As we looked at different texts in Genesis I also tried to make connections for us in the New Testament. One issue that usually comes up in these types of studies is what is the relationship between the two testaments. Sunday we explored how some of this worked. Jesus established a new covenant. What effect does this have on previous covenants? Why would God require certain things for a time and then not later? If you want to explore this more, you can listen below.
There is so much more I would like to do with Genesis, but we will move on for now. As a wrap up we looked at one of the most important verses in Genesis. 50:20 sums up so much about our journey of faith. God knows the big picture and is working with us and in spite of us to bring about His plan. You can hear the rest below.
We had a great Sunday yesterday as we were able to see what the youth did at LTC over Easter weekend. Great work by everyone to make it a great LTC. For the sermon I focused on how we see the importance of challenging our youth so that they can grow. I then challenged the rest of us to ask ourselves how much we challenge ourselves spiritually. Do we ask of our children more than we ourselves are willing to give? You can hear the rest below.
Our text yesterday was focused on 1 Corinthians 15. Specifically the comparison between Jesus and Adam. Adam is our father and we share in his heritage. There are good things to being a son of Adam, but there is also a downside. Death. Adam was an ensouled being, but this was not enough. Jesus was a spiritual being and this makes all the difference. Through Adam we inherit death. Through Jesus we find life through the spirit. In Adam we never really had a chance to choose our family. We can however choose to be a part of the family that Jesus is making. Easter does have a message for us. Life is really possible.
Yesterday we looked at the comparison made in Hebrews 12 between Jesus’ blood and the blood of Abel. You can listen to the rest below, but the main thing for us to understand is that Abel’s blood calls for justice, while Jesus blood calls for mercy. I know that in the final analysis, I hope God listens to the blood of Jesus and the words it speaks on my behalf. I prefer mercy to justice.
We are continuing to look at Genesis and how the story begun there has continued on into the New Testament and into today. Genesis 38 and the story of Judah and Tamar is not exactly Scripture at its best. What I mean is it’s embarrassing. The messes we create in our lives. Wow. Yet, in another way, the messes we create show how God is able to work in our mess and still do something redemptive. It was through Tamar that Jesus was brought into the world. “She is more righteous than I declared Judah”. How right he really was. You can listen to the rest below.
Yesterday we looked at Mark 10 where Jesus upheld the ideal of marriage as a lifetime commitment. One of the greatest spiritual disciplines we will ever work on in our life is by serving God by serving our spouse. Below you can hear the rest.
Yesterday we looked at Genesis as a whole and noticed that it is a struggle all the way through. God calls, but even with God’s call it is never easy. There are always challenges, at least from our point of view, to God’s promises and how they are going to happen. Abraham is asked to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham has already given up his past when God asked him to move and leave his family and all he knows. Now it seems that God is asking him to give up his future. The future is in Isaac if Abraham is ever going to have many descendants. Yet it would appear that God is asking Abraham to cut off his future. Abraham has to realize that his future is found in God and not in Isaac. We need to realize that our future is because of God. It may seem impossible at times, but God is where our hope should be. Not in my plan or yours or in any person, but in God. You can listen to the rest below if you like.
Abraham and Isaac
Lake Travis Church of Christ Bulletin March 11, 2012
Sunday we looked at one of the most important passages in the Bible. Genesis 12 is important because it is the beginning of the covenant that God makes with Abraham. God calls Abraham and promises to bless him and through him all would be blessed. This was accomplished (and is still being done today) through Jesus. We also looked at Galatians 3 where Paul makes the connection between the promise to Abraham and Jesus and us. We are all sons of God through faith in Jesus. If we have been baptized we have clothed ourselves with Christ and are heirs of the promise made in Genesis 12. God keeps His promises and He still is today. You can hear yesterday’s sermon below.
Barry
Genesis 12 and Galatians 3 Promise and Fulfillment
3-4-12 Lake Travis Church of Christ bulletin 3-04-12
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