Sermon Notes:

Main idea: In Genesis 29, we see that the providence of God sometimes brings two very different seasons of life but in the midst of both, God is good and is doing good, and so we should praise him.

1. The providence of God brings seasons that are sweet (vv.1-20)

   a. A Safe Trip East (vv. 1-3)

   b. Finding Extended Family (vv. 4-12)

   i. Jacob’s familial kindness (vv. 9-11)

   c. A Warm Family Welcome (vv.13-15)

   i. Laban’s familial kindness: name your wages! (vv. 15-19)

   d. Working for a Beautiful Wife (vv. 16-20)

2. The providence of God brings seasons that are bitter (vv. 21-35)

   a. Betrayed by Family (vv. 21-26)

   b. Working for a wife again (vv. 27-29)

   c. A Broken family (vv. 30-35)

   i. A wife loved and a wife hated (vv. 30-31)

   ii. A wife barren and a wife having children (v. 31)

   iii. The names tell the story of Leah’s pain (vv. 31-35)

   1. Reuben (vv. 31-32)

   2. Simeon (v. 33)

   3. Levi (v. 34)

   4. Judah (v. 35)

Sermon Notes:

1. 1. Jacob’s Departure (vv. 1-9)

   a. The departure’s importance for Jacob

   b. The departure’s impact on Esau

2. Jacob’s Dream (vv. 10-22)

   a. The dream’s context

   b. The dream’s compassion

   c. The dream’s content

   d. The dreams’ consequence

Sermon Notes:

1. The Scheme of Sin (vv. 1-17)

2. The Sorrow of Strife (vv. 18-41)

3. The Supremacy of Sovereignty (vv. 27-29, 39-46)

Sermon Notes:

Main idea: As we follow God, the fears we face are opportunities to see his faithfulness, find his favor, and obey his voice.

1. Fear #1: Death by Famine (26:1-6)

   a. God’s faithfulness (2)

   b. God’s favor (3-5)

   c. Isaac’s obedience (6)

2. Fear #2: Death by Philistines (26:6-11)

   a. Isaac’s disobedience (7)

   b. God’s faithfulness and favor (8-11)

   i. Through Abimelech’s patience (8-10)

   ii. Through Abimelech’s protection (11)

3. Fear #3: Discord with the Philistines (26:12-33)

   a. Envy in Gerar (12-16)

   i. Isaac’s success (12-14)

   ii. Philistines’ sabotage (15)

   iii. Abimelech’s request (16)

   b. Strife in the Valley of Gerar (17-22)

   i. Esek, Sitnah, and Rehoboth (20-22)

   c. But Peace in Beersheba (23-35)

   i. God’s favor (24)

   ii. Isaac’s obedience (25)

   iii. Abimelech’s treaty (26-31)

   iv. Water found again (32-33)

4. Fear #4: Discord with the family (26:34-35)

Sermon Notes:

1. God's Faithfulness Beyond Our Failures (vv. 1-11)

2. God's Grace Beyond Human Distinctions (vv. 12-18)

3. God's Election in Redemptive History (vv. 19-34)

Sermon Notes:

1. Be Steadfast in/Devote Yourselves to Prayer! (vv. 2–4)

   a. General Prayer (v. 2a)

   i. Watchfully (v. 2b)

   ii. With Thanksgiving (v. 2c)

   b. Specific Prayer (vv. 3–4)

   i. For Open Doors to Declare (v. 3)

   ii. For Clarity in Communication (v. 4)

2. Walk/Conduct Your Life in Wisdom! (vv. 5–6)

   a. In Your Doing (v. 5)

   b. In Your Speech (v.6)

Sermon Notes:

Introduction

1. The Lord’s promises require faith-filled actions. (vv. 1-9)

2. The Lord’s providence maintains His promises. (vv. 10-61)

   a. The Basis of His Providence - Steadfast Love

   b. The Manner of His providence - Divine Sovereignty

   c. The Response to His Providence - Worship

3. The Lord’s presents satisfy His people. (vv. 62-67)

Sermon Notes:

Introduction

Main Idea: In 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 there are at least 8 traits of Christ’s body (i.e., the church) to firmly grasp so that this local body (i.e., RSB) might increasingly reflect the truth of God’s Gospel for His glory, for our good, and for the well-being of those under our influence.

1. The Body’s Composition (v. 12)

2. The Body’s Unity: One Body (v. 13)

3. The Body’s Diversity: Many Members (v. 14)

4. The Body’s Dysfunction/Disunity? (vv. 15–20)

   a. A Threat (vv. 15–17)

   b. The Remedy (vv. 18–20)

5. The Body’s Function (vv. 21–24)

   a. Negative (v. 21)

   b. Positive (vv. 22–24)

6. The Body’s Purpose (v. 25)

   a. Negative (v. 25a)

   b. Positive (v. 25b)

7. The Body’s Mutuality (v. 26)

8. The Body’s “Is-ness” (v. 27)

Sermon Notes:

Main idea: Four questions will help us unwrap, behold, and more fully enjoy God’s Christmas gift of glory.

1. Who is the person of God’s gift? (Luke 1:30-33, 2:10-11)

2. What is the purpose of God’s gift? (Heb 2:10, Matt 1:21, Rom 3:23)

3. What is the promise of God’s gift? (Luke 1:45, Col 3:5)

4. What is the proof of God’s gift?

   a. Proof #1: Glories Stream From Heaven Afar (Lk 2:8-14)

   b. Proof #2: Radiant Beams From Thy Holy Face (Lk 9:18-36)