Fellowshipmtz

Genesis 12:1-9 - The LORD's Promises & Abram's Call

Genesis 12:1-9

We only "scratch the surface" of a passage of Scripture that runs particularly deep in Biblical theology and importance!  I am grateful to be able to draw on insights from the likes of Bruce Waltke, Christopher Wright, and Duane Garrett in an attempt to highlight the significance of the LORD's grace to Abram.

1 Corinthians 11: 17-29: The Lord's Supper

We took a break from Genesis this week in order to explore the Lord's Supper. The service encompassed a sermon, reading, and hymn about communion, as well the actual observance of the ordinance. The recording has both the sermon and the communion reading. The sermon explores (via Paul's instructions to the church at Corinth) how the Lord's Supper is a sign-gift established by Christ so the Church may continually celebrate the Gospel.  

Genesis 11:10-32 - Terah! (Introduction to Abram)

Interestingly the "toledah" in Genesis 11:27 (a word explained in the message) doesn't highlight Abram/Abraham, it highlights Abram's father, Terah!  Understanding what we can about this family prepares us for Abram's call in chapter 12.

Genesis 11:1-9: The Tower of Babel

The sin of mankind continues at the Tower of Babel. This display of man's arrogance brings about God's divine retribution as he disperses them and confuses their languages. Yet, our gracious God ultimately redeems Babel through Jesus Christ and the event of Pentecost. 

Genesis 10: The Table of Nations

We are now at a point in Genesis to begin exploring God's plan to redeem the nations and make a people for himself. Genesis 10 details the individuals and nations who descend from the sons of Noah. Yet, the passage is more than a list of names. It serves a crucial part of God laying the foundation for the rest of the drama of redemption so he may ultimately establish his supreme kingdom. 

Genesis 9:18-29 - Noah's Drunkenness, Canaan's Curse, Shem & Japheth

Genesis 9:18-29

Some years after the disembarking from the ark we have one final story regarding Noah: he's drunk and uncovered inside his tent.  Ham sees his father condition and (apparently) finds it amusing.  Further dishonoring his father, he goes out to tell his brothers.  All of this ends with Noah's stern pronouncement upon Ham's youngest son, Canaan, along with words associated with blessing for his brothers, Shem and Japheth.

Knowing the Time - Romans 13:11, part 2

Romans 13:8-14

The conclusion to last Sunday's message on "knowing the time."  This week's emphasis is on "waking up" to what God has saved us for!

Knowing the Time - Romans 13:11 (Part 1)

Romans 13:11 reads: "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.  For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed."

Correctly knowing the time requires knowledge of the "nowness" of salvation. 
Or stated negatively, it is impossible to rightly know the time apart from rightly knowing the "nowness" of salvation.

Today's message sets the background for what Paul writes in chapter 13 by considering what Paul previously wrote to the Roman church about "now".

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22: The Gospel Shaped Church

Christians just celebrated Advent and now await the second coming of Christ. The Apostle Paul offers instructions to the church at Thessalonica as to how they must live faithfully and obediently until the day the Son of God comes back. We consider his exhortations for ourselves as a local church and discuss how they apply to us going into 2026. 

Zephaniah - "Wait for Me," declares the LORD

Zephaniah 1-3

This message combines two themes of Advent (Joy & Peace) since winter weather prohibited us from meeting on the third Sunday of Advent.  An informative & delightful overview of Biblical prophecy in general and of Zephaniah in particular.