Four Corners Church

By Four Corners ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Four Corners Church episodes

March 31, 2019 Sarah’s Burial
Genesis 23:1-20
[1] Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. [2] And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. [3] And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, [4] “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” [5] The Hittites answered Abraham, [6] “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.” [7] Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. [8] And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, [9] that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.”
[10] Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, [11] “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of thesons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead.” [12] Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. [13] And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land,“But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” [14] Ephron answered Abraham, [15] “My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” [16] Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants.
[17] So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over [18] to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. [19] After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. [20] The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.
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.
58 min
March 24, 2019 The Climactic Test, Part 2
———————————————————————————————————————————————————
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 Climactic Test, Part 2 — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 22:1-24
Sermon Series: Genesis
March 24, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. What have we learned about God’s character from this story before we even get his response to Abraham’s obedience?
2. Why is this the only fitting test for Abraham? What is the relationship here between faith and obedience, and why is it so important that we get this right in the Christian life?
3. How does God affirm Abraham? In what ways have you seen God give affirmation and assurance in your life?
4. How does this story picture Christ’s sacrifice as the Lamb of God?
5. Why does God make an oath? How does this text show his trustworthiness?
6. How does the genealogy at the end of the chapter point us both forward and backwards in the book of Genesis?

References: Genesis 21:12; Hebrews 11:19; Proverbs 8:13; 9:10; Job 1:1; 1 Peter 1:7; Matthew 3:17; John 3:16; Romans 8:32; Isaiah 53:7, 10; John 1:29; 18:12; 19:17-18; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6, 9; Galatians 3:16; Hebrews 6:13-20; Genesis 11:26-32; 21:33.
59 min
March 24, 2019 The Climactic Test Part 2
Genesis 22:1-24
[1] After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” [2] He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” [3] So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. [4] On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. [5] Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” [6] And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. [7] And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” [8] Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
[9] When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10] Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. [11] But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”And he said, “Here I am.” [12] He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” [13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called the name of that place, “TheLORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”
[15] And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven [16] and said,“By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17] I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, [18] and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” [19] So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.
[20] Now after these things it was told to Abraham, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: [21] Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, [22] Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” [23] (Bethuel fathered Rebekah.)These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. [24] Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. What have we learned about God’s character from this story before we even get his response to Abraham’s obedience?
2. Why is this the only fitting test for Abraham? What is the relationship here between faith and obedience, and why is it so important that we get this right in the Christian life?
3. How does God affirm Abraham? In what ways have you seen God give affirmation and assurance in your life?
4. How does this story picture Christ’s sacrifice as the Lamb of God?
5. Why does God make an oath? How does this text show his trustworthiness?
6. How does the genealogy at the end of the chapter point us both forward and backwards in the book of Genesis?
References: Genesis 21:12; Hebrews 11:19; Proverbs 8:13; 9:10; Job 1:1; 1 Peter 1:7; Matthew 3:17; John 3:16; Romans 8:32; Isaiah 53:7, 10; John 1:29; 18:12; 19:17-18; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6, 9; Galatians 3:16; Hebrews 6:13-20; Genesis 11:26-32; 21:33.
59 min
March 17, 2019 The Climactic Test, Part 1
Abraham is commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac. However, God's stays his hand and Abraham grows in his obedience.
1 hr 2 min
March 17, 2019 The Climactic Test Part 1
Genesis 22:1-24
[1] After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” [2] He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” [3] So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. [4] On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. [5] Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” [6] And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. [7] And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” [8] Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
[9] When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10] Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. [11] But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”And he said, “Here I am.” [12] He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” [13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called the name of that place, “TheLORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”
[15] And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven [16] and said,“By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17] I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, [18] and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” [19] So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.
[20] Now after these things it was told to Abraham, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: [21] Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, [22] Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” [23] (Bethuel fathered Rebekah.)These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. [24] Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. Why does this weighty test come at this particular time in Abraham’s life? What does this imply about how God tests us?
2. What do the opening verses suggest about the relationship between God and Abraham? Why is this so important for understanding Abraham’s response?
3. What does it mean to say that Isaac represents Abraham’s heart and hope?
4. In what ways do we see Abraham’s obedience? How do his words show what is going on in his heart?
5. How does this narrative help us to trust God during times of much confusion?
6. What does it mean to say that Abraham valued the Giver over the gift and that the Word was supreme over his will? What does this look like in our lives?
7. How do we explain the incredible strength of Abraham’s character depicted in this passage, and what does that suggest about our own lives? How does it show the glory of God’s grace through the work of Christ?
References: Genesis 12:1; 2 Chronicles 3:1; Deuteronomy 8:2, 16; Genesis 21:12; Hebrews 11:19; James 2:18-24.
1 hr 3 min
March 10, 2019 The Triumphal Entry
Jesus comes into Jerusalem, humbly, but is received as a King. He is opposed by the religious leaders of Israel and is ultimately crucified by the Roman civil authorities. On the third day, he is raised back to life in the power of Almighty God In victory over sin, death, and evil. His righteousness is credited to all who call on his name for the forgiveness of sin.
41 min
March 04, 2019 The Prosperous Patriarch
———————————————————————————————————————————————————
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 Prosperous Patriarch — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 21:22-34
Sermon Series: Genesis
March 3, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. What basic truths does Abimelech recognize about the God of Abraham?
2. Abimelech tells Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.” How does this encourage us as Christians?
3. What is the significance of the treaty and the well in the larger narrative of Abraham’s life?
4. What does this story teach us about how we should relate to our neighbors?
5. Why does Abraham call on the LORD as “the Everlasting God”?
6. Why do you think Abraham plants a tree? What does it mean to say that we are planted in Christ?

References: Genesis 20:1-18; 1 Peter 1:5-9; Genesis 15:1, 15; Hebrews 11:9, 13; Romans 12:18; Titus 3:2; Genesis 17:8; John 15:4-5; Jeremiah 17:7-8.
0 min
March 03, 2019 The Prosperous Patriarch
Genesis 21:22-34
[22] At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham,“God is with you in all that you do. [23] Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” [24] And Abraham said, “I will swear.”
[25] When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized, [26] Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.” [27] So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. [28] Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. [29] And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” [30] He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well.” [31] Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath. [32] So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. [33] Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. [34] And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. What basic truths does Abimelech recognize about the God of Abraham?
2. Abimelech tells Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.” How does this encourage us as Christians?
3. What is the significance of the treaty and the well in the larger narrative of Abraham’s life?
4. What does this story teach us about how we should relate to our neighbors?
5. Why does Abraham call on the LORD as “the Everlasting God”?
6. Why do you think Abraham plants a tree? What does it mean to say that we are planted in Christ?
References: Genesis 20:1-18; 1 Peter 1:5-9; Genesis 15:1, 15; Hebrews 11:9, 13; Romans 12:18; Titus 3:2; Genesis 17:8; John 15:4-5; Jeremiah 17:7-8.
57 min
February 24, 2019 The Two Sons, Part 2
At Sarah's urging, Hagar and Ishmael are cast out of the household of Abraham. Isaac is the son of promise, and the line through which the Messiah will come. Nevertheless, God also provides for Ishmael, the son of Abraham.
1 hr
February 19, 2019 The Two Sons Part 2
Genesis 21:8-21
[8] And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. [9] But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. [10] So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son,for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” [11] And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. [12] But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. [13] And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” [14] So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
[15] When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. [16] Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat oppositehim, she lifted up her voice and wept. [17] And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. [18] Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” [19] Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. [20] And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. [21] He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. Discuss how God meets his people, keeps his promises, accomplishes his purposes, and establishes his praise in and through Jesus Christ.
2. How do we see Sarah’s sin and God’s sovereignty in this passage?
3. Where do we see God’s grace in how he relates to Abraham in particular?
4. How are faith and obedience linked together in Abraham’s response to God?
5. Why did God separate Ishmael from Isaac? What does this have to do with our salvation?
6. Discuss Paul’s use of this passage in Galatians 4. What is he trying to teach his readers?
7. What does God’s care for Ishmael teach us about his character?
References: Matthew 1:23; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Galatians 4:4; Acts 2:23; Ephesians 1:12; Genesis 16; Galatians 4:21-31.
1 hr