The third and final Scene in our series on Abraham's faith this Sunday. This third was the most trying scene for Abraham and yet the most blessed scene by far! Let's consider Abraham's faith proved as he follows the Lord in bringing Isaac to sacrifice. Of course, God's provision is seen even greater as Abraham makes this sacrificial step. So too, we find God provide for us as we give up for Him.

Abraham receives great and magnificent promises!

Hannah tells us a lot about life and parenting. Let's listen to her challenge in praise - Don't Boast. Trust!

Very often focusing on the Law and religious rituals distract us from where the power to change comes from. When this happens, these Laws become empty and even dangerous. Those principles don't grow us. God's power changes us! And it is His grace, not His Law that does that changing. Both the motivation for change and the power to change is all of God's grace… grace that is living through us in Jesus Christ.

So much going on in the world! Much of the headlines this week have to do with Israel, even the headlines about our city. Last week our study in Romans touched on this same topic. If Israel is a stage on which to show God's glory, what went wrong? We'll find this out in the sermon today. And this same truth will search our own hearts as Jewish or Gentile Christians today. Are we living up to the light of His word? Let's graciously encourage one another... Even more so as "we see the day approaching!"

God is light! And as we reflect His light well we guide people to Him. THey glorify our Father for the light that He shines through us. This was one of the roles of the Jewish nation in the Old Testament and is our honor today as Christians. May we reflect well on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob today. This sermon we will praise God as light and see how He shines light on His stage of the Jewish people. As He does, the satan rises up to destroy His stage. But God uses even that wrath for His good.

We felt an earthquake and observed an eclipse the past couple weeks. Do these signify that Christ will come this week? What did He say about His second coming? We'll look at His teaching and survey some of the other teaching on Christ's return as we consider the Scripture's perspective.

Friends are a blessing in life. At times you may find yourself among many friends and at times with just one or two close friends. Some may be stuck in exile on a remote island, or solitary confinement and yet enjoy a close friendship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In this message, we highlight what God teaches in His Word about friendship.

God shows no partiality at all! That is comforting. He will not judge based on our economic status, ethnicity, or natural abilities. But He will judge fairly. How will you measure up to His impartial judgment? That is a central question in life and one that the BIble answers.

The Law convicts of sin, but the Gospel motivates repentance. It is God's kindness in Christ that builds us up and spurs us forward. In our own strength we become miserable failures. Through God's kindness we find abundant hope and peace. Let's meditate on His rich love and kindness in the Gospel! Here is a link to the slides: https://prezi.com/view/8f1BFNiL52GsFQbxqIvb/