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Jacob's Deception (9AM)

May 28, 2023 • Curt McFarland • Genesis 27:15–30

This morning is the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. In our services we remember those who have paid an ultimate price on battle fields near and far. This weekend we also remember all of those we have loved who have passed this previous year. This is a weekend of tears, of gratitude, of laughter and memories, of the awareness of the blessings of God and the frailty of human life.


In the Bible story for this morning’s sermon we read about choices made that tore a family apart: deception, favoritism, theft, pride and power all converge in a moment in a family’s life. Dad’s eyesight was failing. He wanted to bless his oldest son. Mom had a plan for the younger of her two sons, her favorite one, to receive the blessing instead. Most could predict how that would play out. All of this, I believe, because those in the story failed to trust God. When we take matters into our own hands and try to instruct God, or force God to act in a certain way, chaos, division, heartache, sorrow, regret follow. May we trust God here at Grace, and in our own lives too.

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More from Our Story - Genesis

Jacob Returns to Bethel 11am

July 2, 2023 • Dennis Whitcher • Genesis 35:1–15

Genesis 35:1–15 describes the fulfillment of Jacob's vows made to the Lord some thirty years earlier. Then, Jacob encountered God after fleeing from Esau. Now that Jacob has returned safely to Canaan and resolved the conflict with Esau, God commands him to build an altar at the place of their first meeting, Bethel. Jacob rids his family of all of their false idols returns to Bethel. God appears to him, confirming the covenant promises once more. Jacob responds to God's appearance and blessing by building a stone pillar and pouring a drink offering and oil over it.   This sets a pattern for us as well. Coming back to God begins by recognizing from God’s word that you maybe you are not where God wants you to be. Jacob was in Shechem; God wanted him in Bethel. Then we respond in obedience to the command of God to arise, go up, and worship Him.   What will it look like to obey the Lord? Getting rid of idols - those things that take the place of God in your life. Cleansing ourselves by confessing our sins before God. Then demonstrating that inward repentance by our outward behavior, bearing “fruit worthy of repentance.”   Do you have a Bethel in your life, a special place where you first met God? Have you ever set up stone pillars in your mind to remind you of times that God has spoken to you and it has made a change in your life, or has brought your focus back to the true treasure of your heart, the Lord Jesus Christ?  

Jacob Returns to Bethel 9am

July 2, 2023 • Dennis Whitcher • Genesis 35:1–15

Genesis 35:1–15 describes the fulfillment of Jacob's vows made to the Lord some thirty years earlier. Then, Jacob encountered God after fleeing from Esau. Now that Jacob has returned safely to Canaan and resolved the conflict with Esau, God commands him to build an altar at the place of their first meeting, Bethel. Jacob rids his family of all of their false idols returns to Bethel. God appears to him, confirming the covenant promises once more. Jacob responds to God's appearance and blessing by building a stone pillar and pouring a drink offering and oil over it.   This sets a pattern for us as well. Coming back to God begins by recognizing from God’s word that you maybe you are not where God wants you to be. Jacob was in Shechem; God wanted him in Bethel. Then we respond in obedience to the command of God to arise, go up, and worship Him.   What will it look like to obey the Lord? Getting rid of idols - those things that take the place of God in your life. Cleansing ourselves by confessing our sins before God. Then demonstrating that inward repentance by our outward behavior, bearing “fruit worthy of repentance.”   Do you have a Bethel in your life, a special place where you first met God? Have you ever set up stone pillars in your mind to remind you of times that God has spoken to you and it has made a change in your life, or has brought your focus back to the true treasure of your heart, the Lord Jesus Christ?  

A Wrestling Match (9AM)

June 25, 2023 • Alex Rule • Genesis 32:22–32

This is the story of Jacob's encounter with God. Jacob, has been deceiving many people for most of his life to get the benefits and resources he needs to not only live a good life, but to survive. He wants to always be ahead of others no matter what, but this time he is going to face his creator; this time he will wrestle with God to get His blessing. He wants to get this blessing even if it costs him something and he becomes disabled. After his encounter with God, Jacob learned to hold God's hand and to depend on Him always. In this story, God changed Jacob's name to Israel and changed his life forever. Fortunately, we don't have to wrestle with God to get blessings from Him, what we need is to be faithful and ask him to bless us in our daily prayers. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Hebrews 12:6-7

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