Sermons

This long section of Genesis deals with a somewhat out of place story (Reuben's sin) and Esau's really long genealogy. Why is this sort of thing in the Bible? What does it even matter? What does this have to do with me? As we study this passage we seek to grow in our understanding of how to read the Bible.

After Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection he ascended into the heavens to sit at God's right hand. What is the significance of this event?

How ought Christians to grieve?

In Genesis 35 we get a repeat of a lot that God has already done for Jacob. Why is this necessary? Because God's grace is dispensed liberally and repeatedly. In Genesis 35 we see four characteristics of God's grace that never change.

Jacob is a new Adam, but he's not THE new Adam, he's just another Adam. Jacob's sinful passivity and wrongful resting led to disaster for his family.

Jacob's growth in the faith, his sanctification, was incremental, not complete. Our growth as Christians is similar.

What does it mean that all who belong to Christ are "one" in Christ? How should we think about race and gender and rank within the body of Christ? Additionally, Pastor Saunders helps us to consider our inheritance in Christ.

Jacob fears Esau more than God. God responds accordingly.

God's protection of Jacob's family, in spite of Laban's pursuit, reveals to us that God protects those who belong to him. We see in this passage the roots of the doctrine of the preservation of the saints.