The Story: Where it All Begins

The Story: Where it All Begins: 10 Commandments

March 17, 2024 • Ron Burcham • Exodus 19:16–19, Matthew 22:34–40

The Story: Where it All Begins: Moses

March 10, 2024 • Kevin Austin • Exodus 1:8–14

Hundreds of years pass between Genesis and Exodus and they have not been kind years to the people that God has chosen. The Egyptians have decided that the Israelites are a threat not an asset so they begin to force hard labor and population controls on them. God will deliver them from their oppressors, but He will do so in a way in which foreshadows how He will rescue all people. God will use the hardened heart of Pharaoh to demonstrate His power and give us a glimpse of how He will deliver us.

The Story: Where it All Begins: Joseph

March 3, 2024 • Ron Burcham • Genesis 45:1–8, Romans 8:18–25

Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, is thought to be dead. He has been ripped away from his father by his jealous brothers. Yet before we place too much blame on the brothers maybe we should take a look at the actions of dad and favorite son! Either way you look at the plans that Jacob or Joseph had for their future been destroyed. For Joseph this is the first dead end for him. Just when life is looking up in Egypt it gets taken away again. For 22 years Joseph waits for the dreams of his teen years to come true, but for 71 years he enjoys the blessings of living in harmony with his family. Through the trials, dead ends, setbacks, and more God is at work.

The Story: Where it All Begins: Abraham

February 25, 2024 • Kevin Austin • Genesis 22:1–12, Hebrews 11:17–19

We see from the time that by grace Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden that God is in an endless pursuit to restore mankind to a right relationship with him. His plan involves the building of a Nation, a people from which he can call forth the one would save His people. He chooses the most unlikeliest person, it seems, from which to build His nation. A man whose family worshiped false gods and a man whose wife who was barren. To build the suspense after promises Abram and Sarai that they would be the parents of great nation he has them wait 25 years before He gives them just one child. But wait God is not done yet, because then He command Abram to kill his one and only Son. God stops Abraham from carrying out the plan in the nick of time because God will not ask us to do what only He can do.

The Story: Where it All Beings: Creation

February 18, 2024 • Kevin Austin • Genesis 1:27—2:2, Genesis 3:8–13

God did not create us to bring Him joy, but to give us joy. True joy and happiness is only found in a perfect loving relationship with him and with one another. Adam and Eve had that joy and happiness, but it was lost when they looked to themselves instead of God and each other. Sin entered our world and corrupted everything. By the time we get to Noah the world is in complete chaos and corruption and God decides cleansing needs to take place. But the sin of Adam and Eve entered the Ark and departed the Ark thus remaining in our world.