idolatry.  He is called to worship the one true God.  Does this mean that only those who are genetically tied to Abraham have life in Abraham?  How do we know that the blessings for Abraham are for the nations rather than one nation or nationality?

A Worshipping Community (Genesis 4:1-16)

We know that the fall of mankind radically changes human history.  It also changes how we relate to God.  Can we have a relationship with the Lord once again?  What does that relationship look like after God pronounces a curse upon man and this creation?  Can man really worship the one true God?

Thanking God (4-7)

Paul is thankful for this man who creates more stress for Paul while Paul has enough to think about while being in Prison.  Why is Paul thankful for this additional work?  What can Paul celebrate in the midst of his circumstances?  What does this teach us about a true grace-centered and Gospel-centered joy?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Israel (Genesis 32:22-32)

We conclude our series regarding our Christian sojourn or as have titled it, “Sojourning Under the Sun.”  As we summarize and conclude this series an important question is: what is Israel?  Is Israel someone who lived in history, a nation, a people in a land, or a people that have ceased to exist with the coming of Christ?  These are important questions to define Israel.  So, what do we do with the nation of Israel?

The Christian Household (Colossians 3:18-4:1)

The Apostle Paul exhorts children to obey their parents for this is pleasing to the Lord.  It is not a surprise to us that Paul would exhort children to obey their parents, but what does this imply about their status in the church?  Why is the context of their exhortation so significant? Why is it important that this exhortation seems to echo the Old Testament?  What could this imply about children being in covenant with the Lord?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Benediction (Revelation 22:17-21)

The book of Revelation concludes with a blessing, but there is a warning in the midst of the benediction.  Why would John give us a warning in the midst of the blessing?  Does this imply that we cannot freely draw near to the Lord?

God’s Goodness (Job 42:10-17)

This is the conclusion to the story of Job.  This is a book that has a lot of twists and turns, and we are left in the story a bit curious about the Lord’s plan for this man.  Is this man just going to suffer?  Is this man going to be made whole?  What can such suffering teach us about the Gospel?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Silence (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to live a life to the Lord without stirring up controversy.  Why would Paul say such things and what does Paul by living a peaceful and quiet life?

Job’s Wish Granted (2) (Job 40:6-42:6)

Job has not repented in a true Godly sorrow, but instead continues to hold to his innocence.  So, now the Lord is the one who continues with his speech to Job.  Job is invited to hear that the Lord is good, gracious, merciful, and the Lord is perfectly just.  We are invited to witness this speech, Job is invited to hear this speech, but will Job finally listen and concede the righteousness of the Lord?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Pilgrim (1 Peter 1:1,2)

Peter and James greet the church in the dispersion.  What is the dispersion?  Why would they greet the church with such strange language?  What can such language communicate about our Christian Sojourn?

Job’s Wish Granted (Job 38-40:5)

Job clings and defends his innocence.  He is a man who has not done anything to receive the punishment, the suffering, and the pain he has experienced.  This is all out of line and how can the Lord do such a horrible thing to such a righteous man?  Job fights for his day in court and now Job has his day to defend himself before the Lord.  Will Job give an adequate defense?  Will God concede that something has gone wrong?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Union (Ephesians 2:1-10)

We are getting towards the end of our series of Sojourning Under the Sun.  The intention of this series is for us to consider our placement in the Lord.  A very significant passage that covers our placement in the Lord is Ephesians 2 where the Apostle Paul makes clear that we have undergone a significant transformation in Christ.

Elihu's Conclusion (Job 36-37)

Elihu is going to conclude his speech which concludes the counselors speaking.  The counselors have told Job to repent of the sin that Job has committed, but Job has not committed a sin to deserve this punishment.  However, Job has attached the integrity and purity of the Lord claiming that something has gone wrong in how the Lord has treated Job.  Elihu has encouraged Job to drop his case.  Will this man drop his case?  Will Job see the goodness of the Lord?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Shining (1 Corinthians 13)

The Apostle Paul has written many letters to new churches.  His letters to the Corinthian church discloses that Paul is frustrated by the lack of unity in that church.  The people claim elitism, they call attention to social class, they call attention to their giftedness, they fail to discipline those who need some Godly correction, and there are more issues that we can list.  So, what is the positive solution?  What is the church called to do as we sojourn together through this age?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Suffering (Luke 14:25-35)

Christ uses very strong language regarding our Christian life.  He tells us that we are to actually hate our families.  Is this a contradiction of the 5th commandment?  I thought that we were to honor our parents?  I thought that we were to love our Lord as first priority and love our neighbor as ourselves?  How can Christ command us to hate our families?

God is Just! (Job 34:1-37)

Elihu waits for Job to answer, but Job gives no answer so Elihu continues to address his friend and the counselors.  Elihu defends the justice of God and desires all to know that our God is definitely just.  Has Job denied that God is just or is Elihu merely putting words in this suffering saint’s mouth?    Do we really need to care so much about God’s justice?

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Elihu’s Confrontation (Job 33:1-33)

Elihu continues to interact with Job.  He is not happy with Job's attitude and Job's accusations against God.  He now turns to Job and confronts his line of thinking.  Will Job concede the words from this young man? Will Job continue his course claiming his own holiness and cling to his self righteousness?