Joseph's story started poorly.

Within moments of being introduced in Scripture, Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers. And not long after, he found himself in prison. So, where was God when calamity struck? That will be the focus of today's study in Genesis 37.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did Joseph's brothers hate him so much?

B) Why did God allow Joseph to face so many hardships?

C) Where is God when our own circumstances grow dark?

Web: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons

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In Genesis 32, Jacob was preparing for a fight.

Jacob was no stranger to conflict, but this time was different. In Genesis 32, as darkness closed in, he prepared for a confrontation with his brother Esau. However, the figure who grabbed him that night was not who he expected.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Who was it that Jacob wrestled with in Genesis 32?

B) What was the point of this wrestling match?

C) How was Jacob changed forever as a result?

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In Genesis 28, Jacob dreamed of a ladder.

The ladder reached all the way from Heaven to Earth.

So, what was this dream all about? For centuries, no one knew. For centuries, it remained a mystery. But then, in the first chapter of John, the answer was finally provided.

Join us as we consider 'Jacob's Ladder' in today's study of Genesis.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why was Jacob all alone, using a rock for a pillow?

B) What was the nature of his dream - and what exactly did he see?

C) What was Jacob's response (after waking from this dream)?

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Jacob must have been one rotten kid!

In spite of God's clear direction, and although his other son was a numskull, Isaac did not want Jacob to receive his blessing. If it were up to Isaac, it would be Esau who would carry the family line forward. Jacob was not an option.

However, God's decree would not be thwarted, would it? That will be the focus in today's study of Genesis 27.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did Isaac prefer Esau? What were his reasons?

B) Was the 'ruse' of Jacob and his mother Rebecca actually a sin?

C) What can we learn from the brokenness of this patriarchal family?

Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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Is predestination really in the Bible?

Yes. In Romans 9, Paul answers hard questions about God's sovereign choice using the picture of a potter and clay. Dr. Toby Holt explains what predestination is — and why it is good news.

When people object, "Why does God still find fault?" Paul replies, "Who are you to reply against God?" Does the potter not have the right over the clay? Holt explains that God's saving choice rests on His mercy, not our merit, and that this humbles our pride while securing our hope. Election is the work of a wise, good God.

Questions this study answers:

1. What is predestination? It is God's sovereign choice to save, set on His mercy rather than our merit. Romans 9 grounds it in God's right as the Potter over the clay.

2. Is it fair for God to choose? Paul turns the question around: who are we to argue with God? The clay has no claim on the Potter, yet God acts in mercy, not injustice.

3. Why is this doctrine good news? Because our salvation rests on God's unchanging choice, not our shaky performance. What God begins by grace, He will surely finish. "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" — Romans 9:21 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

In Genesis 22, God told Abraham to sacrifice his son. Why?

For many, this event is one of the most confusing in all of Scripture - why would God tell Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? What was His purpose? And then, why would He tell Abraham to stay his knife? In today's study, we will study this difficult and heartrending event.

Questions That We'll Answer:

1) What was God's purpose here? Was He testing Abraham?

2) What did Abraham think would happen on Mt. Moriah?

3) How does this event foreshadow Christ's sacrifice on Calvary?

website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons

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Sodom and Gomorrah are the poster children for God's wrath.

In Genesis 19, we come across a cautionary tale to a world hellbent on offending a holy God. Specifically, Genesis 19 describes the destruction of these two cities. The destruction was horrific. It was severe. And yet, in Matthew 10, Jesus says that an even worse judgment will befall those places that reject the Gospel.

Questions That We'll Answer:

1) What was the sin (or sins) of Sodom and Gomorrah?

2) Why was God willing to relent if 10 righteous people were found there?

3) What did Jesus mean in Matthew 10 (when He referred to Sodom)?

Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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In Genesis 18 made a promise so outrageous that Sarah laughed.

The promises that He has made you are even bigger.

God has promised to save and sanctify you, to wipe away all your tears, and to dwell with you in Paradise for eternity. Now those are promises! But how can we be sure they apply to us (and that they will be fulfilled)? That will be the focus of today's sermon.

Questions That We'll Answer:

1) Who were the three men that appeared to Abraham in the desert?

2) What promises did One of the men make to Abraham and Sarah?

3) Why did Sarah laugh, and what was God's reaction to that laughter?

Web: www.fpcgulfport.org

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God made Abraham mind-boggling promises. And Abraham believed Him.

In Genesis 12, Abraham was introduced with little fanfare. He was a man from a pagan family and a pagan background. And yet, God was going to make this nobody a series of incredible promises - promises that Abraham believed in, and then acted accordingly.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What were these amazing promises? And how many were there?

B) Who are the true children of Abraham? Are you one of his children?

C) What does it mean to be called a 'friend' of God?

Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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God told the people to go outward. Instead, they went upward.

"Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth" God told the people. But they said no - in their minds, it was safer and smarter to stay in one place. And so, they built a formidable 'tower' in Genesis 11. In today's study we'll read about that tower (and God's response).

Questions That We'll Answer:
A) Why was God angered by the building of this tower?
B) Why did God confuse the language of the builders?
C) What relationship does Genesis 11 have with Acts 2 (Pentecost)?

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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