Fellowshipmtz

We took a break from Genesis this week in order to explore the Lord's Supper. The service encompassed a sermon, reading, and hymn about communion, as well the actual observance of the ordinance. The recording has both the sermon and the communion reading. The sermon explores (via Paul's instructions to the church at Corinth) how the Lord's Supper is a sign-gift established by Christ so the Church may continually celebrate the Gospel.  

Interestingly the "toledah" in Genesis 11:27 (a word explained in the message) doesn't highlight Abram/Abraham, it highlights Abram's father, Terah!  Understanding what we can about this family prepares us for Abram's call in chapter 12.

The sin of mankind continues at the Tower of Babel. This display of man's arrogance brings about God's divine retribution as he disperses them and confuses their languages. Yet, our gracious God ultimately redeems Babel through Jesus Christ and the event of Pentecost. 

We are now at a point in Genesis to begin exploring God's plan to redeem the nations and make a people for himself. Genesis 10 details the individuals and nations who descend from the sons of Noah. Yet, the passage is more than a list of names. It serves a crucial part of God laying the foundation for the rest of the drama of redemption so he may ultimately establish his supreme kingdom. 

Genesis 9:18-29

Some years after the disembarking from the ark we have one final story regarding Noah: he's drunk and uncovered inside his tent.  Ham sees his father condition and (apparently) finds it amusing.  Further dishonoring his father, he goes out to tell his brothers.  All of this ends with Noah's stern pronouncement upon Ham's youngest son, Canaan, along with words associated with blessing for his brothers, Shem and Japheth.

Romans 13:8-14

The conclusion to last Sunday's message on "knowing the time."  This week's emphasis is on "waking up" to what God has saved us for!

Romans 13:11 reads: "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.  For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed."

Correctly knowing the time requires knowledge of the "nowness" of salvation. 

Today's message sets the background for what Paul writes in chapter 13 by considering what Paul previously wrote to the Roman church about "now".

Christians just celebrated Advent and now await the second coming of Christ. The Apostle Paul offers instructions to the church at Thessalonica as to how they must live faithfully and obediently until the day the Son of God comes back. We consider his exhortations for ourselves as a local church and discuss how they apply to us going into 2026. 

Zephaniah 1-3

This message combines two themes of Advent (Joy & Peace) since winter weather prohibited us from meeting on the third Sunday of Advent.  An informative & delightful overview of Biblical prophecy in general and of Zephaniah in particular.

Micah 7  This week's Advent theme is "Love" and to explore that we turn (again) to the minor prophet of Micah.  Micah concludes his prophetic letter by celebrating God's merciful character in "pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance."