Grace Christian Fellowship

Intro: 4th of July –

1. Illustration Pilgrims- Pilgrim’s Progress

1. Question to Answer: What do I do with what I have received? Grow in your Faith

2. Context

3. For this Reason (2 Peter 1:1-4) Take this personally- your sin, your life, claim his promise for you, spend time with him

1. God has called you out of corruption

2. God has equipped you to live a godly life

3. God keeps his good and precious promises

4. God invites you to himself to share in his divine nature.

1. Make every Effort (Luke 5:1-11) (Listen to the Master (intake of God’s Word), Put out into deep water (make faith decisions) keep at it or leave and follow Jesus

2. Add to - Generous and Costly Participation (Theater Patron) – What are you investing in the kingdom of God? Time, Finances, Opportunity Cost

1. Growth

1. Growth takes Effort (Generous and Costly Participation

2. Growth is Gradual (Peter’s Journey, Saved by GRACE)

3. Growth is effective (you will see evidence)

2. Faith (Hebrews 11: 1- confidence in what we hope for, assurance of what we do not see)

1. Faith is the foundation- virtue without it is like a screen door on a submarine (Hebrews 11:6-without faith it is impossible to please God)

2. Faith is a Gift (2 Peter 1:1)

3. Faith does not stand alone (verse 5-11)

1. Goodness (Mark 10: 17-18 No one is Good but God alone)

1. Let God’s Word be your Moral Authority, Let it come from your faith

2. Knowledge (Gnosis, Practical Wisdom, Proverbs- the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, Listen to Wise Counsel, be Humble, Phone illustration What kind of knowledge do we seek (tree of knowledge of good and evil)

3. Self Control (1 Peter 2:11 Abstain from desires that wage war) Christian and Faithful in Vanity Fair)

1. Perseverance (Endurance- Ernest Shackleton, Romans 5:3-5)

1. Patience- Waiting on Jesus, Suffering-perseverance-Character-hope, God does not waste it. He is the God who sees you (Genesis 16:13)  But we are not meant to be alone (Genesis 2:18)

2. Godliness (godliness- Godliness- Eusebia- piety, holiness, reverence, respect) (1 Peter 2:17)

3. Mutual Affection (Philadelphia brotherly love, (1 Peter 1:22)

1. Vulnerability of Being known, power of Christian Community – Outward- love God, love people

4. Mutual Affection to Love (Agape) The Fathers Bargain

5. (John 13:35-Love one another)- We are called to love each other in this manner.

1. Possess these qualities in increasing measure-Growth = increase in size or complexity- one of the traits used to determine if something is alive. Have these and you will be effective and productive (Living things Grow)

Epignosis knowledge of Jesus Personally. To know him.

1. Near sighted and Blind (blind by way of being near sighted, driving example, you are a danger to others)

2. Forgetting they have been cleansed (Pilgrim’s Progress , Christian being tempted to turn back- but remembering when his burden fell- The Gospel

3. Therefore- make every effort (again) to confirm your calling and election

Two Plants- Because Living things grow – If you are growing – it is evidence you are alive in Christ. Consider this. How to confirm- Pursue Jesus. Repent and Believe, Continue to repent and believe

1. Stumble- What causes people to stumble? This is an eternal type of stumbling block. (lack of faith, perverted good, worldly knowledge, lack of self control, etc.)

2. Rich Welcome- Arrival at the end of the Journey- take of your pack, put down your burden- Hospitality of Heaven – Worth striving for, waiting For, dying for

1. 2 Peter 3:18 – Read aloud

3. Gospel Presentation/Communion

Series: Contending for the Faith

Title: “Why Hold on if God Won’t Let Go?”

Scripture: Jude 24-25 NIV

Psalm 37:23-24

Psalm 139:23-24

Proverbs 24:16

John 10:27-30

Romans 8:38-39

Ephesians 1:13-14

Hebrews 13:5

1 John 2:19

1 John 5:13

Bottom line: We hold on because he holds us.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

OPENING STORY

"He is able to keep..."

Watch a parent walk a small child along the edge of a busy sidewalk. The child is doing real walking — short, wobbly, determined steps, working as hard as little legs can work. And then she trips. Of course she does; her foot catches the curb and she pitches forward. But she doesn’t hit the pavement. She never even gets close. Her hand is wrapped inside a bigger hand, and the instant she goes, that hand lifts and steadies and sets her back on her feet before the fall can finish. She stumbled — but she did not fall.

Jude has spent his whole letter telling us to walk a dangerous edge: in the midst of false and deceptive teachers, contend, build, keep, rescue — right alongside the place where others have already gone over and not come back.

Now, in the last two verses, he shows us the hand. “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling.” Or as the psalmist said it long before: "Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand" (Psalm 37:24).

The missteps still come. The fatal fall never does — because the grip holding you is not your own.

Said another way, we may find ourselves in the ditch along the narrow way...but he's right there pulling us out of the muck and mire back onto the highway of our God.

Too Busy in this life

A traveler once walked more than 700 miles to see Niagara Falls. As he neared his destination, he heard a distant roar and asked a nearby farmer, “Is that Niagara Falls?”

The farmer replied, “I don’t know. It might be.”

Surprised, the traveler asked, “Do you live here?”

“Born and raised here,” the farmer said.

“And you’ve never gone to see the falls?”

“No, stranger. I’ve been too busy looking after my farm.”

What a tragedy—to live within the sound of one of the world’s greatest wonders and never take the time to see it.

And yet many Christians do something similar. We know heaven is coming. We know we will stand in the presence of God’s glory. We hear about it every week. But we become so busy with the things of this world that we lose our appetite for the world to come.

Jude reminds us that God is keeping us for something far greater: to be presented before His glorious presence, blameless and with great joy.

Poem

"Some want to live within the sound

Of church or chapel bell;

I want to run a rescue shop

Within a yard of hell."

CONTEXT

The entire letter begins and ends with God’s keeping power:

• Jude 1 — “To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.”

• Jude 21 — “Keep yourselves in God’s love…”

• Jude 24 — “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you…”

• Jude 25 — Doxology praising the God who does the keeping.

That creates a beautiful tension:

Kept by God (v.1) → Keep yourselves in God’s love (v.21) → Kept by God (v.24).

The question practically preaches itself:

“If God is holding me, why does Jude tell me to hold on?”

Imagine being swept toward a waterfall.

You know you cannot save yourself.

Then a strong rescuer reaches you and takes hold of your arm.

The question isn’t whether he will hold on.

The question is: Why would you not hold on to him?

That’s the tension in Jude.

God has taken hold of us.

Therefore, we keep ourselves in His love.

Not to earn His rescue.

Not to maintain His rescue.

But because His rescue is already underway.

“Why Hold On If He’s Holding You?”

That raises one of the most important questions in the Christian life:

Is my salvation ultimately dependent on how tightly I hold onto God—or how tightly God holds onto me?

OUTLINE (Help from Shaddix/Akin)

I. God holds/keeps me. (Jude 1, 24) i.e. I am saved and secured by God's power, promise, person, and praise.

“To him who is able…”

Not merely willing.

Able.

Cross references:

• John 10:28-29

• Romans 8:38-39

• Philippians 1:6

If eternal life can be lost, it was never eternal.

Cross references:

• John 6:37-40

• John 17:12

• Hebrews 10:14

God does not change.

The One who called you is the One who keeps you.

Cross references:

• Malachi 3:6

• 2 Timothy 2:13

• Hebrews 13:8

Verse 25 is worship.

Jude cannot discuss salvation without ending in doxology.

The doctrine of eternal security is not merely comfort.

It is fuel for worship.

The point is not:

“Look how strong my faith is.”

The point is:

“Look how great my Savior is.”

II. I am to keep hold of God's love. (Jude 21) God keeps me by helping me hold on to him and his love.

Many people have asked:

“If God keeps me, why must I keep myself?”

Answer: Because security is not an excuse for passivity.

Illustrate: A child walking through a crowded airport.

The child holds Dad’s hand.

Dad also holds the child’s hand.

Which grip matters most?

Dad’s.

Yet the child still holds on.

The father may even let go of the child's hand in the airport to give the child a little more freedom and the child may stay close because they know that's where they're secure.

But the human condition is that we are prone to wander from his grip hurting our fellowship with him. Not that we can get away from him and his security, but that we can wander far enough to impact our fellowship and assurance negatively.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.”

“Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.”

John 15.

Not salvation.

Assurance.

The false teachers in Jude prove this.

Prayer.

Scripture.

Church.

Worship.

Fellowship.

Verses 22-23.

We rescue others.

This is the key theological answer.

The evidence that God is keeping us is that we continue following Him.

God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are friends, not enemies.

You might even summarize:

God’s grip is the cause.

Our grip is the evidence.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: We hold on because he holds us.

As I've said, we have four daughters. All are married.

As we wait for the music to start--in those few moments where your life flashes before you--before you begin to walk down that aisle before God and all those people--I established a tradition that goes back to the days when selfies were the rage.

It was 2016. Selfies were a new phenomenon. I'm standing there with Samantha and I can tell she's excited, happy, and, well, emotional,m - on the verge of tears.

Now we can't have her makeup running at this moment! So I suggest we do a selfie together as we wait for the thumbs up. It only takes a few seconds. But it gave her a reason to focus on this pic (I'm about to give her away, remember, so I'm emotional too). She leans in with a huge smile and relief and joy swallow us as we take the picture as I miraculously press the right button on the first try. It's an amazing picture.

So, yes, I had the privilege to escort them down the aisle and move their hand from mine to another's. It's a humbling moment.

There’s a moment a father knows well — standing at the back of a sanctuary with his daughter on his arm, about to walk her down the aisle and present her, radiant and whole, to the joy of the whole room. This is a foretaste of the moment when each of us will walk an aisle with our Father and King to meet Jesus in all his glory.

Jude 24 says God will one day “present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” Notice whose joy that is. Not just ours — His.

The God you’ve been contending for, the One who kept you the whole way, doesn’t grit His teeth at the finish line. He delights to present you.

That’s where this series lands: you held on, yes — but only because He was holding you, and He was glad to do it the entire time. To Him be glory, majesty, power, and authority. Amen.

“without fault and with great joy”

Most Christians believe:

“God will tolerate me in heaven.”

Jude says something entirely different.

God will present you:

• without fault

• before His glorious presence

• with great joy

And I would emphasize:

Whose joy?

Certainly ours.

But also His.

God is not reluctantly dragging His children into heaven.

He delights to present them.

There is a moment a father knows well—standing at the back of a wedding venue with his daughter on his arm, about to walk her down the aisle and present her, radiant and whole, to the joy of the whole room.

Jude says something even greater is coming.

One day God Himself will present His children before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

The God who called you.

The God who saved you.

The God who kept you.

Will be the God who presents you.

And when that day comes, you will finally discover what Jude has been teaching all along:

You were able to hold on only because He never let go of you.

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

"William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. Booth is often credited with saying,

If I had my way, I would not send my workers to four years of college. If I had my way, I would not put them through three years of seminary. If I had my way, I would put all of my workers in hell for five minutes! That would be the best theological training they would ever receive. (Source unknown)" -Shaddix/Akin

Why hold on to God's love?

• It's a reminder to you when you doubt that you're his.

• It's evidence to others.

• It's a testimony of change in your life.

• It's a make of obedience which is a mark of your love for God.

• It's how we grow to be more like Jesus in practice.

• He calls me to! (V. 21)

• It's what faith looks like:

• Deny self

• Take up your cross

• Follow Jesus

• Cling to the cross

• Rest in his arms

• Walk the narrow way

• Stand firm

• Suit up

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Jude" by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Jude, Shaddix & Daniel Akin

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Series: Contending for The Faith

Title: "How do we stand firm in truth and love?" Part 1

Scripture: Jude 1:1-16

2 Cor 13:5 "test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves."

Numbers 14 12 spies

Ezekiel 16:49 Sodom and Gommorah's sins

1 Cor 6:9-11 Wicked Corinth received cleansing

Bottom line: Standing firm means contending for The Faith, rejecting distorted grace, and staying vigilant in fruit-bearing of both ourselves and others in love and by love.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

OPENING STORY(ies)

From the Lord of the Rings second book, The Two Towers

In The Lord of the Rings, King Théoden has slowly fallen under the corrupting influence of Gríma Wormtongue. Wormtongue constantly whispers lies, fear, half-truths, and discouragement into the king’s ear until Théoden becomes weak, passive, isolated, and unable to discern reality clearly. The corruption is subtle, not obvious. Wormtongue presents himself as a loyal counselor while actually undermining the king and the kingdom from within.

Then Gandalf confronts the deception directly. He exposes Wormtongue’s influence, calls Théoden to wake up, and helps him see clearly again. Once freed from that corrupting voice, Théoden rises, regains strength, and leads courageously.

That parallels Jude well:

False teachers rarely arrive looking dangerous.

They infiltrate quietly (“have slipped in among you” — Jude 4).

They distort truth while pretending loyalty.

Over time they weaken discernment, courage, holiness, and mission.

Jude, like Gandalf, is sounding the alarm: wake up, see clearly, contend for the faith, and do not surrender the community to corrupt influences. -ChatGPT

Jude is giving the Church a wake-up call to arms. It's a challenging call that most Christ-followers brush aside so it won't disturb their spiritual slumber.

Through Jude's letter, God is calling his church--his body--to rise up and contend for the faith, reject distorted grace, and stay vigilant with ourselves and others regarding ungodliness. We do all of this in love because we're loved.

This calling is for everyone. And it's a calling few are willing to step into. It reminded me of Shackleton's newspaper ad when recruiting and hiring men for his expedition to cross Antarctica:

Right image courtesy of John Hyatt http://johnhyattillustration.com

SHACKLETON Newspaper ad:

CONTEXT

The book of Jude was written by Jude, who identifies himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James” (Jude 1). Most scholars believe this means Jude was also a half-brother of Jesus, making him part of Jesus’ earthly family (cf. Matthew 13:55). Rather than emphasizing his family connection to Jesus, Jude humbly identifies himself as Christ’s servant. He likely wrote the letter sometime before AD 70 to a group of Christians facing the growing threat of false teachers infiltrating the church from within.

Jude originally intended to write a positive letter about “the salvation we share,” but felt compelled instead to urge believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 3). The danger was not primarily persecution from outside the church, but corruption from inside it. These false teachers distorted God’s grace into permission for immorality, rejected God’s authority, and influenced others through arrogance, sensuality, and selfish ambition. Jude responds with some of the strongest warning language in the New Testament, drawing repeatedly from Old Testament history and vivid illustrations to remind believers that God takes both truth and holiness seriously. Yet the letter is ultimately framed by hope: believers are loved by God the Father, kept by Jesus Christ, and sustained by God’s power.

Bottom line: Standing firm means contending for The Faith, rejecting distorted grace, and staying vigilant of both ourselves and others in love and by love.

OUTLINE

I. Contend for "The Faith" by holding fast to the Truth (1-4)

• It's about who we are in Christ. (1-2)

• It's about being loved so that we love others. (1-2)

• It's the purpose of this letter (3)

• It's why this is the purpose of this letter (4)

II. Reject the distortion of grace and don't give in to licentious ways

• You will be judged

• Old Testament examples

CONCLUSION

““Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭41‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.6.41-42.NIV

“Because the church here is under a satanic lullaby and I’m falling asleep. Every time I try to wake up, the lullaby goes faster. Let’s go back to my country.”

According to the testimony, an Iranian Christian couple escaped persecution and moved to a Western country (often retold specifically as America). The husband believed they finally had “the abundant life” — safety, money, comfort, freedom. But after only a short time, the wife became deeply troubled and told him she wanted to return to the Middle East because the spiritual complacency of the Western church was more dangerous to her soul than persecution in Iran. 

It appears to come from interviews and testimony connected to the documentary Sheep Among Wolves Volume II and was later repeated on podcasts and blogs, including an interview on  Jennie Allen’s podcast/blog. https://www.jennieallen.com/blog/the-underground-church?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

"A ten-year-old started screaming about a wave no one could see—and 100 people lived because her parents believed her.

December 26, 2004. Mai Khao Beach, Phuket, Thailand. Christmas holiday. Perfect weather. The Smith family walked along the sand on their first overseas vacation together.

Then Tilly noticed something wrong.

The water wasn't behaving normally. ""It wasn't calm and it wasn't going in and then out,"" she later recalled. ""It was just coming in and in and in.""

The sea had turned frothy—""like you get on a beer,"" she said. ""It was sort of sizzling.""

Any other ten-year-old might have thought it strange. Tilly knew exactly what it meant.

Two weeks earlier, her geography teacher Andrew Kearney had shown the class footage of the 1946 tsunami that devastated Hawaii. He taught them the warning signs: sea receding unusually far, frothy bubbling water, ocean behaving strangely.

Tilly was watching those exact warning signs unfold in front of her.

She started screaming at her parents. ""There's going to be a tsunami!""

They didn't believe her. They couldn't see any wave. The sky was clear. The beach was calm.

But Tilly wouldn't stop. She became more insistent, more frantic.

""I'm going,"" she finally said. ""I'm definitely going. There is definitely going to be a tsunami.""

Her father Colin heard the urgency in her voice. He decided to trust his daughter.

By coincidence, a Japanese man nearby overheard Tilly use the word ""tsunami."" He'd just heard news of an earthquake in Sumatra. ""I think your daughter's right,"" he said.

Colin alerted hotel staff. They began evacuating immediately.

Tilly's mother Penny was one of the last to leave. She had to sprint as the water began rushing in behind her. ""I ran,"" she recalled, ""and then I thought I was going to die.""

They made it to the second floor with seconds to spare.

Then the wave hit. Thirty feet tall.

Everything on the beach—beds, palm trees, debris—was swept into the pool and beyond. ""Even if you hadn't drowned,"" Penny later said, ""you would have been hit by something.""

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami killed over 230,000 people across 14 countries. Entire beaches in Phuket were wiped out.

But at Mai Khao Beach, not a single person died.

Because a ten-year-old girl paid attention in geography class.

Tilly was hailed as the ""Angel of the Beach."" She received awards, spoke at the United Nations, met Bill Clinton. Her story is now taught in schools worldwide.

Her father Colin still thinks about what could have happened. ""If she hadn't told us, we would have just kept on walking,"" he said. ""I'm convinced we would have died.""

Tilly still credits her teacher. ""If it wasn't for Mr. Kearney,"" she told the UN, ""I'd probably be dead and so would my family.""

Two weeks. One lesson. One hundred lives.

That's the power of education.

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Preacher: Darien Gabriel Series: Contending for the Faith Scripture: Epistle of Jude 1–16 (NIV)

Grace Christian Fellowship Grace Christian Fellowship

In a culture filled with spiritual confusion, distorted grace, and growing compromise, the book of Jude gives the church a wake-up call.

Jude urges believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 3). The danger wasn’t primarily persecution from outside the church—but corruption from within. False teachers quietly slipped into the church, distorted God’s grace into permission for sin, rejected God’s authority, and weakened discernment among God’s people.

In this message, Pastor Darien Gabriel walks through Jude 1–16 and explores what it means to stand firm in both truth and love.

Standing firm means contending for the faith, rejecting distorted grace, and staying vigilant in fruit-bearing of both ourselves and others in love and by love.

• What it means to “contend for the faith”

• Why false teaching is often subtle and deceptive

• The danger of spiritual complacency

• How grace can be distorted into license for sin

• Why vigilance and discernment matter in the church

• The examples of Israel, Sodom & Gomorrah, and rebellious angels

• How believers can examine themselves faithfully and lovingly

• Why truth and love must stay together

• Epistle of Jude 1–16

• Second Epistle to the Corinthians 13:5

• Book of Numbers 14

• Book of Ezekiel 16:49

• First Epistle to the Corinthians 6:9–11

• Gospel of Luke 6:41–42

This sermon includes reflections on:

• The Two Towers and the corrupting influence of Gríma Wormtongue on King Théoden

• Ernest Shackleton’s famous Antarctic expedition recruitment ad

• Testimonies from persecuted believers who warn against the spiritual complacency of the Western church

Jude reminds us that false teaching rarely announces itself openly. It slips in quietly, weakens discernment gradually, and lulls believers into spiritual compromise. But God calls His people to wake up, see clearly, and remain faithful to Jesus Christ.

Opening Prayer: “Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in Him and leading others to do the same.”

If this message encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with others seeking truth, discernment, and faithful discipleship in Christ.

#Jude #ContendForTheFaith

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Proverbs,” by Ray Ortland, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Proverbs, Daniel Akin

Windows of Wisdom, Stephen Olford

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Series: Walking Wisely

Title: "How to Walk God's Way in God's World"

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-12 NIV

James 1:5-6

Hebrews 11:6 "Without faith [trust] it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." NIVish

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

OPENING STORY

A few years ago, our youth group had Pastor Ed Newton speak to them at camp. They loved him! Well, I at some point started following him on Twitter (back then) but X and had saved this tweet/post in my files. This was his quote:

"God's will? Find where you have been given favor, then follow favor, then be faithful to the place that God gave you favor!"

So this resonated with me. So I posted a question asking him the source of that inspiration. He replied Proverbs 3.

"Over the past several months, we walked through Book of Genesis in our series God’s Promises, Our Journey.

In Genesis, we watched God call imperfect people to trust Him with their future:

Abraham leaving home not knowing where he was going

Isaac learning to trust God’s covenant promises

But that raises an important question:

How do we actually walk that journey day by day?

That is where Book of Proverbs comes in.

If Genesis teaches us to trust God with the big story of our lives, Proverbs teaches us how to walk wisely with God in everyday life.

Proverbs is not primarily a book of random sayings or good advice. It is a father teaching his children how to live skillfully in God’s world.

Wisdom in Proverbs is not merely intelligence, information, or success. Wisdom is learning to see life from God’s perspective and walk in God’s ways.

At the center of Proverbs is this foundational truth:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 1:7)

In other words: true wisdom begins with a right relationship with God.

That is why Proverbs 3:5–6 is one of the most loved and well-known passages in the Bible. It speaks directly into moments of uncertainty, transition, decision-making, and future direction.

And that makes this passage especially fitting today as we celebrate our graduates.

Many of them are standing at a major crossroads:

decisions about school

work

relationships

calling

identity

future direction

And Proverbs reminds all of us — graduates and non-graduates alike — that our greatest need is not simply a good plan, but wholehearted trust in God." -ChatGPT

We just spend 9 weeks learning that our journey is shaped by our belief/unbelief in God's promises. We said that God's promises (rightly believed) shape our journey for good.

Proverbs 3 seems like the next right step.

Why? Because it tells us how to walk God's way in God's world. Our journey.

“Wisdom is where knowledge and love kiss each other.”

“Power is simply operating in Christ’s authority with his resources.”

Father (King Solomon) is discipling his Prince son. Parents, are you paying attention here?

“Genesis showed us God’s promises in the journey. Proverbs teaches us how to walk wisely in that journey.” -ChatGPT

Or

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

CONTEXT

What are the key traits of the book of Proverbs?

"Proverbs as wisdom literature" #wisdom #promises

"Solomon/father-to-son framework" #relationships #discipleship

"Fear of the Lord theme"

"Connection to Jesus as wisdom incarnate" #incarnation

-ChatGPT

"We're in Proverbs and that means wisdom literature. Why does that matter? Well, we read wisdom literature differently from other types of literature like narrative or didactic.

Wisdom literature often communicates general patterns.

Gospel and covenant texts often communicate definitive redemptive promises.

In other words, Proverbs teaches us the normal pathways of wisdom. Jesus announces the guaranteed promises of the kingdom."

-ChatGPT

Genesis showed us Abraham learning to trust God's audible voice with the big story of their lives.

Proverbs teaches us how to walk wisely with God's written word in everyday decisions.

“This is generally true now and will always prove true later.” -Daniel Akin

"Proverbs describes the normal moral order of God’s world,

but the fullness of these blessings is ultimately eschatological." -ChatGPT

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

OUTLINE (influenced by Danny Akin)

In the early 90s, Anita and I lived in Tampa Florida. Our time included joining Bell Shoals Baptist Church, where I was baptized. This is where I responded to Ministry. This is where I heard the preaching of Danny Akin for the first. I had never heard preaching like this before. It so impressed and influenced me that summer, that I went to the seminar where he was Dean of students. (SEBTS) He's now the president of the seminary. Today's outline is influenced by him and his son's efforts in a commentary I read this past week.

I. We Should Keep the Covenant PROVERBS 3:1,3,5,7,9

The odd verses give the obligations that we are called to live up to if we

are in a covenant relationship with the Lord.

II. God Blesses Covenant-Keepers PROVERBS 3:2,4,6,8,10

The even verses give the divine partner’s obligations.

III. This Is Generally True Now and Will Always Prove True Later

Proverbs 3:11-12

The proverbs are generally true now, but they are always ultimately true.

IV. Jesus Kept the Covenant for You

"The good news is that he represents us before the Father in this covenant relationship. He lived up to our obligations for us, and then

he took the curses of covenant breaking in our place." -Daniel Akin

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

From ChatGPT:

The Pilot Through the Clouds (Excellent for “straight paths”)

One of the most dangerous moments for a pilot is flying through thick clouds without visual reference points.

Everything in the body starts lying:

up feels down,

left feels right,

motion feels still.

Pilots are trained not to trust their feelings in that moment. They must trust the instruments.

Some pilots have crashed perfectly good airplanes because they trusted their instincts more than the guidance system.

Proverbs 3 says: “Lean not on your own understanding.”

There will be seasons where:

your emotions will mislead you,

your instincts will fail you,

your understanding will be incomplete.

In those moments, wisdom means trusting the Lord more than yourself.

I found the incident you’re referring to, though the pilot’s name appears to have been spelled Vinson Kyle Perdue in newspaper reporting, not “Purdue.” The crash occurred in August 1981 near Dorchester Road in the Summerville area. 

What I could verify:

He was a young Air Force pilot from Summerville.

The jet crashed during a routine training mission near Dorchester Road.

The crash happened close to the Kings Grant area you mentioned. 

I could not verify from available sources that vertigo/disorientation was officially determined as the cause, though your memory of local reporting may absolutely be correct. Spatial disorientation/vertigo is a well-known factor in military aviation crashes, especially during instrument conditions.

For sermon purposes, I would be careful not to state definitively:

“The crash was officially caused by vertigo…”

unless you locate a direct source confirming that.

But you can still use the illustration powerfully and honestly by framing it like this:

When I was growing up in Summerville, there was a military jet crash near Dorchester Road across from Kings Grant where we lived.

I still remember how sobering that was as a kid.

And one of the things pilots are trained to understand is that when visibility disappears and disorientation sets in, your senses can begin lying to you.

Up can feel down. Motion can feel still. Your instincts can become dangerous.

That’s why pilots are trained to trust their instruments more than their feelings.

Proverbs 3 says something very similar spiritually:

“Lean not on your own understanding.”

There are moments in life where:

your emotions will mislead you,

your instincts will fail you,

your understanding will be incomplete.

Wisdom means learning to trust God more than yourself.

That keeps:

the local authenticity,

the emotional weight,

the aviation imagery,

and the pastoral application—

without overstating what can be historically verified.

And honestly, because this is tied to your own childhood memory in Summerville, it will likely land much harder emotionally than a generic illustration ever could.

From Claude.ai

What Was Found on Vinson Kyle Perdue

The primary verified source is a newspaper clipping from The Greenville News, dated August 26, 1981 — a clipping published in The Greenville News on August 26, 1981, mentioning Vinson Kyle Perdue in Greenville, South Carolina.  That confirms the name spelling (Perdue, not Purdue) and the August 1981 date align with newspaper reporting. The Newspapers.com record exists but sits behind a paywall, so the full text of the article wasn’t accessible — which means we can confirm existence of reporting but not the article’s specific content on cause of death.

No publicly accessible official USAF accident investigation report for this specific crash surfaced. The Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research database (which houses USAF accident reports from that era) exists but didn’t return this specific crash in searches.

Bottom line on the Perdue crash: Name, date, and general location are confirmed by newspaper record. Cause of death (vertigo/spatial disorientation) remains your childhood memory of local reporting — plausible and consistent with the era, but not independently verifiable from open sources right now.

What Was Found on Spatial Disorientation — and Why It Strengthens Your Illustration

This is where the research gets genuinely useful for your sermon. The data on spatial disorientation (SD) as a cause of military aviation fatalities is extensive and striking:

• Spatial disorientation accounted for 11% of all USAF crashes, with a crash fatality rate of 69% — and the SD rate was significantly higher in fighter/attack aircraft and helicopters than in training and transport aircraft. At night, 23% of all crashes were SD-caused.

• Even as overall military aviation accidents per flight hour decreased dramatically from 1958–1992, the rate of SD-caused crashes remained nearly constant — actually increasing as a percentage of all crashes, from 6% in 1958–1971 to 16% in 1972–1992.  Technology didn’t solve it. The problem is human physiology.

• Over a 21-year period (FY1993–2013), there were 72 spatial disorientation mishaps in the USAF, resulting in the loss of 101 lives, 65 aircraft, and $2.32 billion.

Spatial disorientation occurs when a pilot’s response to false sensations — of attitude, motion, velocity, acceleration, or position — causes the pilot to misinterpret his or her position in flight relative to the earth or other aircraft.  The instruments tell the truth. The pilot’s body lies to him.

How This Serves the Sermon

You don’t need the Perdue crash to be officially documented as an SD case to use SD as the theological hinge of your illustration. Here’s why: the statistics above are so overwhelming that you can say with complete accuracy:

“Spatial disorientation — where a pilot’s senses tell him up is down and motion is stillness — is one of the leading causes of military aviation fatalities. The pilot feels completely confident. His body is lying to him. That’s why pilots are trained to trust their instruments over their instincts.”

Then the transition to Proverbs 3 is natural and devastating: “Lean not on your own understanding” isn’t just piety — it’s survival logic. The human perceptual system is not reliable in conditions of low visibility and high stress. Neither is the unregenerate heart.

The local crash becomes the emotional anchor. The SD research data gives it theological weight that doesn’t depend on what you can or can’t verify about that specific August morning in 1981.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?

What does this story tell me about people?

If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

Proverbs 3:5-6 outline by Stephen Olford, Windows of Wisdom, pp. 17-19

Series: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "Will you trust God with your future family?"

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67 NIV

Hebrews 11:9-13

Bottom line: When we rest in God's promises, Grace finds us.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

Bottom line: When we rest in God's promises, Grace finds us.

OPENING STORY

I find myself thinking more and more about the future. Between caring for our aging parents, supporting our kids and grandkids, and taking our health and finances seriously so that we minimize our burden on our kids, we're thinking more and more about the future. And when you do that it's tempting to become anxious and to try to do things without trusting the Lord by taking control where we should surrender to the Lord. This is common but not wise.

Today I want to challenge us with this question: Can you trust God with your future family? Can I? Will I?

My bottom line for today is this: When we trust in God's promises, grace finds us.

What promises?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son...(John 3:16)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life...(Romans 6:23)

If you confess with our mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart, God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-13)

I'm preparing a place for you (John 14)

I'm coming back. (Various)

Are you resting in God's promises? If you are, your life will look different. Your journey will be richer and more satisfying and will lead to life everlasting where the best is yet to come!

CONTEXT

Abraham is old. (140)

Sarah is dead. (Genesis 23)

Isaac is 40. Unmarried. No kids/grandkids.

God's promise that his descendants will be more than the stars in the sky and the sand on the sea shore is hard to believe at this point. Yet, Abraham is resolved to see this through. He will show that as he trusts God with the future of his family. He trusts God to keep his promise. And this affects his journey--how he will live in light of those promises.

OUTLINE

I. Abraham trusts God with the future. (24:1-9)

II. The servant trusts God with the process. (24:10-27)

III. Rebekah trusts God with courage. (24:28-61)

IV. Isaac trusts God to provide. (24:62-67)

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: When we rest in God's promises, Grace finds us.

When you look to the future, how can you best trust God's promises?

You believe and receive God's promises starting with the most important promise. "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Have you done that? Have you crossed that line of faith regarding your future here and now, as well as, in the hereafter?

Turn from your wicked ways to a Savior who forgives and forgets. Who is preparing a place for you where the best is yet to come.

Believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ today!

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?

What does this story tell me about people?

If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

eries: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "Will you trust God or take control?"

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-24 NIV

Hebrews 11:17-19

James 1:13-15

John 1:29

Bottom line: “We handle God’s tests by trusting His promises, obeying His voice, and relying on His provision.”

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

Bottom line: “We handle God’s tests by trusting His promises, obeying His voice, and relying on His provision.”

OPENING STORY/ILLUSTRATION

Control vs. Trust

Imagine you’re riding in the passenger seat while someone else is driving…

Not just anyone—your spouse, your friend, maybe even your child learning to drive.

You’re coming up to a busy intersection…

You see the light turning yellow…

And what do you instinctively do?

You reach for the imaginary brake pedal.

You lean forward.

You tense up.

Why?

Because you’re not in control.

And when we’re not in control… we feel insecure.

That’s not just true in a car.

It’s true in life.

Every time we feel insecure, we reach for control.

And every time we reach for control, we reveal what we really trust.

In Genesis 22, God puts Abraham in the ultimate “passenger seat” moment.

God asks him to do something that feels unthinkable… unreasonable… even unbearable.

And the question becomes:

Will Abraham trust God… or try to take control?

CONTEXT

The thread is security. Last week we saw...

Abraham seek security through deception (Gen 20)

Abraham seek security through control (Gen 21:1–21)

Abraham seek security through agreements (Gen 21:22–34)

This week, we hope to see Abraham find true security as he learns to trust in God's promises, obey his voice, and rely on his provision.

Why does God test us?

To reveal what we really trust (pleasing God)

To display His worth through our obedience (glorifying God)

God tests us to deepen our trust in Him and display His worth through us.

Because he’s teaching us to trust him as our ultimate security when we’re tempted to reach for control.

How do we handle God’s tests?

By trusting his promises,

Obeying his voice/word, and

Relying on his provision

Or, more specifically…

Expect tests from God (1-2)

Focus on promises, not explanations (3-5)

Depend on God’s provision (6-14)

Look forward to what God has for you (15-24)

Bottom line: “We handle God’s tests by trusting His promises, obeying His voice, and relying on His provision.”

First, there’s a difference between testing and tempting:

Temptation (James 1:13–15):

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Comes from within and from the enemy → aims to pull us away from God → exposes weakness.

Testing (Genesis 22:1):

“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.” Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Comes from God → aims to draw us closer to Him → strengthens faith.

Temptation is designed to make you fall. Testing is designed to make you stand.

Consider how unreasonable God’s test was as you consider how we might respond to his tests in our lives…

OUTLINE (influenced by Warren Wiersbe & ChatGPT):

We handle God’s tests in life by:

Trusting His promises

Obeying His voice (word)

Relying on His provision

Expect tests from God. (22:1-2)

WW writes, “In the ‘School of Faith’ we must have occasional tests, or we will never know where we are spiritually. Abraham had his share of tests right from the beginning.”“Family test” - leave nation, neighborhood and extended family and go

“Famine test” - left Canaan and went to Egypt #FAIL

“Fellowship test” - let Lot choose which way to go when they split up

“Fight test” - rescued Lot and Sodom’s citizens and stuff

“Fortune test” - declined Sodom’s wealth

“Fatherhood test” - Sent Hagar & Ishmael away first time #FAIL

“Farewell test” - Send Hagar and Ishmael away second time

One test I faced was baptism. Another was my calling into ministry.

Was “baptized” as an infant so didn’t believe I needed to be baptized after my conversion; it took 2 pastors and 10 years for me to see the truth

Was “called” into full-time ministry within a month or 2 of being baptized leaving successful career in Engineering

If you walk with God, tests are not the exception—they are the curriculum.

Focus on promises, not explanations (3-5) “Faith does not demand explanations; faith rests on promises.” -WW

“Our faith is not really tested until God asks us to bear what seems unbearable, do what seems unreasonable, and expect what seems impossible.” -WW

When God sends a test or trial, our first response is usually, “Why me?” Or “Why, Lord?” Instead of

“What can I learn through this?”

"Deliverance will get you out of Egypt. But surrender will get Egypt out of you." (Or Sodom, or Babylon, or America...)

We live by promises, not by explanations.

Abraham says, “We will worship and then we will come back” → implicit faith in resurrection (cf. Hebrews 11:17–19)

Faith doesn’t need to understand everything—it just needs to trust what God has said.

If you wait for God to explain everything, you’ll never obey anything.

Depend on God’s provision (6-14)

Two statements reveal the emphasis in this passage:

“God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” (8), &

Yahweh Yireh, “The Lord will see to it.” (14) #provide

“Where God guides, He pro-vides.” -Old Pastor

How does God provide?

Where…does the Lord provide? Where you sent you to walk in his will. Should we expect his provision when we don’t walk in his steps?

When? Right when it’s needed. Sometimes at the last minute. He’s never late.

How? Often simply. He surprised Abraham with the ram in the thicket right next behind him.

To Whom? To those who humbly walk with him.

Why? For his pleasure and his glory!

What kind of provision is available?

Resurrection-powered provision

Ephesians 1:19–20 & 3:20

You don’t experience God’s provision sitting on the sidelines—you experience it on the path of obedience.

Look forward to what God has after the test. (15-24) What comes after the test?

New Approval (12) “Atta boy!”

New Son (13-14) → Isaac received back

Isaac likely never the same.

God gave. Abraham gave back. God gave back.

Don’t let the gift replace the Giver—Abraham didn’t

New Assurances. (16-18)

New names for an expanded future. (14; 23)

Yahweh Yireh (14)

Rebekah (23)

God is already preparing the next chapter while you’re still in the test.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: “We handle God’s tests by trusting His promises, obeying His voice, and relying on His provision.”

How do we handle God’s tests?

By trusting his promises,

Obeying his voice/word, and

Relying on his provision

Every test exposes what we trust

Every test invites surrender

Every test reveals God’s sufficiency

What is your Isaac?

Are you trusting God—or trying to control the outcome?

Ram → Lamb → Gospel

Abraham looks up…

and there’s a ram caught in the thicket.

God provides a substitute.

Isaac lives…

because something else dies in his place.

Pause. Let that sit.

Expand the Pattern

This moment isn’t just about Abraham and Isaac.

It’s pointing forward.

Another Father…

another Son…

another sacrifice.

Connect to Christ

In John 1:29, we read:

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said,

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

On that day in Genesis 22—

God provided a ram.

But one day—

God would provide His own Son.

⸻

In Genesis 22…

God stopped Abraham’s hand.

At the cross…

God did not stop His own.

Let that land. This is your emotional peak.

⸻

Why?

Because our greatest problem isn’t lack of control—

it’s sin.

And our greatest need isn’t control—

it’s a Savior.

⸻

So the question isn’t just:

“Will you trust God in the test?”

The deeper question is:

Will you trust the God who gave everything for you?

⸻

You don’t have to control your life…

because the God who tested Abraham

is the God who gave His Son for you—

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?

What does this story tell me about people?

If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

eries: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "Where are you looking for security?"

Scripture: Genesis 20-21 NIV

Galatians 2-5

Bottom Line: Every time we feel insecure, we reach for control.

And every time we reach for control, we reveal what we really trust.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

OPENING STORY/ILLUSTRATION

Did you know you can insure your teeth and smile (Julia Roberts)… your hair Troy Palomalu)… even your taste buds (Gordon Ramsay)?

You can insure your wedding (rain), your golf shot (hole in one), even against alien abduction…

We laugh… but think about it—we are constantly trying to secure ourselves against what we cannot control.

And Genesis 20–21 shows us something uncomfortable…Abraham is doing the same thing.

CONTEXT

The thread is security:

Abraham seeks security through deception (Gen 20)

Abraham seeks security through control (Gen 21:1–21)

Abraham seeks security through agreements (Gen 21:22–34)

God shows that true security comes only from Him

OUTLINE (influenced by John Lennox & ChatGPT)

1. FALSE SECURITY: TRUSTING OUR OWN STRATEGIES (Gen 20:1–18)

2. PARTIAL SECURITY: TRUSTING GOD… BUT STILL CONTROLLING (Gen 21:1–21)

3. TEMPORARY SECURITY: TRUSTING HUMAN AGREEMENTS (Gen 21:22–34)

4. TRUE SECURITY: TRUSTING GOD ALONE (BRIDGE TO GENESIS 22)

Have you ever inflated your image or resume to look better? When we write a resume, we can get carried away over our accomplishments. Wording things to sound better than they really are.

And then there’s social media where we post pictures and poses of ourselves doing amazing things as if this is what our life is always like. We don’t usually post pics of ourselves in unflattering positions or looks. That may not be conscious but it easily could be in the back of our mind. It’s a fine line, right? What are our motives?

Not a full lie. Just a truth designed to make us look better than we are.

That’s kind of like what Abraham is doing here. Technically true but still deceptive.

And intentional—even strategic—deception is a sin. That’s the heart of what a lie is. Deception.

1. FALSE SECURITY: TRUSTING OUR OWN STRATEGIES (Gen 20:1–18)

Text movement:

Abraham repeats old sin (Gen 12 replay)

Lies about Sarah (half-truth still deception)

Abimelech acts with integrity (understood that Kings could take a woman)

God intervenes (Sovereign)

Key tension:

The man of faith still falls back into fear.

Key insight (pastoral):

Abraham is trying to protect the promise by human means

Fear makes us revert to old patterns

When we don’t feel secure in God’s promises, we start managing our journey ourselves.

Application/Diagnostic question:

Where do I bend truth, control perception, or manipulate situations to feel secure?

Bottom Line: Every time we feel insecure, we reach for control.

And every time we reach for control, we reveal what we really trust.

2. PARTIAL SECURITY: TRUSTING GOD… BUT STILL CONTROLLING (Gen 21:1–21)

Do you make “just in case” plans? Backup plans?

Do you have a financial emergency fund?

This can be a wise decision. But where is your ultimate financial security found? Are you trusting God with your finances? Are you generous with your finances or do you operate in fear of the future and lack generosity?

A. God keeps His promise (Isaac is born)

God is faithful

Laughter fulfilled (Sarah → joy)

B. Abraham expels Ishmael

Real tension: promise vs. threat

Abraham acts to “secure” Isaac’s future

Abraham removes perceived threats to secure the promise. (Lennox)

But God…

Sees Hagar

Provides a well

Keeps promise to Ishmael too

Key theological move:

God’s promise doesn’t depend on Abraham’s control

God cares for the “outsider” (Hagar/Ishmael)

Even when we try to secure God’s promises our way, God remains faithful to His purposes and our journey.

Application/Diagnostic question:

Where do I bend truth, control perception, or manipulate situations to feel secure?

Where am I trusting God—but still trying to control the outcome?

Bottom Line: Every time we feel insecure, we reach for control.

And every time we reach for control, we reveal what we really trust.

3. TEMPORARY SECURITY: TRUSTING HUMAN AGREEMENTS (Gen 21:22–34)

Contracts vs. Trust

We sign contracts because we don’t fully trust people

Prenups

Legal agreements

NDAs

“Agreements can create stability—but they can’t create ultimate security.”

Text movement:

Abimelech recognizes God is with Abraham (pattern continues throughout Genesis)

Covenant over wells

Beersheba established

Key idea:

This is not wrong—it’s just limited

Mutual security arrangements are still human-level solutions. (Lennox)

Key contrast:

This is horizontal security, not ultimate (vertical) security

“You can build agreements with people—but you cannot build ultimate security without God.”

Application/diagnostic questions:

Where do I bend truth, control perception, or manipulate situations to feel secure?

Where am I trusting God—but still trying to control the outcome?j

Where do I rely on relationships, systems, or resources as my ultimate safety?

Do people see that God is with you?

Bottom Line: Every time we feel insecure, we reach for control.

And every time we reach for control, we reveal what we really trust.

4. TRUE SECURITY: TRUSTING GOD ALONE (BRIDGE TO GENESIS 22)

This is where you preview without preaching Gen 22

The real test is: does Abraham’s security rest in God—or in Isaac? (Lennox)

Set it up like this:

Gen 20 → security through deception

Gen 21 → security through control and agreements

Gen 22 → God exposes the heart

“God will lovingly test whatever you trust most—because He wants to be your only true security.”

1. God’s faithfulness despite flawed faith

Abraham fails → God remains faithful

Strong gospel echo without forcing it

2. God sees the overlooked (Hagar)

Fits your church’s “best neighbors ever” vision

Missional application

3. Security vs. trust

Deeply relatable

Connects to anxiety, control, family, finances

CONCLUSION

Bottom Line: Every time we feel insecure, we reach for control.

And every time we reach for control, we reveal what we really trust.

“You can insure almost anything in this life…

but there is no policy that can secure your soul.

Only God can do that.”

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?

What does this story tell me about people?

If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Series: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "Where is your life going?"

Subtitle: "2 Righteous Men, 2 Very Different Lives"

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-38 NIV

Ezekiel 16:49

Matthew 7:24-27

Luke 17:31-38

1 Cor 3:10-15

Hebrews 13:2

2 Peter 2:6-10

Jude 1:7

Bottom Line: Your walk with God determines the trajectory of your life.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

Opening Illustration (

What do you want said about you at your retirement party?

I know I'd like people to say nice things about me, my family and how I lived. I'd love to hear stories of good memories from family and friends.

But most of all, I'd love to hear stories about how God did something beautiful in and through my life.

Not bad desires.

Because my walk with God determines the trajectory of my life.

My grandson has started T-ball. He's learning how to aim and throw a ball so that it ends up where he intends for it to. Because he's learning that how he aims and throws it determines the trajectory of that ball. He'll need to improve his strength, aim, and skill to get the ball where he wants it to be.

The same is true for our walk with God.

The question becomes: Is the trajectory of my life headed to where I want it be? Am I living my life wisely or foolishly? Or does it just look like anyone else's in the world?

Context (Opening Paragraph)

Today we're looking at 2 righteous men with very different lives. By contrasting them, we will not see a Believer and a non-Believer. No, we'll see 2 Believers who live very differently and their lives end up having very different outcomes in the short-term and in the long-term.

My prayer for you today is that you'll evaluate your life soberly and humbly. That you will make the changes needed to change the trajectory of your life. Why? Because your walk with God determines the direction of your life.

Bottom Line: Your walk with God determines the trajectory of your life.

OUTLINE (Genesis 19:1-38) Influenced by Warren Wiersbe

Contrasting Abraham, Lot and Jesus

I. Abraham, friend of God. (Genesis 18)

A. Abraham served the Lord. (1-8)

B. Abraham served his wife. (9-15)

C. Abraham served a lost world. (16-33)...as an intercessor

For Lot

For the residents of Sodom

II. Lot, friend of the world. (Genesis 19) Contrasting these two's...

A. Souls (position before God)

"Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6

Lot was righteous too. 2 Peter 2:6-7

Neither was seen as righteous by God because of their righteous ways. Based on these verses, we see this. Otherwise, we'd assume Abraham righteous but not Lot, because Lot's actions did not show much righteous fruit (in our limited view).

They were seen as righteous because of their faith in God's promises.

The same is true for us.

B. Locations

Abraham continues to live in a tent as a pilgrim, just passing through, on his way to his heavenly home.

Lot, by contrast, leaves the tents of Abraham, in the Promised Land, and the favor of his God, and...

Moves towards Sodom into the Jordan valley (looks like Egypt and Eden to him),

Then into the city into a house, surrounded by the wicked,

He stays even after they were captured by Babylonian Kings and rescued by Abram,

Then is found sitting at the city gates with authority and position (judge, city administrator of some kind),

While you could argue he was being a missionary, it appears he was more influenced by Sodom than Sodom was influenced by him.

C. Visitors

Only 2 angels visited Lot, for the Lord could not fellowship with Lot and his family as he did with A & S. Even though Lot was a believer, the Lord was not at home with him. This is the difference between

Relationship, and

Fellowship

Not unlike a marriage where two people are in a covenant relationship but not always feeling the fellowship.

D. Hospitality

Both showed hospitality, but

Abraham's example was exemplary on multiple levels and Lot's showed skewed values re daughters.

E. Messages

Joyful message to A & S--promised son in 1 year.

Judgment and destruction for the people of Sodom (and Lot and his family, if they don't leave).

God's message to a lost world is judgment as well. This event in history becomes the example people point to reminding them there's a holy God who will judge. (Jude 1:7) But he's also a merciful God saving all who repent, trust and follow him.

F. Influence

Because of his faith and obedience, Abraham was a blessing to his family and the world. God blessed his family then and the world until he returns.

Lot had little spiritual influence on his family nor the world. He had faith, which saved him, but he was more influenced by residents of Sodom than by the Lord.

G. Attitude

Lot was rescued first by Abraham, along with the people of Sodom. Yet, he went right back to them. Later he had to be pulled out of the city by the angels the second time. He loved the things which are seen more than the things which are unseen. (2 Cor 4:17-18)

Abraham yielded even his one and only son as he obeyed by grace through faith. (Genesis 22)

How You Respond to God?

Abraham → Runs to obey (18:2 “hurried… ran…”)

Lot → Hesitates to obey (19:16 “he lingered…”)

H. Consequences

The Lord's visit to Abraham led to new hope and a future.

The Lord's visit was judgment and destruction for Sodom and 2 evil nations who would oppose the very God who saved Lot and his daughters.

That said, one day, a young Moabitess named Ruth would marry Boaz and become the grandmother of the Lord Jesus Christ. This would be part of the mercy of God for the world.

Principle:

Walking with God → blessing flows out; Righteousness leads to life and legacy

Walking with compromise → damage flows out; Compromise leads to survival but loss

How Your Story Ends (Trajectory)

Abraham → Future, promise, legacy

Lot → Escape, loss, regret

III. Jesus, friend of sinners.

A. While Jude 1:7 tells us Sodom and Gomorrah will stand as the example of God's judgment on a wicked world,...

B. It will also stand as a mark of his mercy for his covenant people. We see this through the Moabitess, Ruth, grandmother of Jesus.

C. Jesus calls those saved, like Abraham, to:

Abide in the Lord,

Serve our faith family,

Serve a lost world through intercession.

D. When judgment day comes, will you be like

Abraham--no worries?

How--saved by the skin of your teeth but a horrible legacy?

Sodom--lost forever apart from your Creator?

CONCLUSION

Bottom Line: Your walk with God determines the trajectory of your life.

Matthew 7:24-27 feels like it's written to the lost. And it certainly can be applied that way.

But I now think it's written to the believer. As Jesus wraps up his Sermon on the Mount, he ends with how a follower of his should apply all that he has heard--not for salvation but for fruitful living.

John 15:16 says...

God chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last.

That means he chose you to live a fruitful, influential, peaceful, transformative life. One that leaves people praising God at your funeral instead of searching for kind things to say about you.

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?

What does this story tell me about people?

If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

The Legacy of Abraham

This quote by John Lennox speaks to my part:

“God first informs Abraham why he chose him. This is the only place in the Bible where he does so. The late Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks, comments:

This tells us three things about what it is to be an heir of Abraham.

First, it means that we are to be guardians of our children's future. We must ensure that they have a world to inherit...

Second, education - directing our children and our household after us - is a sacred task ...

Third, how do you keep the way of the Lord? By doing what is right and just.

It would be impossible to overstate the importance of these principles in a world where children so often bear the brunt of neglect, abuse and suffering.” Friend of God, p. 186

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Series: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "Are you leading people to God?

Scripture: Genesis 18:16-33 NIV

2 Peter 2:6-10

Hebrews 13:2

Ezekiel 16:49

1 Cor 3:10-15

Luke 17:31-38

Jude 7

Bottom Line: I am leading people to God when I welcome the stranger, teach my household, and intercede on behalf of the world.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

Opening Illustration (

Rowan Atkinson, a legendary icon of comedy, television, and cinema, has left even the world’s richest and most powerful figures stunned—not just with his words, but with decisive action.

https://substack.com/@ajw3477/note/c-213026215?r=ogd8w&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

At a glamorous red-carpet gala in Los Angeles on December 20, attended by film moguls, tech billionaires, and Hollywood’s most elite stars, Rowan Atkinson took the stage to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. But instead of offering a conventional acceptance speech, he chose a moment of truth—direct, fearless, and deeply human.

He did not thank the Academy. He did not reminisce about Mr. Bean, Blackadder, or decades of global laughter. Instead, Atkinson looked straight into the audience of wealth and influence and declared:

“We sit here surrounded by diamonds and artistic glory while the world outside is falling apart. If your voice can move millions and you choose not to use it for those who have no voice, then you are not creating change—you are creating noise.”

The room fell into complete silence. Film executives and invited guests sat motionless, struck by the weight of his words. He continued, unwavering:

“If you have more than you need, it no longer belongs only to you. Your responsibility is to lift up those who are still beneath you.”

And he did not stop at words.

That very night, Atkinson announced that all profits from his archived works and future creative projects—estimated at 160 million USD—will be donated to fund children’s health initiatives, climate action programs, and arts education for underprivileged youth.

His message was unmistakable:

“Legacy is not built on what you earn. It is built on what you give.”

In an era when celebrities are often dismissed as hollow symbols, Rowan Atkinson delivered a powerful reminder to the world:

true impact is not created by applause, but by easing the suffering of others.

Context (Opening Paragraph)

Abraham has been entertaining 3 strangers at his tent for most of the day. Two of them are about to leave and head to Sodom to investigate the outcry against the wickedness of that city. They will assist the Lord in deciding the fate of the city.

In the meantime, Abraham will have a conversation with God. He will intercede on behalf of those wicked citizens.

Abraham will model for us how we are to live so that our lives make a real difference in the world. Just like the affluent were challenged to do by Mr. Bean.

Bottom Line: I am leading people to God when I welcome the stranger, teach my household, and intercede on behalf of the world.

OUTLINE (Genesis 18:16-33)

I. Abraham, friend of God. (Genesis 18) Blessed to be a blessing, Abraham...

A. Welcomed the stranger. #hospitality #love #care #lead (1-15)

Qualified elders are required to be hospitable.

Biblical hospitality is primarily geared towards strangers.

B. Taught his household. #instruction #education #discipleship #feed (17-19)

Qualified elders are to be able to teach the word.

We start discipleship with our immediate family members and work out from there.

Abraham was like the mayor, CEO and pastor of 1,000 people. Ultimately, he would bless the world.

C. Interceded on behalf of Sodom. #mercy #intercession #prayer #mission #protect (16, 20-33)

To intercede means to stand in the gap on behalf of others for their good.

To intercede spiritually means to stand in the gap between them and God for their good.

This is key to being an effective missionary.

CONCLUSION

My freshman year at college, when I was sitting in that auditorium at the end of the Christian concert, with my Christian friends, thinking I was a Christian the whole time, I heard the gospel message preached clearly for the first time.

At that time, more than any other reason, I was drawn by the idea that I could make a real difference in this world. It just required surrender rooted in faith that God through Jesus Christ could use me to make some of that difference our world needed. So I stood and trusted Christ as my Lord and Savior believing that his way of making a difference in our world was the best way...maybe the only way.

Bottom Line: I am leading people to God when I welcome the stranger, teach my household, and intercede on behalf of the world.

So,

Welcome the Stranger.

Teach your household.

Intercede for the world.

Are you leading people close to you to God?

Are you welcoming people into your life? Your home?

Are you teaching your household how to be salt and light by doing what is right and just?

Are you actively and prayerfully interceding on behalf of lost people around the corner? Around the world?

Are you leading people close to you and far from God to God though Jesus?

Pray

Questions (Write this down)

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?

What does this story tell me about people?

If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

The Legacy of Abraham

This quote by John Lennox speaks to my part:

“God first informs Abraham why he chose him. This is the only place in the Bible where he does so. The late Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks, comments:

This tells us three things about what it is to be an heir of Abraham.

First, it means that we are to be guardians of our children's future. We must ensure that they have a world to inherit...

Second, education - directing our children and our household after us - is a sacred task ...

Third, how do you keep the way of the Lord? By doing what is right and just.

It would be impossible to overstate the importance of these principles in a world where children so often bear the brunt of neglect, abuse and suffering.” Friend of God, p. 186

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

eries: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "Can God really restore what's broken?

Scripture: Genesis 1:31-3:15, John 19:38-20:1-18 NIV

Bottom Line: Because of the cross and resurrection, what was broken by sin can be restored by Jesus—if we repent, believe, and receive Him.

In fact, it will be restored for the Church. The real question today is will it be restored for you?

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

SERMON OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

Marvel Universe

“If you’ve ever watched the Marvel movies, you know they’re not just random, disconnected stories.

At first, it feels like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor—they all have their own separate plots.

But as the story unfolds, you realize… it’s all connected.

Every movie is part of a much bigger story that’s building toward one climactic moment.

The Bible works the same way.

It’s made up of dozens of books, written over centuries, with different people and settings—but it’s telling one unified story.

And that story moves from creation… to brokenness… to redemption… to restoration.

Today, we’re going to step into two scenes in that story—

two gardens—

and see how everything connects… and how it connects to your life.”

OUTLINE (With help from ChatGPT)

I. Name the room: “We Know Something Is Broken”

Some of you walked in here celebrating...others are carrying heavy burdens

• Loss (recent deaths)

• Marriages under strain

• Financial anxiety

• Health struggles

• Relationships in crisis

“You don’t need a theology degree to know something is wrong with the world… you just need to live in it for a while.”

“The Bible tells one story that explains all of it—and offers one solution that can heal it.”

II. Eden: Where brokenness began (Genesis 1:31-3:15)

God designed life to be good and whole (Genesis 1:31-2:25)

Sin shattered what God made whole. (Genesis 3)

• Relationship with God → broken

• Relationship with each other → broken

• Relationship with self → broken

• Relationship with creation → broken

Tie directly to today:

“Every funeral, every divorce, every anxiety… traces back to this moment.”

Share the 3 Circles here--Link:

https://youtu.be/5W8ynRMr59k?si=6FZMytsIOhLmbQib

“So the question is not: Is there brokenness?

The question is: How do we get out of it?”

III. Cross/Good Friday - Jesus enters our brokenness on the cross (where sin was paid for)

Bring them to the cross.

• Jesus doesn’t ignore brokenness—He enters it

• He carries:

• Our sin

• Our shame

• Our suffering

IV. Resurrection/The Garden Tomb - Where restoration begins (John 19:38--20:1-18)

Jesus didn’t just die—He rose to restore.

• The tomb is in a garden

• Mary mistakes Jesus for the gardener (John 20:15)

That’s not accidental.

“In Eden, humanity lost the garden. In the resurrection, the Gardener begins restoring it.”

Tie her in personally:

• Delivered from demons → deeply broken

• At the cross → grieving

• At the tomb → confused

• Encounters Jesus → transformed

Key moment:

“Jesus said her name—‘Mary’—and everything changed.”

V. Connect to OUR Story

“Some of you feel like your story is too far gone…”

Apply specifically:

• “Your marriage…”

• “Your past…”

• “Your regrets…”

• “Your grief…”

Then:

“If Jesus can walk out of a grave, He can step into your situation.”

Name their pain again—but now with hope:

• Grief → “Death is not the end”

• Broken marriages → “God restores what seems beyond repair”

• Anxiety → “You are not alone in the garden”

• Shame → “Jesus already carried it to the cross”

Power line:

“The same Jesus who called Mary by name is calling your name today.”

VI. Call to Respond

A. REPENT

Turn from sin and self-rule

B. BELIEVE

Trust what Jesus did on the cross and resurrection

C. RECEIVE

Surrender to Him as Lord and Savior

Tie to Romans 10:9–10

VII. How baptism fits

“Earlier in the service, you saw people baptized—

that’s a picture of this very thing.”

Tie to gospel:

“Buried with Christ… raised to new life.”

Then pivot immediately:

“But baptism doesn’t start the story—Jesus does.”

VIII. Closing Image

Bring it back to gardens:

“We lost everything in a garden…

Jesus paid for it on a cross…

And in a garden, He began making all things new.”

Then:

“The question is not: Is restoration possible?

The question is: Will you come to the Gardener?”

John 15:1-5 "my Father is the Gardener"

As we move to celebrate the cross and resurrection through the Lord's Supper, where he instituted a perpetual reminder, we pause to confess our sins to a holy God, repenting of those sins, believing Jesus forgives and saves, and receiving the gift of salvation by grace through faith in him alone.

Questions (Write this down)

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Pray

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?

What does this story tell me about people?

If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

Introduction (long version, but here it is stream of consciousness)

Marvel Studios turned their company around when they began making superhero movies. (Tell this story briefly how they went from near bankrupcy to box office success through the risk taking of Kevin Fahge and the first Iron Man movie) The idea became a series of movies (22?) that fit under the banner of phases 1-4 of the Avengers. (?) What makes this franchise pretty unique is that all 22 of these movies fit into a larger story arc that covered many (15 years?) years. Each superhero origin story and sequel contributed to the meta-story arc resulting in one of the most successful movie franchises of all time.

Why do I share this with you? Because it is very much like what the Bible represents in it's library of 66 books with dozens of origin stories all pointing to the meta-story arc from Genesis 1-2 through Revelation 21-22. The story: Creation-->Fall-->Redemption-->Restoration.

As I was preparing for today, I ran across this quip by author Leonard Sweet:

"How can a church silence or stifle the voices of women when you can't tell the story of Holy Week without hearing the voices of women?"

I'd already been considering the 2 gardens--2 women idea when I read that and sensed God confirming my direction.

As I was trying to decide what to preach this Easter Sunday, I seriously considered continuing through our Genesis series. But Sodom and Gomorrah. Not your typical "Positive and uplifting" Easter fodder.

Earlier that week, my wife gently suggested that it might be good to preach a resurrection sermon on resurrection day. Ha! So, believing that that was from the Lord, I pivoted to John 20:1-18, dipping back into that deep well of truth John writes about so well. And there I found a woman. Mary Magdalene or Mary from the town of Magdala. Tradition says she was a prostitute, though scripture does not back that up. However, she was demonically possessed. In Mark and Luke we read where Jesus delivered her from not 1, not 2 but 7 demons. She was thoroughly and completely enslaved to demons. Is anything too difficult for God?

She then begins to follow Jesus, though women were not permitted to be disciples formally. She was apparently a woman of some means. She followed Jesus and supported his ministry both financially and personally with all her time. She was as devoted as any of the twelve disciples were.

In John 20, we find her devotion unwavering as she approaches the tomb early Sunday morning. It's before dark as she heads to the tomb. Hence, many participate in sunrise services every Easter. At some point, 3 other ladies join her at the tomb. And none of them know how they'll actually get into the tomb with a giant bolder rolled in place to keep people out. Yet here she is. Here they will gather. But let's focus on Mary of Magdala. In a garden.

Joseph of Arimethia's tomb was in or near a garden. In fact, when Mary sees the resurrected Jesus at first, she thinks he's the gardener (v. 15).

What was lost in the Garden of Eden will begin to be restored at the tomb in another garden...a garden near Golgotha, the place of the skull. And if you think it's weird to have a garden close to tombs, think about cemetaries today. We cultivate gardens with flowers around them headstones and around the grounds. We want people to rest in a beatiful place symbolic of the most beautiful place they will (hopefully) end up in...the new heaven and the new earth.

We'll go back in time another 2,000 years to another garden and another woman. Eve, in the Garden of Eden, will disobey her father. She'll crave, take and then eat a piece of forbidden fruit, share a piece with Adam, and thrust humanity into darkness. We'll see the Fall of humanity in that moment where brokenness on earth began.

We'll also see a promise made by God to Adam and Eve. A promise that the "Seed" of Eve will make things new again. Will reverse the curse and re-establish a new garden and a new city.

We'll begin to see that we're in a meta-story. One that began with Creation that was good. (Genesis 1:31) We are in the part of the story between Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22. The bookends, if you will, of this meta-story. Z

Brokenness begins in Genesis 3.

Restoration begins in John 19-20.

The Bible tells one story that explains all of it. Good to broken to Good again.

The Bible is one story. His-story. History. The 66 books of the Bible include origin stories that all point to the meta-story. After all, it's the one story that matters most of all. But our story fits underneath this story arc. Our story matters. Our story is still being written today. How will it end?

“To quote another German one Nietzsche would have deeply disagreed with, the great Martin Hengel of the University of Tübingen concluded his groundbreaking study of the origins of the New Testament idea of atonement with these words. Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples, and in it, in a symbolic action, he related the broken bread to the breaking of his body, and at the end of the meal the wine in the cup of blessing to the pouring out of his blood, through which the new eschatological covenant with God would be founded, and atonement would be achieved for all. A story is told about the late Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Martini, and man, I hope it's an accurate story.

The Cardinalʼs Confession

Apparently, in a public lecture years ago, he told this lovely anecdote. He said he knew of three young men in Rome years before, who spent a debauched night out on the town together, which ended with them all sitting drunk on the steps of an old church in Rome. And high above them, they noticed on the outside wall of the church, there was a huge crucifix.

For a moment, they looked up at it, remembering the lessons from their childhood, and then one of them gave a dare. One of us should go in, find the priest on duty, and confess to him all the terrible things we've done tonight, and shock him by inventing further sins, and then just as a joke, do whatever penance he offers. One of them piped up and said he'd do it.

So he walked in, found the elderly priest on duty, sat down, and in excruciating detail began to describe all of the actual sins of the evening, and then some of the invented ones, hardly holding back the mockery. The priest apparently just listened patiently, and then said, I want you to do something for me. Outside our church is a large statue of Jesus on a cross.

He died for your sins. I want you to go down the front steps of the church, turn around, point your finger at it, and say out loud, I know what you've done, and I don't give a damn.

Will you do that?

It didn't sound like any penance the boy had heard about before, but he thought he'd give it a go. He ran outside. His friends were eager to hear what happened.

He walked down the steps. He turned around, and sure enough, there's the statue that somehow looked bigger and more serious than he remembered. And he pointed his finger at it and rehearsed in his mind the words, I know what you've done and I don't give a damn.

He couldn't do it. In fact, in front of his friends, he knelt down on the steps in remorse and respect. Now, when the Bishop of Milan told this story, he ended by saying, I want you to know this story is true.

I was that young man in Rome 40 years ago, and it was the pivotal moment of my life. What was it that changed him? Well, not a piece of religious penance, but confronting his guilt and shame while looking at the cross.

And my question this Easter, dear listeners, is how would you finish the sentence in the light of Good Friday? I know what you've done, and… For some, I'm sure it's going to be, and I don't give a damn.

For others, it might be, I need more time to think about it. For others, thank you. Thank you for Good Friday.

Good beyond compare.

On Undeceptions Podcast.”

From Undeceptions with John Dickson: 173. Good Friday, Mar 29, 2026

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/undeceptions-with-john-dickson/id1478239058?i=1000758071210&r=3294

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Series: God’s Promises, Our Journey

Title: Can God Really Restore What’s Broken?

Scripture: Genesis 2:18–25; John 19:41–20:18

What if the Bible isn’t a collection of disconnected stories—but one unified story pointing to Jesus?

In this Easter message, Pastor Darien Gabriel walks us from one garden to another—from the Garden of Eden, where brokenness began, to the garden tomb, where restoration began through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We all feel it—grief, broken relationships, anxiety, regret. The question is: Can anything truly restore what’s been lost?

Through the cross and resurrection, we discover that Jesus doesn’t just meet us in our brokenness—He makes a way to restore us.

This message includes a clear, visual presentation of the gospel using the “3 Circles” and a powerful look at the story of Mary Magdalene, the first witness to the risen Christ.

If you’re searching for hope, healing, or a fresh start—this message is for you.

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Bottom Line:

Because of the cross and resurrection, what was broken by sin can be restored by Jesus—if we repent, believe, and receive Him.

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Next Steps:

If you made a decision to follow Jesus or want to learn more, we’d love to connect with you.

🌐 Visit: https://DarienGabriel.com

⸻

About Grace Christian Fellowship:

We exist to glorify God and enjoy Him forever by making disciples of Jesus Christ who make disciples—around the corner and around the world.

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Stay Connected:

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MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai