Jeff Fitzgerald preaches to us from Jeremiah 29:1-14.

Dr. Thor Madsen preached to us from Romans 5:1-21 on how we can have peace with God.

For our Mission Focus Sunday, we had the privilege of hearing the Word preached from Philip Van Steenburgh. He serves as the Lead Pastor of Wornall Road Baptist Church in Kansas City. He preached from Matthew 5:13-16 on how we are called to be salt and light in this world. Truly, Jesus makes us different in order to make a difference in the lives of others around us.

Text: Genesis 17

God Declares a Covenant Identity (Gen. 17:1-8)

• God declares Himself to be “El Shaddai” (God Almighty), signifying His power and sovereignty.
• God changes Abram’s name to “Abraham” (father of a multitude), proving that He would fulfill His promise.
• God declares that Abraham must walk in blamelessness before Him.

God Demands a Covenant Sign (Gen. 17:9-14)

• God commands Abraham and all his household and future descendants to become circumcised.
• This act of obedience to God would set apart all who have embraced God’s covenant.

Abraham Demonstrates a Covenant Obedience (Gen. 17:15-27)

• God reinforces His covenant to Abraham and changes Sarai’s name to “Sarah” (princess).
• Abraham believes and obeys the Lord despite the seemingly impossible circumstances.
• This mark of physical circumcision would point to the spiritual “circumcision of Christ,” which leads to new life in Him. (Colossians 2:11-14)

Text: Genesis 16

The Faithless Acts of Abram and Sarai (Gen. 16:1-6)

• They questioned God’s ability to fulfill His promises.
• They chose to circumvent God’s plan by acting in unbelief.
• Their faithless acts led to family chaos and generational conflict.

The Faithful Presence of the God Who Sees (Gen. 16:7-16)

• The pre-incarnate Christ sees Hagar in her affliction.
• The pre-incarnate Christ brings comfort and blessing to Hagar.
• Christ sees us, knows our need, and can satisfy our hearts (John 4).

Text: Genesis 15

Abram Believes the Truth of God’s Promise (Gen. 15:1-6)

• God comes to Abram through His revealed Word.
• God reveals Himself as both deliverer and provider to dispel Abram’s doubts and fears.
• Abram believes in God’s Word and is justified by faith, giving us the Gospel pattern for belief.

God Guarantees the Fulfillment of His Covenant (Gen. 15:7-21)

• God’s covenant guarantees land and blessing for God’s people by His eternal character.
• God’s people will be afflicted sojourners, but He will remain faithful to them as their deliverer and provider.
• Abram’s offspring extends to all who are in Christ (Galatians 3:27-29).

Texts: Genesis 14:17-24; Hebrews 7

Abram Receives the Blessing of the Priest-King (Gen. 14:17-20)

• Melchizedek is identified as the king of Salem and the priest of the Most High God.
• Melchizedek blesses Abram and praises God as Creator and Deliverer
• Abram responds to Melchizedek by giving him a tenth of everything.

Abram Refuses the Offering of the Wicked King (Gen. 14:21-24)

• The king of Sodom offers Abram all the spoils of war to form an alliance.
• Since Abram sees God as His provider, he rejects the offering and gives it to those who were in need.

Jesus Represents the Eternal Priest-King (Hebrews 7)

• Melchizedek foreshadows Jesus’ character, ministry, and preeminence.
• Jesus is the greater and eternal Priest-King who intercedes for and saves sinners to the uttermost by His once-for-all death on the cross.

Text: Genesis 13:14-14:16

God Reaffirms His Promise to Abram (Gen. 13:14-18)

• God unfolds His grand promise to Abram to multiply his offspring and expand his people’s dwelling place.
• Abram responds with a heart of worship before God.

Abram Rescues Lot and His Family from Captivity (Gen. 14:1-16)

• Lot’s decision to walk by sight proves costly to him and his family.
• Lot and his family are taken captive by wicked, warring kings.
• Abram walks by faith in God, rescues Lot’s family, and defeats the wicked kings in battle.