Occoquan Bible Church | Sermon Podcast

Dear OBC Family,The troubles and worries of the world can sometimes feel overwhelming, even for Christians. What is your refuge? Are you tempted to distraction, or do you refresh your soul by drinking from the river of life? This Sunday we turn again to the Psalms of the Sons of Korah for a reminder of just how present the Lord is in whatever we are walking through.I invite you to read Psalm 46 in preparation for worship. As you read, pay attention to the reasons why Jesus Christ is the only refuge that can be trusted. I pray the Lord will open the eyes of hearts Sunday to receive what he has prepared for us. I look forward to worshiping our Lord with you this Sunday.In Christ,Pastor Jeff-------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 46Consider Psalm 46. How would you summarize the main idea or theme?What is the context of verse 10? Note: It's often used in “Christian” art with serene backdrops. Is this appropriate?What organization do you notice to the psalm? (Look for repetition of words, phrases, or similar ideas)Who are the characters in the psalm, and what are their actions?The circumstances in the psalm appear fearful (vv. 2-3, v. 6a). Why is there an absence of fear?Consider the river of v.4. What is the psalmist describing? Where else do you see this imagery in Scripture?What are the imperatives of the psalm? What does God command?To what end does God bring an end to wars and destroy weapons?Consider v. 8, and v. 10a, and compare with Exodus 14:13. Considering where we are in redemptive history, what does it look like for us to apply this text?How should we respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,A President that may or may not have an adequate degree of cognitive ability to lead the country. An opposing candidate who is almost assassinated. A Vice-President who has been rewriting the summary of her official duties for the past almost four years. An Olympics opening ceremony that openly mocks Christians and flaunts sexual depravity. It reminds me of the lyrics to a popular early 1980s song, Mad World. But God! For us as Christians, there is no occasion for despair or anxiety. Why? Aren't we supposed to be sober-minded? Doesn't that mean, as Christians, that we assess the situation realistically and gird ourselves for action? Yes. A thousand times, yes. But what does it mean to view the current state of our country and world with a sober-minded realism? As we continue our summer study of the Psalms of the Sons of Korah, we find our answer in Psalm 47. Psalm 47 is a jubilant hymn celebrating God's kingship. It is one of the "enthronement psalms" in the Book of Psalms. This psalm of the sons of Korah exuberantly proclaims God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples. The psalm's structure revolves around repeated calls for praise and joyful worship, emphasizing God's role as the supreme ruler of the earth. God has reigned. He presently reigns. And he will reign forever. This psalm also has a broader prophetic significance, pointing to the future reign of the Messiah over all creation. The fact that God has “gone up” points to Christ's ascension and his ultimate dominion over the world. The psalm's vivid imagery of God "ascending" with shouts of joy and the sound of trumpets is linked to Jesus' ascension into heaven. The central message of Psalm 47 is one of universal worship and recognition of God's kingship. It calls for everyone, regardless of national or ethnic background, to acknowledge and celebrate God's rule with unrestrained joy and praise. In preparation for our time of worship of this Savior God who reigns, read Psalm 47 and its companion Psalm 46, which Pastor Jeff will preach next week. As you do, reflect on God's rule over all the earth and Christ's rule in your life. Also, prepare to clap and shout. I know we are reformed in our theology, but come on—we are celebrating the King who is over all the earth! For God's glory and our rejoicing,Pastor Rod--------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 47Read and consider Psalm 47. What is the main theme?How is Psalm 47 arranged? What is the progression from section to section?How does the psalmist speak about the rule and reign of God as King?What is a right response to God's kingship? What responses do you see in this psalm?Does the Kingship of God stir your emotions? Why or why not?What is the work of God as King? What is the King's relationship to his people? What does He do for His people?How do God's people relate to Him as their King?Consider Christ's resurrection, ascension, and enthronement. How do we experience the reign of Christ today?How should we respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,Does sorrow provoke you to draw near to the Lord, or does suffering tempt your heart to forsake Him? This Sunday we turn again to a lament in the Psalms of the Sons of Korah as the people of God are experiencing great suffering at the hands of their enemies. I invite you to read Psalm 44 in preparation for worship. As you read, pay attention to the faith of the psalmist and his urgent cry for help and redemption. May God's Word instruct our hearts and direct our eyes to Christ!I look forward to worshiping our Lord with you this Sunday.Blessings in Christ,Pastor Ben-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 44What is the lament of the Psalmist?How does the Psalmist describe God's character and work?Consider the example of the fathers (vv. 1-3) and the faith of their sons (vv. 4-8). What does it look like to imitate this faithfulness?Look for voice changes in the psalm. Where do you see singular or plural personal pronouns, and how might this psalm have been performed?How does the Psalmist understand the suffering that Israel is experiencing?When you experience suffering, how does Scripture guide you to interpret the cause or purpose of your suffering? What presumptuous conclusions must we guard against? Consider how Psalm 44:22 is used by the apostle Paul in Romans 8. How does Paul use Psalm 44 as he speaks about the sufferings of the church?How does Christ ultimately answer the prayer of the psalmist?How should we respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family, This Sunday we will begin a new summer sermon series in Psalms, and we will be preaching through the first collection of the Psalms of the Sons of Korah in Psalm 42-49.  Regardless of what season you're in, it is good for us to consider how God is our exceeding joy. This is especially true in seasons of difficulty or grief. Let us read along with the psalmist, and may we learn to pour out our souls to God and reorient ourselves to set our hope in Him. This Sunday we will kick off the series with the opening lament of Psalms 42-43. I invite you to read this in advance in preparation for worship, and I look forward to worshiping our great God with you this Sunday. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Ben------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Discussion and Response Questions for Psalms 42-43 1. What is the organization of Psalms 42-43?2. What information can you glean about the psalmist's background and circumstances?3. What does it mean to be thirsty for God? 4. What requests is the psalmist making of God?5. Consider the psalmist's relationship to God. What does the psalmist affirm about God?6. What does the psalmist question about God? Though his questions are honest, what wrong thoughts is the psalmist having about God, and how does he counter these thoughts?7. What should we do when circumstances provoke wrong thoughts about God?8. Consider the chorus in which the psalmist counsels himself. What does it look like to counsel and preach to yourself?9. What does it look like for God to be one's exceeding joy?10. What does Psalms 42-43 reveal about who God is?11. Reconsider the questions of the psalmist in light of where we are in redemptive history. We are in the New Covenant, Christ has died, risen, and ascended, and the Spirit has been given to the church. How should these questions be answered?12. How ought we to respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,Looking back to the first century, there were many threats for the early church. False doctrine was being promoted, some had swerved from the truth, and others had shipwrecked their faith.In 1 Timothy 1, Paul charged Timothy with specific actions he must take in order to care for and protect the Ephesian church.This Sunday we're going to take a detour from the book of Genesis and we will consider what 1 Timothy 1 teaches us about doctrinal fidelity. How should we think about faithfulness to the gospel in an age of compromise? I encourage you to read 1 Timothy 1 in preparation for worship, and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday! Blessings in Christ, Pastor Ben------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (1 Timothy 1)What challenges is the Ephesian church facing, and what is the charge Paul gave to Timothy to care for the church?What cautions and encouragements do you observe in this chapter?What is the aim and end result that Paul is seeking for the Ephesian church through Timothy's ministry?How might the law be misused, and what is the right use of the law? What is the law's function toward the lawless? How should God's law be applied? Consider how Paul moves from law to gospel. Why do we need both? What happens if you only have one?How does Paul respond to the mercy of God in the gospel?Consider how Paul shares his testimony (vv. 12-17). How does he understand his sin in relationship to God's mercy?What does it look like to “wage the good warfare” vs making shipwreck of one's faith?What should faithful stewardship of the gospel look like?How ought we to respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,When was the last time you saw a rainbow? And what did you think when you saw it? What did you remember?On Sunday, we will see what God has to say about rainbows and what the meaning of the rainbow is. Indeed, the rainbow is a sign of God's grace and we should remember the covenant with Noah that is still in effect today.To prepare for Sunday, read Genesis 9, as well as Isaiah 54. We will be reminded of God's promise of grace this Sunday and how that promise encourages us to continue to walk confidently with God.As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we worship God together.For His Glory and your joy,Pastor David--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 9:8 – 17)Consider the text for this week. What stands out to you?How do you think about the flood? The world that came after it? Is Genesis 1–11 more like a galaxy far, far away? Or does it influence how you think about the world?How does the rest of the Bible pick up and apply this new beginning?What are the parts of the world that Genesis 8:20–9:7 describe?What is the pattern of “world building” that is found here? How does that support your views of the world? How does that invite change?How is this new beginning after the Flood distinct from the first beginning in Genesis 1-2?What change did the exaltation of Christ bring to the world? And does that mean for us?How ought we to respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,What is the world like? Is it like the beginning? Or is it completely different after the flood? And what does it matter?While we are often tempted to simply think about what comes next in our own lives, families, careers, or ministries, we need to slow down and consider the stage on which we live, move, and have our being. We are creatures made in the image of God, and that means we need to know who God is and what he has made. And also, that means we need to know what he has remade after the flood. This Sunday we will continue to look at Noah. Only now we move from his ark to his altar. And from his salvation to the creation of a new society. In Genesis 8:20–9:7 we will see at least five building blocks to civilization and also a particular order to arrange them.To prepare, take time to read Genesis 9. Pray that God would give us insight and interest into the world he has made, so that we might see where we fit in his creation and how his salvation in Christ is the only way to see the world put to rights.As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday. And this week, I am especially thankful for many of the graces God has given to our church. I wrote them down in a blogpost and I would encourage you to read them—10 Reasons I Am Grateful to God for OBC.I bless God for the work of grace he has done at our church and I look forward to singing his praises with you, his saints, on Sunday.For His Glory and your joy,Pastor David----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 8:20-9:7)Consider the text for this week. What stands out to you?How do you think about the flood? The world that came after it? Is Genesis 1–11 more like a galaxy far, far away? Or does it influence how you think about the world?How does the rest of the Bible pick up and apply this new beginning?What are the parts of the world that Genesis 8:20–9:7 describe?What is the pattern of “world building” that is found here? How does that support your views of the world? How does that invite change?How is this new beginning after the Flood distinct from the first beginning in Genesis 1-2?What change did the exaltation of Christ bring to the world? And does that mean for us?How ought we to respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,As we come to Memorial Day weekend, we will take our time remembering that God remembered (Gen. 8:1).Indeed, in a world awash with sin, sorrow, loss, and longing, we sometimes wonder—aloud or in quiet desperation—does God remember? If God is for us, why does it seem like he is so long in coming, answering prayer, or changing circumstances? Equally, if our sin has resulted in consequences that we cannot fix, we might wonder –will God come and repair the damage?To all these questions and more, we cannot deny the fact that life in a fallen world is hard. And when we come to God's Word, we need to remember that God does not forget his promises or his people. Instead, he always comes to save, repair, and restore at just the right time.This Sunday, we will see just that, as 8 image-bearers on the ark are brought safely through the flood. After nearly a year, God brings Noah, his family, and the animals out of the ark and into a new world. And in this context, God begins again.To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Genesis 8–9. This will be our third trip through the story of Noah and this time we will focus on God's renewal of creation. Please pray for our time together, that we might delight in the God who remembers and who makes all things new.We also invite you to return in the evening for our screening of Is Genesis History? Mountains After the Flood at 6:00pm.As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.For His Glory and your joy,Pastor David----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 8:1-9:7)Consider the text for this week. What stands out to you?How long was the ark occupied? Consider the time from the beginning of the flood until they disembarked.What is Noah's first action after disembarking? How does relate to Genesis 4? And what does that teach us?Consider the parallels between Genesis 1 and this morning's text. What is repeated or modified when you compare God's blessing and instructions to Adam and then to Noah?Consider the promise of God (8:21–22). What kind of assurance does this provide?What is revealed about mankind's condition? What is affirmed about the image of God?How is mankind's relationship with creatures changed?Where do you see judgment followed by renewal in the Scriptures?What does renewal for the saints look like today? What does the Scripture promise about judgment and New Creation in the future?How ought we to respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,What does baptism have to do with the flood? Or to reverse it, what does the flood have to do with baptism?This Sunday, we will discover that baptism is not simply an ordinance that divides churches—do we baptize infants, or only believers? (The answer is believers

Dear OBC Family,At the end of the nineteenth century, Abraham Kuyper, the Dutch polymath who was at various times a pastor, theologian, editor, educator, and Prime Minister of the Netherlands, wrote a volume addressing common grace. Common grace is the doctrine that says God shows varying degrees of kindness to all creation, not just those who trust in Christ.And importantly, Kuyper shows how common grace is related to Noah and the covenant that God makes with him and through him to all creation. Indeed, as we will see over the next few weeks, this a covenant that continues today, as the rainbow bears witness to God's promise to never destroy the earth again with water.Yet, I wonder: when we see a rainbow do we remember Genesis 9 and the grace of God? Or do we think first and foremost about how the sun shown through a water droplet to create the array of colors? Or maybe we think of some legend related to leprechauns and gold? Whatever we think about, Kuyper is right to call our attention back to God and his Word. Many people, including pious children of God, behold and admire the rainbow without being aware of the underlying covenant that is so powerfully addressing them. For that reason, we must begin with placing the lofty significance of that Noahic covenant in more radiant light once again. It must come alive for us once again, address us once again, and become for us once again an essential component of the grace of God that sustains us. Indeed, we need to recover the rainbow, which today has undergone a transformation that this nineteenth century Christian could never have imagined. But more than restoring a proper understanding of the rainbow, we need know what the story of Noah tells us about God, his preservation of the world, and his plan of salvation. Beginning this Sunday, we will begin to see what the story of Noah is about and how the ark, the flood, the animals, and the rainbow, tell us something about salvation, baptism, creation, and covenant—to name only a few. Indeed, Genesis 1–11 gives us an inspired interpretation of the patterns that God used in the Bible and even today to bring his purposes to effect. And lest we misunderstand the Bible and our own time, we need to see carefully what Scripture says to us about Noah and his ark.To that end, I would encourage you to read Genesis 6–9 before Sunday and also to read a short article on typology. Typology is something we discussed in Sunday School a few weeks ago and it something that will repeat in the rest of Genesis. By definition, biblical types are historical persons, events, or institutions that are assigned by God to foreshadow later and greater realities that relate to the person and work of Jesus Christ. For us, it is impossible to read about Noah without seeing him as a type of Christ. And so, rehearsing what a type is will be helpful for you as you prepare for Sunday.In all, pray for God to open our eyes to see his plans of grace in the historical events of Noah. On Sunday we will begin looking at Genesis 6–9. And we will continue to fix our gaze on Christ through him for the next few weeks. As the Lord allows, I look forward to sharing insights with you from Genesis 6–9. May the Lord be glorified by our time together!For His Glory and your joy in Christ,Pastor David------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 6:9 – 7:10)Compare and contrast the description of Noah and the description of the earth (Gen 6:9-12, 2 Pet 2:5).What does it mean to walk with God? How does Scripture describe this?What does it look like for God's people to walk with Him? Consider what this looked like (1) before the Flood, (2) in the nation of Israel before Christ, and (3) today.How does Jesus describe the days of Noah (Matt 24:36-44)?What should we learn from God pronouncing his judgment (6:13), and providing instructions for the ark (6:41-21)?What characterizes Noah's obedience (6:22-7:5)?What is righteousness? How is Noah righteous? (See Gen 7:1; Heb 11:7).What does this narrative teach us about the justice and mercy of God? Do we live with a sense of the coming judgment of God? Why or why not?How should we respond to this text?As a reminder, if you'd like to know more about the biblical idea of giants, you can pick up a copy of Giants: The Sons of the Gods on the bookshelf. 

Dear OBC Family,On Sunday, we take the first step toward understanding the history of the flood—its causes, its characters, and its covenant. In particular, we will spend time looking at the strange statements found in Genesis 6:1–4. Who were the sons of God? Who were the daughters of man? Who were the Nephilim? How do they relate to one another? And how do they relate to us today? Those questions require care and attention, and we should pray for wisdom as we come to worship on Sunday.Indeed, it is easy to gloss over these verses as strange relics of a by-gone era, but as we will see there are important aspects of this story that we need to know. To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Genesis 6. You may also find help reading 2 Peter 2 and Jude. These two books look back at Genesis 6 and help us better understand how to read the Old Testament.Additionally, if you are interested in thinking more about how the New Testament reads the Old and how we should engage with extra-biblical passages, you may find this article helpful.For all of us, let us pray that the Lord who rules over all creation will pour out his mercy upon us as we gather in his name on Sunday. I look forward to seeing you there, as the Lord allows.For His Glory and your joy in Christ,Pastor David--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 6:1-8)What questions do you have after reading this text?The following questions are largely related to the “sons of God” and giants:What are the predominant views of the identity of the “sons of God”? How does the Old Testament use this phrase? (Consider who is in view in Deuteronomy 32:8; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7). As we look to Scripture to interpret Scripture, how does Jude 1:5-7 compare angels that sinned with Sodom and Gomorrah?What does Mark 12:25 teach us about angels and the saints in heaven? How does this apply (or nor apply) to Genesis 6?What giants do you see in Scripture? Consider the Nephilim (Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33) and the “sons of Anak” (Deuteronomy 1:28; 2:10; 9:2; Joshua 14:12-15; 15:13), and the Rephaim or Emim (Deuteronomy 3:11-13). Consider also Goliath (1 Samuel 17), his relatives, and their descendants (1 Chron 20:4-6; 2 Samuel 21:5-17). What repeated themes do you see?What do you find challenging about these texts, and why?As we read Genesis 6:1-8, what are the ways in which we observe God's judgment? Looking at the text, what provokes these judgments? How do these judgements change humanity?What characterizes man's heart, and why? What is the Bible's consistent message when it comes to mankind's condition?How should we understand the language of God seeing (Gen 6:5) and having regret (Gen 6:6)? How do we rightly interpret this text without denying the omniscience (Ps 139; Heb 4:12-13; 1 John 3:20) and immutability of God (Num 23:19; Mal 3:6; James 1:17)?How is Noah distinct from the rest of mankind? How can one find favor with God? Consider Noah (Heb 11:7; 2 Pet 2:5).What does this passage teach about God's world? God's son? Our salvation? What questions are left unresolved?

On Sunday, we return to our study of Genesis. And for those who have been waiting to hear about the Nephilim in Genesis 6, you'll have to wait one more week.For this Sunday, we have a genealogy to journey. And I say journey, because the names and events related to this list of figures is anything but boring. Indeed, from Seth to Enoch to Noah, we will see an important history that connects Adam to his faithful sons, on the way to a story of giants being destroyed by a global flood. That's next week (see more below).As we saw three Sunday's ago, the sons of Cain pursued all manner of wickedness in Genesis 4. But now, as the sons of Seth begin to call upon the name of the Lord, there is great hope that those who die in faith will be received by the Lord. Or at least, that is the situation for one man by the name of Enoch.Among the fathers named in Genesis 5, Enoch stands out as a turning point in the story. And more his ascension to heaven, as I will argue, promises mankind that death is not the only option. Instead, there is way of life that comes by walking with God. Yet, walking with God requires more than a daily quiet time, it requires spiritual warfare.For, as we will see, the generations before Noah are wicked and rebellious, much like our own generation. And thus, from the fighting faith of these fathers, we will see what it looks like to trust God amidst a generation who doesn't.To prepare for Sunday, read Genesis 5. But don't stop there. You will also be helped by reading Jude and Matthew 1. And for the more studious, you would be helped by reading 1 Enoch 6–16. As I mentioned three weeks ago, this passage is not found in the biblical canon, and I don't treat it as inspired by God and authoritative for doctrine. Nevertheless, this book clearly contributed to the worldview of the Jews in Jesus' day and was quoted by Jude (1 Enoch 1:9 = Jude 14–15). So knowing its contents will help you better understand Genesis 5:1–6:8, as well as the message of Christ's conquest over the powers and principalities.Furthermore, as we prepare to tackle giants next week, you might be helped by picking up a copy of Giants: The Sons of the Gods from the bookshelf. Or you can listen to Haunted Cosmos on Giants (Part 1, Part 2). Next week is going to be gigantic . . . and not just because of the Nephilim.This week and next we will see more clearly how great our risen Christ is! And so, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we come and worship our king, the one who reigns over all things in creation—things visible and things invisible too!For His Glory and your joy in Christ,Pastor David-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 5) When you read a genealogy in the Bible, what are you looking for? What are they used for? And how can you over-read them? Or under-read them?What comes before the genealogy in Genesis 5 and what comes after? How does the genealogy help us understand both sections? And vice versa?There are four key figures in the genealogy (Adam, Enoch, Lamech, Noah). What does the passage tell us about each? How does these vignettes add to our understanding of the passage?There are also minor figures (Seth, Jared, Methuselah). What do we know about them? What role do the names of these men play?What is the recurring theme in Genesis 5? What does death teach about God and his world? And how does the theme of death highlight Enoch's ascension?What is the relationship between the sons of Cain (Gen 4:17–24) and the sons of Seth (Gen. 5)? Look especially at the seventh generation. Cf. Jude 14–15.What connections does Genesis 5 have with the New Testament? Cf. Matthew 1:1–17; Hebrews 11:1–7; Jude 14–15.What do these connections tell us? What does it mean that Christ is a new Enoch?What other questions do you have? Are you ready to talk about giants (Nephilim) next week?