Podcasts about god genesis

February 22, 2026: Andrew Self

Walk With..."GOD"_ (Genesis 5:21-24/Jude 14-15/Hebrews 11:5-6)_Speaker: Paul Kumar

Message from Alvin Litonjua on February 22, 2026

Seeking the Things of God Genesis 41:1-36 Dr. Weston Brown More info @ covenantshreveport.org

Sermon preached by Pastor Adam Copenhaver on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

February 15, 2026: Cole Deike

Preacher: Pastor Jeremy Pynch Text: Genesis 29:31-30:24

Series: God's Promises, Our JourneyTitle: "Where do you go when you fail God?"Scripture: Genesis 12:10-13:04 NIV James 1:2-6Bottom line: When we fail God, we return to the place where we left his presence and start again.INTRODUCTIONCONTEXTSERMON OUTLINECONCLUSIONNOTESOUTLINESQUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DISCUSSION QUESTIONSMAIN REFERENCES USEDMy opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same. INTRODUCTIONMany of you know that last week we were online only due to the snow and hazardous roads. I was super encouraged by the number of people who tuned in as well. However, the most common feedback I got was interesting. Apparently, it looked like I was reading from the back of my Bible. But I was reading Genesis which is in the front of our Bibles. So, just to set the record straight, I was reading from the front of my Bible while my iPhone live-streamed the mirror-version of me reading. Some of you figured that out by looking at my rings or some other thing. I thought that was funny:-).So "Hero to zero" is a term that athletes sometimes use to describe when a player follows an amazing play with a boneheaded play. I see this in Ultimate Frisbee a lot. (And have done it too)You make an amazing, diving catch. The sidelines erupt with sounds of awe and groans of opposition. Then the player jumps up and instead of dropping it to the open handler poised to throw a scoring strike, they act on their inflated confidence and make a poor throw that ends up in the other teams hands. Hero to zero. The psychological term is overconfidence effect. I don't know if Abram is dealing with that but he definitely goes from a very high confidence in God to a very high confidence in himself.Let's read this together now.Shorter-God initiates redemption, calls us to trust Him without all the details, blesses us for the sake of the world, anchors us with His promises, and forms a people who respond with obedience, worship, and witness.Longer-God is the One who initiates redemption. He calls people before they understand all the details, inviting them to trust His voice and follow His lead. God's blessing is never merely personal—it is always meant to flow outward for the sake of others and ultimately for the nations. Along the way, God anchors His people in uncertain places with unshakable promises. And when God calls, His people respond—not perfectly, but faithfully—through obedience, worship, and public witness as they walk with Him step by step.CONTEXT**Genesis 12 marks a decisive turning point in the biblical story, as God initiates His redemptive plan through one man and one family, promising land, descendants, and blessing that will ultimately extend to all nations. God's promises are spoken clearly and graciously at the outset, calling Abram to leave what is familiar and trust God with an unknown future. Abram responds in faith, worship, and obedience, yet the chapter quickly reveals that walking in God's promises does not mean a flawless journey. Famine, fear, and failure follow obedience, exposing Abram's weakness and need for grace. Throughout the chapter, God remains faithful to protect His promise, preserve Sarai, and continue His purposes despite Abram's missteps. Genesis 12 therefore holds together both realities of our series, God's Promises, Our Journey: God's promises are unshakable, while the journey of faith is marked by growth, testing, and restoration rather than perfection.SERMON (influenced by W Wiersbe, Kent Hughes, and Bethancourt)Review last week:God Is the Initiator of RedemptionGod Calls His People to Trust Him Before They Understand HimGod's Blessing Is Never Merely Personal—It Is MissionalGod Promises to Anchor His People in Uncertain Times & PlacesGod's People Respond with Obedience, Worship, and WitnessTruth 1: Tests often follow triumphs. Moses gets Israel delivered from Pharaoh after the 10th plague followed by Pharaoh abusing the entire arm after them and trapping them against the Red Sea. God brought them through the Red Sea only to test them with no water in the desert. Then no bread. Then no meat.God's tests often come after triumph when we're tempted to think the victory was because of us--not God. We quickly forget God.Of course, God doesn't have us face the tests alone. He allows them for our good* and for his glory. God is with us so we don't have to be afraid.*James 1:1-12Application: So after a faith victory, expect a trial or test. Humble yourself instead of swelling with pride by thanking God and asking him to not let you forget who made that happen or who the source of that grace and provision is.Truth 2: Tests tempt us to run.Ex. People travel up and down I-95 from NY to FL asking for $$$ from people and churches because they're running from crisis only to travel back a year later.Ex. People move from one town to another trying to start over as if all their problems will stay behind. 12:10 Instead of staying (or even just asking God), Abram schemes his own plan. A plan with dangers and risks.We go "down" to Egypt not just topographically (elevation is lower in Egypt) but spiritually, in the Bible. (Abe, Mo, Joe)We go "up" to Jerusalem (where God lives) not just topographicaly (elevation is high) but spiritually, in the Bible. Application: When testing occurs, stay put until God tells you to go. Now, I've met with a lot of people who say God told them to go, even though their sitting in front of me in crisis. So this requires great discernment and prayer.Faith moves towards peace and hope.Unbelief moves towards restlessness and fear.Truth 3: God is great! Therefore, he's in control so I don't have to be; he is able.I am safer in a famine IN HIS WILL that in a palace OUT OF HIS WILL."The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you." (A saying)Abe failed his test with God. This lead to more problems! "When you enroll into the 'school of faith' you can't just drop out because of failure." -WWIt was the first nine weeks of my freshman year in high school. I'd just moved to Summerville 3 months before. And I just failed the first nine weeks of Alebra 1. I'd never failed any class or nine weeks before. I was scared to go home that day. My parents were concerned by supportive. We worked harder and I finished the year with a C average. I might have felt it was a little unfair since my teachers name was Mr. Phailer. But I digress...Abram went down to Egypt moving from trust to scheming/grasping.No altars built in Egypt.No calling on the name of the Lord in Egypt.No worship of God in Egypt.When we stop trusting God's word, we start leaning on man's wisdom. -WWHalf-truths are used to deceive. In the 10 commandments, it says do not commit false witness. Do not deceive others. Abram did that.Abram...Moves from trust to scheming or graspingMoves from confidence to fear ("I will" to "they will")Moves from "others" to selfMoves from bringing blessings to bringing judgmentTruth 4: God keeps his promises. God graciously brought him (them) through it all. Mainly because it would have ruined his promise. God rescued them from Pharaoh and sent them home well-provisioned. This foreshadowed the fleecing that would occur when Moses led Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea.Truth 5: Repentance leads to New Beginnings. When you stop trusting God's word and disobey, the only right thing to do is to go back to where you left him and make a new beginning. (1 John 1:9)Abram went back to his tent and altar in the Promised Land; to his life as a sojourner and stranger in this world.What was the big deal?! He came out well-provisioned and safe. It led to other problems with Lot Sarai paid a priceApplication: Never abandon your altar. Stay in fellowship with the Lord and his people no matter the crisis. Resist the temptation to run or isolate. Rest in his provision and protection found in his community. This is part of his covenant relationship we made with us. And he is faithful!CONCLUSIONBottom line: When we fail God, we return to the place where we left his presence and start again. A new beginning.God's promises are unshakable. They are for Abraham and they are for us through Jesus Christ. Will we have times of fear and doubt? Yes. Will God be there for us no matter what? Yes!How do we minimize the times of fear and doubt?We humble ourselves and review God's promises thanking God for them and resting in them. We continue our journey by grace through faith. When we get off track, we return to where we got off track and make another new beginning. We remember these truths and receive his blessings by obeying God's word, worship God himself, and being a blessing in word and deed daily. INVITATIONPeter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions: What is God saying to me right now?What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper. What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don't have to get too specific to give him praise.Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)PrayNOTES"Fellow believers (Abram's spiritual seed), when we truly believe the promises that are ours in Christ, when we truly understand and believe that we are seated right now in him in the heavenly places, when we understand that all things are ours in Christ, we will cease our grasping. As Alexander Maclaren put it:The less of our energies are consumed in asserting ourselves, and scrambling for our rights, and cutting in before other people, so as to get the best places for ourselves, the more we shall have to spare for better things; and Whereas Abram was living by taith, Lot was living by sight, much as Proram had lived in Egypt."-Alexander MacLaren, Hughes, pp. 200-201Illustration from last week:"I only have eyes for..."AN EXTRAORDINARY ANECDOTE comes to us from the annals of ancient Mideastern history. As the story goes, Cyrus, the great conqueror of the then known world including Babylon, had a general under his authority whose wife was suspected of treason. She was tried before a great and austere tribunal, found guilty, and sentenced to death. After the sentence was pronounced, the woman's husband (a general) made his way to Cyrus's throne and requested, “King Cyrus, please let me take her place.” Cyrus, in awe at what was transpiring before him, said to his court, “Can we terminate a love as great as this?” He then paroled the woman to her husband. As the couple left the court, the general said to his wife, “Did you see the benevolent look in Cyrus's eyes as he pardoned you?” The wife responded, “I only had eyes for the one who loved me enough that he was willing to die for me.”OUTLINESQUESTIONS TO CONSIDERWhat do I want them to know? Why do I want them to know it?What do I want them to do?Why do I want them to do it?How do they do this?DISCUSSION QUESTIONSDiscovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/Read the passage together.Retell the story in your own words.Discovery the storyWhat does this story tell me about God?What does this story tell me about people?If this is really true, what should I do?What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)Who am I going to tell about this?Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcastAlternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:Who is God?What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)What do I do? (In light of who I am)How do I do it?Final Questions (Write this down)What is God saying to you right now? What are you going to do about it?MAIN REFERENCES USED“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent HughesExalting Jesus in Genesis, by BethancourtThe Genesis Record, by Henry MorrisThe Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)Willmington's Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.orgThe Bible Project https://bibleproject.com“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)Claude.ai

Giving Our Bodies to God Genesis 39 Dr. Weston Brown More info @ covenantshreveport.org

Sermon Series: Noah     Speaker: Tony Billington      ________    Title: Our Different God   Text: Genesis 8:1 (Genesis 6-9)   __________   Main Idea: Because our God is different, God remembers us in Our Chaos.   __________   Application: Partner with God as an agent of order.    

Speaker: Richard Hong"Genesis: Encountering God"Genesis 28:10-22;www.risenhayward.com

How can a tough place like a desert can become a house of God where God is? Let's find out how Jacob found the house of God in the middle of desert. -Do you want to be an active member of 21c Moses? Then, consider becoming a 21c Moses Patreon! Click the link for more info: https://patreon.com/user?u=45306220&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link -If you want to donate to 21c Moses Ministry, please click the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=P4LC3BE2S3JGA -Please check our website: https://21cmoses.com ©2026 21c Moses #21cMoses #BibleTeaching #DailyBibleStudy

This message focuses on Abraham's response to God as God reveals himself as "God Almighty" and presents the covenant to Abraham. This give every believer an opportunity to exam their response to God.Scripture Reference:Hebrews 10:26-31

As this sermon unfolds, the focus will not simply be on what God has done in the past or what He will do in the future, but on how His unchanging mission shapes His people in the present. The mission of God did not end with Abraham, nor did it conclude with the vision in Revelation; it continues through those who belong to Him today.

Sermon on Genesis 48 titled Cross-Handed Grace of God. It was preached by Pastor Brian Hough on February 1st, 2026, at Manhattan Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Manhattan, Kansas. You can learn more at ManhattanPres.com

In this episode of Pray the Word on Genesis 37:36, David Platt emphasizes trust in God's mercy even when life seems to be falling apart.Explore more content from Radical.

"Holy Rest That Leads to God" Genesis 2:1-3 Rev. Dr. Alec Flynt

Though man lives in the valley of the shadow of death, he has hope because God's divine favor remains with man in God's presence and God's promises. 1. Creation and Blessing (Genesis 5:1-2) 2. Death Reigned (Genesis 5:3, 4-36; Romans 5:14) 3. Hope for those who walk with God (Genesis 5:22-24, 28-29)

The Serpent (Satan): The first lie, telling Eve she wouldn't die if she ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3).Abraham & Sarah: Abraham claimed Sarah was his sister twice, and Sarah denied laughing at God (Genesis 12, 18)..Samson: Lied multiple times about the source of his strength (Judges 16).Peter: Denied knowing Jesus three times out of fear (Matthew 26).Ananias & Sapphira: Lied to the apostles about giving all their money to the church (Acts 5 A Conversation With Alexandria August Cashapp Kimyrandolph

What does God's provision really look like? In Genesis 39, we follow Joseph through betrayal, temptation, false accusation, and imprisonment, and discover that God's provision is not defined by ease or comfort, but by His faithful presence. This message reminds us that God honors those who honor Him, even in the valley of temptation, and that His provision is never absent—even in the hardest places.

Speaker: Rob BerrethScripture: Luke 10:21-37Episode Overview:In this episode, we walk through Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:21–37 and confront the deeper question beneath the familiar story. When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus reframes the issue—not by narrowing the definition of neighbor, but by reshaping the kind of people His followers are meant to be. Grounded in the biblical truth that every person is made in the image of God, this message calls believers to a life of compassion, mercy, and neighbor-love without boundaries. Ultimately, the parable drives us beyond moral effort and toward Christ Himself—the true and perfect Neighbor who has shown mercy to us.Key Highlights:• Why Jesus redirects the question from “Who is my neighbor?” to “What kind of neighbor am I?”• How the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27) establishes the dignity and worth of every human life• The significance of compassion and mercy as defining marks of Christlike love• Why the Bible forms our identity before it gives us instructions• How seeing Jesus as the “best Neighbor” transforms how we love othersCall to Action:As you reflect on this passage, ask the Lord to examine your heart. Where have you drawn boundaries around compassion? Who is hardest for you to see as a neighbor? Return again to the mercy you have received in Christ, and allow His love to reshape how you see and respond to the people God places in your path—near and far.Redeemer Church211 Northshore Dr. Bellingham, WA 98226www.redeemernw.org

Preacher: Pastor John Schubert Text: Genesis 15

The image of God is our created purpose—the very reason we exist. But Genesis 3 records humanity's fall from this reality. So what does it mean now to live out our purpose? How can fallen man reflect the image of God today? Join Kelly as he looks to scripture for the answers to these questions.www.instagram.com/thehishillpodcast/www.hishill.orgkelly@hishill.org

Wrestling with God (Genesis 32). Pastor Ron Laney, Pleasant Grove Church, Carthage, MS. www.PleasantGrove.info  Pastor Ron's Message Notes:  Wrestling with God

Midland Evangelical Free Church Sermon Audio Midland, MI

Scripture: Genesis 24+ A life that experiences God is one oriented toward God's purpose.“…you might ask, “Why should God speak to me? What am I doing in life that would make him speaking to me a reasonable thing for him to do? Are we in businesstogether in life? Or am I in business just for myself, trying to ‘use a little God' to advance my projects?” – Dallas Willard, Hearing God.+ A life that experiences God is one of faith-filled action.+ A life that experiences God is one that is growing in prayer.Psalm 127:1

Sermon preached by Issam Saddy at the Evangelical Christian Church of Dubai on Genesis 13:2-18.

What does God do when we say "no" to him and his purposes? Can we, by our own rebellion and rejection of God, change or disrupt his plans in the world? In this second message in the Missio Dei series, we explore Genesis 11 and how our pride will not stop God's purposes. 

Mankind is the high point of God’s creation, made to rule over creation as his representatives.

Mankind is the high point of God’s creation, made to rule over creation as his representatives.

In this episode of Pray the Word on Genesis 17:3, David Platt teaches us to respond appropriately to God's glory and God's Word.Explore more content from Radical.

The Providential Hand of God | Genesis 39 SermonWhat if God's blessing doesn't look like escape, but endurance? In this powerful sermon from Genesis 39, we explore the doctrine of divine providence through the life of Joseph. Though Joseph moves from slavery to prison, Scripture repeatedly declares one unshakable truth: God was with him.This message explains how God sovereignly rules all things, works through ordinary circumstances, and remains faithful even when obedience leads to suffering. We examine how divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexist, why God is not the author of sin yet still overrules it, and how Joseph's story ultimately points us to the cross of Christ as the greatest example of providence.If you've ever wondered whether God is still at work in hardship, delay, betrayal, or injustice, this sermon offers deep biblical clarity and hope rooted in Scripture.Key Topics: Divine Providence, Genesis 39, Life of Joseph, God's Sovereignty, Christian Suffering, God's Will, Trusting God in Trials, Romans 8:28, Biblical Theology, Faithfulness Under Pressure

Pastor Jay Song

Pastor Jared Richard began 2026 with a new sermon series on Genesis, starting with Genesis 1:1–5 and 1:26-31. He set the context by imagining the Israelites in the wilderness after the Exodus, questioning who this God was who had rescued them from Egypt. Richard argued that Genesis 1 was written primarily to answer “who” questions about God rather than “how” questions about the mechanics of creation, though he acknowledged that those questions still have importance. The pastor identified four key attributes of God revealed in Genesis 1. First, God is eternal. He has no beginning and exists before all creation. Second, God is singular. He is one God with no equals or competitors, though Richard noted the early hints of the Trinity in the text. Third, God is Creator who made everything powerfully by speaking, purposefully with intentional design, and personally with intimate involvement in the process. Fourth, God is good. He makes good things, enjoys His creation, and invites us to share in that enjoyment. Richard emphasized that understanding these attributes of God helps believers rest in His faithfulness and promises, knowing that nothing can stop His plans for salvation and new creation.   WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you.   ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION. Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613   SERVICE TIMES Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM)!   CONTACT www.bayleaf.org (919) 847-4477 #BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration

In this episode of Pray the Word on Genesis 5:24, David Platt challenges us to imitate the life of Enoch, who walked with God.Explore more content from Radical.

Pray for One Another in Our Race Issues and Go Make a Difference in Our Communities; Jesus Followers Are Here for Times Like This MESSAGE SUMMARY: With regards to our race issues, it will NOT be through political parties, rallies, elections, slogans, or marches that our attitudes and practices are changed or the souls of our nations are converted. Rather, the deep change, which we all need, will only be through a spiritual awakening. This spiritual awakening will come only from repentance – the turning away from our sin and toward God and his righteous ways in Jesus Christ. As Jesus commanded us in John 5:12: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”. Also, in John 13:34-35, Jesus commanded us: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”. Jesus' “one another” is all inclusive and not just those that look like you and/or of your culture.   The Bible makes it unequivocally clear that we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27): “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”.  You can start real “racial change” right where you are -- in your own heart first and then in your own relationship with God. At that point, you can then lead the change your own community -- one person at a time; one relationship at a time; and one act a time. You can reach out and build a relationship with someone different than you. However, doing nothing is no longer an option for us.   Let us pray for one another about these things and let us get out and make a difference in our local communities. God has placed us here for such a time as this.     TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, fill me with the simple trust that even out of the most awful evil around me, you are able to bring great good — for me, for others, and for your great glory. In Jesus' name, amen.              Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 91). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Procrastination. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Self-Control. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Genesis 1:27; Revelation 7:1-17; Ephesians 2:19; John.13:35; Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:15; Psalms 103:12; Isiah 1:18. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Christmas Message” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

In this episode of Pray the Word on Genesis 1:27, David Platt explains how man was fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image.Explore more content from Radical.

Do you trust God? Is God even trustworthy? These are two of the most important questions a person can ever ask, and they are the questions Jay and George are discussing today. Listen to the guys talk about Abram as he learns of the absolute trustworthiness of God. Conformed to Christ aims to engage the mind, affect the heart, and call people to follow Christ. Additionally, our aim is to introduce and explain passages of Scripture and difficult theological doctrines in a down-to-earth and easy-to-grasp manner. Theology and the Bible should impact your life, and our goal is that we might play a small part in seeing that happen. Conformed to Christ is a ministry of Christ's Fellowship Church. https://cfclawton.org/ ***Be sure to subscribe on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, and Amazon Music YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCgQBeT-Mj1CmngPdhZyWybQ iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conformed-to-christ/id1503247486 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2NvbmZvcm1lZHRvY2hyaXN0L2ZlZWQueG1s Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YruCZu4hla6Ll3rBu7UPY

What is the appropriate response to Christmas? At its heart, Christmas is the grace of God appearing in flesh to die and defeat death for us so that we might have salvation through faith. What is the application of such a divine truth that has penetrated our hearts? The appropriate response is faith. But what exactly does that look like in our everyday lives? I hope you will make plans today to join us for one of our many worship opportunities this weekend. In Christ, Pastor Chad

In Our Race Issues, Pray for One Another and Make a Difference Through Repentance and Reconciliation; Jesus Followers Are Placed Here for These Times MESSAGE SUMMARY: With regards to our race issues, it will not be through political parties, rallies, elections, slogans, or marches that our attitudes and practices are changed or the souls of our nations are converted. The deep change, which we all need, will only be through revival that comes from repentance – turning away from our sin and toward God and his righteous ways in Jesus Christ. As Jesus commanded us in John 5:12: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”. Also, in John 13:34-35, Jesus commanded us: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”. Jesus' “one another” is all inclusive and not just those that look like you and/or of your culture. We do not have just a “skin problem”, we have a “sin problem”. As Dr. Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Church in Dallas Texas recently said: “The evangelical church needs to speak up where it has been silent on injustice and racism. The biggest problem, in the culture today, is the failure of the church. We would not even have a racial crisis in America if the church had not consistently failed to deal with racism as the severe sin it is. But because the church has historically ignored and downplayed it {racial crisis}, the issue still exists. Where the church is called to set an example, we have cowered.”. The Bible makes it unequivocally clear that we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27): “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”.  Any hostility between brothers and sisters in Christ is an affront to God and damages our souls and the “blessed community” so many of us seek. You can start real “racial change” right where you are -- in your own heart first and then in your own relationship with God. At that point, you can then lead the change your own community -- one person at a time; one relationship at a time; and one act a time. You can reach out and build a relationship with someone different than you. However, doing nothing is no longer an option for us. Let us pray for one another about these things and let us get out and make a difference in our local communities. God has placed you and me here for such a time as this.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I can relate to the Israelites in the desert and their desire to return to what is predictable — even if it is miserable. Change is hard. Grant me the courage of Moses to walk the delicate balance of being still and moving on to the new life in Christ that you have for me. In Jesus' name, amen.       Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 72). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Past Failures. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Grace. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Genesis 1:27; Revelation 7:1-17; Ephesians 2:19; John.13:35; Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:15; Psalms 103:12; Isiah 1:18 WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Christmas Message – What God Has Done For Us” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

This week, we will be studying Genesis 37 under the theme “Big Dreams, Much Pride, and a Sovereign God.” We see Joseph's pride and his father's favoritism create a toxic environment where his brothers' envy boils over, resulting in his betrayal and being sold into slavery. In the midst of this profound evil and suffering, the account reveals the unwavering sovereignty of God, who is working even through the worst human actions, our deepest valleys of suffering, and our most confusing detours to accomplish his purposes.Series Summary: Our fall worship series will lead us through the Book of Genesis, arguably the most profound, insightful text in human history. Over this series, we'll uncover how the narratives of Genesis reveal God's design for creation, humanity, relationships, and purpose. We'll explore truths that continue to shape our lives today, from the Garden of Eden to the promise of redemption.Add St. Marcus as your church on the Church Center App!Fill out our online connection cardHow can we pray for you? If you'd like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.