After 25 years of waiting on God to make good on His promise for a family, Abraham and Sarah finally feel the flutter of life within an aged womb and then finally hold the in their wrinkled hands the new joy of a child, Isaac, born according to the perfect promise, plan and timing of God.
Oh No, Not Again
June 9, 2024 • Dan Challapalli • Genesis 20
After only eight chapters, Genesis 20 gives us a huge déjà vu. As Abraham has a repeated struggle with his faith, we think things like, “Not again…” and “He should know better by now.” Yet these are the same thoughts we have toward ourselves in repeated unwanted behaviors. How do we walk this messy journey of sanctification? Who will rescue us from this struggle?
The Advocate
May 26, 2024 • Zach Hendricks • Genesis 19
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is heavy. It can be hard to comprehend the depths of the disease of sin. It can be hard to grapple with God’s righteous judgement of sin. And even still, we can see the compassion and mercy of God. Lot had an advocate. And so do we.
Too Wonderful?
May 19, 2024 • Scot Pollok • Genesis 18
In this powerful text, Yahweh appears to Abraham to hand deliver yet another promise of a son. Abraham gets to look into God’s eyes, in some wildly mysterious way, and see the commitment and purpose held in His gaze. We also gain wonderful insight into Abraham’s dynamic relationship with God through an awkwardly beautiful give and take.
An Invitation to Trust
May 12, 2024 • Dan Challapalli • Genesis 17
Thus far, God has made unconditional promises to Abram through covenant. Now, he invites him and all future offspring to trust in the Lord. Trusting, we will find, may not be as easy as one assumes.
Waiting on God
May 5, 2024 • Zach Hendricks • Genesis 16
Waiting on the Lord is challenging. Sometimes when we are waiting on Him, we choose to take things into our own hands. This is certainly the case in the account of Abram, Sarai and Hagar. There is a cost to doing it our way. Even still, the Lord is faithful and near.
The Covenant Ratified
April 28, 2024 • Scot Pollok • Genesis 15
God's covenant promise to Abram is now repeated and ratified in a dramatic ceremony that reveals a powerful glory in God's character. What God reveals to Abram has a direct line to your faith, today. How Abram responds to God is a centerpiece for the Apostle Paul's explanation of the gospel of grace.
The Magnificent Melchizedek
April 21, 2024 • Scot Pollok • Genesis 14:17–24
Slowing down dramatically, we take a beat to examine Abram's encounter with the magnificent and mysterious Melchizedek, priest and king. A major psalm and a good portion of the book of Hebrews helps us connect this brief encounter to the person of Jesus. Even more, it equips us with powerful tools for relationship and ministry.
Disordered + Orderly Love
April 14, 2024 • Josh Loy • Genesis 13:2—14:16
As both grow in wealth, Abram and Lot separate from one another, revealing what they both love most. Lot proves the fickle nature of putting money over God; Abram shows the freedom and blessing that come from loving God first.
The Faith of God's Friend
April 7, 2024 • Rob Garey • Genesis 11:27—13:1
God calls Abram and promises to bless the entire world through Abram’s family. Although imperfect, Abram responds in faith, giving us a pattern for following Jesus today.
Not So Fast, Idolatry
March 17, 2024 • Dan Challapalli • Genesis 10:1—11:26
As the nations begin to spread out after the Flood, we arrive at a minor hiccup in the story of humanity. But the story of Babel will reveal the ghastly potential for idolatry, which warrants God’s gracious intervention. As we conclude the first part of Genesis, we are left with a dire need for covenant — God revealing himself to humans who do not know him.
Our Covenant God
March 10, 2024 • Scot Pollok • Genesis 9:1–28
After the Ark, Noah encounters a Covenant-making and Covenant-keeping God. In this Creation-rich interaction we see a wealth of relevant, faith-building truth that lives as well today as it did millennia ago.
Hemmed In
March 3, 2024 • Zach Hendricks • Genesis 6:9—8:22
In the account of Noah and the flood, we must see that our God takes sin and rebellion seriously. And, we see His grace to preserve a remnant; ones who will recreate a community of worshippers from the wreckage.
Genealogy, Giants, & the Glory of God
February 25, 2024 • Rob Garey • Genesis 5, Genesis 6:1–8
A destructive cycle of rebellion and chaos follows Adam’s descendents. God continues to invite humanity to walk with Him and bring blessing into the world, but they continue to choose their own way, bringing us to the prelude to the flood. Yet God promises, even in rebellion, that a wounded victor will come to defeat Satan, sin, and death once and for all.
The Righteous & The Rebellious
February 18, 2024 • Zach Hendricks • Genesis 4:1–24
In Cain and Abel, we see two different heart postures in a setting of worship. As the disease of sin spreads — even in the midst of the most calloused and heartbreaking disobedience — God shows up as a shepherding father.
