Under Authority: Recent Episodes
Andy Coburn
The Main Idea: God wants us to show Christ-likeness to the world by truly loving our eternal family.The Big Question: How do we we TRULY LOVE our eternal family?The Central Point: By Godly WISDOM we REFLECT the GOSPEL by:1.)LIVING UNTO THE LORD BY FAITH (vv. 1-12) – (Application: Love means we live in light of the Lord’s love to us in the GOSPEL of Christ.) (THIS WEEK) 2.)LIVING WITH ONE ANOTHER BY FAITH (vv. 11-14) – (Application: Love means we love one another as Christ loved us in the GOSPEL: by sacrifice.) (NEXT WEEK)
The Main Idea: God wants us to show Christ-likeness to the world by truly loving others.The Big Question: How do we know we TRULY LOVE others?The Central Point: By STARTING with a RIGHT relationship to God’s Law:1.)LOVE AND LAW COOPERATE (vv. 8-10) – (Application: Love means nothing unless it’s measured by the standard of God’s law.)2.)LAW GIVES WISDOM TO LOVE (vv. 11-14) – (Application: Love only means something if we are going to be held accountable to the standard of God’s law.)
The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of the world to show his reign.The Big Question: What does SANCTIFICATION look like in the world?The Central Point: SANCTIFICATION looks like SUBMITTING:1.)TO AUTHORITIES (vv. 1-3) – (Application: The authorities serve because of God’s designation, so submitting to them is integral to our witness to the world.) (LAST WEEK)2.)TO GOD (vv. 4-5a) – (Application: God works his will through the authorities so respect them and submit to them as God’s sovereign servants.) (LAST WEEK) 3.)TO CONSCIENCE (vv. 5b-7) – (Application: Support your authorities in every way possible as a Christian and you won’t have a noisy conscience) (THIS WEEK)a.Avoiding God’s Wrath (v. 5b)b.How You’re to Be Good (vv. 6-7)
The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of the world to show his reign.The Big Question: What does SANCTIFICATION look like in the world?The Central Point: SANCTIFICATION looks like SUBMITTING:1.)TO AUTHORITIES (vv. 1-3) – (Application: The authorities serve because of God’s designation, so submitting to them is integral to our witness to the world.) (THIS WEEK)2.)TO GOD (vv. 4-5a) – (Application: God works his will through the authorities so respect them and submit to them as God’s sovereign servants.) (THIS WEEK) 3.)TO CONSCIENCE (vv. 5b-7) – (Application: Support your authorities in every way possible as a Christian and you won’t have a noisy conscience) (NEXT WEEK)
The Main Idea: God is leading us unto Christ-likeness in the context of the church to show his glory to the world. The Big Question: What does SANCTIFICATION look like? The Central Point: SANCTIFICATION looks like LOVE: 1. LOVE ONE ANOTHER (vv. 9-13) (Application: Sanctification looks like a deep affection full of love for all the saints.) (Last Week). 2. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES (vv. 14-21) (Application: Sanctification looks like an unexpected love for those who could, would and do hurt us.) (THIS WEEK) a. The Unnaturalness of God’s Love in Christ for Us (vv. 14-16) b. The Unnaturalness of God’s Love Flowing out to Our Enemies (vv. 17-21)
The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of the church to show his glory to the world.The Big Question: What does SANCTIFICATION look like?The Central Point: SANCTIFICATION looks like LOVE:1.)LOVE ONE ANOTHER (vv. 9-13) – (Application: Sanctification likes like a deep affection full of love for the saints.) (THIS WEEK)a.The Outward Flow of Love (vv. 9-10)b.The Practical Marks of Love (vv. 11-13)2.)LOVE YOUR ENEMIES (vv. 14-21) – (Application: Sanctification looks like an unexpected love for those who could, would and do hurt us.) (Next Week)
The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of his body, the church.The Big Question: Why is the church SANCTIFICATION’S PRIMARY context?The Central Point: Because SANCTIFICATION is not merely a “me” thing, but a “we” thing:1.)IT STARTS IN YOUR MIND (v. 3) – (Application: In order to be Christ-like, seek God for SOBER JUDGMENT about your role in his body, the church.)2.)IT MOVES ON TO THE BODY (vv. 4-5) – (Application: In order to be Christ-like and have sober judgment, think schematically about how GOD ENVISIONS his body, the church.)3.)IT POINTS US TO SERVING (vv. 6-8) – (Application: In order to be Christ-like think strategically how you can SERVE and BUILD UP others in his body, the church.)
The Main Idea: God doesn’t merely save us from hell—he saves us unto life.The Big Question: If SANCTIFICATION is simple, then why isn’t it easy?The Central Point: Because Sanctification Aims at Total Transformation by:1.)EXTENDING GOD’S MERCY (v. 1a) – (Application: God’s TRANSFORMING GRACE flows from his heart of compassionate mercy to us —so REST in his commitment to you sealed by the blood of Christ.)2.)CALLING US TO SACRIFICE (v. 1b) – (Application: God’s TRANSFORMING GRACE puts you on a collision course with the world—so expect some PAIN.)3.)COMMANDING US TO SEEK GOD’S WISDOM (v. 2) – (Application: God’s way TRANSFORMING GRACE opens up the way of wisdom—so DISCERN its way by God’s word and Spirit.)
The Main Idea: God Reveals the Mystery of Salvation in Christ to Cure Conceit.The Big Question: What’s the cure for conceit?The Central Point: Understand the Mystery of How God Works to Save in Christ:1.)ELECTION AND REPROBATION (vv. 25-27) – (Application: God only sees two kinds of people: MAKE SURE YOU’RE “IN ISRAEL” [in other words: IN CHRIST].) (TWO WEEKS AGO)2.)SOVEREIGNTY AND RESPONSIBILITY (vv. 28-32) – (Application: God’s mercy can only be extended to a disobedient people: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SIN AND RECEIVE JESUS.) (LAST WEEK)3.)WISDOM AND WORSHIP (vv. 33-36) – (Application: God’s way of salvation in Christ is beyond our imagination: STAND IN AWE.) (TODAY) a.Curing Conceits by Fascination with the Wisdom of God (vv. 33-35)b.Curing Conceits by Reflecting His True Glory Back to Him (v. 36)
The Main Idea: God Reveals the Mystery of Salvation in Christ to Cure Conceit.The Big Question: What’s the cure for conceit?The Central Point: Understand the Mystery of How God Works to Save in Christ:1.)ELECTION AND REPROBATION (vv. 25-27) – (Application: God only sees two kinds of people: MAKE SURE YOU’RE “IN ISRAEL” [in other words: IN CHRIST].) (LAST WEEK)2.)SOVEREIGNTY AND RESPONSIBILITY (vv. 28-32) – (Application: God’s mercy can only be extended to a disobedient people: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SIN AND RECEIVE JESUS.) (TODAY)a.Curing Conceits by Removing Confidence in Self (vv. 28-29)b.Curing Conceits by Acknowledging No Other Hope Except in Jesus (vv. 30-32)3.)WISDOM AND WORSHIP (vv. 33-36) – (Application: God’s way of salvation in Christ is beyond our imagination: STAND IN AWE.) (NEXT WEEK)
The Main Idea: God Reveals the Mystery of Salvation in Christ to Cure Conceit.The Big Question: What’s the cure for conceit?The Central Point: Understand the Mystery of How God Works to Save in Christ:1.)ELECTION AND REPROBATION (vv. 25-27) – (Application: God only sees two kinds of people: MAKE SURE YOU’RE “IN ISRAEL” [in other words: IN CHRIST].)a.Curing Conceits by Submitting to God’s Electing Work (v. 25)b.Curing Conceits by Trusting in God’s Saving Work (vv. 26-27)2.)SOVEREIGNTY AND RESPONSIBILITY (vv. 28-32) – (Application: God’s mercy can only be extended to a disobedient people: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SIN AND RECEIVE JESUS.) (NEXT WEEK)3.)WISDOM AND WORSHIP (vv. 33-36) – (Application: God’s way of salvation in Christ is beyond our imagination: STAND IN AWE.) (WEEK AFTER NEXT WEEK)
The Main Idea: God’s WRATH will catch up with “his people” if they continue in UNBELIEF.The Big Question: Why should we seek to rid ourselves from a PRESUMPTIVE FAITH?The Central Point: Because of three VALUES the elect should cultivate:1.)FEEDING (v. 16) – (Application: Your identity is with the HOLINESS of Christ, so seek NOURISHMENT from that root.)2.)HEEDING (vv. 17-18) – (Application: You’re ELECTED by God, not the other way around, so stay humble.)3.)WEEDING (vv. 19-24) – (Application: You’re CALLED by God, so cultivate a REVERENT FAITH, not a presumptive faith.)
The Main Idea: God’s FAITHFULNESS Drives the Strategies He Uses to Save His People.The Big Question: What strategies does God use to save his people?The Central Point: God Brings the Gospel to Them and Then:1.)USES ISRAEL’S REJECTION TO GATHER ELECT GENTILES (vv. 11a, 12a, 15a) – (Application: God’s plan IN ACTION is meant to fill you with GRATITUDE to him!)2.)USES GENTILE ACCEPTANCE TO MAKE ISRAEL JEALOUS (vv. 11b, 13-14a) – (Application: God’s WILLINGNESS to make Israel jealous is meant to fill you with TRUST in him!)3.)USES ISRAEL’S JEALOUSY TO GATHER ELECT ISRAEL (vv. 12b, 14b, 15b) – (Application: God’s FAITHFULNESS to gather all the elect is meant to fill you with AWE of him!)
The Main Idea: Don’t Worry… God Saves His People.The Big Question: Is God true to his word about SAVING his people?The Central Point: YES! GOD’S GOT A REMNANT:1.)PAUL: PRESENT LIVING PROOF (v. 1) – (Application: God can save you or ANYONE ELSE you’re concerned about!)2.)ELIJAH: PAST LIVING PROOF (vv. 2-6) – (Application: God SAVES you no matter what you go through.)3.)PROPHETS: ETERNAL LIVING PROOF (vv. 7-10) – (Application: God NEVER stops reaching out to SAVE you.)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace provides clear revelation of SAVING faith in Christ vs. DECEPTIVE faith.The Big Question: How do we receive righteousness from God?The Central Point: BY SAVING FAITH IN THE GOSPEL which is:1.)NOT BASED ON THE LAW OF GOD (vv. 5-13) – (Application: Make sure that what you CONFESS with YOUR MOUTH about Christ is really, truly ABOUT CHRIST!) (2 WEEKS AGO)2.)BUT BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD (vv. 14-17) – (Application: Make sure you are HEARING the WORD of CHRIST and NOBODY ELSE, including your own voice!) (LAST WEEK)3.)AND VOICED OUT OF THE GRACIOUS HEART OF GOD (vv. 18-21) – (Application: Make sure you have NO EXCUSES, because God has called out CLEARLY to EVERYONE, including YOU!)a.God Reveals Himself Clearly (vv. 18-19)b.The Gospel Is Clearly Driven by God’s Irresistible Grace (vv. 20-21)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace provides clear revelation of SAVING faith in Christ vs. DECEPTIVE faith.The Big Question: How do we receive righteousness from God?The Central Point: BY SAVING FAITH IN THE GOSPEL which is:1.)NOT BASED ON THE LAW OF GOD (vv. 5-13) – (Application: Make sure that what you CONFESS with YOUR MOUTH about Christ is really, truly ABOUT CHRIST!) (LAST WEEK)2.)BUT BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD (vv. 14-17) – (Application: Make sure you are HEARING the WORD of CHRIST and NOBODY ELSE, including your own voice!)a.God Commissions the Church with the Gospel (vv. 14-15)b.Therefore the Gospel Is to Be Heard and Obeyed (vv. 16-17)3.)AND VOICED OUT OF THE GRACIOUS HEART OF GOD (vv. 18-21) – (Application: Make sure you have NO EXCUSES, because God has called out CLEARLY to EVERYONE, including YOU!) (NEXT WEEK)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace provides clear revelation of SAVING faith in Christ vs. DECEPTIVE faith.The Big Question: How do we receive righteousness from God?The Central Point: BY SAVING FAITH IN THE GOSPEL which is:1.)NOT BASED ON THE LAW OF GOD (vv. 5-13) – (Application: Make sure that what you CONFESS with YOUR MOUTH about Christ is really, truly ABOUT CHRIST!)a.Do Not Be Arrogant about Saving Faith (vv. 5-10) b.Because GOD’S the One Put Saving Faith There (vv. 11-13)2.)BUT BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD (vv. 14-17) – (Application: Make sure you are HEARING the WORD of CHRIST and NOBODY ELSE, including your own voice!) (NEXT WEEK)3.)AND VOICED OUT OF THE GRACIOUS HEART OF GOD (vv. 18-21) – (Application: Make sure you have NO EXCUSES, because God has called out CLEARLY to EVERYONE, including YOU!) (2 WEEKS FROM NOW)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace provides a secret to attaining successful righteousness with him.The Big Question: How do we attain righteousness in God’s eyes?The Central Point: AS A GIFT FROM HIM, not by works, but by:1.)NOT PURSUING IT (vv. 30-31) – (Application: Be SURPRISED by God’s KINDNESS to you in Christ!)2.)PURSUING IT (vv. 32-33) – (Application: Be RECEPTIVE to God’s KINDNESS to you in Christ!)
The Main Idea: God enacts his SOVEREIGN covenant grace in Christ WITHOUT FAIL.The Big Question: What is one thing that God CANNOT do?The Central Point: GOD CANNOT FAIL. The Apostle Paul gives us three reasons why GOD CANNOT FAIL to save HIS people in Christ:1.)BECAUSE OF HIS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY (vv. 6-13) – (Application: God’s got a record ultimate and EARNED authority… SO BANK ON HIS WORD TO SAVE YOU IN CHRIST!)2.)BECAUSE OF HIS ULTIMATE SOVEREIGNTY (vv. 14-26) – (Application: God’s ALWAYS been about his business of reclaiming… SO BANK ON HIS DETERMINATION TO SAVE YOU IN CHRIST!)3.)BECAUSE OF HIS ULTIMATE GRACE (vv. 27-29) – (Application: God’s covenant of grace includes ALL the elect in the TRUE ISRAEL… SO BANK ON HIS POWER TO SAVE YOU IN CHRIST!)
The Main Idea: God’s been communicating his covenant grace in Christ from the beginning to the end of biblical revelation.The Big Question: What has God been doing as the pages of Scripture unfold?The Central Point: Lessons Large & Small Establish Christ As THE Savior. The APOSTLE Paul Teaches That the POINT of Bible History is SALVATION IN CHRIST. He teaches you through:1.)HIS HOLY CONSTERNATION (9:1-5) – (Application: Don’t get SO CLOSE, and yet be SO FAR AWAY from the GOSPEL of God’s love for you in Christ.)2.)HIS MISSIONARY HEART (10:1-4) – (Application: Don’t think going to church and trying to be a “good Christian” will get you anywhere with God... ONLY the GOSPEL of God’s love for you in Christ will.)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace in Christ gives us the beginning and the end of salvation.The Big Question: What is the Christian SECRET to living life?The Central Point: Because of Christ You Can SEE God LOVES You. God wants you to envision Himself as:1.)THE CHEERFUL GIVER: HE DELIVERS ALL THINGS TO YOU IN CHRIST (vv. 31-32) – (Application: He doesn’t merely save your soul, but GIVES to you ALL THINGS in Christ.)2.)THE JUSTIFYING JUDGE: HE DECLARES YOU RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST (vv. 33-34) – (Application: Not even Christ can speak a word of CONDEMNATION against you because God CHOSE you in Christ.)3.)THE SOVEREIGN KING: HE DECREES THAT YOU’RE ETERNALLY SECURE IN CHRIST (vv. 35-39) – (Application: Christ, filled with God’s love, makes YOU SURE he will NEVER abandon you.)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace shows us that as we SUFFER we can KNOW he loves us.The Big Question: What is the Christian SECRET to getting through suffering?The Central Point: Because of Christ You Can KNOW God LOVES You. God gives you two KEYS to UNLOCK this secret:1.)WHAT YOU CAN KNOW (v. 28) – (Application: Your SUFFERING is in God’s loving hands directing it toward his purpose for you.)2.)WHAT GOD KNOWS THAT YOU CAN KNOW (vv. 29-30) – (Application: In God’s loving hands your SUFFERING will make you like Christ, the Savior whom you love.)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace shows us how to relate with Christ through the Spirit as we SUFFER.The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life?The Central Point: Fifth: How to Handle Your Suffering with Christ. Christ, by the Spirit, Wants You to Have Three Evaluation Points to Deal with Your Suffering with Christ:1.)EVALUATING YOUR SUFFERING (vv. 18-21) – (Application: The Spirit gives you the vision of glory you have with Christ so you can have real hope and NOT “I hope so...”)2.)EVALUATING YOUR SPOT (vv. 22-25) – (Application: The Spirit explains why you now groan in suffering so you can know you are God’s child through Christ’s redemption.)3.)EVALUATING YOUR STRENGTH (vv. 26-27) – (Application: The Spirit walks with you in weakness to teach you how to lean on Christ through prayer.)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace shows us how to relate with Christ through the Spirit.The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life?The Central Point: Fourth: How You Gain a Sense of Christ’s Activity in Your Life. Christ, by the Spirit, Gives You Three Senses for Living a Righteous Christian Life:1.)A SENSE OF OBLIGATION (vv. 12-13) – (Application: The Spirit frees you from obliging the flesh so that you can please Christ.)2.)A SENSE OF PRESENCE (vv. 14-16) – (Application: The Spirit leads you out of orphan fear to the Fatherly safety secured by Christ.)3.)A SENSE OF PURPOSE (v. 17) – (Application: The Spirit guarantees your present suffering will yield future glory with Christ.)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace changes our relationship with Christ through the Spirit.The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life?The Central Point: Third: Your Relationship with Christ Through the Spirit. Christ, through the Spirit, Gives You Three Keys to Living a Righteous Christian Life:1.)A SPIRIT-BORN FREEDOM (vv. 1-4a) – (Application: Christ removes the sting of the law of sin and sets the believer free by the law of the Spirit of life.)2.)A SPIRIT-CENTERED MINDSET (vv. 4b-8) – (Application: Christ removes the weakness of the flesh and clarifies the aim of the believer.)3.)A SPIRIT-EMPOWERED RESURRECTION (vv. 9-11) – (Application: Christ removes the deadness of the human spirit and breathes new life into the believer.)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace changes our relationship to ourselves under God’s law.The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life?The Central Point: Second: Your Relationship to Yourself Under God’s Law. Christ Does Three Things to CHANGE Your Relationship to YOURSELF Under God’s Law:1.) (Last Time) CHRIST DIAGNOSES YOUR PROBLEM (vv. 13-14) – (Application: Christ has changed your grasp of the seriousness of indwelling sin.)2.)CHRIST DESCRIBES YOUR PROGNOSIS (vv. 15-20) – (Application: Christ has changed your daily map in the struggle against indwelling sin.)3.)CHRIST DELIVERS YOUR PROGRESS (vv. 21-25) – (Application: Christ has changed your manner of dealing with indwelling sin.)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace changes our relationship to ourselves under God’s law.The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life?The Central Point: Second: Your Relationship to Yourself Under God’s Law. Christ Does Three Things to CHANGE Your Relationship to YOURSELF Under God’s Law:1.) CHRIST DIAGNOSES YOUR PROBLEM (vv. 13-14) – (Application: Christ has changed your grasp of the seriousness of indwelling sin.)2.) (NEXT EPISODE) CHRIST DESCRIBES YOUR PROGNOSIS (vv. 15-20) – (Application: Christ has changed your daily map in the struggle against indwelling sin.)3.) (NEXT EPISODE) CHRIST DELIVERS YOUR PROGRESS (vv. 21-25) – (Application: Christ has changed your manner of dealing with indwelling sin.)
The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace changes our relationship to God’s law.The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life?The Central Point: First: Your Relationship to God’s Law. Christ Does Three Things to CHANGE Your Relationship to God’s Law:1.)CHRIST DEFINES YOU APART FROM THE LAW (vv. 1-3) – (Application: UNDERSTAND CLEARLY that Christ has changed your name to “Law-follower from the Heart”.)2.)CHRIST RELEASES YOU FROM THE LAW’S MASTERY (vv. 4-8) – (Application: UNDERSTAND CLEARLY that Christ’s Lordship is now your MASTERY through the Spirit.)3.)CHRIST DELIVERS THE LIFE THE LAW CAN’T (vv. 9-12) – (Application: UNDERSTAND CLEARLY that Christ, through the Spirit, has fundamentally changed you!)
The Main Idea: God’s grace frees us to live a righteous life!The Big Question: How do we live a righteous life?The Central Point: Bound to Him We’re Bound to Change! God’s Grace Makes Three Fundamental Changes in Us:1.)A CHANGE IN DIRECTION (vv. 15-16) – (Application: God’s grace redirects our steps from sin to righteousness.)2.)A CHANGE IN MOTIVATION (vv. 17-19) – (Application: God’s grace reorients our hearts from self to gratefulness to God.)3.)A CHANGE IN OBJECTIVES (vv. 20-23) – (Application: God’s grace refocuses our vision from shame to eternal life.)
The Main Idea: Our union with Christ gives us His RESURRECTION POWER to live unto righteousness.The Big Question: What does Christ’s RESURRECTION do for us?The Central Point: Christ’s RESURRECTION gives us NEW POWER… FOR three NEW CONSIDERATIONS:1.)NEW WALKING (vv. 1-4) – (Application: Christ’s RESURRECTION is the PLATFORM for walking in newness of life.)2.)NEW THINKING (vv. 5-11) – (Application: Christ’s RESURRECTION is the KEY unlocking the chains of slavery to sin.)3.)NEW PLANNING (vv. 12-14) – (Application: Christ’s RESURRECTION is the DYNAMITE blowing up the shackles of sin.)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING brings RECONCILIATION which deepens our appreciation of our true condition.The Big Question: How GOOD is THE GOSPEL?The Central Point: The GOSPEL is so GOOD that God GIVES us…1.)LIFE FOR DEATH (vv. 12-14) – (Application: We deserve no less than capital punishment due to Adam’s sin, so appreciate the gift given in the “type” which Adam is, pointing to the real deal in Jesus.)2.)JUSTIFICATION FOR CONDEMNATION (vv. 15-17) – (Application: We get justified by a free gift because of Jesus’ work was done for our MANY trespasses.)3.)GRACE FOR SINNERS (vv. 18-21) – (Application: We are sinners by the “one trespass” and so we will be MADE righteous by the “one man’s obedience,” given by grace unto eternal life through Jesus.)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING brings RECONCILIATION with him causing us to rejoice while suffering.The Big Question: What GOOD is THE GOSPEL?The Central Point: In the Gospel God GIVES us…1.)PRESENT HOPE FOR PRESENT SUFFERINGS (vv. 1-5) – (Application: Jesus’ justifying us gives us the Holy Spirit RIGHT NOW!) (2 WEEKS AGO)2.)FUTURE HOPE FOR GREATER SUFFERINGS (vv. 6-11) – (Application: Jesus’ dying for us gives us confidence before God both NOW and at the JUDGMENT!)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING brings RECONCILIATION with him causing us to rejoice while suffering.The Big Question: What GOOD is THE GOSPEL?The Central Point: In the Gospel God GIVES us…1.)PRESENT HOPE FOR PRESENT SUFFERINGS (vv. 1-5) – (Application: Jesus’ justifying us gives us the Holy Spirit RIGHT NOW!)2.)(NEXT EPISODE) FUTURE HOPE FOR GREATER SUFFERINGS (vv. 6-11) – (Application: Jesus’ dying for us gives us confidence before God both NOW and at the JUDGMENT!)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING has been around since near the beginning of time.The Big Question: What KIND of GOSPEL is THE GOSPEL?The Central Point: Since the beginning it’s been the HEART of the…1.)HISTORY OF REDEMPTION (vv. 1-8) – (Application: God’s NEVER given up on his promise, so rest assured he won’t… EVER!)2.)SIGN OF REDEMPTION (vv. 9-12) – (Application: God’s ALWAYS meant what he’s promised… and he ALWAYS will!)3.)PROMISE OF REDEMPTION (vv. 13-25) – (Application: God’s WORTHY of ALL your TRUST… and he ALWAYS will be!)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING will leave us with our ONLY HOPE… and it’s ETERNAL!The Big Question: What KIND of God is the God of the GOSPEL?The Central Point: He’s a GIVING God who GIVES…1.)RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM THE LAW (vv. 21-22a) – (Application: BLESS GOD for the GIFT of his “alien” righteousness…)2.)REDEMPTION TOGETHER WITH JUSTICE (vv. 22b-26) – (Application: BE IN AWE OF A GOD who is both JUST and JUSTIFIER…)3.)RELIGION BY FAITH NOT WORKS (vv. 27-31) – (Application: BOAST IN A GOD who saves you from his wrath by GRACE and NOT BY WORKS…)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant curse will leave us UTTERLY HOPELESS.The Big Question: Why do we NEED the God of the GOSPEL (part 3)?The Central Point: Because WE HAVE NOTHING TO HELP US…1.)NO ADVANTAGES (vv. 1-8) – (Application: GOD is GOD and you are not, so put down your REBELLION and accept his judgment…)2.)NO RIGHTEOUSNESS (vv. 9-18) – (Application: GOD is GOD and you are not, so accept his assessment of your EVIL disposition…)3.)NO ACCOMPLISHMENTS (vv. 19-20) – (Application: GOD is GOD and you are not, so accept that you will NEVER be good enough for him…)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant curse exposes our internal sense of his law which condemns us.The Big Question: Why do we NEED the God of the GOSPEL (part 2)?The Central Point: Because WE LIKE TO HIDE in…1.)CONDESCENDING CONDUCT (vv. 1-11) – (Application: We become COMFORTABLY NUMB in our own righteousness…)2.)CONSCIENCE CONFLICTS (vv. 12-24) – (Application: We become UNCOMFORTABLY NOISY in conscience…)3.)COMMUNITY CULTURE (vv. 25-29) – (Application: We become COMFORTABLY NESTLED our heritage…)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant curse shows how far he’ll go to show us how far we’ve gone.The Big Question: Why do we NEED the God of the GOSPEL?The Central Point: Because God GIVES US OVER TO OURSELVES by giving us up to…1.)DELUSIONAL LUSTS (vv. 24-25) – (Application: We become INCAPABLE of thinking through our choices…)2.)DISHONORABLE PASSIONS (vv. 26-27) – (Application: We become SEARED in conscience…)3.)DEBASED MINDS (vv. 28-32) – (Application: We become INSANE but think we’re really sane…)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant curse clarifies why we NEED the GOSPEL.The Big Question: Why do we NEED the GOSPEL?The Central Point: Because God’s WRATH is REVEALED in…1.)HIS REVELATORY CREATION (vv. 19-20) – (Application: We have NO EXCUSES…)2.)OUR UNRIGHTEOUS SUPPRESSION (vv. 18, 21-22) – (Application: We HATE God by NATURE…)3.)OUR UNGODLY EXCHANGE (v. 23) – (Application: We put our HATRED of God into ACTION…)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing is to give his children clarity with the heart GOSPEL.The Big Question: What is the HEART of the GOSPEL?The Central Point: The HEART of the GOSPEL is God’s POWER…1.)IN ME FOR YOU (vv. 8-15) – (Application: The GOSPEL will compel you to LOVE others)2.)FROM HIM TO YOU (vv. 16-17) – (Application: The GOSPEL will compel you to LOVE God)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing is the GOSPEL of his HEART for his children.*The Big Question: What is the GOSPEL from God’s Perspective?1.)IN HIS GRACE TO YOU (v. 7) – (Application: Your salvation is totally in God’s hands)2.)IN HIS PEACE TO YOU (v. 7) – (Application: Your salvation is totally worked out by God)3.)IN HIS LOVE TO YOU (v. 7) – (Application: Your salvation is totally God’s idea)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing SETS APART the GOSPEL and its recipients.The Big Question: What is the SET-APARTNESS of the GOSPEL?The Central Point: The SET-APARTNESS of the GOSPEL is the SPIRIT:1.)OF GOSPEL PAST (vv. 2-4) – (Application: When troubled, walk the timeline backwards)2.)OF GOSPEL PRESENT (vv.1, 5a, 6-7) – (Application: When troubled, deep dive into the Book)3.)OF GOSPEL FUTURE (v. 5b) – (Application: When troubled, bank on the good news for the future)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing means he LEADS his people to LIFE from Death.The Big Question: How do we follow God’s path to LIFE from Death?The Central Point: We FOLLOW God’s PATH to LIFE from Death by:1.)CONFESSING & LISTENING (50:15-21) – (Application: Focus on God’ Covenant of Grace and Take Note[s]!)2.)COUNTING & LOOKING (50:22-26) – (Application: FOCUS on God’s Covenant Fulfillment and Walk Confidently!)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing means he grants his people LIFE from Death.The Big Question: How does God’s Covenant blessing bring about LIFE after Death?The Central Point: COVENANT BLESSING brings about LIFE after Death by:1.)MOURNING (40:29-50:3) – (Application: Death makes us FEEL the WEIGHT of Life.)2.)MAJESTY (50:4-14) – (Application: Death makes us SEE the PURPOSE of life.)
The Main Idea: God Covenant means he claims his people by giving them the blessing of REDEMPTIONThe Big Question: What’s so SPECIAL about COVENANT BLESSING?The Central Point: COVENANT BLESSING is SPECIAL because it’s REDEMPTION:1.)REDEMPTION’S CALL (vv. 1-2; 18; 28) – (Application: THE FAITH is meant to CARRY ON.)2.)REDEMPTION’S CANDIDATES (vv. 3-7) – (Application: GRACIOUS intervention leads to DIVISION.)3.)REDEMPTION’S CARRIERS (vv. 8-17; 19-27) – (Application: GROWTH RESULTS in PROSPERING.)
The Main Idea: God’s merciful Covenant with his people comes in real world gifts called “the blessing.”The Big Question: What is COVENANT BLESSING all about?The Central Point: COVENANT BLESSING is all about:1.)GENERATIONAL GIFTS (vv. 1-7) – (Application: God’s Plan in Christ is to RECLAIM and RESTORE a people for himself, therefore CHILDREN are included in it.)2.)CEREMONIAL ASSURANCES (vv. 8-19) – (Application: God’s Plan in Christ FACTORS in our weakness and gives us signs and seals of his COVENANT MERCY.)3.)PREDICTIVE GUARANTEES (vv. 20-22) – (Application: God’s Plan in Christ is just that: A PLAN; so his work is far greater than we could ever imagine.)
The Main Idea: God’s merciful Covenant with his people comes in real world gifts called “the blessing.”The Big Question: What do God’s Covenant people get for trusting his Covenant mercy?The Central Point: God’s Covenant people get COVENANT BLESSING:1.)THE PROMISE OF COVENANT BLESSING (vv. 1-12) – (Application: When the Greater One comes in in the Person and Work of Jesus, you can be sure the Covenant Blessings are through HIM.)2.)THE FULFILLMENT OF COVENANT BLESSING (vv. 13-26) – (Application: Since the Greater One has come, you now give out the GREATER BLESSING to the nations.)3.)THE HOPE OF COVENANT BLESSING (vv. 27-31) – (Application: Since the Greater One has come and has been raised from the dead, you can know for sure that the BLESSING IS AN INDESTRUCTBLE LIFE.)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people is merciful which causes them to trust in his faithfulness.The Big Question: What does FAITH in God’s Covenant MERCY look like?The Central Point: FAITH in God’s Covenant MERCY is a JOURNEY to:1.)CONFIDENCE (vv. 1-27) – (Application: God’s FAITHFULNESS in Christ should cause us to TRUST him with our future.)2.)JOY (vv. 28-30) – (Application: God’s FAITHFULNESS in Christ should settle us in the promise of a JOYOUS future.)3.)PROTECTION (vv. 31-34) – (Application: God’s FAITHFULNESS in Christ should lead us to the BOLDNESS of a PROTECTED future.)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people is emblematic of his mercy poured out through Christ.The Big Question: What does God want us to do with his MERCY?The Central Point: God wants us to give ourselves to three MOVEMENTS:1.)COME NEAR (vv. 1-8) – (Application: We should be STUNNED enough to have to be COMMANDED to move in closeness to God in Christ.)2.)COME TO (vv. 9-24) – (Application: We should be so SURPRISED that we CAN and OUGHT TO move in closeness to God in Christ.)3.)CARRY ON (vv. 25-28) – (Application: We should be willing to SURRENDER our lives to Christ’s ABUNDANCE when we have NOTHING and NO ABILITY to pay.)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people forces them to come to terms with their sin so that they’ll experience his heart full of mercy.The Big Question: What does God do to show us just what he is to us?The Central Point: God COVENANT DEMANDS FULL-BONDED COMMITMENT; he brings us to it by:1.)CONSTERNATION (vv. 1-13) – (Application: We are left spiritually destitute, convinced we have nothing to offer him.)2.)CONFRONTATION (vv. 14-17) – (Application: We are left spiritually destitute before him and embrace our powerlessness to change the situation.)3.)CONSECRATION (vv. 18-34) – (Application: We are left spiritually destitute and can only offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, not expecting anything in return.)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people forces them to come to terms with their sin so that they experience his mercy.The Big Question: How does God CONVINCE us to TURN to HIM as our SAVIOR?The Central Point: God CONVINCES to turn to HIM as SAVIOR by RECKONING to us our need for:1.)SOFTENED HEARTS (vv. 1-14) – (Application: Demonstrated by a willingness to sacrifice instead of indulge.)2.)SHOWN HUMILITY (vv. 15-25) – (Application: Demonstrated by a willingness to suffer consequences instead of defensiveness.)3.)SOWN HAPPINESS (vv. 26-34) – (Application: Demonstrated by entering into the joy of the new relationship instead of longing for the old “joys.”)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people forces them to come to terms with their sin.The Big Question: How does God CONVINCE us we NEED a SAVIOR?The Central Point: God CONVINCES us we NEED a SAVIOR by forcing us to RECKON with:1.)OUR DESPERATE SITUATION (vv. 1-11) – (Application: Repentance demands we “fess up” to the one in charge.)2.)OUR DISGUSTING SIN (vv. 12-25) – (Application: Repentance demands we wrestle with how evil we really are.)3.)OUR DISORIENTING NEED (vv. 26-38) – (Application: Repentance demands we honestly present ourselves to the one we’ve offended.)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people means he equips their Savior to save.The Big Question: What does God do to CONVINCE you his Savior CAN save?The Central Point: God DEVELOPS his appointed SAVIOR first by:1.)SETTING THE STAGE FOR HIM TO SAVE (vv. 1-24) – (Application: Salvation in Jesus occurs in the flow of history; therefore, we can TRUST God’s timing.)2.)SETTING HIM UP TO SAVE (vv. 25-36) – (Application: Salvation in Jesus is found only in Jesus; therefore, we can be certain he’s THE Savior.)3.)SETTING HIM IN PLACE TO SAVE (vv. 37-57) – (Application: Salvation in Jesus is confirmed by God; therefore we should look NOWHERE ELSE for salvation.)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people means they BELONG to him.The Big Question: Where do you belong as God’s Covenant People?The Central Point: As God’s Covenant People, you BELONG:1.)AT HOME WITH HIM (vv. 1-8) – (Application: Being COMFORTABLE in your own skin no matter where you are!)2.)AT HOME WITH FAMILY (vv. 9-15) – (Application: Being HONEST to own your own homesickness!)3.)AT HOME AWAY FROM HOME (vv. 16-23) – (Application: Being TRUSTING when your homesickness lingers a little longer…)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people means they BELONG to him.The Big Question: Where do you belong as God’s Covenant People?The Central Point: As God’s Covenant People, you BELONG:1.)AT HOME WITH HIM (vv. 1-8) – (Application: Being COMFORTABLE in your own skin no matter where you are!)2.)AT HOME WITH FAMILY (vv. 9-15) – (Application: Being HONEST to own your own homesickness!)3.)AT HOME AWAY FROM HOME (vv. 16-23) – (Application: Being TRUSTING when your homesickness lingers a little longer…)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people means he supplies them with a fit Savior.The Big Question: What should God’s Covenant People learn about God’s great desire to reclaim them?The Central Point: God’s Covenant DEMANDS he give us a SAVIOR that is:1.)SKILLFUL (vv. 1-6) – (Application: If you need wisdom, TURN to JESUS)2.)STEADFAST (vv. 7-12) – (Application: If you need support, TURN to JESUS)3.)SUFFERING (vv. 24-30) – (Application: If you need empathy, TURN to JESUS)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people puts on display his great patience.The Big Question: What should God’s Covenant People learn about God’s great desire to reclaim them?The Central Point: We LEARN that God is PATIENT even when we are:1.) INCONSISTENT (vv. 1-14) – (Application: God’s PATIENCE doesn’t mean no requirements)2.)UNFAITHFUL (vv. 15-23) – (Application: God’s PATIENCE doesn’t mean no consequences)3.)HYPOCRITICAL (vv. 24-30) – (Application: God’s PATIENCE doesn’t mean no repentance)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people leads them through the valley of the shadow of death.The Big Question: When facing the pangs of death, what should God’s Covenant People do?The Central Point: We TRUST God’s Covenant through FAMILY:1.) CREDULITY (vv. 12-17) – (Application: Rest in God’s Sovereign Control)2.)CRUELTY (vv. 18-24) – (Application: Look for God’s Sovereign Intervention)3.)CUNNING (vv. 25-36) – (Application: Lean into God’s Sovereign Faithfulness)
The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people leads them through the valley of the shadow of death.The Big Question: When facing the pangs of death, what should God’s Covenant People do?The Central Point: We TRUST God’s Covenant through FAMILY:1.) CREDULITY (vv. 12-17) – (Application: Rest in God’s Sovereign Control)2.)CRUELTY (vv. 18-24) – (Application: Look for God’s Sovereign Intervention)3.)CUNNING (vv. 25-36) – (Application: Lean into God’s Sovereign Faithfulness)
The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Remake His Covenant People through Focus on His Truth.The Big Question: How should God’s Covenant People respond to God’s truth?The Central Point: We should TRUST & OBEY God’s truth regardless of the vessel’s:1.)RIGHTEOUSNESS (vv. 1-2) – (Application: We just might need to COMPARE & CONTRAST!)2.)RANK (vv. 3-4) – (Application: We just might need to CHECK ourselves!)3.)RANKLING (vv. 5-11) – (Application: We just might need to WONDER why…)
The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Remake His Covenant People through Focus on His Rule and Presence.The Big Question: Where’s God’s COVENANT when evil grows?The Central Point: He’s EMMANUEL even though EVIL GROWS in:1.)TIME (vv. 1-14) – (Application: We ENDURE)2.)TRIBES (vv. 15-30) – (Application: We WISE UP)3.)TERRAIN (vv. 31-43) – (Application: We TRUST)
The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Remake His Covenant People through Focus on His Rule and Presence.The Big Question: Where’s God’s COVENANT when evil grows?The Central Point: He’s EMMANUEL even though EVIL GROWS in:1.)TIME (vv. 1-14) – (Application: We ENDURE)2.)TRIBES (vv. 15-30) – (Application: We WISE UP)3.)TERRAIN (vv. 31-43) – (Application: We TRUST)
The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Repair and Remake His Covenant People through Hurt.The Big Question: How does God keep his COVENANT when we’re hurt?The Central Point: He WALKS US through:1.)SADNESS (vv. 16-21) – (Application: In faith we can mark our sadness)2.)SHAME (vv. 22-26) – (Application: In faith we can accept our shame)3.)SORROW (vv. 27-29) – (Application: In faith we can stand in our sorrow)
The Main Idea: God’s at Work to Repair and Remake His Covenant People.The Big Question: What can we expect from God if we are IN COVENANT with him?The Central Point: Like a Friend that Sticks Closer than a Brother, He:1.)STIRS UP (vv. 1-4) – (Application: Move on in Christ, even when you don’t have all the answers)2.)STAYS BESIDE (vv. 5-8) – (Application: Have confidence in Christ wherever you are going)3.)STANDS WITH (vv. 9-15) – (Application: Receive encouragement from Christ when he gives it)
The Main Idea: The Boomerang to the Flesh Does Great Damage to God’s Covenant People.The Big Question: How can we tell we’re giving into the FLESH in our interactions with others?The Central Point: QUESTIONABLE Ways Lead to COMPLICATED Days:1.)DETESTABLE THINGS (vv. 1-12) – (Application: Check your LOOSENESS in making TIES with unbelievers)2.)DECEITFUL DEALS (vv. 13-24) – (Application: Sowing the WIND; Reaping the WHIRLWIND)3.)DISGRACEFUL MESSES (vv. 25-31) – (Application: When doing NOTHING and doing SOMETHING without consulting your covenant-making God leaves you vulnerable…)
The Main Idea: God’s Wisdom Given Only in Conflict Leads Us Through Conflict to Win in Him!The Big Question: How Does the Lord LEAD His Covenant People through CONFLICT?The Central Point: Through INTERVENING He LEADS us with WISDOM for PEACE:1.)DIPLOMATIC INDICATION (vv. 1-11) – (Application: Reflecting God’s GRACIOUS dealing with you in how you APPROACH others)2.)DEFINITIVE NEGOTIATION (vv. 12-17) – ((Application: Recognizing God’s GRACIOUS claiming of you as you ENGAGE others)3.)DISTINCTIVE ADORATION (vv. 18-20) – (Application: Reinforcing your commitment to God’s GRACIOUS claim on you as you MOVE ON)
The Main Idea: God’s Presence Causes Us to Wrestle with Him and Win!The Big Question: How Does the Lord PREPARE His Covenant People for CONFLICT?The Central Point: Through INTERVENING He PREPARES us to WIN with:1.)PRESSING-ON FAITH (vv. 22-23) – (Application: Dogged DETERMINATION to TRUST IN God against all odds)2.)PREVAILING FAITH (vv. 24-28) – (Application: Dogged DETERMINATION to CLING TO God against all odds)3.)PERSEVERING FAITH (vv. 29-32) – (Application: Dogged DETERMINATION to LEAN INTO God against all odds)
The Main Idea: God’s Presence Opens Us Up to Take Our Anxious Fears to Him.The Big Question: How Does the Lord BLESS His Covenant People while they’re in CONFILCT?The Central Point: Through INTERVENING He BLESSES us with:1.)HIS PRESENCE (vv. 1-5) – (Application: We need to be SURPRISED by GRACE to progress in the faith)2.)OUR PRAYERS (vv. 6-12) – (Application: We need to FEEL the need of GRACE to fight the fight of faith)3.)OUR PREPARATION (vv. 13-21) – (Application: We need to REST in GRACE to bid our anxious fears subside)
The Main Idea: The Cup of Covenant Blessing in the Presence of EnemiesThe Big Question: How Does the Lord BLESS His Covenant People while they’re in CONFILCT?The Central Point: Through INTERVENING He BLESSES us by:1.)CERTAINTY (vv. 1-21) – (Application: He who knows all blesses us with clear, certain REVELATION )2.)CONFIDENCE (vv. 22-35) – (Application: He who is everywhere present blesses us with his SPIRIT)3.)COVENANT (vv. 36-55) – (Application: He who is all-powerful blesses us with SALVATION)
The Main Idea: The Lord Protects & Provides for His Covenant PeopleThe Big Question: How Does the Lord Protect & Provide for His Covenant People?The Central Point: Through the MEDIATOR He Blesses by:1.)Honoring the Mediator’s Work (30:25-34) – (Application: The Lord ENSURES the Mediator gets all that he’s EARNED)2.)Cursing the Enemy’s Schemes (30:35-36) – (Application: The Lord ALLOWS the seed of the serpent to RESIST the Mediator to curse him)3.)Bearing His People’s Sins (30:37-43) – (Application: The Lord DEFEATS the enemy by PLACING all his people’s sins on the Mediator)
The Main Idea: Covenant Living Means Only the Lord Can Get the Glory of His Covenant PeopleThe Big Question: Can the Lord get GLORY out of his people’s mess?The Central Point: Yes He Can, Just LOOK at His Work:1.)PRAISES (29:31-35) – (Application: God’s bringing CLARITY out of our chaos, so we should wholeheartedly trust in him…)2.)PECULIARITIES (30:1-21) – (Application: God’s WORKING good from our foolishness, so we should find absolute security in him…)3.)PROSPERITY (30:22-24) – (Application: God’s REMEMBERING us will end in our prosperity, so we should be able to rest in him…)
The Main Idea: Covenant Living Means the Lord Will Discipline His Covenant PeopleThe Big Question: How do we get the best out of the Lord’s Discipline?The Central Point: By taking a good look in the MIRROR:1.)BEWARE (vv. 1-12) – (Application: Don’t mistake God’s grace as God’s license…)2.)BE CAREFUL (vv. 13-20) – (Application: Don’t misread God’s providence as God’s approval…)3.)BE OPEN (vv. 21-30) – (Application: Don’t misunderstand God’s aims as God’s rejection…)
The Main Idea: Covenant Certainty is unto Covenant Identity, which is unto Covenant LivingThe Big Question: How does God want us to respond to his Covenant Faithfulness?The Central Point: God WANTS us to LIVE OUT three W’s:1.)WALK by Faith (vv. 1-5) – (Application: God’s making the connections, so why worry about our future?)2.)WATCH for Unbelief (vv. 6-9) – (Application: God’s already received us, so why please men?)3.)WONDER at Revelation (vv. 10-22) – (Application: God’s spoken “directly” to us, so why doubt him?)
The Main Idea: Covenant Certainty out of Family DysfunctionThe Big Question: How does God bring Order out of Family Chaos?The Central Point: He Invites us to WEIGH THE RISKS of Relational Outcomes:1.)A Deeper Deception (vv. 30-35) – (Application: The eternal, covenant God is your hope when you feel hopeless about your family)2.)An Obvious Impulsivity (vv. 36-41) – (Application: The eternal, covenant God will winnow out unbelief in your family)3.)A High Stakes Strategy (vv. 42-46) – (Application: The eternal, covenant God is with you and for you when you think your family is hanging by a thread)
The Main Idea: Covenant Certainty out of Family Untrustworthiness.The Big Question: How does God bring Truth out of Lies?The Central Point: He Makes us WISE to Deception’s Work:1.)Profound Deception (vv. 18-20) – (Application: God wants to make you wise by removing naivete about sin’s presence in your family)2.)Effective Deception (vv. 21-25) – (Application: God wants to make you wise by equipping you for the effectiveness of sin’s influence in your family)3.)Complete Deception (vv. 26-29) – (Application: God wants to make you wise by growing proving his faithfulness in spite of sin’s effects on your family)
The Main Idea: Covenant Certainty out of Family Instability.The Big Question: How does God bring Clarity out of Confusion?The Central Point: He EXPOSES our VULNERABILITIES to give us Wisdom:1.)Marital Vulnerability (26:34-35; 27:46) – (Application: God wants to give us wisdom about the impact of our attitudes)2.)Personal Vulnerability (27:1-4) – (Application: God wants to give us awareness of the impact of our weaknesses)3.)Familial Vulnerability (27:5-17) – (Application: God wants to give us understanding of the impact of our relationships)
The Main Idea: Covenant Certainty is built by a right response to the Lord’s Covenant Promise.The Big Question: How does God build trust in his Covenant Promise?The Central Point: He ENABLES proper FEAR of him:1.)“Fear Not” Command (vv. 23-25) – (Application: God protects his Covenant People by his commands)2.)Fear-filled Response (vv. 26-29) – (Application: God protects his Covenant People by causing his and their enemies to sense his dreadfulness)3.)Fearful Feasting (vv. 30-33) – (Application: God protects his Covenant People by his preparing a table before them in the presence of his and their enemies)
The Main Idea: Covenant Certainty is the result of the Lord’s Covenant Blessing the Covenant Head.The Big Question: How does God guarantee his certainty to save us?The Central Point: He BLESSES Isaac by:1.)Prospering Isaac’s Work (vv. 12-14a) – (Application: God confirms Covenant Certainty in our blessing by blessing the Covenant Head)2.)Protecting Isaac’s Wealth (vv. 14b-16) – (Application: God confirms Covenant Certainty for our comprehensive blessing by blessing the Covenant Head)3.)Providing Isaac’s Way (vv. 17-22) – (Application: God confirms Covenant Certainty for practical blessing by blessing the Covenant Head)
The Main Idea: Covenant Certainty is the result of the Lord’s Covenant Blessing the Covenant Head.The Big Question: How does God drive home his Covenant Faithfulness?The Central Point: He Uses Even Isaac’s Sin to Triumph:1.)Usurping Isaac’s Deception (vv. 6-8) – (Application: Confidence in God’s Covenant faithfulness is built by his sovereignty over our sin)2.)Undoing Isaac’s Foolishness (vv. 9-11) – (Application: Confidence in God’s Covenant faithfulness is built by his sovereignty over our foolishness)
The Main Idea: Covenant Certainty is the result of generations of the Lord’s Covenant Faithfulness.The Big Question: How does God teach each generation his Covenant Faithfulness?The Central Point: He Expands the Vision of His Promises by:1.)Giving New People Old Trials (vv. 1, 5) – (Application: God gives you trials for YOU to gain confidence)2.)Giving Old Promises New Applications (vv. 2-4) – (Application: God brings you through trials to let you see more of what HE’s doing)
The Main Idea: The Lord builds us in Covenant Certainty by showing us his sovereignty and our responsibility.The Big Question: How are we sure God is committed to his Great Reclamation Project?The Central Point: By Showing How He Interacts with His People:1.)Prayer and the Sovereignty of God (vv. 19-21) – (Application: God uses the prayers of his covenant people to enact his will)2.)Peoples and the Sovereignty of God (vv. 22-26) – (Application: God uses the circumstances of his covenant people to enact his will)3.)Personalities and the Sovereignty of God (vv. 27-34) – (Application: God uses the interactions of his covenant people to enact his will)
The Main Idea: The Lord builds us in Covenant Certainty by making distinctions between types of people.The Big Question: How does the Lord build in us covenant certainty?The Central Point: He Shows His Covenant Vision of People:1.)People Away from the Covenant (vv. 1-6) – (Application: God makes distinctions among people in relation to his covenant)2.)People of the Covenant (vv. 7-11) – (Application: God never gives up on his great reclamation of a people for himself))3.)People Over Against the Covenant (vv. 12-18) – (Application: God shows his faithfulness to his people through active persecution)
The Main Idea: The Lord trains us in Covenant Certainty by Moving us to Action on His Answers to Prayer. The Big Question: What does the Lord do to move us to act on answered prayer?The Central Point: He Grants Heavenly Wisdom in:1.)Seeking Consent (vv. 49-53) – (Application: Heavenly Wisdom in prayer calls us to honor others)2.)Celebrating Agreement (v. 54a) – (Application: Heavenly Wisdom in prayer moves us to build good relationships)3.)Resolving Issues (vv. 54b-60) – (Application: Heavenly Wisdom in prayer leads us to humbly and boldly seek peace)
The Main Idea: The Lord trains us in Covenant Certainty by Building Confidence in Prayer. The Big Question: How does the Lord build our confidence in prayer?The Central Point: He Moves Us to Live it Out by:1.)Patience (vv. 29-33) – (Application: Waiting on God’s timing builds confidence in prayer)2.)Proof (vv. 34-43) – (Application: Reflecting on God’s provision builds confidence in prayer)3.)Practicality (vv. 44-48) – (Application: Acting on God’s promises builds confidence in prayer)
The Main Idea: The Lord trains us in Covenant Certainty by answering Prayer. The Big Question: What does God us to get out of prayer?The Central Point: He Receives Us in It by:1.)His Gracious Attitude toward Us (vv. 15-21) – (Application: We have no natural right to ask anything of God, but his giving us that right encourages us to pray.)2.)His Sovereign Actions for Us (vv. 22-28) – (Application: We are NOT in control but we have been received by the One who is: PRAY LIKE YOU MEAN IT!)
The Main Idea: The Lord trains us in Covenant Certainty through Prayer. The Big Question: How does God get us to prayer?The Central Point: He Throws Us Into It by:1.)Moving Us to Ask, “Well, what about…?” (vv. 1-9) – (Application: You learn covenant certainty by asking good questions)2.)Moving Us to Gather Our Resources (vv. 10-11) – (Application: You build covenant certainty by acting in wisdom)3.)Moving Us to Spell it All Out (vv. 12-14) – (Application: You get covenant certainty by laying out specific requests before the Lord)
The Main Idea: The Lord’s Covenant Certainty while Walking in the Valley of the Shadow The Big Question: How are we to mourn our dead?The Central Point: Bury your dead and raise your hope:1.)Feel the Life (vv. 1-2) – (Application: God takes each life seriously… So should we.)2.)Bury the Dead (vv. 3-16) – (Application: God takes each death seriously… So should we.)3.)Live the Future (vv. 17-20) – (Application: God takes your life seriously… So should you.)
The Main Idea: The Lord’s Covenant Certainty: His Plan for the Seed of the Woman The Big Question: What’s the Lord’s Vision of the Seed’s ministry?The Central Point: His Heart in the Seed’s Calling:1.)A Sacrificial Calling (vv. 1-8) – (Application: It costs him everything to have you; will you count the cost of following him?)2.)A Substitutionary Calling (vv. 9-14) – (Application: He does everything to have you; is it worth what it costs you to follow him?)3.)A Signature Calling (vv. 15-24) – (Application: He makes it clear he wants to have you; doesn’t this make following him worth it for you?)The Great Aim: The Lord’s Heart in the Seed’s Calling: Providing SO GREAT a SALVATION for you…
The Main Idea: The Seed of the Woman is here to draw all people to himself! The Big Question: What’s Jesus here to do?The Central Point: He’s calls out to all – revealing:1.)His Sword (vv. 1-4) – (Application: Are you thrilled or troubled to hear about Jesus?)2.)His Guidance (vv. 5-10) – (Application: Are you directed or threatened by the appearance of Jesus?)3.)His Humanity (vv. 11-12) – (Application: Are you joyful or upset at the thought of Jesus?)The Great Aim: GOD SHOWS US HOW JESUS IMPACTS THE WORLD THROUGH HIS IMPACT ON US!
The Main Idea: The Seed of the Woman is with us to save us to the uttermost! The Big Question: Where’s Jesus?The Central Point: He’s with us to save us – in the midst of our:1.)Chaos (vv. 18-20a) – (Application: As the adopted son of a carpenter he escapes death to later die for us)2.)Rest (vv. 20b-23) – (Application: As the named Son of God he guarantees our salvation and our purpose)3.)Obedience (vv. 24-25) – (Application: As the named son of Joseph he demonstrates he will be with us to the end)The Great Aim: GOD WANTS US TO SEE HE WILL FINISH WITH US WHAT HE STARTED FOR US!
The Main Idea: God ensures that history leads us to see the Seed of the Woman’s ultimate work.The Big Question: What’s the heart of Jesus’ saving work?The Central Point: His Greater Glory – Saving Us…1.)As a Perfect Representation (vv. 12-16) – (Application: Joseph is Jesus’ adopting Royal Father because God is in control of history for our salvation!)2.)In a Purposeful Message (v. 17) – (Application: Joseph is Jesus’ adopting Royal Father because God wants us to get the message of salvation!)The Great Aim: GOD MAKES SURE WE SEE THE WORK OF HIS PLAN FOR JESUS SAVING US!
The Main Idea: The Seed of the Woman who’s not ashamed to call us his brothers! The Big Question: How do I know Jesus is MY Savior?The Central Point: My guarantee he saves me – His backstory shows me:1.)Bright Lights with some Dark Alleyways (vv. 2-6a) – (Application: Regardless of how good his people could be, God was determined to save!)2.)Light Shining in the Dark of Night (vv. 6b-11) – (Application: Regardless of how bad his people could get, God was determined to save!)The Great Aim: GOD MAKES SURE WE SEE WHOEVER AND WHEREVER WE ARE, JESUS SAVES!
The Main Idea: The Seed of the Woman whose rule blesses all the families of the earth! The Big Question: How do we know Jesus is truly our Savior?The Central Point:History is HIS STORY of Salvation… God Carefully Documents his GENESIS:1.)Jesus’ Earthly Origin (v. 1a) – (Application: He alone represents us fully – So rest assured he saves you)2.)Jesus’ Royal Origin (v. 1b) – (Application: He alone qualifies as our king – So rest assured he’s watchful over you)3.)Jesus’ Saving Origin (v. 1c) – (Application: He alone binds himself to us – So rest assured he’ll always be with us and for us)
The Main Idea: The Lord’s Covenant Certainty: Isaac’s the Exclusive Heir of the Promise The Big Question: Why is everybody laughing?The Central Point: GOD names THE Heir…That’s Why!… And that’s why:1.) Sarah Gets the First Laugh (vv. 1-7) – (Application: You get to enjoy God enjoying you enjoying him)2.)Ishmael Gets the Next Laugh (vv. 8-14) – (Application: You get to enjoy God setting up your gospel joy)3.)God Gets the Last Laugh (vv. 15-21) – (Application: You get to enjoy God enjoying being God))
The Main Idea: The Lord’s Great Covenant Reclamation: Unimpeded by Sin! The Big Question: Why does the Lord put up with Abraham?The Central Point: There’s No Stopping His Reclamation Determination… Not Even Abraham’s:1.) Stubborn Worrying (vv. 1-7) – (Application: God’s at Work – Can you PERSEVERE?)2.)Shameful Witness (vv. 8-14) – (Application: God’s at Work – Can you REPENT?)3.)Successful Ways (vv. 15-18) – (Application: God’s at Work – Can you TRUST?)
The Main Idea: The Lord’s Great Covenant Reclamation: Unimpeded by Sin! The Big Question: Why does the Lord put up with Lot?The Central Point: There’s No Stopping His Reclamation Determination… Not Even:1.)Those Shameless Know-it-All’s (vv. 30-32) – (Application: Don’t you see how the Lord EXPANDS your options?)2.)Their Decadent Doings (vv. 33-35) – (Application: Don’t you see how the Lord SETTLES your soul?)3.)Their Corrupt Consequences (vv. 36-38) – (Application: Don’t you see how the Lord DESIRES your good name?)
The Main Idea: The Lord’s covenant compassion: As sure as his memory.The Big Question: How does the Lord prove himself trustworthy to his covenant people?The Central Point: He uses their prayers for his plans… He shows it in his faithfulness to:1.)His Word (vv. 23-26) – (Application: Grace means judgment is real.)2.)His Priests (vv. 27-28) – (Application: Faith means believing without seeing.)3.)His Promises (v. 29) – (Application: Trust means God always remembers his promises.)
The Main Idea: The Lord’s covenant compassion is worked out with real people, who are real sinners, in real time, in real places.The Big Question: How does the Lord work out his compassion for his covenant people?The Central Point: He answers priestly prayers for their rescue… by:1.)Seeing the Reality (vv. 1-11) – (Application: Progress, “not-yet” perfection: The Lord looks at your heart and starts where you are…)2.)Saving the Righteous (vv. 12-22) – (Application: Progress, “not-yet” perfection: The Lord listens to your heart and sets you on your way…)
The Main Idea: The Lord shows his compassion through covenant priesthood to draw us to himself.The Big Question: How does the Lord show compassion to his covenant people?The Central Point: He shows compassion by drawing them through Abraham’s priesthood… by:1.)Initiating His Priesthood (vv. 16-21) – (Application: The Lord’s compassion for you initiates your compassion for others)2.)Instigating His Priesthood (vv. 22-23) – (Application: The Lord wants to see his compassion overflowing from you the same way it does from him)3.)Activating His Priesthood (vv. 24-33) (Application: The Lord wants to see his compassion for you move you into engaging prayer for others)
The Main Idea: God wins the consent of each one of his covenant people under his authority. The Big Question: How does God win their consent?*The Central Point: He wins their consent… by:1.)Entrusting Covenant Authority Downwardly (vv. 1-5) – (Application: God commands and takes delight in our effort to obey him)2.)Receiving Covenant Authority Upwardly (vv. 6-8) – (Application: God receives and counts as meaningful the results of our effort to obey him)3.)Empowering Covenant Authority Horizontally (vv. 9-15) – (Application: God cares for each one he graciously receives under his covenant authority)
The Main Idea: Circumcision means God MUST take on the cost of our sin to fulfil his covenant of grace. The Big Question: How much must God take on to give out?*The Central Point: He gives until it hurts… showing it by:1.)Making Promises: His Own Hurt (vv. 1-8) – (Application: It costs him: takes on death to give out life)2.)Making Impressions: He Must Hurt (vv. 9-21) – (Application: It costs us, but not like it costs him)3.)Making Room: How Much Must He Hurt? (vv. 22-27) – (Application: Is following him worth it?)
The Main Idea: God is so sovereign even our sinful ways can’t derail his Great Reclamation Promise. The Big Question: How sovereign is he?*The Central Point: He’s so sovereign our barriers delay, but don’t derail his promise-keeping… Barriers like:1.)Legal Devices (vv. 1-6) – (Application: Our double-dealings delay, but can’t derail his promise-keeping)2.)Relational Manipulation (vv. 7-14) – (Application: Our power-scheming delays, but can’t derail his promise-keeping)3.)Role Laziness (vv. 15-16) – (Application: Our passive-leanings delay, but can’t derail his promise-keeping)
The Main Idea: God reassures us that he’ll keep every bit of his promises to us. The Big Question: When you wonder if God keeps his promises, how does he deal with you?*The Central Point: He reassures you by his covenant…which he shows you by drawing you: 1.)Into Dialog (vv. 1-11) – (Application: God’s more concerned about your faith than you’ll ever be)2.)Into Rest (vv. 12-16) – (Application: God’s more in control of your circumstances than you might wonder)3.)Into Love (vv. 17-21) – (Application: God’s more committed to your salvation than you’d ever dream)
The Main Idea: God reassures us that he’ll keep every bit of his promises to us. The Big Question: When you wonder if God keeps his promises, how does he deal with you?*The Central Point: He reassures you by his covenant…which he shows you by drawing you: 1.)Into Dialog (vv. 1-11) – (Application: God’s more concerned about your faith than you’ll ever be)2.)Into Rest (vv. 12-16) – (Application: God’s more in control of your circumstances than you might wonder)3.)Into Love (vv. 17-21) – (Application: God’s more committed to your salvation than you’d ever dream)
The Main Idea: In the midst of his people’s sin God goes to war to redeem them.The Central Point: God Fights For You Even When…! *The Big Question: God: What’s he good for?Warring for Your Soul Even When:1.)You’re Immature (vv. 1-12) – (Application: God’s Protection Plan: way before “the bed you made”)2.)You’re In Danger (vv. 13-16) – (Application: God’s Protection Plan: way better than you’d figure it)3.)You’re In Christ (vv. 17-24) – (Application: God’s Protection Plan: way beyond all you could imagine)
The Main Idea: God’s worldwide reclamation project also includes Abram’s restoration.The Central Point: Walk back into God walking with you. *The Big Question: What do you do when you’ve “blown it” with God?You turn around and walk right back into: 1.)God’s Place (vv. 1-4) – (Application: He’s not hard to find – just go to where he lives.)2.)God’s Preparation (vv. 5-13) – (Application: He prepares a table for you in the presence of your enemies.)3.)God’s Presence (vv. 14-18) – (Application: He’ll come to you if you’ll follow the directions he gives you.)
The Main Idea: God proves himself to be our blessing.The Central Point: Stealthy he goes, keeping his promise to bless and to curse. *The Big Question: How do you know that God will keep his promises?Because God is faithful to the faithless, blessing Abram even when:1.)He Embraces Foolish Notions (vv. 10-13) – (Application: Don’t do dumb things… but when you do, come back to God.)2.)He Provokes Fearful News (vv. 14-16) – (Application: When you think the sky is falling… remember, he can restore the years the locusts ate.)3.)He Needs His Fearful Forbearance (vv. 17-20) – (Application: God’s plan makes him patient… but don’t interpret it as license or injustice.)
The Main Idea: God will attack the prevailing darkness with his reclaiming light!The Central Point: God Calls and That’s All!*The Big Question: What do you do when you hear God’s call?You listen and go…1.)Go From… (vv. 1-3) – (Application: Drive a wedge between your comforts and his blessing…)2.)Go To… (vv. 4-5) – (Application: Take his promises to heart and bring others along…)3.)Go Into… (vv. 6-7) – (Application: Move into your fear and God will bless your faith…)4.)Go On… (vv. 8-9) – (Application: Keep going ‘til you have the full blessing…)
The Main Idea: God will attack the prevailing darkness with his reclaiming light!The Central Point: God Calls and That’s All!*The Big Question: What do you do when you hear God’s call?You listen and go…1.)Go From… (vv. 1-3) – (Application: Drive a wedge between your comforts and his blessing…)2.)Go To… (vv. 4-5) – (Application: Take his promises to heart and bring others along…)3.)Go Into… (vv. 6-7) – (Application: Move into your fear and God will bless your faith…)4.)Go On… (vv. 8-9) – (Application: Keep going ‘til you have the full blessing…)
The Main Idea: Fine-tuning God’s focus on winning back a people for himselfThe Central Point: God’s Priority One: Reclaiming His People *The Big Question: How does God clarify for us his focus on reclaiming a people?He clarifies for us his focus on reclaiming a people by:1.)Narrowing the Field (vv. 10-26) – (Application: God’s at work even when it looks like he isn’t…)2.)Setting Up the Play (vv. 27-30) – (Application: Trust him! He’s the God of the seemingly impossible…)3.)Breaking the Huddle (vv. 31-32) – (Application: Underneath mysterious providences, rest in the everlasting arms…)
The Main Idea: Why we all need Jesus!The Central Point: When sin grows up, God comes down, and messes us up. *The Big Question: How does God deal with rebellious men?He judges rebellious men with due process as he:1.)Allows Our Plans (vv. 1-4) – (Application: We freely give God good reason to execute justice…)2.)Evaluates Our Actions (vv. 5-7) – (Application: Be careful little eyes…)3.)Frustrates Our Hearts (vv. 8-9) – (Application: Consider God’s discipline…)
The Main Idea: Good, Bad, Indifferent… No matter: We all need Jesus!The Central Point: Under the Curse, but God’s at Work! *The Big Question: What’s so special about these three people groups?Nothing, except they each have their own ways of sinning…1.)The “Indifferent” (vv. 1-5) – (Application: God-haters all, even if not immediately felt…)2.)The “Bad” (vv. 6-20) – (Application: God-haters in touch with their hearts…)3.)The “Good” (vv. 21-32) – (Application: God-haters who think they don’t…)
The Main Idea: You Shouldn’t Trust a Merely Human Covenant HeadThe Central Point: Redemption Is So Desperately Needed *The Big Question: Should Noah be trusted to be our Covenant Head?Yes, but really… NO! After looking at the geography of his soul and legacy we see…1.)Hope Mountain (vv. 18-19) – (Application: Hope is on the horizon…)2.)Disappointment Valley (vv. 20-25) – (Application: I dare not trust the sweetest frame…)3.)Trust Horizon (vv. 26-29) – (Application: Definitely look to the horizon and wholly lean there…)
The Main Idea: God Restores the life of Noah in love and Extends the Offer Through CovenantThe Central Point: Love Only Means Love In Covenant *The Big Question: How does God’s love shine after the flood?God loves to show his love to us via his covenant – Which shows us his:1.)Love Of Life (vv. 1-7) – (Application: Step up into God’s Covenant Commands)2.)Love Through Life (vv. 8-17) – (Application: Rest assured of God’s Covenant Promises)
The Main Idea: God Restores the life of Noah in love and Extends the Offer Through CovenantThe Central Point: Love Only Means Love In Covenant*The Big Question: How does God’s love shine after the flood?God loves to show his love to us via his covenant – Which shows us his:1.)Love Of Life (vv. 1-7) – (Application: Step up into God’s Covenant Commands)2.)Love Through Life (vv. 8-17) – (Application: Rest assured of God’s Covenant Promises)
The Main Idea: God Restores the Earth After He Judges Mankind The Central Point: Noah: Redemption’s Lynchpin to Restoration Hope *The Big Question: Hope in… God? Why?
Hope in God because God… • Remembers Noah (vv. 1-5) • Reminds Noah (vv. 6-19) • Receives Noah (vv. 20-22)
The Main Idea: The LORD judges mankind and yet focuses on hope. The Central Point: Noah is the LORD’s Man of the Hour!
*The Big Question: Hope in… Noah? Why?
Noah is the LORD’s man of the hour because he has two things going for him: • His Qualifications (vv. 1-10) • His Lord (vv. 11-24)
The Main Idea: The clock’s run out on God’s patience and yet hope remains. The Central Point: God’s patience is still on display even when he’s angry… but not forever! *The Big Question: How is there any hope when God’s angry?
God won’t budge as a judge, but here’s “today,” so give your heart away to:
• The Man He Chooses (vv. 9-13a) • The Judgement He Proclaims (vv. 13b, 17) • The Covenant He Makes (vv. 14-16, 18-22)
The Main Idea: The LORD’s patience has a limit and his wisdom sets the clock. The Central Point: The LORD is jealous for your heart and you want him like that!
*The Big Question: How does my heart test the LORD’s patience?
The gravity of your heart could pull your life apart, so beware of:
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The Desire to Devour (vv. 1-4)
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The Deception of Depravity (vv. 5-8)
The Main Idea: The LORD preserves his people by extending his Saving Grace to them throughout generations. The Central Point: The LORD justly punishes sinners and graciously saves a portion of them: the Seed of the Woman.
*The Big Question: What Good is this History, as Long as I’m Saved?
The LORD’s Saving Grace is Meaningless Without this History because:
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What Good is Theology Without Real Time People? (vv. 1-27)
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What Good is a Promise (3:15) Without Real Time Rescue? (vv. 28-32)
The Main Idea: The LORD gives two kinds of grace: Common Grace and Saving Grace. The Central Point: The LORD is kind to all, but has one people in mind: the Seed of the Woman. *The Big Question: In What Ways Does The LORD’s Grace Serve His People?
The LORD’s Grace Serves His People In Two Ways:
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Common Grace Sets the Table for Salvation (vv. 16-24)
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Saving Grace Brings the Meal of Salvation (vv. 25-26)
The Main Idea: The LORD’s faithfulness to both judge and save sinners according to Genesis 3:15 is shown. The Central Point: The LORD will save a people and condemn a people – they will be shown by their deeds. *The Big Question: If someone is saved, how can you tell?
The LORD reveals how you can tell if someone is saved by contrasting how:
- Two Seeds Come to Life (vv. 1-2) - LAST EPISODE
- Two Seeds Come to Worship (vv. 3-5) - LAST EPISODE
- Two Seeds Come to Blows (vv. 6-8)
- Two Seeds Come to Show (vv. 9-15)
The Main Idea: The LORD’s faithfulness to both judge and save sinners according to Genesis 3:15 is shown. The Central Point: The LORD will save a people and condemn a people – they will be shown by their deeds. *The Big Question: If someone is saved, how can you tell?
The LORD reveals how you can tell if someone is saved by contrasting how:
- Two Seeds Come to Life (vv. 1-2)
- Two Seeds Come to Worship (vv. 3-5)
- Two Seeds Come to Blows (vv. 6-8) - NEXT EPISODE
- Two Seeds Come to Show (vv. 9-15) - NEXT EPISODE
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction dictates man’s banishment from the garden so God can be clearly understood as both Judge and Redeemer. The Central Point: The LORD God drives Adam out to drive Adam to… So Adam: Run for your life! *The Big Question: If the LORD God is so kind and good, why is he so ready to drive Adam away?
The LORD God is so ready to drive Adam away because:
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He Knows Adam Will Rebel (v. 22)
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He Wants Adam to Reflect (v. 23)
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He Guards Adam for Redemption (v. 24)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction highlights how the LORD God gives meaning to hope. The Central Point: Life remains, but through death new life’s regained. *The Big Question: How does the LORD God give hope to fallen man? The LORD God gives hope to fallen man through the grace he shows them in:
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Adam’s Meaningful Headship (v. 20)
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His Meaningful Redemption (v. 21)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction highlights the LORD God’s role as a judge with a glimpse of hope. The Central Point: His role remains, afflicted with pains, under a cloud of death. *The Big Question: How can the LORD God’s judgement on the fallen man leave room for hope?
The LORD God expresses his judgement through an alien reality which now afflicts his:
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Heart (v. 17)
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Body (vv. 18-19)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction highlights the LORD God’s role as a judge with an open door. The Central Point: Her role remains, but afflicted with pains. *The Big Question: How can the LORD God be judge while allowing hope for the fallen woman?
The LORD God expresses his judgement through an alien reality which now afflicts her:
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Body (v. 16a)
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Soul (v. 16b)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction highlights the LORD God’s role as judge. The Central Point: Justice served, hope secured: the LORD God puts his foot down! *The Big Question: How does the LORD God judge?
The LORD God: 1. Curses (v. 14) 2. Cuts (v. 15)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction clearly shows Adam’s/our defiance against the Lord. The Central Point: The Lord creates space, but Adam saves face. The Big Question: What does the Lord want Adam to do? The Big Answer: Admit he sinned and turn to him for help. That’s why we see the Lord:
- Walking, Seeking… (vv. 8-10)
- Inquiring, Waiting… (vv. 11-13)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction gives us clarity and life. The Central Point: Reversing the Creator/creature distinction unleashes the stench of death everywhere. The Big Question: What messed things up so much that we smell death around every corner? The Big Answer: Satan, Sin and a Sinner…by:
- Reversing Roles (vv. 1a, 6b)
- Reversing Expansion (vv. 1a-3)
- Reversing Restriction (vv. 4-6a, 7)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction impresses upon us the full weight of his glory in the male/female distinction. The Central Point: The true enjoyment of God’s glory can only happen in complementary relationship. The Big Question: As men and women, how do we work together to fulfill God’s purposes? The Big Answer: As men and women we work together to fulfill God’s purposes by…
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Responding To Our Roles (vv. 18-20)
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Resting In Our Roles (vv. 21-24)
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Reflecting On Our Roles (v. 25)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction impresses upon us our main purpose of glorifying God. The Central Point: God created you to glorify him in which you will find true enjoyment. The Big Question: How do I fulfill my purpose? The Big Answer: You fulfill your purpose by remembering God made his world so that you can be…
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Healthy Unto his Glory (vv. 10-14) LAST EPISODE
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Wealthy Unto his Glory (vv. 15-16)
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Wise Unto his Glory (v. 17)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction impresses upon us our main purpose of glorifying God. The Central Point: God created you to glorify him in which you will find true enjoyment. The Big Question: How do I fulfill my purpose? The Big Answer: You fulfill your purpose by remembering God made his world so that you can be…
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Healthy Unto his Glory (vv. 10-14)
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Wealthy Unto his Glory (vv. 15-16) NEXT EPISODE
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Wise Unto his Glory (v. 17) NEXT EPISODE
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction highlights our true identity in his transcendence and immanence. The Central Point: God FIXES our identity in the richness of his identity. The Big Question: Who am I? The Big Answer: God is the only one who can tell us who we are because…
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He Sets the Context (vv. 4-6)
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He Gets Into the Mix (vv. 7-9)
The Main Idea: The Word, God the Son, reigns in our hearts by letting us see his glory. The Central Point: The Word owns us by clearly showing us his glory that only we as his own see. The Big Question: How does the Word’s conquer the darkness of our hearts? The Big Answer: The Word’s conquers the darkness of our hearts by shedding his Light on…
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His Hidden Grace (vv. 14-15)
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His Giving Grace (vv. 16-17)
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His Teaching Grace (v. 18)
The Main Idea: The Word, God the Son, reads us and gets us reading ourselves. The Central Point: God the Son’s Battle Plan: His Light reveals the truth of our hearts. The Big Question: How does the Word’s Light hit our hearts? The Big Answer: The Word’s Light hits our hearts by…
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Flashlight Preparation (vv. 6-8)
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Full Planning (v. 9)
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Failsafe Plotting (vv. 10-13)
The Main Idea: The full identity of God the Son is essential to our salvation. The Central Point: God the Son does all things necessary to conquer evil and save us. The Big Question: What’s the Word? The Big Answer: The Word is the secret by whom he fights for us by…
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His Eternal Nature (vv. 1-2)
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His Economic Function (v. 3)
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His Effectual Strategy (vv. 4-5)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction unveils God’s unbreakable commitment to his people. The Central Point: God will NEVER let us go. The Big Question: How can we be absolutely certain God will never let us go? The Big Answer: He shows his heart is bound up with us because of…
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His Unbreakable Determination to Work for Our Good (v. 28a)
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His Unshakable Dedication to Speak to Our Hearts (v. 28b)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction highlights God’s enjoyment of us. The Central Point: God joyfully reflects on how we are made, then he immediately does it. The Big Question: How do we know that God enjoys us? The Big Answer: He shows that enjoyment in his…
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Holy Convocation (v. 26)
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Immediate Creation (v. 27)
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Crowning Commission (v. 28)
Sermon Text: Genesis 2:1-3 Sermon Title: Day 7: “It’s a Done Deal!”
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction highlights God’s enjoyment as the security of our enjoyment. The Central Point: God “takes the time” to enjoy the fruits of his work—we should too. The Big Question: What’s the JOY of work? The Big Answer: Getting to reflect God’s enjoyment by…
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Finishing Well (vv. 1-2a)
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Finding Rest (v. 2b)
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Freeing Time (v. 3)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction underscores the likeness of humankind to the Creator! The Central Point: “You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they can find rest in you.” The Big Question: How does God make good on making our lives good? The Big Answer: God makes good on this by moving us into our new home where he…
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Adds Some Finishing Touches (vv. 24-25)
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Makes Some Formal Introductions (vv. 26-28)
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Gives Some Fundamental Instructions (vv. 29-30)
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Enjoys Some First-Class Enjoyment (v. 31)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction tells me that our God tells us that our life is going to be good! The Central Point: God gave us purpose through time experienced in movement. The Big Question: How do we feel at home on the earth? The Big Answer: God gives us purpose by… 1. Giving the Security of Fixed Movement (vv. 14-19) 2. Giving the Joy of Animated Movement (vv. 20-23)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction insures that our God truly does us good! The Central Point: God structures an ideal framework to ensure we prosper to his glory. The Big Question: How does God do us good? The Big Answer: He sets us up for success by… 1. Pounding out the Best Atmosphere (vv. 6-8) 2. Putting up the Best Playground (vv. 9-10) 3. Laying out the Best Spread (vv. 11-13)
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction challenges my comfort because I don’t want to look dumb. The Central Point: The world will always send troublers our way…(but see John 16:33) The Big Question: What does the text actually say about “day”? The Big Answer: The text says a day is an earth-rotated day as evidenced by…
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The Word-flow “And”… AND History
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The Work-flow: “All in a DAY’S Work…”
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The World-flow: “Time, Like an Ever-Rolling Stream…”
The Main Idea: The Creator/creature distinction gives me hope because God is Goodness itself. The Central Point: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) The Big Question: How does God change things for the better for me? The Big Answer: God, who is good, brings about change for my good by…
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Using His Will to Focus His Goodness to Create Goodness (vv. 1-2)
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Using His Words to Focus His Light to Change Darkness (v. 3)
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Using His Wisdom to Focus His Skill to Call Reality by Name (vv. 4-5)
The Main Idea: The Biblical teaching on the Creator/creature distinction is where my hope for change rests. The Central Point: I can’t change unless I believe the reality that God exists and I’m not him. The Big Question: Why can’t I call the shots? The Big Answer: I can’t precisely because I believe I’m the one who calls the shots and…
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I can’t be There Before THE Beginning! (v. 1)
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I can’t Speak Things into Being From NOTHING! (vv. 2-3)
The Main Idea: God, the above-it-all Creator of all things, meets me here below. The Central Point: I won’t change until God shows up. The Big Question: What does God do to make me change? The Big Answer: He’s so much more than I expect because: 1. He AUTHORS… I am silenced. (v. 1) 2. He ORDERS… I am humbled. (v. 2) 3. He WORKS… I am awed. (v. 3)
The Main Idea: Paul’s closing appeal for you to have as much FOMO for yourself as he does. The Central Point: In battle, you’ll live into your “boasts”. The Big Question: What makes it all worth it to you? The Big Answer: ONLY TWO LOYALTIES…
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LOYALTY TO A DYING ORDER – Which FEELS Most Alive (vv. 11-13) a. Pay Attention to Their Focus on Self (vv. 11, 12) b. Pay Attention to Their Hypocritical Boast (vv. 11, 13)
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LOYALTY TO A NEW CREATION – Which IS Most Alive (vv. 14-18) a. Pay Attention to What Makes Me Boast (v. 14) b. Pay Attention to Why This is My Boast (vv. 15-18)
Sermon Text: Galatians 6:6-10 Sermon Title: “Heading Into the • The Main Idea: Paul’s Vision and Purpose for YOU Enduring the Battle Ahead • The Central Point: How you see yourself directly influences what you do. • The Big Question: What’s required of you to ENDURE the battle ahead? ~~The Big Answer: Two Essential Elements… 1. ATTITUDE CHECK (vv. 6-8) a. Identity Check (v. 6a) b. Responsibility Check (vv. 6b-8) 2. EXIT STRATEGY (vv. 9-10) a. Moving Away From ISOLATION (v. 9) b. Heading Into the GOOD LIFE! (v. 10)