Guest Preacher Mike Law: Genesis 22

October 15, 2023 • Mike Law • Genesis 22

For the last week, OBC has hosted the Simeon Trust workshop. And during that time close to a dozen OBC members taught, led small groups, learned, ran sound, prepared food, cleaned up trash, and blessed men from close to 20 churches across Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, and Florida. In short, the work done at OBC this week to study the book of 2 Timothy and to help current and future pastors will bear fruit both now and for generations, even for eternity.

So, thank you for all who served, who prayed, and who encouraged the work going on. It was a true joy! And one of the abiding joys is that Sunday we get to hear from one of the participants of the week, Mike Law.

We have often mentioned Mike, his church, and his labors in the Southern Baptist Convention. He is the pastor, from Arlington Baptist Church, who initiated a resolution to help the SBC hold fast to the Bible and its statement of faith (The Baptist Faith and Message 2000) and to only have qualified men serving as pastors in the SBC. This is our conviction too and we have, through the ministry of Christ Over All, sought to help stand for biblical faith and practice in the SBC.

All of this serves as background for Mike Law joining us on Sunday to bring a message from Genesis 22. Like our church, ABC has been going through the book of Genesis—though, they are at nearing the end. For us, Pastor Mike is going to encourage us and challenge us with a word from the story of God providing a lamb to save the life of Isaac.

To prepare for Sunday, read Genesis 22 and Hebrews 11 which reflects on this passage. Then, pray for Mike as he comes and preaches and for me as I go to Arlington Baptist Church to bring a message of resurrection hope from Genesis 1.

The Lord has been very gracious to us. In many places, the people of God go hungry for God’s Word. But this week I was reminded, and am reminding all of us, how good God has been to plant us in a place where the Word of God is bountiful. May we eat and be full, so that we might be conformed into the image of Christ, who is the Bread of Life.

Additionally, pray for the youth who are at camp this weekend. May the preachers and teachers there equip our teens with truth about what God says about humanity, manhood, womanhood, and everything related to these important subjects.

I am praying for OBC this Sunday and I look forward, Lord willing, to joining you again next Sunday. Until then be sure to welcome Mike Law and pray for him as he brings the Word to our family of believers.

For God’s Glory and your joy in Christ,

Pastor David

As a reminder, the Bristow Community group is in our overflow downstairs this Sunday.

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Discussion & Response Questions: Genesis 22

What does the “after these things” in Genesis 22:1 refer to? How does it point back to God’s faithfulness with what came before?

What is the connection between God’s command for Abraham to go in Genesis 22:2 and God’s command to Abraham in Genesis 12:1? How does this connection encourage Abraham to trust God?

Why is God testing Abraham?

Considering Genesis 22:3-5, Genesis 15:5, and James 2:18-22, how does faith respond to God’s commands?

What language is repeated in Genesis 22:6 and 8? What is the point of slowing down the narrative at this point? What does Abraham believe God will do?

Considering Genesis 22:9-10, and Hebrews 11:17-19, what does faith believe God is able to do? What day did this take place on (see Genesis 22:4)?

Considering Genesis 22:11-12 what does it mean to fear God? How does Abraham demonstrate his fear of God?

Read Genesis 22:13-14. What is substitution? Where does faith finally rest?

How does Isaac point forward to Jesus? How does he fall short? How does all of this connect to Romans 8:32

How does the ram point forward to Jesus? How is this related to the teaching we find in Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and 1 John 4:10?

In light of Genesis 22:15-19, what does faith believe about God and his promises?

What is the purpose of the list of names in Genesis 22:20-24? How is it linked to what went before and what comes after?

How ought we to respond to these truths? How have you been encouraged or challenged by Genesis 22?

How would you share the gospel of Jesus Christ from this passage with an unbelieving friend?

What can you pray for from this passage?

More from Creation & Covenant: Genesis 1-3

The Way Out Reveals the Wisdom, Justice, and Mercy of God (Genesis 3:20-24)

March 3, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 1—3, Genesis 3:20–24

The Way of God: A Threefold Curse and Consolation (Gen. 3:14-19)

February 25, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 3:14–19

He Gets Us: Reimagining the Fallout of Adam and Eve's Sin (Gen. 3:7b-13)

February 18, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 3:7–13

Dear OBC Family, If I had to outline Genesis 3, it would fall under the following headings. Genesis 3:1–6: The Fall. Genesis 3:7–13: The Fallout. Genesis 3:14–24: The Way Out. In these three steps, we get a sense of what happens to the first man and woman. First, seeking to be wise, they became fools. They broke God’s law, ate of the fruit, and invited judgment. Yet, before death came, God came. He entered the garden to find the fallout of sin. And then, after questioning the couple, he pronounced a judgment. That judgment led to Adam and Eve’s removal from the Garden. Yet, in that good judgment, the Lord God also pronounced good news. In Genesis 3:15 he declared that salvation was coming through the woman’s seed. Next week, we’ll see that promise in full. But this Sunday we must consider the fallout of Adam’s sin and Eve’s deception. And by looking square in the face of wreckage, it will reveal much about our own sin and its effects. Wonderfully, we can approach this Garden with the full knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yet, we still need to learn afresh how heinous sin is. And so, as you prepare for Sunday, pray for God to see our sin and to hate our sin. For truly, sin is the source of all death, despair, and destruction. And yet, because we are born in Adam, we do not hate sin—our sin!—as we ought. And that is our aim for Sunday. To prepare, go ahead and read Genesis 3. You may also find it helpful if you read Matthew 6, which will be connected to Genesis 3 on Sunday. As the Lord allows, I hope to see you Sunday. For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 3:7 – 13) What does 3:8 reveal about the fellowship with God that existed prior to sin? What does this text reveal about the effects of sin upon mankind’s relationship to God? Consider Adam and Eve’s response to their shame. What is the effect of their clothing? Does clothing allow them to walk with God? God knows all things. Consider then the significance God’s questions for Adam and Eve in verses 9, 10, and 13. Why does God ask questions? In what ways do we seek to hide because of our sin? What happens when we hide? What happens when our sin is exposed? Instead of taking responsibility for sin, consider the blaming that takes place. Who is blamed? Does blaming another remove one’s responsibility? Why or why not? How does God deal with our guilt and shame in the Gospel? What does the Bible teach us about clothing? (Consider how Scripture speaks about clothing from Genesis to Revelation). How ought we to respond to this text?