We continue our look at this most familiar and most understood of parables. Having seen in the prodigal what a sinner looks like, in this sermon we saw the prodigal -come to his senses- and decide to return to his father. In so doing, we saw what repentance looks like.

When Jacob first announced his intentions to leave Laban and go home, Laban resisted and cut a deal for him to stay. God prospered Jacob until telling him it was time to go. Then God delivered Jacob from trouble with Laban. Finally, God granted Jacob peace. Listen to how these events fit in to Genesis and also paint for us a picture of the gospel.

In this message we begin looking at what is simultaneously the most familiar and most misunderstood of Jesus' parables -- the prodigal son. Pastor Matt sets the context for what Jesus said here and discusses how the younger son in the first few verses of the parable is a picture of the sinner who, through his sin, separates himself from God.

In this passage we get the sons of Jacob -most of them, anyway- and the multiple-wives filled drama with which they came into the world. And through the sliminess of it all, we see an acknowledgement of God's sovereign hand from women who, despite their faults, were God's instruments in faithfully fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and now Jacob.

What do those who walk in truth look like-- And what do those who don't walk in truth look like-- The answers to both of those questions are given in the short letter of 3 John. It is an encouraging call to be on mission, a serious warning against pride, and instruction to emulate those who are faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen as Pastor Matt expounds on this oft-neglected but very helpful letter.

Jacob moves on from the place he heard from God to the home of his mother's brother, Laban. Hear again the episode which brought Jacob more wives than he bargained for, and consider the sovereign providence of God in bringing about His purposes.

What did the aged apostle John have to say to a church he loved, with no guarantee he would see them again-- It was all about the truth. Paul calls the church the pillar and support of the truth and in this short but potent letter John speaks to how highly we must value the truth and live it out.

Jacob left the security of home, embarking on a 500-mile, weeks long journey with nothing more than the blessing of his father and the implicit promise of God within that blessing. Along the way God spoke to Jacob personally in a memorable dream through which God demonstrated His faithfulness and ultimately how He meets our ultimate need. Listen to consider this and the response of Jacob in what is an extremely rich passage of Scripture.

An episode recorded during the era of the divided kingdom shows a powerful Gentile military leader coming to Israel to be cured of leprosy, but God had an even bigger cleansing in mind. Listen as Pastor Matt explains how the cleansing of Naaman the Aramean is a picture of our own salvation, and how we must avoid because like Elisha's servant, Gehazi.

This extended passage deals with Isaac wanting to bless Esau before he dies, but Rebekah setting in motion a plan for Jacob to -steal- the blessing. The passage is bookended with often overlooked but important passage which reveal Esau's character. Listen as Pastor Matt expounds the text and shows how, no matter what, God's will is done.