Walnut Creek Downtown

In this Sermon on Genesis 34, Pastor Dan Rude unpacks one of the Bible's darkest chapters—a story filled with "bad and ugly" examples rather than heroes. When Dinah is defiled by Shechem, Jacob's passivity and failure to lead his family stand in stark contrast to the vengeful, murderous rage of his sons, Simeon and Levi.

Jacob returns to his homeland and meets his brother. Pastor Dan Rude explains this reunion and how the Lord faithfully continued to sanctify Jacob.

Jacob is heading back to his homeland after being gone for over 20 years, but he is returning to a potentially enraged brother, Esau. However, before he meets Esau, Jacob has a much greater encounter with the God who does not leave His people even when they mess up their own lives.

After 21 years, Jacob is convinced it is time to return to the land God promised his family. This means he must flee from his uncle Laban. Pastor Dan Rude explains how this story connects Jacob to Abraham to leave the same land, how it anticipates the exodus from Egypt that follows, and ultimately how it looks ahead to Christ, who offers a better covenant.

Jacob has received a blessing from the Lord, who has also provided wives and 12 sons. He now desires to return home with his wives and children after 14 years working for his Uncle Laban. In this part of the story, we will see how God's blessing continues to follow Jacob even when his Uncle Laban tries to deceive Jacob to build his own wealth. We will see that when God makes promises to people, no one can stop Him from keeping those promises.

In Matthew 2, we see 3 different responses to Jesus. These responses were true hundreds of years ago and today. Pastor Dan Rude explores these responses and how the wise men’s gifts point to this baby's, Jesus Christ’s, identity! He asks the question, "What will your response be?"

In the great king's failure, we are shown the need for someone better. Pastor Dan Rude explains how David failed, the consequences, and how one verse in this whole messy situation points to the reason for Christmas.

To understand the hope of Christmas, you have to understand why we need it. For that, you have to go back to the beginning when sin first entered the world through a garden. Pastor Dan Rude explains what happened and the promise that led to a hope carried over centuries.

Jacob has two wives, one wanted and one unwanted (see how this happened here: https://youtu.be/T5afnPFFtUQ). Pastor Luke explains how, despite the dysfunction, chaos, and warring desires, God's promise will be fulfilled.

God disciplines those He loves. After the high of receiving an amazing promise from the Lord (see last week: https://youtu.be/RYE_RpM3O2A), Jacob encounters the woman he desires for a wife. However, in the process of making her his own, he experiences a taste of his own medicine. Pastor Luke explains this complex story, filled with deceit, and delves into the question of how the Lord could allow this to happen.