Heritage Baptist Church of Frankfort IL

Believers have the responsibility to help each other in difficult circumstances. Some burdens should be born by the individual (6:5). However, there are crushing burdens that need help to be carried. Sometimes these burdens are the consequences of falling into sin. Other believers can help repair and restore relationships that have been broken.

This is a parable of obedience and watchfulness. Individuals are given responsibility until the Master returns. The master is looking for faithfulness in using the responsibilities that have been given. The individual that is not faithful in his responsibility displays that he has not faith that the Master will return. He is an unbeliever.

The believer has the opportunity to reflect Christ in that he/she can serve one another. The word literally means slave. This is something Christ did for us. It required selflessness and sacrifice. This passage relates what it looks like for one to life selfishly after their flesh or live controlled by the Spirit and sacrifice for others.

Joseph's early life shows how hatred and envy starts and affects the follower of God.

This parable is in a series of parables that emphasize watchfulness and faithfulness. The emphasis of this parable is that each person is responsible to be prepared for Christ's return.

Many come to the story of David and Goliath with preconceived notions about the theme. The story is not about facing giants or getting the right stones to slay the giant. The story in the context of I Samuel plays an important role in magnifying the character of a leader after God's own heart.

This lengthy section on Noah and the flood is one familiar to many people. With familiarity comes either ignorance or boredom. This message is important for two reasons. It serves as warning to sinners that God's mercy will run out. He must judge sin. On the other hand, God protects and gives aid to those that are followers of Him.

This passage shows us after 1,000s of years of God's goodness, mankind has reached the depths of sin. Everything they think and do is evil. Godly individuals combine with those that have left God, leading to children who are known for their violence. God must judge sin. However, in the midst of judgment God still extends grace and mercy to those that believe that He is and the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Paul's meeting with Christ on the Damascus road changed him forever. He realized that his testimony was a powerful tool in challenging individuals with the need of salvation. He used it both in challenges both to Jews and Gentiles. The same can be said of our testimonies of salvation. They can be great introductions to others of Christ and his work.

This chapter is know for a genealogy of the longest recorded living individuals. However, it is much more than a record of long life and death. It is a line of people who are ones that living life as if God exists in contrast to a world that left God. In this line you see one by the name of Enoch who is the prime example of what it is like to live in a godless age.