Four Corners Church

———————————————————————————————————————————————————
FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
———————————————————————————————————————————————————

(NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

The Next Generation, Part 2 — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 25:19-34
Sermon Series: Genesis
May 12, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does the description of Jacob in v. 27 align him with Abraham and Isaac? What does the description of Esau tell us? 
2.  How would you characterize Isaac’s favoritism? Why is this so destructive in a family?
3.  How can you fight against favoritism in your relationship with your kids?
4.  What does the conversation between Jacob and Esau reveal about the character of each man? In light of v. 34, how does the author want us to contrast Jacob and Esau?
5.  Discuss Esau’s sin. Why does the writer of Hebrews point to Esau to reinforce his charge not to be “sexually immoral or unholy”?
6.  How are we tempted to trade the eternal for the momentary? Why is Christ the only answer?

References: Genesis 4:20; Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 11; 12:16-17.

[19] These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, [20] and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. [21] And Isaac prayed to theLORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. [22] The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. [23] And the LORD said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb,

[24] When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. [25] The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. [26] Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

[29] Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. [30] And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) [31] Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” [32] Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” [33] Jacob said,“Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. [34] Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions

References: Genesis 4:20; Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 11; 12:16-17.

[19] These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, [20] and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. [21] And Isaac prayed to theLORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. [22] The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. [23] And the LORD said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb,

[24] When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. [25] The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. [26] Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

[29] Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. [30] And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) [31] Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” [32] Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” [33] Jacob said,“Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. [34] Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions

References: Genesis 35:29; Romans 9:4-5; Genesis 8:1; Exodus 2:24; Genesis 20:17-18; Romans 9:10-13, 16; Malachi 1:2-3; Ephesians 1:4-5; Acts 13:48; Genesis 27:36.

[1] Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. [2] She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. [3] Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. [4] The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. [5] Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. [6] But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.

[12] These are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham. [13] These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, named in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael; and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, [14] Mishma, Dumah, Massa, [15] Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. [16] These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their tribes. [17] (These are the years of the life of Ishmael: 137 years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.) [18] They settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria. He settled overagainst all his kinsmen.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions

References: Genesis 12:4; 24:27; 17:4-6, 20; Romans 4:20-21; Revelation 7:9-10; Genesis 3:15; 21:12; 22:17-18; 35:28-29; 15:15; 23:17; 12:1, 7; 13:14-15; Luke 16:22; Matthew 22:32; 5:5; 8:11; Hebrews 11:13; Revelation 21:1-4.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————
FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
———————————————————————————————————————————————————

(NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

Isaac’s Bride — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 24:1-67
Sermon Series: Genesis
April 7, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What are some of the benefits of studying the lives of the patriarchs?
2.  How would you summarize Abraham’s wishes for his son? What are his reasons?
3.  What does the success of Abraham’s servant teach us about God’s character? How does the servant draw attention to these attributes in his prayer and speech?
4.  Why is this servant such a helpful illustration of how we are to serve Christ?
5.  How would you describe the relationship between prayer, providence, and praise in this narrative?
6.  How does this story demonstrate God’s sovereignty over human history and human hearts?
7.  How is Rebekah’s character and role portrayed? How do these things move the reader forward in Genesis?

References: Genesis 12:2; Acts 7:8; Romans 4:11; 9:5; Genesis 15:15; 9:25.

[1] Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. [2] And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, [3] that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, [4] but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” [5] The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” [6] Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. [7] The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. [8] But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” [9] So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

[15] Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. [16] The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. [17] Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” [18] She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. [19] When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” [20] So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. [21] The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the LORD had prospered his journey or not.

[22] When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, [23] and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” [24] She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” [25] She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” [26] The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD [27] and said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.” [28] Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.

[29] Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. [30] As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. [31] He said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD.Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” [32] So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. [33] Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what Ihave to say.” He said, “Speak on.”

[34] So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. [35] The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. [36] And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. [37] My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, [38] but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ [39] I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ [40] But he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. [41] Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’

[42] “I came today to the spring and said, ‘O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, [43] behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” [44] and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’

[45] “Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ [46] She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. [47] Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. [48] Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. [49] Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

[50] Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the LORD; we cannot speak to you bad or good. [51] Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has spoken.”

[52] When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before theLORD. [53] And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. [54] And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” [55] Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” [56] But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way.Send me away that I may go to my master.” [57] They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” [58] And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said,“I will go.” [59] So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. [60] And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you become

[61] Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.

[62] Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. [63] And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. [64] And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel [65] and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veiland covered herself. [66] And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. [67] ThenIsaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions

References: Genesis 12:2; Acts 7:8; Romans 4:11; 9:5; Genesis 15:15; 9:25.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————
FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
———————————————————————————————————————————————————

(NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

Sarah’s Burial — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 23:1-20
Sermon Series: Genesis
March 31, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.     Why would we say that the land promise reaches a climax in chapter 23?
2.     How does this passage show that there is no going back for Abraham? What does that tell us about his mindset and relationship to God?
3.     What does Abraham’s response to Sarah’s death teach us about the relationship between grief and hope in the face of death?
4.     What does it mean to say that the people of the land are bowing to Abraham? How does this ultimately direct our attention to Christ?
5.     How does Matthew 5:5 help us understand the significance of these land promises for all believers?

References: Genesis 12:1-7; Hebrews 11:11; 1 Peter 3:5; Genesis 17:7; Mark 12:26-27; Hebrews 11:13; Genesis 21:22-23; Matthew 5:5.