Four Corners Church

By Four Corners ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Four Corners Church episodes

July 16, 2023 A Holy People, Part 1
Sermon 61 in Series
Exodus 22:18-23:9
[18] “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
[19] “Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death.
[20] “Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.
[21] “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. [22] You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. [23] If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, [24] and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.
[25] “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. [26] If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, [27] for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
[28] “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
[29] “You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. [30] You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
[31] “You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
[1] “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. [2] You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, [3] nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.
[4] “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. [5] If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.
[6] “You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit. [7] Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. [8] And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.
[9] “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How is our time in the Mosaic Law evangelistic? In what ways have you used the Law to share the gospel?
2. How does James 1:27 encapsulate what we find in Exodus 22:18-27? How are we tempted away from holiness and compassion in our culture?
3. How are bestiality and idolatry related? What do these activities say about the human heart?
4. How does God view the vulnerable and those who oppress them? How can you better reflect his compassionate character?
5. Why is our treatment of God so intertwined with how we relate to earthly authorities? How have you grown in your attitude towards authority since becoming a Christian?
6. What does this passage imply about our giving? How can we fall into giving God the leftover scraps rather than the first and the best?
References: Exodus 20:21; 21:1; Romans 3:19-20; Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 146:9; James 1:27; Ephesians 5:1-2; Romans 12:1; Exodus 13:13; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
1 hr 1 min
July 09, 2023 Loss Scenarios
Sermon 60 in Series
Exodus 21:33-22:17
[33] “When a man opens a pit, or when a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, [34] the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his.
[35] “When one man’s ox butts another’s, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and share its price, and the dead beast also they shall share. [36] Or if it is known that the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, he shall repay ox for ox, and the dead beast shall be his.
[1] “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. [2] If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, [3] but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. [4] If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.
[5] “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.
[6] “If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution.
[7] “If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. [8] If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. [9] For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.
[10] “If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it, [11] an oath by the LORD shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. [12] But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. [13] If it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn.
[14] “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution. [15] If the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution; if it was hired, it came for its hiring fee.
[16] “If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife. [17] If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. Where do we see negligence in this passage? Why is it sometimes hard to distinguish it from an accident?
2. What are some practical steps that we can take to avoid negligence? How can we train our kids not to be destructive to other people’s property?
3. How do the different levels of stealing penalties show God’s justice and grace? How does Leviticus 6:4-5 illustrate God’s gracious call to turn back from sin?
4. What does this passage teach about self-defense and the priority of human life over property? How does this affect your thinking on these (and related) topics?
5. How do these laws remind us of the “uncertainty of riches” (1 Tim. 6:17)? How do they draw us towards storing up heavenly treasure (Matt. 6:19-20)?
6. Why do vv. 16-17 fit well in this section? What do they say about God’s design for sex?
References: Galatians 6:10; Philippians 2:4; Exodus 20:15; Leviticus 6:4-5; 1 Kings 8:31-32; Ephesians 4:17-28; Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
1 hr
July 02, 2023 Harm Scenarios
Sermon 59 in Series
Exodus 21:18-32
[18] “When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist and the man does not die but takes to his bed, [19] then if the man rises again and walks outdoors with his staff, he who struck him shall be clear; only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall have him thoroughly healed.
[20] “When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. [21] But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money.
[22] “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. [23] But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, [24] eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, [25] burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
[26] “When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free because of his eye. [27] If he knocks out the tooth of his slave, male or female, he shall let the slave go free because of his tooth.
[28] “When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall not be liable. [29] But if the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has been warned but has not kept it in, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death. [30] If a ransom is imposed on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed on him. [31] If it gores a man’s son or daughter, he shall be dealt with according to this same rule. [32] If the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. Up to this point, what has this legal material in Exodus taught you about the Lord? How has it given you practical wisdom?
2. How do the quarreling/fighting scenarios highlight self-control and the sanctity of human life? In what ways do they show God’s justice?
3. What protections were in place for slaves harmed by their masters? How was this unique in the ancient world?
4. How does the “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” principle (lex talionis) maximize justice? What does Jesus say about this principle in our personal interactions?
5. How does the last scenario challenge you to exercise greater care and to have a higher view of human life?
6. In what general and particular ways does this passage point us to Christ?
References: Exodus 24:7; James 4:1-2; Genesis 4:23-24; Matthew 5:38-40; Proverbs 29:19; Job 31:15; Ephesians 6:9; Genesis 9:5; Numbers 35:31; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Matthew 26:15.
1 hr 2 min
June 25, 2023 Stewards of God’s Varied Grace
1 Peter 4:7-11
[7] The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. [8] Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: [11] whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How does Peter’s encouragement that the end of all things is at hand spur us on to good works?
2. Why is self-control and sober minded needed for prayer? What does an effective prayer life look like?
3. In what ways does love cover sin in Christian community? What does love in action look like?
4. Why is hospitality such an important calling for all Christians? How can we be more hospitable to one another?
5. What does Peter mean by God’s “varied grace”? How would you define God’s gifts?
6. What does it mean to steward God’s gifts? How can you grow in stewardship?
References: 2 Peter 3:10-11, Matthew 25: 14-30, Ephesians 6:18, Matthew 6:7-31, 1 Cor 13:13, Col 3:12-17, John 13, Gen 18:1-15, Mat 25:34-40, Rom 3:25, Rom 12:4-8.
45 min
June 18, 2023 Capital Crimes
Sermon 58 in Series
Exodus 21:12-17
[12] “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. [13] But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee. [14] But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die. [15] “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death. [16] “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death. [17] “Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How does Scripture call fathers to gratitude, joy, and responsibility? In what ways do you lose sight of these?
2. Why is intentional homicide so grievous in God’s sight? Why is the death penalty for murder increasingly unpopular today?
3. What provision does God make for accidental killing? How do the words in v. 13, “God let him fall into his hand,” help us navigate the frustrations and accidents of life?
4. How does this passage direct your treatment of your parents? What does it suggest about raising children?
5. Discuss the story of Joseph and his brothers. What does it mean to say that kidnapping is the sister of murder?
6. How do these death penalty laws humble us and point us to the gospel?
References: Exodus 20:13; Genesis 1:27; 9:6; 3:11; 4:8; 6:11; Numbers 35:15, 22-23; Exodus 20:12, 15; Proverbs 20:20; Genesis 37:28; 40:15; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:7.
57 min
June 11, 2023 Protecting the Vulnerable
Sermon 57 in Series
Exodus 21:1-11
[1] “Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. [2] When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. [3] If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. [4] If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone. [5] But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ [6] then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.
[7] “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. [8] If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. [9] If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. [10] If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. [11] And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. Why is slavery such a difficult topic for us? How have you heard people disparage or mischaracterize the Bible over this issue?
2. In general, what do these two passages show about God’s justice and character? How could they be twisted to defame God and his Law?
3. How did slavery function in ancient society? What protections were in place for these Hebrew servants among their fellow Israelites?
4. How do Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:7-8 help us make sense of these kinds of laws? How do these laws accentuate our collective need for a Savior?
5. What instruction is given here regarding female servants acquired for marriage? In what ways did this protect her from being exploited or marginalized?
6. What role does slavery play in our understanding of the gospel? How do these realities fuel our gratitude and obedience?
References: Proverbs 8:13; Exodus 20:10, 17; 21:16; Leviticus 25:39-40, 42-43; Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:7-8; Genesis 29:31-30:24; Romans 6:22.
1 hr
June 04, 2023 The Response to Revelation
Sermon 56 in Series
Exodus 20:18-26
[18] Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off [19] and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” [20] Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” [21] The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
[22] And the LORD said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven. [23] You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold. [24] An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. [25] If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. [26] And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How can you freshly commit yourself to taking in God’s revelation through his written Word? What effect should this have on us, and in what ways can Bible reading go wrong?
2. How would you describe the scene when God gave the Ten Commandments to Israel? How did the people respond?
3. How does this passage highlight God’s holiness and human sinfulness? How does it point to Christ as the Mediator?
4. What does it mean to fear God? How does this play out in the life of a Christian?
5. What instruction does God give here regarding worship? Why does he command the use of uncut stones for altars?
6. What does it mean to worship God according to his Word? How have you seen God’s people stray from this?
References: Exodus 19; Deuteronomy 4:10; 5:28; 18:15-17; Genesis 22:12; Proverbs 9:10; Matthew 10:28; 1 Peter 1:17-18; 1Timothy 2:5; Genesis 8:20.
1 hr 2 min
May 28, 2023 The Tenth Commandment: No Coveting
Sermon 55 in Series
Exodus 20:17
[17] “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How has our time in the Ten Commandments most impacted you? How has it grown your appreciation for Christ?
2. What does it mean to covet? Why is it idolatry?
3. How does discontent fuel coveting? What does it practically look like to be satisfied in God?
4. In what ways does this commandment penetrate deep into our hearts? How can we truly ask the Lord to search our hearts?
5. How does this commandment humble and evangelize us? How does it leave us longing for heaven?
6. What effect does coveting have on our view of people? Why is it so antithetical to love?
7. How does rejoicing with those who rejoice offer an antidote to coveting? How can you apply this to your interactions with others?
References: Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5; Acts 4:12; Genesis 2:9; 3:6; Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5; Philippians 4:11-13; Psalm 42:1-2; Matthew 15:19; 5:22, 28; 1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 3:10; 12:15.
1 hr 2 min
May 21, 2023 The Ninth Commandment: No False Testimony
Sermon 54 in Series
Exodus 20:16
[16] “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How does studying the Ten Commandments promote our sanctification? How does it deepen our view of worship?
2. Discuss the importance of justice in Scripture. In what ways do false witnesses pervert justice?
3. How does this commandment address slander? How have you seen slander bring destruction to reputations, relationships, and churches?
4. What descriptors does James use for the tongue? How does this challenge your speech?
5. How does God’s character and Christ’s example inform our view of lying? What are some of the moral complexities surrounding this commandment?
6. Where do we see lying in our culture and among those with whom we interact? In what ways have you been tempted to join in this behavior?
References: Psalm 51:3-4; Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16; Exodus 23:1-3; Psalm 15:2-3; Proverbs 16:28; 20:19; James 3:5-9; Leviticus 19:11; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18; Psalm 111:7; John 14:6; 1 Peter 2:22; John 8:44; Joshua 2:1-7; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25; Revelation 21:8; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9-10.
1 hr 4 min
May 14, 2023 The Eighth Commandment: No Stealing
Sermon 53 in Series
Exodus 20:15
[15] “You shall not steal.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How do we often lose sight of God’s ownership of everything? Why is the concept of stewardship so important as we think about what we have?
2. How does the Bible affirm ownership of property? What does it mean to say that God distributes to all in his wisdom and providence?
3. What are some different ways that people steal? How does a lack of contentment dishonor God and lead to stealing?
4. How does work function as God’s means for meeting our needs? In what ways are we tempted to replace work with something else?
5. How does this commandment ultimately call us to generosity and giving? How can we more faithfully put this into practice?
6. In what ways is the nature of the Christian life diametrically opposed to stealing? How does Ephesians 4:28 offer practical guidance in confessing Jesus as Lord and storing up treasure in heaven?
References: Psalm 119:97; Psalm 24:1; James 1:17; John 3:27; Matthew 6:11; Acts 4:36-37; 5:4; 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17; Genesis 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 6:6-11; Exodus 22:6; 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 John 3:17; James 2:15-17; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Colossians 3:23; Galatians 2:20; Matthew 6:20; Colossians 3:1; Ephesians 4:28.
59 min