Genesis 12:1-3

Central Truth: God’s covenant of blessing is meant for you also as a descendant of faith.

Three observations of what God’s Blessing looks like:

1. God’s blessing is according to His plan, not mine.

2. God’s blessing is according to His timing.

3. God’s blessing does not exclude hardship.

Application: God’s covenant of blessing means I can follow Him confidently.

Gen 11:27 - Gen 12:8

Gen 8:15-22, 9:7-17

Foundational Truth: The covenant between God and Noah was a covenant of Mercy (withholding deserved punishment).

Central Truth: God’s mercy is extended to us through Jesus Christ.

3 Lessons of Mercy from the Story of Noah and the Flood:

1. God's mercy does not replace wrath, it overcomes it.

2. God's mercy brings a new beginning

3. God's mercy is deserving of worship.

Today's Scripture - Genesis 6:5-22

Foundational Truth: Even in sinful times it is possible to please God.

Central Truth: Walking with God is the key to pleasing God.

What does it mean to walk with God?

1. We need to hear the Word.

2. We must trust and revere The Word.

3. Be a doer of The Word. (Obey The Word).

In times of chaos and volatility we should fixate on the unchanging God.

Three lessons from the flood:

1. God hates sin.

2. Unrepentant sinners will be punished.

3. Sin is a heart issue.

Therefore: We need to take sin seriously because God takes sin seriously.

Find hope that in a sinful world it is possible to please God.

Main Point: A primary characteristic of a Kingdom citizen is helping those in need.

3 mindsets of being a sheep (follower of Christ):

1. Love of Christ is expressed thru love of others.

2. Serving is an action, not just a mindset.

Jesus already served us in our greatest need.

Three truths from this parable:

1. God’s people are entrusted with the resources needed to play their part in the expansion of the Kingdom.

2. How we live (what we do with what we’ve been given) MATTERS.

3. We will be held accountable for what we did or did not do for the Kingdom.

Main point:

Stay ready for Christ’s return.

What does it mean for us to be prepared for Christ’s return:

Preparedness comes through a relationship with God.

Two secondary points:

1. Our understanding of the Kingdom offers perspective on the world now.

2. When the Kingdom comes it will come suddenly and with finality.

Three takeaways of the Kingdom:

1. The Kingdom of God comes with great blessing.

2. The Kingdom of God is now available to all.

3. The Kingdom of God requires a righteous standard.

Three complaints of the hired workers and three responses from God:

1. Workers' complaint: Their self-centeredness and jealousy of others created an attitude of ungratefulness.

God response: He gets to generously bless whomever, whenever and however He wants to.

2. Workers' complaint: They feel they deserve or have earned their wages.

God's response: You actually don't deserve or earn anything yet I’ve been fair and paid you what you agreed to.

3. Workers' complaint: You have made the last hired equal to us who started work earlier.

God's response: He values and loves each of us equally regardless of what we deserve.