Podcast appearances and mentions of Gordon J Wenham

====================================================SUSCRIBETEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpffyr-7_zP1x1lS89ByaQ?sub_confirmation=1==================================================== DEVOCIÓN MATUTINA PARA JÓVENES 2025“HOY ES TENDENCIA”Narrado por: Daniel RamosDesde: Connecticut, USAUna cortesía de DR'Ministries y Canaan Seventh-Day Adventist Church===================|| www.drministries.org ||===================17 de JunioCuestión de conveniencia«Mientras Labán fue a otra parte a trasquilar sus ovejas, Raquel le robó sus ídolos familiares». Génesis 31: 19La huida de Jacob de la casa de su suegro constituyo uno de los episodios bíblicos más fascinante. Sí, asi como acabas de leer, Jacob huyó de su suegro.En medio de este relato, encontramos una nota intrigante: «Mientras Labán fue a otra parte a trasquilar sus ovejas, Raquel le robó sus ídolos familiares» (Génesis 31: 19, la cursiva es nuestra). Aunque se supone que toda la familia de Jacob adora a Jehová, Raquel, sin embargo, hurta los ídolos de su padre. ¿Qué motivó a Raquel a cometer tal acto y qué lección podemos extraer de este episodio?En su comentario sobre Génesis, Gordon J. Wenham señala tres posibles razones para el hurto de los ídolos: (1) Los ídolos eran un amuleto de protección para el viaje a Canaán. (2) Tener los ídolos le daba el derecho de reclamar la herencia de Labán. (3) La mayoría de los dioses paganos estaban asociados a la fertilidad. Dado que Raquel no podía tener hijos (ver Génesis 30: 1), es posible que hubiera robado los ídolos en su búsqueda de la fertilidad.Si te fijas en las tres posibles razones que motivaron a Raquel a robar los ídolos de Labán, la lección del relato se torna obvia. Las tres implican algún tipo de beneficio para Raquel. Ese es el modus operandi del pecado. Nadie se despierta un día y decide dedicar su vida al pecado y perderse. El cambio siempre es lento y gradual, y comienza cuando creemos que estamos ganando algo con el pecado.En el Edén, Eva creyó que obtendría sabiduría (ver Génesis 3: 6), pero encontró la muerte. Acán creyó que estaba obteniendo un manto, doscientas monedas de plata y un lingote de oro, pero condenó a muerte a treinta y seis israelitas (ver Josué 7). Judas creyó que estaba ganando treinta monedas de plata, pero en realidad estaba traicionando al Hijo de Dios.Así que la próxima vez que llegues a la conclusión de que obtendrás algún beneficio al traicionar tus principios y fallarle a Dios, recuerda las palabras del Sabio: «Hijo mío, si los pecadores quieren engatusarte, ¡dales la espalda!» (Proverbios 1: 10, NTV). 

This week we look at Jordan Peterson on Trans children; Supreme Court judge questions whether biological sex exists; Sweden bans OnlyFans;  The sad perversity of Annie Knight; North Korean ship sinks;  Andrew Neil on Starmer and the lies of the UK government; Lucy Connolly and two tier justice; Country of the week - Japan;  China invented rockets; French MPs pass euthanasia bill; Frank Skinner - the Catholic comedian; White actors forced to take anti-oppression course; Brazilian tribe sues the New York Times; 1940's Pride and Prejudice;  Trump and the EU;  London Police arrest Jewish man for offending Hezbollah; Christian Jew assassinated in Washington; Liverpool and Hamburg attacks; Chinese Communists seek to control Church; Gordon J Wenham; Feedback and the Final Word - with music from Steely Dan; Disturbed; John Lennon; Mumford and Sons; The Lightening Seeds;  The Bach Collegium; and the Simon Kennedy band.  

How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast.  If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner Today I'm talking about the tools you need to become a multiplying disciple.  When you think of a mechanic, a home builder or a surgeon, you naturally think of the tools they need to accomplish their task.  If you want to build the Kingdom, save lives for eternity and repair and supercharge your relationship with God, you will need to invest in tools that will help you get the job done.  I'm going to share some of the tools that have helped me the most. Transcript for: The Tools of a Multiplying Disciple My 1997 Honda Civic needed a new clutch.  It was slipping and my mechanic friend told me it was going to cost a couple of thousand dollars to replace.  That was more than I had at the time and so I decided I would do it myself.  I've never been much of a “shade tree mechanic.”  I had changed the oil a few times and that was about it.  I started asking around and a few people in the church encouraged me to try doing it myself and two older brothers said that would help me and offer advice.  The problem was that I didn't have any tools to work on a car.  I was told to go to Harbor Freight Tool Store.  Harbor Freight is like Toys “R” Us for men.  It's got every tool for every job you can imagine, painting, car repair, car body work, house repair.  If you have a project, you need to go to Harbor Freight.  My wife absolutely hates the store as much as I dislike walking into a Hobby Lobby home goods store or an Ulta cosmetics store.  I walked into Harbor Freight and bought everything I needed to change the clutch, a floor jack, jack stands, a clutch pulling tool, a wheeled floor crawler for getting under the car and a 300-piece mechanics tool set with all the wrenches and sockets I needed for any car job.  It took me about a week to change the clutch.  With the advice of the two older brothers and hours of watching YouTube videos, I finally got it back together and back on the road.  It was a fantastic feeling.  Not just having an operating car again, but viewing myself as a person who is capable of fixing mechanical problems.  All I needed was good advice and the right tools for the job. Becoming a multiplying disciple also demands the right tools if you want to be successful in walking with God and saving souls.  The Apostle Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 to, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”  Timothy needed to prepare for the work he was called to do.  He needed to have the right life, doctrine and tools necessary to get God's will done.  If you want to grow in your spiritual skills, you need to get the right tools for the job.  Here are the ones that help me the most: ·         The first thing to buy when building your spiritual tool kit is a paper study Bible.  God's word is by far the most powerful tool on your tool belt.  As I shared earlier, I started with a Zondervan Study Bible that had commentary notes embedded below the scriptures.  It increased my comprehension of God's word dramatically.  You don't need a combined commentary/Bible, but a large, easy to read Bible will provide you the space to take notes, highlight and dig into.  ·         Good books and spiritual books.  Look at how valuable books were to Paul in 1 Timothy 4:13, “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.”  I already covered this in an earlier chapter, but a few classic books and biographies will inspire and equip you. ·         Bible App.  The Bible App is a great free resource that combines in one location tools that in the past demanded multiple tools.  It works as a great concordance so you can find scriptures.  I use it when I don't have my paper Bible with me.  I probably use it the most for listening when I go for a walk in the morning.  I like having the Bible read to me and that is the way most people in the past “read” the Bible.  It also offers many other Bible study tools and series that I rarely use. ·         Gospel Study Series.  I rarely leave the house without my Bible and “Disciple's Handbook.”  This is a book printed in the nineties that includes a gospel study series that covers the first principles of the faith.  Whenever I lead a Bible study, I use it to guide my discussion.  The version I have has a leather cover and was printed in the Philippines.  If you want to multiply disciples, you need a tool for guiding a seeker from initial interest to belief, repentance, baptism and the first year of discipleship.  There are also first principles apps that can be used.  ·         One volume commentary.  My friend, John Lusk, gave me a one-volume commentary when I was a younger Christian.  It was incredibly helpful in getting deeper into God's word and offered more insight than the study Bible I had.  I would recommend one like the “New Bible Commentary” by Gordon J. Wenham.  Instead of multiple volumes, it covers the entire Bible in one book.  ·         Commentary set.  Once you are ready to move on from a one-volume commentary and you are starting to prepare Bible discussions and sermons, you will need multi-volume commentaries.  I have several that I used in preparing my Sunday sermons.  The first one I start with is the Tyndale New Testament Commentary set.  This series is inexpensive and basic, but it's very readable and offers a great first approach to any New Testament passage.  The second commentary I read after the Tyndale is The New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament.  These commentaries are too expensive to buy in a set, so when I'm preparing to go through a series on Genesis or Matthew, I buy that specific volume that covers the book or letter I'm preaching on.  It offers great insight and a modern writing style.  The third commentary set I read in preparing for a sermon is the Pulpit Commentary Set.  This set was written in the late 1800's and it's prose can be a little tough to read at times, but I love it because it is written for preachers in particular.  It offers sermon outlines, ideas, illustrations and applications that are super handy for sermon preparation.  Some of my friends don't like this series because it's a little more difficult to read, but it's always my last reference before preaching a good sermon.  Many times, it has helped me come up with outlining and providing subject headings for a particular passage.  You can buy the entire series for a little over $400.  I bought it in the early 90's for $199.  ·         Audible.com.  Leaders are readers.  Often the only way I can find the time to read the books I'm in is by listening to them.  The best service I've found is Audible.com.  I listen to great books while walking, working out or driving.  Another benefit is that my family can share my audio library with me. ·         Journal.  I've gone back and forth between paper journals and digital.  Most recently I've kept a journal on a Microsoft Word document.  I started it in 2017 and use the same file and just keep adding to it.  This file has grown to over 700 pages   I borrowed the following questions from Tim Ferris and expanded them a little.  They serve as an outline and memory jogger: §  I am grateful for: §  Daily affirmations, I am… §  Three amazing things that happened yesterday §  How could I have made yesterday better? §  Goals §  What would make today great? §  10 ideas This takes me about five minutes and helps me keep track of where I'm trying to go in my life and what I can work on.  My advice is to use whatever journaling tool that you will actually use and stick with. ·         Clipboard and yellow pad.  I can't really function without my clipboard and yellow lined pad.  This is as “old school” as it gets.  The reason I like it is that I'm a chronic list person.  When I sit at my desk and meditate or pray, I keep it next to me with a pen and when the Spirit brings up an idea, I immediately write it down on my pad so I won't forget it.  I'm not a naturally organized person and without writing things down, I often forget what I need to get done.  Studies show that writing things down by hand actually improves your memory and recall.  A Chinese proberb says, “The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory.”  You can use your phone or phone app or something else, but whenever God gives you an idea, make sure you take that thought captive and put in on paper or somewhere you can recall it later.  ·         G-2 pens.  I've tried all sorts of different pens and have landed on the Pilot G-2 07 blue pen as my favorite.  It's inexpensive and super smooth flowing.  I buy them in a large bundle from Amazon.  ·         3x5 cards.  I absolutely love 3x5 cards.  They can't be beat for versatility and utility.  I use them to keep track of the people I'm reaching out to.  I don't like putting people's names into my phone until they get baptized because it's so easy to get lost in my contacts.  I write someone's name down, their phone number and what I know about them and then every time I call, text or study with them I put the date.  I have 3x5 cards from people I met, followed up with, studied with and baptized.  It's so encouraging.  I also use them for memory scriptures and inspiring quotes.  I use them often at our midweek gatherings when I ask for prayer requests or ideas for the ministry.  They are super cheap, disposable and incredibly portable and helpful. ·         Invitation cards.  Invitation cards make it much easier to share your faith.  There is so much natural reluctance to reaching out that I can't imagine going without this handy tool.  I read a book on evangelism that compared it to handing out tickets to heaven.  One card can change a life.  Yet, without an invitation card, you are forced to rely on your natural conversational skill and inventiveness to get into a conversation and then steer it toward God.  With a card it's as simple as, “Hi, I go to a great church and I'd love for you to come!”  If the person has any openness, they may take that first step.  ·         Freedom.  Freedom.to is a web blocking software that I use to increase my ability to focus.  If I want to write a book, prepare a sermon or podcast, or do anything else that demands sustained attention, the first thing I do is turn on Freedom for 45 minutes and it keeps me from going to distracting or damaging websites.  It's a game-changer for me and one I'd recommend to anyone who wants to be able to concentrate on big projects. ·         Ear Plugs.  I can't live without Mack's Ultra Soft earplugs.  I started using these when my wife allowed our pug, FSBO “Fizbo”, to sleep on our bed at night.  He had a nasty snore and I got into the habit of using earplugs.  I found out they are also incredibly handy for screening out other noise when I'm working at my desk.  I need tools that keep me focused on my work.  They are very cheap and super handy.  The only problem is that my new pug, “Rocky”, slips into my office and eats the ear plugs.  I wonder where they all went and then I find them in my back yard after they have passed undigested through her GI tract! ·         Walking shoes.  I've gotten into the habit recently of walking for three miles.  It accomplishes three things at once.  It's good exercise and burns around 300 calories.  I listen to the Bible on audio for the first thirty minutes and then I pray on the thirty minute return leg.  You need good walking shoes.  I'm currently using Hokas, but I also like any Nike running shoe brand. ·         Airbuds.  Airbuds create time in your life that you didn't know existed.  Time while driving, working out, walking or working is time you can be learning or developing new skills.  I rarely turn on my car without first plugging in my Airbuds and turning on a book on Audible.  I recently finished a 130+ hour listen to “The Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire” by Edward Gibbon.  There is no way I'd have time to read this 2,100 page monster if it were in book form, but I can fit it into the “cracks” in my life and benefit from great writing and excellent narrators.  Prioritize reading over listening to music. ·         Purity accountability software.  I use accountable2you.com software to provide “guard rails” against pornography on the internet.  It sends a weekly report to a couple of friends showing my viewing habits.  I wish I didn't need accountability but here's how God views the human heart, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”  Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT. I know God will hold me accountable.  I need to hold myself accountable. ·         Private location.  Every disciple needs a private place to meet with God.  You need your own desk or chair that gives you the privacy and space to connect with God.  I like a good desk and even enjoy having sidewalls that keep me focused on the work at hand.  A cubicle style of desk assists in concentration. ·         A good desk that is organized.  I can't get anything done if my desk is dirty.  I have to keep everything as organized as possible. ·         Spiritual and personal development conferences.  In the summer of 2022, prior to our family of churches' World Discipleship Summit in Orlando, I also attended a church leadership conference that was happening the week before.  I learned some things and gained some fresh insights.  Though theologically there are some differences, I want to learn from people who are growing and developing their skills.  Pay the money and travel wherever needed to grow personally.  You can learn from so many different people and sources.  These are only some of the tools that I use to help me walk with God and seek and save the lost.  Don't be afraid of investing in yourself and your walk with God.  I read somewhere that you should spend 3% of your income on tools for your personal development.  Anything you spend on yourself to grow closer to God and save souls is an investment that has dividends reaching into eternity.  Don't hesitate to spend.  I hope this will help you to invest in tools to help you grow. 

Pastor Brian DrakeTEXT: Genesis 6:9-8:19BIG IDEA: God makes new beginnings with His people through judgment, to faithfully fill the earth with His image.OUTLINE: 1. Saved FROM What? (6:9-22) 2. Saved BY What? (7:1-8:1) 3. Saved FOR What? (8:2-19)RESOURCES: From Paradise to the Promised Land, an Introduction to the Pentateuch by T. Desmond Alexander; Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Pentateuch by Gordon J. Wenham; The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Genesis 1-11 ed. Andrew Louth; The Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Genesis 1-11 ed. John Thompson; Kidner Classic Commentaries: Genesis by Derek Kidner; Preaching Christ from Genesis by Sidney Greidanus; The Bible Speaks Today: The Message of Genesis 1-11 by David Atkinson

Pastor Ross preaches on Genesis 3:8-15. Eve and the Serpent Slayer Sticky: Jesus took all our blame so that God could heal all our shame. Intro Not many of us want to be open and share our sins and failures with others. I remember over the summer as there were so many transitions happening in my life, noticing that I have a frustration and anger problem, especially when things didn't go my way. It looked like me stewing and ruminating and being consumed by things, even for a whole day. Yet, none of you, save my wife, have ever seen it or know about it. Why? Because, like all of us, I've learned to cover it up and hide my sins and failures. I've seen something similar in our church community where people who are stuck in pattern of sin and shame don't come forward and ask for help, but withdraw and hide. What if I told you that a similar pattern of hiding when we fail dates all the way back to our first parents? It's nothing new. And that this tendency continues to wreak havoc on our relationship with God and other people in our community? In our passage today, God provides a solution to this problem. I invite you to join me in Gen 3:8-15 as we walk through this story: Context Left off a low point in history: “very good” and “naked and unashamed.” Adam failed to “guard.” A beast he's supposed to rule comes and rules him and his wife. They question God's goodness and then disobey him. They committed treason. Now God shows up… 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. They are putting together clothes from leaves. “We can fix this” Suddenly, they hear what fills them with dread, God approaching. How wonderful to live in garden with God? Yet, something is different this time. Fear and panic fill the humans. “In the cool of the day” could be breezy time at night. Humans used to walking with God. Disobedience has changed their perception of God. Disobedience has changed God's role, judge.[1] Sad reality: Humans are fleeing from God's presence, what they should want more than all. Yet, they can't escape God. He's going pursue them, yet it's surprising how he does. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” We might expect God to condemn or destroy rebellious humans. Instead, he asks a question. Notice whom God asks, the man. Why? God created man first, gave him the command, God gave the man more authority and accountability. God holds him responsible first. In Bible, having authority not about privileges or controlling others. It's about others flourishing. So, Adam's wife falls and all their children will be born into fallen world, Adam must answer. “Where are you?” Not unaware, but drawing attention to fact Adam is fleeing. Highlight gulit. By asking question, God giving Adam a chance to respond. Amazing in itself. Do you see? God is patiently pursing Adam, leaving a way out. God provided everything so far. Could provide in this moment of greatest need. How does Adam respond? 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Adam gives a guarded answer. Says that's God's presence scares him now. Because he knows he's naked. Adam's voicing something new, he has a sense of shame. Tells true things, yet does not reveal everything. How many of us respond similarly? This is not the complete answer God was seeking, and in his goodness he presses on. 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” God's first question draws attention to fact that Adam would not know he's naked w/o sin. God's second question directly confronts Adam for his sin and beckons him to confess his sin. God's direct questions about sin are a loving way for him to confront sinful Adam. God's question leaves Adam at point of decision: continue fleeing from God or flee to God? 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” This makes me sad. Does not admit sin; throws wife under bus. Treats greatest treasure as a scape goat. Tries to sacrifice her for his sins. Sin spoils intimacy with one another (not just God). Turns against wife to save self. Be watchful of blaming others for your sins. We try to clear our sin by blaming. You? Blames not woman, but God. When use our circumstances or God as excuse for sin, this is us. Do you ever have this response? I was stuck here this summer, justifying anger by circumstances. We blame spouse, parents, our circumstances. All these impact, but none decides. Key to restoration is coming to grips with the reality that only we can decide to sin for self. Why? As long as we are blaming someone or something, we can't come to God for mercy. How will God respond at this moment? 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” God moves onto Eve. Not affirming Adam right, but moved on because Adam hardened heart. God patiently pursues, but if we persistently harden, God withdraws. Don't harden your heart. How will the woman respond? Another tragedy: she learned to blame others from her husband.[2] Husbands: Be warned, your family is learning how to respond when you sin. Parents: be warned; your kids are learning from you how to respond to sin. God also moves on from Eve since she demonstrates the same hardness of heart. 14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. God's treats serpent differently: no questions, no chance to respond, only condemnation. Rightly so: serpent (who is Satan) already in open rebellion and had worked to ruin creation. “Because you have done this” = you influenced the humans to disobey me “Cursed are you…” Judgment from God will befall this serpent beyond all others. This is not specifically snakes; it's Satan whose inhabiting snake. When we see snakes slither, it's a picture. What's it a picture of? Total defeat; being under the feet of others.[3] Quite a statement since the serpent has victory thus far. Promise will clarify how serpent will lose. 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” “enmity” = hostility. There will be a conflict or a war that unfolds.[4] As part of curse, serpent will face hostility from woman's offspring (and he'll continue with his). Why is this conflict between Eve and the serpent rather than Adam? At this point, Adam begins to fade. It's likely God meant to be leader of humans. Since he failed, humans need a new one. That's where offspring comes in. Offspring is ambiguous- in other passages. Especially, a single male offspring B/c 3rd singular. He will replace Adam and become the new leader of human race. God promises, “he will bruise…” There will be combat between them. Offspring bruises head of serpent (language that suggests decisive fatal blow). Serpent bruises heel of offspring (language that's unclear if it's fatal or not. Though this sacrificial, wounded offspring, God promises to bring a fatal blow to the serpent, and therefore to undo the effects of his works on the humans and the world. Adam and Eve (and all) need this promised one more than anything in the world. Story of Bible is full of failed humans. Generation after generation succumbs to serpent. My life is a story of a human who has failed. So is yours. All reject and disobey God at some point, all save one. When we get to Jesus of Nazareth, Luke introduces as “…the son of Adam, the son of God.” He's the new Adam; the new leader; who can defeat the serpent. In Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, we see a man who fought relentlessly against the works of the devil, overcame them in all kinds of people, and never once did the serpent's will. Jesus never blamed anyone for his sin (because he never had sin!); instead, he took the blame of others on himself. That's how he defeated the serpent.[5] He died on the cross to bear the blame and shame of his people, so that sin and the serpent could no longer separate his people from God. MP: “Jesus took all our blame so God could heal all our shame.” Because of Jesus, shame no longer controls; don't need to find something/someone to blame. B/C Jesus took our blame, we don't have to try to sacrifice others for sins by blaming (or God); he already took our blame. In this community: we have the freedom to be open and talk about our sins and failures with one another. We can expose them to God and one another and therefore God can heal us. In the context of trust where we share with God and one another that God forgives and heals. When that happens, Jesus starts undoing works of Satan before our eyes: We get restored intimacy with God instead of separation and with neighbor instead of separation. Distrust severs intimacy. God uses trust and openness to renew it. (When you sin, you end up not only distant from God but from community). If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, Jesus is offering to take all your blame… If you are a follower of Jesus, He is inviting you to confess your sin to God and others. Don't run. Share with your spouse, your MC, your DNA. Proverbs 28:13, Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Every time we sin, we find ourselves standing before God in the garden. Rather than pronouncing condemnation, he's asking, “what have you done?” patiently pursuing you to return. Conclusion: We sit in history between Jesus's first and second comings. He came once to defeat the serpent; he will come again to crush entirely. As we live and wait for Jesus, we continue fight against the influence of the serpent in this world. Oh, we want him to come back and rid the world of Satan and death forever. Let's go to the Lord together in prayer. Try to think of one thing God wants you to confess to him and to confess to someone else. You can do that now or you can do that later when the time is right… Benediction 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Co 13:14. [1] Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 1–15, vol. 1, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1987), 76. [2] John Calvin, Calvin's Commentary on Genesis., trans. Henry Beveridge, vol. 1 (BakerBooks, 2009), 165. [3] John H. Sailhamer, The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary, ed. Gary Lee (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 106. [4] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005). [5] D. A. Carson, The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2010), 37.

Ross Tenneson Genesis 2:1-15 Work in Eden and Work in Exile Into: Good morning, church. So glad we get to open God's word together and keep walking through the book of Genesis. Last week, Pastor Sam helped us paused and meditate on the phrase, “male and female he created them.” Now we move on to the next part of the story: Sometimes, our jobs can feel pointless or toilsome. I used to manage group homes. On occasion my overnight staff would call in sick. If I couldn't find someone to replace them, I would have to be awake all night suddenly without planning on it. By the morning, I would feel more like a zombie than a human. The toil of our work we all experience prompts us to consider: Why do we work? Are our jobs a good gift God gave us or a result of the fall? We want to answer this question because we spend so much of our waking hours at work. Day after day, year after year, work takes up so much of our adult lives. The story we area walking through will help us to answer these questions. Where we left off God had just finished making humans, the crown jewel of his creation. Creating humans brought his creation to completion. Now, we get to see the first thing God does after finishing his world: Revelation: 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. Heavens and earth = the spaces God made for his creatures to inhabit. Hosts = inhabitants. Verse 2 is going to show us what finishing all these things leads God to do: 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. After God creates; he rests. Rest = “cease/stop.” God stops working. Why is God resting? Is he tired? He didn't get tired! Rest is not a nap. Rather, space for intimacy w/creation and enjoying what he has accomplished. Rest can look like sleep or laying on the couch, or it can look like a holiday w/ family. This is a time to enjoy V.3 shows us more, 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. God does two things because he rests on this day: he “blessed” it and “makes it holy.” God has blessed creatures, now he blesses a day. Blessed = to fill with life. This day especially filled with the enjoyment of God's good creation. God set aside a day to enjoy what he made. “made it holy:” first time in the Bible God makes something holy. When God makes something holy, he sets a boundary around it to fill it with himself (holy ground). What's that saying about this day? On seventh day, God is sharing himself with his world, he's taking time to be fully present. What he did in creation was astounding (making everything); what he does in rest more astounding. When dad works, he does amazing things, but not as amazing as coming home and kids jumping in arms. Something missing? “and there was evening and there was morning…” Why? God designed to be an endless day. Story begins with eternal life.[1] How amazing? So much to learn here! Pastor Scott preached a sermon titled, “Sabbath.” One application: God draws clear boundaries between work and rest. One things we should learn: so should we. In our culture (partially enabled by technology), we rest when we should be working and work when we should be resting. We often escape from our work through the internet and our devices. Then, through those same devices, take work home with us in the form of email and texting. We end up not truly working and not truly resting. We neither produce great things nor feel rested. Makes life feel bluh. God sets an example by dividing work from rest as the final boundary he draws. When we let work be work and rest be rest, both our work and our rest can flourish. We can use our gifts at our jobs to accomplish much, and we can feel deeply recharged emotionally, physically, and spiritually. With that in mind, let's see how the story keeps developing from here in V. 4, 4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. How many of you agree this is a strange way to continue the story? That's because it is, for us. Normal for Genesis. Phrase: “these are the generations of…” repeats 11x in Genesis. Introduces new part of the story. Usually parents à children (successive generations frames the story).[2] This one is not about parents/children, rather about what God brough through the earth. In what follows, you might think: “this is a lot of Genesis 1 but from a different perspective.” Bingo. Zooms in and tells the story of the creation of humans in greater detail. It's that important. Gen 1:1–2:3 is like a global view of what God did (into). Gen 2:4 zooms in on the characters locally on the characters we will follow (chapter 1). So let's follow that story, 5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— New information we have not learned yet: there are parts of the earth that are uncultivated. “field” = wilderness. Part of God's purpose is for man to cultivate it. God describes “the field” in terms similar to the earth in 1:2, “without form and void.”[3] Just as God's work consisted of forming an inhabitable place into a good home, so will man's. One clue in the story that work is a high and holy calling. First time “Lord God” in text: introduction to God's personal name as this story and what follows more personally introduces him.[4] 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. “Formed” = potter.[5] God forms man from the “dust of the ground.” Hebrew for “Adam” = “Adam.” Hebrew for “ground” = “Adamah.” Deep connection. “breath of life,” like putting his mouth up to mans and breathing how own life. Deep connection.[6] Could not have humbler or higher beginnings. One hand: dirt creatures,[7] utter dependence. On other: God who spoke universe into existence personally breathed life into us. Something of both earth and heaven in humans. Bridges. We will see more of this as we go… 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. Forming his most special creature prompts God to make a special home. What a home: “Garden” = orchard.[8] “In Eden” = “the happy land.”[9] God places man there to flourish (like a plant). 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Tree “in midst” = “tree of life.” Who gives life? God. Tree represents God's life-giving presence. Garden is also “holy” (God is sharing himself there). Garden meets human need for food and greater need for God's presence. Whether 7th day, or tree of life, story is full if pictures of God moving close to people. Dwelling not distant. Daniel will address tree of knowledge of Good and Evil in future sermon. Further pictures of a place overflowing with life: 10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. God makes a river flow through Eden and his garden to water it. God's sustaining his garden. Then he creates four rivers to branch off and water the land around. God makes the life-giving power of water flow out from the garden to the lands around it.[10] The idea of life flowing out from the garden continues in verse 15: 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. God has a purpose: to work and keep it. God is a worker who gives his highest creature a job like him. When God works in Gen 1, it's ordinary word for work.[11] God is the first worker who gives humans the gift of work; so, all work has dignity. Both humans and our work have value because God created both. Whether you have the most menial job, we tend to think of flipping burgers, or the most prestigious job, we tend to think of the CEO of fortune 500, all work has dignity. As long as it's a job that actually helps humans thrive and find life (some industries are destructive). All work has dignity, because all work is accomplishing the same thing God did at the beginning: making this planet an increasingly hospitable and good home for humanity. And that's a good thing. If you help stock shelves are target or provide research for your company, you're helping this world be a better home for people and that's a good thing. Tim Keller: “Work did not come in after a golden age of leisure. It was part of God's perfect design for human life.”[12] All those hours you spend at work are not unimportant. God has great purpose for them. Closer look at Adam's job to work and keep it: Means something along the lines of “cultivate the orchard and protect it from threats.” To what end? Seems like as Adam works and keeps garden, it will expand outward, possibly until it covers the whole world. Mandate God gives humans in 1:28 is to “fill the earth and subdue it.”[13] This seems to be a picture of how that happens: By cultivating a life-giving garden until it spreads it's life all over the world. The garden is the place where God dwells, so covering the world with the garden will cover it with the glory and presence of God. Could God have given Adam a more remarkable job? Adam is a bridge between heaven and earth and he is supposed to bring heaven to earth by spreading this garden where God is everywhere. This was God's heart and vision for work originally. Not how things remained: Adam failed to protect the garden God entrusted him from a lying serpent. It deceives him and his wife and they sin and God removes Adam and Eve from his garden and curses the ground. Garden/ground; Eden/exile. Blessing mixed with curse. Ever since Adam, toil has filled our work. Instead of just sustaining life, work saps and drains life from us. Under the curse, we not longer live in order to work, we have to work in order to live.[14] Do you ever feel beat after a day of work? And moms, just so you know, raising kids full time is included as “work.” Worst of all: sin separates worship and work from one another. In the garden, Adam's job and Adams worship are joined together. He's worshipping as he grows God's garden. In our world, many people who work do not worship the God who invented work. Also, we who follow Jesus often feel like worshipping Jesus is one thing we do over here and working is another thing. Is that the case for you? Do you wear separate work hats and worshipping Jesus hats? Who would want your job to look more like Adam's in Eden? Where worshipping God and work go hand in hand? The good news of Jesus is that he puts back together what sin breaks apart. One thing he puts together for his people are work and worship. When Jesus came, he perfect worker who worshipped God in all his work. John 4:34: 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. When he died on the cross, his words were “it is finished!” (John 19:30). He did the perfect work of rescuing rebels and remaking them into worshippers. Do you want this? The toil you feel in your life is the toil in your soul. Once Jesus rescues you, he wants to transform you from just a worker into a worshipper who works. Apostle Paul: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as if for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.” When you follow Jesus, you are no longer working ultimately for your boss or your company, you are ultimately working for him, joining him in continuing to transform this world into a good place for humanity to live. Being godward in your thoughts and intentions is how you worship while you work. Worshipping while you work includes working hard and doing a good job at your job. Work that's below your ability level does not honor God. When you work with all your heart and become a blessing to your coworkers and your community (doing well includes being a friendly, courteous worker), I believe through God will open up new doors of conversation with coworkers and clients to talk about spiritual things: When our work transitions to worship, we should pray that God also turns our work into witness. You will really make a earth a better place for humans to live not only when you produce a good product, but turn other people from their sin to worshipping and following Jesus with you. To summarize: God invented work, and made us workers like himself, so that we could worship him through our work and become witnesses to others. When we work as worshippers and witnesses, we start to do the same work God gave Adam in the garden: bringing heaven to earth as we lead others to worship God with us. [1] Tim Mackey, Bible Project Podcast. [2] Stephen G. Dempster and D. A. Carson, Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible (Leicester, England : Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2003), 55. [3] John H. Sailhamer, The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary, ed. Gary Lee (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 85. [4] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005) [5] Paul Ferguson, “Adam,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, electronic ed., Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), 10. [6] Stephen G. Dempster and D. A. Carson, Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible (Leicester, England : Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2003), 64. [7] Tim Mackey, Bible Project Podcast. [8] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005) [9] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 792. [10] Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum, Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants, Second Edition. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 245. [11] Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 1–15, vol. 1, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1987), 35. [12] Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work, Reprint edition (Penguin Books, 2014), 36. [13] G. K. Beale, The Temple and the Church's Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God, ed. D. A. Carson, vol. 17, New Studies in Biblical Theology (Downers Grove, IL; England: InterVarsity Press; Apollos, 2004), 83 [14] “Amazon.Com: Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human. (Audible Audio Edition): John Mark Comer, John Mark Comer, Zondervan: Audible Books & Originals,” accessed September 23, 2022, https://www.amazon.com/Garden-City-Work-Being-Human/dp/B096WBTBMP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5624AC9VCTO2&keywords=garden+city&qid=1663950213&sprefix=garden+city%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1, 27.

Genesis 1:26-31 Pas. Ross Tenneson God Creates His Image Intro Family, it's so good to be back with you. For those of you who don't know me, I'm pastor Ross, one of the pastors here. I got the incredible privilege of having a sabbatical this summer, which means that my wife and me got a chance to rest from ministry. Thank you church, we are so grateful for that opportunity and look forward to sharing more with you about it another time and getting to know the newer people the Lord has led here. So happy to be in Genesis: building materials of the rest of Bible. These first chapters are thick! In this text alone: human origin, human dignity, human purpose, our relationship to nature, our relationship to work, and God's good design in gender. Does that sound like a lot to anyone? We decided to do two passes through this text: this week image of God, next male and female. Revelation Let's get back into our story. God has progressively been creating a good world day after day with the power of his word. He's made the sky and filled it with stars, he made the sea and filled it with sea creatures, and he's made the dry land and filled it with animals. At each stage, Moses writes, “and God saw that it was good.” Good for what? What purpose do all these things serve that God has made? That's what we get to hear this morning. After God spends five days making wonders out of nothing, on the sixth day he makes the most wonderful yet: Gen 1:26a Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Mysterious verse that has puzzled for thousands. Can't understand fully, but learn what we can. Let's start with a few observations: Verse doesn't say “and God said…and it was thus.” Rather, God has a discussion, “let us…” Couple possibilities: one is God is discussing with himself, and “us” is a hint of plurality in God (one God; three persons). Point not mysterious details; God's doing special thing.[1] Wonderful thing God does is create his image, another mystery. What is this image? Next phrase “after our likeness” describes image. It's an “image that is like us.”[2] So far, God as made things, “according to their kinds.” Not here; in his image. The word “image” means “statue” or “replica.”[3] God made something like statue to represent himself To complete, God made something that was like himself. Creation incomplete w/o God. From this image, we learn more about what God's purpose in the world is: If a king filled his kingdom with statues of self, goal would be to honor and glorify.[4] Purpose of humans: Pointers to God bring glory to God; Reps who bring God to world. In this way, humans are like a bridge between heaven and earth, pointing to God and representing God to world.[5] Image could be spiritual and intellectual capabilities;[6] focuses more on effect of image, our special role or purpose in creation. Now, let's look at the rest of this verse to see how humans fulfill this special purpose: Gen 1:26 b And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” “Dominion” means “to rule” or even “to tread down.”[7] God's representatives, humans, share God's job with him. Humans get to be co-rulers. As a result of being God's image (his representative), we get to share God's job. God made three realms with creatures, humans rule those realms and creatures. Humans bring glory to God by extending his rule over all the earth. God created an Earth and wants to extend his rule throughout that Earth through his images. What do we see so far? In beginning, God created Earth, sky, and sea, and “it was good,” that is, a good place for his people to rule. God creates people in his good place to bring himself glory. We should be in awe: God shares everything with his images, even his own rule over all. Are you in awe of what God created you to be? Are you in awe of the God who did this? We don't presently experience life like this, there's a shift; but this was God's first intention for humans when he created them, and this is a story God wants us to know. As we move into verse 27, we hear a lot of repetition. The Bible is meditation literature, which means it turns an idea over and over again. Let's keep meditating together: Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Is there any words in this verse that stick out? Create (3x). So far, 2x, now God created, God created, God created. Humans are crown of creation. While everything else God created humans for is wonderful, none is so great as humans (shouldn't be mysterious greatest commandment is love God and love people).[8] First introduction of “male and female.” Will focus in sermon next week b/c cultural moment. Few comments: lest there be confusion, both men and women in image of God.[9] In verse, 26, “man” functions as generic word for, “mankind.” God designed both male and female to work in harmony to display his creative ingenious and glory. Doesn't become the case when you marry (Marriage is uniting two images into one). Keep meditating in verse 28… Gen 1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” “Blessed” means “filled with strength” or “full”.[10] God did not create humans lacking, but full. God commissions his humans. They can't complete it w/o multiplying. (rule and cover glory).[11] God's original design: multiplying humans who cover the ground with his glory and rule.[12] Have you ever though the Christian life or following Jesus was boring? Do you see what God's heart and design is from the start? He beings by sending us on a world-wide adventure. Outside the garden, there's a wilderness to tame and bring in submission to him for his glory, and he sends his people. Whenever you follow the God of the Bible, you are answering the call to adventure.[13] Even today we have a commission to go with Jesus to the ends of the Earth to bring people of all nations under his good dominion and rule. Gen 1:29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. God does what he always does, he provides for what he commands. Humans have a mission to tame the world and bring it to submission and God helps them. Picture: Walking through an apple orchard. Is anyone excited to go to the apple orchard this fall? Red, juicy, delicious. Food is falling off the tree.[14] Toilsome work comes after the fall, not before. Ground rules over us now. God reminds us that is not how it was at first, and that is not how it will be at last when Jesus makes things new. Gen 1:30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. There's a unity, harmony and peace between humans and animals that we don't have today.[15] In the story after the fall, we will eat each other. For now, we share the same food. “And it was so.” 7x this phrase (or one similar) repeats. God has a perfect rule over his good world. Gen 1:31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. God takes a look. What does he see? “It was very good.” Except now with the addition of humans, it's no longer “good,” but “very good.” 7th time this phrase appears. If you are struggling to trust God b/c world is messed up, look here. This story has some other important implications for our lives I want to mention today: God doesn't create junk. Even after the fall (something I mentioned before where sin and death enter the world and screw up what God has made), Genesis is clear that humans continue to exist in image of God. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. It doesn't matter what you've done or what's been done to you, the image you bear is of the great king who made all there is. You have dignity, worth, and value that no one or nothing can take from you. If we are still in God's image after the fall, Bringing praise and honor to God is still the great purpose for which we exist. You exist for the greatest purpose there ever was or ever will be. Yeah, but what does that look like now that I don't live in the garden of Eden and things are so different? As we walk through the story, week by week, we will get a better sense of what these realities look like. For now, ask yourself: is God ruling over every part of you? Your words, how you work, how you parent, how you spend your time? How you use sex, money, and power? Are you imaging God in your family life, work life, private life, church life, and ever other manner you live? The greatest contradiction in the world is being made in the image of God, to rule all things with him, and being in rebellion against him. Sin and sin alone threatens the great purpose for which God made you. While we are still images of God, sin has distorted and vandalized that image. We're true images, but distorted. After the fall, there would actually be no hope for the restoration of God's image us were it not for one man. Jesus of Nazareth alone in all the story of the Bible was the only one who lived truly and fully as God's image. He wasn't just an image of God, he was God who became human. And since sin never mastered him, he's the first human who lived a fully human life. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he forgives the sins of all who follow him, and begins to restore the image in them that sin has distorted. If you don't know this Jesus yet, and want to (or just know about him), please come up front after. Church, as followers of Jesus, we have an incredible purpose together, we are gradually having the image of God restored in us and helping the same thing happen to others. Another way to say that is we are gradually becoming fully human together, that is, becoming what God designed us to be at the start. As we turn from the dehumanizing practices our flesh tends toward: pornography, drug addiction, over-consuming media or social media, gossip, or bitterness, we get to collectively start living more fully human lives of imaging God and serving people. We get to help each other become fully human as Jesus restores the image of God in us. [1] Stephen G. Dempster and D. A. Carson, Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible (Leicester, England : Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2003), 57. [2] Anthony A. Hoekema, Created in God's Image, Reprint edition (Carlisle, U.K., Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1994), p. 13. [3] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 1028. [4] Pastor Sam Choi pointed this out. [5] I originally heart this idea from Tim Mackey on the Bible Project podcast. [6] Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 1–15, vol. 1, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1987), 30. [7] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 1190. [8] Stephen G. Dempster and D. A. Carson, Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible (Leicester, England : Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2003), 57. [9] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005). [10] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 159. [11] Stephen G. Dempster and D. A. Carson, Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible (Leicester, England : Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2003), 61. [12] Ibid, 62. [13] I originally heard this term from Jordan Peterson. [14] Originally heard this phrasing from Tim Mackey at the Bible project. [15] Stephen G. Dempster and D. A. Carson, Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible (Leicester, England : Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2003).

How is Jesus the first-born of creation and the “second Adam”? Why are the biblical authors so obsessed with the east? And why can't Jacob and Esau both be blessed? In this episode, Tim and Jon tackle your questions about the Genesis scroll.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Is Jesus Both the First-born and Chosen Second-Born? (1:27)Why Are the Biblical Authors Obsessed with the East? (7:00)Where Did Cain Find a Wife? (15:55)Who Are the Nephilim? (21:14)Does God Test Abraham Because He Banished Ishmael? (33:05)Why Can't Jacob and Esau Both Be Blessed? (42:30)Referenced ResourcesGenesis: History, Fiction, or Neither?: Three Views on the Bible's Earliest Chapters (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology), James K. Hoffmeier, Gordon J. Wenham, Kenton L. Sparks"And You Shall Tell Your Son...": The Concept of the Exodus in the Bible, Yair ZakovitchThe Blessing and the Curse, Jeff S. AndersonInterested in more? Check out Tim's library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we're tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTSShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Introduction Context: Ch22 - binding of Isaac; celebration of deeper trust; confirmation of blessings by grace of God We talk about living by faith a lot What does it mean? Question: When we say, "Let's live by faith", what does that mean to you?It means, according to the NT, taking lessons from Abraham's life“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” (Hebrews 11:8–19 1. Faith is responsiveQUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was responsive?" “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.” (Genesis 12:1–4 Go when called. They could have gone back to Ur, but were content to live and not see the fulfilment of the land promise. They knew, by faith, that it would come to their descendants. If they trusted God for something that in the OC was not made clear, how much more we should have faith for our heavenly inheritance which has been made abundantly clear. 2. Faith is SacrificialQUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was sacrificial?" “By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.” (Hebrews 11:9 NIV11) His home in Ur was much nicer! Left comfort & security, even family. Probably similar situations were paralleled among the Jewish Christians at the time Hebrews was written. A life of movement, not settling: Ur, Haraan, Canaan, Egypt etc 3. Faith is CourageousQUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was courageous?" “even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11) Did not know where he was going. Detail only came later. Takes courage to believe the promises, (Gn. 12:2; cf. Gen 13:16; Gen 15:5). Isaac on mountain - courage to trust.Abraham refused to limit God’s power or the method through which He would keep His promise, and therefore he did not limit his obedience. 4. Faith is PersistentQUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was persistent?" “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:18–21 NIV11) Lived among strangers in a land he was told be would inherit, but they were still there!"Waiting for God to provide them with an earthly inheritance, the patriarchs came to realise that this life is not an end in itself but a pilgrimage towards a future that God alone can construct for his people." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham: InterVarsity Press, 1994. We aim to be living by faith when we die. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all died without receiving the land of Canaan as an earthly inheritance. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” (Hebrews 11:13 NIV11) ‘welcomed them from a distance’ = ‘hailed it with delight’, Brown 206. Died not seeing reward, but did see it in another sense. The people commended here were: confident, proud to witness to their faith, seeking something better, able to discern what was of real value, willing to put their security in the unseen. 5. Faith is DependantQUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was dependant on God?" “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” (Hebrews 11:17–19 NIV11)“As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.” (Genesis 22:6–8 NIV11) Although there was lack of clarity, there was still faith. Abraham saw God as his 'solution', the only one to hold on to. Questions in breakout roomsQUESTION: "How do you know when you are hearing the 'call' of God to live by faith? What helps you to respond by faith?" QUESTION: "What helps you to live by faith when that means sacrificing some of the comforts of this world enjoyed by people who do not live by faith?" QUESTION: "Is there an area of life right now where you sense God calling you to courageously live by faith? What would it look like to be courageous in that situation?" QUESTION: "What helps you to persevere in your life of faith when you cannot see the end? What keeps your spiritual vision clear enough to inspire you to persevere in living by faith?" QUESTION: "What does it mean to you to be dependant on God by faith? What does that look like?" Conclusion“Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi.” (Genesis 25:7–11 NIV11) Positive summary Sons honouring his wishes Buried in 'the land' The blessings signed as to continue in Isaac Communion“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!” (Philippians 3:20–4:1 NIV11)Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm

Introduction Context: Ch22 - binding of Isaac; celebration of deeper trust; confirmation of blessings by grace of God We talk about living by faith a lot What does it mean? Question: When we say, "Let's live by faith", what does that mean to you? It means, according to the NT, taking lessons from Abraham's life “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” (Hebrews 11:8–19 1. Faith is responsive QUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was responsive?" “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) “The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.” (Genesis 12:1–4  Go when called. They could have gone back to Ur, but were content to live and not see the fulfilment of the land promise. They knew, by faith, that it would come to their descendants. If they trusted God for something that in the OC was not made clear, how much more we should have faith for our heavenly inheritance which has been made abundantly clear.   2. Faith is Sacrificial QUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was sacrificial?" “By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.” (Hebrews 11:9 NIV11) His home in Ur was much nicer! Left comfort & security, even family. Probably similar situations were paralleled among the Jewish Christians at the time Hebrews was written. A life of movement, not settling: Ur, Haraan, Canaan, Egypt etc   3. Faith is Courageous QUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was courageous?" “even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11) Did not know where he was going. Detail only came later. Takes courage to believe the promises, (Gn. 12:2; cf. Gen 13:16; Gen 15:5). Isaac on mountain - courage to trust. Abraham refused to limit God's power or the method through which He would keep His promise, and therefore he did not limit his obedience.   4. Faith is Persistent QUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was persistent?" “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:18–21 NIV11) Lived among strangers in a land he was told be would inherit, but they were still there! "Waiting for God to provide them with an earthly inheritance, the patriarchs came to realise that this life is not an end in itself but a pilgrimage towards a future that God alone can construct for his people." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham: InterVarsity Press, 1994. We aim to be living by faith when we die. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all died without receiving the land of Canaan as an earthly inheritance. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” (Hebrews 11:13 NIV11) ‘welcomed them from a distance' = ‘hailed it with delight', Brown 206. Died not seeing reward, but did see it in another sense. The people commended here were: confident, proud to witness to their faith, seeking something better, able to discern what was of real value, willing to put their security in the unseen.   5. Faith is Dependant QUESTION: "What examples can you think of when Abraham was dependant on God?" “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” (Hebrews 11:17–19 NIV11) “As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.” (Genesis 22:6–8 NIV11) Although there was lack of clarity, there was still faith. Abraham saw God as his 'solution', the only one to hold on to.   Questions in breakout rooms QUESTION: "How do you know when you are hearing the 'call' of God to live by faith? What helps you to respond by faith?" QUESTION: "What helps you to live by faith when that means sacrificing some of the comforts of this world enjoyed by people who do not live by faith?" QUESTION: "Is there an area of life right now where you sense God calling you to courageously live by faith? What would it look like to be courageous in that situation?" QUESTION: "What helps you to persevere in your life of faith when you cannot see the end? What keeps your spiritual vision clear enough to inspire you to persevere in living by faith?" QUESTION: "What does it mean to you to be dependant on God by faith? What does that look like?" Conclusion “Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi.” (Genesis 25:7–11 NIV11) Positive summary Sons honouring his wishes Buried in 'the land' The blessings signed as to continue in Isaac Communion “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!” (Philippians 3:20–4:1 NIV11) Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).  Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.  “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)  God bless, Malcolm  

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 231, Psalm 134 v3 You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).  They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.  “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)  Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.  ‘bless’ appears in every verse of the Psalm - it is the key word. Earlier in the Psalm it is man blessing God, not the roles are reversed. The difference is that man can only give God what he already has, while God’s blessing gives man what he does not have, and makes him what he is not.   "When he ‘blesses’ us he reviews our needs and meets them; when we bless him we review his excellencies and worship him." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org (mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org) . If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) . Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 229, Psalm 134v1  You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).  They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.  “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)  Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.  “Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 134:1 NIV11) Minister, (lit.) ‘stand’, accepted and secure. Night, possibly priests and levites on night–duty in the House; or pilgrims devoutly keeping vigil by night; or (best of all) keeping the night festival of Passover (Ex. 12:42)." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.   Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org (mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org) . If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) . Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 210, Psalm 132v1  You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).  They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.  “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)  Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.  "Bringing the Ark to Zion was not achieved without disappointment and suffering (2 Sa. 6:5-9), preparation, cost and loss (2 Sa. 6:12-23). The word, in its meaning ‘humiliations/deep humiliation’ could also refer to David being rejected as the temple–builder (2 Sa. 7:5, 2 Sam 7:13; 1 Ki. 5:3; 1 Ch. 22:8; 1 Ch. 28:3)." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.  Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org (mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org) . If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) . Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 194, Psalm 129v8 You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. This kind of greeting shows approval, inclusion and offers hope that God is with the person, Ruth 2:4. "Those who hate Zion will prove transient (6), unsuccessful (7), unbefriended and excluded from the community of blessing (8)." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.  Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org (mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org) . If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) . Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 192, Psalm 129v5 You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. "And this is not a fictional reconstruction of history! Where is the imperial Egypt which enslaved Israel—or the Philistines, Assyrians or Babylonians?" New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.   For a Christian one could add Rome, all the prominent atheists of history, the Bible sceptics, Communism, etc. The verbs in vv5-8 could be taken as prayer (what is being asked for), or prophecy (what is being foreseen).   Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org (mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org) . If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) . Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 176, Psalm 127v1  You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).  They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.  “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)  Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.  "127 covers three areas of human activity and potential anxiety—the house, the city (1) and the family (3-5)—and affirms that without the Lord we can do nothing." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994. The only one of the Psalms of Ascent to be composed by Solomon. As Kidner notes, “...like much of Solomon’s wisdom, the lessons of this Psalm, relevant as they are to his situation, were mostly lost on him.”  Kidner, Ps, 440. See 1 King 9:10-19 (building), 1 King 11:7ff. (kingdom and marriages).  Vital we pay attention to living what we preach, 1 Cor 9:27-10:2.  See also James 1:22-25. Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org (mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org) . If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) . Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 165, Psalm 125v4  You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).  They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.  “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)  Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.  "Such a situation, where trust is challenged by  circumstances, calls for prayer. Prayer is not directed against the wicked (5)—they are left to the Lord—but to the enriching of those who follow the Lord from the heart (4), his Israel (5), the true people within the professing people." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org (mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org) . If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) . Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 161, Psalm 125 overview You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. "This is a picture of a believing community, finding security in trust (1, 2); a threatened community, patiently waiting till the Lord remove the burden of wicked rule (3); a divided community in which the good and bad are mixed (4-5)." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 140, Psalm 122v2 You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).  They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.  “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)  Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.  Literally, ‘Our feet have actually been standing within your gates!’  "Isaiah 26:1-4 teaches that amid life’s threats we live already, by faith, within the ‘strong city’ (Heb. 12:22; cf. Eph. 2:6). In this sense the pilgrim of old, still on his hazardous journey, could sing of feet already planted on Jerusalem’s pavements. ......They come to a place where, in principle, under God’s appointed king, everything is put to rights (5, judgment). They needed to pray because their Jerusalem was of this world. Ours is different (Heb. 11:10) but the call to joy, unity and prayer remains." New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by Carson, D. A, R. T France, J. A. Motyer, and Gordon J. Wenham. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.   Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org (mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org) . If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) . Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

So far in 2020 I have found three articles that have been extremely helpful in my studies and today I want to share them with you.     The first can be found in Gordon J. Wenham's Commentary on the Book of Numbers.  The section discussed is found in Wenham's introduction under the headings of Theology and Christian Usage.The second article is David Dorsey's article titled The Law of Moses and the Christian. The third article is Stephen G. Dempster's article Exodus and Biblical Theology: On Moving into the Neighborhood with a New Name.The latter two articles are available for free download in PDF format through the following link: https://www.christianresearcher.com/articles/top-3-reads-of-2020-so-far

Today’s episode centers around commentaries on the book of Leviticus.  While searching for a good commentary to provide a sound structure, big picture, and thorough introduction to Leviticus, Nathan discovered both positive components and problematic pitfalls in a number of commentaries.  His research ultimately lead him to what will hopefully be a worthwhile commentary to add to any library. Commentaries discussed in this episode include:  New International Commentary on Leviticus by Gordon J. Wenham Leviticus, A Commentary by James E. SmithMentor Commentary: Leviticus by Robert VasholzHoliness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of Leviticus by Allen P. RossBible Speaks Today Commentary: Leviticus by Derek TidballNew American Commentary: Leviticus by Mark F. RookerTablets of Stone by John ReisingerWho Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord by L. Michael MoralesTyndale Old Testament Commentary: Leviticus by R. K. HarrisonTyndale Old Testament Commentary: Leviticus by Jay Sklar