Sermon Notes:

1. We Believe in the Eternal Word

2. We Believe in the Creating Word

3. We Believe in the Incarnate Word

4. We Believe in the Rejected Yet Receiving Word

5. We Believe in the Transforming Word

Sermon Notes:

Introduction:

1. The power behind the virgin birth declared. (v. 18)

2. The potential scandal of the virgin birth considered. (vv. 19-20)

3. The purpose of the virgin birth revealed. (v. 21)

4. The promise of the virgin birth proclaimed. (vv. 22-23, Isaiah 7)

5. The promise of the virgin birth fulfilled. (vv. 24-25)

Sermon Notes:

Main Idea: As we commence the advent season and look forward to the “chaos” of another Christmas season, in today’s message we will look backward to consider 3 timeless gospel truths so that your hearts might be calibrated to worship our God, who eternally intended to send forth His Son to secure our redemption.

1. A Prior Promise (Romans 1:1–6)

2. A Pretemporal Plan (Ephesians 1:3–10; 3:8–11)

3. A Primary Purpose (Galatians 4:4–5)

Sermon Notes:

1. The Exemplary Faith of a Covenant Mother

2. The Sacred Nature of Godly Grief

3. The Divine Pattern of Death and Promise

4. The Resurrection Hope of Eternal Inheritance

Sermon Notes:

Main idea: In Genesis 22, we see two reasons why God tests the righteous, so that we will expect and appreciate the trials that come our way.

1. A test provides the opportunity for YOU to show your FAITH to God (vv.1-12, 1 Pet 1:7)

   a. Will you obey? (vv.1-2)

   b. Right away? (v.3a)

   c. All that he says? (vv.4, 9-10)

   d. No matter the cost? (vv.2, 6-8, 10)

2. A test provides the opportunity for GOD to show his FAITHFULNESS to you (vv.13-19)

   a. God provides the way of escape (vv:11-14, 1 Cor 10:13)

   i. Abraham relieved (vv.11-12)

   ii. Isaac replaced (vv. 13-14)

   iii. Christ previewed (vv.13-14)

   b. God provides blessings for obedient faith (vv.15-19)

   i. God’s reason for blessing (vv.16, 18)

   ii. God’s promise of blessing (vv.15-16)

   1. A multitude of seed like stars and sand (v.17)

   2. A Messiah for a seed (vv.17-18, cf Gal 3:16)

   iii. God’s provision for the blessing (vv. 20-24)

   1. A mother for the seed (vv.23, 24:7, 15)

Sermon Notes:

1. The Birth of Isaac (vv. 1-7)

   7 Similarities between the birth of Isaac and the birth of Jesus

   a. Both were the promised seed and son. (Gen 3:15, 17:19, Gal 3:16)

   b. Both had a period of delay between the promises given and their fulfillment.
   (Gen 3:15, 15:3-6, Luk 2:7)

   c. Both births were accompanied by a statement of God’s omnipotence
   (Gen 18:14, Luke 1:37)

   d. Both were given symbolic names, even before either was born. (Gen 17:19, Matt 1:21)

   e. Both births occurred at an appointed time. (Gen 17:21, Gal 4:4)

   f. Both births required a miracle. (Gen 18:11, Luke 1:31)

   g. Both births were a matter of laughter and joy. (Gen 21:6, Luke 1:46-47, 2:10)

2. The Banishment of Ishmael (vv. 8-28)

   5 Reasons for Ishmael’s Banishment

   a. Ishmael’s Mocking (Gen 21:9, Gal 4:29)

   b. Sarah’s Desire (Gen 21:10)

   c. Ishmael’s Threat (Gen 21:10)

   d. Abrahams’s Need (Gen 17:18, 22:2)

   e. God’s Command (Gen 21:12)

3. The Blessing of God (vv. 19-34)

   a. God provides water for Hagar and Ishmael. (vv. 15-21)

   b. God provides a well for Abraham. (vv. 22-34)

   c. Abraham worshiped the Lord. (v. 33)

Sermon Notes:

Introduction

1. Persistent in Fear

2. Protected by God

3. Pardoned through Grace

4. Praying for Restoration

Sermon Notes:

Main idea: From Genesis 19, we learn five lessons from Lot’s life so that by God’s mercy we will flee destruction and debauchery and not be swept away with the wicked.

1. From Sodom we learn a lesson in hamartiology

   a. Sin is perverse (vv. 5, 7)

   b. Sin is pervasive (v. 4)

   c. Sin is punished (vv. 13, 23-26)

2. From Lot we learn a lesson in hospitality

   a. Hospitality Provides (vv. 1-3)

   b. Hospitality Protects (vv. 4-8)

   i. Stands up against evil (v. 6)

   ii. Speaks up against evil (v. 7)

3. From Lot, his Sons-in-law, and his wife, we learn a lesson in holy urgency

   a. When you are told to flee the coming wrath:

   i. Do not laugh! (v. 14)

   ii. Do not linger! (v. 16)

   iii. Do not look back! (vv. 17, 26)

4. From Lot & his Daughters we learn a lesson in sobriety

   a. Do not get drunk! (vv. 30-33)

   b. Flee debauchery! (vv. 33, 35)

5. From God we learn a lesson in justice and mercy

   a. He justly destroys the wicked (vv. 13, 23-25)

   b. He mercifully delivers the righteous (vv. 16, 29)

Sermon Notes:

1. Understanding the Nature of Our Struggle

2. Our Call to Engagement

3. The Model of the Apostles

4. Navigating Culture Wisely

5. Living Honorably Among Unbelievers

6. Maintaining an Eternal Perspective

7. The Assurance of Ultimate Victory

Sermon Notes:

Introduction.

Main Idea: In Genesis 18 we see two inescapable truths, that God is both great and good. In light of these truths, we are called to trust him, and we demonstrate that trust through prayer, praise, thanksgiving and service.

1. A Divine Representation (vv. 1-2a)

2. A Hospitable Response (vv. 2b-8)

3. A Timely Reminder (vv. 9-10a)

4. A Doubtful Reaction (vv. 10b-15)

5. A Gracious Revelation (vv. 16-21)

6. A Question Raised (vv. 22-33)