Fellowshipmtz

Genesis 1:26-31

NOTE: The First five minutes (or so) are missing from the recording.  What was emphasized at the beginning is that the word translated in verses 26-27, "man" is the Hebrew word transliterated, "Adam," and that word is used in these verses as a collective noun for BOTH the first man and the first woman.  Both male & female are created in God's image & likeness, emphasizing a perfect unity and harmony.  I prefer the New English Translating the word as "humankind."  Later in the Bible, "Adam" is used as the personal name for the first man.  Otherwise, the message helps in understanding what it means to be created in God's image.

Guest speaker Robert Chapman preaches a message from Esther chapter four.  The highlight of the dramatic narrative comes in verse 14 when Mordecai tells Esther, "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish.  And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Genesis 1:20-27 / Days 5 & 6

Note: The first 7 minutes the microphone was cutting out a bit.  After that, I used a handheld with better results.

The biggest part of the teaching (and discussion afterward) was on the significance of the designation "living creatures".  According to the narrative, fish, birds, animals, and man are ALL created "living creatures."  That designation is something that man has in common with other forms of life; it is not what separates him as unique.

Guest: Will Cooper

Genesis 1:6-13

On an earth "without form" (verse 2) finishes creating His intended "forms" or "structures"; after which, He begins to "fill" the empty forms.  Day three concludes (culminates!) with God calling forth vegetation on the earth.  Today's message pays particular attention on the meaning of God's created "expanse, firmament" and the significance of created vegetation "bearing fruit" or "yielding seed according to it's kind".

Galatians 3:7-14

Our guest, Brad Corfman preaches today's message.  Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, the recording did not turn out well.  Besides being recorded at a level lower than normal, there are a couple of minutes when the recorder lost its signal.  At about the 12 minutes mark I cut (removed) the two minutes; that explains a rather abrupt progression after several seconds of silence.

Genesis 1 - Days 1 & 4

God created "light" on Day 1; and then on Day 4 "made the two great lights" [the sun & the moon].  How to understand and/or harmonize these two activities has been fodder for a lot of (unnecessary, in my opinion) discussion.  The simplest explanation seems best.

Genesis 1:1-31

We begin by defining three key words in verse 1: "God," "created," and "heavens."

Genesis 1:1-3

Today's message explains the best reasons why some might advocate for what is commonly known as the "Gap Theory" -- a gap of unspecified duration between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.  To be clear, I am NOT recommending the Gap Theory, but I do want to evaluate it fairly.  I personally am unconvinced by the popular arguments that dismiss it.  It seems to me a speculative possibility.

Genesis 1:1-3

For our purposes, within Biblical Christianity, there are three general approaches to understanding the first three verses of Genesis.  (I am NOT including less Biblical approaches that discount or disregard what the text says.)  The point here is to fairly recognize how otherwise good Christians may approach the text different from one's own tradition or persuasion.