The feud between brothers Jacob and Esau continues with Jacob on the run from his brother in fear for his life. In a moment of guilt, fear and turmoil, God finds Jacob. It's often in our lowest moments of life that we feel the presence of God the most.

Genesis 25:19-34

As Abraham seeks a wife for his son Isaac, who will continue to live into the covenant made with their family, Abraham seeks a woman of generosity. A wife and a family with a generous heart will carry on Abraham's legacy, using God's blessings to be a blessing to others, just as God had called them to. Just as God calls us to do. 

In the third part of our "From the Beginning" series, we read the story of Hagar and Ishmael. God not only promises Abraham and Sarah that their descendants would be numerous and blessed, but God additionally tells Hagar that through Ishmael will come a mighty nation that will also be prosperous, blessed and loved. Yahweh, Our God, is faithful to all nations and all people.

 

God chooses Abraham and Sarah, a child-less couple advanced in years, at a time when having children signified God's blessing and favor. Then, God promises all people will be blessed by Abraham and Sarah's descendants. In return, the couple choose to follow God leaving their family and home. While they are admired for trusting in God, we also see their messy and sinful lives. Even when Abraham and Sarah mess up and make mistakes, God stands by his promise. He doesn't give up on them. 

 

We often think about God as having two different sides – a God of wrath we see in the Old Testament, and a God of love we read about in the New Testament. In our new series "From the Beginning" we are going to work through the book of Genesis to see that God is a God of love, mercy, and justice from the very beginning. In this first sermon of the series, we learn God is creative, God is a Blesser, and God is relational.

 

Jesus tells his disciples that he is the way, the truth and the life. He incarnates the values of God including love, forgiveness, and peace. As his followers, we are called to point out Jesus whereever he can be found. 

We belong to a flock that is loved and led by our sheperd. In this life, we don't have to worry or wander. We just follow. 

What happens when life turns out differently than expected? When life is filled with heartache? We can trust that God is at work even during these times, knowing that hope can exist alongside the heartache. 

There is no roadmap through life; life is found through relationship with Jesus. Jesus doesn't barge into our lives and force a relationship with us. But, when we look, we will find him. He is everywhere. We only need to open our eyes to see that all of life is holy.