Four Corners Church

By Four Corners ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Four Corners Church episodes

February 17, 2019 The Two Sons, Part 1
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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(NOTE: Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

The Two Sons, Part 1 — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 21:1-21
17 February 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How does the birth of Isaac mark both the beginning and the continuation of the line to Christ?
2. In what ways has God clarified and confirmed his promises to Abraham between chapters 12 and 21?
3. How do these verses encourage us to put theology at the center of the church? Why might some be uncomfortable with saying that the church is about theology?
4. How do vv. 1-2 teach us that God meets his people, keeps his promises, and accomplishes his purposes? In what ways are these truths foundational throughout the Bible and in the Christian life?
5. How does this passage show us that God does everything for his glory? How does he establish his praise in our lives?

References: Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 15:2, 4; 16:1-2; 17:16-21; Titus 1:1-2; Exodus 4:31; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 14:27; 46:9-10.
0 min
February 17, 2019 The Two Sons Part 1
Genesis 21:1-21
[1] The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he hadpromised. [2] And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. [3] Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. [4] And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when hewas eight days old, as God had commanded him. [5] Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. [6] And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” [7] And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
[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. How does the birth of Isaac mark both the beginning and the continuation of the line to Christ?
2. In what ways has God clarified and confirmed his promises to Abraham between chapters 12 and 21?
3. How do these verses encourage us to put theology at the center of the church? Why might some be uncomfortable with saying that the church is about theology?
4. How do vv. 1-2 teach us that God meets his people, keeps his promises, and accomplishes his purposes? In what ways are these truths foundational throughout the Bible and in the Christian life?
5. How does this passage show us that God does everything for his glory? How does he establish his praise in our lives?
References: Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 15:2, 4; 16:1-2; 17:16-21; Titus 1:1-2; Exodus 4:31; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 14:27; 46:9-10.
58 min
February 10, 2019 Feebleness & Faithfulness Revisited
Genesis 20:1-18
[1] From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. [2] And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. [3] But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” [4] Now Abimelechhad not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? [5] Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” [6] Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. [7] Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
[8] So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. [9] Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you havebrought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” [10] And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” [11] Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ [12] Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. [13] And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
[14] Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. [15] And Abimelech said,“Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” [16] To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated.” [17] Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. [18] For the LORD had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. What does this narrative teach us about God’s attitude toward marriage?
2. How does this passage show us God’s authority, control, and power?
3. Why should God’s protection of his promises to Abraham bring us reassurance?
4. How would you describe the various facets of Abraham’s sin?
5. Why is it significant that Abraham repeats this deception after all that he has experienced between chapters 12 and 20? What does this tell us about the “old sins” in our lives?
6. How does God use Abraham’s sin to confirm some important things for him? What does this tell us about God’s ability to turn our failures for good?
References: 2 Peter 2:7-8; Genesis 12:10-20; 3:15; 1 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 1:13-14.
59 min
February 03, 2019 Sodom's Survivors
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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(NOTE: Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

Sodom’s Survivors — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 19:30-38
3 February 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How does Genesis 13 represent a defining moment in Lot’s life? How might your present choices be setting you on a trajectory to the cave?
2. What does it mean to have a Lot-like Christian life?
3. Discuss the sin of Lot’s daughters. How does it involve both cultural and familial dynamics?
4. How should this story affect the way we view and use alcohol?
5. What does this passage teach us about the impact of our sin on future generations?
6. How does this story connect to Ruth? What does her place in redemptive history communicate about God’s grace?

References: Matthew 11:23-24; Genesis 13:10-13; Leviticus 18:6-7; Ephesians 5:18; Numbers 25:1-3; Zephaniah 2:8; Ruth 4:13-22.
0 min
February 03, 2019 Sodom’s Survivors
Genesis 19:30-38
[30] Now Lot went up out of Zoar and lived in the hills with his two daughters, for he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. [31] And the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth. [32] Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” [33] So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. He did not know when she lay down or when she arose.
[34] The next day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also. Then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” [35] So they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. [36] Thus both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father. [37] The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. [38] The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. He isthe father of the Ammonites to this day.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How does Genesis 13 represent a defining moment in Lot’s life? How might your present choices be setting you on a trajectory to the cave?
2. What does it mean to have a Lot-like Christian life?
3. Discuss the sin of Lot’s daughters. How does it involve both cultural and familial dynamics?
4. Discuss the sin of Lot’s daughters. How does it involve both cultural and familial dynamics?
5. What does this passage teach us about the impact of our sin on future generations?
6. How does this story connect to Ruth? What does her place in redemptive history communicate about God’s grace?
References: Matthew 11:23-24; Genesis 13:10-13; Leviticus 18:6-7; Ephesians 5:18; Numbers 25:1-3; Zephaniah 2:8; Ruth 4:13-22.
1 hr 1 min
January 27, 2019 Deliverance and Destruction
Genesis 19:1-29
[1] The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth [2] and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said,“No; we will spend the night in the town square.” [3] But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
[4] But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. [5] And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” [6] Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, [7] and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. [8] Behold, I have two daughters who have not known anyman. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” [9] But they said, “Stand back!” Andthey said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. [10] But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. [11] And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door.
[12] Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. [13] For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.” [14] So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the LORD is about to destroy the city.”But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.
[15] As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” [16] But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. [17] And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” [18] And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords. [19] Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. [20] Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” [21] He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. [22] Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
God Destroys Sodom
[23] The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. [24] Then the LORD rained onSodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. [25] And he overthrewthose cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on theground. [26] But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
[27] And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before theLORD. [28] And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of thevalley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of afurnace.
[29] So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God rememberedAbraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities inwhich Lot had lived.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Discuss the wickedness of the people of Sodom. How is Lot contrasted with them?
2.   How is Lot portrayed as a weak believer? What does this tell us about the effect that the world can have on us?
3.   Where do we see God’s patience and mercy towards Lot? What does this teach us about God’s attitude towards us?
4.   How does the story of Sodom and Gomorrah function as a warning? In what ways have you viewed sin lightly in your own life?
5.   How would you characterize the difference between Lot and his wife? How does this help us to distinguish between a weak Christian and a non-Christian?
6.   How does this passage (particularly v. 29) point ultimately to Christ as the only basis and means of salvation?
References: Genesis 11:5; 18:20-21; Jude 7; 2 Peter 2:4-10; Romans 1:27.
1 hr 1 min
January 20, 2019 Abraham's Three Visitors, Part 2
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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.)

Abraham’s Three Visitors, Part 2
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 18:16-33
20 January 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How is Abraham portrayed as a “friend of God”?
2. How does this passage teach us that as Christians we are close to God whether we feel it or not?
3. What does v. 19 teach us about parenting?
4. What is Abraham’s concern, and how does God respond to it? What does this teach us about God’s character?
5. How does this passage encourage intercessory prayer?

References: Genesis 13:12; 14:12; James 2:23; Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chronicles 20:7; John 15:15; 1 Samuel 6:20; John 17:9; Psalm 1:5-6; Micah 6:8.
0 min
January 20, 2019 Abraham’s Three Visitors Part 2
Genesis 18:16-33
[16] Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. [17] The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, [18] seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? [19] For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” [20] Then the LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, [21] I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”
[22] So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. [23] Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? [24] Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? [25] Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” [26] And the LORD said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”
[27] Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. [28] Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroythe whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” [29] Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” [30] Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” [31] He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” [32] Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.”He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” [33] And the LORD went his way,when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How is Abraham portrayed as a “friend of God”?
2. How does this passage teach us that as Christians we are close to God whether we feel it or not?
3. What does v. 19 teach us about parenting?
4. What is Abraham’s concern, and how does God respond to it? What does this teach us about God’s character?
5. How does this passage encourage intercessory prayer?
References: Genesis 13:12; 14:12; James 2:23; Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chronicles 20:7; John 15:15; 1 Samuel 6:20; John 17:9; Psalm 1:5-6; Micah 6:8.
1 hr 4 min
January 13, 2019 Abraham's Three Visitors, Part 1
Abraham is visited by the Lord and 2 angelic beings.
59 min
January 13, 2019 Abraham’s Three Visitors Part 1
Genesis 18:1-15
[1] And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. [2] He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth [3] and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. [4] Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, [5] while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” [6] And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said,“Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” [7] And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. [8] Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them.And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
[9] They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” [10] The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. [11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. [12] So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” [13] The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ [14] Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed timeI will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” [15] But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How do we see the outworking of the Christian life in the life of Abraham?
2. How do the appearances of God in the Old Testament prepare his people for the Incarnation?
3. Why is it significant that the Lord had a meal with Abraham? How does this enhance the way we think about Communion?
4. What do the Lord’s words concerning Sarah teach us about his nature and character?
5. In what ways have you been tempted to doubt that nothing is “too hard for the LORD”?
6. Discuss God’s grace in meeting Sarah where she is. How have you seen him do this in your life?
References: Genesis 12:7; 17:1; 19:1; John 14:9; Hebrews 13:2; Revelation 3:20; James 2:23; Genesis 11:30; 17:15-16; Psalm 9:1; Luke 1:37; Romans 8:30; John 6:39-40; Hebrews 11:11.
59 min