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Genesis - Foundation For Our Faith
Contributed by Paul Barreca on Oct 22, 2011 (message contributor)
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1. Everyon Needs An Ark
Contributed on Oct 22, 2011
There is much that we can say about the importance of the flood, but we should not miss the lesson about salvation that we see in the story of Noah.
Disaster movies ominously predict the end of the world. Whether it be asteroids or aliens, nuclear war or epidemic, our poor old planet is constantly being wiped out by some larger than life disaster. These movies sell because we seem to thrive on FEAR. One of the biggest disaster movies ...read more
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2. The Faith Of Abraham And The Power Of God
Contributed on Feb 5, 2012
Abraham trusted God late in his life, and believed that God would accomplish the impossible. For this reason, he is called the Father of the Faith for all who believe.
It is no coincidence today that we arrive in our study of Genesis at chapter 12 and the call of Abraham. We started our study in Genesis on January 9, 2011, exactly one year ago today. At that time, our Family Life Center was under construction, the steel being erected. We had no idea that one ...read more
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3. What Does God Want Me To Do With My Isaac?
Contributed on Jun 10, 2012
God tested Abraham to ensure that Abraham’s devotion was still sound, and to free Abraham from the snare of making an idol out of something that was given by God as a gift.
In her book, “When I Lay My Isaac Down,” Carol Kent tells her story of a devastating event in their family. She recounts how her and her husband were enjoying a night together and shared their joy by saying, “does life get any better than this?” Everything was going ...read more
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4. The Power Of Transforming Grace - Lessons From Jacob And Esau
Contributed on Aug 26, 2012
The story of Jacob's favor focuses on the question of our ability to be used by God, and demonstrates that the nature of His grace is completely independent of human effort.
"The Power of Transforming Grace" Genesis 25 Can God Use Me? My past is marred by sin. I’ve got the scars, the tattoos, the wounds and the memories of all that I’ve done wrong. Can God use me? Can God Use Me? Other Christians can help the poor and give money to the church, ...read more
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5. Making A New Man Out Of Jacob
Contributed on Nov 25, 2012
Jacob's trials in Haran teach us the Lord sends trials into our lives to test our commitment and to refine us to me more like Jesus.
I have had the privilege to disciple many new believers. I’ve seen and heard many testimonies of new believers, some were private and some were public at times such as baptisms and public testimony. The ones that concern me the most, the ones that I fear will not make it in their walk with ...read more
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6. How To Avoid Destructive Conflict
Contributed on Jan 27, 2013
The story of Rachel and Leah's fight over mandrakes can teach us an important lesson about avoiding conflict!
My wife asked me “What is your sermon on?” I told her “Rachel and Leah and their argument over Mandrakes” Her response was “Well, How does that apply to my life?” That's a good question, but I can assure you that the story of Rachel and Leah's fight over ...read more
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7. Overcoming Sexual Temptation
Contributed on Apr 24, 2013
Joseph is young and good looking, yet he overcame a serious sexual temptation. We can develop our strategy for victory by examining Joseph's response.
When I first studied Genesis 39 and the story of Joseph and Potophar’s wife, I thought initially that I would “tone down” the sexual content of this chapter. The story provided in this passage details Joseph’s vivid encounter with a seductive woman, and his victory as he ...read more
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8. Grappling With Guilt
Contributed on May 26, 2013
Joseph teaches an important lesson on overcoming guilt. This message will examine the Source, the Symptoms and the Solution for guilt.
It was Ninth Grade English Literature class. We were reading American short stories, and our assignment was to read Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart.” Following are some highlights from the chilling tale... “The officers were satisfied. My MANNER had convinced ...read more
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9. “generational Conflict” blessing Others Through Humility And Respect
Contributed on Jun 3, 2013
Generational Conflict is not new. We learn from the Joseph story that Humility from the Old will encourage the young to accomplish great things, and Respect from the young will provide honor that is due to their seniors.
An article in “Christianity Today” suggests that many churches have become segregated - not by race, but by age. Mollie Hemmingway writes about a newly started church that meets in a movie theater. All of the attenders are under 30. They are single, professional, independent and hip. ...read more
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10. The Freedom Of Forgiveness
Contributed on Jun 22, 2013
Joseph's restoration with his brothers teaches us that we can be free by forgiving those who have harmed us. In this way, Joseph is a picture of Christ - the one who forgives us and the model for the way that we should forgive others.
The year was 1996. The US would post its first ambassador to Vietnam since the N Vietnamese took control of the south in 1975. President Clinton choose as his ambassador Pete Peterson, a former congressman and US AirForce pilot. Pete had been shot down over N Vietnam 31 years earlier and was a ...read more
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11. Biblical Accuracy Proved Through Jacob’s Prophecies
Contributed on Jul 27, 2013
By studying Genesis 49 we will be reminded that we can TRUST the Bible even when modern culture rejects it.
Genesis 49 Can you trust the Bible? When we say “yes - I believe the Bible,” I think that what many of us are saying is that we believe the STORIES, the MIRACLES, the TRUTHFULNESS of the Bible. We do not doubt the content of the Bible, but do we FOLLOW the Bible? Do we believe it ...read more