First Baptist Lenoir City

Reading: Matthew 5:38-48 (It rains on the just and the unjust - bc of God’s love) The Covenant w/ God - A light to the nations (Isaiah 49:5-7) The Outline of Jonah: • The Refusal • The Rescue • The Recommissioning • The Revival/Regret I. The Sailors - Chapter 1 1. Crisis on the sea (4) 2. Prayer to Yahweh (14) 3. Delivered from the storm (15) 4. Sacrifice & vows to God (16) II. The Prophet - Chapter 2 1. Crisis in the sea (3-6a) 2. Prayer to Yahweh (2, 7) 3. Delivered from drowning (6b) 4. Sacrifice & vows to God (9) III. The Assyrians - Chapter 3 1. The Word of the Lord (1-2) 2. The Walk of the prophet (3) 3. The Warning of the Lord (4) 4. The Repentance (5-8) 5. The Reasoning (9) 6. The Relenting (10)

The pockets are grace from Genesis 3 can’t hide the horrible effects of sin onhumanity seen in Genesis 4. The (Wrong) Way of Cain / Genesis 4:1-16 / 09-5/6-2026- The Righteous vs The ReligiousHypocrisy is doing the Devil’s work in God’s uniform (MH)Apostasy is…True, False, & Vain worshipI. Fleeting Joy of the firstborn  1.  Eve credited God (positive) -  2.  Cain worked the ground -  3.  Cain brought an offering to the Lord (act of worship)  4.  God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s offering  5.  Cain is angry & his face fell (internal / external reaction)  6.  The Lord warns Cain - 2nd example of bib counseling (first was Gen 3:9-11)  7.  Cain kills Abel - v. 8  8.  Cain lies to God - v. 9  9.  God curses Cain - vv. 10-12  10.  Cain questions his consequences - vv. 13-14  11.  God protects Cain - example  12.  Cain leaves God’s presenceII. Lineage of Hypocrisy/Apostasy  1.  Cain - Jude 1:8-13  ⁃  Cain’s Offering - I Jn 3:10-12  ⁃  Balaam’s Bribe (the donkey) - Numbers 22:7, 22-35  ⁃  Korah’s Rebellion (the ground) - Numbers 16:1-50 (Dathan & Abiram) vv. 1-5 (v. 3) -  ⁃  Judas (the box & the kiss) -  2.  Israel - Isaiah 29:13  3.  Pharisees - Mark 7:6-7 TFV  4.  Judas - The Hypocrisy (nard); The Kiss (betrayal) - “on the night He was betrayed took  5.  bread”); The Anguish “wept bitterly” as did Peter after three denials - II Cor 7:10); Mt  6.  26:47-50  7.  Peter exposes them - I Peter 2:4-8; II Peter 2:1-22;  8.  Paul exposes them - I Timothy 1:6-7; 4:1-5; 5:8; 6:3-5, 9-10; II Timothy 3:1-9; 4:1-5  9.  The Writer of Hebrews 11:3-4 (BY FAITH we believe God created the universe & BY FAITH  10.  Abel offered God a commendable & righteous sacrifice. His offering still speaks to the  11.  faithful today!+ John 3:16-20

• The Reluctance of Jonah • The Rescue of Jonah • The Repentance at Sea • The Repentance at Nineveh• The Revival in Nineveh • The Reasoning of Jonah • The Heart of God - Matthew 5:43-45; Matthew 12:38-41; Romans 5-1-11• The Harshness of Jonah   = The Gospel Picture (3 days)  = The Judgment of Jerusalem • God CAN make you do something you don’t want to do — • From Joppa (Tel Aviv, Israel) to Nineveh (Mosul, Iraq)• The Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) • The Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, JONAH, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (a third category?) • The Messed Up Prophet - there’s no other prophet like Jonah (Thank goodness)I. The Focus of Jonah is:1. God - judgment and mercy; The influence of Moses and Joel (Exodus 34:6-7; Joel 2:12-14); Jonah knew the words of Moses & Joel but lacked their heart 2. Jonah - selfish, heartless, & w/out humility 3. Sailors (pagans) - humility, repentance, & faith 4. Assyrians (enemies) - humility, repentance, & faith II. The Foolishness of Jonah - 1. Running from God (Adam) 2. Acknowledging God (Creator)3. Hoping for death 4. Being reassigned 5. Picture of a pathetic prophet - unlike God’s other prophets III. The Frustration of Jonah - 1. Fleeing in chapter 1 2. Praying in chapter 23. Preaching in chapter 34. Picturing God as gracious 4:25. Venting in chapter 4

Read: Luke 24:13-27 (Don’t miss Jesus!) • Once you see Jesus in the NT, He becomes easy to find in the OT; II Corinthians 4:3-4: AND EVEN IF OUR GOSPEL IS VEILED, IT IS VEILED TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING. IN THEIR CASE, THE GOD OF THIS WORLD HAD BLINDED THE MINDS OF THE UNBELIEVERS TO KEEP THEM FROM SEEING THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD = Genesis 3:15-24 (Reveals clues of the Savior; Exposes the consequences of the sinner) GENDER/NATURE/CONQUERER - Psalm 2:6-7, 12; Prov 30:4; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Gal. 4:4; I John 3:5, 8 1. The Hurt of Mankind: God reveals Retaliatory Justice! • Adam & Eve sinned by eating and will now have to toil to eat • Adam & Eve rejected God’s role for them so the battle for control of the marriage begins • Satan sought to destroy the human race against God yet a special Human will destroy him - I Jn 3:8, …THE REASON THE SON OF GOD APPEARED WAS TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL. 2. The Hope of Mankind: God reveals Gracious Provisions. A Redeemer is coming v. 15; Eve is the mother of the living, not the dying v. 20; Adam & Eve are covered by an acceptable sacrifice (remembrance vs removal from Heb. 10) v. 21; God keeps Adam & Eve out of the Garden v. 24; Death provides an escape to the sinful fallen world; Psalm 116:15; Romans 5:12-21; I Corinthians 15:45-49; embedded in the curse; someone will break the curse by becoming the curse; Isaiah 61:10 • Heb 9:22, • Heb 9:27-28, • Communion: We have always been saved by faith. We will always be saved by faith - • Hebrews 11:1-7 (29 of 40 verses deal with only characters in Genesis and Exodus)

1.) God’s greatness (v.1-6) 2.) God’s goodness (v.7-10) 3.) God’s glory (v.11-13) 4.) God’s government (v.14-17) 5.) God’s grace (v.18-21) Takeaways: 1.) We should praise God more than we actually do. 2.) It truly is overwhelming how much God has done for us. 3.) As the Redeemed say so, let praise be on our mind, hearts, and lips.

Reading: John 8:31-584 Questions from Genesis 3:(1) Who is this serpent?(2) Where did he come from?(3) Why is he in the garden?(4) What is he up to since then?Demonology & Deity of Christ:1. Jesus REMOVED DEMONS 2. Jesus SILENCED DEMONS - 3. Jesus TORMENTS DEMONS - 4. Jesus SAW SATAN FALL - Luke 10:17-20 (not surprised by the disciples power over the enemy); Jer. 9:23-24 (humility in holy power)5. Jesus DISMISSES SATAN - Matthew 4:9-10 (after third temptation); Luke 4:136. Jesus REVEALS SATANIC INFLUENCE (to Peter) 7. Jesus DISARMED Satan on the cross - Col. 2:13-158. Paul REVEALS demonic strategy - II Corinthians 2:10-11; 11:12-15; Ephesians 6:10-189. Peter REVEALS demonic strategy - I Peter 5:1-11Context of shepherding - Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 27:23; Matthew 9:35-38Context of suffering Context of future glory - Context of oversight Context of setting example -Context of future rewards -   = Call to submitting  = Call to humility   = Call to trusting (worry)  = Call to sober-mindedness   = Call to watchfulness   = Call to awareness - devouring   = Call to resist - like James 4:7  = Call to firmness of faith + The Promise of restoration + The Promise of confirmation + The Promise of strength + The Promise of being est   > The Focus is on God - v. 1110. James REVEALS demonic faith 2:19 and victory in spiral warfare - James 4:7   

1.) What the Psalmist Learned (v.1-18) 2.) The Request - David prays after learning (v.19-24) Takeaways: 1.) The vastness and thoroughness of God should comfort us. 2.) All we have and all we are before God is open to Him. 3.) Knowing this, why would we ever want to escape from God?

Demonology & Deity of Christ (They actually go together - “I saw Satan fall”) There is unbridled arrogance and enormous egos when beings created by God are given incredible authority. Lucifer is the poster child of rebellion against God, but a few have followed his steps in their massive pride. Pride goes before the fall! Two kings and one common pattern: • Isaiah 14 - The king of Babylon • Ezekiel 28 - The king of Tyre (Isaiah 51:3; Ezekiel 31:8-9; 36:35) Demonology & The Deity of Christ: 1. Jesus REMOVED DEMONS - Mark 9:25-27 2. Jesus SILENCED DEMONS - Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:38-41 3. Jesus TORMENTS DEMONS - Luke 8:26-39 4. Jesus SAW SATAN FALL - Luke 10:17-20 (not surprised by the disciples' power over the enemy) 5. Jesus DISMISSES SATAN - Matthew 4:9-10 (after third temptation); Luke 4:13 6. Jesus REVEALS SATANIC INFLUENCE (to Peter) - Matthew 16:21-23 7. Jesus DISARMED Satan on the cross - Colossians 2:13-15 8. Paul reveals demonic strategy - II Corinthians 2:10-11; 4:2-6; 11:1-15 9. Peter reveals demonic strategy - I Peter 5:8 10. James reveals victory in spiritual warfare - James 4:7 * Scripture reveals the application - What do we do knowing about the dangerous and deceptive enemy? - Ephesians 6:10-20

1.) The Worship of God (v.1-3)2.) The Wonder of God (v.4-6)3.) The Wisdom of God (v. 7-9)4.) Our Response (v.10)

Review: Resist & Repent - James 4:7 = Two of the most important questions ever asked are answered in the first three chapters of Genesis: (1) How did we get here? 2) What went wrong? In my job; In my job; In my home; In my world Our struggle is not against flesh and blood - Ephesians 6:20-18; God’s law demands justice be paid! The Cross; The Law - Romans 8:1-2God speaks in Genesis - Gen 1, 2, 3, 4 - God speaks in Bible - His mouth; His voice; His words God has already spoken to create; then to Adam and to Eve. He will today speak to the serpent. God speaks to Cain - to Noah, to Babel, to Abraham, to Moses Hebrews 1:1-2! God’s final word was/is Jesus! No more words needed; No more prophecy given; I. The Consequences of the Curse To the serpent - vv. 14-15 Cursed above all - Eat dust from now on - God declares war - “enmity”; Ephesians 6:10-18; I Peter 5:8; II Corinthians 2:5-11 God reveals the Savior’s birth God reveals a battle - God declares victory -

1.) God deserves the praise of His people (v.1-3) 2.) Spiritual climate of Israel (v.4-32) A.) Lost person in the desert (v.4-9) B.) Jailed person in a dungeon (v.10-16) C.) Dying person lying in bed (v.17-22) D.) Drunk person at sea (v.23-32) 3.) God restores the ruined property of Israel (v.33-38) 4.) Revival of social and spiritual prosperity (v.39-43) Application: 1.) God does not leave us alone in any circumstances (even the negative circumstances we cause) 2.) Our response in all circumstances matters. 3.) The Redeemed need to say so.

Peter speaks directly to wives and encourages them to look to Christ first and reminds them of the influence they have with their husbands, even non-believing ones. I. God Focused - v. 1-2 • 2 Cor. 6:14  Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? • Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. II. Heart Focused - v. 3-4 • Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. • Phil. 4:6-7 - 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.III. Husband Focused - v. 5-6 • Prov. 21:19 - It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. • Proverbs 31:12 - “She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

In Psalm 89 we are going to see 1. The worthy worship of our loving and faithful God. Psalm 89:1-182. The powerful and prophetic covenant relationship between God and David. Psalm 89:19-373. The Wrath of God against sin. Psalm 89:38-454. The Plea from God’s people to have mercy. Psalm 89: 46-52

REVIEW: Genesis 2:18-25• Passages that apply well to marriage:• Ecclesiastes 4:11-12• Amos 3:3• I Corinthians 13:1-13• II Corinthians 6:14• Ephesians 4:32• Philippians 2:3-4I. The Force that is For Us:1. This Force has already been proven 2. The Force that does more -  *God with us (not salvation) - Matthew 1:23 *God in us (sanctifying) - John 14:15-17 *God for us (securing) - Romans 8:35-393. The Force that Questions Us - We will discuss this deceiver later with his curse, but not now. He is not of the main characters then or now. That is why he rebelled in the first place. God and man are the main characters throughout history and into eternity.• Leave room for repentance • Give time for conviction • Peter in Acts 5• Good parenting ask questions II. The Force that is Against Us:1. Satan - serpent, tempter, deceiver, dragon, 2. Sin - separation, missed the mark, crossed the line (transgression)• RESIST (plan a) - James 4:7 & REPENT (plan b) - I John 1:5-1”1. I John 3:5 & 3:82. Revelation 20 - bound for 1,000 years yet still massive rebellion 3. Paul - II Corinthians 2 & 114. James - James 4:75. Peter - I Peter 5:86. Jesus - demons came out more. Why? 

The Main Points will be as follows:1. The Bible is a Story about God.2. The Bible is the story of a God who makes a Promise.3. The Bible is the story of a God who makes a Promise about a Person.4. The Bible is the story of a God who makes a Promise about a Person who creates a People.5. The Bible is the story of a God who makes a Promise about a Person who creates a People to live in a Place with Him forever.

I. God is seeking, God is the initiator - John 4:10-26 II. Believers must share the Good News - John 4:27-38 III. Jesus sees your deepest secrets and offers himself, the Living Water The call for you this morning:1. have you given your life to Jesus?2. if you have given your life to Jesus, do you still see yourself in light of your sin?3. who are you bringing to Jesus?

I. Motivation for Ministry/Ministers 1. The CHARGE - 4:12. His Presence 3. His Judgment 4. His Appearing 5. His Kingdom II. The COMMITMENT - 4:21. Preach the Word2. Be Ready 3. Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort

“Being a Sound Senior Saint” (Sound doctrine produces sound faith) Titus 2:1-5 I. The Army of the Aged - 2:1-5 1. “Older men”… The essential examples of pastors and senior adults! • Being temperate - moderate, balanced, sober-minded • Being dignified - depth of character, worthy of respect • Being sensible - rational, wise, calming influence, avoids extremes • Being sound in faith - trusting in God, relying on God’s Word, through thick and thin, in the ups and downs • Being sound in love - a patient love, a kind love, a humble love, a selfless love, a truthful love, a hopeful love, an enduring love • Being sound in perseverance - don’t let go, don’t give up, don’t stay down after getting knocked down - Matthew 24:14

= Around 90% of the 4 gospels address the 3 year ministry of Jesus (teaching , touching, transforming - A 3 Year Tour) = Around 50% of the 4 gospels address the last 7 days of the earthly life of Jesus (from a donkey to a cross -humility to humiliation) 483 years - Daniel 9 = The King is coming into Jerusalem = The King is riding into Jerusalem = Jerusalem is called the holy city in the Holy Scriptures = Jesus was born in Bethlehem = Jesus was raised in Nazareth = Jesus will die in Jerusalem = Jesus will be buried in Jerusalem = Jesus will rise in Jerusalem = Jesus will ascend from Jerusalem = Jesus will return to Jerusalem I. The Triumphal Entry - 1st Coronation vs 2nd Coronation The Witness on the way There Won’t be silence Kingly Entrance II. The Triumphal Exit - From the Gory Cross to the Great Commission - GO The Witnesses since then There Won’t be silence If the rocks could speak: 1VERSE Evangelism Luke 19:10 (Seeking Savior) John 3:16 (For God - His passion, plan, purpose. Romans 6:23 (The 3 Contrasts; The “but” changes everything). 3:23; 5:8;10:9-10 I Timothy 2:5 (The Middle Man) But Pastor John, I have trouble remembering verses. What else can I say? You can share your personal testimony! John 9:25-33 - OUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY (blind man made well)

God’s WORLD; God’s MAN; God’s GARDEN; God’s UNION; God’s Worldview - If marriage is foundational to a strong spiritual society then is it no wonder society is struggling so? Psalm 11:3Scripture Reading: Mt. 22:23-33I. The Union - 2:18-251. God acts - vv. 18-222. Adam reacts - v. 23• At last• Same body (bone/flesh)• Same root name 3. Moses speaks - vv. 24-25II. The Break Up - 3:1-131. From bliss to blame 2. Covering our own sin 3. Consequences of sin 4. In Christ reconciliation and healing is possible - Love God more than spouse; Love even your enemies (like ex’s)5. Anger blinds us from seeing - Matthew 7:1-56. Jordan P - divorce of parents is more damaging on kids that the death of a parent III. The Reunion (After the Fallin’) - God’s Word speaks as if we can walk in marital bliss even after the sin of Adam and Eve and after our own sin!1. We will learn a lot from the marriage of Adam (Eve) - 2. We don’t learn much about the marriage of Noah (don’t even know her name) - 3. We can learn a lot about the marriage of Job (unnamed) - 4. We can learn a lot from the marriage of Abraham (Sarah, “Hagar” - Ishmael, Keturah after Sarah died w/ whom he had 6 sons) 5. We can learn a lot from the marriage of Isaac (Rebekah) - twins after 20 years of marriage (Jacob & Esau sibling rivalry not all that different from Cain & Abel).6. We can learn a lot from the marriages of Jacob7. We don’t know a lot about the marriage of Joseph arranged by the Egyptian Pharaoh (Asenath - daughter of priest Potipheri)/. She bore Joseph the forefathers of 2 of the 12 tribes (Ephraim & Manasseh)8. We can learn a lot from the marriage of Moses (Zipphorah) - She saves his life and then in anger throws something at Moses - Ex. 4:24-26; don’t hear that every day in our biblical counseling sessions!9. We can learn a lot from the marriages of David (8) - from Michal (daughter of King Saul) to Bathsheba (mother of Solomon). He had children with 7 of them!10. I wouldn’t put anyone through studying the marriages of Solomon - however he had some great things to say about wives: Proverbs 5:18; 12:4; 18:22; 19:14; 31:10-31(1) Passages that apply very well to marriage:         *Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 -        *I Corinthians 13:1-13 -       *Ephesians 4:32 -      *Philippians 2:3-4 -(2) Marriage according to Paul - *I Corinthians 7:8 - don’t do it *Ephesians 5:18-21, 22-33 (In what culture is Christ the Head of the Church?); Colossians 3:18-19(3) Marriage according to Peter - I Peter 3:1-7 (“likewise”; “grant her honor”; “fellow heir”)(4) Marriage according to Jesus - Matthew 19:1-9; 22:23-33 5 Marriages Worth Studying:• Adam & Eve (forgiveness) • Boaz & Ruth (selflessness) • Zechariah & Elizabeth (communication - 9 months of non-verbal communication)• Joseph & Mary (trust) - Put her away privately • Aquila & Priscilla (mutuality) - I Corinthians 18; Romans 16:13-14

Getting to know God: Up Close…Book of Genesis (Celebrating Independence Day)What makes a nation great? Her connection to the God that made her. Psalm 33:12 & Prov. 14:34• Understanding the privileges & responsibilities of God SHARING His image with humanity • Understanding the privileges & responsibilities of Adam SHARING his rib with Eve• Understanding the privileges & responsibilities of all Christians being the Bride of Christ • Bride of Christ - Jesus is the Groom!• Body of Christ - Jesus is the Head!• Psalm 11:3, 3 Foundations: A Faith in God; A Family of God; A Nation under God I. The Trees - 1. Pleasing to the eyes 2. Good for food - II. The Tree of Life - 1. Brings fulfillment - Solomon uses this parallel in the Book of Prov 3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:42. Maintains our status - 3:24• State of innocence - • State of fallenness - • State of grace - In Adam or In Christ?• Romans 5; I Corinthians 15III. The Tree of the knowledge of    good & evil - “to know” =     experience. 4:1?1. Mankind knew good - saw good, experienced nothing but that which is good. 2. Man didn’t know evil - never saw evil, never experienced anything evil. This was a test!3. Knowledge - carnal knowledge • Many today choosing Singleness over Marriage - fear of being hurt yet single people often experience fear of being alone. Both are hard. Both can hurt. One has the potential to share life. The other doesn’t. Ecclesiastes 4:11-12• “When Sinners say “I do” • “What did you expect?”• Does the order of creation matter? Yes. Adam is held responsible for the fall! I Timothy 2:13• What does leave and cleave mean? Parents are not absent. They are now secondary. I Timothy 5• What does leave and cleave not mean?“A daughter is a daughter for the rest of her life, but a son is only a son until he finds himself a wife”

I. The Breath of God - 2:7II. The Garden of God - 2:8III. The Trees of God - 2:9IV. The Warning of God - 2:15-17I. The Breath of God - Genesis 2:7He spoke - Genesis 1He speaks from His mouth - Matthew 4:4 He speaks - through His prophetsHe speaks from His breath - II Timothy 3:16 II. The Garden of God -III. The Trees of God The Tree of Life - The Tree of the knowledge of good & evil The Tree of the cross -

"Marriage" John 3:22-30 Psalm 41:1-5 Psalm 42:1 Psalm 43:1-2 Psalm 44:1, 9, 23, Psalm 46 Hebrews 4:12 Matthew 10:34 Revelation 19:15 One commentary wrote - this one is fought for truth in a world of lies, for meekness in a world of pride, and for righteousness in a world of injustice. 2 Peter 3:13 - But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. A messianic Psalm look at Hebrews 1:1-9 Boice Wrote - “The words of these two verses together are incomprehensible unless they are understood to refer to the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Only he can be called God and at the same time the Father as his God.” (Boice) Matthew 4:19 Ephesians 5:27 Ephesians 3:8 

PARADISE GIVEN: Lost; RegainedI. The Summary of God’s Creation - 1:1-2:3II. The Specifics of God’s Creation  - 2:4-25  •  Paradise Given:   1.  A Person - 2:4-7  2.  A Place - 2:8-14  3.  A Purpose - 2:15-17  4.  A Partnership - 2:18-25  5.  A Problem in Paradise - 3:1-ff

Psalm 36Romans 3:9-20, 23.Luke 18:11 Charles Spurgeon wrote about this account: "You see, it is not a case of the deliberate choice of sin; but rather of being deluded through neglect of the word of God, which is the true guide of the pilgrim."Proverbs 7:5 His Word points us to Jesus (John 1:1)His Spirit convicts us (Gal. 5:17) For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.Proverbs 27:17 Matthew 12:24  Proverbs 9:10 Psalm 139:23 Colossians 4:6 Gal. 5:22-23Psalm 1 1 Thessalonians 5:22John 4:13-14, 28  1 JohnRevelations 21:23 Lamentations - 3:19-24

Ezekiel 36:22-28Matthew 6:9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.Proverbs 4:23 "Watch over your heart with all diligence. For from it flow the springs of life."2 Cor. 5:17-18 -  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and WILL BE IN YOU.“Progressive sanctification is about how we live in between God’s laying the cornerstone and setting the capstone.” -David Powlison“A person who changes takes action. You change your mind, your attitudes, your feelings, your goal in life, the way you treat others, your habits. And you find, sooner or later, that God himself has been working all along.” -David PowlisonDavid Powlison’s 5 factors toward our sanctification:1. God. 2. Truth. 3. Wise people. 4. Suffering and struggle. 5. You change. 

Hebrews 12:3 Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote about the Psalms, “Whenever the Psalter is abandoned, an incomparable treasure is lost to the Christian church. With its recovery will come unexpected power.” “There is no explicit prayer for healing or deliverance from death (though such may be implied); the prayer begins with the request for the removal of the divine distance.” 1 Peter 5:8 Revelation 5:5 2 Timothy 4:6 Revelation 19:16 Philippians 2:10-11

What do we do when things in life don’t go the way we expected? How do we react when things do not go the way we expected? Life is full of “off the rail” moments - John 16:33 There is no one here who can escape the problems of life that come up in a way that interferes with our lives as we intended. •    Illness and Injury •    Persecution •    Job or Financial Situations•    Marriage problems •    Natural Disasters •    Death Following Jesus will cause some “off the rail” momentsLuke 8:22–25 Matthew 8:23–27 Mark 4:36–41 Following Jesus does not keep us from life's problems. Many great believers doing great things for God have suffered and even died from the sicknesses and difficulties of life that everyone else experiences. And these scary and tragic events in life hurt just the same. When life goes “off the rails,” our faith in Jesus can be tested. The disciples panicked... but Jesus was calm. In this they did right . . . when we are fearful or hurting,  1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” We accuse God of not caring about us, but really it is the other way around. The truth is that Jesus knows what is best for us, and out of his great love, he will take us through the storms we don’t want. So the ultimate truth is, the disciples did not understand who they had in the boat with them. 1.  The disciples that they had an earthly, but spiritual messiah. They wanted to be the head of his kingdom on earth. 2. They knew Jesus was powerful, but they were still coming to terms with how great his power was. 3.  They did not understand that Jesus was God incarnate. But we have the full picture...Colossians 1:15-17 Would you turn back to Genesis 1:1–2 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This is the God that reigns - completely in control of our off-the-rail moments. We can trust him, and we can obey him.

• The Priority of the New Testament: From Acts to Revelation! I. The Permanence - Matthew 26:29 1. Revelation 1:4-7 2. Revelation 2:8 3. Revelation 5:6-14 4. Revelation 7:9-10, 13-17 5. Revelation 11:4-11 6. Revelation 12:10-12 7. Revelation 13:5-8 8. Revelation 14:1-6 9. Revelation 15:1-4 10. Revelation 19:6-13 11. Revelation 20:12, 15 12. Revelation 21:1-4, 9, 14, 22-27 13. Revelation 22:1-5

I. God is the total focus of the 7th Day (Then & Now): God finished - 2:1-2a God rested - 2:2b God blessed - 2:3 II. The Surprises on the Sabbath: Man is not mentioned - Sabbath is not stated - Exodus 16:22-26; Exodus 20:8-11 The Prophets rebuked over it - Isaiah 1:13; Hosea 2:11 Jesus didn’t follow it - Matthew 12:1-8, 9-14; Mark 2 :23-28 ; Luke 4:1-6; John 5:1-18 “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” The Early Church & Paul - The Silence of the in JC - Acts 15 The Statements - Romans 14:5-6; Galatians 4:8-11; Colossians 2:16-19, 20-23; Hebrews 3:7-19 The Savior / Salvation - Matthew 11:28-30 III. Jesus came and… Abolished the temple - Abolished the priesthood - Abolished the sacrificial system - Did He abolish the sabbath?

Notes are attached

I. The God of Creation-Same God II. The Lord God of Creation: 1. ELOHIM (1:1) - The powerful One; The transcendent One (separated from creation - II Corinthians 4:16-18, eternal) 2. YAHWEH (2:4) - The personal, relational, covenant-maker 3. EL ELYON (14:18-20) - God Most High used by Melchizedek; “Your highness” 4. EL ROI (16:13) - “The God who sees me” used by Hagar 5. EL SHADDAI (17:1) - “God Almighty” used when est a covenant w/ Abraham 6. EL OLAM (21:33) - “The Everlasting God” used by Abraham when making a treaty with Abimelech. 7. YAHWEH-YIREH (22:14) - “The God who Provides” used by Abraham when offering IsaacIII. God distinguishes (separates)separation brings structure •Day 1 - Separates light from darkness (Ex. 10; 13) •Day 2 - Separates the water above from the water below •Day 3 - Separates the land from the sea •Day 4 - Separates day from night, “for signs & seasons” •Day 5 - God fills the waters; God fills the skies; then God fills the land on Day 6! •Day 6 - Fills the earth; Finishes by making mankind; Eve is made last; See 3:20 Summary in chapter 1 then Specifics on humankind in chapter 2! •Day 7 - (1) Establishes the Sabbath; (2) Sets in place how humans would live out their work week; Exodus 20:8-11; 3 distinct blessings - 1:22; 1:28; 2:3; God gets more personal. He gets intimate. He provides a boost to the humans He made! This is another level of God’s interest in us - His goodness to us IV. Four Different ways Scripture applies to humanity: 1. God blesses us - Psalm 1; Matthew 5:1-12 2. We bless God - Psalm 103 3. Some give false blessing - Psalm 62:4 4. Some refuse to bless - Psalm 109:17, 28

Genesis 1:1-2:3I. The God of Creation:Day 1 - Genesis 1:2-5Day 2 - Genesis 1:6-8Day 3 - Genesis 1:9-13Day 4 - Genesis 1:14-19Day 5 - Genesis 1:20-23Day 6 - Genesis 1:24-31Day 7 - Genesis 2:1-3II. The Lord God of Creation:ELOHIM (1:1) - powerful; transcendentYAHWEH (2:4) - personal, relational, covenant-makerEL ELYON (14:18-20) - God Most High used by Melchizedek (“Your highness”)EL ROI (16:13) - The God who sees me used by HagarEL SHADDAI (17:1) - God Almighty used when establishing a covenant with AbrahamEL OLAM (21:33) - The Everlasting God used by Abraham when making a treaty with Abimelech. The timeframe is significant.YAHWEH-YIREH (22:14) - The God who Provides, is used by Abraham when he was offering IsaacIII. God distinguishes (separates)Day 1 - He separates light from darkness - Exodus 10:21-29 & Exodus 13:22-22Day 2 - He separates the water above from the water belowDay 3 - He separates the land from the seaDay 4 - He separates day from the nightDay 5 - fills the waters & skiesDay 6 - fills the earth, finishes by making mankindDay 7 - establishing the SabbathIV. Three Separations in Scripture that apply to humanity:Isaiah 59:1-2Matthew 25:32Hebrews 7:26

God said; God saw; God called - It is powerful and personalI. The EARTH - 1:2aWas formless and void - meaning it was unfinished and uninhabited. Material is made then formed.And darkness was over the face of the deep - Gen. 1:9-10II. The SPIRIT - 1:2bWas hovering over the face of the waters - determines, decrees, authority over, is there a veiled reference to Jesus walking on the water? The Trinitarian Creator - John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2III. The FIRST DAY - 1:3-5And God said (God is verbal). - first recorded words of our Creator) - Reminds men of several occasions when Jesus spoke with great response: John 11:43; John 19:30; II Thessalonians 2:8-12; Revelation 19:13, 15, 21“God is Light”- future description of our Creator (I John 4); Also God is love ; God is holy.And God saw (God is visual)And God called (God is definitive) - later in chapter 2 Adam would name the animals.+ Creation, Separation, & Light are eventually placed in the context of the gospel of saving grace:= John 1:1-13= Revelation 21:22-27; 22:1-5

I. The Transformed Life:The holy life - 12:1-2The humble life - 12:3-8The healthy life - 12:9-21Jesus in John 13John in I John 4Paul in Romans 12Peter in I Peter 4:1-11

I. The Outline of John’s Gospel: Jesus in time and in eternity - 1:1-18 Jesus manifested to the Nations - 1:19-12:50 *Jesus preparing His own - chapters 13-17 a. The Last Supper - 13:1-30 b. The Impending departure of Jesus - 13:31-38 Jesus passion and resurrection - chapters 18-20 II. Jesus is washing feet - 13:1-17 1. Jesus predicts His betrayal - 13:18-30 (Judas leaving the light and going out into darkness) 2. Jesus predicts His departure - 13:31-38 3. The glory of God - vv. 31-32 (God’s love made known) 4. The children of God - v. 33 5. The removal of Jesus - vv. 34-35 (believers have a special love for one another based on the sacrificial loving example of Jesus; This Christlike love holds His children together when everything in the world seeks to pull them apart) 6. “As I have loved you” - John 3:16 7. John 15:13; I John 3:16 8. Ephesians 4:30-32 & Luke 7:47 9. I Corinthians 13:1-13 = Love is mentioned 27x in the first 3 gospels and 39x in John (26 in I John) = Loved mentioned 40x in the NT - 20x in gospel of John Love is the greatest example Love is the greatest commandment Love is the greatest evidence Love is the greatest virtue Love is the greatest magnet

The God of the Holy Scriptures is the God of clarity, not the god of confusion. We, as followers of Jesus Christ and as lovers of God’s Word, have a huge task before us. We have to clarify the massive amount of confusion that exists about God, about God’s Son, about God’s people, and about God’s mission. The good news is that we are not left on our own to figure out the answers. God reveals Himself to us. God tells us who He is. These past two sentences are the foundation of this sermon series in Genesis. There are two main ways God reveals Himself in His Word. They are found in the first three chapters of the Bible. According to Genesis chapters 1 & 2, God is the Creator of all things. According to Genesis chapter 3, God becomes the Redeemer of fallen humanity. These two descriptions of God dominate the remainder of the Bible all the way to the very last chapter, Revelation 22. God as Creator speaks of His authority. God as Redeemer speaks of His atonement. We read over and over again with incredible detail what kind of Creator God is and what kind of Redeemer God is. This study is much more than informational. The ultimate purpose is being transformational. II. What kind of Creator is God? 1. God is a Powerful Creator 2. God is a Relational Creator 3. God is a Benevolent Creator 4. God is a Judicial Creator 5. God is a Gracious Creator

Randall Davenport, Biblical Counseling PastorFollowing Resurrection Sunday and the impact that it has on all of us. As we think about the resurrection, what do we do with it now?1 Cor. 1:18-19As we look to the cross, it reminds us of the suffering Christ endured. I hope it causes us to respond, one way or another. It can give us encouragement in the fact that Christ suffered too. It can also give us hope that death is not the end. There is hope in the resurrection. The story is not over; it’s only really just being fulfilled, and this is one part of it. 

(1) Do you know Him? (2) Do you know where you’re going (in life and in death)? Know the Man, Know the Mission; Know the Message I. Know the MAN (Jesus) II. Know the MISSION - Mt 28:1-10 III. Know the MESSAGE-28:16-20

The 7 Last Statements of Jesus from the Cross “FORGIVE THEM” - Luke 23:34 “TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME” - Luke 23:43 “BEHOLD YOUR SON” - John 19:26-27 “MY GOD, MY GOD” - Matthew 27:43 “I THIRST” - John 19:28 “IT IS FINISHED” - John 19:30 “FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS” - Luke 23:46

The power of practical living)I. The New Life in Christ - vv. 1-41. Once raised with Christ - v. 1a2. Start seeking - v. 1b3. Position of Christ - v. 1c4. Heavenly mindset - vv. 2-4II. The Old Life in Adam - vv. 5-111. Kill the sin within - v. 52. Take seriously the consequences - v. 63. The Past is a problem - vv. 7-84. Do not lie to one another - v. 95. Honor God’s Image - vv. 10-126. Bearing with one another (forgiveness) - v. 137. Love one another (unity) - v. 14 8. The Peace of Christ Rule (unity) - v. 159. The Word of God Dwell (richly) - v. 16-1710. Teaching one another 11. Admonishing one another In all Wisdom (not folly) The Motive (in the Name of)The Attitude (gratitude)

I. The Obituary: Paul was born by the name Saul in the great city of Tarsus in Cilicia around 5 AD. Paul was executed for his faith in the city of Rome as a martyr under Emperor Nero (circa 67 AD). Paul was born a Roman citizen and trained as a strict Pharisee under the leadership of Gamaliel. He was a skilled tent maker, follower of the risen Christ, Apostle, Missionary, and human author of at least 13 New Testament books (Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and possibly Hebrews). Prior to his conversion to Christ on a Damascus road he was an aggressive persecutor of the early church. Paul became the most influential proponent of Christianity, preaching the gospel of grace through faith, not by the works of the law. He endured severe hardships, including physical beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecked, and hunger. Paul’s tireless missionary journeys established churches in Asia Minor and Europe, fostering a unified community of Jewish and Gentile Christians. Paul spoke of his death in his final days from prison in his last letter, saying, I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH (II Timothy 4:7). He is not survived by a family of his own, but by thousands of spiritual children in the churches he founded. He is preceded in death by the Apostle James and the Deacon Stephen. Funeral arrangements are unknown. PRAY!II. The 3 Perspectives of Paul’s life:•What would Paul say about himself?•I Timothy 1:12-15•Phil. 1:21; 3:1-9•What would others say about Paul?•Galatians 1:18-24•What would the Lord say about Paul?•Acts 9:10-16; Acts 18:9-11: II Cor 12:8-10III. We Remember Paul today based on his last words in Acts 20.•A life of serving - vv. 17-19•A life of sharing - vv. 20-21•A life of sacrificing - vv. 22-24•A life of shepherding - vv. 25-31•A life of strengthening - vv. 31-35•A life of sorrow - vv. 36-38•Jesus ends in Jerusalem (Calvary) then begins in Jerusalem (Pentecost)•Acts opens in Jerusalem and ends in Rome - take note of that, my friends.